bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Dynamic Behaviour of Palmas Altas Footbridge at Seville (Spain)
Authors: Jimenez-Alonso Javier , Sáez Andrés
Published: December 2014

The behaviour of a slender footbridge is often conditioned by its response to pedestrian flows. This fact is especially relevant when high pedestrian densities are expected on it. The natural frequencies of such structures, that control its dynamic response, are very sensitive to any slight change in the mass or stiffness of the structure. In the case of this footbridge, a frame steel slender (ratio 1/40) structure of three spans (19.25+39.15+19.25 m) its dynamic behaviour was modified by the construction of a flexible cover, which final design was not known during the drafting phase of the project. Although the performed numerical estimations predicted an adequate behaviour, the uncertainty that the cover introduced into its dynamic behaviour, advised conducting a more detailed study of the footbridge response under pedestrian flows. Two types of experimental tests were performed, an ambient test by the application of the operational modal analysis technique to determine the experimental modal parameters of the footbridge, and a pedestrian test in order to determine the dynamic response of the structure under controlled groups of pedestrians. From the obtained experimental results a finite element model updating has been carried out by changing some structural parameters in order to minimize the mean square error between experimental and numerical modal parameters. The updated model was taken as a basis for the prediction of the structural dynamic behaviour under large pedestrian flows and to estimate better the change in the dynamic parameters provided by the steel roof.
Structural Performance of UHPFRC Wild Bridge during Construction Using the Advanced Bridge Monitoring
Authors: Río Olga , Nguyen Khanh , Ralbovsky Marian , Rodriguez Ángel , Freytag Bernhard
Published: December 2014

Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) presents one of the superior classes of new cement base composites with the potential to archive the requirements for bridge constructions of the future. Not only the advantage of leading to a high economy in condition contribute to the objective but the advantage of reaching high service life and a reduction of maintenance will contribute as well. Nevertheless, only few prototypes have been built up now by using this material.

This paper is aimed to highlight the use of structural health monitoring system to analyse the structural performance of the UHPFRC Wild Bridge during construction. This leads to gain practical experience regarding the performance of UHPFRC structures, and to help in spreading the use of this profitable concept concrete and to the standardisation.

The designed Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) concept will be carried out by using distributed fibre optic strain and temperature sensors, in combination with dynamic non-destructive measurements for obtaining periodically updated information and an inverse FEM for developing actual performance life cycle models. To consider stress distributions in the arch due to the dead loads from the bridge deck, the monitoring starts from the construction stage. The main goal is the analysis of the structural performance under different life cycle operational environments. The long term objective is developing performance based models for improving present UHPFRC design tools but also those regarding optimised prognosis strategy for maintenance planning in the field of transportation infrastructure.
Neoliberal individualism in Dutch universities: Teaching and learning anthropology in an insecure environment
Authors: Bal Ellen , Grassiani Erella , Kirk Kate
Published: December 2014

This article is based on our own experiences and that of several of our colleagues teaching social and cultural anthropology in different Dutch institutions for higher learning. We focus in particular on teaching and learning in two small liberal arts and science (LAS) colleges, where anthropology makes up part of the social science curriculum and/or is part of the core curriculum. The data collected from our own critical reflections developed during informal discussion and from formal interviews with colleagues, together with literature on recent changes in academia, leads us to argue that neoliberal individualism, shaped by management tactics that constantly measure individual performance and output, is making academia an increasingly insecure place in which to work and study. The consequences of this insecurity include increasing mental health problems among both students and staff, intensifying competition at the expense of collegiality and collaboration and an overall decrease in the quality of academic jobs and teaching. Although the discipline of anthropology can help us better understand our own conditions, the personalisation of problems and the focus on success obscure the anthropological lens, which looks at social and cultural structures of power and depends on critical reflexivity.
Microbiological evaluation of antibacterial potentiality of some edible plant extracts against multidrug resistant (MDR) human pathogens
Authors: El-Sayed Mohamed Helal , Refaat Bahgat Mohamed , Sharaf Mohamed Hamed
Published: December 2014

Antimicrobial resistance is a subject of great concern in public health and also in the designing of strategies for current therapeutic protocols all over the world. Plants used for traditional medicine contain a wide range of substances which can be used to treat various infectious diseases. Hence, antibacterial activities of aqueous extracts of 10 plant species were studied against 25 multidrug resistant (MDR) clinical isolates using the agar well diffusion method. The most resistant organisms were Acinetobacter baumanii (A. baumanii) (resistant to 16 different antibiotics), Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) (resistant to 15 different antibiotics), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (resistant to 15 antibiotics), Gemella morbillorum (G. morbillorum) (resistant to 14 different antibiotics), Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) (resistant to 13 different antibiotics) respectively. Among the tested plant extracts, only extracts of Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Foeniculum vulgare, Matricaria chmomilla, Salvia offcinalis and Thymus Vulgaris showed strong antibacterial activity against MDR isolates with inhibition zones ranging from 8.33 to 26 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the most active plant extracts; Allium cepa and Foeniculum vulgare were ranged from 0.062 to 0.25 mg/ml and 0.031 to 0.125 mg/ml, respectively. Foeniculum vulgare extract was bactericidal for all bacteria while Allium cepa extract was bacteriostatic. Hence, the discovered compounds from these plants can use as templates for the development of new antibacterial agents.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v4i1.21162 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, December 2014, 4(1): 336-339
Using pet-ct to Reduce Futile Thoracotomy Rates in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Population-Based Review
Authors: Smoragiewicz M. , Laskin J. , Wilson D. , Ramsden K. , Yee J. , Lam S. , Shaipanich T. , Zhai Y. , Ho C.
Published: December 2014

