bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L'économie politique des réformes fiscales
Authors: Delalande Nicolas
Published: December 2012

Résumé Cet article vise à souligner le rôle des ressources politiques, des contraintes institutionnelles et des compromis sociaux dans l’élaboration des politiques fiscales. À partir d’une réflexion historique sur quelques-unes des réformes mises en œuvre depuis le XIX e siècle et de l’éclairage fourni par les acquis de l’économie politique, il aborde trois questions successives : La première est celle de savoir si la démocratie est une condition suffisante à l’adoption de politiques fiscales redistributives. La seconde évalue les contraintes qui pèsent sur l’élaboration et l’application des réformes. Enfin, la troisième définit dans quel contexte politique et économique les réformes ont le plus de chance d’aboutir. Réformer l’impôt suppose de s’appuyer sur une coalition politique cohérente, de surmonter les diverses résistances sociales, institutionnelles et techniques susceptibles d’y faire obstacle, et de savoir tirer profit des circonstances favorables dans lesquelles s’érodent les idéologies et les croyances solidement établies.
Les essais randomisés contrôlés , révolution des politiques de développement ? Une évaluation par la Banque mondiale de l' empowerment au Bangladesh
Authors: Bardet Fabrice , Cussó Roser
Published: December 2012

Résumé Dans la perspective d’une sociologie des politiques de la quantification, cet article propose une analyse de l’essor des essais randomisés contrôlés en économie du développement. Débutant par une présentation du contexte historique et politique de cet essor, il aborde ensuite le cas d’une évaluation menée par la Banque mondiale au Bangladesh. Sur cette base est développée l’analyse du programme de production de données quantitatives que sont les ERC selon ses dimensions successivement institutionnelles, théoriques, puis opératoires, compte tenu de la focalisation de cet outil sur les comportements des agents sociaux. Les éléments exposés permettront de déboucher sur la discussion des nouvelles formes de gouvernementalité que le développement de ce type d’outil laisse augurer.
Analyse et compréhension du vote lors des élections présidentielles de 2012
Authors: Bussi Michel , Fourquet Jérôme , Colange Céline
Published: December 2012

Résumé Les élections présidentielles 2012 s’inscrivent dans la continuité des changements politiques géographiques observés depuis une quinzaine d’années : progrès de la gauche dans l’Ouest de la France et dans les centres-villes, forte implantation du Front national dans les espaces périurbains et dans les territoires ouvriers, recul de la droite à l’exception des zones résidentielles tertiarisées. Cet article, à partir d’une base de données originale à l’échelle du canton, analyse les évolutions récentes de la carte électorale (2007-2012), confronte à moyen terme (1981-2012) ces résultats à certaines variables socio-économiques du recensement de population, et propose quelques pistes d’analyses spatiales (principalement la distance à la ville).
Embedded System and Robotic Education in a Blended Learning Environment Utilizing Remote and Virtual Labs in the Cloud, Accompanied by 'Robotic HomeLab Kit'
Authors: Seiler Sven , Sell Raivo , Ptasik Dennis
Published: December 2012

It is impossible to imagine everyday life without embedded devices and robotic applications, as they are utilized in almost every nowadays technical product. And there is a frantic need of well-educated developers, designers and programmers to handle and further evolve this existing technology. The domain itself is in a big change because the borders of pure ICT and embedded system are fusing and according to this process new methods for teaching these disciplines are necessary. It is important that ICT education will become more and more to real systems education, instead of just computer software programming, but in most curricula these two domains are still separated. The paper addresses a novel and implemented solution for teaching and learning of Robotics and embedded systems, while setting in remote labs and modern Internet technology into overall learning process. The proposed concept builds the bridge for a simple and logical study process by utilizing ICT for controlling and understanding real word processes and situations. The introduced blended learning concept covers several educational levels, starting from first and second level education up to university education and life-long learning. The solution is covered with hands-on mobile hardware kits, collaborative e-tools and remote labs. The focus in this paper is on the integration of the overall concept and an evaluation of the given courses.
Toward an Adaptive Learning System Framework: Using Bayesian Network to Manage Learner Model
Authors: Nguyen Viet Anh
Published: December 2012

This paper represents a new approach to manage learner modeling in an adaptive learning system framework. It considers developing the basic components of an adaptive learning system such as the learner model, the course content model and the adaptation engine. We use the overlay model and Bayesian network to evaluate learnersâ?? knowledge. In addition, we also propose a new content modeling method as well as adaptation engine to generate adaptive course based on learnerâ??s knowledge. Based on this approach, we developed an adaptive learning system named is ACGS-II, that teaches students how to design an Entity Relationship model in a database system course. Empirical testing results for students who used the application indicate that our proposed model is very helpful as guidelines to develop adaptive learning system to meet learnersâ?? demands.
Genetic Analysis and Captive Breeding Program Design for the Eastern Massasauga Sistrurus catenatus catenatus
Authors: Ray Jesse W. , King Richard B. , Duvall Melvin R. , Robinson Jace W. , Jaeger Collin P. , Dreslik Michael J. , Swanson Bradley J. , Mulkerin Diane
Published: December 2012

