bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blended Learning
Authors: Jones Kevin Anthony
Published: November 2011

This chapter is a personal account of the educational application of eLearning-IDM (eIDM), teaching an upper level software engineering course at Nanyang Technological University. It is combined with face-to-face (F2F) sessions to become a teaching and learning (T&L) approach called blended learning. Blended learning is used in the classroom to address two problems encountered in modern higher education: (1) the digital divide and (2) knowledge glut. It turns out that lectures, the way preferred by teachers (being digital immigrants) of disseminating knowledge, is not aligned with the way students (being digital natives) acquire knowledge. I have developed a ? eIDM and ? F2F blended learning that appeals to the learning needs of digital natives, and satisfies the teaching aspirations of digital immigrants. Current research is on scaling and extending this model, learning resources that align with a student’s learning style, and more interactive and conducive interfaces for the eIDM platform.
Regulation of Violence in MMORPG
Authors: Heng Lim Poh , Wen Lu Dong , Huey Tan Huc
Published: November 2011

This chapter looks at the MMORPG market, the impact of prolonged exposure to violent game content on children and reviews the current regulatory measures in Singapore. Complementary strategies, apart from legislation and censorship, empower all stakeholders to manage the risks while promoting the growth of the digital game industry in Singapore are recommended. It is hoped that the range of strategies will adequately ensure that children are protected while they develop the skills and capacity to make responsible choices. With the trend moving towards online distribution of game software, increasing household broadband access to the Internet and increasing connectivity via mobile devices, the extent and frequency with which the young are accessing and engaging with violent game content online in MMORPGs needs urgent attention from the authorities and society at large. Regulatory measures based on the film censorship model should be re-considered to address business models that leverage the ubiquitous outreach afforded by the Internet. The game industry, parents, and the society at large should be more participative in influencing the direction for game content development.
The Future of the Printed Book
Authors: Elizabeth Lee San Bao , Ismail Noriahni , Tun Ma Saw Zarchi
Published: November 2011

The printed book was widely believed to be “dead” in the 1990s, but sales continue to remain brisk till today. Studies have shown that the advent of e-books will pose as a threat to the printed book; however, despite the increase in sales of e-books, readers still believe that printed books will never become extinct. This chapter aims to examine the various alternatives to the printed book, and explore the implications of the future for the book publishing industry and other players. The shift of physical books into digital content format has resulted in a significant change in perspectives of business models in the book publishing industry. In addition, as with any paradigmatic shift in technologies, there are implications and strategic reactions to the impact on the various affected players in an industry’s eco-system.
Bridging Provider-Centric and User-Centric Social Networks
Authors: Delgado José C.
Published: November 2011

Current social networks are centralized and driven by the providers’ formats, policies, and rules. Subscribing to several networks usually implies duplicating profile information and the effort of replicating changes when needed. Recently, there have been several proposals to support decentralized social networks, but these maintain the client-server paradigm. This chapter recognizes that the user is no longer a mere consumer, but rather a producer, and calls for a paradigm shift, with the user at the center of the social network scenarios, taking the role of an active service, in equal terms with social network providers. This leads to a unified user model: both individual and institutional entities are both users and providers and share the same protocols, although with different emphasis. We call this the user-centric approach and show a migration path from current social network models. To support this approach, we present a new Web access device, the browserver, which includes a browser and a server working in close cooperation, with the goal of replacing the classical browser but being backwards compatible with it to ease the migration path.
Knowledge Management and the Organisational Learning
Authors: Amaral António , Araújo Madalena
Published: November 2011

Our proposal is aimed at creating an organisational framework for managing the knowledge produced, as well as incorporating the lessons learned in the daily organisational routines. The purpose is to better respond to the problems that may occur and therefore, strategically realign the organisation towards efficiency and results improvement.
The Keystone Sector Analysis
Authors: Guedes de Carvalho Pedro
Published: November 2011

This chapter is written to describe a different vision on how to make use of a simple network diagnosis instrument in order to identify and describe the network structure of a set of diversified institutions located and acting in a regional environment. The use of this analytical framework enables policy makers to intervene in a variety of manners. After a detailed literature review of different discipline approaches, we describe different models for network formation and present the keystone sector analysis as a parsimonious centrality measure existing before more recent and complex frameworks used in reduction crime policies with the same definition (e.g. inter-optimal centrality). Considering the embeddedness in social network environments where different institutions – private, public, third sector – make decisions and influence future decisions, the keystone sector analysis is also helpful to uncover some methodological weaknesses in socioeconomic development and provide new opportunities for policy purposes.
Social Networks in the Higher Education Framework- Understanding the University as an Organization
Authors: Bermejo José Antonio Álvarez , Bravo César Bernal , Mateos Manuel Jesús Rubia , Piera Javier Roca
Published: November 2011