Background: Combined positron-emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) reduces futile thoracotomy (FT) rates in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We sought to identify preoperative risk factors for FT in patients staged with PET-CT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients referred to the BC Cancer Agency during 2009–2010 who underwent PET-CT and thoracotomy for NSCLC. Patients with clinical N2 disease were excluded. An FT was defined as any of a benign lesion; an exploratory thoracotomy; pathologic N2 or N3, stage IIIB or IV, or inoperable T3 or T4 disease; and recurrence or death within 1 year of surgery. Results: Of the 108 patients who met the inclusion criteria, FT occurred in 27. The main reason for FT was recurrence within 1 year (14 patients) and pathologic N2 disease (10 patients). On multivariate analysis, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status greater than 1, a PET-CT positive N1 status, a primary tumour larger than 3 cm, and a period of more than 16 weeks from PET-CT to surgery were associated with FT. N2 disease that had been negative on PET-CT occurred in 21% of patients with a PET-CT positive N1 status and in 20% of patients with tumours larger than 3 cm and non-biopsy mediastinal staging only. The combination of PET-CT positive N1 status and a primary larger than 3 cm had 85% specificity, and the presence of either risk factor had 100% sensitivity, for FT attributable to N2 disease. Conclusions: To reduce FT attributable to N2 disease, tissue biopsy for mediastinal staging should be considered for patients with PET-CT positive N1 status and with tumours larger than 3 cm even with a PET-CT negative mediastinum.
COMPARING LABORATORY DYNAMIC MODULUS VALUES WITH LONG TERM PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE PREDICTIONS
Authors: Rahman A. S. M. Asifur , Tarefder Rafiqul A.
Published: December 2014

This study compares laboratory dynamic modulus value of Superpave mixes with the dynamic modulus obtained from Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database. The comparison shows that the dynamic modulus from LTPP database, which were determined by using different types of artificial neural network (ANN) models, differs from the laboratory tested dynamic modulus. The dynamic modulus data of five LTPP test sections are considered. Mixes similar to those five sections were collected from the field and tested in the laboratory. Based on the findings of this study, it can be said that dynamic modulus from ANN models are less than the laboratory dynamic modulus for New Mexico Superpave mixes. Therefore, as an important design parameter, the use of dynamic modulus predicted from Neural Network models can result in outcomes different from those using laboratory dynamic modulus.
GEOTECHNICAL STRUCTURES: INVESTIGATION OF DRILLED SHAFTS IN HIGHLY EXPANSIVE SOILS
Authors: Faruqi Mohammed , Pena Eliborio , Balogh Jina
Published: December 2014

Construction over extremely expansive soils raises the risk of structural foundation failure and potential failure to the building itself. This is due to shrinkage and swell characteristics of expansive soils. This works presents an extensive case study of a distressed building built on drilled piers and expansive soil, and describes innovative practical ideas that can be used in the renovation of its foundation. The building is located west of San Antonio, Texas, USA. This building has experienced significant settlements and differential building movement resulting in widespread building distress. The following foundation based structural distresses were found in the building: 1) vertical movements of more than 300 mm, 2) bearing surface had completely spalled away and the beams were supported solely by bent and corroded anchor bolts which were not well confined in the surrounding concrete, 3) the beam rotations and lateral movement caused the steel stub columns supporting the floor framing to tilt sideways. This created eccentric support conditions that could result in sudden instability failure of either the beams or columns, and 4) under bathrooms in the northwest corner of the building, significant corrosion of steel framing was observed due to long term exposure to moisture leaking through cracks in the floor slab above. Drilled piers were studied using spot study, soil data obtained from boreholes and laboratory tests based on American standards. It is recommended that 0.5 m diameter piers of lengths 18.3 m with positive skin friction to prevent uplift, and a load carrying capacity of 1737 kN be used to rehabilitate the failing foundation. Also, new shafts are to be designed for a minimum factor of safety 2.5 and the rejection of an unacceptable pier required installation of one or more replacement piers at locations that would facilitate load transfer from the structure above.
MATHEMATICAL MODELLING AND COMPUTER SIMULATION OF TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION IN INHOMOGENEOUS COMPOSITE SYSTEMS WITH IMPERFECT INTERFACE
Authors: Joshi Pratibha , Kumar Manoj
Published: December 2014

Many studies have been done previously on temperature distribution in inhomogeneous composite systems with perfect interface, having no discontinuities along it. In this paper we have determined steady state temperature distribution in two inhomogeneous composite systems with imperfect interface, having discontinuities in temperature and heat flux using decomposed immersed interface method and performed the numerical simulation on MATLAB.
STUDYING THE STABILITY OF AQUEOUS SUSPENSIONS OF MULTIWALLED CARBON NANOTUBES USED FOR THE MODIFICATION OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Authors: Politaeva Alena , Yakovlev Grigory , Khazeev Damir
Published: December 2014

