bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anthropogenic impact on wetland bird diversity in and around of Budhi and Tengra rivers of Itahari Municipality
Authors: Dahal Sanju , Chhetry Damodar Thapa
Published: December 2012

The diversity and population of birds was studied from January, 2011 to December, 2011, once a week regularly. Altogether fifteen species of wetland birds were recorded from Tengra and Budhi rivers. Maximum species were recorded in January and minimum in July and August. Out of total bird species 40% were migratory, 46.67 % were resident, and 13.33 % were winter visitors. On the basis of abundance, there were 46.67% scarce, 33.33% fairly common and 20% common. On the basis of their population status, maximum number belonged to Ardeola grayii species and minimum in Leptoptilos javanicus species. Maximum species of the birds belonged to family Ardeidae. According to statistical analysis, the resident bird were more diversed then migrant and winter visitor respectively. Similarly, resident birds were much evenly distributed then winter visitors and migrant respectively. The study revealed decreasing trend of bird species from previous period. The conversion of wetland into agricultural land and plotting programmes were the main causes to decline the bird species. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v9i0.7184 BIBECHANA 9 (2013) 113-120
The sensitivity of L4 and L5 in the framework of restricted problem of three bodies when the primaries are different
Authors: Thapa RR , Raut MK
Published: December 2012

In the paper, the location of liberation points have been observed and triangular liberation points L4 and L5 are determined. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v9i0.7185 BIBECHANA 9 (2013) 121-125
About Riesz theory of compact operators
Authors: Sah Nagendra Pd
Published: December 2012

In this paper, it is shown that every compact operators are bounded and continuous. The bounded and continuous properties of an operator is sufficient for a Riesz operator. For mapping T: K-?I in normed linear space with some extended [1] properties, T becomes compact. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v9i0.7186 BIBECHANA 9 (2013) 126-129
Thermodynamic and structural properties of K-Na liquid alloy
Authors: Koirala I , Jha IS , Singh BP
Published: December 2012

The deviation from ideal mixture behavior and concentration dependent symmetry in thermodynamic and structural properties of K-Na liquid alloy is investigated within a simple statistical model. The concentration dependence of the free energy of mixing, heat of mixing, entropy of mixing, concentration fluctuation in the long wavelength limit, Warren-Cowley short range order parameter, ratio of diffusion coefficients of Potassium-sodium alloy at 384 K and activity of the components has got special attention to show a tendency of like atom pairing in the mixture. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v9i0.7187 BIBECHANA 9 (2013) 130-135
Thermodynamic properties of liquid InNa alloys
Authors: Mishra AK , Milanarun M
Published: December 2012

Concept of complex formation model has been applied to account for the thermodynamic properties of liquid InNa alloy. The theoretical study reveals that the intermetallic compound In3Na2 exists at stoichiometric composition. Our expressions reproduce successfully the asymmetric behaviour of free energy of mixing, enthalpy of mixing, s-type entropy of mixing, CSRO and phase separation in liquid In- Na alloy. It is found that Na atoms segregate on the surface. The study reveals that various factors such as size difference and electronegative factor are not sufficient to account for the asymmetry in the system. The low value of order energy suggests that In-Na is a weak interacting system DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v9i0.7192 BIBECHANA 9 (2013) 165-174
Population Studies of Tree Hole Breeding Aedes Species (Diptera: Culicidae) in Dhaka University Campus and its Adjacent Suhrawardi Park, Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Authors: Sultana Nargis , Akter Tangin , Begum Shefali
Published: December 2012

