bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L'objet parle
Authors: Vernet Anne
Published: July 2012

À partir de la position consentie d’objet que lui offre l’argument, l’écrivain analysant propose son regard sur deux expériences : lecteur d’écrivains analystes qui nourrirent son imaginaire ; « objet lu » au fil de l’écho reçu de la lecture qu’un analyste ami sollicité à ce titre mena de l’élaboration d’un roman. Ce détour par la position d’objet peut d’autant plus embarrasser le lecteur analyste qu’il peut s’y sentir aussi convié. Mais au-delà de ce risque, c’est la mélancolie qu’on entend parler.
Le travail d'écriture chez Proust, figure de la parthénogenèse
Authors: Drossart Francis
Published: July 2012

L’on sait que la métaphore botanique est très présente chez l’auteur de À l’ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs , mais aussi de Sodome et Gomorrhe. Nous essaierons de montrer dans quelle mesure l’auteur de la Recherche , qui se comparait lui-même à un ver à soie, s’inscrit dans une démarche qui n’est pas celle de l’auto-engendrement mais plutôt de la parthénogénèse comme figure créatrice.
Effets des Passions (Anon., 1776) : la source de « Delle Passioni, Traduzione di Giacomo Casanova »
Authors: Aleksić Branko
Published: July 2012

Une réflexion sur le thème des pulsions est l’une des constantes dans l’œuvre de Giacomo Casanova : Lana caprina (1772), critique de Frédéric le Grand (c. 1788), À Leonard Snetlage (1797), enfin Histoire de ma vie (1789-1797 ; posthume). Dans tous ces ouvrages, le libertin érudit se préoccupe de savoir comment « freiner » ses pulsions. Nous n’attribuons pas « Delle passioni » en tant que texte propre à Casanova (erreur de Di Trocchio, et de Marie-Françoise Luna, 2002) et valorisons le sous-titre : « Traduzione di Giacomo Casanova ». Le texte n’est pas écrit mais est excellemment traduit par lui. Nous découvrons la source de cette traduction italienne casanovienne scrupuleuse : l’ouvrage d’un auteur français anonyme, intitulé Effets des Passions, des Plaisirs, de l’Éducation et de la Négociation (1776). En écho à la traduction du chapitre « Des passions » (aux alentours de 1781), Casanova plus tard dans ses mémoires exposera la théorie d’une sorte d’empathie ou endosmose théâtrale : l’agent – loin d’être passif – établit un lien affectif avec l’entourage comme contaminé par ses propres pulsions.
L'esthétique de la folie au sens « sur-réaliste » et sa dynamique dans l'espace de l'écriture
Authors: Bouanane Kahina
Published: July 2012

Écrire dans la langue de l’autre conduit l’auteur à user de stratégie pour dévoiler ou dénoncer l’état de sa société d’origine. Dans l’écriture africaine, l’utilisation de la langue française ou anglaise a été souvent imposée et ne relève pas d’un choix délibéré. Cependant, cette utilisation ne se fait jamais en dehors d’un imaginaire spécifique propre à l’Africain. Cet imaginaire a été construit par non seulement des croyances mais aussi par des visions du monde. Ainsi, l’écriture de Tahar Ben Jelloun, écrivain marocain nous renvoie rapidement à l’écriture des contes des Mille et une nuits où le merveilleux structure sa prose. Le corpus de Moha le fou Moha le sage exprime cet imaginaire maghrébin qui pourrait constituer l’ordre même de la pensée arabo-musulmane. Cet imaginaire est composé d’une écriture où le fantastique et le délire semblent être mis en spectacle. Wole Soyinka, l’écrivain nigérian, est sensible à un autre style d’écriture. Il donne la primauté à ses références culturelles qui émanent de sa tribu Yoruba tout en intégrant ses connaissances sur la littérature et surtout sur le théâtre dramatique Anglais. Le texte des Interprètes exprime cet imaginaire mythique gouverné par le sacré, c’est-à-dire une mise en scène.
Surréalité et expériences de l'extase
Authors: Fessaguet Dominique
Published: July 2012

L’extase s’est trouvée liée au surréel, comme une émanation incontournable de celui-ci. C’est au travers d’un photomontage de S. Dalí que sa polyphonie sera écoutée, mise en écho avec les débats, voire polémiques de l’époque. A. Breton fera entendre le « murmure » de l’extase quand l’accès au surréel surviendra.
L'expérience hallucinogène d'Henri Michaux à l'épreuve de l'inconscient : influence du surréalisme
Authors: Brun Anne
Published: July 2012

Henri Michaux (1899-1984) a refusé d’appartenir au mouvement surréaliste mais son œuvre hallucinogène porte les traces de l’influence de la notion de surréel et de la fascination des surréalistes pour le rôle joué par l’inconscient dans la littérature la psychose expérimentale » de l’écrivain rappelle précisément les expériences des surréalistes qui ont pu les conduire à des états proches de la folie. Ce que Michaux dénomme « l’auto-analyse critique » de son expérience hallucinogène s’inspire des apports de la psychanalyse et se fonde sur l’idée qu’il accède à son « subconscient », selon ses propres termes, et aux sources de son processus créateur. Cet article montre comment la poétique de Michaux a été marquée par le rêve d’une écriture plus fluide que l’écriture automatique, incarné par la linguistique des hallucinogènes, une forme de « penser non dirigé », comme l’écrivent les surréalistes.
Le surréalisme sans inconscient – cinéma surréaliste, inconscient et contemporanéité
Authors: Bergami G. Barbosa Pablo
Published: July 2012