The eastern massasauga Sistrurus catenatus catenatus is a declining species for which a captive breeding program was established in 2006. To effectively manage wild and captive populations, an understanding of genetic diversity within the species is necessary. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequences of 186 individuals: 109 wild snakes from 34 U.S. and Canadian counties and districts, all 52 breeding program members (23 of known and 29 of unknown origin), 18 other captives of unknown origin, and 7 outgroup representatives of desert massasauga S. c. edwardsii, and western massasauga, S. c. tergeminus. Statistical parsimony, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony analyses all identified eastern massasaugas as divergent from western and desert massasaugas. We found 18 different haplotypes among eastern massasaugas, comprising three geographically and genetically differentiated NADH dehydrogenase II (ND2) subunits that potentially reflect post-Pleistocene range expansion from unglaciated into formerly glaciated regions. Snakes of unknown origin could all be assigned unambiguously to these ND2 subunits. To maintain natural genetic variation, preserve diversity in captive lineages, and allow future augmentation or reintroduction, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is managing these three geographic ND2 subunits separately within the Eastern Massasauga Species Survival Plan breeding program.
Limites politiques et barrières sociales dans le monde maya classique
Authors: Michelet Dominique
Published: December 2012

L’archéologie des Basses Terres mayas à l’époque classique est riche de données susceptibles de nous renseigner sur plusieurs types de « frontières » sociopolitiques. Si la question des limites territoriales des entités politiques du monde classique constitue, depuis les années 1970, un objectif tout à fait conscient de la recherche, bien d’autres éléments des partitionnements sociopolitiques existent, mais ils n’ont pas reçu, le plus souvent, l’attention qu’ils méritent. L’examen de quelques informations, empruntées aux résultats de projets de recherche collective récents, indique que les démarcations formelles plus ou moins minces durent être rares, qu’il y aurait même eu peu de bornages explicites et que les seuils étaient dotés d’une épaisseur certaine, leur franchissement obéissant à des codes précis et/ou impliquant des comportements ritualisés.
Data Mining Techniques for Outlier Detection
Authors: Suri N , Murty M , Athithan G
Published: December 2012

Among the growing number of data mining techniques in various application areas, outlier detection has gained importance in recent times. Detecting the objects in a data set with unusual properties is important as such outlier objects often contain useful information on abnormal behavior of the system described by the data set. Outlier detection has been popularly used for detection of anomalies in computer networks, fraud detection and such applications. Though a number of research efforts address the problem of detecting outliers in data sets, there are still many challenges faced by the research community in terms of identifying a suitable technique for addressing specific applications of interest. These challenges are primarily due to the large volume of high dimensional data associated with most data mining applications and also due to the performance requirements. This chapter highlights some of the important research issues that determine the nature of the outlier detection algorithm required for a typical data mining application. The research issues discussed include the method of outlier detection, size and dimensionality of the data set, and nature of the target application. Thus this chapter attempts to cover the challenges and possible research directions along with a survey of various data mining techniques dealing with the outlier detection problem.
A Subspace-Based Analysis Method for Anomaly Detection in Large and High-Dimensional Network Connection Data Streams
Authors: Zhang Ji
Published: December 2012

A great deal of research attention has been paid to data mining on data streams in recent years. In this chapter, the authors carry out a case study of anomaly detection in large and high-dimensional network connection data streams using Stream Projected Outlier deTector (SPOT) that is proposed in (Zhang et al. 2009) to detect anomalies from data streams using subspace analysis. SPOT is deployed on the 1999 KDD CUP anomaly detection application. Innovative approaches for training data generation, anomaly classification, and false positive reduction are proposed in this chapter as well. Experimental results demonstrate that SPOT is effective and efficient in detecting anomalies from network data streams and outperforms existing anomaly detection methods.
Sociocognitive Inquiry
Authors: Gaines Brian R. , Shaw Mildred L. G.
Published: December 2012

This chapter describes techniques for sociocognitive inquiry based on conceptual grid elicitation and analysis using web-based tools, such as WebGrid, which are designed to elicit conceptual models from those participating in a networked community. These techniques provide an interactive web-based experience with immediate payback from online graphic analysis, that provides an attractive alternative to, or component of, conventional web-based surveys. In particular, they support targeted follow-up studies based on passive data mining of the by-products of web-based community activities, allowing the phenomena modeled through data mining to be investigated in greater depth. The foundations in cognitive sociology and psychology are briefly surveyed, a case study is provided to illustrate how web-based conceptual modeling services can be customized to integrate with a social networking site and support a focused study, and the implications for future research are discussed.
Metaheuristic Optimization in Seismic Structural Design and Inspection Scheduling of Buildings
Authors: Mitropoulou Chara Ch. , Plevris Vagelis , Lagaros Nikos D.
Published: December 2012

