bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cranial reduction and fixation with a resorbable plate combined with cerebrospinal fluid shunting for difficult-to-manage macrocephaly related to hydrocephalus
Authors: Manwaring Jotham C. , Truong Devon , Deukmedjian Armen R. , Carey Carolyn M. , Storrs Bruce B. , Rodriguez Luis F. , Tetreault Lisa , Tuite Gerald F.
Published: December 2012

The management of newborns with extreme macrocephaly related to hydrocephalus can be difficult; balancing the treatment of severe cranial deformity with optimal hydrocephalus management can be complicated. Excessive CSF drainage can result in significant suture overlap that leads to difficulties in patient positioning, secondary synostosis, and long-term aesthetic complications. Delayed cranial reduction and remodeling procedures carry significant risk, and the aesthetic outcomes have sometimes been poor.

The authors describe a newborn with severe macrocephaly who underwent shunt placement followed by a limited cranial reduction and fixation procedure using an absorbable plate within the 1st week of life. The procedure produced an immediate intracranial volume reduction of 49%. This novel management strategy facilitated patient positioning, simplified hydrocephalus management, and provided an excellent aesthetic outcome.
Craniocervical arachnoid cyst in a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome: a unique case
Authors: Khan Imad Saeed , Ahmed Osama , Thakur Jai Deep , Shorter Cedric D. , Guthikonda Bharat
Published: December 2012

Klippel-Feil syndrome, or brevicollis, is a complex congenital disorder caused by the improper segmentation of the cervical vertebrae. The authors present the very rare case of a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome who presented with an intradural arachnoid cyst at the craniocervical junction. They also examine possible factors contributing to this association.

A 46-year-old woman presented with complaints of progressively worsening headaches and dizziness of 18 months' duration. She also demonstrated mild bilateral upper-extremity weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed fused cervical vertebrae and a dorsal intradural arachnoid cyst at the craniocervical junction, extending down to the fourth cervical level. Because of worsening myelopathy and the presence of brainstem compression, the patient underwent surgical excision of the arachnoid cyst, which was approached via a midline posterior suboccipital/upper cervical route. An endoscope was introduced through a gap between the occiput and fused upper cervical vertebrae, and the arachnoid cyst was widely fenestrated. Postoperatively, the patient has remained symptom free for more than 2 years with evidence of good radiological decompression.

The authors report a unique association between craniocervical arachnoid cyst and Klippel-Feil syndrome. To their knowledge, no other cases of this association have been reported in the literature. Arachnoid cysts should be part of the differential diagnosis in the presence of worsening myelopathic symptoms or pain in patients with Klippel-Feil syndrome.
The Relationship between Outdoor Activity and Health in Older Adults Using GPS
Authors: Kerr Jacqueline , Marshall Simon , Godbole Suneeta , Neukam Suvi , Crist Katie , Wasilenko Kari , Golshan Shahrokh , Buchner David
Published: December 2012

Physical activity (PA) provides health benefits in older adults. Research suggests that exposure to nature and time spent outdoors may also have effects on health. Older adults are the least active segment of our population, and are likely to spend less time outdoors than other age groups. The relationship between time spent in PA, outdoor time, and various health outcomes was assessed for 117 older adults living in retirement communities. Participants wore an accelerometer and GPS device for 7 days. They also completed assessments of physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning. Analyses of variance were employed with a main and interaction effect tested for ±30 min PA and outdoor time. Significant differences were found for those who spent >30 min in PA or outdoors for depressive symptoms, fear of falling, and self-reported functioning. Time to complete a 400 m walk was significantly different by PA time only. QoL and cognitive functioning scores were not significantly different. The interactions were also not significant. This study is one of the first to demonstrate the feasibility of using accelerometer and GPS data concurrently to assess PA location in older adults. Future analyses will shed light on potential causal relationships and could inform guidelines for outdoor activity.
Pertussis: A Review of Disease Epidemiology Worldwide and in Italy
Authors: Gabutti Giovanni , Rota Maria
Published: December 2012

Pertussis continues to be a relevant public-health issue. The high coverage rates achieved have decreased the spread of the pathogen, but the waning of immunity implies a relevant role of adolescents and adults in the infective dynamics as they may represent a significant source of infection for unvaccinated or incompletely immunized newborns. The passive surveillance system is affected by many limitations. The underestimation of pertussis in adolescents, young adults and adults is mainly related to the atypical clinical characteristics of cases and the lack of lab confirmation. The real epidemiological impact of pertussis is not always perceived, anyway, the unavailability of comprehensive data should not hamper the adoption of active prophylactic interventions aimed at preventing the impact of waning immunity on pertussis. To avoid an increase of the mean age of acquisition of the infection, a booster dose of low-antigen content combined vaccine should be adopted in adolescents and adults. A decreased risk of infection in newborns can be achieved with the cocoon strategy, although the debate on this aspect is still open and enhanced surveillance and further studies are needed to fine-tune the pertussis prevention strategy.
Electrochemical Characterization of Escherichia coli Adaptive Response Protein AidB
Authors: Hamill Michael , Jost Marco , Wong Cintyu , Bene Nicholas , Drennan Catherine , Elliott Sean
Published: December 2012