In this paper, the stability of aqueous suspensions of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been studied with physical and chemical methods. The optimum dispersion time of MWCNT suspension in a rotary homogenizer has been found. The dispersion time being increased, the quality of the suspension decreases. The data of the physical and chemical studies has also been confirmed experimentally on gypsum samples. The samples modified with MWCNT suspension of 2-hour dispersion show an increase in flexural strength and compressive strength by 40% and 48%, respectively, in comparison with the control sample, whereas the samples modified with MWCNT suspension of 10-hour dispersion show a decrease in flexural strength and compressive strength. The microstructure of the gypsum samples was studied with a scanning electron microscope.
SOIL-RAFT FOUNDATION-STRUCTURE INTERACTION EFFECTS ON SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF MULTI-STORY MRF BUILDINGS
Authors: Raheem Shehata E. Abdel , Ahmed Mohamed M. , Alazrak Tarek M. A.
Published: December 2014

Recent studies show that the effects of Soil Structure Interaction (SSI) may be detrimental to the seismic response of structure and neglecting SSI in analysis may lead to un-conservative design. Despite this, the conventional design procedure usually involves assumption of fixity at the base of foundation neglecting the flexibility of the foundation, the compressibility of soil mass and consequently the effect of foundation settlement on further redistribution of bending moment and shear force demands. The effects of SSI are analyzed for typical multi-story building resting on raft foundation. Three methods of analysis are used for seismic demands evaluation of the target moment resistant frame buildings: equivalent static load (ESL); response spectrum (RS) methods and nonlinear time history (TH) analysis with suit of nine time history records. Three-dimensional Finite Element (FE) model is constructed to analyze the effects of different soil conditions and number of stories on the vibration characteristics and seismic response demands of building structures. Numerical results obtained using soil structure interaction model conditions are compared to those corresponding to fixed-base support conditions. The peak responses of story shear, story moment, story displacement, story drift, moments at beam ends, as well as force of inner columns are analyzed.
Le corps de narcisse. Petite note interrogative...
Authors: Joly Fabien
Published: December 2014

Depuis l’observation naturaliste et banale d’une petite fille prenant un plaisir narcissique aux trois étages de son élation purement fonctionnelle de maîtrise psychomotrice, de son plaisir imaginaire interne à « être grande » et du plaisir à se faire admirer dans le miroir des yeux de sa mère et des autres est interrogée la question du corps et des liens corps/psyché dans le registre du narcissisme. À partir de la fixation sur le spéculaire dans les différentes évocations du mythe de Narcisse et dans la théorie notamment inspirée par Lacan et le stade dit de « l’enfant au miroir », sont rappelées l’ombre monumentale de H. Wallon et l’idée d’une pensée du développement qui ne fasse fi ni de la relation à l’autre ni des enjeux, des expériences et éprouvés corporels sous-jacents
Contribution du visuel dans la représentation
Authors: Athanassiou-Popesco Cléopâtre
Published: December 2014

La situation analytique exige de la part de l’analyste une attitude ferme pour éviter les manœuvres que l’enfant est tenté d’exercer, guidé par son omnipotence infantile pour contrôler l’analyste dans la réalité au lieu d’introjecter peu à peu le travail analytique et de se faire ainsi une représentation psychique de l’objet absent. L’exemple pris par l’auteur est celui de l’exigence d’un enfant en psychothérapie analytique d’emporter ses dessins à la fin de la séance.
Inceste sans latence
Authors: Tovmassian Tigrane L.
Published: December 2014

Cet article propose une élaboration théorique sur les impacts psychiques spécifiques à des abus sexuels vécus pendant la période de latence. La période de latence, post-œdipienne, est celle pendant laquelle l’enfant développe ses capacités élaboratives et théorisantes sur le monde. Il y développe ses fantaisies et fantasmes en parallèle des réaménagements identitaires, identificatoires et de ses idéaux imposés par l’interdit œdipien. Se développe ainsi un jeu psychique au service de la quête d’objets d’amour de substitution, d’un projet pour plus tard. Mais l’abus sexuel vécu pendant cette période grève ce jeu psychique, propulsant le sujet dans une latence traumatique. Le travail de la psychothérapie psychanalytique est mis en exergue comme pouvant remettre du jeu psychique là où il a été mis hors-jeu.
Enlever une partie du cœur
Authors: Baudin Marianne
Published: December 2014

Tout en faisant référence à des artistes (A. Daudet, C. Pozzi, F. Khalo, P. Klee, C. Angot, etc.) ayant pu exprimer par leurs œuvres les souffrances vécues dans leurs corps, l’article est centré sur le cas d’une patiente atteinte d’hypertension avec risque cardiaque majeur, victime dans l’enfance d’un viol incestueux. Le travail analytique, dont les principales étapes et enjeux sont décrits, a permis le réinvestissement d’activités et de réalisations sublimatoires longtemps gelées : écriture d’un journal, jeu théâtral et dessin.
Du corps au cœur de l'œuvre
Authors: Carels Nicole
Published: December 2014

