bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-time image-processing algorithm for markerless tumour tracking using X-ray fluoroscopic imaging
Authors: Mori S
Published: March 2014

Objective:

To ensure accuracy in respiratory-gating treatment, X-ray fluoroscopic imaging is used to detect tumour position in real time. Detection accuracy is strongly dependent on image quality, particularly positional differences between the patient and treatment couch. We developed a new algorithm to improve the quality of images obtained in X-ray fluoroscopic imaging and report the preliminary results.

Methods:

Two oblique X-ray fluoroscopic images were acquired using a dynamic flat panel detector (DFPD) for two patients with lung cancer. The weighting factor was applied to the DFPD image in respective columns, because most anatomical structures, as well as the treatment couch and port cover edge, were aligned in the superior–inferior direction when the patient lay on the treatment couch. The weighting factors for the respective columns were varied until the standard deviation of the pixel values within the image region was minimized. Once the weighting factors were calculated, the quality of the DFPD image was improved by applying the factors to multiframe images.

Results:

Applying the image-processing algorithm produced substantial improvement in the quality of images, and the image contrast was increased. The treatment couch and irradiation port edge, which were not related to a patient's position, were removed. The average image-processing time was 1.1 ms, showing that this fast image processing can be applied to real-time tumour-tracking systems.

Conclusion:

These findings indicate that this image-processing algorithm improves the image quality in patients with lung cancer and successfully removes objects not related to the patient.

Advances in knowledge:

Our image-processing algorithm might be useful in improving gated-treatment accuracy.
Prediction in Economic Networks
Authors: Dhar Vasant , Geva Tomer , Oestreicher-Singer Gal , Sundararajan Arun
Published: March 2014

We define an economic network as a linked set of entities, where links are created by actual realizations of shared economic outcomes between entities. We analyze the predictive information contained in a specific type of economic network, namely, a product network, where the links between products reflect aggregated information on the preferences of large numbers of individuals to co-purchase pairs of products. The product network therefore reflects a simple “smoothed” model of demand for related products. Using a data set containing more than 70 million observations of a nonstatic co-purchase network over a period of two years, we predict network entities' future demand by augmenting data on their historical demand with data on the demand for their immediate neighbors, in addition to network properties, specifically, local clustering and PageRank. To our knowledge, this is the first study of a large-scale dynamic network that shows that a product network contains useful distributed information for demand prediction. The economic implications of algorithmically predicting demand for large numbers of products are significant.
Service Competition and Service War: A Game-Theoretic Analysis
Authors: Chiu Chun-Hung , Choi Tsan-Ming , Li Yongjian , Xu Lei
Published: March 2014

We conduct a game-theoretic analysis on a duopoly pure service game. We consider the situation in which two service providers compete in a market with respect to the service-level decision on a particular common service product. We first construct an analytical model to examine the existence of the Nash equilibrium in the service game. We then prove that the characteristics of equilibrium service levels depend heavily on the prices offered by the service providers. After that, we include service costing and analytically study how it affects the equilibrium service levels under different cases. Finally, we examine the service game under the service war in which one service provider chooses to deviate from the equilibrium service level with the goal of improving market share. Important managerial insights on the first-mover advantage, market share, and service levels under the service war are revealed and discussed.
Pro-Am curators of Australian television history: How is their practice different from that of professional television historians?
Authors: McKee Alan , Dore Johanna
Published: March 2014

Eleven Pro-Am curators of Australian television history were interviewed about their practice. The data helps us to understand the relationship between professional and Pro-Am approaches to Australian television history. There is no simple binary – the lines are blurred – but there are some differences. Pro-Am curators of Australian television history are not paid for their work and present other motivations for practice – particularly being that ‘weird child’ who was obsessed with gathering information and objects related to television. They have freedom to curate only programmes and genres that interest them, and they tend to collect merchandise as much as programme texts themselves. And they have less interest in formally cataloguing their material than do professional curators of Australian television history.
Who isn’t that masked man: The absence of re-authoring in The Lone Ranger
Authors: Moll Nicholas
Published: March 2014

From its radio debut in 1933 through to the 2013 film, The Lone Ranger (TLR) franchise has continued to grow, expanding from these beginnings into television, novel, comic books and, as noted, film. With the expansion of TLR still a continuing, albeit occasionally dormant, process, the franchise itself possesses a broad history filled not only with additions but also absences. This article is concerned with one absence in particular with: re-authoring. Other media franchises featuring popular Superheroes typically delved, with varying degrees of frequency, into re-authored variants of their canonical narrative – producing distinct images and varied ideas surrounding their characters. Yet, TLR has remained squarely within a pseudo-historical nineteenth-century-western United States and concerning an ambushed Texas Ranger who becomes a masked vigilante-Superhero – and it is this absence that marks TLR as distinct compared with other long-running media franchise texts. Through history along with media and genre theory, this article explores the history and character of TLR retrospectively, focusing on the absence of setting and genre variation in contrast to the use and theme of the Frontier throughout the franchise. Within this exploration we position the figure of the masked man as Superhero surrounded by the history of the American West, attributing the absence of re-authoring to this arrangement, seeing the notion of the masked man entrenched rigidly into ideas surrounding the nineteenth century westward expansion of the United States.
Reviews
Authors: St. John Jeffrey , Londino Larry , Strate Lance , Kelly Paul , Bauman Lila , Logan Robert , Jasko Susan
Published: March 2014

Vaidhyanathan, Siva. Copyrights and Copywrongs: The Rise of Intellectual Property and How It Threatens Creativity. New York and London: NYU Press, 2001. 288 pp. Cloth $27.95, ISBN 0-814-78806-8. Paper $17.95, ISBN 0-814-78807-6.