When exposed to known DNA-damaging alkylating agents, Escherichia coli cells increase production of four DNA repair enzymes: Ada, AlkA, AlkB, and AidB. The role of three enzymes (Ada, AlkA, and AlkB) in repairing DNA lesions has been well characterized, while the function of AidB is poorly understood. AidB has a distinct cofactor that is potentially related to the elusive role of AidB in adaptive response: a redox active flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). In this study, we report the thermodynamic redox properties of the AidB flavin for the first time, both for free protein and in the presence of potential substrates. We find that the midpoint reduction potential of the AidB flavin is within a biologically relevant window for redox chemistry at −181 mV, that AidB significantly stabilizes the flavin semiquinone, and that small molecule binding perturbs the observed reduction potential. Our electrochemical results combined with structural analysis allow for fresh comparisons between AidB and the homologous acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (ACAD) family of enzymes. AidB exhibits several discrepancies from ACADs that suggest a novel catalytic mechanism distinct from that of the ACAD family enzymes.
Evaporation Rate of Water as a Function of a Magnetic Field and Field Gradient
Authors: Guo Yun-Zhu , Yin Da-Chuan , Cao Hui-Ling , Shi Jian-Yu , Zhang Chen-Yan , Liu Yong-Ming , Huang Huan-Huan , Liu Yue , Wang Yan , Guo Wei-Hong , Qian Ai-Rong , Shang Peng
Published: December 2012

The effect of magnetic fields on water is still a highly controversial topic despite the vast amount of research devoted to this topic in past decades. Enhanced water evaporation in a magnetic field, however, is less disputed. The underlying mechanism for this phenomenon has been investigated in previous studies. In this paper, we present an investigation of the evaporation of water in a large gradient magnetic field. The evaporation of pure water at simulated gravity positions (0 gravity level (ab. g), 1 g, 1.56 g and 1.96 g) in a superconducting magnet was compared with that in the absence of the magnetic field. The results showed that the evaporation of water was indeed faster in the magnetic field than in the absence of the magnetic field. Furthermore, the amount of water evaporation differed depending on the position of the sample within the magnetic field. In particular, the evaporation at 0 g was clearly faster than that at other positions. The results are discussed from the point of view of the evaporation surface area of the water/air interface and the convection induced by the magnetization force due to the difference in the magnetic susceptibility of water vapor and the surrounding air.
Scanning Electron Microscopy with Samples in an Electric Field
Authors: Frank Ludĕk , Hovorka Miloš , Mikmeková Šárka , Mikmeková Eliška , Müllerová Ilona , Pokorná Zuzana
Published: December 2012

The high negative bias of a sample in a scanning electron microscope constitutes the “cathode lens” with a strong electric field just above the sample surface. This mode offers a convenient tool for controlling the landing energy of electrons down to units or even fractions of electronvolts with only slight readjustments of the column. Moreover, the field accelerates and collimates the signal electrons to earthed detectors above and below the sample, thereby assuring high collection efficiency and high amplification of the image signal. One important feature is the ability to acquire the complete emission of the backscattered electrons, including those emitted at high angles with respect to the surface normal. The cathode lens aberrations are proportional to the landing energy of electrons so the spot size becomes nearly constant throughout the full energy scale. At low energies and with their complete angular distribution acquired, the backscattered electron images offer enhanced information about crystalline and electronic structures thanks to contrast mechanisms that are otherwise unavailable. Examples from various areas of materials science are presented.
One-Pot Ugi/Aza-Michael Synthesis of Highly Substituted 2,5-Diketopiperazines with Anti-Proliferative Properties
Authors: Hartung Andreas , Seufert Florian , Berges Carsten , Gessner Viktoria , Holzgrabe Ulrike
Published: December 2012

The well-known Ugi reaction of aldehydes with amines, carboxylic acids and isocyanides leads to the formation of acyclic α-acylaminocarboxamides. Replacement of the carboxylic acid derivatives with β-acyl substituted acrylic acids gives access to highly substituted 2,5-diketopiperazines in one single reaction-step without additives or complex reaction procedures. The obtained diketopiperazines show anti-proliferative effects on activated T cells and represent therefore potential candidates for targeting unwanted T cell-mediated immune responses.
Purification and Characterization of a Novel ~18 kDa Antioxidant Protein from Ginkgo biloba Seeds
Authors: Zhou Hao , Chen Xijuan , Wang Chengzhang , Ye Jianzhong , Chen Hongxia
Published: December 2012

