bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Issues in Electronic Procurement Project Implementation in Local Government
Authors: Hashim Rugayah
Published: March 2012

Implementing an e-procurement system is a challenge for local government; however, lessons learned through the identification of these challenging issues allow local government ICT project managers to checklist these issues and ensure a successful e-procurement system rollout in their respective organization. For this study, qualitative research design and analyses were used to identify and rank the emergent issues. Through pattern-coding analyses of the interview transcriptions, twelve key issues emerged to be found as the common barriers of successful e-procurement rollout. In this regard, the author’s research is significant given that the return of investment is crucial to a local government’s administrative functions as well as for effective and efficient service delivery.
Interactive and Cognitive Models in the Social Network Environment for Designing
Authors: Hsu Hung-Pin
Published: March 2012

In recent years, Metaverse has become a new type of social network. It provides an integrated platform and interactive environment for users to design artifacts and cooperate with each other. Facing this new type of social network, this chapter focuses on the cognitive and interactive behavior of users in the collaborative design activities. The chapter consists of three stages. In stage one the chapter introduces related theories and previous studies in order to present the Metaverse features. In stage two, the author chooses two different design and interactive environments to compare with Metaverse, which are, a normal face to face environment and a regular distance environment. Then the author executes three experiments in these different environments. In stage three, the author analyzes the retrospective data of three experiments with qualitative analysis by undertaking contextual inquiries in order to structure cognitive and interactive models of three environments. Furthermore, the author also executes an in-depth interview to get the qualitative data of subjects’ opinion. Finally, the affinity diagrams could be established with these models and the interview to provide knowledge of Metaverse for readers who research or develop social network environment.
Issues in Spoken Dialogue Systems for Human- Computer Interaction
Authors: Siddiqui Tanveer J. , Tiwary Uma Shanker
Published: March 2012

Spoken dialogue systems are a step forward towards the realization of human-like interaction with computer-based systems. This chapter focuses on issues related to spoken dialog systems. It presents a general architecture for spoken dialogue systems for human-computer interaction, describes its components, and highlights key research challenges in them. One important variation in the architecture is modeling knowledge as a separate component. This is unlike existing dialogue systems in which knowledge is usually embedded within other components. This separation makes the architecture more general. The chapter also discusses some of the existing evaluation methods for spoken dialogue systems.
On Applying the Farey Sequence for Shape Representation in Z2
Authors: Pratihar Sanjoy , Bhowmick Partha
Published: March 2012

Describing the shape of an object is a well-studied, yet ever-engrossing problem, because an appropriate description can improve the efficiency of a shape matching algorithm, thereby enriching subsequent applications. The authors propose a novel boundary-based shape description using the Farey sequence to capture an object shape represented as a sequence of discrete straight line segments. The straight edges are extracted directly from a gray-scale image without resorting to any edge map detection, and without using any thinning procedure. Then we merge the straight pieces, which are almost collinear but usually small in length, by employing the novel idea of an Augmented Farey Table (AFT). An AFT is a preprocessed data structure that provides us the Farey indices based on which the amount of linearity of three consecutive vertices of a polygon in the digital plane, is decided. Using the final straight pieces after AFT-based merging, the authors build a shape description using the Farey indices of the merged/larger pieces. In particular, the method would be computationally attractive for polygonal approximation and shape description of a large database of gray-scale images. Experimental results demonstrate its usefulness, efficiency, and elegance.
Evaluation of Ischemia-Modified Albumin and C-Reactive Protein in Type 2 Diabetics with and without Ketosis
Authors: Ma Shao-gang , Jin Yao , Hu Wen , Bai Feng , Xu Wen , Yu Wei-nan
Published: March 2012

Overview

To investigate whether serum ischemia-modified albumin or C-reactive protein is reliable for predicting type 2 diabetic patients with ketosis.

Approach

One hundred and four diabetic patients, 48 with diabetic ketosis, and 33 controls were enrolled in the study. Serum ischemia-modified albumin and C-reactive protein were measured and evaluated for their ability to distinguish diabetic ketosis.

Results

Compared to the controls, the ischemia-modified albumin and C-reactive protein levels were higher in patients with diabetic ketosis and type 2 diabetes at the baseline. The levels of ischemia-modified albumin were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes than in the controls. C-reactive protein and ischemia-modified albumin levels were reduced after insulin treatment. The level of ischemia-modified albumin was an independent risk marker for diabetic ketosis ( OR = 1.085, P = 0.008, 95% CI: 1.022–1.152). Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that the areas under the curve were 0.917 for the modified albumin and 0.357 for C-reactive protein.