Cet article explore les modes de représentation cinématographique de « l’inconscient » à travers l’analyse comparative de deux films : Les mystères d’une âme de G.W. Pabst et L’Âge d’or de L. Buñuel. À partir de ces analyses, l’auteur met en évidence la profondeur de l’influence du cinéma surréaliste sur le cinéma contemporain, et relie les attaques menées par les surréalistes contre la réalité quotidienne, la pensée cartésienne et l’esthétique et la morale bourgeoises à la configuration actuelle de la culture occidentale.
La vie et la norme dans le mouvement surréaliste. Psychanalyse, science et poésie
Authors: Carrive Laurent
Published: July 2012

Les principes du surréalisme semblent relever d’une lutte entre deux grands principes : La Vie et la Norme. Dans un tel contexte : - Comment s’inscrit le mécanisme de l’écriture automatique ou encore le hasard objectif ? - La psychanalyse peut-elle nous aider à comprendre les nombreux succès poétiques et artistiques des surréalistes comme les limites de leurs procédés ? Par ailleurs, en quoi cette dialectique de la Vie et de la Norme présente dans le surréalisme, pourrait-elle nous importer aujourd’hui quant au retour récurrent de la vie et du sujet dans les sciences et les mathématiques, sous la forme déjà ancienne de l’intuitionnisme en logique ou plus récemment, celle du geste dans la théorie des topos ou bien encore à travers la mathématisation grandissante de certains arts, comme l’hyper-théorisation de la musique ?
Arthroscopic Treatment of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fracture in a Skeletally Immature Patient
Authors: Kwon Oh Soo , Kamath Atul F. , Kelly John D.
Published: July 2012

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in skeletally immature patients usually involve tibial bony avulsion fractures rather than the midsubstance tears usually observed in adults. Several surgical techniques have been reported to provide stable fixation and avoid physeal injury in this pediatric population. The authors propose a novel, reproducible surgical technique using bioabsorbable anchors to obtain biomechanical stability and minimal physeal or articular cartilage damage.
Extensively Porous-coated Stems for Femoral Revision: Reliable Choice for Stem Revision in Paprosky Femoral Type III Defects
Authors: Chung Lien-Hsiang , Wu Po-Kuei , Chen Cheng-Fong , Chen Wei-Ming , Chen Tain-Hsiung , Liu Chien-Lin
Published: July 2012

Between January 1999 and August 2008, ninety-six femoral revisions were performed with extensively porous-coated stems in Paprosky type III femoral defects (89 type IIIA and 7 type IIIB defects). Seven type IIIB defects with a mean canal of 16.5 mm were observed; 6 defects achieved stable bone ingrowth and 1 achieved stable fibrous condition. Average postoperative Harris Hip Score was 92.3±8 (range, 77–100), and all scores improved postoperatively. At a mean follow-up of 65.7 months, 92 stems achieved bone ingrowth, and 1 stem (type IIIB) achieved a stable fibrous condition. Three patients died from causes unrelated to the surgery during follow-up.

The most frequent diagnosis for revision of the femoral component was loosening of the cementless stem (53 patients; 55.2%), followed by status after a Girdlestone procedure (21 patients; 21.8%), after total hip arthroplasty with acetabular wear (10 patients; 10.4%), loosening of the cemented stem (7 patients; 7.3%), and periprosthetic fracture (5 patients; 5.2%). The authors performed 65 total hip arthroplasty revisions, 23 femoral component revisions, and 8 revisions of femoral components with cemented liners in patients with well-fixed acetabular shells. Extensively porous-coated stems in femoral revision for Paprosky type III femoral defects provided good mid-term durability.
Incidence of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome in Active Duty US Military Servicemembers
Authors: Blank Elizabeth , Owens Brett D. , Burks Robert , Belmont Philip J.
Published: July 2012

Although greater trochanteric pain syndrome is thought to be a common musculoskeletal disorder, little has been reported on the incidence rates of the disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and demographic risk factors of greater trochanteric pain syndrome in a United States military population.

Multivariate Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate the rate of greater trochanteric pain syndrome per 1000 person-years, controlling for sex, race, age, rank, and branch of service. The overall unadjusted incidence rate of greater trochanteric pain syndrome was 2.03 per 1000 person-years. Women had a significantly increased adjusted incidence rate ratio for greater trochanteric pain syndrome of 5.03 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.91–5.16). The adjusted incidence rate ratio for White servicemembers compared with Black servicemembers was 1.36 (95% CI, 1.32–1.40). The adjusted incidence rate ratio for the 40+ age group compared with the 25 to 29 age group was 2.81 (95% CI, 2.68–2.95). Compared with junior officers, junior and senior enlisted ranks had an increased adjusted incidence rate ratio of 1.94 (95% CI, 1.84–2.04) and 1.17 (95% CI, 1.12–1.23), respectively. Compared with the Navy, each branch of service had an increased adjusted incidence rate ratio, with the Army at 2.90 (95% CI, 2.80–3.01), the Marines at 1.96 (95% CI, 1.87–2.07), and the Air Force at 1.33 (95% CI, 1.27–1.38).