Ginkgo biloba seeds are widely used as a food and traditional medicine in China. In the present study, a novel antioxidant protein named GBSP was purified from Ginkgo biloba seeds. The protein (GBSP) was purified by homogenization of Ginkgo biloba seed powder in saline solution, 70% ammonium sulphate precipitation, filtration on a DEAE-Cellulose52 anion exchange column, gel filtration on a Sephadex G-50 column, and preparative chromatography on a C18 column using RP-HPLC. GBSP showed an apparent molecular weight of 18 kDa by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF/MS analyses. The amino acid sequence obtained by MALDI-TOF/TOF MS analysis showed GBSP was a novel protein, as no matching protein in was found the database. The protein exhibited significant antioxidant activities against free radicals such as DPPH, ABTS and superoxide anion and showed higher activity than α-tocopherol in a linoleic acid emulsion assay system. Furthermore, GBSP exhibited notable reducing power and a strong chelating effect on Cu2+and Fe2+. Therefore, the present study demonstrates, for the first time, that this novel protein from Ginkgo biloba seeds is an excellent antioxidant.
Reconstructing the Spatio-Temporal Development of Irrigation Systems in Uzbekistan Using Landsat Time Series
Authors: Edlinger Jana , Conrad Christopher , Lamers John , Khasankhanova Gulchekhra , Koellner Thomas
Published: December 2012

The expansion of irrigated agriculture during the Soviet Union (SU) era made Central Asia a leading cotton production region in the world. However, the successor states of the SU in Central Asia face on-going environmental damages and soil degradation that are endangering the sustainability of agricultural production. With Landsat MSS and TM data from 1972/73, 1977, 1987, 1998, and 2000 the expansion and densification of the irrigated cropland could be reconstructed in the Kashkadarya Province of Uzbekistan, Central Asia. Classification trees were generated by interpreting multitemporal normalized difference vegetation index data and crop phenological knowledge. Assessments based on image-derived validation samples showed good accuracy. Official statistics were found to be of limited use for analyzing the plausibility of the results, because they hardly represent the area that is cropped in the very dry study region. The cropping area increased from 134,800 ha in 1972/73 to 470,000 ha in 2009. Overlaying a historical soil map illustrated that initially sierozems were preferred for irrigated agriculture, but later the less favorable solonchaks and solonetzs were also explored, illustrating the strategy of agricultural expansion in the Aral Sea Basin. Winter wheat cultivation doubled between 1987 and 1998 to approximately 211,000 ha demonstrating its growing relevance for modern Uzbekistan. The spatial-temporal approach used enhances the understanding of natural conditions before irrigation is employed and supports decision-making for investments in irrigation infrastructure and land cultivation throughout the Landsat era.
Deconstructing the Leviathan: Derrida’s The Beast and the Sovereign
Authors: De Ville Jacques
Published: December 2012

Derrida’s The Beast & the Sovereign, volume I, explores the contradictory appearance of animals in political discourse. Sometimes, as he points out, political man and the sovereign state appear in the form of an animal and, at other times, as superior to animals of which he is the master. In session two of the Seminar, the main focus of this essay, Derrida explores the ‘origin’ of this contradictory logic inter alia with reference to animal fables which he contends draw on unconscious forces in their invocation of images. They pretend to make known something that cannot be the object of knowledge. In the same vein, Derrida shows how Hobbes’s Leviathan and sovereignty itself are constructed and maintained through an uncanny fear, a fear not in the first place of one’s fellow man, but of the wolf within the self, i.e., the drive to self-destruction. It is the repression of this wolf, Derrida suggests, which leads to the further contradictory logic (in Hobbes) of excluding both beast and God from the covenant whilst maintaining God as the model of sovereignty. God, in other words, ‘is’ the beast repressed and can therefore hardly serve as the foundation of sovereignty. The self, and ultimately sovereignty, it can be said in view of Derrida’s analysis, is never purely present to itself but instead arrives at itself by way of the ‘binding’ of unconscious forces. Sovereignty in this way ultimately shows itself to be divisible.
A Systems Biology Starter Kit for Arenaviruses
Authors: Droniou-Bonzom Magali , Cannon Paula
Published: December 2012

Systems biology approaches in virology aim to integrate viral and host biological networks, and thus model the infection process. The growing availability of high-throughput “-omics” techniques and datasets, as well as the ever-increasing sophistication of in silico modeling tools, has resulted in a corresponding rise in the complexity of the analyses that can be performed. The present study seeks to review and organize published evidence regarding virus-host interactions for the arenaviruses, from alterations in the host proteome during infection, to reported protein-protein interactions. In this way, we hope to provide an overview of the interplay between arenaviruses and the host cell, and lay the foundations for complementing current arenavirus research with a systems-level approach.
Les assemblées de desocupados dans la périphérie sud de Buenos Aires
Authors: Rius Pia V.
Published: December 2012

