bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spine surgery referrals redirected through a multidisciplinary care pathway: effects of nonsurgeon triage including MRI utilization
Authors: Kindrachuk Danica R. , Fourney Daryl R.
Published: November 2013

Object

The Saskatchewan Spine Pathway (SSP) was introduced to improve quality and access to care for patients with low-back and leg pain in the province. There is very limited data regarding the efficacy of nonsurgeon triage of surgical referrals. The objective of this early implementation study was to determine how the SSP affects utilization of MRI and spine surgery.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 87 consecutive patients with low-back and leg pain who were initially referred to a spine surgeon but were instead redirected to the SSP clinic between May 1, 2011, and November 30, 2011. The SSP clinic triaged patients into 2 groups: Group A (nonsurgical management) and Group B (referred back to the spine surgeon). The SSP classification was modified from the classification proposed by Hall et al. Pain and disability were scored by pain-related visual analog scale, modified Oswestry Disability Index, and EuroQol-5D.

Results

Sixty-two patients (Group A, 71.3%) were discharged after patient education, self-care advice, and/or referral for additional mechanical therapies. Although only 25 patients (Group B, 28.7%) were directed back to the surgeon, the final percentage (12.6%) offered surgery was similar to that of historic controls (15%). Total MRI utilization was significantly lower in Group A (25.8%) than Group B (92.0%) (p < 0.0001). Nonsurgeon triage captured all red flags detected by the surgeon. Patients in Group B were much more likely to have a leg-dominant pain (p = 0.0088) and had significantly higher Oswestry Disability Index (p = 0.0121) and EuroQol-5D mobility (p = 0.0484) scores.

Conclusions

The SSP significantly reduced MRI utilization and referrals seen by the surgeon for nonoperative care. Although this early implementation study suggests potential for cost savings, a more rigorous analysis of outcomes, costs, and patient satisfaction is required.
Noncontiguous lumbar vertebral hemangiomas treated by posterior decompression, intraoperative kyphoplasty, and segmental fixation
Authors: Yu Bin , Wu Desheng , Shen Bin , Zhao Weidong , Huang Yufeng , Zhu Jianguang , Qi Dongduo
Published: November 2013

Vertebral hemangiomas are benign lesions and are often asymptomatic. Most vertebral hemangiomas that cause cord compression and neurological symptoms are located in the thoracic spine and involve a single vertebra. The authors report the rare case of lumbar hemangiomas in a 60-year-old woman presenting with severe back pain and rapidly progressive neurological signs attributable to 2 noncontiguous lesions. After embolization of the feeding arteries, no improvement was noted. Thus, the authors performed open surgery using a combination of posterior decompression, intraoperative kyphoplasty, and segmental fixation. The patient experienced relief from back and leg pain immediately after surgery. At 3 months postoperatively, her symptoms and neurological deficits had improved completely. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of 2 noncontiguous extensive lumbar hemangiomas presenting with neurological symptoms managed by such combined treatment. The combined management seems to be an effective method for treating symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas.
Lesion analysis for cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy: comparison and correlation with clinical outcomes
Authors: Yang Jimmy C. , Ginat Daniel T. , Dougherty Darin D. , Makris Nikos , Eskandar Emad N.
Published: November 2013

Object

Cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy are lesioning surgeries with demonstrated benefit for medically intractable psychiatric illnesses. They represent significant refinements of the prefrontal lobotomy used from the 1930s through the 1950s. However, the associations between anatomical characterization of these lesions and outcome data are not well understood. To elucidate these procedures and associations, the authors sought to define and compare the neuroanatomy of cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy and to test a method that uses neuroanatomical data and voxel-based lesion–symptom mapping (VLSM) to reveal potential refinements to modern psychiatric neurosurgical procedures.

Methods

T1-weighted MR images of patients who had undergone cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy were segmented and registered onto the Montreal Neurological Institute T1-weighted template brain MNI152. Using an atlas-based approach, the authors calculated, by case, the percentage of each anatomical structure affected by the lesion. Because of the infrequency of modern lesion procedures and the requirement for higher-resolution clinical imaging, the sample size was small.

The pilot study correlated cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy lesion characteristics with clinical outcomes for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. For this study, preoperative and postoperative Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores for 11 cingulotomy patients and 8 limbic leucotomy patients were obtained, and lesion masks were defined and compared anatomically by using an atlas-based method. Statistically significant voxels were additionally calculated by using VLSM techniques that correlated lesion characteristics with postoperative scores.

Results

Mean lesion volumes were 13.3 ml for cingulotomy and 11.8 ml for limbic leucotomy. As expected, cingulotomy was isolated to the anterior cingulum. The subcaudate tractotomy portion of limbic leucotomy additionally affected Brodmann area 25, the medial orbitofrontal cortex, and the nucleus accumbens.

