bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Locus of Control and the Sense of Personal Competence in Young Athletes Practicing Martial Arts
Authors: Rutkowska Katarzyna , Klimczak Jarosław
Published: April 2013

Introduction. The locus of control and the sense of competence are the psychological resources relevant to the taking-up and continuation of actions in certain situations. They are important regulating factors of the relationships between the man and the environment. It seems that, in such a specific field as martial arts are, these characteristics are useful and their identification and targeted strengthening desirable. The aim of the research presented in this paper was to gather knowledge about the sense of competence and self-control of young people practicing martial arts, as well as the relationship between these variables. Materials and methods. A total of 39 people aged 14-19 years participated in this research. All of them practiced martial arts. They had an average of more than two years training. Data were collected through the (KBPK) Locus of control Questionnaire (by G. and A. Krasowicz Kurzyp-Wojnarski) and the Personal Competence Scale KompOs (by Z. Juczyñski), and a questionnaire designed specifically for this research. Results. Statistical analyses conducted for the study have showed that the respondents represent a transient sense of locus of control, and average levels of personal competence in the field of strength and perseverance. Out of the measured variables, the locus of control in the event of success and a sense of strength were relatively highest. These variables also proved to be interdependent. Analysis also allowed for identification of many other relationships between the variables. Conclusions. Our findings may provide a clue for a possible modification of programs mentally preparing young athletes for martial arts sports. They may also act as suggestions sensitise trainers to specific psychosocial needs of young athletes.
Development of the rosalia longicorn Rosalia alpina (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the sycamore maple Acer pseudoplatanus L. – the first report from Poland
Authors: Michalcewicz Jakub , Bodziarczyk Jan , Ciach Michał
Published: April 2013

In 2012 the development of the rosalia longicorn Rosalia alpina (L.) was confirmed in the sycamore maple Acer pseudoplatanus L., a new host plant in Poland. In the laboratory, one adult beetle was reared from a branch obtained from the Magura National Park (Beskid Niski Mts., Carpathians, SE Poland). The breeding material was collected at a site located in the fertile Carpathian beech forest association Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum, in a stand with an admixture of sycamore maple trees. In the paper the importance of the sycamore maple as a host plant is discussed.
Dielectric properties of wheat flour mixed with oat meal
Authors: Łuczycka D. , Czubaszek A. , Fujarczuk M. , Pruski K.
Published: April 2013

Possibilities of using electric methods for determining admixtures of oat meal to wheat flour, type 650 are presented. In wheat flour, oat meal and mixtures containing 10, 20 and 30% of the oat meal, moisture, protein, starch and ash content, sedimentation value, yield and softening of wet gluten were determined. In samples containing 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 100% of oat meal, the dielectric loss factor and conductivity were determined using an impedance analyzer for electromagnetic field frequency ranging from 0.1-20 kHz. It was found that the dielectric loss factor varied for tested material. The best distinguishing between tested mixtures was obtained at the measuring electromagnetic field frequency of 20 kHz. The loss factor was significantly correlated with the yield of wet gluten and the sedimentation value, parameters indicating the amount and quality of gluten proteins in flour.
Effect of seed stimulation on germination and sugar beet yield
Authors: Prośba-Białczyk U. , Szajsner H. , Grzyś E. , Demczuk A. , Sacała E. , Bąk K.
Published: April 2013

Germination and sugar beet yield after seed stimulation were investigated. The seeds came from the energ'hill technology and were subject to laser irradiation. The experiments were conducted in the laboratory and field conditions. Lengthening of germinal roots and hypocotyls was observed. A positive effect of the stimulation on the morphological features was observed for the Eh seeds and laser irradiation applied in a three-fold dose. The energ'hill seeds exhibited a significantly higher content of carotenoids in seedlings and an increase in the content of chlorophylls. Laser light irradiation favourably modified the ratio of chlorophyll a to b. The leaves and roots of plants developed from the energ'hill and irradiated seeds were characterized by higher dry matter content thanin non-stimulated seeds. Seed stimulation had a positive influence on yielding and the saccharose content.
The Concept of Subsystem for Mobile Robot Management From the Operator Console
Authors: Błaszczyk Sylwester , Wulkiewicz Adam , Duch Piotr , Łaski Maciej , Jachowicz Rafał , Sankowski Dominik
Published: April 2013

The authors in this publication present the concept of control system for the console operator to manage mobile robot platform and its components. Implemented functionality provides the ability to set the robot in different modes. The operator can control the state of robot using simple commands, and is also able to carry more complex tasks. The applied layered software architecture and Object-oriented programming (OOP) allows for easy management of software, maintenance, reusability and its further development.
Reduction of Pixel Occurrences in Background Updating
Authors: Bubliński Zbigniew , Pawlik Piotr
Published: April 2013

The paper presents the modification of background generation algorithm based on analysis of the frequency of occurrences of pixels. The proposed solution allows the generation of the background and its updating, the introduced parameter allows to adjust the algorithm according to the time rate of changes in the image. The results show that the modified method can be applied in many tasks related to the detection and analysis of moving objects.
Fuzzy Spatial Relations-Based Markers Location on Images From an Infrared Camera
Authors: Jaworski Tomasz , Kucharski Jacek
Published: April 2013