Résumé Les organisations des travailleurs desocupados (MTD- Movimiento de Trabajadores Desocupados ) dans la région Sud du Grand Buenos Aires, Argentine, fonctionnent sur la base d’assemblées. La description ethnographique d’une de ces assemblées donne à voir l’articulation entre les prises de décisions et les modalités du vivre ensemble, qui ont autant cours sur la scène publique que dans les coulisses. L’observation des discussions sur la distribution des colis alimentaires permet de saisir comment la crédibilité des délégués et le maintien de la confiance sont mis à l’épreuve par l’exigence de publicité. S’appuyant sur l’assemblée, une critique des politiques sociales voit le jour. On ne peut cependant comprendre les échanges d’arguments au sein des assemblées participatives si on les détache des pratiques locales : relations de famille et de voisinage, au travail ou lors des mobilisations, interactions avec les autorités locales.
Mobiliser et mettre en scène des « leaders »
Authors: Balazard Hélène
Published: December 2012

Résumé Construite sur le modèle du Broad based community organizing initié par Saul Alinsky, London Citizens représente un large éventail d’organisations – congrégations religieuses, établissements scolaires, syndicats et autres associations – qui cherchent à faire entendre leur voix et promouvoir le rôle de la « société civile » dans la gouvernance londonienne. Cet article analyse la genèse d’une campagne au sein de l’organisation. Grâce à une approche ethnographique, il interroge comment London Citizens concilie la participation la plus large possible de ses membres aux décisions collectives et la recherche d’efficacité et de visibilité dans l’arène publique. La formation de « leaders » – de la discussion à la prise de décision, en passant par la performance théâtrale lors des assemblées et autres actions collectives –, élément central du community organizing , n’est pas sans poser des tensions qui sont analysées dans cet article.
Comment la cartographie méconnaît les habitants
Authors: Charles Julien
Published: December 2012

Résumé Cette contribution entend rendre compte de l’engagement des participants dans un dispositif participatif mis en place en Belgique dans le cadre d’un Plan communal de mobilité. Une attention particulière est accordée aux attentes normatives qui imprègnent les modalités d’organisation des réunions, à la façon dont celles-ci évoluent au fil des rencontres et aux équipements qui soutiennent la mémoire des participants. À cet égard, nous indiquerons ce que requiert la cartographie, qui occupe une place centrale dans ce dispositif, et la dynamique de formatage qui en résulte. Sur ce fond, on tentera de rendre compte d’un phénomène régulièrement observé dans ce type de réunions : la progressive désertion des participants.
Cachez ce politique que je ne saurais voir !
Authors: Carrel Marion , Talpin Julien
Published: December 2012

Résumé Cet article analyse les enjeux de compétition sociale et politique dans deux conseils de quartier à Roubaix, l’un marqué par l’entre-soi et une « efficacité » en continuité avec l’action municipale, l’autre par des critiques et conflits de légitimité. Alors que le politique y est constamment dénié, l’observation de deux disputes – autour de la présence de Roms dans un quartier de la ville et de l’abstention record aux élections régionales – indique que des discussions politiques peuvent émerger, à condition que leurs membres ne soient pas suspectés d’intentions partisanes. En d’autres termes, l’ethnographie donne à voir le paradoxe selon lequel les conseillers de quartier doivent ne pas politiser la discussion pour la politiser.
La démocratie a-t-elle encore une dimension épistémique ?
Authors: Habermas Jürgen , Aubert Isabelle , Genel Katia
Published: December 2012

Résumé Après avoir comparé le modèle délibératif de la démocratie aux modèles libéral et républicain, j’envisage les possibles renvois à la recherche empirique, puis j’examine les preuves empiriques qui peuvent soutenir l’hypothèse selon laquelle la délibération politique développe un potentiel de recherche de la vérité. Les parties principales du texte servent à lever les doutes que l’on peut avoir de prime abord concernant le contenu empirique et l’applicabilité du modèle communicationnel de la politique délibérative (Introduction, sections I, II, III). Deux conditions critiques sont dégagées : une communication politique médiatisée dans l’espace public peut favoriser les processus de légitimation délibérative dans des sociétés complexes à condition premièrement qu’un système des médias autorégulé gagne son indépendance à l’égard de l’environnement social et deuxièmement que des publics anonymes garantissent un feed-back entre les discussions d’une élite informée et une société civile réactive (sections IV, V, VI, VII). [N. d. T. : la traduction de ce texte paraît dans deux numéros de Participations . L’Introduction et les sections I, II, III sont traduites dans ce n?2012-3 ; les sections IV, V, VI et VII le seront dans le n?2013-1.]
The Need for Nursing Education in the Care of Adults With Congenital Heart Defects
Authors: Lawler Billie A.
Published: December 2012

Background:

The population of adults with congenital heart defects is rapidly expanding. Formal and informal nursing education offers little if any training in the care of adults with congenital heart defects, creating a disparity between the growing need for care for these patients and the availability of knowledgeable providers.

Methods:

A needs assessment survey was conducted to assess educational needs, use of available resources, and learning method preferences of nurses within a Midwestern community hospital (
N
= 800). The convenience sample included 269 responses (
n
= 269). A pilot survey was conducted with a subset of the population (
n
= 18).