Female servicemembers had a five-fold greater incidence of greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Increasing age, enlisted rank groups, and service in the Army, Marines, or Air Force were also significant risk factors.
Weight-bearing Osteochondral Lesions of the Lateral Femoral Condyle Following Patellar Dislocation in Adolescent Athletes
Authors: Beran Matthew C. , Samora Walter P. , Klingele Kevin E.
Published: July 2012

In patients with patellar dislocation, osteochondral injury is often an indication for early surgical intervention. However, no studies have identified a relationship between injury to the weight-bearing surface of the lateral femoral condyle following a patellar dislocation and the eventual need for surgical treatment. The authors hypothesized that a significant number of patients sustain injury to the weight-bearing surface of the lateral femoral condyle following an acute patellar dislocation.

Radiographs and magnetic resonance images were retrospectively reviewed and the patterns of injury were evaluated for 80 patients with a diagnosis of acute patellar dislocation, including the presence of osteochondral damage, the location of the medial patellofemoral ligament injury, and concomitant meniscal pathology. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a 27.5% incidence of osteochondral injury involving the articular, weight-bearing region of the lateral femoral condyle following an acute lateral patellar dislocation. Surgical intervention was performed in more than 60% of these injuries, and most were not identified with plain radiographs. Injury to the weight-bearing surface of the lateral femoral condyle following patellar dislocation was 3.6 times more common in boys in the current study population.

Osteochondral injury to the weight-bearing surface of the lateral femoral condyle may occur in a high percentage of patients following a lateral patellar dislocation and in a higher percentage of boys than girls. Patients with tenderness over the lateral femoral condyle following an acute lateral patellar dislocation should undergo magnetic resonance imaging.
Mini-midvastus Versus Medial Parapatellar Approach in TKA: Muscle Damage and Inflammation Markers
Authors: Huang ZeYu , Shen Bin , Ma Jun , Yang Jing , Zhou ZongKe , Kang PengDe , Pei FuXing
Published: July 2012

The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze the biochemical markers of muscle damage and inflammation in patients treated with the mini-midvastus approach or the medial parapatellar approach for total knee arthroplasty. Of 60 patients who underwent unilateral total knee arthroplasty, 30 were treated with the mini-midvastus approach (MMV group) and 30 were treated with the medial parapatellar approach (MPP group). Serum creatine kinase, myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β levels were measured preoperatively, immediately postoperatively (except for C-reactive protein level), and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. Student’s
t
test, Pearson’s chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare the outcomes between the 2 groups. Compared with the MPP group, a significant increase in serum creatine kinase level existed in the MMV group on postoperative days 2 (
P
=.08) and 3 (
P
=.09) and cumulatively (
P
=.02). However, significantly elevated C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels existed in the MPP group.

According to the serum creatine kinase levels, the mini-midvastus approach has no superiority over the medial parapatellar approach in terms of sparing muscle and may cause more muscle damage. Further study is warranted to determine the correlation between biochemical markers and functional deficits.
Tendon Healing In Vivo: Effect of Mannose-6-phosphate on Flexor Tendon Adhesion Formation
Authors: Xia Changsuo , Zuo Junan , Wang Changyao , Wang Yingzhen
Published: July 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effect of mannose-6-phosphate on flexor tendon adhesion formation. From a total of 84 adult New Zealand White rabbits, 36 were randomly divided into 2 groups, the normal saline group and the mannose-6-phosphate group, after anastomosis of the flexor tendons. Tendons were harvested at 4 weeks, and biomechanics testing was conducted. The other 48 rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups, the normal saline group and the mannose-6-phosphate group, after anastomosis of the flexor tendons, and tendons were harvested at 7, 14, 28, and 56 days and analyzed by in situ hybridization to determine the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and collagen I.

The results of biomechanics testing indicated that mannose-6-phosphate can effectively prevent flexor tendon adhesion formation after anastomonsis. The in situ hybridization examination revealed that TGF-β1 and collagen I mRNA expression in the mannose-6-phosphate group was lower than that in the normal saline group at each time point. Mannose-6-phosphate can effectively inhibit the function of TGF-β1 and prevent adhesion formation after flexor tendon injury.
Management of ACL Elongation in the Surgical Treatment of Congenital Knee Dislocation
Authors: Klingele Kevin E. , Stephens Scott
Published: July 2012

Congenital knee dislocation is a rare anomaly associated with a variety of neuromuscular diseases and deformities. The etiology of this condition remains unclear, but it is usually associated with a variety of disorders, such as Larsen’s syndrome, arthrogryposis, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Down syndrome, and Streeter’s dysplasia. It is rarely an isolated entity, and 60% of patients with congenital knee dislocation had additional congenital anomalies, most commonly hip dysplasia. The ideal method of treatment is debated. No current treatment algorithms address anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) elongation and its role in recurrent deformity or hyperextension.