A survey of the larval population of tree hole breeding Aedes mosquito was conducted from January to December, 2010 in four different areas of Dhaka University Campus and its adjacent Suhrawardi park. A total of 689 mosquito larvae was collected during the survey. Among them 396 (57.47%) were Aedes albopictus, 51 (7.02%) were Ae. aegypti and 242 (35.12%) other Aedes species, and the number of male and female among them was counted 347 (50.36%) and 342 (49.63%), respectively. Among the varieties of plant species in the study area only 27 species of trees were found with 56 holes wherein 34 holes of 17 species trees were used by mosquitoes for breeding ground. The highest number (160) of larvae was found in bamboo (Bambusa nutans) stumps hole and lowest (13) in Delonix regia hole. The highest number of larval population was collected in September and the larval population increased from March to September and then gradually decreased. No mosquito larva was found in the tree holes in January and February. The number of larvae collected from different survey areas also varied which were 309 (44.84%), 152 (22.06%), 145 (21.04%) and 83 (12.04%) in Suhrawardi park, and the Arts building, Curzon hall and Botanical garden of Dhaka University, respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12887 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 1-11, 2012
Determination of the Age and Growth of Glossogobius Giuris (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822) Using Sectioned Otolith
Authors: Ahmed Md Sagir , Latifa Gulshan Ara
Published: December 2012

The freshwater gobi, Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822)  (Gobiidae: Perciformes) is an important freshwater fish species in Bangladesh. The  age and growth of this species, collected from the river Titas, Brahmanbaria, were  studied with transverse sections of otoliths. The otoliths opaque zones that are  formed every year were the annual rings. The growth of this species was rapid  during the first two years, reaching 18.5 cm in total length. Most of the specimens  were 1-2 years old and accounted for 90% in total. The maximum age recorded  was five years with 19.5 cm in total length. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters  L? and K for this species were 19.58 cm and 1.36/year, respectively. The study  indicated that the age and growth of G. giuris can be determined using its  sectioned otolith. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12889 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 13-19, 2012
Status and Distribution of the Gangetic Dolphin, Platanista Gangetica Gangetica (Roxburgh, 1801) In River Buriganga During 2003-2004 and Its Conservation
Authors: Alam Shayer Mahmood Ibney , Sarker Noor Jahan
Published: December 2012

Studies on the population status, distribution and conservation issues of the Gangetic dolphin Platanista gangetica gangetica were undertaken in the river Buriganga from November 2003 to November 2004. A total of 29 sightings with the highest of five sightings and a best-high-low estimate of 9-11-7 individuals were recorded in November 2004, while in the months of August and October no dolphin was observed. The mean density was 0.25 dolphin/km and the highest encounter rate was 0.29 sightings/km. Of the total sightings, 41.38% were in the groups of more than one individuals. Of the observed dolphins, 71.43% were adults,16.66% maturing and 11.9% young. The dolphins were found in 15 locations with both single as well as multiple sightings. Main threat to the dolphins was found to be pollution followed by traffic load and dredging activities. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12890 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 21-31, 2012
Studies on the Protozoan Parasites of Hilsa Shad, Tenualosa Ilisha in Bangladesh
Authors: Bhuiyan Aminul Islam , Momen Mahfuza
Published: December 2012

Present investigation was conducted to study the protozoan parasites of    hilsa shad, Tenualosa ilisha collected from Aricha Ghat, Dhaka. Thirty fishes were observed. Fishes were collected during months of August 2010 and September 2010. A total of 1099 individuals of protozoan parasite of eight genera/species were recorded during the present study. These parasites were found on body surface, gills and gall bladder of the fish. Jirovecia piscicola had the highest prevalence (53.33%) while Coccomyxa baleswarensis had the lowest prevalence (26.67%) of infection. Most of the host individuals had double (43%) and single (40%) species infection. Only a few (10%) host had triple species infection. No fish had more than three species of parasite at a time. Glugea sp. dominated over all other parasites. J. piscicola, Zschokkella ilishae and Ceratomyxa hilsae had almost  similar abundance while C. baleswarensis had the lowest (5.64%) abundance. Abundance of Sphaeromyxa dighae, Myxobolus sp. and Kudoa sp. were comparatively low ranging from 9.36% to 17.35%. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12892 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 33-41, 2012
Comparison of Esterase Isozyme Variability in Some Selected Tissues of the Asian and African Catfishes (Siluriformes: Clariidae)
Authors: Begum Rowshan Ara , Rahman Dilshad Tamanna , Rashid Md Abdul , Alam Md Shamimul , Shahjahan Reza Md
Published: December 2012

