bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical model for web multimedia documents retrieval and periodical updates
Authors: Habib Sami , Safar Maytham 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a four‐level hierarchy model for multimedia documents representation to be used during the dynamic scheduling and altering of multimedia contents.Design/methodology/approachThe four‐level hierarchy model (object, operation, timing, and precedence), offers a fine‐grain representation of multimedia contents and is embedded within a research tool, which is called WEBCAP. WEBCAP utilizes the four‐level hierarchy to synchronize the retrieval of objects in the multimedia document employing Allen's temporal relations, and then applies the Bellman‐Ford's algorithm on the precedence graph to schedule all operations (fetch, transmit, process, and render), while satisfying the in‐time updating and all web workload's resources constraints.FindingsThe experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the model in scheduling the periodical updating multimedia documents while considering a variety of workloads on web/TCP.Research limitations/implicationsWEBCAP should be enhanced to automatically measure and/or approximate the available bandwidth of the system using sophisticated measurement of end‐to‐end connectivity. In addition, WEBCAP should be expanded and enhanced to examine system infrastructure for more real‐time applications, such as tele‐medicine and e‐learning.Practical implicationsWEBCAP can be used as an XML markup language for describing multimedia presentations. It can be used to create online presentations similar to PowerPoint on desktop environment, or used as an interactive e‐learning tool. An HTML browser may use a WEBCAP plug‐in to display a WEBCAP document embedded in an HTML/XML page.Originality/valueThis paper proposed a dynamic scheduling of multimedia documents with frequent updates taking into consideration the network's workload to reduce the packet lost ratio in the TCP flow, especially in the early stages. WEBCAP can be used to guide distributed systems designers/managers to schedule or tune their resources for optimal or near optimal performance, subject to minimizing the cost of document retrieval while satisfying the in time constraints.
SensorWebIDS: a web mining intrusion detection system
Authors: Ezeife C.I. , Dong Jingyu , Aggarwal A.K. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a web intrusion detection system (IDS), SensorWebIDS, which applies data mining, anomaly and misuse intrusion detection on web environment.Design/methodology/approachSensorWebIDS has three main components: the network sensor for extracting parameters from real‐time network traffic, the log digger for extracting parameters from web log files and the audit engine for analyzing all web request parameters for intrusion detection. To combat web intrusions like buffer‐over‐flow attack, SensorWebIDS utilizes an algorithm based on standard deviation (δ) theory's empirical rule of 99.7 percent of data lying within 3δof the mean, to calculate the possible maximum value length of input parameters. Association rule mining technique is employed for mining frequent parameter list and their sequential order to identify intrusions.FindingsExperiments show that proposed system has higher detection rate for web intrusions than SNORT and mod security for such classes of web intrusions like cross‐site scripting, SQL‐Injection, session hijacking, cookie poison, denial of service, buffer overflow, and probes attacks.Research limitations/implicationsFuture work may extend the system to detect intrusions implanted with hacking tools and not through straight HTTP requests or intrusions embedded in non‐basic resources like multimedia files and others, track illegal web users with their prior web‐access sequences, implement minimum and maximum values for integer data, and automate the process of pre‐processing training data so that it is clean and free of intrusion for accurate detection results.Practical implicationsWeb service security, as a branch of network security, is becoming more important as more business and social activities are moved online to the web.Originality/valueExisting network IDSs are not directly applicable to web intrusion detection, because these IDSs are mostly sitting on the lower (network/transport) level of network model while web services are running on the higher (application) level. Proposed SensorWebIDS detects XSS and SQL‐Injection attacks through signatures, while other types of attacks are detected using association rule mining and statistics to compute frequent parameter list order and their maximum value lengths.