This article describes 2 patients who underwent open reduction of the knee for recurrent and neglected congenital knee dislocations. An ACL shortening and reinforcement technique is described. Both patients’ treatment consisted of V-Y advancement of the extensor mechanism, soft tissue release, anterior capsulotomy, and posterior capsulorrhaphy. Anterior cruciate ligament shortening and reinforcement using an iliotibial band physeal-sparing technique was performed. The technique improved maintenance of reduction and prevented hyperextension of the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament elongation is an underemphasized anatomical feature associated with congenital knee dislocation. Due to its role in the prevention of anterior subluxation of the tibia and its effect on knee stability, incompetence should be addressed at the time of open reduction. The presence of an intact ACL with a congenital knee dislocation does not preclude management of anterior instability. Competence of the intact ACL should be addressed following reduction.
Total Knee Arthroplasty for Neuropathic Joint Disease After Severe Bone Destruction Eroded the Tibial Tuberosity
Authors: Sugitani Kazuya , Arai Yuji , Takamiya Hisatake , Minami Ginjiro , Higuchi Tetsuo , Kubo Toshikazu
Published: July 2012

This article describes a patient in whom total knee arthroplasty was performed for neuropathic joint disease secondary to diabetes mellitus after severe bone destruction eroded the tibial tuberosity. At initial examination, radiographs of the knee showed bone destruction in the medial and anterior regions of the tibia, and fine bone fragments were seen in the joint. Conservative therapy was performed using a brace. However, bone destruction gradually advanced, and 10 months after the initial examination, radiographs of the knee showed bone destruction in the lateral condyle of the femur and advanced bone destruction of the anterior tibia; the tibial tuberosity was missing.

It is rare for the tibial tuberosity in the anterior tibia to disappear. If this happens, reconstruction is difficult and total knee arthroplasty becomes complicated. For the bone defect in the tibia, cement was used to recreate the shape of the anterior surface of the tibia. It was possible to minimize the volume of bone resection and morphologically reconstruct the tibial tuberosity. The patient recovered quickly. At postoperative week 5, the patient was able to walk using a cane. Thirty-six months after total knee arthroplasty, knee extension was 0°, flexion was 120°, extension lag was 5°, knee score improved from 40 points to 94 points, and functional score improved from 20 points to 75 points. However, long-term implant stability needs to be carefully monitored.
Adolescent Segond Fracture With an Intact Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Authors: Reddy Deepak , Alexander Reginald , Hussain Waqas M. , Leland J. Martin
Published: July 2012

Segond fractures, or avulsion fractures of the proximal lateral tibial plateau, have been well documented and studied since their original description in 1878. Segond fractures have a widely recognized pathognomonic association with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and often prompt orthopedic surgeons to consider reconstruction following radiographic and clinical evaluation. Adolescent patients are particularly vulnerable to these fractures due to the relative weakness of their physeal growth plates compared with the strength of their accompanying ligamentous structures.

This article describes a case of a 13-year-old boy who sustained a Segond fracture that was not coupled with an ACL avulsion or tear. The patient sustained a twisting injury to his knee. He presented to the emergency room with an effusion and radiographic findings consistent with a Segond fracture. On follow-up examination 1 week after injury, the ACL was intact. The patient was followed for 5 months of conservative treatment. At final follow-up, the patient had reestablished his previous level of activity.

This article describes the history, physical examination, and radiographic findings necessary to care for patients who present with a Segond fracture. Although considered pathognomonic for an associated ACL injury, this article describes a Segond fracture that occurred in isolation.
Acute Posttraumatic Catastrophic Failure of a Second-generation, Highly Cross-linked Ultra-high-molecular-weight Polyethylene Patellar Component
Authors: Goldstein Matthew J. , Ast Michael P. , DiMaio Frank R.
Published: July 2012

A 74-year-old man underwent total knee arthroplasty in 1996 and subsequent revision total knee arthroplasty for aseptic loosening in 2005. During revision, an all-polyethylene, 7-mm, second-generation, highly cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene patellar component (Durasul; Zimmer, Warsaw, Indiana) was used. The patient recovered well, but he presented with severe acute pain after a popping feeling was detected during a game of golf in postoperative year 4. Radiographs demonstrated a fracture of the patellar component. At re-revision surgery, polyethylene fragments were encountered without visual evidence of wear. Appropriate rotational and axial alignment of the components was confirmed. Patellar revision was performed.

