bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EDITORIAL: Empowering the digitally excluded: learning initiatives for (in)visible groups
Authors: Seale Jane , Dutton William
Published: December 2012

There is growing evidence that some digitally excluded groups of learners are receiving more attention than others. Discussions regarding why some digitally excluded learners are more visible than others and therefore worthy of more committed digital inclusion interventions raises important questions about how we define and conceptualise digital inclusion and digital inclusion practice; particularly in relation to empowerment. In this article, we draw on a range of research, practice and policy literature to examine two important questions: what is empowerment and in whose hands does empowerment lie? We argue that empowerment involves making informed choices about technology use, but that learners often require support- human intervention- to make these choices. However, current digital inclusion research has failed to produce a detailed critique of what constitutes empowering support from educational institutions and their staff. A lack of open and reflexive accounts of practice means that we are no closer to identifying and understanding the kinds of empowering practices that are required to challenge the kinds of prejudices, stereotypes, risk-aversiveness and low aspirations associated with the most invisible of digitally excluded learners.Keywords: digital inclusion; digital exclusion; empowerment; risk-aversion; practice; conceptualisation(Published: 19 December 2012)Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2012, 20: 20214 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v20i0.20214
Long-Lasting Paracrine Effects of Human Cord Blood Cells on Damaged Neocortex in an Animal Model of Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Bae Sang-Hun , Kong Tae-Ho , Lee Hyun-Seob , Kim Kyung-Sul , Hong Kwan Soo , Chopp Michael , Kang Myung-Seo , Moon Jisook
Published: December 2012

Neonatal asphyxia is an important contributor to cerebral palsy (CP), for which there is no effective treatment to date. The administration of human cord blood cells (hUCBCs) is emerging as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurological disorders. However, there are few studies on the application of hUCBCs to the treatment of neonatal ischemia as a model of CP. Experiments and behavioral tests (mainly motor tests) performed on neonatal hypoxia/ischemia have been limited to short-term effects of hUCBCs, but mechanisms of action have not been investigated. We performed a study on the use of hUCBCs in a rat model of neonatal hypoxia/ischemia and investigated the underlying mechanism for therapeutic benefits of hUCBC treatment. hUCBCs were intravenously transplanted into a rat model of neonatal hypoxia ischemia. hUCBCs increased microglia temporarily in the periventricular striatum in the early phase of disease, protected mature neurons in the neocortex from injury, paved the way for the near-normalization of brain damage in the subventricular zone (SVZ), and, in consequence, significantly improved performance in a battery of behavioral tests compared to the vehicle-treated group. Although the transplanted cells were rarely observed in the brain 3 weeks after transplantation, the effects of the improved behavioral functions persisted. Our preclinical findings suggest that the long-lasting positive influence of hUCBCs is derived from paracrine effects of hUCBCs that stimulate recovery in the injured brain and protect against further brain damage.
The Impact of Stem Cells on Electron Fluxes, Proton Translocation, and ATP Synthesis in Kidney Mitochondria after Ischemia/Reperfusion
Authors: Beiral Hellen J. V. , Rodrigues-Ferreira Clara , Fernandes Aline M. , Gonsalez Sabrina R. , Mortari Nicoli C. , Takiya Christina M. , Sorenson Martha M. , Figueiredo-Freitas Cícero , Galina Antonio , Vieyra Adalberto
Published: December 2012

Tissue damage by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) results from a temporary cessation of blood flow followed by the restoration of circulation. The injury depresses mitochondrial respiration, increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreases the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and stimulates invasion by inflammatory cells. The primary objective of this work was to address the potential use of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to preserve and restore mitochondrial function in the kidney after I/R. Mitochondria from renal proximal tubule cells were isolated by differential centrifugation from rat kidneys subjected to I/R (clamping of renal arteries followed by release of circulation after 30 min), without or with subcapsular administration of BMSCs. Respiration starting from mitochondrial complex II was strongly affected following I/R. However, when BMSCs were injected before ischemia or together with reperfusion, normal electron fluxes, electrochemical gradient for protons, and ATP synthesis were almost completely preserved, and mitochondrial ROS formation occurred at a low rate. In homogenates from cultured renal cells transiently treated with antimycin A, the coculture with BMSCs induced a remarkable increase in protein S-nitrosylation that was similar to that found in mitochondria isolated from I/R rats, evidence that BMSCs protected against both superoxide anion and peroxynitrite. Labeled BMSCs migrated to damaged tubules, suggesting that the injury functions as a signal to attract and host the injected BMSCs. Structural correlates of BMSC injection in kidney tissue included stimulus of tubule cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and decreased inflammatory response. Histopathological analysis demonstrated a score of complete preservation of tubular structures by BMSCs, associated with normal plasma creatinine and urinary osmolality. These key findings shed light on the mechanisms that explain, at the mitochondrial level, how stem cells prevent damage by I/R. The action of BMSCs on mitochondrial functions raises the possibility that autologous BMSCs may help prevent I/R injuries associated with transplantation and acute renal diseases.
The Changing Landscape in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Saad F.
Published: December 2012