Initial results indicated that the dorsolateral regions of the cingulotomy lesion and the posteroventral regions of the subcaudate tractotomy lesion were associated with improved postoperative Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores.

Conclusions

Cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy are lesioning surgeries that target pathological circuits implicated in psychiatric disease. Lesion analysis and VLSM contextualize outcome data and have the potential to be useful for improving lesioning neurosurgical procedures.
Olfactory Hallucinations without Clinical Motor Activity: A Comparison of Unirhinal with Birhinal Phantosmia
Authors: Henkin Robert , Potolicchio Samuel , Levy Lucien
Published: November 2013

Olfactory hallucinations without subsequent myoclonic activity have not been well characterized or understood. Herein we describe, in a retrospective study, two major forms of olfactory hallucinations labeled phantosmias: one, unirhinal, the other, birhinal. To describe these disorders we performed several procedures to elucidate similarities and differences between these processes. From 1272, patients evaluated for taste and smell dysfunction at The Taste and Smell Clinic, Washington, DC with clinical history, neurological and otolaryngological examinations, evaluations of taste and smell function, EEG and neuroradiological studies 40 exhibited cyclic unirhinal phantosmia (CUP) usually without hyposmia whereas 88 exhibited non-cyclic birhinal phantosmia with associated symptomology (BPAS) with hyposmia. Patients with CUP developed phantosmia spontaneously or after laughing, coughing or shouting initially with spontaneous inhibition and subsequently with Valsalva maneuvers, sleep or nasal water inhalation; they had frequent EEG changes usually ipsilateral sharp waves. Patients with BPAS developed phantosmia secondary to several clinical events usually after hyposmia onset with few EEG changes; their phantosmia could not be initiated or inhibited by any physiological maneuver. CUP is uncommonly encountered and represents a newly defined clinical syndrome. BPAS is commonly encountered, has been observed previously but has not been clearly defined. Mechanisms responsible for phantosmia in each group were related to decreased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity in specific brain regions. Treatment which activated brain GABA inhibited phantosmia in both groups.
Time Series EROI for Canadian Oil and Gas
Authors: Poisson Alexandre , Hall Charles
Published: November 2013

Modern economies are dependent on fossil energy, yet as conventional resources are depleted, an increasing fraction of that energy is coming from unconventional resources such as tar sands. These resources usually require more energy for extraction and upgrading, leaving a smaller fraction available to society, and at a higher cost. Here we present a calculation of the energy return on investment (EROI) for all Canadian oil and gas (including tar sands) over the period 1990–2008, and also for tar sands alone (1994–2008). We used energy production and energy use data from Statistics Canada’s Material and Energy Flow Accounts (MEFA). We were able to quantify both direct and indirect energy use, the latter from Statistics Canada’s energy input-output model. We found that since the mid-1990s, total energy used (invested) in the Canadian oil and gas sector increased about 63%, while the energy production (return) increased only 18%, resulting in a decrease in total EROI from roughly 16:1 to 11:1. We also found (although with less certainty) that the EROI for tar sands alone has fluctuated around 4:1 since 1994, with only a slight increasing trend. Finally, we analyzed underlying factors possibly influencing these trends.
On the Interactions of Additives in Metalworking Fluids with Metal Surfaces
Authors: Schulz Joachim , Brinksmeier Ekkard , Meyer Daniel
Published: November 2013

Metalworking fluids (MWF) play a significant role in manufacturing processes, such as machining or forming. Consequently, a high number of MWF with varying chemical composition are commercially available. However, the working mechanisms of the MWF are still object of discussion in science and application. This paper addresses the possible interactions of additives with metal surfaces taking the characteristic conditions in machining and forming processes as well as the chemical properties of the surface and the additives into account. The new model for possible interaction of additives with the metal surface is considered and supported by experimental data. This new model does not imply reaction layers as tribological active layer anymore.
Magnetic Phase Transition in Ion-Irradiated Ultrathin CoN Films via Magneto-Optic Faraday Effect
Authors: Su Chiung-Wu , Chang Yen-Chu , Chang Sheng-Chi
Published: November 2013

The magnetic properties of 1 nm thick in-plane anisotropic Co ultrathin film on ZnO(0001) were investigated through successive 500 eV nitrogen-ion sputtering. Magneto-optical Faraday effects were used to observe the evolution of the ion-irradiated sample in longitudinal and perpendicular magnetic fields. The ferromagnetic phase of the initial in-plane anisotropic fcc β-Co phase transformation to β-Co(N) phase was terminated at paramagnetic CoNx phase. In-plane anisotropy with weak out-of-plane anisotropy of the Co/ZnO sample was initially observed in the as-grown condition. In the sputtering process, the N+ ions induced simultaneous sputtering and doping. An abrupt spin reorientation behavior from in-plane to out-of-plane was found under prolonged sputtering condition. The existence of perpendicular anisotropy measured from the out-of-plane Faraday effect may be attributed to the co-existence of residual β-Co and Co4N exchange bonding force by the gradual depletion of Co-N thickness.
Applications of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Spent Culture Supernatant in Cosmetic Antioxidation, Whitening and Moisture Retention Applications
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Chih , Chan Chin-Feng , Huang Wen-Ying , Lin Jin-Seng , Chan Patty , Liu Ho-Yen , Lin Yung-Sheng
Published: November 2013