Variation in esterase isozymes expression of 19 different tissues of the Asian catfish (Clarias batrachus) and African catfish (C. gariepinus) was studied. These tissues were: liver, anterior muscle, mid muscle, tail muscle (ventral region), tail muscle (tip region), buccal muscle, stomach, foregut, midgut, hindgut, kidney, gill, heart, eye (lens), eye (black portion), pelvic muscle, fore-, mid- and hind-brain. Maximum five esterase bands, viz. Est-11.83, Est-21.50, Est-31.15, Est-41.00 and Est- 50.17 were observed in the Asian catfish and four bands, viz. Est-21.50, Est-31.15, Est-41.00 and Est-50.17 in the African catfishes. Tissue specific localization of the isozymes was observed in both Asian and African catfishes. Comparatively higher esterase activity was found in digestive tissues. Higher number of esterase bands was found in C. batrachus which seems to be an indication of its greater allelic variation in esterases than those in the C. gariepinus. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12893 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 43-50, 2012
The Current Status of Indigenous Freshwater Fishes in Jordan
Authors: Mir Sayeeda , Hamidan Nasht
Published: December 2012

Considerable changes were revealed in the indigenous freshwater fish fauna during a field survey of six years from 2006 to 2008. Most of them are endangered and one endemic species, Aphanius sirhani, is under the threat of extinction. Four other species, Garra rufa, G. ghorensis, Nemacheilus insignis and  Aphanius dispar richardsoni are also endangered. Misuse of the limited water resources, intensification of agriculture, overexploitation of fishing and the  introduction of exotic species are considered to be major threats to Jordans  freshwater fish fauna. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12895 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 59-67, 2012
Efficacy of Monosodium Glutamate in the Australian Blowfly, Lucilia Cuprina Wiedmann (Diptera : Calliphoridae)
Authors: Begum M , Kabir M A , Khan H R , Rahman M F
Published: December 2012

Efficacy of monosodium glutamate (MSG) was studied in the Australian blowfly, Lucilia cuprina at six different doses, viz. 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 g, and the results were compared with the control. The effects of MSG were observed on the mortality, width and histology of Malpighian tubules (MTs) of the fly. The highest (100%) and lowest (16.67%) mortalities of the  flies were recorded at 10g and 0.5g doses, respectively. Average widths of the  MTs of flies in treatment (5g dose) and control were 48.62 ?m and 58.85 ?m, respectively. Histological observations through the cross section of the MTs showed the constriction at 0.5g and 5g doses. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12896 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 69-75, 2012
Bacteriological Quality of Marketed Mola Fish, Amblypharyngodon Mola From Dhaka Metropolis
Authors: Nilla Saima Sharif , Khan Md Anisur Rahman , Khan Md Mahmudur Rahman , Ahsan Dewan Ali , Mustafa Md Ghulam
Published: December 2012