It was with a great deal of pride that I accepted to be the guest editor of this Current Oncology supplement dedicated to prostate cancer. It is especially exciting to realize that the whole supplement was able to be based on data that has only recently been published or that is still unpublished. [...]
A COMPETENCY EVALUATION METHOD OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGERS BASED ON MULTI-GRANULARITY LINGUISTIC VARIABLES AND VIKOR METHOD
Authors: Liu Peide , Wu Xingying
Published: December 2012

According to the characteristics of human resources managers’ competency and the research of relevant literatures at home and abroad, a competency evaluation method of human resources managers based on multi-granularity linguistic variables and VIKOR method is proposed. Firstly, the evaluation indicator system based on the competency of human resources managers is constructed. Then, by converting the evaluation information of different experts in different granularity to the same granularity by two-semantics, the comprehensive evaluation values can be obtained by integrating information of different experts. Further, the objective weights of the evaluation indexes were determined by the entropy method and an evaluation method were proposed based on the VIKOR method. Finally, an application example is given to illustrate the evaluation procedures of the developed approach and to demonstrate their practicality and effectiveness.
COMMENTS ON “MULTIPLE CRITERIA DECISION MAKING (MCDM) METHODS IN ECONOMICS: AN OVERVIEW”
Authors: Liou James J. H , Tzeng Gwo-Hshiung
Published: December 2012

This paper offers comments on a previously published paper, titled “Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) methods in economics: an overview,” by Zavadskas and Turskis (2011). The paper's authors made great efforts to summarize MCDM methods but may have failed to consider several important new concepts and trends in the MCDM field for solving actual problems. First, the traditional model assumes the criteria are independently and hierarchically structured; however, in reality, problems are often characterized by interdependent criteria and dimensions and may even exhibit feedback-like effects. Second, relatively good solutions from the existing alternatives are replaced by aspiration levels to fit today's competitive markets. Third, the emphasis in the field has shifted from ranking and selection when determining the most preferable approaches to performance improvement of existing methods. Fourth, information fusion techniques, including the fuzzy integral method, have been developed to aggregate the performances. Finally, the original fixed resources in multi-objective programming are divided such that both decision and objective spaces are changeable. In this paper, we add new concepts and provide comments that could be thought of as an attempt to complete the original paper.
Droit de vote des étrangers, l'Arlésienne
Authors: Andrès Hervé
Published: December 2012

Au nombre des droits civiques, il en est un dont l’exercice reste interdit aux étrangers : le droit de vote. Il fait l’objet récurrent de projets et propositions de loi, sans qu’aucun gouvernement n’ait jamais eu le courage de transformer l’essai. Les justifications ne manquent pas, qui sont toujours les mêmes. Au point que l’on peut s’interroger sur la signification réelle d’une telle inertie.
Carlos Fernández Casado y José Acuña: los primeros puentes de altura estricta. Jaén, 1933-1935
Authors: Burgos A. , Saéz-Pérez M. P. , Olmo J. C.
Published: December 2012

La “Colección de Puentes de Altura Estricta” fue una de las mayores creaciones del genial ingeniero de caminos español Carlos Fernández Casado. Fue diseñada a principios de los años 1930 y tuvo una gran trascendencia en la Ingeniería civil española del siglo XX. No obstante, sus orígenes son poco conocidos.
Las primeras materializaciones de la “Colección” fueron seis puentes que se construyeron en la provincia de Jaén, entre 1933 y 1935. Fueron posibles gracias al decidido apoyo que prestó otro ingeniero de caminos, José Acuña y Gómez de la Torre. Posteriormente también se hizo cargo de su ejecución material.
Con esta investigación se pretende reconstruir su proceso de diseño y construcción. También se describen los puentes tal como han llegado hasta nuestros días. Con todo ello se espera contribuir a que sea reconocido su gran valor como elementos patrimoniales.
Fachadas ventiladas activas para reducir la demanda de calefacción en los edificios de oficinas. El caso de España
Authors: Irulegi O. , Serra A. , Hernández R. , Ruiz-Pardo A. , Torres L.
Published: December 2012

En este artículo se analiza la eficiencia energética de una Fachada Ventilada Activa –FVA– aplicada a edificios de oficinas en España para reducir la demanda de calefacción.

El sistema de fachada consiste en una hoja exterior de 2 mm de acero galvanizado y una cavidad de 3 cm donde el aire de ventilación es precalentado en invierno y extraído en verano.

Tras definir 8 tipologías típicas, se han obtenido 192 casos de estudio en los que se consideran diferentes parámetros: la superficie acristalada, la orientación y la zona climática.