The following paper presents a fuzzy assessed spatial relations-based approach to detect a set of visual markers on a rotating steel cylinder previously discussed by the authors. Presented algorithm uses fuzzy inference system based on fuzzy assessed objects’ shape, orientation and mutual relative position in an input image.
Using Infrared Camera for Dynamic Properties Identification of Induction Heated Rotating Steel Cylinder
Authors: Kucharski Jacek , Frączyk Andrzej , Urbanek Piotr
Published: April 2013

Using of precise temperature control method requires knowledge of the dynamic properties of the controlled system. It can be determined by applying infrared camera to the temperature measurement of controlled system. The article presents two models of induction heated rotating steel cylinder and the method of their parameters estimation.
Mapping SBQL Query Results to XML
Authors: Kowalski Tomasz , Adamus Radosław , Wiślicki Jacek
Published: April 2013

The following paper presents a solution resolving inconsistencies in processing XML data-structures with SBQL objectoriented query and programming language. SBQL is based on Stack-Based Architecture (SBA) a formal approach reconstructing query languages’ concepts from the point of view of programming languages (Pls). The basic data store model AS0 defined in SBA can describe complex hierarchical data structures implied by XML. Nevertheless, in the classical approach to processing XML some use-case scenarios cannot be solved in satisfactory manner. In such cases SBQL queries return results either typologically obscure from the point of view of SBA or invalid from the point of view of expected XML tags formatting. The paper illustrates this problem on comprehensive examples, presents its cause and the solution.
Free Mobile Network - Dream or Real Chance
Authors: Mosorov Volodymyr
Published: April 2013

Number of mobile telephony users in Poland is growing every day. Everyone having active phone number should pay amount of money for its use. Author’s main idea is to offset costs and provide the user with complete independence from the operator that provides telecommunications services to him. To do that proposes a way to communicate without the use of the infrastructure operators. The purpose of this paper is to present the concept of free mobile network according to an original concept.
Reading and Writing the Turn-of-the-Century Egyptian Woman Intellectual
Authors: Civantos Christina
Published: April 2013

The Egyptian feminist and educator Nabawiyya Musa (1886–1951), after publishing her autobiographical essays serially from 1938 to 1942, published them as a book under the title Ta’rikhi bi-qalami (My history, by my pen). This essay analyzes the material role of literacy and the symbolic value of the pen in Musa’s memoirs in order to understand how literate women in Musa’s day were read and how they wrote to establish themselves as subjects authorized to participate in intellectual life. Confrontations with the pen reverberate throughout the memoirs, demonstrating that writing, in a context in which only men or European women were considered legitimate writers in a range of genres, creates anxiety and ambivalence. In spite of this anxiety and the limitations imposed on her by Egyptian and British colonial authorities, Musa appropriates the pen—the symbol of male power—to craft her subject position as a turn-of-the-century, female, Egyptian public intellectual.
Sentimental Terror Narratives
Authors: McManus Anne-Marie
Published: April 2013

Why do novels and studies originating in the United States and Europe sympathetically depict Middle Eastern women who commit or support forms of violence identified as terrorist? This article draws on scholarship on cosmopolitanism and the sentimental novel, as well as on novelistic and journalistic accounts of Palestinian female suicide bombers from the United States and Algeria/France: Barbara Victor’s Army of Roses: Inside the World of Palestinian Suicide Bombers (Rodale, 2003) and Yasmina Khadra’s The Attack (Doubleday, 2005). It argues that sentimental terror narratives use gendered, maternal imagery to produce a liberal stance on terrorism that combines sympathetic comprehension of the forces that foster violence with condemnation of the violence itself. The article uses Syrian novelist Khaled Khalifa’s Madih al-Karahiya (In Praise of Hatred, 2006) as an alternative literary depiction of gender and violence, aimed at a Syrian audience, that produces non-normative forms of sympathy to foster national reconciliation after civil conflict.
Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Solid Breast Lesions Using an Ultrasonic Multi-Feature Analysis Procedure
Authors: Alam SK , Feleppa EJ , Rondeau Mark , Kalisz A , Garra BS
Published: April 2013

We have developed a family of quantitative descriptors in order to provide noninvasive, reliable means of distinguishing benign from malignant breast lesions. These include acoustic descriptors (echogenicity, heterogeneity, shadowing) and morphometric descriptors (area, aspect ratio, border irregularity, margin definition). These quantitative descriptors are designed to be independent of instrument properties and physician expertise. Our analysis included manual tracing of lesion boundaries and adjacent areas on grayscale images generated from RF data. To derive quantitative acoustic features, we computed spectral-parameter maps of radio-frequency (RF) echo signals (using a sliding-window Fourier analysis) of the lesion and adjacent areas. We quantified morphometric features by geometric and fractal analysis of traced lesion boundaries. Although no single parameter can reliably discriminate cancerous from non-cancerous breast lesions, multi-feature analysis provides excellent discrimination of cancerous and non-cancerous lesions. Our analysis of data acquired during routine ultrasonic examination of 130 biopsy-scheduled patients produced a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) of 0.947±0.045. Lesion-margin definition, spiculation, and border irregularity were the most useful among the quantitative descriptors; some morphometric features (such as border irregularity) also were particularly effective in lesion classification. Our results are consistent with many of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) breast-lesion-classification criteria in use today. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14672 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 1-10
An Image Smearing Technique to Improve Pigeon Hole Imaging (PHI)
Authors: Afroj Kamila , Rabbani K Siddique-e
Published: April 2013

