bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flaviviruses in Europe: Complex Circulation Patterns and Their Consequences for the Diagnosis and Control of West Nile Disease
Authors: Beck Cécile , Jimenez-Clavero Miguel , Leblond Agnès , Durand Benoît , Nowotny Norbert , Leparc-Goffart Isabelle , Zientara Stéphan , Jourdain Elsa , Lecollinet Sylvie
Published: November 2013

In Europe, many flaviviruses are endemic (West Nile, Usutu, tick-borne encephalitis viruses) or occasionally imported (dengue, yellow fever viruses). Due to the temporal and geographical co-circulation of flaviviruses in Europe, flavivirus differentiation by diagnostic tests is crucial in the adaptation of surveillance and control efforts. Serological diagnosis of flavivirus infections is complicated by the antigenic similarities among the Flavivirus genus. Indeed, most flavivirus antibodies are directed against the highly immunogenic envelope protein, which contains both flavivirus cross-reactive and virus-specific epitopes. Serological assay results should thus be interpreted with care and confirmed by comparative neutralization tests using a panel of viruses known to circulate in Europe. However, antibody cross-reactivity could be advantageous in efforts to control emerging flaviviruses because it ensures partial cross-protection. In contrast, it might also facilitate subsequent diseases, through a phenomenon called antibody-dependent enhancement mainly described for dengue virus infections. Here, we review the serological methods commonly used in WNV diagnosis and surveillance in Europe. By examining past and current epidemiological situations in different European countries, we present the challenges involved in interpreting flavivirus serological tests and setting up appropriate surveillance programs; we also address the consequences of flavivirus circulation and vaccination for host immunity.
IAServ: An Intelligent Home Care Web Services Platform in a Cloud for Aging-in-Place
Authors: Su Chuan-Jun , Chiang Chang-Yu
Published: November 2013

As the elderly population has been rapidly expanding and the core tax-paying population has been shrinking, the need for adequate elderly health and housing services continues to grow while the resources to provide such services are becoming increasingly scarce. Thus, increasing the efficiency of the delivery of healthcare services through the use of modern technology is a pressing issue. The seamless integration of such enabling technologies as ontology, intelligent agents, web services, and cloud computing is transforming healthcare from hospital-based treatments to home-based self-care and preventive care. A ubiquitous healthcare platform based on this technological integration, which synergizes service providers with patients’ needs to be developed to provide personalized healthcare services at the right time, in the right place, and the right manner. This paper presents the development and overall architecture of IAServ (the Intelligent Aging-in-place Home care Web Services Platform) to provide personalized healthcare service ubiquitously in a cloud computing setting to support the most desirable and cost-efficient method of care for the aged-aging in place. The IAServ is expected to offer intelligent, pervasive, accurate and contextually-aware personal care services. Architecturally the implemented IAServ leverages web services and cloud computing to provide economic, scalable, and robust healthcare services over the Internet.
Cuba: una sociedad formada por retazos
Authors: Sarmiento Ramírez Ismael
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT- During the period of 1800-1869, the Cuban demographic growth has developed through the sustained immigration ; besides of the africans, chínese, indians yucatecos and galician's of country, functionaries and militaries arrived coming from the Hispano-American territories detached from the Spanish Crown and white Europeans. The first characteristic of this society is that it's hierarchy not only answers to the class melting, but also to it's estate character, that racially distinguishes the white people from the «free colour people» and the slaves, which is not always identified with a social class.
De la double identité dans l'écriture : du bilinguisme oral à la bilittéralité au Paraguay
Authors: Pic-Gillard Christine
Published: November 2013

RESUMEN- El Pararguay presenta la originalidad de ser el único país de América Latina donde casi el 90% de la población habla una lengua amerindia, el guaraní, convertido en lengua oficial en 1992. Hasta la puesta en marcha del Plan de Enseñanza Bilingüe en 1994, el bilingüismo no era una realidad sino un mito, una especie de sueño colectivo. Efectivamente, Paraguay es en aquel entonces guaranohablante ; los bilingües son minoritarios. Por voluntad política del primer gobierno democrático, el mito se vuelve realidad mediante la escolarización obligatoria de todos los niños paraguayos en las dos lenguas oficiales.