Attitudes toward material possessions among Chinese children
Authors: Chan Kara , Hu Fan 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis study seeks to quantify how children in urban China perceive someone described as owning many or few expensive toys. It aims to measure the types of possessions and personal characteristics they attributed to such individuals. This is an extension of previous research on perceived links between possessions and personal characteristics.Design/methodology/approachA total of 268 Chinese children aged 9 to 14 were surveyed using a self‐administered questionnaire. Participants saw photos of a child described as having few or many expensive toys. They then imagined the possessions and personal characteristics of such a child. They also reported which child they would prefer to be.FindingsA child with a lot of toys was perceived as more likely to have branded toys and new media toys. Such a child was more likely to be imagined as spending irresponsibly, selfish and envious of others. A child without many toys was considered more likely to have books and sports‐related toys. Participants were more likely to perceive this child as hardworking, with good academic results, smart, and with lots of friends. A total of 40 percent of the participants said they would prefer to be the child without many toys.Research limitations/implicationsThe participants mostly came from lower middle class families, and they may be particularly inclined to project good qualities on people without many possessions.Practical implicationsMarketers and advertisers should be sensitive to the perceived link between possessions and negative personal characteristics of the owner. Advertisers of premium products and brands for children should stress the functional superiority of the products.Originality/valueThese results quantify and verify the results of a previous qualitative enquiry. They provide guidelines for marketers attempting to reach children in China in a culturally sensitive manner.
Patient satisfaction with healthcare delivery systems
Authors: Baalbaki Imad , Ahmed Zafar U. , Pashtenko Valentin H. , Makarem Suzanne 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insight, exploratory research, and support for the strategic use of hospital secondary support functions as an initial strategy for marketing healthcare, increasing patient volume, and expanding patient satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThis research paper is based upon longitudinal patient satisfaction and perception studies following both emergency room and elective‐stay hospitalization visits in Beirut. Exploratory statistical methods are used to examine substantial data comprising over 300 patient stays. Comprehensive information is presented which illustrates patient perceptions, their inflection points, and the importance of this knowledge in the marketing of hospitals and health care systems.FindingsThis research paper presents that patient perceptions are significantly influenced by hospital support functions. Further, these perceptions determine hospital reputation, influence future patient demands, and are integral to the understanding of patients as consumers of health care systems rather than consumers of medical procedures.Practical implicationsThis paper provides support for health care system administrators who are often at odds with health care core service administrators and personnel with respect to long‐term hospital growth strategies. It illustrates that focusing on increasing core competencies is a short‐sighted approach to developing health care systems. It provides support for growing secondary support functions as being a more efficient means to increasing long‐term core competencies.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper is that it illustrates the conflict between the immediate medical care that health care systems understand to be their strategy and the strategies that truly grow hospital health care systems. It illustrates the paradox that requires hospitals to focus upon secondary support functions rather than core competencies in order to market themselves using strategies consistent with long‐term growth.
Research in applying the financial appraisal profile model to an information communication technology project within a professional association
Authors: Lefley Frank 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on research in applying the financial appraisal profile (FAP) model to an information communication technology project within a professional association and to evaluate the model's effectiveness and acceptability.Design/methodology/approachThe FAP model incorporates both rationalistic and hermeneutic paradigms. An action research/single case study approach has been use to “evaluate” the model in a real life situation.FindingsIt is shown that the model addresses many of the issues it set out to address and is perceived by both senior and corporate management as an effective tool in the evaluation of capital assets such as information technology (IT) projects. Important issues regarding, what has been termed, “groupthink” and the influence of a “project champion” on the evaluation of capital projects are also highlighted. The inclusion of what has been termed “the IT score” further enhances the models applicability to IT projects.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the practical application of the model provides credible evidence for its pragmatic support, this is limited by the fact that it is based on a single case study.Practical implicationsIt is hoped that practitioners will find the FAP model more pragmatic than their existing capital investment appraisal methods/procedures and that it will result in improved decision making.Originality/valueThe FAP model is a new concept and this is the first study in applying this model to an actual real life capital project. It also shows how a Delphi approach can be used in a practical setting.