Entell, Peter (Director). The Tube. (Prod. Peter Entell and Patrick Lauber. First Run/Icarus Films; West Glen Films, 2001. 82 min.

Genosko, Gary. McLuhan and Baudrillard: The Masters of Implosion. London and New York: Routledge, 1999. 160 pp. Paper $26.95, ISBN 0-415-19062-2.

Genosko, Gary. McLuhan and Baudrillard: The Masters of Implosion. London and New York: Routledge, 1999. 160 pp. Paper $26.95, ISBN 0-415-19062-2.

Levinson, Paul. Digital McLuhan: A Guide to the Information Millennium. London and New York: Routledge, 1999. 240 pp. Cloth $29.95, ISBN 0-415-19251-X. Paper $16.95, ISBN 0-415-24991-0.

Lull, Jack. Daily News, Eternal Stories: The Mythological Role of Journalism. New York: Guilford, 2001. 245 pp. Cloth $38.00, ISBN 1-572-30608-4. Paper $18.95, ISBN 1-572-30606-8.

Wilson, David Sloan. Darwin’s Cathedral: Evolution, Religion and the Nature of Society. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002. 268 pp. Cloth $25.00, ISBN 0-226-90134-3. Paper $14.00, ISBN 0-226-90135-1.

Zingrone, Frank. The Media Symplex: At the Edge of Meaning in the Age of Chaos. Cresskill, NJ: 2003. 268 pp. Cloth $24.95, ISBN 1-57273-559-7.
The Properties of the Solutions of Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation with Center Potential
Authors: Pang Xiao-Feng
Published: March 2014

The solutions of a nonlinear Schrödinger equation containing the nonlinear interaction b|ϕ|2
ϕ and center potential are found using the new method of separation of functions, in which the two wave functions satisfy the soluble and different equations, respectively. Its solution is still a soliton, which possesses both corpuscle and wave feature, its eigenenergy is still determinant and quantized, but its size of eigenenergy is depressed about A
0′2
b/2 relative to that in linear case. This means that the localized nature of the particles described by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a center potential is enhanced due to the nonlinear interaction. This is first time to obtain the soliton solution of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, which has an important significance and application in the nonlinear science, physics, chemistry, biology and engineering.
Collaborative co-construction of humorous interaction among ELF speakers
Authors: Matsumoto Yumi
Published: March 2014

This qualitative study analyzes the construction of humor in interactions of two dyads of English as a lingua franca (ELF) speakers who are female graduate students in the United States. Using a sequential analysis, this study closely investigates how these ELF speakers are co-constructing humor in their interactions. In particular, humorous talk including contextual cues such as joint laughing, smiling, and abruptness of talk are examined in sequential contexts. The humorous talk data exhibit the skillful use of humor to achieve and maintain solidarity and to minimize possible disagreement among these ELF speakers. In other words, collaborative co-construction of humorous interactions demonstrates ELF speakers' “complex and skillful accomplishment” (Firth 2009: 158) of communicative success in English.
An evaluation of the pronunciation target in Hong Kong's ELT curriculum and materials: influences from WE and ELF?
Authors: Chan Jim
Published: March 2014

The present study evaluates the pronunciation target in Hong Kong's ELT education at senior secondary level with reference to the pedagogical proposals of World Englishes (WE) and English as a lingua franca (ELF). It triangulates information from various documents, namely the new ELT curriculum, public examination papers and reports, and three sets of listening and speaking commercial textbooks. The findings suggest that the new curriculum apparently has taken account of the WE and/or ELF perspectives in its design such as (i) promoting communicative competence, (ii) downplaying the importance of NS norms, and (iii) exposing students to more varieties of accent, but seems to be conceptually still guided by native-speaker norms. In practice, one breakthrough in the listening examination is the inclusion of Hong Kong English phonological features in localised tasks. However, the commercial textbooks seem to be lagging behind this development in the curriculum, though textbook writers do seek to include ELF-using contexts in some of the textbook tasks due to Hong Kong's global status. The paper argues that an important step in the move towards a WE/ELF-oriented pronunciation teaching is to recognise the role of English in particular sociolinguistic settings because by embedding the tasks in a simulated authentic language-using context, it is likely that teachers and students will be aware that the speech and pronunciation of non-native speakers are most relevant.
Chemometric approach for prediction of uranium pathways in the soil
Authors: Stojanović Mirjana , Pezo Lato , Mihajlović Marija , Petrović Jelena , Petrović Marija , Šoštarić Tanja , Milojković Jelena
Published: March 2014