Aprender a leer y a escribir en guaraní, fuera del reconocimiento oficial que supone la enseñanza en lengua amerindia, sólo tiene sentido si ello puede engendrar la creación literaria. El objetivo de hacer del guaraní una lengua de cultura, implícito en el Plan de Enseñanza Bilingüe, supone una didáctica que permita el pasaje de la oratura a la literatura, con una componente particular, la del bilingüismo, que abra la perspectiva de una biliteralidad.
Les chemins de la foi - les chemins du rachat. L'œuvre évangélisatrice des Mercédaires au Pérou du XVIe au XVIIe siècle
Authors: Quintana Marie
Published: November 2013

Le sujet évoque l'importance de l'œuvre évangélisatrice des Mercédaires au Pérou et ses manifestations à travers l'art idéographique et musical, la langue et la fondation de paroisses d'Indiens. On pourra ainsi mesurer combien les frères de la Merci ont participé activement à l'évangélisation du Nouveau Monde, luttant contre l'idolâtrie des nations païennes et en y associant l'originalité de leur mission première : le rachat.
La Conquête du Mexique : Sacrificio, espectáculo y «teatro de la crueldad»
Authors: Flores Enrique
Published: November 2013

Passage en revue des motifs qui conduisirent Artaud à se rendre au Mexique, puis analyse détaillée d'une pièce écrite par lui avant d'embarquer et qui constitua le premier projet d'un spectacle du Théâtre de la Cruauté : La Conquête du Mexique. Le projet mettait en scène, en termes de rituel et à partir d'une « vision » proche des chroniques indigènes, l'événement métaphysique de la chute de la fin de Tenochtitlan.
Biosynthesis of rare hexoses using microorganisms and related enzymes
Authors: Li Zijie , Gao Yahui , Nakanishi Hideki , Gao Xiaodong , Cai Li
Published: November 2013

Rare sugars, referred to as monosaccharides and their derivatives that rarely exist in nature, can be applied in many areas ranging from foodstuffs to pharmaceutical and nutrition industry, or as starting materials for various natural products and drug candidates. Unfortunately, an important factor restricting the utilization of rare sugars is their limited availability, resulting from limited synthetic methods. Nowadays, microbial and enzymatic transformations have become a very powerful tool in this field. This article reviews the biosynthesis and enzymatic production of rare ketohexoses, aldohexoses and sugar alcohols (hexitols), including D-tagatose, D-psicose, D-sorbose, L-tagatose, L-fructose, 1-deoxy-L-fructose, D-allose, L-glucose, L-talose, D-gulose, L-galactose, L-fucose, allitol, D-talitol, and L-sorbitol. New systems and robust catalysts resulting from advancements in genomics and bioengineering are also discussed.
Sobre la persona
Authors: Laín Entralgo Pedro
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
Secuencias, conformación, información: bioquímicos y biólogos moleculares en los años cincuenta
Authors: De Chadarevian Soraya
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
¿Biología molecular en la tradición francesa? Redefiniendo tradiciones locales y patrones disciplinares
Authors: Gaudillière Jean-Paul
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
El infante don Gabriel y el impresor Ibarra en la obra cumbre del Salustio
Authors: Olaechea Labayen Juan B.
Published: November 2013

En la obra conocida como el «Salustio de Ibarra», considerada por especialistas domésticos y foráneos como la mejor impresa en España, convergen circunstancias relevantes debidas a la participación intelectual del infante don Gabriel de Borbón y la eficiencia técnica de Joaquín Ibarra. El autor reivindica la autenticidad de los textos atribuidos al infante contra cierto escepticismo sembrado en razón de la elevada alcurnia de la atribución. Seguidamente, se realiza el análisis de las cualidades técnicas de la impresión, eminentes en una época de esplendor del arte impresorio, y en cuya confección colaboraron los más descollantes artistas del buril de aquel período considerado de triunfo de la estampa ilustrada.
Verdad y progreso científico
Authors: Diéguez Antonio
Published: November 2013

En lo que sigue se expondrán las críticas principales que ha recibido la tesis de que la ciencia aspira a conseguir algunas verdades sobre el mundo, y se intentará mostrar que, a pesar de dichas críticas, el concepto de verdad objetiva no sólo no es un concepto superado por algún sustituto más adecuado o alguna comprensión más profunda de la práctica científica, sino que, como sostiene el realismo científico, sigue siendo necesario para entender cabalmente qué significa el progreso cognitivo en la ciencia y, por ende, para dar cuenta del progreso tecnológico contemporáneo.
La gestión de la flota oceanográfica española
Authors: López Facal Javier
Published: November 2013

Se describe en este artículo la situación actual de la flota oceanográfica y sus problemas de gestión y planificación. El buque Hespérides es objeto de especial atención, por su importancia en la investigación marina de nuestro país.
Se pasa revista, asimismo, a los modelos de organización de las flotas oceanográficas de otros países y se hacen propuestas de articulación de las Ciencias Marinas en España.
Filosofía de la mente: historia, perspectivas, conceptos, personajes y algunos problemas
Authors: Liz Manuel
Published: November 2013