Evaluation of a rapid ELISA technique for detection of circulating antigens of Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Chen Rui , Lu Shaohong , Lou Di , Lin Aifen , Zeng Xiaojun , Ding Zhenyin , Wen Liyong , Ohta Nobuo , Wang Jinfu , Fu Cuie 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTTo evaluate a modified rapid ELISA method for detecting CAg during Toxoplasma gondii infection, we analyzed the specificity and sensitivity of the ELISA method by using experimental Toxoplasma infection in rabbits and also tested this method in human samples including 5428 serum, 548 cerebrospinal fluid and two breast milk samples. We prepared PcAb, and used it for rapid one‐step sandwich ELISA testing in which an incubation time in the regular ELISA procedure was omitted. This method detected CAg at the concentration of 31.2 ng/mL, and no cross‐reaction was found with antigens of protozoa (Cryptosporidium parvum, Plasmodium falciparum), trematode (Schistosoma japonicum, Paragonimus sp.) and nematode (Brugia malayi, Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichinella spiralis). CAg was detected in rabbit serum 3 days after infection, and optical density values reached a peak 9 ∼ 13 days after infection, then declined gradually. Among human serum samples, the positive rate of CAg was 2.11% in cerebral paralysis patients, whereas it was 0.22% or 0.71% in patients without neurological symptoms or in uncomplicated pregnant women. The difference among these three groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The positive rate of cerebrospinal fluid samples from cerebral paralysis patients was 10.58%. There is a statistically significant difference between the positive rates of meat‐packing workers and blood donors (P < 0.01). In the retrospective analysis, CAg was detected in accordance with the onset of clinical symptoms, suggesting that CAg could reflect the clinical course in humans. Together with these results, CAg detected in the modified rapid sandwich ELISA could be a sensitive marker for acute and active infection of T. gondii.
Enhancement of gene expression by a peptide p(CHWPR) produced by Bifidobacterium lactis BB‐12
Authors: Mitsuma Takashi , Odajima Hiroko , Momiyama Zyunko , Watanabe Kana , Masuguchi Misako , Sekine Takashi , Shidara Satoshi , Hirano Shigeki 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTRecently, probiotics, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus, among other organisms, have been clinically applied for their enhancing effects on defense mechanisms. It is reported that gene expression in somatic cells can be activated by autoinducers, which are hormone‐like molecules produced in a microbial QS system. In the present study, based on a hypothesis that a low‐molecular substance related to the QS system is involved in the probiotics effects of Bifidobacterium, we intended to extract the low‐molecular substance. As a result, we successfully isolated the peptide p(CHWPR), which was composed of five amino acids including Cys, His, Trp, Pro, and Arg, and found that the peptide was produced in the stationary phase of bacterial growth and that it could enhance the gene expression of oxalyl‐CoA decarboxylase (Oxc). p(CHWPR) enhanced the gene expression of c‐myc and interleukin (IL)‐6 in an established cell line, HL‐60. We demonstrated that p(CHWPR) penetrates the cell membrane and binds specifically to RORγ, which is a cytosolic nuclear receptor. This suggests that RORγ bound to p(CHWPR) would bind to promoter regions of the c‐myc gene. Furthermore, we found that p(CHWPR) also bound to a transcriptional avtivation subunit, CRSP70; this suggests that p(CHWPR), RORγ, and CRSP70 in combination enhance transcription activity.
Increased susceptibility to tumor necrosis factor‐α in butyric acid‐induced apoptosis is caused by downregulation of cFLIP expression in Jurkat T cells
Authors: Seto Shintaro , Kurita‐Ochiai Tomoko , Ochiai Kuniyasu 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTButyric acid is one of the major extracellular metabolites of periodontopathic Gram‐negative bacteria. We previously demonstrated that butyric acid induced apoptosis in human T cells. In the present study, we examined the interaction between butyric acid and TNF‐α in Jurkat T‐cell apoptosis. Simultaneous treatment with TNF‐α enhanced butyric acid‐induced apoptosis by promoting caspase activity more than was achieved by either reagent alone. We examined which genes were associated with the increased susceptibility to TNF‐α caused by butyric acid, and revealed that expression of cFLIP decreased with increased concentrations of butyric acid. Furthermore, exogenous expression of cFLIP protein suppressed the enhancing effect by TNF‐α in the apoptosis. These results suggest that butyric acid downregulates cFLIP expression and increases the susceptibility to TNF‐α by activating caspases via the death receptor signal.