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of an acute posttraumatic catastrophic fracture of a second-generation, highly cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene patellar component. Although no malposition of the components was noted, abnormal tensile forces across the patellar component can be transmitted by altered patellofemoral kinematics. This combination could lead to a small surface crack that propagates deeper into the component with continued impaction and an eventual acute fracture of the entire component. The patellar component failed in a piecemeal fashion following acute trauma. Although many advantages exist to the enhancement of polyethylene patellar components, including the potential for improved wear characteristics, cross-linking has reduced resistance to crack initiation and propagation. Therefore, fracture risk should be considered when using second-generation, highly cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene.
Penetrating Injury of the Spinal Cord Treated Surgically
Authors: Wang Zhenyu , Liu Yi , Qu Zhigang , Leng Jiali , Fu Changfeng , Liu Guomin
Published: July 2012

A 44-year-old man reported acute neck pain, hyperalgesia, and mild paraplegia caused by a wire-penetrating injury of the neck and was hospitalized. The foreign body was located at the C6 level. Pre- and postoperative physical examination and imaging studies were performed to assess the degree of injury. Emergent surgery was performed 30 minutes after admission to prevent the patient from potential severe neurological impairment and infection.

The patient’s postoperative recovery was significant. Only hyperalgesia at the ulnar side of the forearm remained, with no other positive signs of neurologic loss. Motor strength of the upper and lower extremities returned to normal. The postoperative degree of the spinal cord injury was assessed as American Spinal Injury Association grade E.

Surgical removal of foreign bodies retained in the spinal canal may prevent infection, myelopathy, and delayed neurologic loss. Removal of retained intraspinal metallic fragments can improve neurologic outcome.
Species identification of Ommastrephes bartramii, Dosidicus gigas, Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis and Illex argentinus (Ommastrephidae) using beak morphological variables
Authors: Chen Xinjun , Lu Huajie , Liu Bilin , Chen Yong , Li Siliang , Jin Ma
Published: July 2012

Four oceanic squid species, Ommastrephes bartramii, Dosidicus gigas, Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis and Illex argentinus, not only support important commercial fisheries, but also play a vital role in their marine ecosystems. It is therefore important to identify them in the analyses of their predators’ stomach contents as this can yield critical information on the trophic dynamics of ecosystems. Hard beaks of the four species frequently found in their predators’ stomachs can be used to identify them. In this study, to remove the effect of size differences among individuals, measurements of upper and lower beaks were standardized with an allometric model. A discriminant analysis was carried out to compare morphological differences among the four species and between the sexes for each species. The upper rostral width and upper rostral length showed the greatest interspecific variation in the beak morphological variables of the four Ommastrephidae. The linear discriminant
functions of beak morphological variables were developed for the four Ommastraphidae, which resulted in a rate of correct species classification of over 97%. Sexual dimorphism was also found in the beak morphology of O. bartramii and I. argentinus. This study suggests that morphological variables can be used to reliably classify Ommastrephidae at genus level, which can help identify the specie in the stomachs of cephalopod predators. This helps to improve the understanding of the role cephalopods play in their marine ecosystems.
Innovation in Higher Education in Israel
Authors: Perry Milly
Published: July 2012

In order for education systems to cope with social and economic changes and perform efficiently, innovation is essential. Innovation in education (and particularly in Higher Education systems) has not been regarded as an important issue by policy makers, education stakeholders, and leaders; it seems to be regarded as “nice-to-have” rather than a necessity. Recently, innovation in education has started to gain attention. This includes systemic study of innovation, innovation strategy, and implementation of innovation strategies by policy makers and leaders. Scientific outputs and research findings can be used as input in national-international policies. In order to achieve this goal it is imperative to conduct close studies and for policy-makers to cooperate, ensuring the relevance of topics, and improving communication, dissemination, and implementation of research recommendations. These are the tools needed for leading change, innovation, and implementing new strategies.
Knowledge Management and Quality in Croatian Tourism
Authors: Holjevac Ivanka Avelini , Crnjar Kristina , Hrgovic Ana-Marija Vrtodušic
Published: July 2012

Knowledge is an infinite resource of hotel enterprises and society as a whole. In hotel enterprises, it serves as a platform for practising sustainable development and gaining competitive advantages. Knowledge-based economic development provides the best opportunities for dealing with a global environment in which rapid and dynamic changes are taking place. Seen as a precondition to success, Knowledge Management (KM) will result in generating value-added in tourism. A survey was conducted in large and mid-sized hotel enterprises to demonstrate their KM level and the contribution of KM in gaining competitive advantages in the Croatian hotel industry. Empirical research was used to establish the level of KM development in the Croatian hotel industry, and to determine the importance of KM in gaining competitive advantages in the hotel industry. In addition to knowledge, quality is a vital factor in gaining competitive advantages in hotel enterprises. Globalized markets and increasingly discerning customers, demanding more and more for their money, are compelling product and service providers to ground their business systems on customer needs. Total Quality Management (TQM)—a new management philosophy—enables the systematic application of these ideas. This chapter looks at several TQM approaches that define the basic elements essential to successful TQM implementation, in particular, the element pertaining to employees. The application of these elements in the Croatian hotel industry is presented through the results of empirical research on a sample of mid-sized and large hotel enterprises.
Slow Knowledge
Authors: Tull John
Published: July 2012