En este trabajo se ofrece una introducción a esa área de investigación filosófica de la mente. Se abordarán, en primer lugar, algunos aspectos de su evolución histórica como disciplina diferenciada. En segundo lugar, se describirán las principales opciones existentes a la hora de conceptualizar las relaciones de lo mental con el mundo estudiado por las ciencias naturales. Se precisarán también algunos de los conceptos más recurrentes en la actual filosofía de la mente, proporcionándose a continuación una panorámica general de los autores más representativos en este terreno. Por último, se comentan varios grupos importantes de problemas abiertos. La actual filosofía de la mente nos mostraría, sobre todo, una nueva forma de hacer filosofía que pone constantemente en práctica la inexistencia de fronteras claramente definidas entre filosofía y ciencia.
El papel del Grupo Interuniversitario de Física Teórica (GIFT) en la FAE española
Authors: Asorey Manuel
Published: November 2013

El Grupo Interuniversitario de Física Teórica constituyó durante casi veinticinco años una de las organizaciones científicas no gubernamentales más singulares del panorama científico español. El GIFT impulsó el desarrollo de la física teórica desde un estadio muy primitivo hasta las cotas más avanzadas del panorama científico internacional. El análisis de las actividades y estructura del GIFT revela algunas de las claves fundamentales para comprender este espectacular desarrollo. La existencia de una organización autónoma en ámbito de la física teórica propició una eficaz optimización de la utilización de los recursos y una homogeneización de los objetivos científicos y métodos de trabajo de los grupos de investigación, radicados en distintas universidades e institutos públicos de investigación. En este breve apunte se realiza, a la luz de los resultados obtenidos, un recorrido por la corta pero interesante historia del GIFT.
Changes in the abundance and spatial distribution of the Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) in the pelagic ecosystem and fisheries off Portugal
Authors: Martins Maria Manuel , Skagen Dankert , Marques Vítor , Zwolinski Juan , Silva Alexandra
Published: November 2013

This study describes changes in abundance and spatial distribution of Atlantic chub mackerel in the Portuguese waters and the Spanish waters of the Gulf of Cadiz using data from acoustic surveys from 1995 to 2010 and data from the fishery since 1958. The distribution and dynamics of chub mackerel and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) are compared and species interactions are discussed. From 2007 to 2009, chub mackerel biomass, as measured acoustically, ranged between 69000 and 238000 t concentrated off the western coast (~50%) and in the Gulf of Cadiz (~30%). Portuguese landings have varied with periods of high landings around 1970 and in recent years. Since 1986 landings have been between 4000 and 23000 t. Both survey catches and commercial landings are taken mainly off the southwestern coast and one- to two-year-old individuals (20-24 cm) predominate in both. Scarcity of larger individuals may be a consequence of their deeper distribution and avoidance of fishing gear, migration of older individuals or a combination of both. In years with high abundance, the fishery expands to the northwestern areas of the Iberian Peninsula. The expansion appears to be caused by improved recruitment although other factors might have contributed (such as targeting to compensate for low sardine catches and the appearance of new markets). The complementary spatial distribution of chub mackerel and sardine and the inverse correlations between their frequency of occurrence, landings and recruitment indices suggest some interaction between the dynamics of the two species, possibly associated with climatic variation.
HRM Practices and Problems in Family-Owned SMEs
Authors: Çalişkan Burcu Özge Özaslan
Published: November 2013

In exchange for the need for more highly trained employees, there is not enough qualified labor in the market. Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the economies of countries because of their characteristics about generating employment. Effective Human Resource Management (HRM) is becoming increasingly important in the modern knowledge-based economy and vital for the success of small- and medium-sized enterprises. However, there are few studies concerning HRM practices of SMEs. The purpose of this study is to analyze the current HRM practices of SMEs, especially which are family businesses, and to identify HRM practices and the problems within these SMEs. With the help of the literature review, helpful suggestions about HRM practices are developed for SMEs.
The Role of Human Resources Practices in Conflict Management
Authors: Erden Nil Selenay
Published: November 2013

The aim of this chapter is to provide a conceptual basis on the role of HR (Human Resources) practices in conflict management in the context of small business. However, conflict management is not accounted as a formal function of HRM (Human Resources Management) such as selection, performance appraisal, or administrative services. Besides, HR functions in Small-Medium Entreprises (SMEs) are usually carried by owners or line managers while some practices might be outsourced, as well. Consequently, managing human resources is different in SMEs due to firm size, priorities of the owner, and informality. Therefore, the challenge is to build the link between HR functions and conflict management in the context of small business. In this respect, the chapter emphasizes the importance of managing human capital effectively in terms of managing conflicts.
Occupational Health and Safety in SMEs
Authors: Çalişkan Burcu Özge Özaslan
Published: November 2013