Understanding the effect of soil parameters (pH, Eh and organic and inorganic ligands availability) on uranium mobility under different
geochemical conditions is fundamental for reliable prediction of its behaviour and fate in the environment. In this study, the impact
of total and available phosphorus content, humus and acidity of Serbian agricultural soils on the content of total and available
uranium were evaluated by Response Surface Methodology (RSM), second order polynomial regression models (SOPs) and artificial neural
networks (ANNs). The performance of ANNs was compared with the performance of SOPs and experimental results. SOPs showed high
coefficients of determination (0.785–0.956), while ANN model performed high prediction accuracy: 0.8893–0.904. According to the
results, total and available uranium content in the soil were mostly affected by pH, statistically significant at p < 0.05 level. For
the same responses the total phosphorus was found to be also very influential, statistically significant at p < 0.05 and p < 0.10
levels. The impact of available phosphourus and humus was much more influential on total and available uranium content, compared to
total phosphorus content. Proposed chemometric approach will be very helpful in preserving the natural resources and practical
application for risk assessment modeling of uranium environmental pathways.
Nanostructured antidiffusion layers in contacts to wide-gap semiconductors
Authors: Kudryk Ya. Ya.
Published: March 2014

The interrelation between the antidiffusion properties of titanium diboride films and their nanocrystalline structure is investigated. We made a valid assumption that the main reason for degradation of contacts with TiB2-based diffusion layers is diffusion through the TiB2 film through dislocations (formed due to stresses that appear in the course of ohmic contact formation) rather than chemical interaction. In that case, increase of mechanical strength of the TiB2 film at reduction of grain size will affect its diffusion strength more strongly than growth of diffusion penetrability owing to increase of grain boundary role. Our investigations showed that, to ensure maximal mechanical strength and heat stability, the size of nanocrystallites in films forming diffusion barriers has to lie within 3—15 nm. The TiB2 films with optimal nanocrystallite parameters can be obtained using magnetron sputtering with discharge current of 0,4 A and oxygen content in a target up to 8 at.%. Application of TiB2-based nanocrystal films as antidiffusion layers in contacts to wide-gap semiconductors makes it possible to raise heat stability of devices based on such semiconductors.
Complex reduction coefficient for a cylindrical electron beam with variable amplitude of the variable current component in the TWT
Authors: Chasnyk V. I. , Strocovsky Ya. N.
Published: March 2014

The conventional approach to calculating the space charge for the traveling-wave tube (TWT) with phase velocity jumps is to use the same values of the depression coefficient as the ones for homogeneous helical TWTs. However, if the variable component of the exciting current in the expressions for determining the reduction coefficient is changed in amplitude, then the reduction factor is a complex value. Perhaps the neglect of this fact can significantly affect the volume discharge calculated value, and hence the non-synchronization parameter, for those of its values, which are characteristic of the TWT with a phase velocity jump. In this paper, formulas has been obtained for computation of real and imaginary parts of the complex reduction coefficient for a cylindrical electrons beam with exponential variable amplitude of variable current component in the TWT. Influence of complex reduction coefficient on the parameters of the TWT operating in the linear mode is estimated. It is shown that taking into account the imaginary part of the reduction coefficient for linear operation of the TWT makes it possible to change the estimated amount of space charge 1.5 to 2 times, which in its turn has quite a strong effect on the formation of the initial conditions of the nonlinear mode and, subsequently, on the output characteristics of the TWT.
Barker-like systems of sequences and their processing
Authors: Holubnychyi A. G.
Published: March 2014

New systems of binary sequences, that give the similar correlation properties after signal processing as that of the Barker sequences, are suggested and analyzed. The author considers processing of such systems, as well as ways of their application to radio systems and their comparison with complementary sequences.
Arguing Like a Scientist
Authors: Chen Ying-Chih , Steenhoek Joshua
Published: March 2014

Argumentation is now seen as a core practice for helping students engage with the construction and critique of scientific ideas and for making students scientifically literate. This article demonstrates a negotiation model to show how argumentation can be a vehicle to drive students to learn science’s big ideas. The model has six phases: creating a testable question, conducting an investigation cooperatively, constructing an argument in groups, negotiating arguments publicly, consulting the experts, and writing and reflecting individually. A fifth-grade classroom example from a unit on the human body serves as an example to portray how argumentation can be integrated into science classrooms.
“Ask a Slave” and Interpreting Race on Public History’s Front Line
Authors: Tyson Amy M. , Dungey Azie Mira
Published: March 2014

In this interview, Azie Mira Dungey (creator of the web series, “Ask a Slave”) and Amy M. Tyson (Associate Professor of History at DePaul University and author of The Wages of History: Emotional Labor on Public History’s Front Lines) discuss Dungey’s web series, as well as her experiences as a living history interpreter at both the Smithsonian Museum of American History and at Mount Vernon.
As causas da deficiência física em municípios do nordeste brasileiro e estimativa de custos de serviços especializados
Authors: Santos Silvana , Pequeno Anne Aluska da Silva , Galvão Cláudia Regina Cabral , Pessoa André Luiz Santos , Almeida Ednno dos Santos , Pereira Josecleide Calixto , Medeiros Jovany Luiz Alves de , Kok Fernando
Published: March 2014