This study was aimed at investigating the antioxidant, whitening, and moisture-retention properties of Lactobacillus rhamnosus spent culture supernatant (Lr-SCS) in cosmetic applications. Results reveal that Lr-SCS effectively and gradually scavenges 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl as well as 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cations, and increases reducing power in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, Lr-SCS can also suppress tyrosinase activity in vitro and effectively promote moisture retention. Heat treatment at 100 °C for 30 min does not influence the functions of Lr-SCS. We conclude that Lr-SCS can be used effectively in skin care cosmetics.
Synthesis and Dual Histamine H1 and H2 Receptor Antagonist Activity of Cyanoguanidine Derivatives
Authors: Sadek Bassem , Alisch Rudi , Buschauer Armin , Elz Sigurd
Published: November 2013

Premedication with a combination of histamine H1 receptor (H1R) and H2 receptor (H2R) antagonists has been suggested as a prophylactic principle, for instance, in anaesthesia and surgery. Aiming at pharmacological hybrids combining H1R and H2R antagonistic activity, a series of cyanoguanidines 14–35 was synthesized by linking mepyramine-type H1R antagonist substructures with roxatidine-, tiotidine-, or ranitidine-type H2R antagonist moieties. N-desmethylmepyramine was connected via a poly-methylene spacer to a cyanoguanidine group as the “urea equivalent” of the H2R antagonist moiety. The title compounds were screened for histamine antagonistic activity at the isolated ileum (H1R) and the isolated spontaneously beating right atrium (H2R) of the guinea pig. The results indicate that, depending on the nature of the H2R antagonist partial structure, the highest H1R antagonist potency resided in roxatidine-type compounds with spacers of six methylene groups in length (compound 21), and tiotidine-type compounds irrespective of the alkyl chain length (compounds 28, 32, 33), N-cyano-N'-[2-[[(2-guanidino-4-thiazolyl)methyl]thio]ethyl]-N″-[2-[N-[2-[N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N-(pyridyl)-amino] ethyl]-N-methylamino]ethyl] guanidine (25, pKB values: 8.05 (H1R, ileum) and 7.73 (H2R, atrium) and the homologue with the mepyramine moiety connected by a six-membered chain to the tiotidine-like partial structure (compound 32, pKB values: 8.61 (H1R) and 6.61 (H2R) were among the most potent hybrid compounds. With respect to the development of a potential pharmacotherapeutic agent, structural optimization seems possible through selection of other H1R and H2R pharmacophoric moieties with mutually affinity-enhancing properties.
Cobalamin Deficiency: Clinical Picture and Radiological Findings
Authors: Briani Chiara , Dalla Torre Chiara , Citton Valentina , Manara Renzo , Pompanin Sara , Binotto Gianni , Adami Fausto
Published: November 2013

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes a wide range of hematological, gastrointestinal, psychiatric and neurological disorders. Hematological presentation of cobalamin deficiency ranges from the incidental increase of mean corpuscular volume and neutrophil hypersegmentation to symptoms due to severe anemia, such as angor, dyspnea on exertion, fatigue or symptoms related to congestive heart failure, such as ankle edema, orthopnea and nocturia. Neuropsychiatric symptoms may precede hematologic signs and are represented by myelopathy, neuropathy, dementia and, less often, optic nerve atrophy. The spinal cord manifestation, subacute combined degeneration (SCD), is characterized by symmetric dysesthesia, disturbance of position sense and spastic paraparesis or tetraparesis. The most consistent MRI finding is a symmetrical abnormally increased T2 signal intensity confined to posterior or posterior and lateral columns in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord. Isolated peripheral neuropathy is less frequent, but likely overlooked. Vitamin B12 deficiency has been correlated negatively with cognitive functioning in healthy elderly subjects. Symptoms include slow mentation, memory impairment, attention deficits and dementia. Optic neuropathy occurs occasionally in adult patient. It is characterized by symmetric, painless and progressive visual loss. Parenteral replacement therapy should be started soon after the vitamin deficiency has been established.
Combating Fraud in Medical Research: Research Validation Standards Utilized by the Journal of Surgical Radiology
Authors: Patel Bhavin , Dua Anahita , Koenigsberger Tom , Desai Sapan
Published: November 2013