Conclusion

This study indicates that ischemia-modified albumin was significantly associated with diabetic ketosis and was more sensitive than C-reactive protein in reflecting diabetic ketosis.
Relapsed and/or Refractory Mantle cell Lymphoma: What Role for Temsirolimus?
Authors: Kirschey Sebastian , Wagner Susanne , Hess Georg
Published: March 2012

Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is associated with a dismal prognosis. Recently, along with the improved understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease, new first line regimens have been established and in addition novel treatment options have entered the clinical arena. In consequence, prognosis of the disease has fortunately improved. We here focus on the rationale, current clinical knowledge and future concepts of Temsirolimus, an inhibitor of mTOR, in the treatment of MCL. At this time this drug has been shown to be effective as single agent for relapsed disease and early combination data show promising results. In addition, with a brief outline of other treatment options, we aim to guide at which place in the current treatment algorithms Temsirolimus can be integrated into the treatment of MCL patients.
easyPAC: A Tool for Fast Prediction, Testing and Reference Mapping of Degenerate PCR Primers from Alignments or Consensus Sequences
Authors: Rosenkranz David
Published: March 2012

The PCR-amplification of unknown homologous or paralogous genes generally relies on PCR primers predicted from multi sequence alignments. But increasing sequence divergence can induce the need to use degenerate primers which entails the problem of testing the characteristics, unwanted interactions and potential mispriming of degenerate primers. Here I introduce easyPAC, a new software for the prediction of degenerate primers from multi sequence alignments or single consensus sequences. As a major innovation, easyPAC allows to apply all customary primer test procedures to degenerate primer sequences including fast mapping to reference files. Thus, easyPAC simplifies and expedites the designing of specific degenerate primers enormously. Degenerate primers suggested by easyPAC were used in PCR amplification with subsequent de novo sequencing of TDRD1 exon 11 homologs from several representatives of the haplorrhine primate phylogeny. The results demonstrate the efficient performance of the suggested primers and therefore show that easyPAC can advance upcoming comparative genetic studies.
Simple Thermodynamically-Derived Model for Predicting the Hydrolase and Transferase Activity of Phospholipase D in the Synthesis of Phosphatidylglycerol
Authors: Nair Andrew , Radiman Shahidan , Said Mamot
Published: March 2012

Preparation of a single and pure phospholipid via transphosphatidylation has been a much sought after endeavor in the pharmaceutical and nonmedical industries. For this reason, phosphatidylglycerol, a lung surfactant, was produced from phosphatidylcholine with defined fatty acids, ie, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine. Substrate type and concentration, enzyme source, and reaction temperature were investigated. Phospholipase D from two sources, ie, savoy cabbage, was purified in the authors’ laboratory and a commercially available Streptomyces species was used for this study. The substrates used were glycerol, a polyhydric alcohol, and solketal, a monohydric form of glycerol. The progress of the reaction was monitored using thin layer chromatography, and synthesis with solketal, an unusual form of glycerol, was confirmed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Surface response methodology used on four combinations of enzyme and substrate at various temperatures (30 °C–60 °C) and concentration (0.25–1 mM) revealed that yield and selectivity was temperature-driven and predictable. To validate further the thermodynamic attributes, a modified version of the Eyring equation was derived from selectivity and the Arhenius equation. These equations provide some useful insights into the difference in activation of enthalpy change(ΔΔH++) and difference in activation of entropy change(ΔΔS++). Plots of ln[PG]/[PA] versus 1/T gave good linear fits for these four combinations. In addition, a new thermodynamic parameter known as T PG = PA has emerged as a theoretical temperature for equivalent transferase and hydrolase activity.
Personal Consumption and Single Persons: A Comment
Authors: Ireland Thomas R.
Published: March 2012