Optimization is a field where extensive research has been conducted over the last decades. Many types of problems have been addressed, and many types of algorithms have been developed, while their range of applications is continuously growing. The chapter is divided into two parts; in the first part, the life-cycle cost analysis is used as an assessment tool for designs obtained by means of prescriptive and performance-based optimum design methodologies. The prescriptive designs are obtained through a single-objective formulation, where the initial construction cost is the objective to be minimized, while the performance-based designs are obtained through a two-objective formulation where the life-cycle cost is considered as an additional objective also to be minimized. In the second part of the chapter, the problem of inspection of structures and routing of the inspection crews following an earthquake in densely populated metropolitan areas is studied. A model is proposed and a decision support system is developed to aid local authorities in optimally assigning inspectors to critical infrastructures. A combined particle swarm – ant colony optimization based framework is implemented, which proves to be an instance of a successful application of the philosophy of bounded rationality and decentralized decision-making for solving global optimization problems.
Data Mining in the Investigation of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
Authors: George Ibrahim , Kavakli Manolya
Published: December 2012

In this chapter, the authors explore the operational data related to transactions in a financial organisation to find out the suitable techniques to assess the origin and purpose of these transactions and to detect if they are relevant to money laundering. The authors’ purpose is to provide an AML/CTF compliance report that provides AUSTRAC with information about reporting entities’ compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006. Their aim is to look into the Money Laundering activities and try to identify the most critical classifiers that can be used in building a decision tree. The tree has been tested using a sample of the data and passing it through the relevant paths/scenarios on the tree. The success rate is 92%, however, the tree needs to be enhanced so that it can be used solely to identify the suspicious transactions. The authors propose that a decision tree using the classifiers identified in this chapter can be incorporated into financial applications to enable organizations to identify the High Risk transactions and monitor or report them accordingly.
Collaborative Transportation Sharing
Authors: Gonzalez-Feliu Jesus , Morana Joëlle
Published: December 2012

This chapter explores the role that information sharing has on the collective decisions made in supply chain management. The authors identify information sharing as the critical factor in reasoning that occurs as stakeholders along the supply chain collaboratively make decisions. However, a shared conceptual model is required for determining what information must be shared. Their model identifies five elementsin information system management related to shared logistics projects: the enterprise’s solutions (for each stakeholder and for the entire reasoning community), their deals, sharing management, organizational features and information and communication technologies related to the management of shared information. Moreover, the main accelerating and limitating factors are overviewed. The chapter illustrates the applicability of the model with a case study on the distribution of newspapers in France.
Supply Chain Integration
Authors: Sweeney Edward
Published: December 2012

Since its introduction by management consultants in the early 1980s, supply chain management (SCM) has been primarily concerned with the integration of processes and activities both within and between organisations. The concept of supply chain integration (SCI) is based on documented evidence that suggests that much of the waste throughout businesses is a consequence of fragmented supply chain configurations. However, there is also evidence to suggest that the achievement of higher levels of intra- and inter-firm integration presents an array of managerial challenges. The need for innovation in all aspects of SCM is widely recognised. Given the pivotal role of the integration paradigm within SCM, any meaningful innovation in this area must focus heavily on this issue. This chapter outlines some of the challenges by exploring the evolving SCM business context. It goes on to relate SCM theory to the widely cited Porter value chain concept. The core of the chapter provides a detailed description of SCI based on a wide variety of literature. It does so with particular reference to the challenges inherent in implementing an integrated business paradigm with a view to identifying a range of possible innovative solutions. The adoption of more integrated supply chain structures raises questions regarding the nature of both internal and external customer/supplier relationships. The effective management of such relationships is, therefore, given particular focus.
Collaborative Web for Natural Resources Industries
Authors: Chaturvedi Nikhil
Published: December 2012

The roles of these external entities span across various functions of the core value chain. This chapter focuses on collaboration in the core functions like geo-sciences, engineering, production operations, supply chain, transportation & logistics, equipment maintenance, materials management, sales and marketing, and environment health and safety (EH&S) etc.
Bullwhip Effect Analysis in a Supply Chain
Authors: Najafi Mehdi , Farahani Reza Zanjirani
Published: December 2012