Results:

The results showed a poor understanding of adults with congenital heart defects, with findings similar to those of previous studies.

Conclusion:

Providing education may help to prepare nurses to care for adults with congenital heart defects as these patients are seen in increasing numbers in all areas of health care.
Medical Decision-Making in Dementia Patients
Authors: Appel Jacob M.
Published: December 2012

CME Educational Objectives

1.

Know how to assess “capacity” in patients with dementia.

2.

Know informed consent rights for patients with dementia.

3.

Deliniate the difference between “best interests” in a patient with dementia vs. “standard of care.”

A 78-year-old widowed female with a history of cognitive decline and breast cancer treated with lumpectomy 5 years earlier is admitted to the medical service of a community hospital after suffering several weeks of increasingly intense and intractable back pain. Accompanying the patient is her only child, an unmarried adult daughter with whom she has been living with for several years.
Effectiveness of Simulation-Based Orientation of Baccalaureate Nursing Students Preparing for Their First Clinical Experience
Authors: Dearmon Valorie , Graves Rebecca J. , Hayden Sue , Mulekar Madhuri S. , Lawrence Sherry M. , Jones Loretta , Smith Kandy K. , Farmer Joseph E.
Published: December 2012

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 2-day, simulation-based orientation for baccalaureate nursing students preparing to begin their first clinical experience. Students were recruited for participation in the study from a clinical foundation course. Actors (standardized patients) provided students with the chance to engage with simulated real patients in realistic clinical situations prior to entering the clinical setting. Students’ perceived stress, knowledge acquisition, anxiety, self-confidence, and satisfaction with the orientation process were assessed. Findings indicated a statistically significant increase in knowledge of and confidence in skills needed when first entering the clinical setting and a decrease in anxiety following the orientation activity. Students had a positive attitude about interaction with real patients, faculty, and other students during the experience. Improved self-confidence and satisfaction were reported as a result of participation in simulation-based orientation.
A Safe Electric Medical Bed for an Acute Inpatient Behavioral Health Care Setting
Authors: Wagner John J. , Ingram Todd N.
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this article is to describe the process of developing a safe electric bed for a traditional acute care adult behavioral health inpatient unit. Many articles and studies exist related to creating a safe environment on acute care psychiatric units, but very few address the use of electric hospital beds. The process of adapting a traditional electric bed for inpatient use by the nursing management team of the Behavioral Health Service at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is described, including specific safety features in the prototype bed. Policy changes during implementation and safety data after 12 months of bed use on the units are also presented. Results indicate that traditional electric hospital beds can be safely adapted for use on traditional acute care psychiatric units.
Predictors for the Outcome of Small-incision Lenticule Extraction for Myopia
Authors: Hjortdal Jesper Ø. , Vestergaard Anders H. , Ivarsen Anders , Ragunathan Suganiah , Asp Sven
Published: December 2012

PURPOSE:

To study the influence of patient- and surgery-related parameters on the predictability, efficacy, and safety of small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for treatment of myopia.

METHODS:

This prospective, clinical quality, control study comprised 670 eyes from 335 patients with myopia up to −10.00 diopters (D) (spherical equivalent refraction) and astigmatism up to 2.00 D treated with SMILE in both eyes and followed for 3 months.

RESULTS:

Preoperative mean spherical equivalent refraction was −7.19±1.30 D. In eyes with emmetropia as the target refraction, 84% obtained uncorrected distance visual acuity ⩽0.10 logMAR (20/25 or better Snellen equivalent) at 3 months. Mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) improved from −0.03 to −0.05 logMAR (
P
<.01). Two or more lines of CDVA were lost in 2.4% (16 eyes). The achieved refraction was 0.25±0.44 D less than attempted after 3 months, and 80% (537 eyes) and 94% (631 eyes) were within ±0.50 and ±1.00 D of attempted correction, respectively. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that spherical equivalent refraction undercorrection was predicted by increasing patient age (0.10 D per decade;
P
<.01) and steeper corneal curvature (0.04 D per D;
P
<.01). Safety and efficacy of the procedure were minimally affected by age, gender, and simultaneous cylinder correction.

CONCLUSIONS:

Undercorrection of 0.25 D and small effects of patient age and corneal curvature suggest that the standard nomogram for SMILE need only minor adjustments. This study suggests that safety and efficacy are not influenced to any clinically significant degree by easily discernible patient factors.
Femtosecond Laser Technology in Corneal Refractive Surgery: A Review
Authors: Kymionis George D. , Kankariya Vardhaman P. , Plaka Argyro D. , Reinstein Dan Z.
Published: December 2012

PURPOSE:

To discuss current applications and advantages of femtosecond laser technology over traditional manual techniques and related unique complications in corneal refractive surgical procedures, including LASIK flap creation, intracorneal ring segment implantation, astigmatic keratotomy, presbyopic treatments, and intrastromal lenticule procedures.

METHODS:

Literature review.