This new imaging modality arises as an extension of the 6-electrode Focused Impedance Method (FIM) developed in our laboratory earlier. Current is driven through two concentric pairs of orthogonally placed electrodes while several potential electrodes are located along a diagonal centrally. Through a combination of current drives and potential measurements across adjacent diagonal electrodes, it is possible to obtain admittance sums along the rows and columns of a square matrix formed by these diagonally placed potential electrodes. Through simple backprojection along the rows and columns it is possible to reconstruct a crude image in a square matrix form. Due to its resemblance, the name Pigeon Hole Imaging (PHI) has been coined. The concept has been experimentally tested to identify the location of a single target object in a background of uniform conductivity in 2D and 3D phantoms, in 2x2 and 6x6 matrix formations respectively. Taking the highest pixel to represent the object position the images were correct in all the pixels of the 2x2 image but in only 16 of the 36 pixels adjacent to the diagonal electrodes in the 6x6 image. However, a systematic pattern of image shift was observed in most of the other pixels in the latter, based on which a set of rules were made to correct the image in another 14 pixels. Thus excepting the furthest 6 pixels, correct image could be obtained in all 30 pixels. Thus PHI will be useful in locating exact positions of single target objects simply. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14673 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 11-20
Use of Distribution of F-Latency (DFL) in the Detection of Cervical Spondylotic Neuropathy
Authors: Hossain Md Iftekhar , Chowdhury Ehsan Alam , Mamun AA , Salam A , Baig Tanvir Noor , Rabbani K Siddique-e
Published: April 2013

Distribution of F-latencies (DFL) is a new nerve conduction parameter introduced by our laboratory to give a distribution of the conduction velocity (DCV) of motor nerve fibres in a peripheral nerve trunk simply as its mirror image. Earlier work revealed an association between Cervical Spondylotic (CS) neuropathy and DFL patterns obtained from the thenar muscle at the base of the thumb by artificially stimulating the median nerve. DFL froom normal subjects had a single peaked pattern, while that from subjects with CS had double or triple peaks, or a broad peak. The broad peak was suggested to be an indicator of early CS, even when the symptoms are not fully apparent. This led to some hypotheses based on physics, physiology and statistics, in order to explain such patterns. In order to verify these hypotheses, experiments need to be carried out carefully, and the present work is a step towards that goal. In this work DFL of the median nerve was obtained from 15 subjects, 6 normal, and 9 with diagnosed cervical spondylosis. The latter were subjected to further X-ray and MRI investigations, performed blindly at regular clinics. All of the 9 subjects were identified with either compression of nerve roots (radiculopathy), or spinal cord compression due to the bulging of the inter-vertebral discs (myelopathy). This shows with confidence that double or triple peaks of DFL indeed relates to CS, and broad peaks indicate their early stage. The same concept may be extended to other peripheral nerves, both in the hands and legs. Thus DFL may become an important screening test for neuropathy, as a first choice, offering a low cost and widely available test compared to the only other alternative, MRI, for such diagnosis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14676 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 37-42
A Novel Mobility Aid for the Blind through Ultrasound Pulsed Echo Modulated Nerve Stimulation
Authors: Fahad M Shamiul , Khan M Muwyid Uzzaman , Rabbani K Siddique-e
Published: April 2013

There are no affordable and widely available technology based aid to give a blind person the power of free movement avoiding obstacles and dangers. Some ultrasound pulse echo based electronic aids deliver the information obtained through the echo through audio signals conveyed by means of ear phones, but these affect the capability of such an important sense organ which a blind person uses greatly to receive and discern information of the surroundings. In the present work this limitation is overcome by passing this information through nerve stimulations at a suitable point on the body, possible wrist. Here the delays of the received ultrasound echo-pulses are used to modulate the frequency of nerve stimulation, to give higher frequency for shorter distances. This was designed to match the common psychological response of attributing higher frequencies to danger, creating a natural reaction for moving away when an object is too close. The highest frequency a human nerve can be stimulated to is about 500Hz, and pulses with heights of 100V to 200V are required for stimulating nerves passing just under the skin using surface electrodes. Necessary electronic circuit design was developed and a prototype fabricated in the present work. The prototype was tested for short distances up to 20cm giving very good linear response between object distance and the stimulating frequency, with the inverse characteristics as mentioned above. Reduction of noise through proper housing and shielding will allow the device to be useful to a practical distance of about 10m using 40kHz ultrasound transducers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14692 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 87-94
2D PET Sensitivity Evaluation using a 20cm Diameter Phantom
Authors: Ahasan M Monjur
Published: April 2013