In today’s world, all enterprises in a supply chain are attempting to increase both their and the supply chain’s efficiency and effectiveness. Therefore, identification and consideration of factors that prevent enterprises to attain their expected/desired levels of effectiveness are very important. Since bullwhip effect is one of these main factors, being aware of its reasons help enterprises decrease the severity of bullwhip effect by opting proper decisions. Now that forecasting method is one of the most important factors in increasing or decreasing the bullwhip effect, this chapter considers and compares the effects of various forecasting methods on the bullwhip effect. In fact, in this chapter, the effects of various forecasting methods, such as Moving Average, Exponential Smoothing, and Regression, in terms of their associated bullwhip effect, in a four echelon supply chain- including retailer, wholesaler, manufacturer, and supplier- are considered. Then, the bullwhip effect measure is utilized to compare the ineffectiveness of various forecasting methods. Owing to this, the authors generate two sets of demands in the two cases where the demand is constant (no trend) and has an increasing trend, respectively. Then, the chapter ranks the forecasting methods in these two cases and utilizes a statistical method to ascertain the significance of differences among the effects of various methods.
Governance Structures in the EU Milk Supply Chain
Authors: Polman Nico , Krol Noortje , Peerlings Jack , Dupraz Pierre , Nikolov Dimitre
Published: December 2012

Governance of the EU’s dairy sector changes will change as a result of the 2008 CAP reform. This chapter focuses on governance structures between dairy farms and milk processors and the role of the exchange of information. Information costs are an important category of transaction costs. To get insight in regional differences within the EU, literature research and interviews are conducted in three case study areas, namely: the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and France. Results show that in these countries both farmers and processors have incentives to form hybrid governance structures with a higher level of control compared to the current structures. Asymmetric information and the exchange of information play an important role in this contractual relation. Most dairy cooperatives have no additional advantage in managing milk quality and milk supply compared to investor owned firms. Chain integration could go a step further in Bulgaria compared to the Netherlands and France given the institutional environment that is not expected to guarantee milk quality and the focus on the export of milk.
CRM for Innovation in European Companies
Authors: López-Nicolás Carolina , Molina-Castillo Francisco-José
Published: December 2012

In recent years, customer relationship management (CRM) has been a topic of the utmost importance for scholars and managers. Literature suggests, however, that it is difficult to demonstrate both tangible returns and also intangible attributes of these benefits, such as innovation derived from the use of CRM. The aim of the chapter is to analyze the implementation of CRM and its influence on a firm’s ability for innovation. Literature on CRM and innovation is reviewed and a theoretical model is proposed. Research findings from a sample of European companies prove that CRM is beneficial for innovation in many countries. However, there were no conclusive results from other countries. These findings have important implications in assisting organizations in their CRM initiatives for managing customer knowledge and enhancing innovation.
Implementing E-Procurement in Public Healthcare
Authors: Resca Andrea , Federici Tommaso
Published: December 2012

The aim of this work is to analyze, adopting a knowledge management perspective, the steps that have led to the introduction of e-procurement as a new operating practice. The subsequent organisational interventions for redesigning purchasing activities, supply chain and logistic processes are then examined. Finally, main organizational issues at stake for a full deployment of e-procurement were taken into consideration.
Ontological Representation of Virtual Business Communities
Authors: Petric Ingrid , Urbancic Tanja , Cestnik Bojan
Published: December 2012

Business knowledge that is embodied in texts such as business news and companies profiles has become widely accessible to the business community, as well as to the general public, mostly due to the growing popularity of the Internet. The field of efficient information retrieval and knowledge discovery from textual data is an increasingly important research topic driven by the Internet growth and easy access to very large business directories on the Internet. To become acquainted with a particular domain and to better understand the underlying concepts, domain knowledge can be represented by ontologies. In addition, ontologies can be used for identification of potential links in virtual business communities and for decision support when searching for right business partners, which is very relevant to small to medium-sized enterprises. Potential applications range from dynamic supply chain configuration to building consortia as quick responses to business opportunities.
Security Issues for ISO 18000-6 Type C RFID
Authors: Hawrylak Peter J. , Hale John , Papa Mauricio
Published: December 2012

Radio frequency identification (RFID) devices have matured to the point where they are now expanding beyond the retail supply chain and public transit fare management systems. RFID technology provides a low power and economical method to link remote sensors to larger control systems. In these cases, the RFID protocols provide the communication link between the sensor and larger control system. Security solutions designed for the retail and transit fare management systems are not sufficient for these new control systems. New avenues of attack are available, and attackers have different goals. Therefore, the security of these RFID protocols must be re-examined in order to identify those vulnerabilities that are not significant in the retail or fare applications, but could be exploited in these new settings. This chapter analyzes the ISO 18000-6 Type C protocol to identify potential security vulnerabilities. This protocol is one of the major RFID protocols for passive RFID systems.
Eulerian Trails and Tours
Authors: Iranpoor Mehdi , Mohammaditabar Davood
Published: December 2012