Breathless announcements of the latest information access devices occupy whole sections of our daily news, itself increasingly accessed online and on-the-go. This reinforces to the manager or educator the conventional wisdom that strategies for developing organisational capabilities inherently involve ever-quicker access and sharing of information—a belief reflected widely in organisational learning and strategy literatures. However, Knowledge Management’s role in translating learning into performance-enhancing capabilities remains opaque; “macro” evaluations are too abstract, leading to recent calls for empirical or “micro” studies. Furthermore, while rare breakthroughs attract headlines and research, customers and clients are mostly won or lost in the more mundane interactions of daily work. The evolution of organisational capabilities and how they rely on the medium of knowledge practices can be unpacked using the construct of an organisation’s “absorptive capacity,” a construct essentially unknown to KM. That construct can be improved by incorporating “tempo” as a crucial design and governance element. Analysing KM practices as supporting absorptive capacity is a new idea that provides both the manager and the educator with implementable recommendations. A detailed case study identifies the four key factors of capability development via KM, highlighting that “slow knowledge”—gearing knowledge processes to the appropriate absorptive capacity framework—can yield more effective organisational outcomes.
Technology and Tools Supporting CoPs
Authors: Buckley Sheryl , Giannakopoulos Paul
Published: July 2012

The role of technology in organisations over the past two decades, whether centred on business or education, has varied from performing simple day-to-day tasks to performing highly sophisticated problem-solving tasks. Many organisations have either adjusted their daily routines to accommodate new technology or developed technologies to satisfy their needs. At the same time, the credo “knowledge is power” was changing to one of “knowledge sharing is power.” Once this change was recognized, Communities of Practice (CoPs), a special type of community of practitioners sharing knowledge voluntarily, began to play a very important role in Knowledge Management (KM). Such communities relied heavily on technology in order to prosper. One of the greatest advantages of these communities is the sharing of tacit knowledge, in a disciplinary as well as interdisciplinary environment, which is an “ingredient” of innovation and competitive advantage. This chapter will review the ongoing evolution of the tools, types of technology, and innovations that can be used by both online and offline CoPs. It will further address the matter of which technological innovations and tools academics can use to support CoPs and the design of technology used for this purpose.
Innovation and IT in Knowledge Management to Enhance Learning and Assess Human Capital
Authors: Cricelli Livio , Grimaldi Michele , Hanandi Musadaq
Published: July 2012

The principal aims of this chapter are to provide a comprehensive understanding of the main processes for innovative knowledge management in human capital learning and to define a theoretical model that assesses and measures the human capital value contribution to an organization’s performance. The chapter aims to explain how technological advancements and innovation facilitate collaboration, support sharing of dynamic contents, and make the learning process easier and more fruitful. Finally, a summary is provided by way of a strategy map, which allows the tracking of the human capital learning process and assessment of ex-post learning performance.
Deployment of Mobile Broadband Service in the United States
Authors: Prieger James E. , Church Thomas V.
Published: July 2012

Broadband deployment in the United States is expanding rapidly but unevenly. Using new FCC census data on wireline and wireless broadband providers, the authors of this chapter study mobile broadband provision within the United States. Although rural areas lag behind non-rural areas in the availability of residential access to both mobile and fixed broadband, mobile broadband is at least partially filling in geographical gaps in fixed-line broadband coverage. Multiple regression results indicate that population density and growth, and the fraction of blacks, Hispanics, and youth in an area are positive predictors of the number of mobile broadband providers. The fraction of Native Americans, Asians, and senior citizens in an area are negative predictors. Income is positively associated with the number of providers, with largest effects in rural areas. Finally, even after controlling for population density and income, rural areas continue to be associated with a lower number of providers.
Benchmarking Mobile Operators Using DEA
Authors: Usero Belén , Asimakopoulos Grigorios
Published: July 2012

Improving efficiency is becoming crucially important for the European mobile industry due to the increased competition and market saturation over the last years. However, even though there exist diverse studies measuring efficiency using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in wire telecommunications, there is a lack of empirical studies measuring the efficiency of the mobile operators. This chapter first outlines the main techniques that are used to measure efficiency of mobile operators. Second, the chapter reviews the use of DEA in the telecommunications industry. Third, the au thors estimate the efficiency of more than seventy European mobile companies between 2007 and 2009. The findings of the DEA employed indicate that the least efficient mobile operators belong to recently joined European Union countries or South East European countries. Finally, they draw the conclusions together with policy and managerial implications based on the DEA results.
Enabling Mobile Service Provision with Sensor Networks
Authors: Görgü Levent , Wan Jie , O’Hare Gregory M.P. , O’Grady Michael J.
Published: July 2012

Sensor infrastructures have been deployed in a variety of environments. Currently, many are fixed network configurations; however, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are likely to be predominant in the future as wireless technologies continue to evolve, facilitating greater transfer of data payloads such as wireless multimedia. Such a development offers new opportunities for innovative mobile services. For this to occur, there needs to be a greater convergence between conventional mobile computing platforms and sensor technologies, enabling service interoperability and integration. This is not an insurmountable difficulty. This chapter seeks how this issue can be addressed. It considers the state-of-the-art in pervasive sensing and mobile computing, explores the practical issue of engineering software solutions for mobile services that harness sensor components, and proposes a solution based on the intelligent agent paradigm.
Runtime Discovery and Access of Web Services in Mobile Environments
Authors: Artail Hassan , Tarhini Takwa
Published: July 2012