Employees of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are exposed to higher risks than the employees of larger ones, and SMEs have difficulties in controlling risk. Many countries have noticed the potential of the SMEs, and they judge employment and economic growth to a great extent based on these enterprises. The studies regarding this subject have increased during the last decade, parallel to the political and economic interests in occupational health and safety in SMEs. The objective of this chapter is to reveal general conclusions on effective approaches to prevent occupational diseases and injuries in SMEs and to gain information related to employment, welfare and health facilities, health education, legislation, occupational health, and safety management as a part of integrated management systems and other safety activities. The chapter also aims to facilitate developing an informative perspective about Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) in SMEs by emphasizing the drivers, benefits, and barriers of SMEs trying to adopt these systems.
The Impact of the Entrepreneur’s Educational Level on the Employment Creation by New Small and Medium Enterprises
Authors: Zambujal-Oliveira João , Contente Luis
Published: November 2013

This chapter examines the effects of different types of start-up rates on subsequent employment change. Longitudinal data on start-ups and employment in Portuguese regions in the period 1996–2007 is used for the analysis. The study addresses whether diverse types of new small- and medium-sized enterprise formation have heterogeneous effects on regional employment generation. It is found that, for the range considered, the seven types of start-ups led to significant and negative effects on the average variation of regional employment. It is also observed that these effects were more negative for start-ups with at least one business owner with higher education in engineering and for start-ups with at least one business owner with higher education in management. The last conclusion is that the share of highly skilled employees has a statistically significant and positive impact on the average employment change and, therefore, on regional development.
Decision Making in SMEs
Authors: Öksüzoğlu-Güven Gizem
Published: November 2013

This chapter explores theories and concepts of ethical decision making in SMEs and how individuality of entrepreneurs affects their organisations. In order to investigate the entrepreneurial ethical decision-making process, the chapter crossbreeds the concepts of greed and power, cognitive moral development, ethical ideologies, and individual psychological characteristics as determinant of ethical decision making. Through discussion of relevant models, the chapter presents arguments on determinants of individual ethical decision making as well as external factors that influence the decision-making process. In doing so, it aims to provide a distinctive perspective on understanding decision making in SMEs through forming a bridge between individual moral psychology and entrepreneurial decision making. This understanding enables us to have an alternative reasoning when examining employment-related issues.
Entrepreneurship Readiness in Turkey
Authors: Tulunay Leyla , Güney Semra , Öktem M. Kemal
Published: November 2013

The target group of the study is composed of the entrepreneurs having business in manufacturing and services in Istanbul (Marmara Region), Kayseri (Central Anatolia Region), and Van (Eastern Anatolia Region), Turkey. Istanbul is a first degree developed city, Kayseri is a second degree developed city, and Van is a fifth degree developed city. A questionnaire having three parts was developed to collect data for the study. The first part of the questionnaire was about the factors influencing the decisions of establishment of a new business, the second part was about the personality characteristics, and the third part was about the demographic features of the entrepreneurs. One-hundred-seventy-eight questionnaires were collected from the companies in the targeted regions, and their results are analyzed statistically.
Trends of Blended Learning in K-12 Schools
Authors: Kumi-Yeboah Alex , Smith Patriann
Published: November 2013

Blended learning is a well-known and successful instructional model used in higher education and K-12 schools (International Association for K-12 Online Learning, 2012; Watson, 2012). It is estimated that about 37 percent of school districts in the United States had students enrolled in technology-supported distance education courses during the 2004/2005 school year (Zandberg & Lewis, 2008). An increased student population, coupled with the need to reduce educational costs, has led to a high demand for virtual instruction (Watson, 2010). One strongly supported method is blended learning (Watson, 2010). Blended learning is a hybrid of traditional face-to-face and online learning in which instruction occurs through both classroom and online formats, with the online component being a natural extension of traditional classroom learning (Colis & Moonen, 2001). As such, the process may involve a combination of instructional technology formats (e.g., videotape, CD-ROM, Web-based training, film) and face-to-face instructor-led instruction (Driscoll, 2002). Despite its hybrid nature and the potential it holds for transforming classroom instruction, to date, little research exists that examines trends in blended learning and the challenges and possibilities of utilizing this method of instructional delivery at the K-12 level. Further, even less is known about best practices in K-12 blended learning and instruction (Ferdig, et al., 2009). Given these considerations, in this chapter, the authors first explore trends in blended learning in K-12 schools. Subsequently, they examine the benefits and challenges of K-12 blended learning. In the final phases of the chapter, the authors highlight possible solutions to the challenges, discuss recommendation, and identify directions for future research.
A Skype-Buddy Model for Blended Learning
Authors: Macharaschwili Carmen E. , Coggin Linda Skidmore
Published: November 2013

Universities are challenged with providing quality educational experiences that meet students’ needs for engagement and collaboration. The availability of computer-mediated communication tools provides opportunities for such needs to be met as well as allows students the opportunity to complete higher education degree requirements in virtual environments This chapter discusses how Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) was used in a unique Skype-Buddy system to provide virtual face-to-face participation in traditional doctoral classrooms. Students’ and professors’ satisfaction, benefits, challenges, and surprises in this system are examined. Results and recommendations from this study are applicable in undergraduate and secondary level classrooms.
Blended Learning Experience of Graduate Students
Authors: Hozien Wafa
Published: November 2013