As populações do nordeste brasileiro possuem elevadas taxas de endogamia e deficiências. Neste trabalho, foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico transversal com método do informante para descrever doenças genéticas e as adquiridas que causam deficiências físicas em oito municípios da Paraíba e estimar os custos por serviços especializados de fisioterapia e aquisição de equipamentos de tecnologia assistiva. De uma população de 48.499 habitantes, 338 pessoas foram triadas e 123 (0,34%) realizaram avaliação clínico-genética e funcional por uma equipe multidisciplinar de especialistas. Fatores genéticos foram responsáveis por 58,5% das deficiências, sendo encontrados alguns agrupamentos de afecções prevalentes nas populações amostradas: amiotrofia espinal progressiva, ataxia espinocerebelar, distrofia muscular e síndrome Spoan. A descrição do perfil socioeconômico e das demandas por serviços de reabilitação e tecnologia assistiva apontam para necessidade de estabelecimento de políticas públicas específicas para essas comunidades.
Aconselhamento nutricional de crianças menores de dois anos de idade: potencialidades e obstáculos como desafios estratégicos
Authors: Campos Aline Aparecida de Oliveira , Cotta Rosângela Minardi Mitre , Oliveira Julicristie Machado de , Santos Adriana Kelly , Araújo Raquel Maria Amaral
Published: March 2014

Este artigo teve como objetivo analisar criticamente o estado da arte da produção científica sobre as práticas do aconselhamento em alimentação da criança menor de dois anos de idade, discutindo sobre as potencialidades e obstáculos enquanto desafios estratégicos para a implementação de práticas de alimentação saudável. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza bibliográfica, tendo como núcleo de interesse o aconselhamento em alimentação infantil. A maioria (58,1%) dos artigos analisados foi publicada entre 2008 e 2011. As ações educativas de aconselhamento em alimentação infantil foram direcionadas aos profissionais de saúde e aos cuidadores de crianças menores de dois anos de idade. Como potencialidades da prática do aconselhamento nutricional destacam-se: melhora no desempenho dos profissionais de saúde, adoção de práticas alimentares saudáveis pelos cuidadores e melhora no estado nutricional das crianças. Como obstáculos, ressalta-se: falta de capacitação dos cuidadores e profissionais quanto à alimentação complementar saudável e dificuldade quanto à prática do aconselhamento por profissionais de saúde. Essas evidências reafirmam a importância da incorporação de ações de aconselhamento em alimentação infantil, como práticas permanentes, às políticas de atenção à saúde da criança.
Atenção Farmacêutica e Atenção Flutuante: formações de compromisso entre Farmácia e Psicanálise
Authors: Pádula Marcelo de , Pinto Alicia Viviana , Matos Guacira Corrêa de , Siqueira Danielle Tavares , Vieira Roberta Claudio
Published: March 2014

O presente trabalho apresenta uma visão interdisciplinar do uso racional do medicamento a partir de uma perspectiva metapsicológica. A necessidade de resgate da atuação do profissional farmacêutico junto ao paciente, através da Atenção Farmacêutica, demanda a intervenção de novos saberes que possam proporcionar uma revitalização desta relação humana. Neste sentido, através de uma compilação de passagens da obra freudiana, foram apresentados alguns dos principais conceitos metapsicológicos: aparelho psíquico, atenção flutuante e formações de compromisso. Tais conceitos foram então apresentados como ferramenta teórica articulável com análises qualitativas em Atenção Farmacêutica, mais particularmente com a observação participante. Assim, os objetivos principais foram de fornecer ao farmacêutico novas ferramentas de escuta e acolhimento que podem aprimorar a atuação profissional na relação com seu paciente, assim como na obtenção e interpretação de dados qualitativos relacionados às questões humanas envolvidas nas pesquisas em Atenção Farmacêutica.
A judicialização da saúde no Distrito Federal, Brasil
Authors: Diniz Debora , Machado Teresa Robichez de Carvalho , Penalva Janaina
Published: March 2014

Este artigo discute as tendências do Poder Judiciário frente às demandas sobre judicialização do direito à saúde, por meio de um estudo de demandas judiciais cíveis por acesso à assistência em saúde no Distrito Federal. Por judicialização do direito à saúde, entende-se a judicialização de variadas prestações de saúde. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, descritivo, longitudinal, com uso de técnicas mistas de levantamento e análise dos dados coletados no DF. Foram analisadas 385 ações, o que corresponde a 87% do total de casos de judicialização da saúde do período entre 2005 e 2010 que alcançaram a 2ª Vara. Os resultados indicam que o principal bem judicializado é o acesso à UTI, seguido por medicamentos e assistência médica. A quase totalidade dos processos é apresentado por defensor público, com receitas e indicações médicas oriundas do serviço público de saúde. Em cerca de 8% dos casos, há comprovante de renda no processo com predominância dos valores em torno de R$ 500,00. Os resultados da pesquisa desafiam algumas teses dominantes no debate nacional, em particular a alegação de que é um fenômeno das elites e que o bem judicializado são os medicamentos. Os dados não têm pretensões generalizantes, mas aponta que o fenômeno da judicialização da saúde tem diferentes aspectos englobados pelo mesmo conceito.
DECISION TREE CONSTRUCTION AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF TREATMENT OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS WITH PENTASA®MESALAZINE 2 G SACHET
Authors: NISHIKAWA Alvaro Mitsunori , PALADINI Luciano , DELFINI Régis , KOTZE Paulo Gustavo , CLARK Otavio
Published: March 2014