When L. Euler used a representation of vertices and edges to explain a legend about the existence of a route that someone could cross each bridge of Konigsberg city exactly once and go back to the origin, he actually developed the graph theory. This new theory was found useful in explaining many problems. Then, theorems about the existence of such Euler tours that cross each edge of a graph exactly once were introduced. These theorems show that there should be some conditions for a graph to posses such a tour which in simple graphs is to be connected and even. Also, other definitions and applications of Euler tours in cases where the tour is not closed or the graph is directed were developed. Euler tours have many real world applications, and therefore, some polynomial time algorithms are developed to find such tours in graphs.
Hamiltonian Paths and Cycles
Authors: Hosseininia Mahtab , Dadgostari Faraz
Published: December 2012

In this chapter, the concepts of Hamiltonian paths and Hamiltonian cycles are discussed. In the first section, the history of Hamiltonian graphs is described, and then some concepts such as Hamiltonian paths, Hamiltonian cycles, traceable graphs, and Hamiltonian graphs are defined. Also some most known Hamiltonian graph problems such as travelling salesman problem (TSP), Kirkman’s cell of a bee, Icosian game, and knight’s tour problem are presented. In addition, necessary and (or) sufficient conditions for existence of a Hamiltonian cycle are investigated. Furthermore, in order to solve Hamiltonian cycle problems, some algorithms are introduced in the last section.
Sampling and Reconstructing User Experience
Authors: Markopoulos Panos , Khan Vassilis-Javed
Published: December 2012

The Experience Sampling and Reconstruction Method (ESRM) is a research method suitable for user studies conducted in situ that is needed for the design and evaluation of ambient intelligence technologies. ESRM is a diary method supported by a distributed application, Reconexp, which runs on a mobile device and a website, enabling surveying user attitudes, experiences, and requirements in field studies. ESRM combines aspects of the Experience Sampling Method and the Day Reconstruction Method aiming to reduce data loss, improve data quality, and reduce burden put upon participants. The authors present a case study of using this method in the context of a study of communication needs of working parents with young children. Requirements for future developments of the tool and the method are discussed.
Human Resource Related Problems in Agile and Traditional Software Project Process Models
Authors: Koch Stefan , Turk Gerhard
Published: December 2012

This paper explores the impacts associated with different software process models on the staff. The main research question addressed is whether any process model leads to a higher satisfaction of staff, and less human resource related problems, including staff turnover or increased stress levels. This issue is empirically investigated using a set of projects from 15 different software developing companies. Agile-oriented models are not necessarily limited to small projects, but both groups showed nearly identical distributions for team size and duration. Interestingly, rigid-type models tend to exhibit higher effort estimations, and lower correctness in these estimations. Also customer satisfaction is slightly lower. With regard to human resource issues, the differences are not major overall, but there are some noticeable exceptions. In general, satisfaction and acceptance are higher at lower stress and overtime levels for agile-type project participants, but, interestingly and contrary to theory, people wish for more responsibility. Agile-type projects also enjoy some advantages in information sharing and communication, and in some quality aspects. Rigid-type projects show considerable higher abilities to cope with absence of personnel.
Performance Management in Software Engineering
Authors: Ilg Markus , Baumeister Alexander
Published: December 2012

Performance measurement in software engineering has to meet a multiplicity of challenges. Oftentimes, traditional metrics focus on sequential development instead of using incremental and iterative development. Output is measured on a pure quantitative (e.g., SLOC), quality-disregarding basis. A project’s input is hard to assign properly using enterprise-unspecific forecasting tools which have to be calibrated at first and which do not account for time preferences. Requirements necessary for behaviourally adjusted project management and control are rarely discussed. Focusing on these shortcomings, this paper proposes an enterprise-specific approach which combines lifecycle and activity based costing techniques for software development following the incremental and iterative Unified Process model. Key advantages are calibration effort can be avoided, project management decisions are supported by a clear managerial accounting emphasis, precise milestone-depending cost objectives can be determined as the basis for personnel management and control of development teams, and cost and time variance analysis can be supported in a sophisticated way.
Implementing BioSand Filters in Rural Honduras
Authors: Morris Jacob Z. , Thomas Ken D.
Published: December 2012

Access to clean water for drinking and sanitation is an urgent issue that the world is facing. According to the United Nations (UN), approximately one billion people live in extreme poverty, and almost 2.6 billion people live without the basics of adequate sanitation. Over the past two decades, the BioSand Filter has proven to be an effective and efficient point-of-use device to purify water to a potable level in developing countries. The success of this device is due to its simplicity, use of appropriate technology, and sustainability. This chapter discusses a case study of His Hands Mission International’s work installing these filters in the villages of rural Honduras. It focuses on the implementation, adoption, diffusion, and impacts of these filters, providing insight to the system’s factors of success. These factors provide information that can be utilized to improve the chances for success of similar system implementations around the world.
How Social Design Influences Student Retention and Self-Motivation in Online Learning Environments
Authors: Baird Derek E. , Fisher Mercedes
Published: December 2012