El cálculo de la demanda energética de los casos de estudio ha sido llevado a cabo mediante el programa LIDER, el método general del Código Técnico de la Edificación – CTE. Los resultados obtenidos en términos de reducción de la demanda de calefacción, se muestran comparados con los mínimos requerimientos exigidos en el CTE.
Transfer of Plancherel Measures for Unitary Supercuspidal Representations betweenp-adic Inner Forms
Authors: Choiy Kwangho
Published: December 2012

LetFbe ap-adic field of characteristic 0, and letMbe anF-Levi subgroup of a connected reductiveF-split group such thatGLnifor positive integersrand ni. We prove that the Plancherel measure for any unitary supercuspidal representation ofM(F) is identically transferred underthe local Jacquet–Langlands type correspondencebetweenMand itsF-inner forms, assuming a working hypothesis that Plancherel measures are invariant on a certain set. This work extends the result of Muić and Savin (2000) for Siegel Levi subgroups of the groups SO4nand Sp4nunderthe local Jacquet–Langlands correspondence. It can be applied to a simply connected simpleF-group of typeE6orE7, and a connected reductiveF-group of typeAn,Bn,CnorDn.
Ground-based remote sensing of tropospheric water vapour isotopologues within the project MUSICA
Authors: Schneider M. , Barthlott S. , Hase F. , González Y. , Yoshimura K. , García O. E. , Sepúlveda E. , Gomez-Pelaez A. , Gisi M. , Kohlhepp R. , Dohe S. , Blumenstock T. , Wiegele A. , Christner E. , Strong K. , Weaver D. , Palm M. , Deutscher N. M. , Warneke T. , Notholt J. , Lejeune B. , Demoulin P. , Jones N. , Griffith D. W. T. , Smale D. , Robinson J.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Within the project MUSICA (MUlti-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water), long-term tropospheric water vapour isotopologue data records are provided for ten globally distributed ground-based mid-infrared remote sensing stations of the NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change). We present a new method allowing for an extensive and straightforward characterisation of the complex nature of such isotopologue remote sensing datasets. We demonstrate that the MUSICA humidity profiles are representative for most of the troposphere with a vertical resolution ranging from about 2 km (in the lower troposphere) to 8 km (in the upper troposphere) and with an estimated precision of better than 10%. We find that the sensitivity with respect to the isotopologue composition is limited to the lower and middle troposphere, whereby we estimate a precision of about 30‰ for the ratio between the two isotopologues HD16O and H216O. The measurement noise, the applied atmospheric temperature profiles, the uncertainty in the spectral baseline, and the cross-dependence on humidity are the leading error sources. We introduce an a posteriori correction method of the cross-dependence on humidity, and we recommend applying it to isotopologue ratio remote sensing datasets in general. In addition, we present mid-infrared CO2 retrievals and use them for demonstrating the MUSICA network-wide data consistency. In order to indicate the potential of long-term isotopologue remote sensing data if provided with a well-documented quality, we present a climatology and compare it to simulations of an isotope incorporated AGCM (Atmospheric General Circulation Model). We identify differences in the multi-year mean and seasonal cycles that significantly exceed the estimated errors, thereby indicating deficits in the modeled atmospheric water cycle.
A compilation of tropospheric measurements of gas-phase and aerosol chemistry in polar regions
Authors: Sander R. , Bottenheim J.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Measurements of atmospheric chemistry in polar regions have been made for more than half a century. Probably the first Antarctic ozone data were recorded in 1958 during the International Geophysical Year. Since then, many measurement campaigns followed, and the results are now spread over many publications in several journals. Here, we have compiled measurements of tropospheric gas-phase and aerosol chemistry made in the Arctic and the Antarctic. It is hoped that this data collection is worth more than the sum of its components and serves as a basis for future analyses of spatial and temporal trends in polar atmospheric chemistry.
Impacts of conservation tillage on the hydrological and agronomic performance of fanya juus in the upper Blue Nile (Abbay) river basin
Authors: Temesgen M. , Uhlenbrook S. , Simane B. , van der Zaag P. , Mohamed Y. , Wenninger J. , Savenije H. H. G.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Adoption of soil conservation structures (SCS) has been low in high rainfall areas of Ethiopia mainly due to crop yield reduction, increased soil erosion following breaching of SCS, incompatibility with the tradition of cross plowing and water-logging behind SCS. A new type of conservation tillage (CT) involving contour plowing and the construction of invisible subsoil barriers using a modified Maresha winged "subsoiler" is suggested as a means to tackle these problems as an integral part of the SCS. We investigated the effect of integrating the CT with SCS on the surface runoff, water-logging, soil loss, crop yield and plowing convenience. The new approach of conservation tillage has been compared with traditional tillage (TT) on 5 farmers' fields in a high rainfall area in the upper Blue Nile (Abbay) river basin. Test crops were wheat [triticum vulgare] and tef [eragrostis tef]. Farmers found CT convenient to apply between SCS. Surface runoff appeared to be reduced under CT by 48 and 15%, for wheat and tef, respectively. As a result, CT reduced sediment yield by 51 and 9.5%, for wheat and tef, respectively. Significantly reduced water-logging was observed behind SCS in CT compared to TT. Grain yields of wheat and tef increased by 35 and 10%, respectively, although the differences were not statistically significant apparently due to high fertility variations among fields of participating farmers. Farmers who tested CT indicated that they will continue this practice in the future.
A physically based approach for the estimation of root-zone soil moisture from surface measurements
Authors: Manfreda S. , Brocca L. , Moramarco T. , Melone F. , Sheffield J.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. In the present work, we developed a new formulation for the estimation of the soil moisture in the root zone based on the measured value of soil moisture at the surface. The method sheds lights on the relationship between surface and root zone soil moisture and has applications in the use of satellite remote sensing retrievals of soil moisture. It derives from a simplified form of the soil water balance equation and provides a closed form of the relationship between the root zone and the surface soil moisture with a limited number of physically consistent parameters. The approach was first used to interpret soil moisture dynamics at the point scale using soil moisture measurements taken from the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) database. Thereafter it was also tested over an extended domain using modeled soil moisture data obtained from the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS). The NLDAS database provides modeled soil moisture data averaged over different depths for the conterminous US covering different climatic and physical conditions. In general, the method performed better than a traditional low pass filter and its results are found to be influenced by rainfall dynamics and also by the observed variance of soil moisture in the lower layer. The limited number of the parameters and their physical interpretation allows a direct application of the procedure to other regions.
Total Factor Productivity and the Bio Economy Effects
Authors: Zuniga Gonzalez Carlos Alberto
Published: December 2012