RESULTS:

From its first clinical use in 2001 for LASIK flap creation, femtosecond lasers have steadily made a place as the dominant flap-making technology worldwide. Newer applications are being evaluated and are increasing in their frequency of use.

CONCLUSIONS:

Femtosecond laser technology is rapidly becoming a heavily utilized tool in corneal refractive surgical procedures due to its reproducibility, safety, precision, and versatility.
Introduction to Gaze Interaction
Authors: Majaranta Päivi , Donegan Mick
Published: December 2012

Gaze interaction, as understood in this book, provides a means to exploit information from eye gaze behaviour during human-technology interaction. Gaze can either be used as an explicit control method that enables the user to point at and select items, or information from the user’s natural gaze behaviour can be exploited subtly in the background as an additional input channel without interfering with normal viewing. This chapter provides a brief introduction to the potential for applied gaze tracking, with special emphasis on its application in assistive technology. It introduces common terms and offers a concise summary of previous research and applications of eye tracking.
Eye Anatomy, Eye Movements and Vision
Authors: Mulvey Fiona
Published: December 2012

This chapter introduces the basics of eye anatomy, eye movements and vision. It will explain the concepts behind human vision sufficiently for the reader to understand later chapters in the book on human perception and attention, and their relationship to (and potential measurement with) eye movements. We will first describe the path of light from the environment through the structures of the eye and on to the brain, as an introduction to the physiology of vision. We will then describe the image registered by the eye, and the types of movements the eye makes in order to perceive the environment as a cogent whole. This chapter explains how eye movements can be thought of as the interface between the visual world and the brain, and why eye movement data can be analysed not only in terms of the environment, or what is looked at, but also in terms of the brain, or subjective cognitive and emotional states. These two aspects broadly define the scope and applicability of eye movements technology in research and in human computer interaction in later sections of the book.
Features of Gaze Control Systems
Authors: Donegan Mick
Published: December 2012

Severely disabled people will often spend a significant part of their waking day using gaze control. Technology has a positive impact on many areas of their life. What simple features do people who have severe and complex disabilities need to use gaze control technology? In this chapter, we consider features that are enhancing the effective use of this innovative and rapidly growing method of computer control. It also provides practical hints in finding and choosing the best gaze control system for each individual.
A Model for Gaze Control Assessments and Evaluation
Authors: Holmqvist Eva , Buchholz Margret
Published: December 2012

Technical aids can contribute towards improved health and satisfaction in life by giving the user increased possibilities for participation in a number of areas of daily life. Assessing people with disabilities that affect their motor, communication and cognitive skills can be a complex matter. The result of an assessment might be the user’s only way of independent activity and communication. This stresses the importance of making high quality assessments. This chapter discusses the prerequisites, structure and key elements of a successful gaze control assessment.
Brain-Computer Interfaces and Visual Activity
Authors: Vidaurre Carmen , Kübler Andrea , Tangermann Michael , Müller Klaus-Robert , Millán José del R.
Published: December 2012

There is growing interest in the use of brain signals for communication and operation of devices – in particular, for physically disabled people. Brain states can be detected and translated into actions such as selecting a letter from a virtual keyboard, playing a video game, or moving a robot arm. This chapter presents what is known about the effects of visual stimuli on brain activity and introduces means of monitoring brain activity. Possibilities of brain-controlled interfaces, either with the brain signals as the sole input or in combination with the measured point of gaze, are discussed.
Evaluating Eye Tracking Systems for Computer Input
Authors: MacKenzie I. Scott
Published: December 2012

When a human uses an eye tracker for computer control, the eye is called upon to do ‘double duty’. Not only is it an important sensory input channel, it also provides motor responses to control the computer. This chapter discusses methods of evaluating the interaction. When an eye tracker is used for computer input, how well does the interaction function? Can common tasks be carried out efficiently, quickly, accurately? What is the user’s experience? How are alternative interaction methods evaluated and compared to identify those that work well, and deserve further study, and those that work poorly, and should be discarded? These are the sorts of questions that can be answered with a valid and robust methodology for evaluating eye trackers for computer input.
Transactional-Aware Web Service Composition
Authors: Cardinale Yudith , El Haddad Joyce , Manouvrier Maude , Rukoz Marta
Published: December 2012

Web Service (WS) composition consists in combining several WSs into a Composite WS (CWS), which becomes a value-added process. In order to provide reliable and fault-tolerant CWSs, several transactional-aware composition approaches have been proposed. However, as far as we know, no real classification survey of such approaches exists. This is the contribution of this chapter. Our classification distinguishes the more relevant and recent propositions in two groups: approaches based on WS transactional properties and the ones also integrating QoS criteria to the composition process. All these studied approaches are compared according to several criteria: the transactional model used or proposed, the control flow model used or automatically generated, the mechanism proposed to verify the transactional property of the composition, the step(s) of the composition process involved in, and the protocols or the standard languages used or extended. This classification allows underlining the lacks and the future directions which should be studied.
An Integrated Approach for Service Selection Using Non-Functional Properties and Composition Context
Authors: Reiff-Marganiec Stephan , Yu Hong Qing
Published: December 2012