Fraud in medical publishing has risen to the national spotlight as manufactured and suspect data have led to retractions of papers in prominent journals. Moral turpitude in medical research has led to the loss of National Institute of Health (NIH) grants, directly affected patient care, and has led to severe legal ramifications for some authors. While there are multiple checks and balances in medical research to prevent fraud, the final enforcement lies with journal editors and publishers. There is an ethical and legal obligation to make careful and critical examinations of the medical research published in their journals. Failure to follow the highest standards in medical publishing can lead to legal liability and destroy a journal’s integrity. More significant, however, is the protection of the medical profession’s trust with their colleagues and the public they serve. This article discusses various techniques and tools available to editors and publishers that can help curtail fraud in medical publishing.
Simulating Land Cover Changes and Their Impacts on Land Surface Temperature in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Bayes , Kamruzzaman Md. , Zhu Xuan , Rahman Md. , Choi Keechoo
Published: November 2013

Despite research that has been conducted elsewhere, little is known, to-date, about land cover dynamics and their impacts on land surface temperature (LST) in fast growing mega cities of developing countries. Landsat satellite images of 1989, 1999, and 2009 of Dhaka Metropolitan (DMP) area were used for analysis. This study first identified patterns of land cover changes between the periods and investigated their impacts on LST; second, applied artificial neural network to simulate land cover changes for 2019 and 2029; and finally, estimated their impacts on LST in respective periods. Simulation results show that if the current trend continues, 56% and 87% of the DMP area will likely to experience temperatures in the range of greater than or equal to 30 °C in 2019 and 2029, respectively. The findings possess a major challenge for urban planners working in similar contexts. However, the technique presented in this paper would help them to quantify the impacts of different scenarios (e.g., vegetation loss to accommodate urban growth) on LST and consequently to devise appropriate policy measures.
Autonomous Navigation Airborne Forward-Looking SAR High Precision Imaging with Combination of Pseudo-Polar Formatting and Overlapped Sub-Aperture Algorithm
Authors: Peng Xueming , Wang Yanping , Hong Wen , Tan Weixian , Wu Yirong
Published: November 2013

Autonomous navigation airborne forward-looking synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observes the anterior inferior wide area with a short cross-track dimensional linear array as azimuth aperture. This is an application scenario that is drastically different from that of side-looking space-borne or air-borne SAR systems, which acquires azimuth synthetic aperture with along-track dimension platform movement. High precision imaging with a combination of pseudo-polar formatting and overlapped sub-aperture algorithm for autonomous navigation airborne forward-looking SAR imaging is presented. With the suggested imaging method, range dimensional imaging is operated with wide band signal compression. Then, 2D pseudo-polar formatting is operated. In the following, azimuth synthetic aperture is divided into several overlapped sub-apertures. Intra sub-aperture IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform), wave front curvature phase error compensation, and inter sub-aperture IFFT are operated sequentially to finish azimuth high precision imaging. The main advantage of the proposed algorithm is its extremely high precision and low memory cost. The effectiveness and performance of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated with outdoor GBSAR (Ground Based Synthetic Aperture Radar) experiments, which possesses the same imaging geometry as the airborne forward-looking SAR (short azimuth aperture, wide azimuth swath). The profile response of the trihedral angle reflectors, placed in the imaging scene, reconstructed with the proposed imaging algorithm and back projection algorithm are compared and analyzed.
Assessment and Certification of Neonatal Incubator Sensors through an Inferential Neural Network
Authors: De Araújo José , De Menezes José , Moura de Albuquerque Alberto , Da Mota Almeida Otacílio , Ugulino de Araújo Fábio
Published: November 2013

Measurement and diagnostic systems based on electronic sensors have been increasingly essential in the standardization of hospital equipment. The technical standard IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 60601-2-19 establishes requirements for neonatal incubators and specifies the calibration procedure and validation tests for such devices using sensors systems. This paper proposes a new procedure based on an inferential neural network to evaluate and calibrate a neonatal incubator. The proposal presents significant advantages over the standard calibration process, i.e., the number of sensors is drastically reduced, and it runs with the incubator under operation. Since the sensors used in the new calibration process are already installed in the commercial incubator, no additional hardware is necessary; and the calibration necessity can be diagnosed in real time without the presence of technical professionals in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Experimental tests involving the aforementioned calibration system are carried out in a commercial incubator in order to validate the proposal.
Building Kinetic Models for Determining Vitamin C Content in Fresh Jujube and Predicting Its Shelf Life Based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Hu Yaohua , Liu Cong , Hao Qian , Zhang Qiang , He Yong
Published: November 2013

Fresh jujube (Ziziphus jujube) is rich in vitamin C, which is an important quality index and generally decreases with storage time. The aim of this study was to build kinetic models for determining the vitamin C content, thus predicting the quality characteristics and shelf life of fresh jujube. The quality changes of the jujube stored at room temperature (20 °C) were analyzed using near-infrared spectroscopy. The significant spectra were determined and a calibration model for vitamin C content was developed. The results showed that vitamin C content could be described by the zero-order kinetics model based on the regressions. In addition, the shelf life of the jujube at room temperature was calculated according to the regression model.
Le quotidien des familles recomposées
Authors: Domingo Pauline
Published: November 2013