Le rapport du corps à l’œuvre est envisagé ici selon un spectre de transformations opérant à des niveaux et degrés multiples de quête de sens et de symbolisation, allant du sensoriel à l’abstrait, selon des mouvements d’intensité et de vitesse variables, dans un spectre élargi d’altérité.
Land Deals and Sustainable Income
Authors: Olokoyo Felicia O. , George Tayo O. , Efobi Uchenna R. , Beecroft Ibukun
Published: December 2014

This chapter examines the extent to which land deals affect the sustainable income of households in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Particular interest is paid to the interplay between land deals and other covariates like education, age, and other incomes aside land deals. A survey consisting of about 500 Ota indigenes is analyzed using logistic regression, which is complemented by other descriptive statistics. The results reveal that land deals have not sufficiently and positively affected the income of the individuals. On sustainability of income, land deals act in direct opposition with the other covariates. This implies that when land deals significantly affect sustainable income the other variables act otherwise. The implication from this is that land deals are not a sustainable source of income for indigenes in the study area. This is particularly because its inclusion in the model has an adverse effect on the other covariates.
Creating a Support Structure for Academic Writing and Publication Support
Authors: Rocco Tonette S. , Gionti Lori Ann , Januszka Cynthia M. , Munn Sunny L. , Collins Joshua C.
Published: December 2014

Although research and writing for publication are seen as important responsibilities for most graduate students and faculty, many struggle to understand the process and how to succeed. Unfortunately, writing centers at most universities do not cater to these kinds of needs but rather to course-specific needs of undergraduate students. This chapter presents and explains the principles underlying Florida International University's establishment of The Office of Academic Writing and Publication Support, an office specifically designed to aid the scholarly writing efforts of graduate students and faculty. In doing so, this chapter aims to describe strategies and programs for the improvement of scholarly writing, provide insight into the kind of learning that can take place in a university writing center, and reflect on successes and missteps along the way. This chapter may be especially helpful to educators who seek to create similar offices or services at their own institutions.
The Material Logics of Confirmation
Authors: Holmqvist Morten
Published: December 2014

The paper explores the material spaces and logics of religious learning processes. A discrepancy between religious educators and the 14-year-old confirmands was evident during a 1 year of ethnographic fieldwork. A material semiotic approach provides important perspectives on the dynamics between material and human actors in religious learning context. The findings suggest that different notions of space with different logics of religious learning were established during the confirmation program. The spaces and logics were constituted by the interplay with material objects, pastors, catechists and confirmands. The paper points to how materiality is part of religious learning and how materiality can open up for different ways of practicing and conceptualize religion.
Developing Walvis Bay Port into a logistics gateway for southern Africa: Issues, challenges and the potential implications for Namibia’s future
Authors: Savage Christopher J. , Fransman Logan , Jenkins Andrew K. , Bamford Colin G.
Published: December 2014

Many developing countries wish to become the ‘gateway’ to a region or part of a continent.One strategy involves encouraging logistics cluster development. These hubs support global supply chains and may enable the economic growth of the host country through the resulting trade, as well as providing direct and indirect employment opportunities during the build and subsequent operation of the hub. Namibia intends to develop the Port of Walvis Bay to be come the preferred gateway to southern Africa and the Southern African Development Community region. This article builds on research on Caribbean cluster potential and Namibian logistics to identify the potential benefits and impact on development, as well as the drawbacks and risks of such a strategy.
Biological Approach for Recycling Waste Water in Iraq
Authors: Al-Mossawi Muhsin A.J.
Published: December 2014

The middle and southern parts of Iraq are exposed to a series of serious drought-related problems. This is mainly linked to the absence of applied international law for water distribution in the Euphrates and Tigris rivers between Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, in addition to climate change and unawareness of the water resource problems for more than three decades. The Inter-Agency Information and Analysis Unit of the United Nations reported that water in the Tigris and Euphrates will decrease by up to 80% and 50%, respectively, by 2025. Therefore, water recycling would be an essential and inevitable sustainable approach under these circumstances. The biological treatment of sewage, industrial waste water, scientific laboratories effluent, and irrigation waters using compact units is described here to be involved in solving the water shortage in Iraq. The main indicators used to assess the efficiency of these units are chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), total solved salts (TSS), and total fecal coliforms (TFC). These units have been approved to treat contaminated waters with 10-fold pollutants in a fifth of the time required as compared to other classical procedures. In conclusion, using these treatment units will be useful in tackling the problem of water shortage in Iraq and could potentially be the best control method to stop the spread of infectious diseases obtained from contaminated waters.
Allele and Genotype Distributions of DNA Repair Gene Polymorphisms in South Indian Healthy Population
Authors: Rao Katiboina Srinivasa , Paul Abialbon , Kumar Annan Sudarsan Arun , Umamaheswaran Gurusamy , Dubashi Biswajit , Gunaseelan Karunanithi , Dkhar Steven Aibor
Published: December 2014