Kurt Krueger's paper on “Personal Consumption and Single Persons” (2011) identifies five approaches for determining the amount that should be subtracted from the income of wrongfully killed single persons living in single person households to account for the personal expenses of those single persons when calculating economic damages in wrongful death circumstances. However, none of Krueger's methods are useful in the large majority of states with conventional Wrongful Death Acts. The reason is not flaws in Krueger's calculations, but flaws in Krueger's understanding of what is required in Wrongful Death Actions.
Analysis of ΔO2/ΔCO2 ratios for the pollution events observed at Hateruma Island, Japan
Authors: Minejima C. , Kubo M. , Tohjima Y. , Yamagishi H. , Koyama Y. , Maksyutov S. , Kita K. , Mukai H.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Pollution events extracted from the in situ observations of atmospheric CO2 and O2 mixing ratios at Hateruma Island (HAT, 24° N, 124° E) during the period from October 2006 and December 2008 are examined. The air mass origins for the pollution events are categorized by using back trajectory analysis, and the oxidative ratios (OR = −O2:CO2 molar exchange ratio) for selected pollution events are calculated. We find that there is a significant difference in the average oxidative ratios between events from China (OR = 1.14 ± 0.12, n = 25) and Japan/Korea (OR = 1.37 ± 0.15, n = 16). These values are in a good agreement with the national average oxidative ratios for the emissions from fossil fuel burning and cement production (FFBC) in China (ORFFBC = 1.11 ± 0.03) and Korea/Japan (ORFFBC = 1.36 ± 0.02). Compared with the observation, simulations of the atmospheric O2 and CO2 mixing ratios using Lagrangian particle dispersion models do a good job in reconstructing the average oxidative ratio of the pollution events originating in China but tend to underestimate for events originating in Japan/Korea. A sensitivity test suggests that the simulated atmospheric oxidative ratios at HAT are especially sensitive to changes in Chinese fuel mix.
Optical properties, morphology and elemental composition of atmospheric particles at T1 supersite on MILAGRO campaign
Authors: Carabali G. , Mamani-Paco R. , Castro T. , Peralta O. , Herrera E. , Trujillo B.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Atmospheric particles were sampled at T1 supersite during MILAGRO campaign, in March 2006. T1 was located at the north of Mexico City (MC). Aerosol sampling was done by placing copper grids for Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) on the last five of an 8-stage MOUDI cascade impactor. Samples were obtained at different periods to observe possible variations on morphology. Absorption and scattering coefficients, as well as particle concentrations (0.01–3 μm aerodynamic diameter) were measured simultaneously using a PSAP absorption photometer, a portable integrating nephelometer, and a CPC particle counter. Particle images were acquired at different magnifications using a CM 200 Phillips TEM-EDAX system, and then calculated the border-based fractal dimension. Also, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) was used to determine the elemental composition of particles. The morphology of atmospheric particles for two aerodynamic diameters (0.18 and 1.8 μm) was compared using border-based fractal dimension to relate it to the other particle properties, because T1-generated particles have optical, morphological and chemical properties different from those transported by the MC plume. Particles sampled under MC pollution influence showed not much variability, suggesting that more spherical particles (border-based fractal dimension close to 1.0) are more common in larger sizes (d50 = 1.8 μm), which may be attributed to aerosol aging and secondary aerosol formation. Between 06:00 and 09:00 a.m., smaller particles (d50 = 0.18 μm) had more irregular shapes resulting in higher border-based fractal dimensions (1.2–1.3) for samples with more local influence. EDS analysis in d50 = 0.18 μm particles showed high contents of carbonaceous material, Si, Fe, K, and Co. Perhaps, this indicates an impact from industrial and vehicle emissions on atmospheric particles at T1.
Global and regional evaluation of over-land spectral aerosol optical depth retrievals from SeaWiFS
Authors: Sayer A. M. , Hsu N. C. , Bettenhausen C. , Jeong M.-J. , Holben B. N. , Zhang J.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. This study evaluates a new spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD) dataset derived from Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) measurements over land. First, the data are validated against Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) direct-sun AOD measurements, and found to compare well on a global basis. If only data with the highest quality flag are used, the correlation is 0.86 and 72% of matchups fall within an expected absolute uncertainty of 0.05 + 20% (for the wavelength of 550 nm). The quality is similar at other wavelengths and stable over the 13-yr (1997–2010) mission length. Performance tends to be better over vegetated, low-lying terrain with typical AOD of 0.3 or less, such as found over much of North America and Eurasia. Performance tends to be poorer for low-AOD conditions near backscattering geometries, where SeaWiFS overestimates AOD, or optically-thick cases of absorbing aerosol, where SeaWiFS tends to underestimate AOD. Second, the SeaWiFS data are compared with midvisible AOD derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR). All instruments show similar spatial and seasonal distributions of AOD, although there are regional and seasonal offsets between them. At locations where AERONET data are available, these offsets are largely consistent with the known validation characteristics of each dataset. With the results of this study in mind, the SeaWiFS over-land AOD record is suitable for quantitative scientific use.
A two-dimensional model of the passive coastal margin deep sedimentary carbon and methane cycles
Authors: Archer D. E. , Buffett B. A. , McGuire P. C.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. We present a new geologic-time and basin-spatial scale model of the continental margin methane cycle. The model, SpongeBOB, is used to simulate evolution of the carbon cycle in a passive sedimentary continental margin in response to changing oceanographic and geologic forcing over a time scale of 140 million years. The model is somewhat less sensitive to temperature than our previous results with a one-dimensional model, but is more sensitive to reasonable changes in POC than it is to reasonable changes in temperature. This behavior could lead to higher inventories of hydrate during hothouse climate conditions, rather than lower as generally assumed, due to the enrichment of the sediments in organic carbon. The hydrate inventory in the model is extremely sensitive to the ability of methane bubbles to rise within the sediment column, and how far gas-phase methane can get through the sediment column before it redissolves when it reaches undersaturated conditions. Hydrate formation is also sensitive to deep respiration of migrating petroleum in the model. The geochemistry of the sediment column is altered by the addition of vertical high-permeability chimneys intended to mimic the effects of heterogeneity in the real sediment column due to faults and chimneys, and produces results consistent with measured pore-water tracers SO42− and 129I. Pore water DIC concentrations are consistent with chemical weathering at depth within the sediment column. The carbon isotopic composition of the DIC is consistent with a methane production efficiency from POC of 50%, which is somewhat lower than redox balance with the H/C of organic matter in the model. Other phenomena which we simulated had only small impact on the hydrate inventory, including thermogenic methane, dissolved organic carbon, and sediment transport characteristics.
Black Sea coastal forecasting system
Authors: Kubryakov A. I. , Korotaev G. K. , Dorofeev V. L. , Ratner Y. B. , Palazov A. , Valchev N. , Malciu V. , Mateescu R. , Oguz T.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. The Black Sea coastal nowcasting and forecasting system was built within the framework of EU FP6 ECOOP (European COastalshelf sea OPerational observing and forecasting system) project for five regions: the south-western basin along the coasts of Bulgaria and Turkey, the north-western shelf along the Romanian and Ukrainian coasts, coastal zone around of the Crimea peninsula, the north-eastern Russian coastal zone and the coastal zone of Georgia. The system operates in the real-time mode during the ECOOP project and afterwards. The forecasts include temperature, salinity and current velocity fields. Ecosystem model operates in the off-line mode near the Crimea coast.
Ikaite crystals in melting sea ice – implications for pCO2 and pH levels in Arctic surface waters
Authors: Rysgaard S. , Glud R. N. , Lennert K. , Cooper M. , Halden N. , Leakey R. J. G. , Hawthorne F. C. , Barber D.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. A major issue of Arctic marine science is to understand whether the Arctic Ocean is, or will be, a source or sink for air-sea CO2 exchange. This has been complicated by the recent discoveries of ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, which indicate that multiple chemical transformations occur in sea ice with a possible effect on CO2 and pH conditions in surface waters. Here we report on biogeochemical conditions, microscopic examinations and x-ray diffraction analysis of single crystals from an actively melting 1.7 km2 (0.5–1 m thick) drifting ice floe in the Fram Strait during summer. Our findings show that ikaite crystals are present throughout the sea ice but with larger crystals appearing in the upper ice layers. Ikaite crystals placed at elevated temperatures gradually disintegrated into smaller crystallites and dissolved. During our field campaign in late June, melt reduced the ice flow thickness by ca. 0.2 m per week and resulted in an estimated 1.6 ppm decrease of pCO2 in the ocean surface mixed layer. This corresponds to an air-sea CO2 uptake of 11 mmol m−2 sea ice d−1 or to 3.5 ton km−2 ice floe week−1.
Types of spin-offs in a university context: a classification proposal
Authors:   Escuela Universitaria de Estudios Empresariales de la Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, Plaza de Oñati, 1 20018 San Sebastián (Guipúzcoa), josemaria.beraza@ehu.es, Beraza Garmendia José María , Rodríguez Castellanos Arturo ,   Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales de
Published: March 2012