Recent studies are focusing on how social networks impact the learning process and how students organize themselves to face collaborative tasks via these networks, as well as their impact on the learning outcomes of the students. In a number of these studies, learning social aspects are analyzed, showing, among other issues of interest, that participating in social networks positively affects students’ self-esteem. In this article it is shown how this applies to the university model being adopted in Europe. Nowadays, the student is limited by the class and by the restricted group of people enrolled in that same university degree. In which way can the university facilitate that students get to each other so that they can find aspects in common and therefore the set of relationships grows? This chapter shows how our university—Universidad de Almería, UAL—globalizes its campus providing access to every student, as well as how this social network is succeeding.
Social Market
Authors: Reis Leonilde , Carvalho Luísa , Duros João Grãos
Published: November 2011

Information technology and communication can expedite the assessment process of Portugal’s current economic situation, and subsequently of families diagnosed as poor, in order to optimize the redistribution of non-perishable goods in the context of a social market. By centralizing asset management in various institutions of social solidarity we can improve the efficiency of the allocations of goods. This article aims to present the importance of a technological platform to support the social market. This project was developed under an information modelling organizational analysis based on the current situation, as well as the assumptions of the operations needs of the future information system, which are involved in designing various institutions of social solidarity in the District of Setúbal. The added value of information system in the context of the social market relate to centralized management of information thereby allowing the reuse of non-perishable goods.
Networks of Co-Authorship
Authors: Pithon Antonio José Caulliraux , Ansuattigui Ralfh Varges , Stecklow Paulo Enrique
Published: November 2011

The networks are transorganizational arrangements forming a structure and, in a more abstract and generic manner, are built from the interactions between individuals and organizations. These interactions allow the emergence of network structures more related to personal ties and the types of existing social interactions between the actors. Social networks aren’t a recent enterprise, but have been the subject of deeper studies due to universalization and convergence of communication processes, fundamental to the establishment and proliferation of networks. The structure where networks are manifested calls for horizontality, where there is no formal hierarchy of the elements that comprise it, composed by nodes elements and lines elements. This article analyzes the social network of authorship of one of five Postgraduate Programs of CEFET/RJ, presenting the connections between network teachers, justifying the morphological characteristics of the network and suggesting methodologies for continuing the study for the teaching and researching networks.
Worldwide Diffusion of E-Parliament within the Framework of Policy Transfer
Authors: Sobaci Mehmet Zahid
Published: November 2011

The aim of this chapter is to analyze the worldwide diffusion of e-parliament and the role played by the Global Centre for ICT in Parliament (GCIP), within the framework of policy transfer. There are two main reasons why it is necessary to focus on the role of GCIP in the diffusion of e-parliament: 1) The GCIP is one of the most active actors in this process; and 2) Activities undertaken by the GCIP and its relations with its partners give important clues about the big picture of e-parliament transfer at the international level. In the analysis of worldwide diffusion process of e-parliament in this study, policy transfer literature is used. This chapter goes beyond the conceptual framework and case studies pave the way for the evaluation of e-parliament from a different perspective by focusing on the transfer of e-parliament as an innovation.
Communication and Documentation on Parliamentary Websites
Authors: Seta Enrico
Published: November 2011

This chapter describes a new section of the parliamentary website of the Italian Chamber of Deputies launched in November 2009 “Temi dell’attività parlamentare.” In this section, parliamentary records, research material, and hyperlinks to a variety of external information sources are integrated in a unified digital resource structured according to topical indexes. The new website’s section has been conceived as an evolution of documentation and research activities done by the internal staff of the Research Department of the Chamber of Deputies and benefits from the domain knowledge of the parliamentary documentation experts. The chapter discusses future innovation implied by the implementation of the project in the areas of institutional communication, documentation supporting legislators, and their staff internal organization. It also suggests that these innovations relate to the passage from e-government to the conceptual and operational model of “transformational government” (t-government), that emphasizes a citizen-centric delivery of public services, a shared services culture, and innovative methods in management of resources and skills in public administration.
The E-Parliament in Lithuania
Authors: Petrauskas Rimantas , Descarrega Neringa Vegyte
Published: November 2011

This chapter analyses the features of development of the e-Parliament in Lithuania. It describes a unique situation in the country where, since 1990, a representative legislative institution has been successfully developed from the outset together with information and communication technologies. Using documentary analysis, statistical information, and research from websites of members of the Parliament, it discusses the e-Parliament development model in the Parliament of Lithuania, its implementation, and results. It shows to what extent information technologies support the legislative process and help to build a relationship between democratic institutions and citizens in Lithuania. It describes future changes of the legislative process in Lithuania related to implementation of the information technologies. Conclusions are based on Lithuania’s experience in developing e-Parliament.
Aid Assisted Parliamentary Website Initiatives in Developing Countries
Authors: Ahmed Malik Aleem
Published: November 2011