Mobile devices are turning out to be more pervasive, and it is becoming increasingly necessary to integrate Web services into applications that run on these devices. This book chapter introduces an architecture for dynamically invoking web service methods from mobile devices with minimal user intervention that only involves entering a search phrase and values for the method parameters. The architecture overcomes technical challenges that involve consuming discovered services dynamically by providing a mediation server whose responsibility is to discover needed services and build the client-side proxies at runtime. The architecture offloads the mobile devices energy-consuming tasks that involve communication with servers over the Internet, and XML-parsing of files, and on-the-fly compilation of source code. The presented experimental evaluation includes scalability measurements, and device battery energy savings.
RFID Grouping-Proofs
Authors: Burmester Mike , Munilla Jorge
Published: July 2012

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a challenging wireless technology with a great potential for supporting supply and inventory management. In this chapter the authors consider a particular application in which a group of tagged items are scanned to generate a record of simultaneous presence called a grouping-proof. Grouping-proofs can be used, for instance, to guarantee that drugs are shipped (or dispensed) accompanied by their corresponding information leaflets, to couple the user’s electronic passport with his/her bags, to recognize the presence of groups of individuals and/or equipment and more generally to support the security of supply and inventory systems. Although it is straightforward to design solutions when the verifier is online since it is sufficient for individual tags to authenticate themselves to the verifier, interesting security engineering challenges arise when the trusted server (or verifier) is not online during the scan activity. So, the field of grouping-proofs is very active, and many works have been published so far. This chapter details the setting for RFID grouping-proofs and discuss the threat model for such applications. The authors analyze some of the grouping-proofs proposed in the literature describing their advantages and disadvantages. Then, general guidelines for designing secure grouping-proofs are proposed. Finally, some examples of grouping-proofs that are provably secure in a strong security framework are presented.
Elliptic Curve Cryptography on WISPs
Authors: Hutter Michael , Wenger Erich , Pelnar Markus , Pendl Christian
Published: July 2012

In this chapter, the authors explore the feasibility of Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) on Wireless Identification and Sensing Platforms (WISPs). ECC is a public-key based cryptographic primitive that has been widely adopted in embedded systems and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). In order to demonstrate the practicability of ECC on such platforms, the authors make use of the passively powered WISP4.1DL UHF tag from Intel Research Seattle. They implemented ECC over 192-bit prime fields and over 191-bit binary extension fields and performed a Montgomery ladder scalar multiplication on WISPs with and without a dedicated hardware multiplier. The investigations show that when running at a frequency of 6.7 MHz, WISP tags that do not support a hardware multiplier need 8.3 seconds and only 1.6 seconds when a hardware multiplier is supported. The binary-field implementation needs about 2 seconds without support of a hardware multiplier. For the WISP, ECC over prime fields provides best performance when a hardware multiplier is available; binary-field based implementations are recommended otherwise. The use of ECC on WISPs allows the realization of different public-key based protocols in order to provide various cryptographic services such as confidentiality, data integrity, non-repudiation, and authentication.
From the Farm to Fork
Authors: Alejos Ana Vazquez , Cuiñas Iñigo , Expósito Isabel , Sánchez Manuel García
Published: July 2012

In this chapter the authors present their information model implemented for one pilot developed in the “RFID from Farm to Fork” (F2F) project which looks for the extension of RFID technologies throughout the complete food chain. They describe the privacy assessment proposed by the European Union that allows the evaluation of the privacy and security impact for a RFID application under study. The main privacy risks have been identified and described by the related EU Directives concerning RFID technology. The authors describe the questionnaire elaborated by the EU to assess the privacy robustness level of a RFID application, and they showcase a real wine pilot deployed in Spain. In this chapter, the authors also examine the privacy risks in the middleware communication with both RFID reader and back-end system. The EPCIS has been the Open Source middleware solution adopted in the F2F project. For the F2F pilot deployed in the wine sector, the authors describe the privacy impact assessment questionnaire designed for this case. Finally, they discuss the threads on the RFID tags, the advantages provided by the WISP technology in this regard and its repercussion on the risk questionnaire.
Three-Dimensional Sound Directivity around a Helicopter Turboshaft Engine
Authors: Gounet Helene , Lewy Serge
Published: July 2012