Blended learning has been in existence for over a decade, and more research needs to be done to determine its efficacy and desirability for colleges and universities. The goal of this chapter is to document the ways in which blended learning has changed the university learning experience for graduate students. End-of-semester student questionnaires were analyzed, and it was found that even in the early years of blended learning, students were generally satisfied and appreciated the convenience of the blended modality. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected through the questionnaires, a student focus group, and faculty interviews. The goal of this chapter is to answer the questions: How do graduate students perceive the BL experience? What are the faculty’s perspectives about changes in the delivery of instruction? How has the university learning experience been changed as a consequence of BL? Student priorities were teacher presence, faculty skill at teaching blended classes, and the support that was available to them from the faculty and administration. Faculty voiced concerns with transitioning from teaching face-to-face or online to teaching blended.
The Role of Total Productive Maintenance in Group Technology to Achieve World-Class Status
Authors: Farsijani Hassan , Nikabadi Mohsen Shafiei , Mojibian Fatemeh
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) techniques influence in implementation of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) in cellular manufacturing. The paper presents an investigation of TPM which can be defined in terms of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). Then, using a case study in Cement Industry, OEE index that is related with TPM implementation in a cell with performance standards of world class Manufacturing is compared. Implementation of TPM in cellular manufacturing brings competitive advantages such as increasing efficiency and improving maintenance quality in cellular manufacturing systems. The first step to World-Class Manufacturing is to implement TPM successfully and to create a very active organization. When TPM has been a common practice in daily production, it can be said that company has just commenced a journey to world-class manufacturing. So, the originality of this paper is to assessing The Role of Total Productive Maintenance in Group Technology to achieve world-class status.
A Fuzzy Inventory Model for Weibull Deteriorating Items with Price-Dependent Demand and Shortages under Permissible Delay in Payment
Authors: Jaggi Chandra K. , Pareek Sarla , Sharma Anuj , Nidhi
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a fuzzy inventory model is formulated for deteriorating items with price dependent demand under the consideration of permissible delay in payment. A two parameter Weibull distribution is taken to represent the time to deterioration. Shortages are allowed and completely backlogged. For Fuzzification of the model, the demand rate, holding cost, unit purchase cost, deterioration rate, ordering cost, shortage cost, interest earn and interest paid are assumed to be triangular fuzzy numbers. As a result, the profit function will be derived in fuzzy sense in order to obtain the optimal stock-in period, cycle length and the selling price. The graded mean integration method is used to defuzzify the profit function. Then, to test the validity of the model a numerical example is considered and solved. Finally, to study the effect of changes of different parameters on the optimal solution i.e. average profit, order quantity, stock-in period, cycle length and selling price, sensitivity analysis are performed.
Integrated Quality Function Deployment as a Tool for Quality Achievement in Healthcare
Authors: Venkateswarlu Chintala , Birru A. K.
Published: November 2013

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a methodology that extracts client demands (CDs) and inducting them in the final service/product. Once CDs are extracted from client the traditional QFD approach uses absolute importance to identify the degree of importance for each CD. Direct evaluation of CDs based on absolute weighting without tradeoffs is easy to perform, but may lead to serious deviations from reality. An alternative to avoid this problem is to adopt the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach. In this paper, an integrated model combining AHP and QFD has been delineated as a quality achievement tool in healthcare. A case study is performed on the healthcare services provided by government general hospital, Indore District, Madhya Pradesh, India and data has been analyzed to benchmark the proposed framework by computing the degree of relative importance for CDs through AHP and incorporating them in subsequent deployment matrices.
Debunking Intermediary Censorship Framework in Social Media via a Content Retrieval and Classification Software
Authors: Navanopparatskul Baramee , Sinthupinyo Sukree , Ramasoota Pirongrong
Published: November 2013

Following the enactment of computer crime law in Thailand, online service providers are compelled to control illegal content including content that is deemed harmful or problematic. This situation leads to self-censorship of intermediaries, often resulting in overblocking to avoid violating the law. Such filtering flaw both infringes users’ freedom of expression and impedes the business of OSPs in Thailand. The Innovative Retrieval System (IRS) is thus developed to investigate intermediary censorship in online discussion forum, Pantip.com, as a case study of social media. The result shows that there is no consistency of censorship pattern on the website at all. The censorship criteria depend on type of content in each forum. Overblocking is also high, over 70% of removed content, due to intimidation of governmental agencies, lawsuits from business organizations, and fear of intermediary liability. Website administrator admitted that he would cut off some users to avoid business troubles.
Semantic Approach to Web-Based Discovery of Unknowns to Enhance Intelligence Gathering
Authors: Danilova Natalia , Stupples David
Published: November 2013