In the last times a growing emphasis exists in the commercialization of the university investigation, in particular, through the creation of companies (spin-offs). However, the phenomena that the concept of university spinoff is about embracing are not homogeneous. For this reason, it seems convenient to identify the different realities that it includes organizing them by means of typologies. The present work analyzes this question by means of a revision of the existent literature, and it proposes a classification that distinguishes four spin-offs types: independent, linked, joint venture and subsidiary. The three key approaches used to distinguish these four types of university spin-offs are: the implication or not of the investigator as entrepreneur, the nature of the transferred knowledge and the participation of external partners in the new company.
Portfolio theory application wtih gold numismatic assets and precious metal
Authors:   Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Paseo de los artilleros, s/n, 28032, Madrid. Email: camilo.prado.roman@urjc.es, Prado Román Camilo , Coca Pérez José Luis ,   Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales y Turismo, Av. Universidad, s/n, 10071, Cáceres. Email: jlcocap@hotmail.com, García Estévez Pablo ,   Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Paseo de los artilleros, s/n, 28032, Madrid. Email: pablo.garcia.estevez@urjc.es
Published: March 2012

Our objective is to build different Precious Metals (gold, silver, palladium, platinum and rhodium) and Gold Numismatic Asset Portfolios. The purpose is being able to build the best portfolio for the different investors and to know The Market Portfolio. For that, by means of The Portfolio Theory methodology (Markowitz, 1952; 1959), we build the efficient frontier and we will trace the Capital Market Line, CML. The program we use is Matlab (financial Toolkit). Research sample is composed by gold numismatic assets and precious metals. Those assets have been issued by Spain, USA, Great Britain and France from 1900 to 2009, and the research period is to 2003-2009. The results obtained confirm those not financial assets selected to build the efficient portfolio and the Market Portfolio.
Information needs on intellectual capital in Spanish Public Universities
Authors:   Departamento de Administración de empresas, Área de Contabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales de Albacete, Plaza de la Universidad nº1, 02071 Albacete. Yolanda.Ramirez@uclm.es, Ramírez Córcoles Yolanda , Santos Peñalver Jesús F. ,   2 Departamento de Administración de Empresas, Área de Contabilidad de la Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales de Toledo, Cobertizo de San Pedro Mártir, s/n, 45071-Toledo. Jesus.Santos@uclm.es, Tejada Ponce Ángel ,   Departamento de Administración de empresas, Área de Contabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales de Albacete, Plaza de la Universidad nº1, 02071 Albacete. Angel.Tejada@uclm.es
Published: March 2012