The bacteriological quality of mola fish (Amblypharyngodon mola) from three local fish markets as fresh and as frozen from three departmental chain shops of Dhaka metropolis were analyzed. The microbial quality parameters varied with different sources and the quality was found to be poor for local market fish samples. In total 24 samples were considered for bacteriological quality analysis and 10 pathogenic isolates for antibiotic sensitivity test to 12 antibiotics. The total bacterial count ranged from 1.8 ± 0.25×104 to 6.5 ± 0.75 × 106 cfu/g for fresh and 5.5 ± 0.55 × 103 to 7.0 ± 0.80 × 105 cfu/g for frozen mola. The highest total coliform count of mola was 8.0 ± 0.55 × 104 and 6.1 ± 0.40 × 103 cfu/g for local market and departmental chain shop, respectively. All fresh and frozen samples were observed having high quantity of E. coli above 102 cfu/g. Furthermore, Salmonella-Shigella was identified in 67% samples (75% of fresh and 58% of frozen  samples) varied from 0.9 ± 0.00 ×102 to 5.3 ± 0.30 × 103 cfu/g whereas Vibrio spp.was confirmed in 79% samples (83% of fresh and 75% of frozen samples) of which  90% samples exceeded 102 cfu/g. Similar pattern was observed in Staphylococcus spp. with 83% of fresh and 58% of frozen samples (63% of total samples) beyond 103 cfu/g. In case of antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the indicator and pathogenic isolates, all of them were resistant to amoxicillin and penicillin. Most of the isolates were sensitive to bacitracin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and streptomycin. The findings proved that mola fish under this study was more or less  contaminated and local fish market samples were highly privileged with food borne pathogens which confirmed the unhygienic condition of the market as well as the  presence of antibiotic resistance bacteria in mola fish may threat to public health safety. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12897 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 77-88, 2012
Rice Field Insect Pests During the Rice Growing Seasons in Two Areas Of Hathazari, Chittagong
Authors: Nasiruddin Munira , Roy Rasel Chandra
Published: December 2012

A survey of rice field insect pests was conducted during the rice growing seasons in two areas of Hathazari, Chittagong for a period of one year to prepare a preliminary list of rice field insect pests, in three rice growing seasons (Boro, Aus  and Aman). During the study period 35 species belonging to 30 genera under 13 families under four economically important insect orders were recorded. These were: order Hemiptera- five families with 14 species, order Orthoptera- four  families with nine species, order Lepidoptera- three families with 11 species and order- Coleoptera- one family with one species. On the basis of numerical records  of the rice field insect pests, the ranking of the seasons was: Boro > Aman > Aus;of the stages was: Seedling > Transplanting > Flowering; of the orders was:   Hemiptera > Orthoptera > Lepidoptera > Coleoptera; and of the spots was: Spot 2 > Spot 1. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12898 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 89-100, 2012
Phytoplankton Diversity and Abundance in Relation to Pollution Levels in the Hazaribagh Tannery Effluent Sewage Water of the River Buriganga
Authors: Ferdous Zannatul , Akter Sumi , Hasan Mahamudul , Begum Rawshan Ara , Shahajahan Reza Md
Published: December 2012

About 185 leather processing industries have been operating in Hazaribagh and discharging solid and liquid wastes to the downstream areas of the river Buriganga and to the canals around. The physico-chemical parameters and biological examination of tannery effluents sewage water were carried out in relation to phytoplankton abundance at four selected points (viz. Kamrangirchar: K1, K2 and K3; Hazaribagh Tempo Stand: H) of the Buriganga river from October  2009 to September 2010. Altogether 27 genera of Phytoplankton belonging to the families Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Euglenophyceae and Cryptophyceae were identified from the above points. Merismopedia was the most abundant form (3.6×104 - 2.4×106 cell/L) compared to those (1.4-72 ×103 cell/l) genera of other phytoplankton (Nitzschia, Synedra, Pleurosigma, Euglena , Strusastrum, Crucigenia, Ourococcus ) at K1, the station closest to the tannery  effluent outfall. The abundance of Merismopedia increased gradually (K2: 6.45×104 - 3.68×106, K3: 6.95×104 -1.68x107 and H: 1.0×105 - 2.06×107) along with the decreasing pollutant concentrations of the water. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12901 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 121-128, 2012
Managing Artificially Drained Low-Gradient Agricultural Headwaters for Enhanced Ecosystem Functions
Authors: Pierce Samuel , Kröger Robert , Pezeshki Reza
Published: December 2012