Various DNA repair pathways protect the structural and chemical integrity of the human genome from environmental and endogenous threats. Polymorphisms of genes encoding the proteins involved in DNA repair have been found to be associated with cancer risk and chemotherapeutic response. In this study, we aim to establish the normative frequencies of DNA repair genes in South Indian healthy population and compare with HapMap populations. Genotyping was done on 128 healthy volunteers from South India, and the allele and genotype distributions were established. The minor allele frequency of Xeroderma pigmentosum group A ( XPA) G23A, Excision repair cross-complementing 2 ( ERCC2)/Xeroderma pigmentosum group D ( XPD) Lys751Gln, Xeroderma pigmentosum group G ( XPG) His46His, XPG Asp1104His, and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 ( XRCC1) Arg399Gln polymorphisms were 49.2%, 36.3%, 48.0%, 23.0%, and 34.0% respectively. Ethnic variations were observed in the frequency distribution of these polymorphisms between the South Indians and other HapMap populations. The present work forms the groundwork for cancer association studies and biomarker identification for treatment response and prognosis.
Bayesian Joint Selection of Genes and Pathways: Applications in Multiple Myeloma Genomics
Authors: Zhang Lin , Morris Jeffrey S. , Zhang Jiexin , Orlowski Robert Z. , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran
Published: December 2014

It is well-established that the development of a disease, especially cancer, is a complex process that results from the joint effects of multiple genes involved in various molecular signaling pathways. In this article, we propose methods to discover genes and molecular pathways significantly associated with clinical outcomes in cancer samples. We exploit the natural hierarchal structure of genes related to a given pathway as a group of interacting genes to conduct selection of both pathways and genes. We posit the problem in a hierarchical structured variable selection (HSVS) framework to analyze the corresponding gene expression data. HSVS methods conduct simultaneous variable selection at the pathway (group level) and the gene (within-group) level. To adapt to the overlapping group structure present in the pathway-gene hierarchy of the data, we developed an overlap-HSVS method that introduces latent partial effect variables that partition the marginal effect of the covariates and corresponding weights for a proportional shrinkage of the partial effects. Combining gene expression data with prior pathway information from the KEGG databases, we identified several gene-pathway combinations that are significantly associated with clinical outcomes of multiple myeloma. Biological discoveries support this relationship for the pathways and the corresponding genes we identified.
The Use of Pharmacogenomics for Selection of Therapy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Karim Nagla A. , Bui Hai , Pathrose Peterson , Starnes Sandra , Patil Ninad , Shehata Mahmoud , Mostafa Ahmed , Rao Mb , Zarzour Ahmad , Anderson Marshall
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Performance status (PS) is the only known clinical predictor of outcome in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although pharmacogenomic markers may also correlate with outcome. The aim of our study was to correlate clinical and pharmacogenomic measures with overall survival.

Methods

This was an IRB approved, retrospective study in which the medical records of 50 patients with advanced NSCLC from 1998–2008 were reviewed, and gender, race, PS, and chemotherapy regimens were documented. Stromal expression of pharmacogenomic markers (VEGFR, ERCC1, 14-3-3σ, pAKT, and PTEN) was measured. Clinical factors and pharmacogenomics markers were compared to overall survival using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Forty patients received platinum-based therapy. Median age was 65 years. Improved PS, female gender, and gemcitabine therapy were significantly associated with longer overall survival ( P = 0.004, P = 0.04, and P = 0.003, respectively). Age was not associated with survival. Caucasians had better overall survival in comparison to African Americans with median survival of 14.8 months versus 10.4 months ( P = 0.1). Patients treated with platinum-based therapy had better survival of 15 months versus 8 months for non-platinum based therapy ( P = 0.01). There was no significant association between any of the pharmacogenomics markers and overall survival other than in patients treated with platinum, in whom ERCC1 negativity was strongly associated with longer survival ( P = 0.007).

Conclusion

ERCC1 negativity with platinum therapy, gemcitabine therapy, good PS, and female gender all correlated with improved overall survival in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Evaluating the Accuracy and Efficiency of Multiple Sequence Alignment Methods
Authors: Pervez Muhammad Tariq , Babar Masroor Ellahi , Nadeem Asif , Aslam Muhammad , Awan Ali Raza , Aslam Naeem , Hussain Tanveer , Naveed Nasir , Qadri Salman , Waheed Usman , Shoaib Muhammad
Published: December 2014

A comparison of 10 most popular Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) tools, namely, MUSCLE, MAFFT(L-INS-i), MAFFT (FFT-NS-2), T-Coffee, ProbCons, SATe, Clustal Omega, Kalign, Multalin, and Dialign-TX is presented. We also focused on the significance of some implementations embedded in algorithm of each tool. Based on 10 simulated trees of different number of taxa generated by R, 400 known alignments and sequence files were constructed using indel-Seq-Gen. A total of 4000 test alignments were generated to study the effect of sequence length, indel size, deletion rate, and insertion rate. Results showed that alignment quality was highly dependent on the number of deletions and insertions in the sequences and that the sequence length and indel size had a weaker effect. Overall, ProbCons was consistently on the top of list of the evaluated MSA tools. SATe, being little less accurate, was 529.10% faster than ProbCons and 236.72% faster than MAFFT(L-INS-i). Among other tools, Kalign and MUSCLE achieved the highest sum of pairs. We also considered BALiBASE benchmark datasets and the results relative to BAliBASE- and indel-Seq-Gen-generated alignments were consistent in the most cases.
On the Rate of Convergence of Empirical Measures in ∞-transportation Distance
Authors: García Trillos Nicolás , Slepčev Dejan
Published: December 2014