FRE: Familles recomposées, Partage des tâches, Rapports sociaux de genre.
Social Worlds as a Framework for Event and Travel Careers
Authors: Getz Donald , Patterson Ian
Published: November 2013

Social world theory provides a framework to examine the event and travel-related careers of special-interest tourists. Social worlds can be examined across four dimensions, namely, actors, events, practices, and formal organizations with potential links to travel behavior. Event-travel
careers are hypothesized as consisting of evolving motivations, preferences, and patterns of travel— including event and destination choices. To inform this approach, qualitative analysis was undertaken by passive netnography consisting of a systematic analysis of material posted on
blogs by food lovers and people engaged in amateur distance running, mountain biking, and ballroom dancing. Observed differences between social worlds are analyzed with reference to competitive versus noncompetitive emphases, solo versus group activity, skill levels, divisibility of the pursuit
into subpursuits, the existence of portfolios of related activities that engage participants, and the degree to which commercialization occurs. The article concludes with a set of propositions for guiding future research and theory development.
Tourism Destination Competitiveness: Internal and External Comparisons of Malta and Cyprus
Authors: Azzopardi Ernest , Nash Robert
Published: November 2013

This article provides an objective statistical study of tourism destination competitiveness (TDC) on the two Mediterranean Islands of Malta and Cyprus. Both islands have been in the business of tourism for over 50 years and share many similarities and also provide very reliable, comparable
tourism data. The study is based on an analysis of the publications of National Statistics Office (NSO) bulletins, annuals, official references, and special reports from both countries. Malta's competitiveness is evaluated through statistical interpretation of performance measures. This analysis
provides a means of evaluating competitiveness based on internal assessment, but an external evaluation is also provided by comparing the performance of Malta to that of Cyprus. Finally, the competitiveness of both Malta and Cyprus is evaluated within a global and Mediterranean context.
Innovation and Collaboration: The Role of the National Government in Norway
Authors: Mei Xiang Ying , Arcodia Charles , Ruhanen Lisa
Published: November 2013

In recent years, innovation in tourism has become increasingly in focus as a strategy to gain competitive advantage. More studies in this area are still necessary as the role of the national government in such a process is still not well understood. This study focuses on the national
government's role in stimulating networks and collaboration in order to encourage tourism innovation and its related activities. Based on the data gathered in Norway, the results of this study suggest that effective collaboration in terms of communication and networks is considered crucial
in regard to tourism innovation at the national level. Four areas in which collaboration takes place were identified: collaboration within the government, public–private collaboration, collaboration among industry operators, and collaboration with other industries. Although its national
government is keen to initiate such networks and collaboration, the results suggest that success is not solely determined by the national government. Public–private collaboration and encouraging collaboration among industry tourism operators have caught more government attention than
the remaining two. Furthermore, the effectiveness of networks and collaboration as innovative processes to support tourism operators and contribute to destination development still needs to be further explored.
Flower Power? Activity Preferences of Residents and Tourists to an Australian Flower Festival
Authors: Tkaczynski Aaron
Published: November 2013

Festivals act as attractions with drawing power that are strategically utilized as part of a destination's marketing campaign. Although it is argued that festivals can be employed to strengthen, enhance, or change a destination's image, it is essential to first identify a profile of
attendees that can then be used to inform future marketing campaigns. This research aimed to segment attendees on the basis of their residency and activity preferences to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, a major regional festival held in Queensland, Australia. An on-site self-administered
questionnaire was utilized and 511 valid surveys were analyzed. key findings from this research were that the number of residents and tourists were relatively equal and that the difference between the event-related activities for these two segments was insignificant. It was also concluded
that whereas daily expenditure is higher for tourists, a large percentage travel from locations in proximity to the region and stay with friends and relatives. Several theoretical and practical implications are provided and opportunities for future research are outlined.
Technology and Disability Laws, Regulations, and Rights
Authors: Kinsell Carolyn
Published: November 2013

This chapter provides a broad overview of federal civil rights laws that ensure equal opportunity and fair treatment to people with disabilities. These laws and regulations bring with them a wide range of rights and services, some of which translate to entitlements in the form of assistive technology services and devices. It is therefore important that those with disabilities, their family members, and individuals who support people with disabilities become familiar with these various laws and regulations. In addition to discussing technology and disability laws, regulations, and rights, Website URLs of the respective governing office, agency, or outside organization have been included, allowing this chapter to serve not only as a primer but also as a reference as well.
The Changing Face of Assistive Technology
Authors: Stachowiak James R.
Published: November 2013