Parliaments are the central institutions in the democratic forms of governments. Many parliaments, particularly in the lower middle income and low-income countries, perform poorly and tend to be closed institutions. They do not exchange timely information with the citizens. Parliamentary websites can assist the parliaments in opening up and interacting with the citizens to represent the real will of the people. Parliaments can use the websites as the means for actualizing the values of openness, transparency, and accountability. I explore a case of implementation of aid assisted parliamentary websites development initiative for four provincial parliaments of Pakistan. International development organizations may face different challenges during aid assisted parliamentary website development initiatives. I propose, by employing Information Technology Alteration Framework, that many of these challenges can be linked to the intercultural differences of values, norms, and practices between the donor and the host. This chapter also presents the lessons learned in the form of proposed solutions to overcome the challenges during the conception and implementation stages of aid assisted parliamentary website development initiatives.
Individualist Motivators and Community Functional Constraints in Social Media
Authors: Matei Sorin Adam , Bruno Robert J.
Published: November 2011

This chapter discusses the emergence of social media, especially wiki environments, as collaborative knowledge tools that function within a given set of individualistic and community-oriented cultural and functional constraints. The chapter provides the reader with an understanding of wiki social functions and technical capabilities and of the main value and cultural promises associated with them. It also examines the social and knowledge challenges they create and their likely impact on knowledge production in an individual and community setting. One main conclusion of the chapter is that wiki technologies need to be understood not as an overcoming of the tension between individualism and community, but as a product of their conflict, which they epitomize.
Conceptualizing Social Interactions in Networked Spaces
Authors: Kennedy Jenny
Published: November 2011

This chapter proposes the concept of “networked spaces” as a strategy for resolving the problematic binary of online and offline. Networked spaces are dynamic, and the contexts or narratives within them, relational. It is through the lived experiences of interactions in these spaces that the contexts of social interactions are suggested to be best examined.
Public Administrations and Citizens 2.0
Authors: Lovari Alessandro , Parisi Lorenza
Published: November 2011

The aim of this chapter is to describe how the use of social media, especially the use of social network sites, is influencing public communication strategies and online users’ interactions. We conducted an exploratory analysis of the prevalent use of Facebook pages by Italian municipalities examining the characteristics of the online interactions emerging in the communication strategies of four Italian provincial capitals: Rimini, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and Venezia. We compared the four municipality pages on Facebook looking at the number of users, age composition, and gender. Then we carried out a content analysis to describe the prevalent kinds of posts published in the municipality Walls on Facebook. We concluded that Italian municipalities are now adopting different communication strategies on Facebook: each municipality proposes a particular content mix that creates a specific communication flow addressed toward citizens.
Eco-Municipalities and Municipal Applications for Sustainability
Authors: Bostanci Seda H.
Published: November 2011

The eco-municipality models and municipal applications for sustainability are criticized for not yet finding a sustainable development model for Turkish municipalities. In the improvement of the sustainable municipality concept, some common decision had been taken and defined the related standards. LA21, EMAS for municipalities, and ISO standards are the examples coming forward. The methodology is based on literature review of experiences of the eco-projects that have been made in municipalities and SWOT analyses for these projects. In Turkey, the first step has been taken in LA21 processes to adopt the eco-municipal approach in transformation. For the further steps, the need for establishing an integrated model among the different applications has been concluded.
Meta-Rule Based Recommender Systems for Educational Applications
Authors: Zaldivar Vicente Arturo Romero , Burgos Daniel , Pardo Abelardo
Published: November 2011

Recommendation Systems are central in current applications to help the user find relevant information spread in large amounts of data. Most Recommendation Systems are more effective when huge amounts of user data are available. Educational applications are not popular enough to generate large amount of data. In this context, rule-based Recommendation Systems seem a better solution. Rules can offer specific recommendations with even no usage information. However, large rule-sets are hard to maintain, reengineer, and adapt to user preferences. Meta-rules can generalize a rule-set which provides bases for adaptation. In this chapter, the authors present the benefits of meta-rules, implemented as part of Meta-Mender, a meta-rule based Recommendation System. This is an effective solution to provide a personalized recommendation to the learner, and constitutes a new approach to Recommendation Systems.
Rotor Aeroelastic Stability Analysis Using Coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics/Computational Structural Dynamics
Authors: Yeo Hyeonsoo , Potsdam Mark , Ormiston Robert A.
Published: November 2011