We consider random i.i.d. samples of absolutely continuous measures on bounded connected domains. We prove an upper bound on the ∞-transportation distance between the measure and the empirical measure of the sample. The bound is optimal in terms of scaling with the number of sample points.
On self-similar solutions to the surface diffusion flow equations with contact angle boundary conditions
Authors: Asai Tomoro , Giga Yoshikazu
Published: December 2014

We consider the surface diffusion flow equation when the curve is given as the graph of a function

v(x,t)

defined in a half line

\mathbf R^+=\{x>0\}

under the boundary conditions

v_x=\tan \beta >0

and

v_{xxx}=0

at

x=0

. We construct a unique (spatially bounded) self-similar solution when the angle

\beta

is sufficiently small. We further prove the stability of this self-similar solution. The problem stems from an equation proposed by W. W. Mullins (1957) to model formation of surface grooves on the grain boundaries, where the second boundary condition

v_{xxx}=0

is replaced by zero slope condition on the curvature of the graph.

For construction of a self-similar solution we solve the initial-boundary problem with homogeneous initial data. However, since the problem is quasilinear and initial data is not compatible with the boundary condition a simple application of an abstract theory for quasilinear parabolic equation is not enough for our purpose. We use a semi-divergence structure to construct a solution.
The impact of e-ticketing technique on customer satisfaction: an empirical analysis
Authors: Qteishat Mazen Kamal , Alshibly Haitham Hmoud , Al-ma'aitah Mohammad Atwah
Published: December 2014

Recently, internet technology is considered to be the most used information and communication technology by organizations: it can ease the process of transactions and reinforce the relation between companies and customers. This investigation empirically examines the impact of e-ticketing technique on customer satisfaction; a convenience sample of Jordanian airline passengers that had booked flights in the last 12 months through companies offering e-ticketing services was acquired. The findings indicate that customer satisfaction with e-ticketing services was influenced by all of the independent variables measured (Data security, Customer and Technical Support, and User-Friendliness) were noted to have significant impact on customer satisfaction with e-ticketing services.
The case of Inca´s National Tumor Bank Management System in Brazil
Authors: Gonçalves Antonio Augusto , Pitassi Claudio , Assis Jr Valter Moreno de
Published: December 2014

Information Technologies can provide the basis for new directions in cancer research, supplying tools that identify subtle but important signs from the analysis of clinical, behavioral, environmental and genetic data. The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the system developed for managing Banco Nacional de Tumores (SISBNT) – National Tumor Bank System - highlighting its role in the technological innovation of Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA) – Brazilian National Cancer Institute. It is a qualitative empirical theoretical paper, descriptive and exploratory in nature, based on the single case study method and on participant observation. The results show the importance of good practices in information management for the full operation of a biobank in a research-oriented pharmaceutical company. There is also evidence that the implementation of SISBNT has contributed to the improvement of cancer treatment quality and to the support of efforts towards the organization of the integration of clinical, translational and basic research. The non-use of data mining techniques for the identification of molecular patterns and structures associated with the different types of cancer undergoing study at INCA seems to occur due to the early stage of Bioinformatics and translational research, as well as the National Tumor Bank, in the institution.
Proposition of an alumni portal based on benchmarking and innovative process
Authors: Teixeira Gislaine Cristina dos Santos , Maccari Emerson Antonio
Published: December 2014

A common concern in institutions of higher education is to keep its former students involved with academic activities. It is a consensus that one of the most valuable assets of universities is their alumni, given that their accomplishments ensures more visibility to the university. In recent years, universities have encouraged a movement toward the establishment of alumni associations, as they provide networking opportunities and contact between the university and the alumni or among the alumni. An association that seeks membership and participation of its alumni should invest in the development of an attractive portal. In this sense, this research aims to analyze the portal of alumni associations of well-ranked universities, using a benchmarking process and a creative technique called SCAMPER. We also present a portal prototype that meets the current needs of the market.
Architecture d’un système d’information décisionnel orientée vers le processus électoral
Authors: Taher Youssef
Published: December 2014

Le processus de décision électoral est un processus complexe. Que se soit pour les électeurs, ou bien pour les partis politiques. L’intégration de l’informatique décisionnelle dans ce processus peut devenir une clé importante, qui peut offrir un appui et une amélioration aux décisions électorales. La présente investigation a mis une attention particulière sur l’intégration de l’informatique décisionnelle dans le processus électoral. Inspiré du modèle IMC, et basé sur l’informatique nuageuse. La présente conception architecturale propose la définition de quarte importants niveaux décisionnels. Ces niveaux tiennent en compte le maximum de facteurs qui peuvent influencer la réussite du processus décisionnel électoral.
L’information brevet au service de l’industrie pétrolière: Cas de conception et optimisation des trépans par ingénierie inversée
Authors: Baaziz Abdelkader , Quoniam Luc , Khoudi Abdenacer
Published: December 2014