Large tracts of lowlands have been drained to expand extensive agriculture into areas that were historically categorized as wasteland. This expansion in agriculture necessarily coincided with changes in ecosystem structure, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling. These changes have impacted not only the landscapes in which they occurred, but also larger water bodies receiving runoff from drained land. New approaches must append current efforts toward land conservation and restoration, as the continuing impacts to receiving waters is an issue of major environmental concern. One of these approaches is agricultural drainage management. This article reviews how this approach differs from traditional conservation efforts, the specific practices of drainage management and the current state of knowledge on the ecology of drainage ditches. A bottom-up approach is utilized, examining the effects of stochastic hydrology and anthropogenic disturbance on primary production and diversity of primary producers, with special regard given to how management can affect establishment of macrophytes and how macrophytes in agricultural landscapes alter their environment in ways that can serve to mitigate non-point source pollution and promote biodiversity in receiving waters.
Chemosensors — Welcome to a New Open Access Journal Intended to Cover All Aspects of Chemical Sensing
Authors: Medintz Igor
Published: December 2012

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Chemosensors, a new online-only journal established by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI, Basel, Switzerland) with the intent of covering all aspects of chemical sensing. The ability to sense or detect/identify and quantitate a chemical entity, and in particular accomplish this through the use of chemical means, has never been a more important part of our society. Chemosensing permeates diverse fields including healthcare (e.g., blood chemistry analysis), food safety (e.g., detecting contamination and spoilage), environmental monitoring (e.g., air and water quality), product and manufacturing assurance (e.g., purity and efficacy), household safety (e.g., smoke detection), forensics (e.g., drug analysis), and biological research (e.g., quantitating DNA or monitoring intracellular homeostasis), to name but a paltry few areas. Indeed, the application of chemosensing has become such an integrated aspect of modern society that trying to compile a comprehensive list of where it is utilized or relied on is almost impossible. Equally daunting is trying to compile a comprehensive list of all the different sensing techniques, types of analysis, modes of signal transduction, instruments and similar type aspects. The pace of new developments in this field is both remarkable and continuously accelerating with new products and applications being developed on an almost unceasing basis. [...]
Aboveground Deadwood Deposition Supports Development of Soil Yeasts
Authors: Yurkov Andrey , Wehde Thorsten , Kahl Tiemo , Begerow Dominik
Published: December 2012

Unicellular saprobic fungi (yeasts) inhabit soils worldwide. Although yeast species typically occupy defined areas on the biome scale, their distribution patterns within a single type of vegetation, such as forests, are more complex. In order to understand factors that shape soil yeast communities, soils collected underneath decaying wood logs and under forest litter were analyzed. We isolated and identified molecularly a total of 25 yeast species, including three new species. Occurrence and distribution of yeasts isolated from these soils provide new insights into ecology and niche specialization of several soil-borne species. Although abundance of typical soil yeast species varied among experimental plots, the analysis of species abundance and community composition revealed a strong influence of wood log deposition and leakage of organic carbon. Unlike soils underneath logs, yeast communities in adjacent areas harbored a considerable number of transient (phylloplane-related) yeasts reaching 30% of the total yeast quantity. We showed that distinguishing autochthonous community members and species transient in soils is essential to estimate appropriate effects of environmental factors on soil fungi. Furthermore, a better understanding of species niches is crucial for analyses of culture-independent data, and may hint to the discovery of unifying patterns of microbial species distribution.
Electric Energy Consumption of the Full Scale Research Biogas Plant “Unterer Lindenhof”: Results of Longterm and Full Detail Measurements
Authors: Naegele Hans-Joachim , Lemmer Andreas , Oechsner Hans , Jungbluth Thomas
Published: December 2012