In the maturing world of service oriented computing and Web services, we find ourselves in a position where numerous services are available, all of which address a specific need. Selecting the best such service based on the service context and a user’s current need becomes an important aspect. Services can be evaluated based on functional and non-functional criteria: the former represent the operation that the service provides, the latter criteria that differentiate functionally equal services. This chapter presents three closely related items addressing the problem of differentiating functionally equal services to find the most appropriate one in any given situation: (1) a generic and extensible model for non-functional properties, (2) a method for ranking services, and (3) an algorithm for selecting services that are part of larger execution chains. The method is evaluated, and the needs are exemplified with some motivating examples.
The Gross Interest
Authors: Hamdy Mohamed , König-Ries Birgitta
Published: December 2012

Service popularity, e.g., how often a service is requested, can be an important non-functional property determining the life-cycle of a service. To capture it, the requesting behavior of clients needs to be modeled. In this work, we introduce and discuss: the importance of the service popularity, a generalized requesting model that can capture the requesting behavior of clients, a service popularity measure called “Gross Interest,” and a Gross Interest quantification method. Two extremely different sets of specifications for the proposed generalized requesting model which produce two different Gross Interest scenarios (rich and poor scenarios) are introduced and quantified. As an application example for the service popularity, we show a service replication protocol for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) which realizes and employs service popularity in its replication decisions.
Considering Quality of a Service in an Intentional Approach
Authors: Ait-Ali-Slimane Assia , Kirsch-Pinheiro Manuele , Souveyet Carine
Published: December 2012

The success of service-based applications is based on service technologies such as Web services. Nevertheless, the benefits of the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) remain mainly at the software level, since business people are often unable to fully exploit its benefits due to their unfamiliarity with such software level technology. The intentional Service-Oriented Architecture (iSOA) suggests a move from the function-driven SOA to intention-driven SOA in order to provide service description understandable by business practitioners. However, such transposition from business to implementation level should also consider Quality of Service (QoS) aspects. In this paper, we propose modeling the Quality of intentional Service (QoiS) by introducing the quality goals and their qualitative and quantitative evaluation. We also propose populating the intentional service registry of the iSOA architecture with the QoiS description.
Negotiation of Service Level Agreements
Authors: Hasselmeyer Peer , Koller Bastian , Wieder Philipp
Published: December 2012

Non-functional properties are an essential constituent of service level agreements as they describe those quality-of-service parameters that are not related to the actual function of a service. Thus, non-functional properties let providers create distinguishing service offers and let consumers discriminate between various offers that provide the same function. The negotiation of non-functional properties is how service level agreements are commonly established. This chapter introduces various forms, models, specifications, and realizations of service level agreement negotiation to provide a broad background of the current state-of-the-art. Although different in various details, the described systems share a number of common features. Based on them, a holistic architecture is defined combining previous work into one coherent framework. The architecture is applicable to different negotiation models and protocols, and covers all functions of the negotiation phase. Based on this architecture, particular challenges and areas of future work are motivated. These mostly revolve around increasing the acceptance of service level agreement negotiation and enhancing interoperability.
Web-Based Large-Scale 3D-Geovisualisation Using WebGL
Authors: Christen Martin , Nebiker Stephan , Loesch Benjamin
Published: December 2012

In this paper, the authors present the OpenWebGlobe project (http://www.openwebglobe.org). The authors also discuss the OpenWebGlobe SDK. OpenWebGlobe SDK is an open source framework for creating massive 3D virtual globe environments and interactively exploiting them in web browsers using HTML5 and WebGL, allowing for the creation of large scale virtual 3D globes with detailed contents and their interactive visualization directly within a broad spectrum of Web browsers.
An Empirical Study on Training, Job Satisfaction, and Corporate Brand Image Relationship to Employees Working Performance in Context of British American Tobacco, Dhaka
Authors: Chowdhury A. H. M. Ehsanul Huda , Hira Eric Lynn , Abdullah-Al-Mamun  , Kaisar Mohammad Moshfequn
Published: December 2012

This paper examines the relationship of training, job satisfaction, and corporate brand image with employees working performance at British American Tobacco, Dhaka. A significant relationship exists between training and employees’ performance at BAT Dhaka in Bangladesh. To produce better work efforts, it is important to note that job satisfaction influences satisfactory performance output. It is found that brand image psychologically influences and motivates employees and is strongly related to employees working effort. About 100 questionnaires were distributed among the respondents of BAT Dhaka and data were analyzed. Correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis were performed for testing hypotheses. The research showed that relationships exist between Training, Brand Image, and Job satisfaction among employees working performance.
Information Systems as a Reference Discipline for Visual Design
Authors: Peak Daniel A. , Prybutok Victor R. , Gibson Michael , Xu Chenyan
Published: December 2012