This paper develops a new measure of total factor productivity growth in agricultural Production which incorporates Bio Economic components effects.The new measure is called the Bio Economic-Oriented Total Factor Productivity (BTFP) index, and incorporates components of Bio Economic as liquid biofuels. BTFP measure changes in Bio Economic efficiency and can be decomposed into bio economy efficiency change (BEC), and Bio Economic technological change (BTC) components.An empirical analysis, involving 7 Central American countries-level during 1980-2007, is provided using DEA methods. The results have shown a positive annual growth in bio economy total factor productivity of 1.1 percent.  This change is explained by 0.03 percent per year in the bio economy efficiency change (or bio economy catch-up) and bio economy technical change (or bio ethanol frontier-shift) is providing 0.09 percent.
Parkinson’s disease; Its Occurrence and Identification of Risk Factors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Rahman Saleem Ur , Ilahi Ikram , Khan Suliman , Khan Ayaz Ali , Khan Muhammad Zuhaib
Published: December 2012

The present survey aimed to study the age, gender, residency and occupation wise occurrence of Parkinson’s disease in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. The Parkinson’s patients, who were visiting Neurology Department, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, were interviewed and the information were recorded in questionnaires. The age limit of patients was 30 to 80 years. The data obtained was analyzed for gender, age, occupation and residency wise occurrence of Parkinson’s disease. The survey showed that Parkinson’s disease is more common in male than in female. The elderly age group (61-70 years) and farmers were more affected. The disease was more common in rural areas than in urban. The current investigation analyzes the pattern of Parkinson’s disease and gives information about the related factors in the province.
Shopping Tourism or Tourists Shopping? A Case Study of South Africa's African Tourism Market
Authors: Saayman Melville , Saayman Andrea
Published: December 2012

Tourism to South Africa has increased consistently over the last 15 years and the country has become one of the most popular tourist destinations, not only in Africa, but also in the world. With 10 million tourists visiting South Africa, tourism has grown to become an important industry, contributing more than 8% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP); it has even surpassed earnings from gold exports as an important source of foreign exchange. A closer inspection of the arrivals statistics reveals that the majority (75%) of tourists are from Africa. In addition, 75% of all African tourists are from South Africa's neighbouring countries. However, most research on tourism to South Africa focuses on intercontinental arrivals. Among the reasons cited for the exclusion of African tourists is that these tourists visit South Africa for reasons other than tourism, such as shopping, business and study. This research addresses this shortcoming by analysing the trends in arrivals and spending by African tourists to South Africa. The paper sheds light on the reasons why African tourists travel to South Africa and shows the important role of South Africa as a wholesaler for Africa. It is postulated that the link between trade and tourism is much stronger for South Africa and its neighbours than is the case for other countries.
Determinants of Multi-Destination Tourism Trips in Brazil
Authors: Santos Glauber Eduardo de Oliveira , Ramos Vicente , Rey-Maquieira Javier
Published: December 2012

Despite the relatively frequent occurrence of multi-destination tourism trips (MTTs), their determinants have been unsatisfactorily studied in the academic literature. The objective of this paper is to develop an analysis of the determinants of MTTs, assessing the theoretical propositions and empirical findings of previous studies. The authors use a large dataset of 183,000 international tourists who visited Brazil from 2004 to 2010. They employ a censored zero-inflated negative binomial model to overcome econometric deficiencies in previous studies. The set of explanatory variables used in preceding analyses is substantially extended to include additional determinants such as level of education, type of accommodation and season. Some of the findings throw light on conflicting theoretical arguments in the literature, especially those regarding the effects of party size and monetary and time constraints. The authors find a qualitative difference between single and multiple destination trips. Finally, tourists' decisions to take single or multiple destination trips are shown to be different and somehow detached from the decision on how many destinations to visit.
Peer-Mediated Multimodal Intervention Program for the Treatment of Children with ADHD in India: One-Year Followup
Authors: Mehta Sagar , Shah Devesh , Shah Kushal , Mehta Sanjiv , Mehta Neelam , Mehta Vivek , Mehta Vijay , Mehta Vaishali , Motiwala Smita , Mehta Naina , Mehta Devendra
Published: December 2012