Investigating the social structure that works in online courses helps us design for and facilitate student collaboration. The integration of social technologies, and collaborative activities into the course design has a positive influence on student retention in online courses. In this chapter, the authors present an exploratory study of computer-mediated groups that utilized this collaborative-based model to participate in online and/or blended learning courses. Participants were put into groups and observed as they constructed new knowledge using both online dialogue (synchronous and asynchronous), and social media technologies (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, wiki) as tools to support and facilitate their learning in the program.
The Influence of Twitter on the Academic Environment
Authors: Ebner Martin
Published: December 2012

In the last few years, microblogging has become a phenomenon of our daily lives. Communicating, sharing media files, as well as acting on digital social communities platforms using mobile devices assist our everyday activities in a complete new way. Therefore, it is very reasonable that academic environments are influenced arbitrarily too. In this publication, different settings for the use of microblogging are pointed out – for teaching and learning as well as for further scientific purposes such as professional conferences. It can be summarized that there are different possibilities to use microblogging in an academic context; each of them are new advantages for the academic life. The publication gives a short overview and a first insight into the various ways to use microblogging.
Academic Perspectives on Microblogging
Authors: Grosseck Gabriela , Holotescu Carmen , Pătruţ Bogdan
Published: December 2012

This chapter introduces the phenomenon of microblogging and presents the most relevant options for educators, like: What is a microblog?; What is microblogging?; What can microblogging offer in terms of teaching/training? This chapter has a descriptive character, and it is structured into two large parts that provide a general-to-specific approach of both theoretical and practical aspects related to the microblogging phenomenon and the impact of microblogs in the educational space. Two case studies are also presented.
Prevent/Control Identity Theft
Authors: Shareef Mahmud A. , Kumar Vinod
Published: December 2012

This study provides an application framework toward measures to prevent/control identity theft in conjunction with sources. It also identifies the impact of overall protection of identity theft on consumer trust, the cost of products/services, and operational performance, all of which in turn contribute to a purchase intention using E-commerce (EC). For the first objective, this study proposes a matrix of sources and measures to prevent and control identity theft. From this matrix, using knowledge from a literature review and judgment based on plausibility, the authors identify global laws, controls placed on organizations, publications to develop awareness, technical management, managerial policy, risk management tools, data management, and control over employees are the potential measuring items to prevent identity theft related to EC. A case study in banking sector through a qualitative approach was conducted to verify the proposed relations, constructs, and measuring items. For the second objective, this research paper conceptualizes a model based on literature review and validates that based on the case study in the financial sector. The model reflects the effects of preventing and controlling identity theft on the costs of products/services, operational performance, and customers’ perception of trust, which would lead to purchase intention in EC.
Robotic-Assisted Gastroplication in A Morbidly Obese Adolescent: Early Improvement in Metabolic and Neurohormonal Parameters
Authors: Calcaterra Valeria , Cena Hellas , Nakib Ghassan , Fonte Marialuisa , Vandoni Matteo , Valenti Alessandra , Biancotti Veronica , Pelizzo Gloria
Published: December 2012

Bariatric surgery has to be considered in the management of severely obese adolescents when all conservative measures have been proven to be unresponsive. Short term metabolic and neurohormonal profile changes after robotic-assisted gastroplication are evaluated. The benefits and the usefulness of this surgical-reversal procedure in adolescent need to be defined. Fiveteen years old girl with body mass index 42.2 kg/m2, hyperinsulinism, hyperandrogenism, amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy. Gastric volume after surgical procedure reduction was 80-100 mL. One month postoperatively significant weigh loss was obtained. Insulin levels, insulin-resistance, leptin and ghrelin concentration were substantially ameliorated. We can conclude that bariatric surgery should be considered for a minority of severely obese adolescents under the supervision of a multidisciplinary pediatric team. Our experience confirmed that the gastroplication is safe, feasible and effective and furthermore is a reversible technique. The early improvement of the obesity co-morbities is allowed. The increased surgical accuracy in robotic assistance could limit postoperative complications rate in obese adolescents.
Ticks infesting animals in the Sudan and southern Sudan: Past and current status
Authors: ElGhali Ahmed A. , Hassan Shawgi M.
Published: December 2012