Le but de cet article est de montrer les résultats d’une étude réalisée initialement pour le compte d'une Entreprise Publique Algérienne ENSP (Direction Fabrication / ex-ALDIM), spécialisée dans la fabrication des outils de forage, afin d'évaluer les opportunités d'innovation offertes par l'utilisation du reverse engineering assisté par l’information brevet dans l'industrie pétrolière. Cette recherche appliquée, basée principalement sur l’information utile et actionnable, est couronnée par la mise en place d’un processus dynamique et évolutif de fabrication des outils de forage qui s’appuie sur un processus d’apprentissage continu par la pratique. Nous mettrons en perspective le processus cognitif permettant la capitalisation des connaissances lors du processus technique du reverse engineering ainsi que la contribution de l’information brevet dans le suivi des évolutions technologiques dans le domaine de conception et de fabrication des trépans ainsi que l’identification des technologies porteuses de valeur. Nous terminerons par des résultats concrets, en exposant les performances obtenues par un outil de forage fabriqué par l’ENSP (ex-ALDIM) selon le processus décrit dans cet article, lors du forage d’un puits de pétrole dans la région de Hassi Berkine (Algérie).
Iniciativas de Estandarización en la Producción de Objetos Virtuales de Aprendizaje
Authors: Herrera Cubides Jhon Francined , Gelvez García Nancy Yaneth , Sánchez Céspedes Juan Manuel
Published: December 2014

Los procesos de formación contemporáneos han identificado en las TIC y en la virtualización, estrategias claves para fortalecer la formación. Este proceso se ve mediado por la producción de contenidos digitales orientados al aprendizaje. Desarrollo que requiere de unos estándares que permitan aprovechar factores como reusabilidad, escalabilidad y accesibilidad, entre otros. Este artículo presenta una exploración de las principales especificaciones y estándares que circunscriben la producción tecnológica de objetos de aprendizaje, como la discusión acerca de la selección y el uso de la estrategia de estandarización definida, como uno de los resultados propuestos en el proceso de investigación. Revisión dentro de la cual se identifica que, acorde a las características claves del Objeto de Aprendizaje, y teniendo en cuenta aspectos como la interfaz de comunicaciones, los metadatos y el empaquetamiento, se identifican diferentes estrategias de estandarización, tales como LOM, DCMI, SCORM e IMS. Para tales efectos se estudiará la clasificación y la taxonomía de los Objetos de aprendizaje, se hará una caracterización general de las principales iniciativas que buscan estandarizar la producción tecnológica de los objetos de aprendizaje, se analizarán sus respectivos aportes, el trabajo a seguir y las conclusiones.
Security information in production and operations: a study on audit trails in database systems
Authors: Roratto Rodrigo , Dias Evandro Dotto
Published: December 2014

Special care should be taken to verify the integrity and to ensure that sensitive data is adequately protected. One of the key activities for data loss prevention is anaudit. And in order to be able to audit a system, it is important to have reliable records of its activities. Systems that store critical data, whether financial or productive, must have features such as audit log, also called audit trail, which records all activities on critical data. This allows to identify harmful actions that can be internal or external, intentionally or unintentionally caused. Therefore, this paper presents major studies in security audit trail (audit log), especially records of logs, and it presents what is available in terms of commercial tools and what they offer.
Polyphasic Analysis of Pectinolytic and Stress-Resistant Yeast Strains Isolated From Ivorian Cocoa Fermentation
Authors: Samagaci Lamine , Ouattara Honore G. , Goualie Bernadette G. , Niamke Sebastien L.
Published: December 2014

Microbial preparation containing pectinolytic strains as starter culture should help to standardize cocoa fermentation and reduce the lost due to the variability of cocoa bean. In this study, carbon metabolism, fermentative capacity and effect of environmental conditions on pectinase synthesis were analyzed in four yeast strains previously characterized as highly pectinolytic and stress resistant. The strains showed a restricted carbon metabolism profile with capacity to ferment only glucose and fructose and grown maximally at 5% of these carbon sources. Furthermore, yeasts strains were able to keep round 80% of their relative growth at up to 15% of sugar concentrations and proved to be osmotolerant at 25% glucose. Theses strains expressed their highest fermentative capacity at 35 °C producing up to 10.78 cm3of CO2 and lost more than 50% of this capacity at 40 °C. The isolates studied produced polygacturonase as sole pectinase, optimal production of this enzyme is reached at pH (5-6), at incubation temperature of 30 ºC for strains YS 128, YS 202 and 35 ºC for strains YS 165 and YS 201. However, stress conditions such as 0.5 % acetic acid, 2% lactic acid, 6% citric acid and 6% ethanol repress strongly polygalacturonase production in the strains analyzed. Yeast strains studied present some physiological properties potentially useful for cocoa fermentation but the use of these strains as starter should take into account, the stress conditions susceptible to hinder pectinase production.
Geriatric Psychiatry: What’s in a Name, and Five Concerns about DSM-5
Authors: Rapoport Mark J.
Published: December 2014