This work thoroughly evaluates the electric power consumption of a full scale, 3 × 923 m3 complete stirred tank reactor (CSTR) research biogas plant with a production capacity of 186 kW of electric power. The plant was fed with a mixture of livestock manure and renewable energy crops and was operated under mesophilic conditions. This paper will provide an insight into precise electric energy consumption measurements of a full scale biogas plant over a period of two years. The results showed that a percentage of 8.5% (in 2010) and 8.7% (in 2011) of the produced electric energy was consumed by the combined heat and power unit (CHP), which was required to operate the biogas plant. The consumer unit agitators with 4.3% (in 2010) and 4.0% (in 2011) and CHP unit with 2.5% (in 2010 and 2011) accounted for the highest electrical power demand, in relation to the electric energy produced by the CHP unit. Calculations show that 51% (in 2010) and 46% (in 2011) of the total electric energy demand was due to the agitators. The results finally showed the need for permanent measurements to identify and quantify the electric energy saving potentials of full scale biogas plants.
The Relationship between Skin Symptoms and Allergic Reactions to Asian Dust
Authors: Otani Shinji , Onishi Kazunari , Mu Haosheng , Yokoyama Yae , Hosoda Takenobu , Okamoto Mikizo , Kurozawa Youichi
Published: December 2012

Asian dust events result from displacement of atmospheric pollutants from the Chinese and Mongolian deserts, causing associated health issues throughout Northeast Asia. We investigated the relationship between skin symptoms in Asian dust events and contact allergy to Asian dust and associated metals. Increases in atmospheric levels of heavy metals such as Ni, Al, and Fe occurred during the severe Asian dust event on March 21, 2010. We conducted a case–control study (n = 62) with patch testing to compare skin symptoms on an Asian dust day with metal allergic reactions. Skin symptoms were observed in 18/62 subjects. Nine subjects with skin symptoms (group A) and 11 without (group B) were patch tested for six metals and Asian dust particles. Metal and dust samples were applied to the subjects’ backs for 2 days and the reactions were scored according to the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group guidelines. Differences in the positive rates between the groups were analyzed. Skin reactions to ferric chloride (p = 0.015), aluminum chloride (p = 0.047), nickel sulfate (p = 0.008), and Asian dust particles (p = 0.047) were more common in group A than in group B. Skin symptoms during Asian dust events may be allergic reactions to Asian dust particle-bound metals.
The Adsorption of n-Octanohydroxamate Collector on Cu and Fe Oxide Minerals Investigated by Static Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Buckley Alan , Denman John , Hope Gregory
Published: December 2012

The feasibility of investigating the adsorption of n-octanohydroxamate collector on copper and iron oxide minerals with static secondary ion mass spectrometry has been assessed. Secondary ion mass spectra were determined for abraded surfaces of air-exposed copper metal, malachite, pseudomalachite and magnetite that had been conditioned in aqueous potassium hydrogen n-octanohydroxamate solution, as well as for the corresponding bulk CuII and FeIII complexes. In each case, the chemical species present at the solid/vacuum interface of a similarly prepared surface were established by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The most abundant positive and negative metal-containing fragment ions identified for the bulk complexes were also found to be diagnostic secondary ions for the collector adsorbed on the oxide surfaces. The relative abundances of those diagnostic ions varied with, and could be rationalised by, the monolayer or multilayer coverage of the adsorbed collector. However, the precise mass values for the diagnostic ions were not able to corroborate the different bonding in the copper and iron hydroxamate systems that had been deduced from photoelectron and vibrational spectra. Parent secondary ions were able to provide supporting information on the co-adsorption of hydroxamic acid at each conditioned surface.
Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel Phenyl Sulfonamide Derivatives Designed as Modulators of Pulmonary Inflammatory Response
Authors: Barbosa Maria , Ramos Thiago , De Arantes Ana , Martins Marco , Silva Patrícia , Barreiro Eliezer , Lima Lídia
Published: December 2012

In this paper we report the design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a new series of phenyl sulfonamide derivatives 2a–h and 3–8 planned by structural modification on the anti-inflammatory prototype LASSBio-468 (1). Among the synthesized analogues, the tetrafluorophthalimide LASSBio-1439 (2e) stands out showing an in vitro anti-TNF-α effect similar to the standard thalidomide. The relevance of tetrafluorination of the phthalimide nucleus was also confirmed by the anti-inflammatory profile of 2e, through oral administration, in a murine model of pulmonary inflammation. The corresponding tetrafluorocarboxyamide metabolite LASSBio-1454 (15), generated from partial hydrolysis of the derivative 2e, presented a significant in vitro effect and a pronounced anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Questions autour de la psychosociologie : fondements et technique de l'intervention
Authors: Guerra Giovanni
Published: December 2012