A prototype small ring camera "miniPET" with a FOV of 20cm and as a 16-crystal-ring tomograph was constructed by reconfiguring components from a standard medical ECAT PET. Alternate detector modules from the original standard system were used to make the miniPET with a diameter 50% of the original. After calibrating the camera, the sensitivity of the system was measured using a 20cm diameter 68-Ge cylindrical phantom. The aim of the study is to investigate the coincidence events detection performance (sensitivity) of the camera in 2D mode (ring difference ? 3) but without septa using a large size phantom in respect to the camera FOV. Results indicate that the sensitivity measured using the phantom (6.2 cps/kBq) is approximately 30% lower than that measured using a line source of 3mm diameter. The difference can be attributed to attenuation in the phantom. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v5i1.14663 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.5 No.1 2012 25-28
Primary closure of the Urinary Bladder, Urethra and Anterior Abdomen of Classical and Cloacal 39 Exstrophy - A Preliminary Experience of Three Consecutive Cases
Authors: Mostaque AK , Huq MS , Islam T , Haque SM , Rahman MM
Published: April 2013

A 4 years old female and 1.5 months old male with classical exstrophy and a 2 days old male child with cloacal exstrophy were admitted in Paediatric Surgery Department of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH), Barisal. The mothers of all children had complaints of protrusion of fleshy mass in lower abdomen from birth. They always remain wet producing smell of urine. The cloacal exstrophy case had a prolapsed ileum that was discharging stool. He had no anus too. All of the cases underwent one stage closure of urinary bladder and urethra and lower abdomen without osteotomy and patient was discharged. After 8 months of first operation the female patient underwent repair of the wound dehiscence. At the time of discharge her urinary bladder capacity was 10 ml and remained dry for 5 minute after manual evacuation. The male patient with classical exstrophy developed urethrocutaneous fistula on 15th post-operative day. The cloacal exstrophy case was discharged with end ileostomy on 10th post-operative day. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jss.v16i1.14447 Journal of Surgical Sciences (2012) Vol. 16 (1) : 39-43
Penile Fracture Due to Manipulation
Authors: Alam KABM Taiful , Islam Md Sayedul , Haque Toufiqul , Hossain Shamim , Islam Tazul , Rashid Humayun , Rahman Md Atiqur
Published: April 2013

A 24 year old young patient presented in the emergency department of Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital, Uttara, Dhaka with swollen, curved and flaccid penis after forceful bending of his erect penis. The patient was anxious with normal vital sign. Rolling sign was positive. There was no bleeding at external urethral orifice, scrotum & testicle were found normal. On the above facts, penile fracture was diagnosed clinically. The penis was degloved upto the root of the penis & after evacuation of the haematomas, transverse tears were detected in Bucks fascia & tunica albugenia of the left corpus cavernosum, which were repaired by interrupted suture. In the post operative period sedative was given & recovery was uneventful. The aim of this case report is to increase the awareness of the condition which should be regarded seriously and treated expeditiously and to draw attention to its possible complications. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jss.v16i1.14448 Journal of Surgical Sciences (2012) Vol. 16 (1) : 44-46
Analysis and Modeling of Linear-Switched Reluctance for Medical Application
Authors: Llibre Jean-Francois , Martinez Nicolas , Leprince Pascal , Nogarede Bertrand
Published: April 2013

This paper focuses on the analysis, the modeling and the control of a linear-switched reluctance motor. The application under consideration is medical, and the actuator is to be used as a left ventricular assist device. The actuator has a cylindrical or tubular shape, with a mechanical unidirectional valve placed inside the mover, which provides a pulsatile flow of blood. The analytical expression of the effort based on the linear behavior of the actuator is given. The identification of the characteristics of the prototype actuator and the principle of position control is performed. A modeling of the actuator is proposed, taking into account the variation of inductance with respect to the position. The closed-loop position control of the actuator is performed by simulation. A controller with integral action and anticipatory action is implemented in order to compensate the effects of disturbing efforts and tracking deviations. Moreover, a magic switch is performed in the controller to avoid overshoots. The results show that the closed-loop response of the actuator is satisfactory.
Time Scale Analysis of Interest Rate Spreads and Output Using Wavelets
Authors: Gallegati Marco , Ramsey James , Semmler Willi
Published: April 2013

This paper adds to the literature on the information content of different spreads for real activity by explicitly taking into account the time scale relationship between a variety of monetary and financial indicators (real interest rate, term and credit spreads) and output growth. By means of wavelet-based exploratory data analysis we obtain richer results relative to the aggregate analysis by identifying the dominant scales of variation in the data and the scales and location at which structural breaks have occurred. Moreover, using the “double residuals” regression analysis on a scale-by-scale basis, we find that changes in the spread in several markets have different information content for output at different time frames. This is consistent with the idea that allowing for different time scales of variation in the data can provide a fruitful understanding of the complex dynamics of economic relationships between variables with non-stationary or transient components, certainly richer than those obtained using standard time domain methods.
Neural Repair and Neuroprotection with Stem Cells in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Stone Laura , Grande Andy , Low Walter
Published: April 2013