ContextUnspecified Ulcerative Rectocolitis is a chronic disease that affects between 0.5 and 24.5/105 inhabitants in the world. National and international clinical guidelines recommend the use of aminosalicylates (including mesalazine) as first-line therapy for induction of remission of unspecified ulcerative rectocolitis, and recommend the maintenance of these agents after remission is achieved. However, multiple daily doses required for the maintenance of disease remission compromise compliance with treatment, which is very low (between 45% and 65%). Use of mesalazina in granules (2 g sachet) once daily - Pentasa® sachets 2 g - can enhance treatment adherence, reflecting in an improvement in patients' outcomes.ObjectiveTo evaluate the evidence on the use of mesalazine for the maintenance of remission in patients with unspecified ulcerative rectocolitis and its effectiveness when taken once versus more than once a day. From an economic standpoint, to analyze the impact of the adoption of this dosage in Brazil's public health system, considering patients' adherence to treatment.MethodsA decision tree was developed based on the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Ulcerative Colitis, published by the Ministry of Health in the lobby SAS/MS n° 861 of November 4 th, 2002 and on the algorithms published by the Associação Brasileira de Colite Ulcerativa e Doença de Crohn, aiming to get the cost-effectiveness of mesalazine once daily in granules compared with mesalazine twice daily in tablets.ResultsThe use of mesalazine increases the chances of remission induction and maintenance when compared to placebo, and higher doses are associated with greater chance of success without increasing the risk of adverse events.ConclusionThe use of a single daily dose in the maintenance of remission is effective and related to higher patient compliance when compared to the multiple daily dose regimens, with lower costs.
Influencia do indice de massa corporal no equilibrio e na configuracao plantar em obesos adultos
Authors: Yi Liu Chiao , Neves Ana Lidia Soares , Areia Mariana , Neves Juliana Maria Oliveira , Souza Tayla Perosso de , Caranti Danielle Arisa
Published: March 2014

INTRODUÇÃO: A obesidade é uma doença crônica degenerativa multifatorial que pode levar a alterações do sistema musculoesquelético, como mudança do centro de gravidade e sobrecarga mecânica sobre os membros inferiores. OBJETIVOS: Correlacionar o índice de massa corporal (IMC) com o equilíbrio corporal e verificar associação entre o IMC e a configuração plantar. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 30 obesos, de ambos os gêneros, com IMC maior ou igual a 30 Kg/m². Inicialmente, os voluntários foram submetidos às avaliações de medidas antropométricas a fim de calcular o valor do IMC. Em seguida, foram submetidos ao teste de equilíbrio corporal estático Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) e a plantigrafia para a identificação da impressão plantar. Por meio do método de Viladot, os voluntários foram classificados em grupos: pé plano (GPP), pé cavo (GPC) e pé neutro (GPN). A correlação entre as variáveis IMC e BESS foi calculada por meio do coeficiente de correlação linear de Pearson e associação entre o IMC e a configuração plantar foi realizada por meio da análise de variância (Anova). Para todas as análises, nível de significância considerado foi p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Os valores da correlação entre o IMC e o BESS foram r = - 0,1 e p = 0,59. Os valores da associação do IMC entre GPN - GPP; GPN - GPC; GPP - GPC foram respectivamente: p = 0,76; p = 0,001; p = 0,07. CONCLUSÃO: O índice de massa corporal de adultos obesos não influencia o equilíbrio corporal, porém influencia na configuração plantar.
Desenvolvimento de uma plataforma de software para a modelagem digital de terrenos baseada em TIN
Authors: Oliveira F. F. , Piteri M. A. , Meneguette M.
Published: March 2014

Superfícies topográficas podem ser representadas com um bom grau de precisão por meio de mapas. No entanto, estes nem sempre são as melhores ferramentas para a compreensão de relevos mais complexos. Nesse sentido, a maior contribuição desse trabalho é a especificação e implementação da arquitetura de uma plataforma de software opensource voltado para a representação de modelos digitais de terrenos baseado em TIN (Triangular Irregular Network), segundo os paradigmas da programação orientada a objetos e programação genérica e que possibilitaram a integração de várias ferramentas de linguagem aberta (opensource), tais como GDAL, OGR, OpenGL, OpenSceneGraph e Qt. Além disso, o núcleo de representação da arquitetura tem a capacidade de trabalhar com múltiplas estruturas de dados topológicas que permitem extrair em tempo constante, todas as relações de conectividade entre as entidades vértices, arestas e faces, presentes numa subdivisão planar triangular, facilitando enormemente a implementação de aplicações de tempo real. Esta capacidade é muito importante, por exemplo, na utilização de dados de levantamentos a laser (Lidar, ALS, TLS), possibilitando a geração de modelos de malhas triangulares da ordem de milhões de pontos.
DWSI: an approach to solving the polygon intersection-spreading problem with a parallel union algorithm at the feature layer level
Authors: Fan Junfu , Zhou Chenghu , Ma Ting , Ji Min , Zhou Yuke , Xu Tao
Published: March 2014