A semantic Web-based search method is introduced that automates the correlation of topic-related content for discovery of hitherto unknown intelligence from disparate and widely diverse Web-sources. This method is in contrast to traditional search methods that are constrained to specific or narrowly defined topics. The method is based on algorithms from Natural Language Processing combined with techniques adapted from grounded theory and Dempster-Shafer theory to significantly enhance the discovery of related Web-sourced intelligence. This paper describes the development of the method by showing the integration of the mathematical models used. Real-world worked examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the method with supporting performance analysis, showing that the quality of the extracted content is significantly enhanced comparing to the traditional Web-search approaches.
Detecting Facial Expressions for Monitoring Patterns of Emotional Behavior
Authors: Bourbakis Nikolaos
Published: November 2013

Detecting faces and facial expressions has become a common task in human-computer interaction systems. A face-facial detection system must be able to detect faces under various conditions and extract their facial expressions. Many approaches for face detection have been proposed in the literature mainly dealing with the detection or recognition of faces in still conditions rather than the person’s facial expressions and the reflecting emotional behavior. In this paper, the author describes a synergistic methodology for detecting frontal high-resolution color faces and for recognizing their facial expressions accurately in realistic conditions both indoor and outdoor, and with a variety of conditions (shadows, high-lights, non-white lights). The methodology associates these facial expressions to emotional behavior. It extracts important facial features, such as eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth (lips) and defines them as the primitive elements of an alphabet of a simple formal language in order to synthesize these facial features and generate emotional expressions. The main goal of this effort is to monitor emotional behavior and learn from it. Illustrative examples are also provided for proving the concept of the methodology.
Neuro-SVM Anticipatory System for Online Monitoring of Radiation and Abrupt Change Detection
Authors: Alamaniotis Miltiadis , Tsoukalas Lefteri H.
Published: November 2013

Fast processing of consecutive measurements and accurate detection of abrupt changes is of primary importance for online monitoring of radiation. In this paper, a hybrid anticipatory system is discussed together with its application to real time radiation monitoring. The system utilizes the synergism of an artificial neural network (ANN) with support vector machines (SVM) to tackle the problem of anticipating the measurements for an ahead-in-time horizon. The system employs an ensemble of support vector regressors (SVRs) whose predictions constitute the input values to a neural network. Therefore, it is the neural network that provides the final predictions over the designated time horizon. The neuro-SVM predictions are divided by the respective observed values and compared with a predetermined threshold where an abrupt change is identified if the ratio exceeds the threshold value. The proposed anticipatory system is compared with the naïve prediction approach as well as the independent support vector regressors. Results clearly demonstrate that the neuro-SVM outperforms the naïve predictor and the individual SVRs in the majority of the cases regarding prediction accuracy and rate of abrupt change detection.
Biodiversity and Habitat Changes Modelling Experiences in Ukraine and Eastern Europe Countries
Authors: Prydatko Vasyl , Kolomytsev Grygoriy
Published: November 2013

This is updated study on biodiversity and its conditions in Ukraine and seven surrounding countries. It includes four different methods: the indicative-index approach, the Mean Species Abundance (MSA) and two species based approaches, one using habitat changes as driving factor (EEBIO) and the other includes climate change (SDM_GLM, BIOCLIM). The indicative-index methodology ‘BINU’ dealt with 128 species and 98 agrobiodiversity indicators-indices, and demonstrated low impact of climate change from 1950-2002. The EEBIO approach links species distribution maps, compiled from different sources to habitat change maps, resulting in a series of 900 GIS maps. The MSA-approach gives a general view and shows a low impact of climate change by 2002, and a high impact due to habitat loss. The GLM-approach provided detailed species-based maps of the expected changes in habitats condition caused by land use change and climate change, contrary to BIOCLIM. Finally, the selected 55 indicator species (vascular plants, insects, amphibians, birds and mammals) demonstrated a surprising diversity of GLM-trends by 2030-2050. It proved that expected climate change, together with land-use change would provoke numerous expected and unexpected species-habitat alterations. GLM- and BIOCLIM-based scenarios can not be the same. If the final GLM-scenarios are correct, then in the near future in Ukraine in particular, scientists and decision makers will by 2050 find about 4% of new species or will lose up to 13% of existing species.
Dual Market(ing) in “Bio-Engineering High Technology” New Products
Authors: Bas Tomas Gabriel
Published: November 2013