In the current context of the so-called “Knowledge-based Economy” higher education institutions should give preferential attention to the new demands of stakeholders information. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the appropriateness of the universities incorporate information on intellectual capital in its current accounting information system. So, an empirical study has been designed to show the extent to which different accounting information users are demanding information on university intellectual capital for adequate decision making. To achieve this goal we designed a questionnaire that was sent to all members of the Social Councils in Spanish public universities. The results obtained from this research show a list of the intangible elements on which universities should provide information in order to satisfy the changing information needs of its users.
DUAQUAL: The quality perceived by teachers and students in university management
Authors:   Departamento de Economia, Gestão e Engenharia Industrial, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago 3810-193 Aveiro Portugal. sandramloureiro@netcabo.pt o Sandra.loureiro@ua.pt, Correia Loureiro Sandra María , Miranda González Francisco Javier ,   Universidad de Extremadura - Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales Avda. Elvas, s/n- 06071-Badajoz. fmiranda@unex.es
Published: March 2012

The Bologna Process has imprinted an institutional perspective on concerns about quality, quality management and quality assurance in the services provided in the universities and other institutions of higher education. The quality of higher education is not centered on the teaching and learning processes alone, and on the relationship between students and professors. It must also be assured through the services provided by the university libraries, snack bars, refectories, welfare services, central administrative services and departmental offices. With this in mind, this research starts the development of a scale of evaluation of the service quality provided by secretarial office of university departments, named DUAQUAL. The factorial analysis allowed us to extract three factors: Credibility, Professionalism and Information. The application of the PLS technique shown that Professionalism factor contributes more to explain the overall perceived quality and the satisfaction than the two other dimensions.
Ewing's Sarcoma: Development of RNA Interference-Based Therapy for Advanced Disease
Authors: Simmons Olivia , Maples Phillip B. , Senzer Neil , Nemunaitis John
Published: March 2012

Ewing's sarcoma tumors are associated with chromosomal translocation between the EWS gene and the ETS transcription factor gene. These unique target sequences provide opportunity for RNA interference(i)-based therapy. A summary of RNAi mechanism and therapeutically designed products including siRNA, shRNA and bi-shRNA are described. Comparison is made between each of these approaches. Systemic RNAi-based therapy, however, requires protected delivery to the Ewing's sarcoma tumor site for activity. Delivery systems which have been most effective in preclinical and clinical testing are reviewed, followed by preclinical assessment of various silencing strategies with demonstration of effectiveness to EWS/FLI-1 target sequences. It is concluded that RNAi-based therapeutics may have testable and achievable activity in management of Ewing's sarcoma.
Exercise Intensity during Treadmill Walking with Gait-Patterned FES among Patients with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Case Series
Authors: Miyatani Masae , Masani Kei , Kawashima Noritaka , Craven B. Cathy , Thrasher T. Adam , Popovic Milos R.
Published: March 2012

Purpose. To determine the feasibility of increasing the cardiopulmonary exercise intensity during walking with gait-patterned functional electrical stimulation (GP-FES) among individuals with motor incomplete SCI. Methods. Two men with motor-incomplete SCI (Subjects A and B, age 45 and 50 years; Level of Injury: C4 and T10; AIS score: D and D, resp.) performed a three sequential four-minute continuous walking sessions [(1) regular gait (non-GP-FES-1); (2) gait with GP-FES (GP-FES); (3) regular gait (non-GP-FES-2)]. Oxygen consumption (Vo2) was measured continuously during trials. Results. Vo2 was higher during GP-FES (Subjects A and B; 14.5 and 19.1 mL/kg/min, resp.) as compared to regular gait (Non-GP-FES-1: Subjects A and B; 13.4 and 17.0: mL/kg/min, resp.; non-GP-FES-2: Subjects A and B; 13.1 and 17.5: mL/kg/min, resp.). Conclusion. The exercise intensity of GP-FES walking was higher than that of regular walking among individuals with motor incomplete SCI. Further investigations are required to determine the clinical relevance of the exercise.
Prevalence of First Permanent Molar Caries in and Its Relationship to the Dental Knowledge of 9–12-Year Olds from Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Samadani Khalid H. M. , Ahmad Mohammad Sami
Published: March 2012

The carious status of the first permanent molar (FPM) was studied in 432 school children (aged 9–12 years) from a randomly selected primary schools from Sharfia area of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The sample consisted of 108 children from each age group of 9, 10, 11, and 12 years old. In total, 24.5% had all of their FPMs sound and 6% had all FPMs carious. The prevalence of four sound FPMs varied according to age with the highest (33%) amongst the nine-year olds and the lowest (16.5%) in the oldest children (12 years). Almost one-third (32.5%) of the children, who knew the age of eruption of the FPMs, had all of their molars sound. The children who had received advice regarding oral hygiene from a dentist or parent had more sound FPMs compared to the children who did not receive any advice. The number of carious FPMs increased with age. The prevalence of caries of the FPM was high and increased with increasing age. The level of knowledge had a positive correlation with the caries levels amongst this cohort of scholars.
Structural Interpretation of the Mamfe Sedimentary Basin of Southwestern Cameroon along the Manyu River Using Audiomagnetotellurics Survey
Authors: Nguimbous-Kouoh Jean Jacques , Takam Takougang Eric M. , Nouayou Robert , Tabod Tabod Charles , Manguelle-Dicoum Eliezer
Published: March 2012