Stem cells have been touted as a potential source of cells for repair in regenerative medicine. When transplanted into the central nervous system, stem cells have been shown to differentiate into neurons and glia. Recent studies, however, have also revealed neuroprotective properties of stem cells. These studies suggest that various types of stem cells are able to protect against the loss of neurons in conditions of ischemic brain injury. In this article, we discuss the use of stem cells for ischemic stroke and the parameters under which neuroprotection can occur in the translation of stem cell therapy to the clinical setting.
Ethanol Modulates Spontaneous Calcium Waves in Axonal Growth Cones in Vitro
Authors: Lindsley Tara , Mazurkiewicz Joseph
Published: April 2013

In developing neurons the frequency of long duration, spontaneous, transient calcium (Ca2+) elevations localized to the growth cone, is inversely related to the rate of axon elongation and increases several fold when axons pause. Here we report that these spontaneous Ca2+ transients with slow kinetics, called Ca2+ waves, are modulated by conditions of ethanol exposure that alter axonal growth dynamics. Using time-series fluorescence calcium imaging we found that acute treatment of fetal rat hippocampal neurons with 43 or 87 mM ethanol at an early stage of development in culture decreased the percent of axon growth cones showing at least one Ca2+ wave during 10 min of recording, from 18% in controls to 5% in cultures exposed to ethanol. Chronic exposure to 43 mM ethanol also reduced the incidence of Ca2+ waves to 8%, but exposure to 87 mM ethanol increased their incidence to 31%. Neither chronic nor acute ethanol affected the peak amplitude, time to peak or total duration of Ca2+ waves. In some experiments, we determined the temporal correlation between Ca2+ waves and growth and non-growth phases of axonal growth dynamics. As expected, waves were most prevalent in stationary or retracting growth cones in all treatment groups, except in cultures exposed chronically to 87 mM ethanol. Thus, the relationship between growth cone Ca2+ waves and axon growth dynamics is disrupted by ethanol.
Manganese Oxide-Surface Modified Titanium (IV) Dioxide as Environmental Catalyst
Authors: Jin Qiliang , Arimoto Hiroshi , Fujishima Musashi , Tada Hiroaki
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study is to present an “environmental catalyst” possessing both thermocatalytic activity and visible-light activity for the decomposition of organic pollutants. Molecule-sized MnOx clusters are highly dispersed on the surface of TiO2 (anatase/rutile = 4/1 w/w, P-25, Degussa) by the chemisorption-calcination cycle technique using Mn(acac)3 complex as a precursor (MnOx/TiO2). The thermo- and photo-catalytic activities of MnOx/TiO2 were studied for the degradation of 2-naphthol used as a model water pollutant. In contrast to the FeOx/TiO2 system, MnOx/TiO2 exhibits high thermocatalytic activity exceeding those of bulk β-β-MnO2 and Mn2O3. Also, visible-light activity is induced by the surface modification of TiO2 with MnOx clusters, whereas its UV-light activity decreases.
New Amide Derivatives of Quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-Oxide with Leishmanicidal and Antiplasmodial Activities
Authors: Barea Carlos , Pabón Adriana , Pérez-Silanes Silvia , Galiano Silvia , Gonzalez German , Monge Antonio , Deharo Eric , Aldana Ignacio
Published: April 2013

Malaria and leishmaniasis are two of the World’s most important tropical parasitic diseases. Continuing with our efforts to identify new compounds active against malaria and leishmaniasis, twelve new 1,4-di-N-oxide quinoxaline derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial and antileishmanial activity against Plasmodium falciparum FCR-3 strain, Leishmania infantum and Leishmania amazonensis. Their toxicity against VERO cells (normal monkey kidney cells) was also assessed. The results obtained indicate that a cyclopentyl derivative had the best antiplasmodial activity (2.9 µM), while a cyclohexyl derivative (2.5 µM) showed the best activity against L. amazonensis, and a 3-chloropropyl derivative (0.7 µM) showed the best results against L. infantum. All these compounds also have a Cl substituent in the R7 position.
Zinc Supplementation Alters Plasma Aluminum and Selenium Status of Patients Undergoing Dialysis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Guo Chih-Hung , Chen Pei-Chung , Hsu Guoo-Shyng , Wang Chia-Liang
Published: April 2013

End stage renal disease patients undergoing long-term dialysis are at risk for abnormal concentrations of certain essential and non-essential trace metals and high oxidative stress. We evaluated the effects of zinc (Zn) supplementation on plasma aluminum (Al) and selenium (Se) concentrations and oxidative stress in chronic dialysis patients. Zn-deficient patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis were divided into two groups according to plasma Al concentrations (HA group, Al > 50 μg/L; and MA group, Al > 30 to ≤ 50 μg/L). All patients received daily oral Zn supplements for two months. Age- and gender-matched healthy individuals did not receive Zn supplement. Clinical variables were assessed before, at one month, and after the supplementation period. Compared with healthy subjects, patients had significantly lower baseline plasma Se concentrations and higher oxidative stress status. After two-month Zn treatment, these patients had higher plasma Zn and Se concentrations, reduced plasma Al concentrations and oxidative stress. Furthermore, increased plasma Zn concentrations were related to the concentrations of Al, Se, oxidative product malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase activities. In conclusion, Zn supplementation ameliorates abnormally high plasma Al concentrations and oxidative stress and improves Se status in long-term dialysis patients.
Correction: Lee, Y. et al. Geosensor Data Representation Using Layered Slope Grids. Sensors 2012, 12, 17074-17093
Authors: Lee Yongmi , Jung Young , Nam Kwang , Nittel Silvia , Beard Kate , Ryu Keun
Published: April 2013