Developing and launch new products for new markets is risky and doubtful, and more often leads to confusion or even to fail. In the case of “bio-engineering high technology” is not suitable use the traditional marketing because the costs of R&D and time for innovation are much higher and therefore more risky and uncertain. For high technology in general, is more appropriate employ the event known as dual-market(ing). This phenomenon analyze the early phase cycle of the product and the later phase cycle of the product like a dual episode. This aspect shows the early market and the late market that adopt very different ways in the context. Bio-engineering high technology, with a strong component of technological knowledge and innovation, reference not to an industry, but rather a set of applications of intricate characteristics, which represents a particular challenge and risk. For this reason, through the comprehension of a dual market(ing) are essential to maximize the success in early and later cycle life of bio-engineering high technology products.
A Survey of Knowledge Work Productivity Metrics
Authors: Xiao Min , Nembhard David A. , Dai Changjun
Published: November 2013

This paper presents a unique comparison of work on productivity metrics in the literature and that in use in practice, with the aim of identifying gaps, and opportunities for researchers and practitioners to meet the challenge of improving knowledge worker productivity. Methods used include surveys, group interviews, and in-depth interviews. The authors conclude that several metrics including effectiveness, efficiency, profitability, innovation, and customer satisfaction may need to be given more attention when considering productivity evaluation. It is also important to identify knowledge work intensity, and select metrics that are most appropriate for each worker’s knowledge intensity level. Results provide insights for enterprises to identify useful metrics for evaluating the knowledge workforce. Specifically, for high intensity work, effectiveness is a valuable metric, but for lower intensities, efficiency may be more practical.
Technical Efficiency of State Road Transport Undertakings in India - Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Prakash V. , Rajesh J. , Thilagam M.
Published: November 2013

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a method of analyzing the relative efficiency of similar types of organizations known as decision making units (DMU’s). In this paper, DEA model is applied to evaluate the relative technical efficiency of state road transport undertakings (SRTU’s) in India during the period 2011-2012. The authors have considered thirty-four SRTU’s functioning in India. The variables chosen to characteristic production units are the number of fleet held, staff strength and fuel efficiency as inputs and Passengers carried as output. The BCC model is input- oriented allowing for variable returns to scale (VRS), units are ranked and the projection analyses are given.
Financial Performance Measures, Efficiency and Indian Banking
Authors: Arora Padmasai
Published: November 2013

Globalization forces are linking banking operations to worldwide markets making them vulnerable to global stress. This fundamental change compels banks to be more robust in terms of sound financial performance. Bankers worldwide compute a large number of financial measures using ratios to gauge bank performance. This paper calculates efficiency, an important indicator of financial performance of banks in India using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for the period 2006-07. Following Jackson (1972), the paper investigates commonality that might exist among financial performance measures computed by banks in India and the estimated bank efficiency scores. Results of Factor Analysis uncovered fewer significant factors and interestingly show that efficiency scores do not cluster with other measures of bank performance despite emerging as one of the significant factor. The present paper argues that bankers and policy makers should not feel contented by looking at the standard performance measures alone. Rather, they should also try to examine bank performance vis-à-vis efficiency based on multiple inputs and outputs to capture the complete picture. A paradigm shift towards measurement of efficiency using sophisticated modeling techniques is recommended for better performance evaluation in banking.
On Some New Fractional Type Heinz Inequalities
Authors: Liao Yu Mei , Li Xuezhu , Wang Jin Rong
Published: November 2013

The authors shall discuss Heinz inequalities involving Riemann-Liouville fractional integrals for certain unitarily invariant norms. By using the convexity of function and fractional Hermit-Hadamard integral inequality, some refinements of Heinz inequalities are derived.
A Modified Landweber Iteration Algorithm using Updated Sensitivity Matrix for Electrical Impedance Tomography
Authors: Zhang Lifeng
Published: November 2013

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a technique to reconstruct the conductivity distribution of an inhomogeneous medium by injecting currents at the boundary of an object and measuring the resulting changes in voltage. The sensitivity matrix of EIT is calculated with a selected reference conductivity distribution, which is time-consuming. However, the sensitivity matrix will change with the media distribution, which results in the quality of the reconstructed image reduction. A modified Landweber iterative algorithm based on updated sensitivity matrix was presented in this paper. The reconstructed image based on conventional Landweber iteration was selected as the initial image for sensitivity matrix update, and the reconstructed images after sensitivity matrix update using different initial images were compared. The effect on the quality of reconstructed images for different times of sensitivity matrix update was also analyzed. Simulation and static test were carried out. Experimental results showed that reconstructed images with higher quality can be obtained.
Bio Diesel Oil of Mustard
Authors: Hongcong Liu
Published: November 2013