Computational fluid dynamics/computational structural dynamics (CFD/CSD) coupling was successfully applied to the rotor aeroelastic stability problem to calculate lead–lag regressing mode damping of a hingeless rotor in hover and forward flight. A direct time domain numerical integration of the equations in response to suitable excitation was solved using a tight CFD/CSD coupling. Two different excitation methods—swashplate cyclic pitch and blade tip lead–lag force excitations—were investigated to provide suitable blade transient responses. The free decay transient response time histories were postprocessed using the moving-block method to determine the damping as a function of the rotor operating conditions. Coupled CFD/CSD analysis results are compared with the experimentally measured stability data obtained for a 7.5-ft-diameter Mach-scale hingeless rotor model as well as stability predictions using the comprehensive analysis Rotorcraft Comprehensive Analysis System (RCAS). The coupled CFD/CSD predictions agreed more closely with the experimental lead–lag damping measurements than RCAS predictions based on conventional aerodynamic methods, better capturing key features in the damping trends.
Improved Two-Dimensional Dynamic Stall Prediction with Structured and Hybrid Numerical Methods
Authors: Richter K. , Le Pape A. , Knopp T. , Costes M. , Gleize V. , Gardner A. D.
Published: November 2011

A joint comprehensive validation activity on the structured numerical method elsA and the hybrid numerical method TAU was conducted with respect to dynamic stall applications. To improve two-dimensional prediction, the influence of several factors on the dynamic stall prediction was
investigated. The validation was performed for three deep dynamic stall test cases of the rotor blade airfoil OA209 against experimental data from two-dimensional pitching airfoil experiments, covering low-speed and high-speed conditions. The requirements for spatial discretization and for
temporal resolution in elsA and TAU are shown. The impact of turbulence modeling is discussed for a variety of turbulence models ranging from one-equation Spalart–Allmaras-type models to state-of-the-art, seven-equation Reynolds stress models. The influence of the prediction of laminar/turbulent
boundary layer transition on the numerical dynamic stall simulation is described. Results of both numerical methods are compared to allow conclusions to be drawn with respect to an improved prediction of dynamic stall.
Probability density functions of long-lived tracer observations from satellite in the subtropical barrier region: data intercomparison
Authors: Palazzi E. , Fierli F. , Stiller G. P. , Urban J.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Past studies have shown that a clear relationship exists between the field of a passive tracer and the Probability Distribution Function (PDF) of tracer concentrations, which can be exploited to identify the position and variability of stratospheric barriers to isentropic mixing. In the present study, we focus on the dynamical barrier located in the subtropics. We calculate PDFs of the long-lived tracers nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) from different satellite instruments: the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) on board Aura, the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) on board Envisat, the Sub-Millimetre Radiometre (SMR) on board Odin and the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) on board UARS, overall covering the time period of 1992–2009. An analysis of the consistency among the different sets of data and their capability of identifying mixing regions and barrier-to-transport regions in the stratosphere and the subtropical barrier location is a prime aim of the present study. This is done looking at the morphological structure of the one- and two-dimensional PDFs of tracer concentrations measured by the different instruments. The latter differ in their spatial and temporal sampling and resolution, and there are some systematic differences in the determination of the subtropical barrier position that have been highlighted. However, the four satellite instruments offer an overall consistent picture of the subtropical barrier annual cycle. There is a strong seasonality consistently represented, characterized by the wintertime shift of the subtropical edge toward the summer hemisphere. However, the influence of the Quasi Biennial Oscillation (QBO) on isentropic transport and mixing, and by consequence, on the position of the subtropical barrier, is not equally represented in all satellite data using the methodology proposed.
Chemical characteristics of inorganic ammonium salts in PM2.5 in the atmosphere of Beijing (China)
Authors: Ianniello A. , Spataro F. , Esposito G. , Allegrini I. , Hu M. , Zhu T.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. The atmospheric concentrations of gaseous HNO3, HCl and NH3 and their relative salts have been measured during two field campaigns in the winter and in the summer of 2007 at Beijing (China), as part of CAREBEIJING (Campaigns of Air Quality Research in Beijing and Surrounding Region). In this study, annular denuder technique used with integration times of 2 and 24h to collect inorganic and soluble PM2.5 without interferences from gas–particle and particle–particle interactions. The results were discussed from the standpoint of temporal and diurnal variations and meteorological effects. Fine particulate Cl−, NH4+ and SO42− exhibited distinct temporal variations, while fine particulate NO3− did not show much variation with respect to season. Daily mean concentrations of fine particulate NH4+ and SO42− were higher during summer (12.30 μg m−3 and 18.24 μg m−3, respectively) than during winter (6.51 μg m−3 and 7.50 μg m−3, respectively). Daily mean concentrations of fine particulate Cl− were higher during winter (2.94 μg m−3) than during summer (0.79 μg m−3), while fine particulate NO3− showed similar both in winter (8.38 μg m−3) and in summer (9.62 μg m−3) periods. The presence of large amounts of fine particulate NO3− even in summer are due to higher local and regional concentrations of NH3 in the atmosphere available to neutralize H2SO4 and HNO3, which is consistent with the observation that the measured particulate species were neutralized. The composition of fine particulate matter indicated the domination of (NH4)2SO4 during winter and summer periods. In addition, the high relative humidity conditions in summer period seemed to dissolve a significant fraction of HNO3 and NH3 enhancing fine particulate NO3− and NH4+ in the atmosphere. All measured particulate species showed diurnal similar patterns during the winter and summer periods with higher peaks in the early morning, especially in summer, when humid and stable atmospheric conditions occurred. These diurnal variations were affected by wind direction suggesting regional and local source influences. The fine particulate species were correlated with NOx and PM2.5, supporting the hypothesis that traffic may be also an important source of secondary particles.
MAX-DOAS tropospheric nitrogen dioxide column measurements compared with the Lotos-Euros air quality model