Computer-based Assistive Technology (AT) has had a powerful effect on people with disabilities in the areas of reading, writing, communicating, and accessing information. One of the roadblocks for use has always been the expense of AT. Advancements in computing and mobile technology, however, are making some technology more readily available, accessible, and cost effective for people with disabilities. Computer operating systems, for example, now contain features to magnify screens for reading and in the entering of text. The mobile movement of smartphones, e-readers, and tablets has also been changing the way people with disabilities access information. The capabilities of these devices combined with the immediate availability, affordability, and ease of use, has been making the world more accessible for people with disabilities, and with mobile devices increasingly becoming a necessity for most, this trend is anticipated to only continue.
A Step toward Assistive Technology Evidence-Based Practices
Authors: DaCosta Boaventura , Seok Soohnwa
Published: November 2013

In an attempt to meet the need for validation research that contributes to Assistive Technology (AT) evidence-based practices, this chapter presents the findings of a study aimed to identify latent dimensions of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that can serve as the basis for the eventual development of a standardized instrument for ICT assessment and selection in the context of AT. The ICT preferences and practices of 1,258 postsecondary students across 7 major universities were examined. A confirmatory factor analysis within the framework of structure equation modeling revealed the 5 latent dimensions: communicating, socializing, downloading and sharing, gaming, and learning. These dimensions examined in the context of age, gender, and income, further reveal that these demographics, as sole determinants of ICT usage, are not supported. Noteworthy findings were also found with regard to participant’s preferences for ICT, to include a tendency to text over all other technologies surveyed.
Social Skills Development for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders through the Use of Interactive Storytelling Games
Authors: Jin Sukun , DaCosta Boaventura , Seok Soohnwa
Published: November 2013

Storytelling is an intricate part of the human psyche and hence, human history. From childhood, stories play an important role in human development, in that, for instance, humans automatically construct a storyline so that they can associate information. There is research to suggest that storytelling in video games can be beneficial because it can be used to help players identify with characters and their goals, creating a greater sense of immersion, positive feelings, and more physiological arousal. Furthermore, when the content is specific and targeted, these games are well suited for promoting acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of skills and knowledge. Findings such as these hold immense promise in the context of improving social skills for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Thus, the use of computers and video games, combined with more traditional storytelling, may serve as hopeful tools for motivating and engaging students as well as promoting learning. This chapter expounds upon this line of reasoning and explores the use of interactive storytelling games as an effective intervention in social skills development for children with ASD.
Simulation Games as Interventions in the Promotion of Social Skills Development among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Kinsell Carolyn , DaCosta Boaventura , Nasah Angelique
Published: November 2013

It has been suggested that game technology can be successfully used to aid in social skills development among those with special needs. Based on the body of research available, such technology has been used in social skills development with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Furthermore, there is research to suggest that certain game technology, such as simulation-based games, can enhance learning and the retention of knowledge, which is of important benefit, given children with ASD show great difficulty in generalizing newly learned skills and knowledge from the instructional to the functional setting. However, at the time of this publication, very little empirical evidence exists that has specifically investigated the use of simulation-based games as interventions in the promotion of social skill development among children with ASD.
Exploring the Use of Technology, Multimodal Texts, and Digital Tools in K-12 Classrooms
Authors: Lawrence Salika A.
Published: November 2013

This chapter explores how teachers and students use technology in K–12 classrooms, the extent to which these practices align to previous research, and the ways in which digital tools are being used to support literacy instruction. Qualitative data from an exploratory, descriptive study were collected and analyzed. Observational data from classroom visits and teachers’ reports show that teachers and students use many digital tools including computers, iPads, and videos, and demonstrate practices that characterize 21st century skills such as collaborative learning, technology literacy, and information literacy. Through the use of digital tools, students are provided with different ways to access the curriculum and have the opportunity to interact with a wide range of texts. However, it appears that in-class experiences are fostering only basic technology skills and limited critical literacy practices, and few students are empowered to take leadership and transformative roles in the technology integration process.
Achievement vs. Social Justice
Authors: Hartnett-Edwards Kimberly , Reed Eron
Published: November 2013

This chapter discusses the use of an instructional model called platooning as a strategy to raise student achievement at a diverse, urban public elementary school. Pressure in schools, particularly on teachers, to demonstrate student growth on quantitative measures led teachers at this school to reorganize their instruction into a platooning model. This approach carried unanticipated consequences resulting in social justice issues for the students. The chapter covers the tensions that led to the adoption of the model and the theoretical constructs of social justice that were violated. Although these teachers would not describe what happened from a social justice framework, the level of concern for students, and the teachers’ determination to make empowered decisions on their behalf, demonstrates the fundamental concepts of the social justice agenda in public education.
Exploring Humanitarian Law
Authors: Harkins Mary Jane , Abidi Catherine Baillie , Crowe Taunya Pynn , Verri Renata
Published: November 2013