Five audiofrequency magnetotelluric AMT soundings were collected northwest-southeast along the Manyu river in the Mamfe sedimentary basin of southwestern Cameroon. The soundings were performed with frequencies in the range 3 to 2500 Hz and covered a distance of approximately 28 km. Sounding curves and geoelectric and geological sections were processed, and the results were compared with rocks' resistivity to characterize the lithostratigraphy of the eastern part of the basin. The results show above 1000 m depth, sedimentary layers with resistivities in the range of 1 to 100 Ohm-m, which decrease with depth. We identified three types of sedimentary rocks: laterite-clay mixture, shale, and sandstones. Various faults were also identified, illustrating the structural complexity of the Mamfe basin, along the Manyu River.
Remedial Prospective of Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. (Sea Buckthorn)
Authors: Patel Chirag A. , Divakar Kalyani , Santani Devdas , Solanki Himanshu K. , Thakkar Jalaram H.
Published: March 2012

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) constitutes thorny nitrogen fixing deciduous shrub. Sea buckthorn(SBT) is primarily valued for its very rich vitamins A, B1, B12, C, E, K, and P; flavonoids, lycopene, carotenoids, and phytosterols. and therapeutically important since it is rich with potent antioxidants. Scientifically evaluated pharmacological actions of SBT are like inflammation inhibited by reduced permeability, loss of follicular aggregation of lymphocytes from the inflamed synovium and suppress lymphocyte proliferation. SBT-reduced recurrence of angina, ischemic electrocardiogram which might be due to decreased myocardial oxygen consumption and inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by collagen. SBT can kill both cancer cells of S180, P388, SGC7901 and lymphatic leukemia (L1200). The antiulcer activity may be related to reduce gastric empty time, inhibiting proteolytic activity and promoting wound reparation processes of mucosa. SBT exerts antihypertensive effect in part by blocking angiotensin-2 receptor on cell surface. SBT decreased the level of stress hormones and enhanced hypoxic tolerance in animals indicating its anti-stress, adaptogenic activity. A lot of research work is still needed to find cellular and molecular mechanisms of these activities and also yet to be explored for its activity in osteoporosis, hemorrhage, cataract, urinary stone, acne, psoriasis, polyneuritis, cheilosis, glossities, baldness, anti-obesity, gout, and chronic prostitis.
18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in the Management of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Shelly M. J. , McDermott S. , O'Connor O. J. , Blake M. A.
Published: March 2012

18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET/CT) is an established imaging modality that has been proven to be of benefit in the management of aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and advanced stage follicular lymphoma. The combination of anatomic and functional imaging afforded by FDG-PET/CT has led to superior sensitivity and specificity in the primary staging, restaging, and assessment of response to treatment of hematological malignancies when compared to FDG-PET and CT alone. The use of FDG-PET/CT for posttreatment surveillance imaging remains controversial, and further study is needed to ascertain whether this modality is cost effective and appropriate for use in this setting.
Comparing Three Lane Merging Schemes for Short-Term Work Zones: A Simulation Study
Authors: Harb Rami , Radwan Essam , Dixit Vinayak V.
Published: March 2012

Traffic safety and mobility of roadway work zones have been considered to be one of the major concerns in highway traffic safety and operations in Florida. Dynamic lane merging (DLM) systems—ITS-based lane management technology—were introduced by several states in an attempt to enhance both safety and mobility of roadway work zones. Two forms of lane merging, namely, the early merge and the late merge were designed to advise drivers on definite merging locations. Up to date, there are no studies that contrast both merging schemes under matching work zone settings. This study simulates a two-to-one work zone lane closure configuration under three different Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plans in VISSIM. The first MOT is the conventional plans used in Florida’s work zones, the second MOT is a simplified dynamic early merging system (early SDLMS), and the third MOT is a simplified dynamic late merging systems (late SDLMSs). Field data was collected to calibrate and validate the simulation models. Simulation results indicated that overall, under different levels of drivers’ compliance rate and different percentages of trucks in the traffic composition, the early SLDMS outperformed the conventional MOT and the late SDLMS in terms of travel times and throughputs.
Estimation of Finger Joint Angles from sEMG Using a Neural Network Including Time Delay Factor and Recurrent Structure
Authors: Hioki Masaaki , Kawasaki Haruhisa
Published: March 2012