There are four mistakes at the table derived from the (c) surface slope of Figure 4 in [1]. The direction numbers are derived according to (a) slope directions. The overall direction number should be changed from 6 to 4. The distinct direction number between the 1st and 2nd subcells should be changed from 0 to 8. The distinct direction number between the 2nd and 3rd subcells should be changed from 8 to 4. The distinct direction number between the 3rd and 4th subcells should be changed from 4 to 6. The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to the readers of this journal. [...]
Effect of Low Dose of Fumonisins on Pig Health: Immune Status, Intestinal Microbiota and Sensitivity to Salmonella
Authors: Burel Christine , Tanguy Mael , Guerre Philippe , Boilletot Eric , Cariolet Roland , Queguiner Marilyne , Postollec Gilbert , Pinton Philippe , Salvat Gilles , Oswald Isabelle , Fravalo Philippe
Published: April 2013

The objective of this study was to measure the effects of chronic exposure to fumonisins via the ingestion of feed containing naturally contaminated corn in growing pigs infected or not with Salmonella spp. This exposure to a moderate dietary concentration of fumonisins (11.8 ppm) was sufficient to induce a biological effect in pigs (Sa/So ratio), but no mortality or pathology was observed over 63 days of exposure. No mortality or related clinical signs, even in cases of inoculation with Salmonella (5 × 104 CFU), were observed either. Fumonisins, at these concentrations, did not affect the ability of lymphocytes to proliferate in the presence of mitogens, but after seven days post-inoculation they led to inhibition of the ability of specific Salmonella lymphocytes to proliferate following exposure to a specific Salmonella antigen. However, the ingestion of fumonisins had no impact on Salmonella translocation or seroconversion in inoculated pigs. The inoculation of Salmonella did not affect faecal microbiota profiles, but exposure to moderate concentrations of fumonisins transiently affected the digestive microbiota balance. In cases of co-infection with fumonisins and Salmonella, the microbiota profiles were rapidly and clearly modified as early as 48 h post-Salmonella inoculation. Therefore under these experimental conditions, exposure to an average concentration of fumonisins in naturally contaminated feed had no effect on pig health but did affect the digestive microbiota balance, with Salmonella exposure amplifying this phenomenon.
Comptabilité et pertinence : une proposition constructiviste pour le nouveau management hospitalier
Authors: Halgand Nathalie
Published: April 2013

L’article s’intéresse au nouveau management public dans le contexte hospitalier (nouveau management hospitalier, NMH) et à la comptabilité par DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups), qui en constitue une composante essentielle. La critique relative à la perte de pertinence des coûts, ainsi que les questions qu elle soulève, mettent en évidence la nécessité de recourir à une approche néo-institutionnaliste pour la conception d’outils de gestion. Une proposition de recherche constructiviste est alors proposée pour le NMH. Elle consiste à tirer parti du potentiel structurant de la comptabilité pour construire des vues alternatives de la gestion hospitalière qui puissent guider la résolution des problèmes de pertinence, en donnant plus de pouvoir aux acteurs actuellement occultés par le modèle des DRG, comme les infirmières, ou en élargissant le champ d’analyse afin d’intégrer le patient et l’histoire de son traitement.
La comptabilité allemande face aux normes internationales
Authors: Decock Good Christel
Published: April 2013

Cet article fait le point sur les différents aspects de la normalisation internationale en Allemagne. Il vise à présenter la position germanique face au vent de réforme des systèmes comptables. Ainsi, à partir des différentes fonctions de la comptabilité, protection des créanciers versus intérêts des investisseurs, il apparaît que les normes de l’IASC sont très discutées quant à leur application. Les enjeux d’une normalisation internationale, tels le développement économique du pays, la reconnaissance et la position concurrentielle des entreprises sur les places financières étrangères, ouvrent le débat d’une comptabilité à deux vitesses. Si certains auteurs prônent l’application de normes internationales à un nombre limité de firmes, d’autres la contestent et espèrent une réforme totale du système comptable. La position du gouvernement allemand restant floue, de nombreuses interrogations demeurent.
Un point de vue à propos de « De la réforme 1996-1998 du dispositif français de normalisation comptable » : adaptation ou rupture ?
Authors: Hoarau Christian
Published: April 2013

Résumé Sont examinées les relations qui existent entre l'histoire de la normalisation compable française et l'histoire économique et sociale de la France. Quate périodes sont distinguées et caractérisées. La première (1946-1957) est celle de la naissance de la normalisation comptable u à la française o ; la deuxième (1958-1973), celle de son renforcement au service des intérêts fiscaux de l'État ; la troisième (1974-1983), celle de son apogée sous I'impulsion européenne ; la quauième (depuis 1984), celle de sa mise à l'épreuve face à la normalisation internationale. À chacune de ces périodes, se trouve associée une certaine configuration des relations entre l'État, les professions comptables et les entreprises. Cette mise en perspective historique de la normalisation française permet d'interpréter la réforme 1996-1998 du dispositif institutionnel qui la soutient comme une opération de sous-traitance par l'État de l'élaboration des normes comptables à la profession comptable et aux grandes entreprises.
De la bizarrerie dans le monde amoureux
Authors: Wald Lasowski Patrick
Published: April 2013