The objective was to assess the efficacy of a one-year, peer-mediated interventional program consisting of yoga, meditation and play therapy maintained by student volunteers in a school in India. The population consisted of 69 students between the ages of 6 and 11 years, previously identified as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A program, known as Climb-Up, was initially embedded in the school twice weekly. Local high school student volunteers were then trained to continue to implement the program weekly over the period of one year. Improvements in ADHD symptoms and academic performance were assessed using Vanderbilt questionnaires completed by both parents and teachers. The performance impairment scores for ADHD students assessed by teachers improved by 6 weeks and were sustained through 12 months in 46 (85%) of the enrolled students. The improvements in their Vanderbilt scores assessed by parents were also seen in 92% (P<0.0001, Wilcoxon). The Climb-Up program resulted in remarkable improvements in the students’ school performances that were sustained throughout the year. These results show promise for a cost-effective program that could easily be implemented in any school.
On the Thermal Effusivity of Bovine Milk
Authors: Acosta-Avalos Daniel , Soares Velasco Daniel
Published: December 2012

Thermal diffusivity, conductivity, and effusivity are parameters that can be measured using photoacoustic techniques. Both thermal diffusivity and conductivity have already been measured for bovine milk. To complete its thermal characterization, this paper deals with the thermal effusivity of commercial bovine milk with a different fat content. The thermal effusivity ε obtained for skimmed, partly skimmed, and whole milks is 0.153 W cm−2 s1/2 K−1, 0.144 W cm−2 s1/2 K−1, and 0.140 W cm−2 s1/2 K−1, respectively, with the uncertainty being less than 5%. It was observed that the thermal effusivity decreases with the increase in the fat content. For the first time, it is observed that the thermal effusivity is a linear function of the logarithm of the fat content. The comparison of our results with previous results for milk from Slovakia revealed different thermal effusivity values. This might be due to regional differences in the milk composition and could be used as a criterion to identify the milk provenience.
Effect of Chemical Enhancers in Transdermal Permeation of Alfuzosin Hydrochloride
Authors: Prasanthi D. , Lakshmi P. K.
Published: December 2012

The objective of the present study is to explore the efficient chemical penetration enhancer among the various enhancers available in overcoming the stratum corneum barrier in transdermal delivery of Alfuzosin hydrochloride (AH). The different enhancers were incorporated in 2% Carbopol gel which was selected as a control and evaluated by in vitro diffusion studies through dialysis membrane and permeation through the rat abdominal skin using Keshary-Chien diffusion cells. All the enhancers increased the release rate through the dialysis membrane when compared with control except oleic acid which decreased the release rate but showed maximum solubility of the drug. Among the various enhancers Transcutol 20% and tween-20 (2%) showed the highest cumulative amount (Q24) of 702.28 ± 6.97 μg/cm2 and 702.74 ± 7.49 μg/cm2, respectively. A flux rate of 31.08 ± 0.21 μg/cm2/hr by Transcutol 20% and 30.38 ± 0.18 μg/cm2/hr by tween-20 (2%) was obtained. Transcutol 20% showed decreased lag time of 0.13 ± 0.05 hr. The lowest skin content of 342.33 ± 5.30 μg/gm was seen with oleic acid 2.5%. Maximum enhancement of flux by 3.94-fold was obtained with transcutol 20%. Primary skin irritation studies were performed with rabbit. Histopathological studies of transcutol 20% showed marked changes such as degeneration and infiltration of mononuclear cells in dermis indicating the effect of transcutol on the skin. Among the different enhancers transcutol is efficient in enhancing transdermal delivery of AH.
Sensitivity Analysis for the Encaged Turbine Concept in Oscillating Water Column Plants
Authors: Georgiou Demos P. , Milidonis Kypros F. , Georgiou Eleutherios N.
Published: December 2012

Oscillating water column plants are one of the most popular wave energy device types. Prototype OWC units have been operating in various parts of the world since the mid-1980s and such developers have more field experience of this technology than any other relevant plant. The most common turbine used is the self-rectifying Well's turbine which has a rather low peak efficiency if compared to other designs but was preferred in terms of its simplicity and cycle performance. The present study exploits the merits of a new concept for the power extraction process, that of an encaged turbine for OWC plants, which allows conventional high-efficiency turbines to be employed in such plants. This is achieved by guiding the pressurized air into a sequence of three chambers, creating a unidirectional closed air circuit through the turbine. A theoretical model is deployed simulating the operation of the plant and a sensitivity analysis is carried out for the design and working parameters. Results indicate that the power extraction efficiency may exceed the 50% level in a real plant.
Adaptive Controller Design for Faulty UAVs via Quantum Information Technology
Authors: Chen Fuyang , Hou Rui , Tao Gang
Published: December 2012