Authors: Vlemmix T. , Eskes H. J. , Piters A. J. M. , Kelder H. , Levelt P. F.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. A data set of ground based tropospheric NO2 column observations from De Bilt, the Netherlands, has been compared with the regional air quality model Lotos-Euros. The size of the data set (355 days spread over 14 months, 2106 hourly averages) enables statistically significant conclusions, despite a strong variability in both data sets, and allows to study the seasonal, weekly and diurnal variability and dependence on meteorological variables. The model was run on a 7×7 km grid, and based on an emission data base with the same resolution. With this resolution the model is able to resolve the major sources in the neighborhood of the measurement location. Since for the largest part the observations were performed under cloudy conditions, a retrieval study was done to assess the effect of clouds on the retrieval accuracy. It was found that the sensitivity to NO2 in the boundary layer is almost unchanged by clouds, provided that the cloud bottom height is above the NO2 and that a viewing elevation angle is used of 30° above the horizon. Partially cloudy conditions, even when above the NO2, may have a significant positive or negative impact on individual measurements, but when averaged over time do not cause a significant bias. In general a good agreement was found between modeled and measured tropospheric NO2 columns, with an average difference of less than 1% of the average tropospheric column (14.5 · 10 15 molec cm−2). This holds for both the cloud covered and cloud free observations, and the comparisons show very little cloud cover dependence after the cloud corrections. Hourly differences between observations and model show a Gaussian behavior with a standard deviation σ = 5.5 · 1015 molec cm−2. For daily averages of tropospheric NO2 columns, a correlation 0.72 was found for all observations, and 0.79 for cloud free conditions. The measured and modeled tropospheric NO2 columns have an almost identical distribution over the wind directions, when averaged over 12 sectors of 30°. A significant difference between model and measurements was found for the average weekly cycle, which shows a much stronger decrease in the weekend for the observations, and for the diurnal cycle, for which the observed range is about twice as large as the modeled range. In addition the observations show a decrease with increasing temperature, whereas the model shows no dependency on the temperature for this data set which did not include summer months. The results of the comparison demonstrate that averaged over a long time period, the tropospheric NO2 column observations are representative for a large spatial area despite the fact that they were obtained in an urban region. This makes the MAX-DOAS technique, more than in situ techniques, especially suitable for validation of satellite observations and air quality models in urban regions.
Influence of Ross Sea Bottom Water changes on the warming and freshening of the Antarctic Bottom Water in the Australian-Antarctic Basin
Authors: Shimada K. , Aoki S. , Ohshima K. I. , Rintoul S. R.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. The WOCE Hydrographic Program (WHP) and repeated hydrographic data were used to document overall property changes of the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) in the Australian-Antarctic Basin between the 1990s and 2000s. Strong cooling and freshening is observed on isopycnals for layers denser than γn = 28.30. Changes in average salinity and potential temperature below this isopycnal correspond to basin-wide warming of 1300 ± 200 TW and freshening of 24 ± 3 Gt yr−1. While freshening can be explained by freshening of major source waters, i.e., the High Salinity Shelf Water (HSSW) of the Ross Sea and the dense shelf water formed in the Adélie and George V Land (AGVL) region, extensive warming of the AABW cannot be explained by warming of the source waters. A possible cause of warming of the AABW is a decrease in supply of the Ross Sea Bottom Water (RSBW). Hydrographic profiles between the Drygalski Trough of the Western Ross Sea and 150° E were analyzed in the context of a simple advective-diffusive model to assess the causes of the observed changes. The RSBW has also warmed by a larger amount than its source water (the HSSW). The model suggests that the warming of the RSBW observed between the 1970s and 2000s can be explained by a 21 ± 23% reduction in transport of the RSBW and an enhancement of the vertical diffusion of heat as a result of a 30 ± 7% weakening of the abyssal stratification. Freshening of the HSSW reduced the salinity and density stratification between the bottom water layer and overlying ambient water. Hence, freshening of the HSSW both directly freshened and indirectly warmed the RSBW by enhancing the vertical mixing. A simple box model suggest that changes in property and volume transport (decrease of 6.7% is assumed between the year 1995 and 2005) of the RSBW can explain 51 ± 6% of the warming and 84 ± 10% of the freshening observed in the AABW. These facts demonstrate that changes in both property and volume transport of the RSBW have contributed to the warming and freshening of the AABW in the Australian-Antarctic Basin.
Modelling the 20th and 21st century evolution of Hoffellsjökull glacier, SE-Vatnajökull, Iceland
Authors: Aðalgeirsdóttir G. , Guðmundsson S. , Björnsson H. , Pálsson F. , Jóhannesson T. , Hannesdóttir H. , Sigurðsson S. Þ. , Berthier E.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. The Little Ice Age maximum extent of glaciers in Iceland was reached about 1890 AD and most glaciers in the country have retreated during the 20th century. A model for the surface mass balance and the flow of glaciers is used to reconstruct the 20th century retreat history of Hoffellsjökull, a south-flowing outlet glacier of the ice cap Vatnajökull, which is located close to the southeastern coast of Iceland. The bedrock topography was surveyed with radio-echo soundings in 2001. A wealth of data are available to force and constrain the model, e.g. surface elevation maps from ~1890, 1936, 1946, 1989, 2001, 2008 and 2010, mass balance observations conducted in 1936–1938 and after 2001, energy balance measurements after 2001, and glacier surface velocity derived by kinematic and differential GPS surveys and correlation of SPOT5 images. The approximately 20% volume loss of this glacier in the period 1895–2010 is realistically simulated with the model. After calibration of the model with past observations, it is used to simulate the future response of the glacier during the 21st century. The mass balance model was forced with an ensemble of temperature and precipitation scenarios derived from 10 global and 3 regional climate model simulations using the A1B emission scenario. If the average climate of 2000–2009 is maintained into the future, the volume of the glacier is projected to be reduced by 30% with respect to the present at the end of this century. If the climate warms, as suggested by most of the climate change scenarios, the model projects this glacier to almost disappear by the end of the 21st century. Runoff from the glacier is predicted to increase for the next 30–40 yr and decrease after that as a consequence of the diminishing ice-covered area.
Mad Honey Intoxication: A Case Series of 21 Patients
Authors: Demir Hasan , Denizbasi Arzu , Onur Ozge
Published: October 2011