In this review, we collate information about ticks identified in different parts of the Sudan and South Sudan since 1956 in order to identify gaps in tick prevalence and create a map of tick distribution. This will avail basic data for further research on ticks and policies for the control of tick-borne diseases. In this review, we discuss the situation in the Republic of South Sudan as well as Sudan. For this purpose we have divided Sudan into four regions, namely northern Sudan (Northern and River Nile states), central Sudan (Khartoum, Gazera, White Nile, Blue Nile and Sennar states), western Sudan (North and South Kordofan and North, South and West Darfour states) and eastern Sudan (Red Sea, Kassala and Gadarif states).
Christian ethics in the face of secularism
Authors: Vorster Jakobus M.
Published: December 2012

This article deals with the implications of modern secularism for the concept of Christian ethics. How does the decline of Christianity in modern Western societies impede the validity of a Christian ethical approach to contemporary social issues? The concept secularism is explained. The argument then moves to the meta-theory of Christian ethics, namely the revelation of God as it is expressed in the �book of nature�, the written word, and the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. The article concludes that as long as Christian ethics remains faithful to this meta-theory, understands the modern macro-ethical questions and maintains a deep social focus, it will remain relevant in a secular society.
The neglected context: The growing impact of modernity on the South African population and its spiritual, economic and ecological consequences
Authors: N�rnberger Klaus
Published: December 2012

Humanity seems to be drifting like a rudderless raft towards a cataract. The main factors are the growth of the human population, the escalation of material expectations, the exploding discrepancies between affluent and marginalised population groups and the impact of these growth processes on the natural environment. The modern claim to mastery, ownership and entitlement and its spectacular successes has led to unprecedented power without a concomitant growth in responsibility. In spiritual and cultural terms, modernity undermines all traditional certainties, values and constraints. The South African population is engulfed in a messy transition from African traditionalist, to modern and postmodern assumptions. The most reticent citizens are the least competitive and the most marginalised. The Christian faith, rooted as it is in tradition and geared to spiritual concerns, is no match for the power of the modern mindset. To regain its redemptive relevance, it needs fundamental reconceptualisations. The article closes with a few starting points for such a project.
The distinctiveness of Christian morality � Reflections after 30 years
Authors: De Villiers D. Etienne
Published: December 2012

I completed my doctoral dissertation on The distinctiveness of Christian morality in 1978. In this article, now more than 30 years later, I critically examined the extent to which the view that I developed in my doctoral dissertation is still valid today and to what extent it stands to be corrected in the light of developments in Christian ethics in the meantime. Firstly, I provided a brief summary of the view developed in the dissertation. Secondly, I discussed the influential alternative view of Stanley Hauerwas and attempted to identify ways in which his view necessitates corrections to my own view in the dissertation. Thirdly, I criticised the one-sidedness of Hauerwas�s view on the distinctiveness of Christian morality and discussed ways in which we need to go beyond Hauerwas�s view in order to develop a more satisfactory and also more inclusive approach.
Variability of the phenolic profile in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum growing under copper and iron stress
Authors: Rico Milagros , López Aroa , Santana-Casiano J. Magdalena , Gonzàlez Aridane G. , Gonzàlez-Dàvila Melchor
Published: December 2012

Fourteen phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in extracts derived from in vitro culture of Phaeodactylum tricornutum diatom growing in natural seawater (control) and in natural seawater containing the following added copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) metals: Cu(II) (315 nmol L−1 and 790 nmol L−1) and Fe(III) (900 nmol L−1). The cell concentration was 471% for the last day of culture (expressed as a percentage of the control) for diatoms exposed to iron, while diatoms exposed to copper showed cell densities of 80% and 52.5% at concentrations of 315 nmol L−1 and 790 nmol L−1, respectively. Each extract revealed the presence of 14 phenolic compounds, with the exceptions of gallic acid, which was detected only in the iron‐enriched diatoms, and quercetin, which was not detected in the control diatom exudates. Significant differences in the phenolic profiles were found depending on the metal added to the culture media. These differences seem to be the response to the different needs of diatoms exposed to copper and iron concentrations. These results show that increasing levels of metal result in a general increase in levels of total phenolic contents in the cells of P. tricornutum. The great increase in phenolic compounds in the cells at the highest copper concentration was 2.4 times higher than in the control, which may reflect the involvement of these compounds in protection against copper toxicity. All the extracts revealed radical scavenging activity against the stable radical 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, with the most active extracts from the copper enrichments.
Alkaline phosphatase activity of reef‐building corals
Authors: Godinot C. , Ferrier-Pagès C. , Sikorski S. , Grover R.
Published: December 2012