In this paper, an adaptive controller is designed for a UAV flight control system against faults and parametric uncertainties based on quantum information technology and the Popov hyperstability theory. First, considering the bounded control input, the state feedback controller is designed to make the system stable. The model of adaptive control is introduced to eliminate the impact by the uncertainties of system parameters via quantum information technology. Then, according to the model reference adaptive principle, an adaptive control law based on the Popov hyperstability theory is designed. This law enable better robustness of the flight control system and tracking control performances. The closed-loop system's stability is guaranteed by the Popov hyperstability theory. The simulation results demonstrate that a better dynamic performance of the UAV flight control system with faults and parametric uncertainties can be maintained with the proposed method.
Automatic Battery Swap System for Home Robots
Authors: Wu Juan , Qiao Guifang , Ge Jian , Sun Hongtao , Song Guangming
Published: December 2012

This paper presents the design and implementation of an automatic battery swap system for the prolonged activities of home robots. A battery swap station is proposed to implement battery off-line recharging and on-line exchanging functions. It consists of a loading and unloading mechanism, a shifting mechanism, a locking device and a shell. The home robot is a palm-sized wheeled robot with an onboard camera and a removable battery case in the front. It communicates with the battery swap station wirelessly through ZigBee. The influences of battery case deflection and robot docking deflection on the battery swap operations have been investigated. The experimental results show that it takes an average time of 84.2s to complete the battery swap operations. The home robot does not have to wait several hours for the batteries to be fully charged. The proposed battery swap system is proved to be efficient in home robot applications that need the robots to work continuously over a long period.
Commercializing Emerging Renewable Energy: A Case Study
Authors: Lehtovaara Matti , Karvonen Matti , Tuunanen Jussi , Pyrhönen Olli , Kässi Tuomo
Published: December 2012

A broad scientific consensus exists that the global climate is changing. The Earth's surface temperature could rise significantly over the next few decades, leading to us witnessing an entirely new and unknown planet. Improved energy efficiency, decreasing use of fossil fuels and wide diffusion of various renewable energy sources are among the focal measures to limit global warming to a sustainable level. The objective of this study is to analyse how renewable energy, such as wind power and bioenergy, could be efficiently commercialized. The evaluation is based on a case study and expert analyses exploiting lateral and parallel thinking methods, and group decision support systems tools. The results reveal that some of the generated ideas are ready for implementation to commercialize renewable energy, whereas others still require technical and commercial development, and improvements before maturity.
Editorial
Authors: Fort Mônica , Kaseker Mônica Panis
Published: December 2012

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A comunicação institucional e o conteúdo gerado pelos usuários no Facebook envolvendo a companhia TIM
Authors: Albuquerque Suelen Loraine Aguilar , Rodella Cibele Abdo
Published: December 2012

A pesquisa propôs compreender de que forma os consumidores e usuários do Facebook geram conteúdo que produz sentidos na comunicação institucional da organização TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile). A partir das proposições da comunicação organizacional e dos procedimentos metodológicos da Análise de Conteúdo, da pesquisadora francesa Laurence Bardin, a investigação foi desenvolvida. O objeto de estudo do trabalho é a comunicação presente no Facebook, produzida por meio das informações e opiniões compartilhadas, comentadas e curtidas por usuários. Com o processo analítico, observou-se que quando as exposições deconteúdo negativo na rede mundial repercutem e se tornam notícias, as opiniões e as deficiências referentes à corporação são legitimadas. Notou-se, nos trechos analisados, que o usuário produtor de conteúdo corporativoé uma ferramenta da comunicação institucional, que pode construir, (des)construir e, até mesmo, (re)construir a identidade, imagem e reputação organizacional
α‐Adrenoceptor Assays
Authors: Abel Peter W. , Jain Neha
Published: December 2012

α‐Adrenoceptors mediate responses to activation of both peripheral sympathetic nerves and central noradrenergic neurons. They also serve as autoreceptors that modulate the release of norepinephrine (NE) and other neurotransmitters. There are two major classes of α‐adrenoceptors, the α1‐ and α2. Each class is subdivided into three subtypes: α1A, α1B, α1D, and α2A, α2B, α2C. Described in this unit are in vitro isolated tissue methods used to study α‐adrenoceptor functions and to identify novel ligands for these receptors. Detailed protocols describing use of isolated tissues to study the various α1‐ and α2‐adrenoceptor subtypes are provided. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 59:4.5.1‐4.5.32. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Inventory Record Inaccuracy in Retail Supply Chains
Authors: DeHoratius Nicole
Published: December 2012

Inventory record inaccuracy (IRI), defined as the discrepancy between the recorded inventory quantity and the actual inventory quantity physically available on the shelf, is a substantial problem in retailing. This article summarizes the research documenting the problem of IRI within retail supply chains and reviews several potential solutions to IRI offered by operations management researchers. In addition, this article explores how execution problems within retail distribution centers contribute to store‐level IRI. Through direct observations and interviews with retail employees, we identify numerous errors that occur within the retail distribution center and how such errors create a mismatch between actual and recorded store inventory. We argue that it is critical to detect, determine the root cause of, and correct such errors in an effort to prevent them from cascading from one stage of the distribution process to the next. We claim error prevention in distribution, similar to quality improvement in manufacturing, requires improving workforce practices, fool proofing operational processes, and appropriate incentive design. We conclude with our recommendations for further study on this topic.
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ssociation of
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sia
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acific
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perational
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esearch
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ocieties
Authors: Yuan Yaxiang , Liu Degang
Published: December 2012