Background. The surface electromyogram (sEMG) is strongly related to human motion and is useful as a human interface in robotics and rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to establish a new system for estimating finger joint angles using few sEMG channels. Methods. To deal with a dynamic system, the proposed method adopts time delay factors and a feedback stream into a neural network (NN) with 6 system parameters. The 2 target motion patterns were each tested with 5 subjects. 1000 combinations of system parameter sets were tested. Results. A system with only 4 channels can estimate angles with 7.1–11.8% root mean square (RMS) error, which is approximately the same level of accuracy achieved by other systems using 15 channels. Conclusions. The use of so few channels is a great advantage in an sEMG system because it provides a convenient interface system. This advantage is conferred by the proposed NN system.
Comparison of Whole Genome Amplification Methods for Analysis of DNA Extracted from Microdissected Early Breast Lesions in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue
Authors: Arneson Nona , Moreno Juan , Iakovlev Vladimir , Ghazani Arezou , Warren Keisha , McCready David , Jurisica Igor , Done Susan J.
Published: March 2012

To understand cancer progression, it is desirable to study the earliest stages of its development, which are often microscopic lesions. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) is a valuable high-throughput molecular approach for discovering DNA copy number changes; however, it requires a relatively large amount of DNA, which is difficult to obtain from microdissected lesions. Whole genome amplification (WGA) methods were developed to increase DNA quantity; however their reproducibility, fidelity, and suitability for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples are questioned. Using aCGH analysis, we compared two widely used approaches for WGA: single cell comparative genomic hybridization protocol (SCOMP) and degenerate oligonucleotide primed PCR (DOP-PCR). Cancer cell line and microdissected FFPE breast cancer DNA samples were amplified by the two WGA methods and subjected to aCGH. The genomic profiles of amplified DNA were compared with those of non-amplified controls by four analytic methods and validated by quantitative PCR (Q-PCR). We found that SCOMP-amplified samples had close similarity to non-amplified controls with concordance rates close to those of reference tests, while DOP-amplified samples had a statistically significant amount of changes. SCOMP is able to amplify small amounts of DNA extracted from FFPE samples and provides quality of aCGH data similar to non-amplified samples.
The Impact of Financial Interest in Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy on the Utilization of Radiation Therapy for Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Prostate Cancer: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Liu Xiaolong S. , Zola Joseph C. , McGinnis David E. , Soroush Mehrdad , Bergmann Leigh G. , Ellis David J. , Squadrito James F. , Zeltser Ilia S.
Published: March 2012

Objective. As recent participants in an integrated prostate cancer (PCa) care center, we sought to evaluate whether financial investment in an intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) center resulted in an increased utilization of radiation therapy in our patients with newly diagnosed PCa. Materials & Methods. Following institutional review board approval, we retrospectively reviewed the records of all consecutive patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer in the 12 months prior to and after investment in IMRT. Primary treatment modalities included active surveillance (AS), brachytherapy (BT), radiation therapy (XRT), radical prostatectomy (RP), and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Treatment data were available for all patients and were compared between the two groups. Results. A total of 344 patients with newly diagnosed PCa were evaluated over the designated time period. The pre-investment group totaled 198 patients, while 146 patients constituted the post-investment group. Among all patients evaluated, there was a similar rate in the use of XRT (20.71% versus 20.55%, ) pre- and post-investment in IMRT. Conclusions. Financial interest in IMRT by urologists does not impact overall utilization rates among patients with newly diagnosed PCa at our center.
An In Vitro Comparative Study of Intracanal Fluid Motion and Wall Shear Stress Induced by Ultrasonic and Polymer Rotary Finishing Files in a Simulated Root Canal Model
Authors: Koch Jon , Borg John , Mattson Abby , Olsen Kris , Bahcall James
Published: March 2012

Objective. This in vitro study compared the flow pattern and shear stress of an irrigant induced by ultrasonic and polymer rotary finishing file activation in an acrylic root canal model. Flow visualization analysis was performed using an acrylic canal filled with a mixture of distilled water and rheoscopic fluid. The ultrasonic and polymer rotary finishing file were separately tested in the canal and activated in a static position and in a cyclical axial motion (up and down). Particle movement in the fluid was captured using a high-speed digital camera and DaVis 7.1 software. The fluid shear stress analysis was performed using hot film anemometry. A hot-wire was placed in an acrylic root canal and the canal was filled with distilled water. The ultrasonic and polymer rotary finishing files were separately tested in a static position and in a cyclical axial motion. Positive needle irrigation was also tested separately for fluid shear stress. The induced wall shear stress was measured using LabVIEW 8.0 software.
Comparative Estimation of Major Iridoid Glucosides from Different Parts of Incarvillea emodi
Authors: Rana Ajay , Pratap Singh Harsh , Dhyani Devendra
Published: March 2012

Incarvillea emodi (Bignoniaceae) is a rich source of bioactive iridoid glucosides. This plant contains two major iridoid glucosides: plantarenaloside, a neurotropic compound, and boschnaloside, a strong antibacterial compound. Here, in this study we have developed a simple and fast HPLC-DAD method for the total comparative estimation of these two major iridoids from different parts of Incarvillea emodi. A linear calibration curve (r2=0.999) for both iridoid glucosides in varying range (15.6–500 μg/ml) is obtained. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for plantarenaloside were 11.4 ng and 38 ng and for boschnaloside were 22.8 ng and 76 ng, respectively. The shoots, roots, and flowers of Incarvillea emodi have a combined presence of 7.66, 1.22, and 6.99 percent of these iridoid glucosides on dry weight basis. In shoots, plantarenaloside shows complete dominance (6.78%) over boschnaloside (0.88%), and a reversal of this trend was observed in case of flowers where boschnaloside shows complete dominance (6.12%) over plantarenaloside (0.87%). The roots contain 1.19% and 0.03% of both iridoids, respectively.
Stability Analysis of 2D Discrete Linear System Described by the Fornasini-Marchesini Second Model with Actuator Saturation
Authors: Negi Richa , Kar Haranath , Purwar Shubhi
Published: March 2012