A dual-way seeds indexing (DWSI) method based on R-tree and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) simple feature model was proposed to solve the polygon intersection-spreading problem. The parallel polygon union algorithm based on the improved DWSI and the OpenMP parallel programming model was developed to validate the usability of the data partition method. The experimental results reveal that the improved DWSI method can implement a robust parallel task partition by overcoming the polygon intersection-spreading problem. The parallel union algorithm applied DWSI not only scaled up the data processing but also speeded up the computation compared with the serial proposal, and it showed a higher computational efficiency with higher speedup benchmarks in the treatment of larger-scale dataset. Therefore, the improved DWSI can be a potential approach to parallelizing the vector data overlay algorithms based on the OGC simple data model at the feature layer level.
On the compressive strength of Botswana masonry units
Authors: Nelson Claire , Malumbela Goitseone
Published: March 2014

This paper presents results and discussion on research to investigate the compressive strength of masonry units in Botswana against the standard requirements. It was limited to concrete masonry bricks and burnt clay masonry bricks from large-scale manufacturers who either had their products certified by the Botswana Bureau of Standards or indicated the strength of their products. Nine sets of different products (six concrete masonry units and three clay masonry units) were tested. It was found that only three products complied with the Botswana Bureau of Standards requirements. Four of the six products that did not meet the Botswana Bureau of Standards requirements were two classes below the levels claimed by the manufacturers. For example, some units supplied as 14 MPa only fulfilled requirements of units with strength below 7 MPa. Users of masonry units in Botswana are therefore supplied with low strength products. This may greatly compromise the safety of the public.
Driving criteria for environmental performance assessment in construction
Authors: Tam Vivian W. Y. , Le Khoa N.
Published: March 2014

An environmental management system is suggested for promoting effective environmental protection. The environmental performance assessment is a critical tool in an environmental management system for checking, reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the environmental performance of construction organisations. This paper identifies the most significant/dominant environmental performance assessment criterion/criteria developed by the authors using novel spectral and bispectral methods for improving the environmental performance of construction organisations. It is shown that frequency of auditing activities is the most significant/dominant environmental performance assessment criterion. In addition, there are strong correlations among the frequency of auditing activities and pre-auditing planning, monitoring of energy usage, quality of maintenance and the use of water sprays for minimising airborne dust particles. Using this information, effective ways to improve environmental performance and prevent further damage to the environment can be devised for organisations in the construction industry.
The Holocaust in the Textbooks and in the History and Citizenship Education Program of Quebec
Authors: Hirsch Sivane , McAndrew Marie
Published: March 2014

This article analyzes the treatment of the Holocaust in Quebec's history textbooks, in view of the subject's potential and actual contribution to human rights education. Given that Quebec's curriculum includes citizenship education in its history program, it could be argued that the inclusion of the Holocaust has particular relevance in this context, as it contributes to the study of both history and civics, and familiarizes Quebec's youth with representations of Quebec's Jewish community, which is primarily concentrated in Montreal. This article demonstrates that the textbooks' treatment of the Holocaust is often superficial and partial, and prevents Quebec's students from fully grasping the impact of this historical event on contemporary society.
MicroRNAs in the Regulation of MMPs and Metastasis
Authors: Abba Mohammed , Patil Nitin , Allgayer Heike
Published: March 2014

MicroRNAs are integral molecules in the regulation of numerous physiological cellular processes including cellular differentiation, proliferation, metabolism and apoptosis. Their function transcends normal physiology and extends into several pathological entities including cancer. The matrix metalloproteinases play pivotal roles, not only in tissue remodeling, but also in several physiological and pathological processes, including those supporting cancer progression. Additionally, the contribution of active MMPs in metastatic spread and the establishment of secondary metastasis, via the targeting of several substrates, are also well established. This review focuses on the important miRNAs that have been found to impact cancer progression and metastasis through direct and indirect interactions with the matrix metalloproteinases.
Union Bargaining in an Oligopoly Market with Cournot-Bertrand Competition: Welfare and Policy Implications
Authors: Schroeder Elizabeth , Tremblay Victor
Published: March 2014

We investigate the welfare effect of union activity in a relatively new oligopoly model, the Cournot-Bertrand model, where one firm competes in output (a la Cournot) and the other firm competes in price (a la Bertrand). The Nash equilibrium prices, outputs, and profits are quite diverse in this model, with the competitive advantage going to the Cournot-type competitor. A comparison of the results from the Cournot-Bertrand model with those found in the traditional Cournot and Bertrand models reveals that firms and the union have a different preference ordering over labor market bargaining. These differences help explain why the empirical evidence does not support any one model of union bargaining. We also examine the welfare and policy implications of union activity in a Cournot-Bertrand setting.
Development and Field Test of a Real-Time Database in the Korean Smart Distribution Management System
Authors: Yun Sang-Yun , Choi Joon-Ho
Published: March 2014