Extracellular alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) was measured in four tropical (Stylophora pistillata, Pocillopora damicornis, Pavona cactus, Galaxea fascicularis) and two Mediterranean (Oculina patagonica, Cladocora caespitosa) symbiotic coral species, both in the coral host and associated symbionts, as well as in one tropical non‐symbiotic coral (Tubastraea sp.). The effects of light, feeding, and bleaching (loss of symbionts) were also tested in S. pistillata. Host APA increased with long‐term starvation, irradiance, and bleaching, suggesting that APA is linked to the metabolic activity of the host and symbionts, and to their phosphate limitation or repletion status. The comparison of APA between coral species containing different symbiont clades suggests that clade C is less efficient than clades A and B, but this result remains to be confirmed. At environmental phosphate concentrations, if the total amount of phosphate generated by APA is taken up by the coral colony, it can supply 0.3–1.6 mmol P m−2 d−1. In comparison, dissolved inorganic phosphorus and particulate organic phosphorus have been shown to supply 0.2–1.6 and 0.9 mmol P m−2 d−1, respectively, highlighting the importance of APA in symbiotic corals.
Long‐term change in the abundances of northern Gulf of Mexico scyphomedusae Chrysaora sp. and Aurelia spp. with links to climate variability
Authors: Robinson Kelly L. , Graham William M.
Published: December 2012

Variability in northern Gulf of Mexico Chrysaora sp. and Aurelia spp. abundance and distribution over time and in relation to climate forces operating at large and regional scales was analyzed using two multi‐decadal data sets derived from trawl data collected during fisheries‐independent surveys conducted each summer (1987–2007) and fall (1985–2007). Populations exhibited remarkable increases and decreases in size during the past two decades. During peak years, an estimated mean (± 1 SD) total 4.4 (1.5) billion Chrysaora sp. and 9.6 (0.9) billion Aurelia spp. occurred during summer (May–July) and fall (October–November), respectively. Earlier reported increases in jellyfish abundance have not continued; however, the frequency of Chrysaora sp. in trawls has increased with time. Jellyfish “hot spots” are waters southwest of Mobile Bay, west of the Mississippi River outflow, and near the Louisiana‐Texas border. “Cold spots” occurred in waters > 40 m in depth. Annual variations in Chrysaora sp. and Aurelia spp. abundance were temporally coherent, suggesting a common set of environmental drivers. Jellyfish abundance was positively related to the El Niño Southern Oscillation, Atlantic Multi‐decadal Oscillation, and Pacific Decadal Oscillation and was negatively related to the Great Plains Lower Level Jet. Jellyfish were also more abundant when regional sea surface temperatures were cooler than average in spring and warmer than average in summer‐early fall. Increased jellyfish production occurred during years when the northern Gulf experienced wet and warm winters, dry and cool springs, and wet and warm summers and when the Mississippi River watershed experienced dry winters, wet springs, and wet summers.
Rates and controls of nitrification in a large oligotrophic lake
Authors: Small Gaston E. , Bullerjahn George S. , Sterner Robert W. , Beall Benjamin F. N. , Brovold Sandra , Finlay Jacques C. , McKay Robert M. L. , Mukherjee Maitreyee
Published: December 2012

Recent discoveries have altered prevailing paradigms concerning the conditions under which nitrification takes place and the organisms responsible for nitrification in aquatic ecosystems. In Lake Superior, nitrate () concentrations have increased fivefold in the past century. Although previous evidence indicated that most is generated by nitrification within the lake, important questions remain concerning the magnitude and controls of nitrification, and which microbial groups are primarily responsible for this process. We measured water‐column nitrification rates in the western basin of Lake Superior during five research cruises from November 2009 to March 2011. Using in situ bottle incubations at 10 depths, we quantified nitrification rates using both the oxidation of 15N‐labeled ammonium () and the uptake of 14C associated with nitrification. Average rates of oxidation ranged from 18–34 nmol N L−1 d−1 across the five cruises, similar to values reported for the coastal ocean, and two orders of magnitude lower than values reported from other lakes. Low nitrification rates observed in the epilimnion corresponded to the absence of ammonium‐oxidizing archaea and nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria. The measured rates of nitrification are > 50‐fold greater than the long‐term rise in the lake, indicating that N is actively cycling and that long‐term change in this ecosystem is mediated by internal dynamics.
Association of cusp energetic ions with geomagnetic storms and substorms
Authors: Niehof J. T. , Morley S. K. , Friedel R. H. W.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Energetic ions observed in the cusp have been explained as a result of processes within the magnetosphere, but also proposed as a driver of some of those same processes. This study assesses potential connections between energetic ions observed in the cusp and geomagnetic storm and substorm activity. These connections may suggest sources of cusp energetic particles (CEPs), or imply effects of these particles on magnetospheric dynamics. We identify CEPs from six years of cusp crossings by the Polar satellite, relating them to storm and substorm onsets. CEPs showed no significant dependence on storms but did show a weak, statistically significant, increase after substorm onsets. CEPs had no significant association with subsequent storm or substorm onsets. We conclude that substorm acceleration may contribute to CEPs but CEPs are unlikely to contribute to global magnetospheric dynamics.