This paper represents the mustard oil is a kind of renewable energy and alternative fuel of the future. In order to cope with the current situation of load shedding, and reduce dependence on imported fuels, the Bangladesh government to encourage the use of renewable energy. Because the diesel engine with multiple functions, including small pumping irrigation system and backup generators, diesel fuel is much higher than that of any other gasoline fuel. In Bangladesh, mustard oil used as edible oil has been all over the country. Mustard is a widely grown plants, more than demand in Bangladesh and the mustard seed is produced annually. Therefore, to use the remaining mustard oil diesel fuel as a substitute. Fuel properties determine the standard procedure in fuel testing laboratory. An experimental device, and then a small diesel engine made in a laboratory using different conversion from the properties of biodiesel blend of mustard oil. The study found, biodiesel diesel fuel has a slightly different than the property. Also observed, and bio diesel, engine is able to without difficulty, but deviates from its optimal performance. Biodiesel was different (B20, B30, B50) of the blends have been used in engine or a fuel supply system, in order to avoid the complex deformation. Finally, it has been carried out to compare the performance of different operating conditions with different blends of Biodiesel Engine, in order to determine the optimal blends.
Beyond Counterterrorism
Authors: Regan Priscilla M. , Monahan Torin
Published: November 2013

Decentralized organizational approaches to security provision introduce new challenges for controlling information-sharing practices, safeguarding civil liberties, and ensuring accountability. Department of Homeland Security “fusion centers,” and the multiple organizations and databases that are part of fusion centers, engender an environment in which information is migrating beyond original purposes of counterterrorism. Indeed, based on intensive qualitative research, the authors have found that fusion centers that were originally oriented toward “counterterrorism” have quickly broadened their scope to include all crimes, and those that began as “all crimes” have migrated only marginally to terrorism. This is the result of three quite predictable factors: fusion centers have to be valuable to their states, there is too little activity that is clearly terrorism related, and fusion center personnel have to use their time and skills constructively. Nonetheless, even if local policing needs are met through fusion-center funding and support, many of the activities of fusion-center analysts lend themselves to mission creep and violations of civil liberties.
Usability Evaluation of Pakistani Security Agencies Websites
Authors: Saeed Saqib , Malik Irfan Ahmed , Wahab Fazal
Published: November 2013

In the post 9/11 world, homeland security has become focal issue for every country and governments are constantly improving security mechanisms to protect their citizens. Pakistan being the front line state in the war against terror is one of the heavily affected countries by terrorism. Timely information dissemination to public by security agencies can help citizens to be prepared and carry out protective measures. Information technology artifacts and the internet can be very beneficial for information dissemination purpose. In this paper the author specifically looked at Pakistani security agency websites 1to evaluate usability aspects. Initially we conducted a usability testing in lab setting, where our questions were based on Jakob Nielson’s heuristics. In order to further validate our findings the authors prepared a questionnaire and got it filled out by end users. Survey results highlighted that these websites have several usability problems which need to be rectified before they could effectively be used. The findings of the study help e-government practitioners and policy makers to develop their websites according to user needs.
Lost in Translation
Authors: Kaufman Geoff F. , Flanagan Mary
Published: November 2013

In light of a growing body of work demonstrating the ability of games to transform cognitive skill sets and change attitudes toward social issues, including in public health, it is crucial to understand the potentially divergent experiences and outcomes afforded by analog and digital platforms. In a recent empirical study, the authors addressed the basic question of whether transferring a public health game from an analog to a digital format would impact players’ perceptions of the game and the efficacy of the game for stimulating changes to beliefs and cognitions. Results revealed that the digital version of the game, despite being a nearly identical translation, was perceived by players to be more complicated than the analog version and, consequently, was less effective at facilitating learning and attitude change. The authors propose several explanations for this finding, based on psychological theories, to help elucidate critical distinctions between non-digital and digital game play phenomenology.
Integrated Brain and Body Exercises for ADHD and Related Problems with Attention and Executive Function
Authors: Wexler Bruce E.
Published: November 2013

This paper reviews the neuroscience foundation for understanding and harnessing neuroplastic processes that shape the structure and function of the human brain after birth, describes a newly developed, integrated series of computer presented and physical exercises to promote activity-related development of neurocognitive systems of attention and executive function in elementary school children, and reviews evidence of the efficacy of the program. The computer-presented brain exercises have new functionalities that more fully shape the training to each user’s individual profile of cognitive strengths and weaknesses than was previously possible. The programs also provide assessments of each child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses based on built in formal tests of cognition and error analytic algorithms applied to 15-20,000 responses from each child while using the brain training program.
The eHealth Arena and Online Virtual Worlds
Authors: Morie Jacquelyn Ford , Chance Eric
Published: November 2013

Virtual Worlds, a recent addition to Internet offerings, are connected social spaces that have geographies and are populated by people using avatar representations. These spaces hold a great deal of promise as part of a future portfolio of eHealth offerings. Utilizing virtual worlds, health care can be widely distributed and accessible via the Internet. They have particular affordances that lend themselves to achieving and supporting many types of health care. This paper describes some of the current applications that use virtual worlds as part of eHealth care, as well as future research that will factor into the way these activities develop. These examples are paving the way for virtual worlds to be part of the way people access health care in the future.