This paper proposes a novel antiwindup controller for 2D discrete linear systems with saturating controls in Fornasini-Marchesini second local state space (FMSLSS) setting. A Lyapunov-based method to design an antiwindup gain of 2D discrete systems with saturating controls is established. Stability conditions allowing the design of antiwindup loops, in both local and global contexts have been derived. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method.
Recycled Old Corrugated Container Fibers for Wood-Fiber Cement Sheets
Authors: Teixeira Divino Eterno
Published: March 2012

Recycled pulp of old corrugated containers (OCCs) was studied as a possible fiber source for wood-fiber cement (WFC) sheets. This industry currently largely relies on kraft pulp, an expensive fiber source. Thus, WFC sheets were made using less costly OCC fibers utilizing various types of treatments including fiber fractionation (FF) and refining to 500 and 400 Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) to determine the effect of these treatments on the sheets strength. Unprocessed virgin kraft fiber of radiata pine (Pinus radiata) was used as control for comparison purposes. The unprocessed OCC pulp furnish yielded an initial freeness of 635 CSF; after fractionating, however, it was increased to 754 CSF. OCC pulp presented a kappa number of 47, compared to 23.7 forP. radiata. Fractionating OCC pulp was effective in raising the range of long fibers in the stock from 68 percent to 85 percent, before and after fractionating, respectively. Results from WFC sheets made in laboratory showed that there was no significant difference in board strength among boards made with unprocessed OCC fibers, fractionated and refined OCC, andP. radiatafibers. However, sheet strength decreased when refined OCC fibers were used. The results suggest that OCC fibers can produce WFC sheets with desirable characteristics compared to those of unrefined virgin kraft fiber ofP. radiata.
UBVRI Photometric Analysis of the Solar-Type Eclipsing Binary TYC 3034-299-1
Authors: Samec Ronald G. , Jaso Adam , White Jesse , Faulkner Danny R. , Blum Nicholas , Hamme Walter Van
Published: March 2012

TYC 3034-0299-1 (CVn) is a magnetically active, contact binary, ROTSE variable. UBVRcIc light curves are presented along with a period study and a simultaneous UBVRI light curve solution. Our light curves show eclipse amplitudes of 0.72 and 0.62 mags (V) in the primary and secondary eclipses. Modeled results include a dark spot region, found at longitude 51°, a 24% Roche lobe fill-out, and a mass ratio of 0.48. A total eclipse is found to occur in the secondary eclipse making TYC 3034-0299-1 a W-type (less massive star is hotter) W UMa variable.
A Wavelet-Domain Local Dominant Feature Selection Scheme for Face Recognition
Authors: Imtiaz Hafiz , Fattah Shaikh Anowarul
Published: March 2012

A multiresolution feature extraction algorithm for face recognition is proposed based on two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform (2D-DWT), which efficiently exploits the local spatial variations in a face image. For feature extraction, instead of considering the entire face image, an entropy-based local band selection criterion is developed, which selects high-informative horizontal segments from the face image. In order to capture the local spatial variations within these bands precisely, the horizontal band is segmented into several small spatial modules. The effect of modularization in terms of the entropy content of the face images has been investigated. Dominant wavelet coefficients corresponding to each module residing inside those bands are selected as features. A histogram-based threshold criterion is proposed to select dominant coefficients, which drastically reduces the feature dimension and provides high within-class compactness and high between-class separability. The effect of using different mother wavelets for the purpose of feature extraction has been also investigated. PCA is performed to further reduce the dimensionality of the feature space. Extensive experimentation is carried out upon standard face databases, and a very high degree of recognition accuracy is achieved by the proposed method in comparison to those obtained by some of the existing methods.
Revenue recovery through meter replacement
Authors: Shields Devan J. , Barfuss Steven L. , Johnson Michael C.
Published: March 2012

Previous studies have identified water meter inaccuracy at low flow rates as a significant source of nonrevenue flow for water systems; however, a lack of available data makes it difficult to include low‐flow accuracy and accuracy degradation in meter replacement plans. This article examines results from an extensive accuracy program carried out at the Utah Water Research Laboratory on small water meters over a wide range of flow rates and at various levels of throughput. The article compares expected apparent losses of different types of water meters based on a flow profile and expected daily use for the state of California. By including an average composite charging rate, the method developed in this study can determine the meter replacement payback period for different meter types. The analysis contained in this document is intended as a guide to assist utility managers when meter replacement plans are being developed.