Valuing diverse perspectives is a key feature of critical pedagogy and global citizenship. Exploring tools, methods, and partnerships that foster dialogue, critical thinking, and respect for diversity in relation to teaching and learning is the topic of this research. The purpose of this theoretical piece was to explore the curriculum resource, Exploring Humanitarian Law (EHL) to determine if this approach (a) promotes youth engagement in critically analyzing humanitarian issues and (b) fosters global citizenship. The benefits and challenges of an interprofessional collaboration to implementing EHL were also considered. This exploration was based on Paulo Freire’s reflective inquiry and critical responses to learners’ needs. The data was generated through a focus group session with members of an interprofessional team involved in EHL. Four key themes emerged from the discussion: (a) student engagement, (b) fostering global citizenship, (c) teaching tools, and (d) interprofessional teamwork and sustainability.
A Stereo Matching System
Authors: Yang Yingpeng
Published: November 2013

Determination of the depth of the image feature distinctive automation and other industries of machine vision and computer vision technology in everyday life are becoming increasingly popular. Some techniques have been proposed to extract from the current depth of a 2D image of the feature, which defines a particular object or structure of the information. In many cases, these techniques are automatic, such as a suitable carrier moving average depth identify objects placed in the 2D image. For this intensive depth cues to solve two stereo matching algorithm using a machine learning algorithm. Other methods, relative to the camera based on the motion of the object have been proposed and analyzed by estimating the optical flow calculation depth map. The method of dense and sparse three-dimensional surface of the object to provide the three-dimensional information. This paper discusses the evaluation of the depth cues, through intensive two standard fast algorithm for real-time stereo image matching algorithm.
Time Series Forecasting as a Measure
Authors: Hongcong Liu
Published: November 2013

In this paper, the time series prediction is as a measure. At the same time, the optimal combination forecast using each method can be defined as the actual impact measurement value of true. Effect of its theoretical estimation has error correlation coefficient values. The optimal weighted linear combination is the theoretical prediction which can be proved, also, simple averaging method is linear combination forecasting optimal weights. Especially, based on the robust statistic theory, the mathematical derivation and numerical tests on the superiority is simple.
Decision Support System of Performance Assessment for Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Authors: Hadiguna Rika Ampuh
Published: November 2013

Sustainable supply chain management (s-SCM) requires a practice tool to assess performance that able to measure, evaluate and improve the existing operations of supply chain. The research question is how to build a decision support system (DSS) for performance assessment of s-SCM. The author has designed a DSS for performance assessment of s-SCM. There are some elements in designed DSS namely existing achievement, standards, indicators achievement and priority, computation algorithm, and recommendation for improvement. Theoretical contribution of this study is the development of relationship between total and partial performance in mathematical formulation. The model that has been presented is still using generic indicators. If the particular company would like to apply model that additional indicators should change the encoding computer program. However, the modification is very easy to perform. DSS structure of this study is still able to accommodate any kind of particular requirement.
Inter-Satellite Communications for Small Satellite Systems
Authors: Radhakrishnan Radhika , Zeng Qing-An , Edmonson William E.
Published: November 2013

Small satellite technology has opened a new era in aerospace engineering by decreasing space mission costs, without greatly reducing the performance. The concept of formation flying using small satellites is becoming popular because of their potential to perform coordinated measurements of remote sensing space missions. The current state of art in satellite communications is a one hop link between satellite and ground station. Very little work has been done on inter-satellite communications. This paper aims to design and evaluate feasible MAC and routing layer protocols for distributed small satellite networks. The possibility to implement proposed MAC and routing protocols for two different formation flying patterns are investigated. To validate the authors’ proposed system model, they use extensive simulations to evaluate the performance of the system using throughput, access delay and end-to-end delay.
Decomposition of Black-Box Optimization Problems by Community Detection in Bayesian Networks
Authors: Crocomo Marcio K. , Martins Jean P. , Delbem Alexandre C. B.
Published: November 2013

Estimation of Distribution Algorithms (EDAs) have proved themselves as an efficient alternative to Genetic Algorithms when solving nearly decomposable optimization problems. In general, EDAs substitute genetic operators by probabilistic sampling, enabling a better use of the information provided by the population and, consequently, a more efficient search. In this paper the authors exploit EDAs' probabilistic models from a different point-of-view, the authors argue that by looking for substructures in the probabilistic models it is possible to decompose a black-box optimization problem and solve it in a more straightforward way. Relying on the Building-Block hypothesis and the nearly-decomposability concept, their decompositional approach is implemented by a two-step method: 1) the current population is modeled by a Bayesian network, which is further decomposed into substructures (communities) using a version of the Fast Newman Algorithm. 2) Since the identified communities can be seen as sub-problems, they are solved separately and used to compose a solution for the original problem. The experiments showed strengths and limitations for the proposed method, but for some of the tested scenarios the authors’ method outperformed the Bayesian Optimization Algorithm by requiring up to 78% fewer fitness evaluations and being 30 times faster.
An Improved Nondominated Sorting Algorithm
Authors: da Cruz André R.
Published: November 2013