Résumé Dès son origine, la revue Connexions a été un lieu ouvert de débat et de réflexion autour de la psychosociologie. Dans l’analyse de deux articles parus dans les premiers numéros de 1972, on met en évidence la présence de deux thématiques : le positionnement épistémologique de la psychosociologie et la théorie de la technique de l’intervention. Ces deux thématiques sont toujours actuelles. Ce qui peut apparaître comme des questions non résolues constitue en réalité l’expression du caractère singulier de la psychosociologie : l’interrogation continue des catégories de construction du réel conduit inévitablement à l’interrogation de la psychosociologie sur ses propres fondements théoriques et techniques.
Critiquer les sciences et la médecine dans un pays non hégémonique
Authors: Quet Mathieu
Published: December 2012

Les années 1960 et 1970 correspondent, pour nombre de pays industrialisés, à une période de profonde remise en question du développement scientifique et technique. Les controverses (pesticides, nucléaire, amiante) se multiplient et certains groupes vont jusqu’à prôner une remise en cause radicale de la science et de la technologie, au profit de pratiques alternatives considérées comme plus démocratiques. Ces groupes (Science for the People aux États-Unis, Impascience en France) ont fait l’objet de plusieurs travaux. En revanche, on connaît moins l’histoire de la critique des sciences dans les pays non hégémoniques. Afin d’y remédier, cette étude revient sur les mouvements de critique des sciences en Inde, en insistant sur les mouvements militants impliqués dans la critique de la médecine. Elle permet de mettre au jour certaines spécificités de la critique indienne par rapport aux critiques européenne et étasunienne. Alors que, dans les pays industrialisés, une scission claire a lieu entre la critique positiviste des sciences (d’influence communiste) et la critique radicale (influencée par le militantisme gauchiste), cette distinction est plus nuancée en Inde, où les formes critiques sont souvent entremêlées sur le terrain. Cette complexité est mise en évidence à partir de l’étude du statut attribué aux savoirs autochtones dans la critique de la médecine, en particulier sur la question de l’articulation entre savoirs traditionnels et connaissances technoscientifiques.
La cybernétique « américaine » au sein du structuralisme « français »
Authors: Geoghegan Bernard Dionysius
Published: December 2012

À partir de la lecture des archives de correspondances, archives institutionnelles et travaux publiés, cet article reconstruit la convergence des sujets d’intérêt de la Fondation Rockefeller, de Roman Jakobson et de Claude Lévi-Strauss autour de la cybernétique entre les années 1940 et 1950. Le soutien de la Fondation pour ces deux chercheurs a contribué à la formation d’une synthèse partielle de la cybernétique et de son intégration dans les conceptions de recherche structurelle de l’après-guerre et a favorisé le transfert des conceptions américaines et des sciences de l’ingénieur dans les sciences humaines européennes. Mais cette synthèse et ce transfert ont été contestés et partiels : durant les années 1950 les travaux de Jakobson et de Lévi-Strauss se sont écartés des conceptions véhiculées par la Fondation mais ont aussi largement divergé l’un de l’autre.
Explorer les sept mers
Authors: Torma Franziska
Published: December 2012