Background. The “grayanotoxin (mad honey)” poisoning is not known commonly, there are some case series and case reports in the medical literature about it, especially in Turkey. The aim of this study was to describe the presentation of 21 natural honey intoxication cases and to review the literature. Material and Method. This study is retrospective analysis of twenty one patients who were admitted to the emergency department due to honey poisoning. Results. Median age of 21 patients was 55. The mean length of delay after consumption is 3.4 hrs. Dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, nausea-vomiting, and low blood pressure were the most observed symptoms. Mean pulse rate was 56/min. Mean systolic blood pressure was 102 mmHg. The mean length of hospital stay is 14.7 hrs. Patient rhytms on arrival were as follows: 10 patients were in normal sinus rhytm, 7 sinus bradycardia, 3 nodal rhytm, 1 atrial fibrillation. Atropine was given to 18 patients. None of our patients died and all were discharged home without any complication. Discussion. In the emergency setting, poisoning is a clinical state which is very hard to identify. We have to keep in mind that drugs and toxins may cause lethal dysrhythmias.
Measuring Opsonic Phagocytosis via Fcγ Receptors and Complement Receptors on Macrophages
Authors: Mosser David M. , Zhang Xia
Published: November 2011

Phagocytosis is a cellular process that plays crucial roles in the removal of dead or dying cells, tissue remodeling, and host defense against invading pathogens. Most eukaryotic cells are decorated with glycoproteins containing terminal sialic acids, whose negative charges tend to repel cells, making so‐called “nonspecific” phagocytosis a relatively inefficient process. Professional phagocytes are so designated because they express two major classes of receptors on their surfaces that are primarily involved in phagocytosis. Paradoxically, these receptors do not recognize microbes directly, but rather endogenous proteins that become tethered to microbes and target them for destruction. These are the Fcγ receptors that bind to the Fc portion of IgG and the complement receptors (CRs), which bind primarily to cleavage products of the third component of complement, C3. This unit describes assays that are used to measure these two types of macrophage phagocytosis. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 95:14.27.1‐14.27.11. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis in the Mouse
Authors: Wu Bo , Goluszko Elzbieta , Huda Ruksana , Tüzün Erdem , Christadoss Premkumar
Published: November 2011