Identification of a human monoclonal Fab with neutralizing activity against H3N2 influenza A strain from a newly constructed human Fab library
Authors: Shibuya Tadamasa , Yamashiro Tetsu , Masaike Yuka , Ohuchi Masanobu , Uechi Gen‐ichiro , Nishizono Akira 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTA combinatorial Fab library was constructed in pComb3H phagemid vectors, using RNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes of a healthy volunteer who had recovered from an influenza A virus infection. The library contained approximately 1.3 × 108E. coli transformants. Bio‐panning was carried out against an influenza vaccine containing components of influenza A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1), A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2), and B/Shandong/7/97 for the enrichment of phages displaying human Fab specific to the viral proteins. E. coli transformed with IF1A11, 1 of 94 randomly selected clones, displayed a human Fab antibody molecule (FabIF1A11) with efficient neutralizing activity against H3N2 influenza A virus strains. The purified FabIF1A11 demonstrated neutralizing activity against A/Okayama/6/01 (H3N2) and A/Kitakyushu/159/93 (H3N2) with 50% plaque reduction neutralization titers of 0.11 μg/ml (2.2 nM) and 1.4 μg/ml (28 nM) respectively. However, FabIF1A11 did not show neutralizing activity against the influenza A virus strain A/USSR/77 (H1N1) or the influenza B virus strain B/Kanagawa/73, even at a concentration of 20 μg/ml (400 nM). The Kd of FabIF1A11 was calculated as 3.6 × 10−9 M. FabIF1A11 was estimated to recognize a conformational epitope on the hemagglutinin of A/Okayama/6/01 (H3N2). The human monoclonal Fab product FabIF1A11 may have potential as a therapeutic or short‐term prophylactic molecule for humans with influenza A H3N2 infection.
Polymeric black tea polyphenols inhibit mouse skin chemical carcinogenesis by decreasing cell proliferation
Authors: Patel R. , Krishnan R. , Ramchandani A. , Maru G. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract.  Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the antitumour promoting effects and possible mechanisms of action of the most abundant polymeric black tea polyphenols (PBPs 1–5) or thearubigins, in vivo. Materials and methods: Effect of PBP pre‐treatments on 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) promoted skin papillomas was studied in 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene initiated mice over 40 weeks. Cell proliferation and apoptosis, in epidermis of the skin, were measured using appropriate immunohistochemical staining. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase signalling studies were conducted with Western blot analysis at 10, 20, 30 and 40 weeks of promotion. Results: Pre‐treatments with PBP fractions differentially altered latency, multiplicity and incidence of skin papillomas as compared to TPA treatments thereby exhibiting antipromoting effects. Most PBP fractions decreased TPA‐induced cell proliferation by decreasing activation of signalling kinases (c‐Jun N‐terminal protein kinase, extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase, p38 protein kinase and Akt), transcription factors (activator protein‐1 and nuclear factor kappa B) and inflammatory protein (cyclooxygenase 2). TPA‐induced epidermal cell apoptosis was also decreased by pre‐treatment with most PBP fractions. Higher levels of p53 and p21 in skin cells pre‐treated with PBP fractions followed by TPA treatment as compared to only TPA‐treated animals suggested possible activation of a cell cycle checkpoint. Conclusions: PBP‐2 was observed to be the most potent polymeric polyphenol fraction and PBP‐4 and PBP‐5 showed only marginal activity, whereas PBP‐1 and PBP‐3 displayed intermediate efficacies. In conclusion, the protective effects of PBP fractions could be attributed to inhibition of TPA‐induced cellular proliferation.