This paper presents a new procedure for the nondominated sorting with constraint handling to be used in a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm. The strategy uses a sorting algorithm and binary search to classify the solutions in the correct level of the Pareto front. In a problem with objective functions, using solutions in the population, the original nondominated sorting algorithm, used by NSGA-II, has always a computational cost of in a naïve implementation. The complexity of the new algorithm can vary from in the best case and in the worst case. A experiment was executed in order to compare the new algorithm with the original and another improved version of the Deb’s algorithm. Results reveal that the new strategy is much better than other versions when there are many levels in Pareto front. It is also concluded that is interesting to alternate the new algorithm and the improved Deb’s version during the evolution of the evolutionary algorithm.
Sintering and Performance of MgO from Bischofite with ZrO2 Additive
Authors: Huang Qiong Zhu , Lu Gui Min , Yu Jian Guo
Published: November 2013

Effect of ZrO2 on sintering properties of MgO prepared from natural brine from Qarhan Salt Lake, crystalline bischofite and MgCl2·6H2O(AR) was studied. The results showed that ZrO2 of addition exceeded 1 wt% had promotive effect on sintering of magnesia prepared from MgCl2·6H2O(AR). While 1.5 wt% ZrO2 was added, the bulk density of sample was 3.37 g/cm3, and relative density was 94.1%. With 1 wt% ZrO2, the bulk densities of magnesia prepared from crystalline bischofite and brine were 3.10 and 3.27 g/cm3, and the relative densities increased by 10.0% and 19.6%, respectively. The main reasons for promoting MgO sintering with ZrO2 were that monoclinic phase ZrO2 converted to cubic phase Zr2O and excess ZrO2 reacted with MgO to generate Mg0.13Zr0.87O1.87, which activated lattice and promoted the diffusion of ions during sintering process. In addition, liquid phase sintering was also one of the main reasons for promoting the sintering of brine magnesia.
Thermodynamic Properties of Wurtzite and Zinc-Blende AlN
Authors: Cai Xue Mei , Wang Jing Mei , Zhou Qian Neng
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we carry out linear response calculation to determine the phonon density of states and the thermodynamic properties of the wurtzite and zinc-blende AlN by using the norm-conserving pseudo-potential method. The optimized lattice constant is in good agreement with the available experimental data. The internal energies increase almost linearly with temperature and the phonon free energy curves move down with increasing temperature in both structures. The zero value of the lattice vibration free energy appears at temperature 707K in wurtzite and 728K in zinc-blende AlN respectively. The specific heat capacity of the wurtzite AlN is higher than that of the zinc-blende AlN at room temperature owing to the difference of the phonon spectra.
Research on Cu-Cr Alloy Produced by Equal Channel Angular Pressing
Authors: Zhang Xiu Qing , Chen Ge , Chen Xiao Na
Published: November 2013

Cu-7.5wt%Cr alloy was subjected to severe plastic deformation at room temperature using the procedure of equal channel angular pressing. Microstructures of the processed material were investigated by metallographic analysis, SEM and TEM. The results show that grains size of the processed materials was obviously fined. Cr precipitated in matrix was distributed uniformly. And micro-hardness of the copper alloy increased a lot.
Multi-band Terahertz Chiral Metamaterials Based on Complementary Cross-wire Structure
Authors: Zhang Pan , Cheng Zheng Ze , Cao Hong Xu
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a multi-band chiral metamaterials (CMMs) based on complementary cross-wire structure is proposed and studied numerically. The finite element method (FEM) method was used to simulate the EM properties of the designed structure. Numerical results indicate that the giant optical activity and multiband negative refractive index can be realized in terahertz region. The proposed CMMs may have some potential applications in novel terahertz device.Particle size of bayerite (d50) was about 24 μm. Al2O3was obtained after calcination at 1050 °C for 1.5 h.
Study on the Fabrication of Degummed Tilapia Fish Scale and its Adsorption of Carmine
Authors: Zhu Kun Kun , Gong Xiao , Luo Yong Yue , Li Bin , Yang Chang Jin , Peng Xin Ting , Peng Zheng
Published: November 2013

Fish scale, a by-product of fish processing, contains abundant of hydroxyapatite. Boiling fish scale in alkaline solution can fabricate adsorbent for sewage treatment. Degumming experiment had been investigated by exploring different heating time. Adsorption experiment had compared the adsorption effect of carmine by different fish scale sample. The results indicated that degummed fish scale had the best adsorption effect for containing both surface adsorption by hydroxyapatite and electrostatic adherence by collagen.