This paper proposes that the Information Systems (IS) discipline can serve as a reference discipline for the Visual Design discipline and vice versa. To this end, this work tries to offer a pluralistic framework of visual design systems (VSD) where the primary focus is on how the Visual Design discipline utilizes the intellectual know-how of IS concerning systems of development. Because visual design is part of the aesthetic paradigm where interpretivism rules and IS is contained in the positivist paradigm, we employ a multi-paradigm approach to bridge these two paradigms and their constituent disciplines. The implications of VSD are discussed in the remainder of this paper.
A Double-Channel Model for Developing Learner Autonomy in an EFL Context
Authors: Wang Jinghui , Spencer Kenneth A. , Wang Dongshuo
Published: December 2012

Using Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) to develop learner autonomy is a challenging task in the context of teaching English as a foreign language (EFL). A new, double channel model for developing learner autonomy is proposed. This provides the basis for an experimental study, which investigates the impact of an autonomous learning platform (ALP). Both self-directed learning and socially-mediated learning are incorporated into the platform. The results of the study indicate that the double channel model supports the facilitating effects of scaffolding through English communication in an EFL context.
Fostering EFL College Students’ Register Awareness
Authors: Chang Ching-Fen
Published: December 2012

This study explores 19 Taiwanese students’ writing in weekly online forum posts and traditional essays. Results drawn from discourse analysis of students’ writing in both types of writing tasks showed that the semester-long online writing accompanied by explicit instruction on essays and basic academic writing conventions appeared to help raise EFL students’ consciousness of register in the two writing contexts and help them make appropriate linguistic adjustments. Quantitative analysis using three measures of syntactic complexity revealed that the students tended to use syntactically more complex sentence structures in essays than in online forums. A number of typical informal or online linguistic features characterize the students’ online forums more frequently than in essays. Finally, although most of these EFL college students seemed able to take different approaches to online writing and essay writing at the end of the semester, some students adopted the same rigorous approach to both types of writing as a result of a strategic response to avoid losing face or being misunderstood when writing in a public domain. The results suggest that providing EFL learners a forum where they can express themselves in less formal language is beneficial.
Fast and High Capacity Digital Image Watermarking Technique Based on Phase of Zernike Moments
Authors: Walia Ekta , Suneja Anu
Published: December 2012

Zernike Moments (ZMs) are used in many image processing applications, due to their resistance against various signal processing and geometric attacks. Digital image watermarking is one of those application areas, where ZMs are widely used to insert and extract the watermark bits for digital media authentication. In all the existing ZM based watermarking techniques, magnitude of moments is used to insert and extract the watermark. In this paper, the authors’ have proposed a semi blind watermarking technique in which phase of ZMs is used for watermark insertion and extraction. Due to the use of phase of ZMs, 100% detection ratio is achieved against any geometric and other signal processing attacks. To make the proposed technique fast, q-recursive method is used to compute the Zernike polynomials. The use of q-recursive method has also increased the transparency of watermark due to its better reconstruction ability as compared to traditional moment computation method. Through detailed experimentation, it has been confirmed that the proposed watermarking technique is fast, has more imperceptibility, less Bit Error Rate (BER) and more capacity as compared to traditional ZMs magnitude based watermarking technique.
A Highly Efficient Content Based Approach to Filter Pornography Websites
Authors: Mahmoud Tarek M. , Abd-El-Hafeez Tarek , Omar Ahmed
Published: December 2012

With the ever-growing Web, the Websites with objectionable contents like pornography, violence, racism, etc. have been augmented rapidly during recent years. Among the offensive contents, the pornography is the most harmful one affecting children safety and causing many destructive side effects. A content filter is one or more pieces of software that work together to prevent users from viewing material found on the Internet. This paper presents an efficient content based software system for detecting and filtering pornography images in Web pages. The proposed system runs online in the background of Internet Explorer (IE) for the purpose of restricting access to pornography Web pages. Skin and face detection techniques are the main components of the proposed system. Because the proposed filter works online, the authors propose two fasting techniques that can be used to speed up the filtering system. The results obtained using the proposed system is compared with four commercial filtering programs. The success rate of the proposed filtering system is better than the considered filtering programs.
Impacts of High Wind Power Penetration on the Frequency Response Considering Wind Power Reserve
Authors: Badmasti Bakhtiar , Bevrani Hassan , Naghshbandy Ali Hessamy
Published: December 2012

With high wind power penetration, imbalance between generation and consumption is increased, and as a consequence the frequency deviation from the nominal value will be magnified. For frequency control purpose in conventional power systems, the synchronous generators are only responsible. However, it is expected that the renewable energy sources (RESs) are also needed to contribute in frequency control issue in near future. In this paper, impacts of high wind penetration on the frequency control are studied, and an approach is introduced for creating the secondary reserve for doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbines. This reserve can contribute to load frequency control (LFC) task. Simulation results on updated standard IEEE 39-bus system are presented and it is shown that the wind turbines can contribute in LFC service, successfully.