Recently, a distribution management system (DMS) that can conduct periodical system analysis and control by mounting various applications programs has been actively developed. In this paper, we summarize the development and demonstration of a database structure that can perform real-time system analysis and control of the Korean smart distribution management system (KSDMS). The developed database structure consists of a common information model (CIM)-based off-line database (DB), a physical DB (PDB) for DB establishment of the operating server, a real-time DB (RTDB) for real-time server operation and remote terminal unit data interconnection, and an application common model (ACM) DB for running application programs. The ACM DB for real-time system analysis and control of the application programs was developed by using a parallel table structure and a link list model, thereby providing fast input and output as well as high execution speed of application programs. Furthermore, the ACM DB was configured with hierarchical and non-hierarchical data models to reflect the system models that increase the DB size and operation speed through the reduction of the system, of which elements were unnecessary for analysis and control. The proposed database model was implemented and tested at the Gochaing and Jeju offices using a real system. Through data measurement of the remote terminal units, and through the operation and control of the application programs using the measurement, the performance, speed, and integrity of the proposed database model were validated, thereby demonstrating that this model can be applied to real systems.
Economic Scheduling of Residential Plug-In (Hybrid) Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Charging
Authors: Maigha  , Crow Mariesa
Published: March 2014

In the past decade, plug-in (hybrid) electric vehicles (PHEVs) have been widely proposed as a viable alternative to internal combustion vehicles to reduce fossil fuel emissions and dependence on petroleum. Off-peak vehicle charging is frequently proposed to reduce the stress on the electric power grid by shaping the load curve. Time of use (TOU) rates have been recommended to incentivize PHEV owners to shift their charging patterns. Many utilities are not currently equipped to provide real-time use rates to their customers, but can provide two or three staggered rate levels. To date, an analysis of the optimal number of levels and rate-duration of TOU rates for a given consumer demographic versus utility generation mix has not been performed. In this paper, we propose to use the U.S. National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) database as a basis to analyze typical PHEV energy requirements. We use Monte Carlo methods to model the uncertainty inherent in battery state-of-charge and trip duration. We conclude the paper with an analysis of a different TOU rate schedule proposed by a mix of U.S. utilities. We introduce a centralized scheduling strategy for PHEV charging using a genetic algorithm to accommodate the size and complexity of the optimization.
Distribution of Fresh-Water Mollusks of the Gharb Area (Morocco)
Authors: Barkia Hicham , Barkia Abdelaziz , Yacoubi Rajae , Guamri Youssef , Tahiri Mohammed , Kharrim Khadija , Belghyti Driss
Published: March 2014

To assess changes in the fauna of freshwater mollusks in the Gharb Plain (Morocco), 200 sites spread over five districts were surveyed between May 2012 and May 2013. A total of 11 species were identified. Physella acuta and Melanopsis praemorsa were most frequently encountered. Bulinus truncatus, an intermediate host of schistosomiasis in Morocco, and Planorbarius metidjensis, an intermediate host of schistosomiasis, were not harvested. The absence of these species may be due to a combination of climatic, biological and anthropogenic factors related to the changes that have occurred in the region.
Potential Roles of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)-9 in Human Liver Diseases
Authors: Herrera Blanca , Dooley Steven , Breitkopf-Heinlein Katja
Published: March 2014

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP-2 to BMP-15) belong to the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β superfamily and, besides their well-documented roles during embryogenesis and bone formation, some of them have recently been described to be involved in the pathogenesis of different organs, including the liver. The role of BMPs in liver damage responses including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development has only begun to be addressed and strong evidence supports the concept of a pro-tumorigenic role of BMP signaling in HCC cells. BMP-9 (also termed Growth and Differentiation Factor (GDF)-2) represents the most recently discovered member of the BMP family. We have previously demonstrated that in HCC patient samples BMP-9 expression was positively associated with the tumor seize (“T stage”) and that it enhanced cell migration and induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCC cells in vitro. In another study we recently found that BMP-9 promotes growth in HCC cells, but not in non-transformed hepatocytes. Published as well as unpublished results obtained with primary hepatocytes support the concept of a dual function of BMP-9 in the liver: while in primary, non-malignant cells BMP-9 stabilizes the epithelial phenotype and inhibits proliferation, in HCC cells it induces cell growth and the acquisition of a migratory phenotype. In this review article we summarize current knowledge about BMPs in liver diseases, with special focus on the role of BMP-9 in HCC development and progression, that may provide new clues for a better understanding of the contribution of BMP-signaling to chronic liver diseases.
The influence of rotor type and centrifugation time on the yield and purity of extracellular vesicles
Authors: Cvjetkovic Aleksander , Lötvall Jan , Lässer Cecilia
Published: March 2014

Background

Extracellular vesicles (EV), the collective term for vesicles released from cells, consist of vesicle species ranging in size from 30 nm to 5 µm in diameter. These vesicles are most commonly isolated by differential centrifugations, which pellets particles based on their differential movement through the liquid medium in which they are immersed. Multiple parameters, including the utilization of different rotor types, can influence the yield and purity of isolated vesicles; however, the understanding of how these factors affect is limited.

Materials and methods

Here, we compare the influence of multiple centrifugation parameters, including the use of swinging bucket and fixed angle rotors, as well as different centrifugation times, for the isolation of the smallest EVs, “exosomes.” In particular, we determine the yields of exosomal RNA and protein, as well as the nature of the isolated vesicles and possible protein contamination with methods such as electron microscopy, western blot and flow cytometry.