Turboshaft engines can be the main source of noise due to a helicopter at takeoff. Some new silencing designs of the inlets and of the ejector were tested on a Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 engine in an open-air static facility. Intake and exhaust are not axisymmetric, and conventional directivity
patterns of sound field on a horizontal arc of circle are insufficient. A special microphone array on a vertical half-circle translating axially was built. Data processing has been implemented to plot maps of sound pressure levels in third-octave bands and to compute sound power levels. Intake
and exhaust radiations are separated thanks to mufflers on the other side. The lined fins in the secondary lateral inlet well reduce the compressor tone, which is largely dominant in intake radiation. Its sound power level is decreased by 7 dB. The novel ejector is also successful to reduce
exhaust broadband noise above 1 kHz with a gain of 5 dB on sound power level. Finally, the benefit on the acoustic emission of the helicopter in flight is appraised.
Improved Shroud Design for Rotary Wing MAV Applications Based on Computational Analysis
Authors: Lakshminarayan Vinod K. , Baeder James D.
Published: July 2012

A compressible Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solver is used to improve the design of a microscale shroud applicable for micro air vehicle (MAV) applications. The new shroud is primarily designed to improve the hover performance; however, it is also shaped to better suit
nonhovering flight conditions. The proposed shroud design has an elliptic shape on the inner portion of the shroud inlet and a circular shape on the outer portion. A collective angle sweep study of the shrouded rotor configuration using the proposed shroud design shows significant performance
benefits in hover.
Role of Helicobacter pylori specific heat shock protein-60 antibodies in the aetiology of coronary artery disease
Authors: Dixit Mahadev D. , Bhat Kishore G. , Dayal Aruneshwari
Published: July 2012

The role of chronic infections in causing coronary artery disease (CAD) has been investigated for the past several years. Among them, the role of Helicobacter pylori has stimulated keen interest. Though initial results were conflicting, there are growing data to support the role of H. pylori in CAD. The main mechanism of endothelial damage is hypothesized to be through molecular mimicry involving heat shock proteins. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of H.pylori and cytotoxin associated gene A (cagA) positive H.pylori infection in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the potential role of anti-H. pylori specific heat shock protein-60 (Hp-HSP-60) antibody response in these patients, for cardiac events. One hundred patients undergoing CABG and 100 controls were studied. The H.pylori infection and cagA status were determined serologically by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hp-HSP-60 Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were estimated by using an in house ELISA. Although there was no difference in the prevalence of H.pylori infection in patients and controls (74% vs 70%), 58% of patients were infected with cagA positive H.pylori compared to 36% of controls (P=0.002). Mean systemic levels of Hp-HSP-60 IgG were also higher in patients than in controls (27.9 vs 18.7, P=0.0001). These antibody levels were also significantly higher in H.pylori positive patients (P=0.0001). There was a strong correlation between Hp-HSP-60 antibody levels and occurrence of myocardial infarction (P=0.003). CagA positive H.pylori infection may be associated with the development of CAD. High levels of Hp-HSP-60 antibodies may constitute a marker and/or concomitant pathogenic factor of the disease.
Diazinon mediated biochemical changes in the African toad (Bufo regularis)
Authors: Tongo Isioma , Ezemonye Lawrence , Ochei Uche
Published: July 2012

The sublethal toxicity of diazinon to the adult African toad, Bufo regularis was assessed using an integration of biomarkers. Changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE), corticosterone and total protein levels were assessed in the serum, brain, liver, lungs and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the results supported by bioaccumulation data. The biomarkers were chosen as indicators of key physiological functions: AChE for neurotoxicity, corticosterone and total protein levels as indicators of oxidative stress. Toads were exposed to 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04 g/L for 28 days. Brain AChE activity reduced by 96% in the highest concentration (0.04 g/L) compared to the control brain. Similarly, AChE activities in serum, liver, lungs and GIT tissues (88%, 88%, 87, 87% umg-1 protein respectively) were also inhibited in the toads. Corticosterone and total protein levels in the tissues decreased compared to the control. The accumulation results obtained showed accumulation in the tissues (liver>serum>brain> lung>GIT), with a direct relationship between tissue concentration and changes in the biochemical indices. The alterations in all the indices were significantly concentration dependent. The biomarkers described in this study could be useful complementary indices in the risk assessment of diazinon pesticide.
The African buffalo: A villain for inter-species spread of infectious diseases in southern Africa
Authors: Michel Anita L. , Bengis Roy G.
Published: July 2012

The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large wild bovid which until recently ranged across all but the driest parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and their local range being limited to about 20 km from surface water. They are of high ecological value due to their important role as bulk feeders in the grazing hierarchy. They also have high economic value, because they are one of the sought after ‘Big Five’ in the eco-tourism industry. In Africa, buffaloes have been recognised for some time as an important role player in the maintenance and transmission of a variety of economically important livestock diseases at the wildlife and/or livestock interface. These include African strains of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Corridor disease (theileriosis), bovine tuberculosis and bovine brucellosis. For a number of other diseases of veterinary importance, African buffaloes may also serve as amplifier or incidental host, whereby infection with the causative pathogens may cause severe clinical signs such as death or abortion as in the case of anthrax and Rift Valley fever, or remain mild or subclinical for example heartwater. The long term health implications of most of those infections on the buffalo at a population level is usually limited, and they do not pose a threat on the population’s survival. Because of their ability to harbour and transmit important diseases to livestock, their sustainable future in ecotourism, trade and transfrontier conservation projects become complex and costly and reliable diagnostic tools are required to monitor these infections in buffalo populations.