La bizarrerie, les fantaisies et caprices bizarres se multiplient dans la littérature libertine à partir des années 1740, jusqu’à s’imposer comme la matière du roman, devenu album de bizarreries sexuelles. On s’interroge ici sur l’enjeu du passage – de la posture érotique héritée de la Renaissance aux inépuisables bizarreries qui caractérisent désormais le rapport au plaisir du libertinage.
Frivoles et bizarres . Les fictions de Perrault, de Sade et de Potocki aux frontières du XVIII e siècle
Authors: Sermain Jean-Paul
Published: April 2013

Perrault qualifie les « histoires du temps passé » dont il offre une version modernisée de « frivoles et bizarres », qualificatifs aussi bien applicables à d’autres œuvres de la fin du xviii e siècle (Potocki et Sade), et même au xx e siècle. Ils qualifient un traitement distancé, humoristique et critique, d’un désir illimité, en particulier dans le champ politique : chez le despote.
Entre réinterprétation du passé et difficile rapport à la modernité, les stratégies de légitimation du pouvoir ouzbek
Authors: Gatelier Karine
Published: April 2013

Au pouvoir depuis son accession à l’indépendance en 1991, le régime ouzbek a largement investi, pour le réinterpréter, le répertoire du passé et de la tradition. Si le contexte de l’époque, celui de la création du nouvel État, a pu l’expliquer, la distance temporelle avec cet événement fondateur rend de plus en plus criant le hiatus entre un imaginaire national quasi-exclusivement inspiré d’une mémoire réinventée et le quotidien des Ouzbeks. Pourtant le pouvoir peine à articuler discours et action publique avec une modernité qui ouvrirait les perspectives tangibles de l’avenir promis. Le programme de réaménagement des centres urbains du pays vise à articuler au passé une modernité mais cette relation reste problématique dans la mesure où le pouvoir dépend d’un statu quo social où les inégalités se creusent. Le passé est alors à nouveau convoqué pour le justifier et toute idée de progrès social est évacuée.
Des échos virgiliens dans un Voyage Extraordinaire de Jules Verne, Le Château des Carpathes (1892)
Authors: Dupuy Lionel
Published: April 2013

L’article analyse le rôle d’une citation latine dans la construction de l’imaginaire géographique du roman de Jules Verne : Le Château des Carpathes (1892). Nous étudions plus particulièrement ici l’insertion dans le récit d’une référence virgilienne qui participe aussi à l’ancrage historique et géographique d’un Voyage littéralement Extraordinaire.
Pirro Ligorio (1512-1583) et les véhicules antiques
Authors: Vagenheim Ginette
Published: April 2013

La vaste encyclopédie des Antichità romane de Pirro Ligorio renferme divers traités consacrés à des sujets liés à l’Antiquité classique, qui souvent en constituent la première étude systématique ; c’est le cas du traité consacré aux véhicules anciens (libro dei carri antichi) dont la nouveauté séduisit l’érudit strasbourgeois, Johannes Schefferus, qui décida d’en donner une traduction latine accompagnée de notes (1671) ; mais les limites de l’œuvre ligorienne, que Scheffer souligne sans concession, poussèrent le savant à publier à son tour un volumineux traité en deux livres sur le sujet (De re vehiculari) ; ses critiques nous renseignent sur la méthode de travail de Ligorio et nous donnent l’occasion de souligner l’apport principal de l’antiquaire aux Antichità romane, à savoir l’exceptionnel apparat iconographique, et d’indiquer les conditions particulières de la rédaction d’une telle œuvre dans le contexte culturel de Rome à l’époque de la Contre-Réforme.
Quand les druides tracent des figures : Antiquités nationales et prisca theologia dans le dialogue De animæ immortalitate de Charles de Bovelles (1479-1567)
Authors: Klinger-Dollé Anne-Hélène
Published: April 2013

Bovelles, dans son œuvre philosophique, ne laisse pas percevoir un intérêt aussi manifeste pour l’Antiquité que ne le font d’autres humanistes de la Renaissance. Le petit dialogue De animae immortalitate, publié en 1551-1552, permet néanmoins de se rendre compte que cet intérêt existe et se concrétise par des moyens variés : recours à la forme dialoguée, mise en scène d’un « druide » comme personnage principal – dont cet article cherche à comprendre les implications –, recours à un lexique latin enrichi. Ce dialogue est sans doute à la croisée de plusieurs attitudes de la Renaissance pour l’Antiquité : intérêt d’ordre national qui se nourrit de tout un « imaginaire » gaulois, intérêt chez les penseurs et les poètes pour « l’ancienne théologie » (prisca theologia). Mais la « couleur antique » donnée au dialogue de Bovelles répond aussi à des visées très personnelles. Il s’agit de revendiquer la légitimité d’une démarche philosophique, distincte de la Révélation et de la théologie institutionnelle, dans un contexte de censures exercées par la Faculté de Théologie de Paris.
Réception de l’histoire de Carthage dans un contexte révolutionnaire : le cas tunisien (2011-2012)
Authors: Guidère Mathieu
Published: April 2013