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a T cell–dependent antibody‐mediated autoimmune neuromuscular disease. Antibodies to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) destroy the AChR, thus leading to defective neuromuscular transmission of electrical impulse and to muscle weakness. This unit is a practical guide to the induction and evaluation of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) in the mouse, the animal model for MG. Protocols are provided for the extraction and purification of AChR from the electric organs of Torpedo californica, or the electric ray. The purified receptor is used as an immunogen to induce autoimmunity to AChR, thus causing EAMG. The defect in neuromuscular transmission can also be measured quantitatively by electromyography. In addition, EAMG is frequently characterized by the presence of serum antibodies to AChR, which are measured by radioimmunoassay and by a marked antibody‐mediated reduction in the number of muscle AChRs. AChR extracted from mouse muscle is used in measuring serum antibody levels and for quantifying muscle AChR content. Another hallmark of the disease is complement and IgG deposits located at the neuromuscular junction, which can be visualized by immunofluorescence techniques. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 95:15.23.1‐15.23.26. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Systematic review of the epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus in the Asia‐Pacific region: Prevalence, incidence, clinical features, and mortality
Authors: Jakes Rupert W. , Bae Sang‐Cheol , Louthrenoo Worawit , Mok Chi‐Chiu , Navarra Sandra V. , Kwon Namhee
Published: November 2011

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease with a wide spectrum of manifestations, shows considerable variation across the globe, although there is little evidence to indicate its relative prevalence in Asia. This review describes its prevalence, severity, and outcome across countries in the Asia‐Pacific region.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search using 3 groups of terms (SLE, epidemiology, and Asia‐Pacific countries) of EMBase and PubMed databases and non–English language resources, including Chinese Wanfang, Korean KMbase, Korean College of Rheumatology, Japana Centra Revuo Medicina, Taiwan National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, and Taiwanese, Thai, and Vietnamese journals.

Results

The review showed considerable variation in SLE burden and survival rates across Asia‐Pacific countries. Overall crude incidence rates (per 100,000 per year) ranged from 0.9–3.1, while crude prevalence rates ranged from 4.3–45.3 (per 100,000). Higher rates of renal involvement, one of the main systems involved at death, were observed for Asians (21–65% at diagnosis and 40–82% over time) than for whites. While infections and active SLE were leading causes of death, a substantial proportion (6–40%) of deaths was due to cardiovascular involvement. The correlation between the Human Development Index and 5‐year survival was 0.83.

Conclusion

This review highlights the need to closely monitor Asian SLE patients in Asian countries for renal and cardiovascular involvement, especially those who may not receive proper treatment and are therefore at greater risk of severe disease. We hope this will encourage further research specific to this region and lead to improved clinical management.
Novel 3D Wollastonite‐Based Scaffolds from Preceramic Polymers Containing Micro‐ and Nano‐Sized Reactive Particles
Authors: Bernardo Enrico , Colombo Paolo , Dainese Emil , Lucchetta Giovanni , Bariani Paolo F.
Published: November 2011

Wollastonite (CaSiO3) ceramics are well known biomaterials which can be produced using many different techniques. The present paper illustrates an innovative processing method employing preceramic polymers (silicone resins) containing CaCO3 micro‐ and nano‐sized particles, which act as reactive fillers. Silica from the decomposition of the silicone resins reacts at low temperature with the CaO deriving from the fillers, yielding wollastonite ceramics. Hydroxyapatite powders can also be added, to modify the biological response of the material. This approach enables the fabrication of 3D scaffolds via fused deposition or via conventional hot extrusion.
Mineralization of Collagen‐Coated Electrospun Poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) Nanofibrous Mesh to Enhance Growth and Differentiation of Osteoblasts and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Lao Lihong , Zhu Yang , Zhang Yuying , Gao Zhenyu , Zhou Feng , Chen Longkun , Ouyang Hongwei , Gao Changyou
Published: November 2011

To obtain the biomimetic scaffolding materials for bone tissue engineering, poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) nanofibrous mesh (NFM) was mineralized in a 5× simulated body fluid (SBF) for different time after it was treated by air plasma for 15 min and subsequent collagen coating. The apatite particles were nucleated on the surface of individual nanofibers, gradually grew up, and finally covered the whole NFM surface. The mineral aggregates were mainly composed of tiny hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles, whose content reached a constant value of 54 µg · cm−2 after 9 days. The collagen coating and apatite deposition enhanced the NFM strength pronouncedly too. In vitro cell culture demonstrated that the non‐ or less mineralized NFMs were more beneficial of cell spreading and proliferation than those highly mineralized NFMs, but the latter ones could strongly promote secretion of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by osteoblasts after cultured for 14 days. Moreover, the highly mineralized NFMs also could significantly up‐regulated ALP activity and calcium synthesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), demonstrating that these NFMs are more favorable of the osteoblast phenotype expression and osteogenic induction. Therefore, the biomimetic apatite deposited PLGA/collagen NFM could be a promising candidate scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
Electrostatic Spray Deposition of Biomimetic Nanocrystalline Apatite Coatings onto Titanium
Authors: Iafisco Michele , Bosco Ruggero , Leeuwenburgh Sander C. G. , van den Beucken Jeroen J. J. P. , Jansen John A. , Prat Maria , Roveri Norberto
Published: November 2011