The Association of Asia Pacific Operational Research Societies, abbreviated as APORS, is one of the regional groupings under the International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS). Its objectives are to develop operational research (OR) as a unified science and advance it in the Asia‐Pacific nations through sponsoring international meetings, exchanging information on OR, encouraging AP nations to establish their national societies, and promoting OR education and applications. By 2011, APORS has 12 member societies and becomes actively involved in all IFORS activities.
Modeling composite emulsion polymerization kinetics
Authors: de Wet‐Roos D. , Knoetze J. H.
Published: December 2012

The conversion profiles of a number of factorial designed experiments used to study composite emulsion polymerization were modeled using a deterministic mathematical construct as well as an empirical neural network approach. In the deterministic modeling approach, existing mechanistic models for emulsion polymerization were employed for which estimates of rate constants were obtained from established literature sources as well as experiments. Fitting of the kinetic data was done using nonlinear fitting algorithms to adjust the estimated rate constants to provide the best fit of the conversion profiles. In the case of the empirical modeling using neural networks, the neural net inputs were in the form of the factor levels of the various experimental designs. Several nonrelated experimental designs could be combined in this way to serve as the input, whereas the conversion profiles were targeted as outputs. Following the successful implementation of both modeling strategies, a hybrid modeling approach was tested by combining the neural network predictive power to estimate values for rate constants while retaining the aforementioned mechanistic models to fit the data. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 45: 101–117, 2013
Understanding the dynamics behind photoisomerization of light‐driven molecular rotary motors
Authors: Filatov Michael
Published: December 2012

The design and synthesis of artificial molecular motors to power up the nanoscale mechanical devices is one of the urgent tasks for modern synthetic chemistry. Light‐driven molecular rotary motors are a key class of compounds that undergo unidirectional rotation about a double bond through a series of photochemical and thermal steps. To improve their functionality and to develop new design strategies, a deeper understanding of the dynamics behind light‐driven rotary motion is required. Such an understanding can be only gained from the accurate dynamics simulations of the nonadiabatic photo‐rearrangement processes occurring during the motor operation. The currently available methods of quantum chemistry combined with the nonadiabatic molecular dynamics techniques represent a powerful tool for the investigation of the dynamic aspects of the molecular motors functionality. The results obtained in theoretical simulations provide for an unprecedented understanding of the photoisomerization process and hold considerable implications in achieving improved design strategies for future generations of molecular motors. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Molecular Structures
A minimal model of neutrino flavor
Authors: Luhn Christoph , Parattu Krishna Mohan , Wingerter Akın
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Models of neutrino mass which attempt to describe the observed lepton mixing pattern are typically based on discrete family symmetries with a non-Abelian and one or more Abelian factors. The latter so-called shaping symmetries are imposed in order to yield a realistic phenomenology by forbidding unwanted operators. Here we propose a supersymmetric model of neutrino flavor which is based on the group T
7 and does not require extra
$ \mathbb{Z} $

N
or U(1) factors in the Yukawa sector, which makes it the smallest realistic family symmetry that has been considered so far. At leading order, the model predicts tribimaximal mixing which arises completely accidentally from a combination of the T
7 Clebsch-Gordan coefficients and suitable flavon alignments. Next-to-leading order (NLO) operators break the simple tribimaximal structure and render the model compatible with the recent results of the Daya Bay and Reno collaborations which have measured a reactor angle of around 9°. Problematic NLO deviations of the other two mixing angles can be controlled in an ultraviolet completion of the model. The vacuum alignment mechanism that we use necessitates the introduction of a hidden flavon sector that transforms under a
$ \mathbb{Z} $

6 symmetry, thereby spoiling the minimality of our model whose flavor symmetry is then T
7 ×
$ \mathbb{Z} $

6.
The Use of Lipids and Fatty Acids to Measure the Trophic Plasticity of the Coral Stylophora subseriata
Authors: Seemann J. , Sawall Y. , Auel H. , Richter C.
Published: December 2012