Resistance to ship‐induced waves of benthic invertebrates in various littoral habitats
Authors: GABEL F. , GARCIA X. ‐F. , BRAUNS M. , SUKHODOLOV A. , LESZINSKI M. , PUSCH M. T. 
Published: April 2008

Summary1. Ship‐induced waves disturb benthic invertebrate assemblages colonizing littoral zones of lakes and rivers. However, the impact of ship‐induced waves on invertebrates has rarely been quantified, and the influencing factors have not been addressed.2. In an experimental wave tank, five benthic invertebrate species, Bithynia tentaculata, Calopteryx splendens, Dikerogammarus villosus, Gammarus roeseli and Laccophilus hyalinus, were exposed to waves of increasing shear stress (0.43–2.19 N m−2). Mean number of detached individuals was recorded for five littoral habitats [coarse woody debris (CWD), reeds, sand, stones and tree roots], representing different levels of structural complexity as quantified by their fractal dimensions (FD).3. Results showed that detachment of invertebrates was significantly related to shear stress in all habitats except tree roots. Detachments averaged for the five species were significantly lower in habitats with a high degree of structural complexity, decreasing in the habitat sequence: sand, CWD, stones, reeds and tree roots.4. Consistent with their different morphologies and methods of attachment to substrates, the five species displayed differences in their response to hydraulic stress that were dependent on habitat.5. The increasing sheltering effect of structural habitat complexity was mirrored by increasing dissipation of the kinetic energy of waves; i.e. the FD of the habitat was positively correlated with shear stress reduction due to the flow resistance of the habitat.6. Network habitats such as tree roots provided the best sheltering conditions against hydraulic disturbance, because they combined good refuge availability for all studied invertebrate species and maximal dissipation of kinetic wave energy. Consequently, persistent anthropogenic impacts, such as lakeshore modification or long‐term exposure to ship‐induced waves, which cause disappearance of complex littoral habitats such as tree roots or dense reed belts, will drastically increase the adverse effects of boating and ship traffic on littoral invertebrate assemblages.
Taxonomic differences in the essential fatty acid composition of groups of freshwater zooplankton relate to reproductive demands and generation time
Authors: SMYNTEK PETER M. , TEECE MARK A. , SCHULZ KIMBERLY L. , STORCH ADAM J. 
Published: April 2008

Summary1. Marked differences were observed in the total fatty acid concentrations and essential fatty acid (EFA) distributions of co‐existing freshwater copepods and cladocerans in four large lake systems (lakes Michigan, Erie, Ontario and Champlain) over two growing seasons. These patterns appeared independent of lake seston EFA composition.2. Compared to the cladocerans, calanoid and cyclopoid copepods contained significantly higher concentrations of total fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an EFA abundant in fish. Calanoids and cladocerans contained similar levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), but cladocerans showed EPA : DHA ratios consistently greater than those of the available seston food source. Alpha‐linolenic acid was most abundant in the herbivorous cladocerans, Daphnia and Holopedium, while the highest concentrations of arachidonic acid were found in the predatory cladocerans, Bythotrephes longimanus and Leptodora kindtii.3. The distinct EFA accumulation patterns between cladoceran and copepod zooplankton suggest metabolic regulation of certain EFAs to meet the particular physiological demands and ecological strategies of these different zooplankton groups. Cladocerans may accumulate EPA directly from their diet, or through transformation of dietary materials to facilitate rapid somatic growth and enhance reproduction due to their short generation time. In contrast, copepods may retain DHA to increase their cell membrane fluidity in order to remain active over the winter due to their longer generation time and life cycle.4. Consistent EFA differences between zooplankton groups may have implications regarding the somatic growth and reproductive success of different zooplankton taxa as well as the nutritional value of various zooplankton groups for larval and planktivorous fish.