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used to manufacture orthopedic and dental implants due to their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Although these materials are bioinert, improvement of biological properties (e.g., bone implant contact) can be obtained by the application of a coating made of nanostructured apatite. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability of the electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique for the deposition of nanostructured apatite coatings onto commercially pure (cp) Ti substrates at room temperature. To that end, poorly crystalline, nano‐sized, carbonate‐apatite plate‐like particles with dimensions similar to the nanocrystals present in bone were synthesized using wet‐chemical precipitation techniques and their physicochemical properties were subsequently characterized thoroughly. The apatite suspensions were optimized for the ESD process in terms of dispersion, aggregation, and stability. Furthermore, relevant ESD processing parameters, including nozzle‐to‐substrate distance, relative humidity in the deposition chamber and deposition time were varied in order to study their effects on coating morphology. Porous films made of agglomerates of nano‐sized apatite particles of ≈50 nm were generated, demonstrating the feasibility of the ESD technique for the deposition of thin apatite coatings with a nano‐sized surface morphology onto titanium substrates. The ability of these nanocrystals to bind therapeutic agents for bone diseases and the capability of ESD to produce coating at physiological conditions makes this work a first step toward the set‐up of coatings for bone implants based on surface‐activated apatite with improved functionality.
A novel method for the synthesis of polyhydrazide and polythiohydrazide from urea and thiourea
Authors: Abdolmaleki Amir
Published: November 2011

A novel technique based on microwave irradiation was developed to synthesize polyhydrazide and polythiohydrazide. These polymers were readily synthesized by the reaction of aromatic and aliphatic dihydrazides with urea and thiourea. The effects of microwave irradiation time, power, solvent nature, and solid content of monomers on the inherent viscosity of the polymers were investigated. The polymers were characterized by 1H‐NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effect of carbon nanotubes on dynamic mechanical properties, TGA, and crystalline structure of polypropylene
Authors: Razavi‐Nouri Mohammad
Published: November 2011

This paper is devoted to the preparation of thermoplastic nanocomposites of polypropylene (PP) and different amounts of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in the range 0.25–2 wt %. The effect of SWNT content on the dynamic mechanical behavior, thermal degradation, crystalline structure, and the kinetic crystallizability of PP were studied. The results obtained from dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA) showed that the maximum storage modulus was achieved when 1 wt % SWNT was added into the pristine polymer. Thermal stability of the nanocomposites was measured by thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). From the TGA results, it was found that the weight fraction of PP which was located at the interface for the nanocomposite containing 0.5% SWNT was about 60%, and this value did not change much with the addition of higher amounts of SWNT. Moreover, the thickness of the interface between PP and SWNT was estimated to be of the order of 101 nm which is very close to the radii of gyration of PP molecular chains. Wide angle X‐ray diffractometer (WAXD) was used to explore the crystalline structure of water and slow‐cooled samples. It was found that the crystallization of PP in 040 lattice plane increased for the nanocomposites compared with PP for both cooling rates studied. It was also found that the kinetic crystallizability values were nearly the same for PP and the nanocomposites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Electrospun vascular graft properties following femtosecond laser ablation
Authors: Lee Carol H. , Lim Yong C. , Powell Heather M. , Farson Dave F. , Lannutti John J.
Published: November 2011

For polymers in tissue engineering to reach their full potential, the three‐dimensional integration of cells with scaffolds must become more complex. In vascular grafts this is particularly challenging as specific physical property requirements must be met. We apply a combination of polymer processing techniques—electrospinning and femtosecond laser ablation—to produce microchannels inside the walls of electrospun tubes providing for spatially‐controlled cell seeding. To determine if such a scaffold can provide the desired physical properties, a greater understanding of the relationship between manufacturing and mechanics is needed. As the strength of these scaffolds is an important functional component, the relative properties of single, bi‐ and tri‐layer combinations produced using different solvents were compared. The effect of fiber layer thickness was also investigated. The thickness of the hexafluorisopropanol‐derived layer dominated the overall scaffold properties regardless of the nature of the other two layers. Although laser‐machined microchannels had substantial effects on single layer and some of the bilayers, in the “final” trilayer scaffold, little effect on mechanical properties was observed. The concept of “vascular wall engineering” could successfully produce trilayer composite scaffolds that maintain the targeted mechanical properties while allowing intricate, three‐dimensional cell seeding. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012