Results

Our results show that application of a specific g‐force or rotation speed by itself does not predict the ability of pelleting exosomes, and that prolonged centrifugation times can achieve greater yields of exosomal RNA and protein, whereas very long centrifugation times result in excessive protein concentrations in the exosome pellet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, rotor type, g‐force and centrifugation times significantly influence exosome yield during centrifugation‐based isolation procedures, and current commonly recommended isolation protocols may not be fully optimized for yield and purity of exosomes.
Innovation et profit chez Marx, Schumpeter et Keynes
Authors: Messori Marcello
Published: March 2014

The analysis of the capitalist process of accumulation is deeply examined by Marx, Keynes and Schumpeter. To compare the theories of these three authors requires, in particular, to analyze the financing of and the changes in the production activity. In this paper we sum up, first, the Schumpeterian outline of the cyclical development. From this starting point, we derive some critiques of both the Keynesian analysis and the Schumpeterian interpretation of Keynes. By integrating the weakness of these two authors, it is possible to suggest an unorthodox interpretation of the open problems in Marx.
La baisse tendancielle du taux de profit chez Marx (pertinence et limites d'un pronostic)
Authors: Adair Philippe
Published: March 2014

Le statut de loi que Marx confère à son énoncé s'avère ambigu dans la mesure où il se déploie au sein de différents espaces relativement étanches (ceux des biens, des valeurs, et des prix).

Les controverses portent sur les principales contre tendances — la croissance du taux d'exploitation (pl/v) et la constance de la composition organique du capital (c/v) — qui relèvent de la théorie de la répartition (la thèse du prof it squeeze) et de celle de la concurrence (le théorème d'Okishio).

L'analyse empirique, fondée sur la cas de la France depuis la dernière guerre mondiale, aboutit à une information assez paradoxale : pl/v et c/v exprimés en termes monétaires demeurent constants jusqu'à l'ouverture de la crise. La baisse du taux de profit apparaft donc comme une conséquence et non comme une cause de la crise.
Hétérodoxie et scientificité chez Marx, Keynes et Schumpeter
Authors: Lagueux Maurice
Published: March 2014

It is out of question that Marx, Keynes and Schumpeter were heterodox in their relation to Economics considered as a science. A legitimate question however concerns the type of heterodoxy whic is characteristic of each of them. Kuhn's perception — and, to a lesser extent, Feyerabend's one — of the relations between heterodoxy and scientific knowledge are used here to display important differences, on this ground, among these three economists. The result is that the keynesian heterodoxy is the only one which really fits Kuhn's scheme about scientific revolutions ; schumpeterian heterodoxy being not so revolutionary and marxian heterodoxy being the sui generis case which is mainly discussed in this paper.
Pre-Keynesian roots of the neoclassical synthesis
Authors: Roncaglia Alessandro , Nuti Domenico Mario
Published: March 2014

Cet article effectue une comparaison entre l'approche pré-keynésienne de la théorie du revenu et de l'emploi et la synthèse néo-classique, ainsi que l'approche monétariste (représentées respectivement par Pigou, Modigliani et Friedman). Sur la base de cette comparaison, on soutient que l'approche pré-keynésienne et la synthèse néo-classique ont en commun leur fondation théorique, tandis qu'il n'y a aucune différence théorique fondamentale entre la synthèse néo-classique et les monétaristes. Ces trois approches sont ainsi sujettes aux mêmes critiques fondamentales.
L'étalon dans la théorie de Piero Sraffa.
Authors: Benitez Sanchez Alberto
Published: March 2014

Dans cet article nous montrons d'abord que, contrairement à un résultat de Sraffa, il est possible — sous certaines conditions — de définir plusieurs marchandises homothétiques sur la base du même système de production originel. Cela nous permet de montrer que le prix relatif de deux marchandises étalon différentes change quand la répartition du produit net se modifie ce qui prouve que la thèse de «l'invariabilité» de la valeur de l'étalon présentée par cet auteur n'est pas correcte. D'autre part, nous examinons l'argumentation développée par Sraffa pour établir cette thèse et nous montrons que sa démonstration est insuffisante.
Socialisation et abstraction ; lecture de l'ouvrage : «Un échiquier centenaire : théorie de la valeur et formation des prix».
Authors: Bidet Jacques
Published: March 2014

L'auteur analyse le thème central de cet ouvrage collectif, celui du mode de «socialisation» du travail propre au capitalisme. Il critique l'approche qui interprète la «validation» comme une transformation du travail privé en travail social par l'échange et qui, opposant la notion de «travail abstrait» (compris comme forme particulière aux rapports marchands) à celle de «travail incorporé», exclut celle-ci de la théorie. Il voit dans la thèse selon laquelle la notion «d'abstraction réelle» s'applique au seul capitalisme une tendance à faire du marxisme une philosophie téléologique de l'histoire. Il s'appuie sur les analyses qu'il développe dans son livre «Que faire du Capital ?» (Éditions Klincksieck, Paris 1985).
Argent et désir d'argent chez Aristote et Marx.
Authors: Berthoud Arnaud
Published: March 2014

In this paper is studied the difference between Aristotle and Marx relative to monetary functions, money as unity of functions, money as representative of wealth or desired money. This study has two main aspects. Marx's analysis finds its consistency through Benetti's criticism and it becomes meaningful/ when conceived as extension of Aristotle's thought.