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Avaliação do coeficiente de absorção biológica de elementos-traço em plantas da mina pitinga, região amazônica
Authors: Cunha Maria do Carmo Lima e , Nardi Lauro Valentim Stoll , Pereira Vitor Paulo , Bastos Neto Artur Cezar , Vedana Luiz Alberto
Published: December 2014

Exemplares de Ampelozizyphus amazonicus and Adiantum sp. foram coletados juntamente com amostras de solo na Mina Pitinga, região amazônica, para averiguar a distribuição de alguns elementos-traço nas plantas e no solo e sua relação com a presença da mineralização na área. A Mina Pitinga caracteriza-se por extensos depósitos de estanho, com altas concentrações de nióbio e zircônio no Granito Madeira, que é intrusivo na sequência vulcânica do Grupo Iricoumé, ambas litologias de idade paleoproterozoica. O emprego do Coeficiente de Absorção Biológica (CAB) mostrou-se efetivo em ambas as plantas como indicador de depósitos minerais, quando os elementos envolvidos apresentam moderada a alta mobilidade no ambiente supergênico. Para o ouro o alto valor de CAB ressalta a possibilidade de usar este elemento como indicador de seus depósitos. Depósitos de sulfetos são indicados pelos altos valores de CAB para Cu, Zn e Pb, enquanto os de Sn, pelos significativos valores de CAB do Y e Sn. Sugere-se que o CAB de alguns elementos para ambos os vegetais estudados seja um bom indicador do enriquecimento geoquímico associado a depósitos minerais. Ainda, o emprego da biogeoquímica na exploração mineral é eficaz em áreas de espessa cobertura vegetal.
Silk insect nets can reshape creek beds
Authors: Betz Eric O.
Published: December 2014

Plants and animals in streams alter the way sediments flow and channels form. Among these species are the miniscule caddisfly larvae, which measure less than a centimeter in length but populate many streams in large numbers.
Validation of a priori CME arrival predictions made using real‐time heliospheric imager observations
Authors: Tucker‐Hood Kimberley , Scott Chris , Owens Mathew , Jackson David , Barnard Luke , Davies Jackie A. , Crothers Steve , Lintott Chris , Simpson Robert , Savani Neel P. , Wilkinson J. , Harder B. , Eriksson G. M. , L Baeten E. M. , Wan Wah Lily Lau
Published: December 2014

Between December 2010 and March 2013, volunteers for the Solar Stormwatch (SSW) Citizen Science project have identified and analyzed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the near real‐time Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory Heliospheric Imager observations, in order to make “Fearless Forecasts” of CME arrival times and speeds at Earth. Of the 60 predictions of Earth‐directed CMEs, 20 resulted in an identifiable Interplanetary CME (ICME) at Earth within 1.5–6 days, with an average error in predicted transit time of 22 h, and average transit time of 82.3 h. The average error in predicting arrival speed is 151 km s−1, with an average arrival speed of 425km s−1. In the same time period, there were 44 CMEs for which there are no corresponding SSW predictions, and there were 600 days on which there was neither a CME predicted nor observed. A number of metrics show that the SSW predictions do have useful forecast skill; however, there is still much room for improvement. We investigate potential improvements by using SSW inputs in three models of ICME propagation: two of constant acceleration and one of aerodynamic drag. We find that taking account of interplanetary acceleration can improve the average errors of transit time to 19 h and arrival speed to 77 km s−1.
Information Theory
Authors: Mair Patrick , Eye Alexander
Published: December 2014

Communication and information theory were founded by Shannon (1948). Shannon and Weaver (1949) developed the classical system of communication and the mathematical bases of communication. Information theory is concerned with measuring the degree to which a message provides one with knowledge one did not possess before. The broadest understanding of information theory includes all problems for which it is sensible to use the word
information
in its usual sense. The amount of information that is transmitted is scaled in units of
entropy
. Information theory allows one to analyze and assess a situation in which a signal that was selected from an
a priori
specified set is transmitted through a channel with limited capacity. The output of the channel is not determined by the input. Modern applications of information theory can be found in electronics and in the social sciences.
Generalized Estimating Equations: Overview
Authors: Hardin James W.
Published: December 2014

Correlated datasets arise from repeated measures studies where multiple observations are collected from a specific sampling unit (a specific patient's status over time), or from grouped orclustered datawhere observations are grouped based on sharing some common characteristic (animals in a specific litter). When measurements are collected over time, the term longitudinal or panel data is preferred. Generalized estimating equations provide a framework for analyzing correlated data. This framework extends the generalized linear models methodology, which assumes independent data. We discuss the estimation of model parameters and associated variances via generalized estimating equation methodology.
Non‐Compartmental Analysis
Authors: Bulitta Jürgen B. , G. Holford Nicholas H.
Published: December 2014

Non‐compartmental analysis (NCA) is the most commonly used technique of pharmacokinetic data analysis for studies with frequent sampling. We present the assumptions and basic applications of NCA and provide guidelines for performing a standard NCA and for choosing appropriate sampling times.