Cet article explore la réception de l’histoire phénico-punique de Carthage au lendemain de la révolution tunisienne de janvier 2011. À partir d’une étude portant sur l’attention et sur l’intérêt accordé par le public tunisien à certains éléments de cette histoire, l’auteur propose une méthode d’analyse permettant d’approcher les conceptions et les perceptions en vigueur dans les réactions et dans les discussions publiées sur Internet. Ainsi sont explorés tour à tour les volets social, politique et religieux de cette histoire perceptive, afin de mieux saisir les tenants et les aboutissants des débats en cours dans le contexte politique de la Tunisie post-révolutionnaire.
Processing of 3D Unstructured Measurement Data for Reverse Engineering
Authors: Zhong Yongmin
Published: April 2013

One of the most difficult problems in reverse engineering is the processing of unstructured data. NURBS (Non-uniform Rational B-splines) surfaces are a popular tool for surface modeling. However, they cannot be directly created from unstructured data, as they are defined on a four-sided domain with explicit parametric directions. Therefore, in reverse engineering, it is necessary to process unstructured data into structured data which enables the creation of NURBS surfaces. This paper presents a methodology to processing unstructured data into the structured data for creating NURBS surfaces. A projection based method is established for constructing 3D triangulation from unstructured data. An optimization method is also established to optimize the 3D triangulation to ensure that the resulted NURBS surfaces have a better form. A triangular surface interpolation method is established for constructing triangular surfaces from the triangulation. This method creates five-degree triangular surfaces with C1 continuity. A series of segment data are obtained by cutting the triangular surfaces with a series of parallel planes. Finally, the structured data is obtained by deleting repetitive data points in each segment data. Results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methodology.
Kinematics and Dynamics Modeling of a New 4-DOF Cable-Driven Parallel Manipulator
Authors: Hadian Hamoon , Amooshahi Yasser , Fattah Abbas
Published: April 2013

This paper addresses the kinematics and dynamics modeling of a 4-DOF cable-driven parallel manipulator with new architecture and a typical Computed Torque Method (CTM) controller is developed for dynamic model in SimMechanics. The novelty of kinematic architecture and the closed loop formulation is presented. The workspace model of mechanism’s dynamic is obtained in an efficient and compact form by means of natural orthogonal complement (NOC) method which leads to the elimination of the nonworking kinematic-constraint wrenches and also to the derivation of the minimum number of equations. To verify the dynamic model and analyze the dynamical properties of novel 4-DOF cable-driven parallel manipulator, a typical CTM control scheme in joint-space is designed for dynamic model in SimMechanics.
Experimental Investigations on the Contour Generation of a Reconfigurable Stewart Platform
Authors: Kumar G. Satheesh , Nagarajan T.
Published: April 2013

Reconfiguration of Stewart platform for varying tasks accentuates the importance for determination of optimum geometry catering to the specified task. The authors in their earlier work (Satheesh et al., 2008) have indicated the non availability of an efficient holistic methodology for determining the optimum geometry. Further, they have proposed a solution using the variable geometry approach through the formulation of dimensionless parameters in combination with generic parameters like configuration and joint vector. The methodology proposed provides an approach to develop a complete set of design tool for any new reconfigurable Stewart platform for two identified applications viz., contour generation and vibration isolation. This paper details the experimental investigations carried out to validate the analytical results obtained on a developed Stewart platform test rig and error analysis is performed for contour generation. The experimental natural frequency of the developed Stewart platform has also been obtained.
Chatbots
Authors: McNeal Michele , Newyear David
Published: April 2013

The authors discuss their experience with using artificial intelligence and chatbots to enhance their existing web sites and information services in public library settings. The chapter describes their budget driven motivations for embarking on this project and outlines the development and implementation of the bots in their library settings. They show how the bots are positioned to enhance existing services and describe the various reactions to the bots from their patron base, and staff. Different implementations of the bots are highlighted (text only, animated talking avatar, mobile site, desktop help icon) as well as the differing levels of complexity of these different implementations. They address the oft posed question “Does AI spell the end of Reference?” and describe the InfoTabby code sharing project.
Transforming Technical Services
Authors: Hsiung Lai Ying , Wei Wei
Published: April 2013

The current economic downturn has resulted in constantly shrinking budgets and drastic staff reduction at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Library. Meanwhile, rapid shifting to digital formats as well as dramatic growth in social networking, mobile applications and cloud computing continues. To face these challenges, the Technical Services (TS) at the university library at UCSC need a transformation. This chapter discusses how the authors have adopted the strategy of maximizing technology in utilizing “robot-like” batch processing tools in house to minimize the risk of becoming ineffective or irrelevant. In aligning human resources to apply those tools to achieve our goals in tandem with the mission of the library, the authors learn to work with the various issues and the barriers that we have encountered during the past decade. The authors are examining the changes brought to the department through the process, highlighting a plan of action, and providing guidance for those interested in bringing about a technological transformation that will continue into the future.