Following up on previous investigations on the stress resistance of corals, this study assessed the trophic plasticity of the coral Stylophora subseriata in the Spermonde Archipelago (Indonesia) along an eutrophication gradient. Trophic plasticity was assessed in terms of lipid content and fatty acid composition in the holobiont relative to its plankton (50–300 μm) food as well as the zooxanthellae density, lipid, FA and chlorophyll a content. A cross‐transplantation experiment was carried out for 1.5 months in order to assess the trophic potential of corals. Corals, which live in the eutrophied nearshore area showed higher zooxanthellae and chlorophyll a values and higher amounts of the dinoflagellate biomarker FA 18:4n‐3. Their lipid contents were maintained at similar to levels from specimens further away from the anthropogenic impact source going up to 14.9 ± 0.9 %. A similarity percentage analysis of the groups holobiont, zooxanthellae and plankton >55 μm found that differences between the FA composition of the holobiont and zooxanthellae symbionts were more distinct in the site closer to the shore, thus heterotrophic feeding became more important. Transplanted corals attained very similar zooxanthellae, chlorophyll a and lipid values at all sites as the specimens originating from those sites, which indicates a high potential for trophic plasticity in the case of a change in food sources, which makes this species competitive and resistant to eutrophication.
L'invention du spectateur au XVIIIe siècle. L'art est usage
Authors: Brugère Fabienne
Published: December 2012

La philosophie du XVIIIe siècle analyse l’art à partir de la référence à un spectateur esthétique. En même temps, avec Adam Smith, elle s’intéresse aux jugements moraux que peut formuler un spectateur impartial. Comment l’art et la morale, le beau et le bien, peuvent-ils être pensés ensemble? Ces deux domaines portent des valeurs hors de toute transcendance, rapportées à l’expérience humaine. Avec le spectateur esthétique, l’art devient usage. Il s’incarne dans les manières par lesquelles les humains se rapportent aux œuvres et au beau.
Institutional prevention policies and rates of Group B Streptococcus infection among HIV‐infected pregnant women and their infants in Latin America
Authors: Joao Esaú , Gouvea Maria I. , Freimanis‐Hance Laura , Cohen Rachel A. , Read Jennifer S. , Melo Victor , Duarte Geraldo , Ivalo Silvina , Machado Daisy M. , Pilotto Jose , Siberry George K.
Published: December 2012

Objective

To describe Group B Streptococcus (GBS) prevention policies at 12 Latin American sites participating in the NICHD (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) International Site Development Initiative (NISDI) Longitudinal Study in Latin American Countries (LILAC) and to determine rates of rectovaginal colonization and GBS‐related disease among HIV‐infected pregnant women and their infants.

Methods

Site surveys were used to assess prevention policies and practices administered cross‐sectionally during 2010. Data collected in NISDI from 2008 to 2010 regarding HIV‐infected pregnant women were used to determine rates of colonization and GBS‐related disease.

Results

Of the 9 sites with a GBS prevention policy, 7 performed routine rectovaginal screening for GBS. Of the 401 women included in the NISDI study, 56.9% were at sites that screened. The GBS colonization rate was 8.3% (19/228 women; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.1%–12.7%). Disease related to GBS occurred in 0.5% of the participants (2/401 women; 95% CI, 0.1%–1.8%); however, no GBS‐related disease was reported among the 398 infants (95% CI, 0.0%–0.9%).

Conclusion

Improved efforts to implement prevention policies and continued surveillance for GBS are needed to understand the impact of GBS among HIV‐infected pregnant women and their infants in Latin America.
Distributions of Pore Water Pressure Surround a Horizontal Drain Pipe on a Retaining wall Under Steady State Condition
Authors: Chen C. N. , Chen H. Y.
Published: December 2012

This article presents the results from a study of drainage rates and groundwater pressure distributions surrounding a horizontal drain pipe. The pipe is assumed to be applied on a retaining wall and reached a steady state condition. The optimized design pattern for horizontal drain pipes on a retaining wall is deeply related to the efficiency of dissipation of groundwater and the pore pressure behind the wall. Therefore, simulations of groundwater flow through a single horizontal drain pipe with different sizes (diameters and lengths) and depths by a 3-D finite element program model would lead us to find out the mechanism of the drainage pattern. The study has revealed the equalized water pressure contours surrounding the horizontal drain pipe exhibited horn shapes distributions. The biggest but still has a closed shape of horn was named Characterized Iso-pressure Surface (CIPS) in this research. It was found to be a good object to reflect the effects of single drain pipe so as to explore the mechanisms of drainage pattern. This research conducted a series study of dimension factor influence. It could be a help in developing assessment and design methods for horizontal drain pipes applied to the retaining wall.
Flow Induced Aerodynamic Noise Analysis of Perforated Tube Mufflers
Authors: Wang C.-N. , Tse C.-C. , Chen S.-C.
Published: December 2012

Despite the analysis of muffler performance for many years, most works focus mainly on reducing inlet sound and fail to consider the flow effect. Most of their results correlate well with the experimental measurements. Subsequent works have considered the mean flow effect. Owing to Doppler's effect, transmission loss curve of the muffler will shift in its corresponding frequency. However, the correlation is worse than the experimental results since the flow induced noise does not include in the analysis. This work elucidates how flow induced noise affects muffler performance by analyzing a uniform flow that passes through perforated mufflers. The flow field is calculated with the CFD method, followed by evaluation of the aerodynamic noise based on the simulation results. Additionally, the procedure is simplified by computing and comparing only the total sound power induced by the flow in the muffler interior. Two muffler types, Helmholtz resonator and plug perforated tube muffler, are analyzed and discussed.