L’intention de cet article est de montrer comment les expéditions océanographiques ont, simultanément, redéfini et popularisé les tropiques comme un espace de science postcoloniale et l’imaginaire européen occidental. Entre 1950 et 1970 n’était pas simplement un champ de recherche scientifique. Jacques-Yves Cousteau et Hans Hass, figures populaires, ont navigué à travers les sept mers et réalisé de nombreux films documentaires. Les animaux marins, et la future discipline du comportement animal, devenaient indispensables à la perception populaire des tropiques. En saisissant la science et la perception comme étant deux pratiques reliées, structurant le contact des Européens avec l’environnement océanique, cet article met l’accent sur la continuité et la discontinuité des idéologies et pratiques coloniales. Par exemple, la « nouvelle » science du comportement animal a été structurée par des anciennes vues coloniales, du « paradis », les pratiques à bord des navires de recherche pourraient être rapprochées des aventures de pirates et la représentation du paysage tropical reliée à la tradition des films ethnographiques. Méthodologiquement, un concept multi-niveau de la connaissance qui combine l’imagination et la science, le discours et la pratique, est essentiel : la connaissance n’est pas seulement l’information obtenue par l’observation de la faune marine, mais plutôt un modèle d’interprétation par lequel les gens perçoivent le monde et donnent un sens à leur propre existence dans un environnement donné. Le but de cet article est d’esquisser un concept de la « tropicalité » dans une perspective océanique : les stéréotypes coloniaux des mers ne présentent pas seulement une « violence épistémique » (Spivak) mais aussi une façon de produire de nouvelles significations pour les environnements non européens dans cette époque de décolonisation et de transition globale.
La science et la victime statistique
Authors: Jasanoff Sheila
Published: December 2012

L’apparition des litiges de masse dans le dernier tiers du XXe siècle a accéléré la modernisation d’une institution qui n’était pas préparée à une approche standardisée de la résolution des litiges. Face aux grandes catastrophes technologiques, en particulier, les tribunaux ont peiné à réformer à la fois leurs procédures et leurs méthodes d’investigation dans le but de traiter les demandes multiples concernant plusieurs instances à la fois. Avec pour cas d’étude les litiges liés aux implants mammaires au gel de silicone, cet article entend démontrer qu’en cherchant à associer des préoccupations d’ordre judiciaire visant la justice individuelle avec des préoccupations d’ordre administratif visant la rapidité, l’efficacité et l’économie, on a produit des anomalies. Les témoignages du médecin clinicien et de la victime sont devenus moins pertinents car les voies de recours judiciaire prennent en compte les préjudices infligés aux groupes de plaignants. Le droit subjectif du corps humain est soumis à des corrélations statistiques entre le risque et les recours collectifs. Par ailleurs, de nouvelles règles de preuves ont attribué au juge l’autorité compétente pour mener l’enquête (dont le jury était détenteur), privilégiant les connaissances générales et le bon sens de la magistrature, au détriment de ceux du jury. Il est certes possible que ces changements accélèrent le traitement des affaires, mais cet article remet en cause la légitimité du choix des tribunaux dans les affaires liées à la question du risque et de la justice sociale dans les sociétés industrielles contemporaines.
Quand l’amateur rend le numérique analogique
Authors: Ribac François
Published: December 2012

Alors que les technologies recourant à la numérisation ne cessent de croître et d’étendre leur périmètre, nombreux sont ceux qui s’interrogent sur les effets de ces outils. Soutenu par une recherche de terrain, cet article s’intéresse à la façon dont de jeunes musicien·ne·s de rock, rap et techno utilisent ces technologies. Les observations montrent la grande diversité des modes d’appropriation et plus généralement qu’on ne saurait envisager le « numérique » sans sa composante analogique.
An Intelligent Approach to Assess Tacit Knowledge Fitness in Networked Enterprises
Authors: Al-Mutawah Khalid A.
Published: December 2012

Many organizations attempt to form strategic networked enterprises, yet such strategies are difficult to implement because they are as likely to fail as to succeed. This failure is due to intangible differences and mismatches between partners in tacit knowledge (TK). Despite the various proposed partnership assessment models/tools in the literature, an immediate need exists for a new approach to measure the mismatch in TK across different organizations. This is due to the complex, vague, and uncertain nature of TK attributes. Hence, an instrument for measuring vagueness (imprecise), such as fuzzy linguistic variables, is needed. In this study, the author applies a neuro-fuzzy approach to assess TK fitness in networked enterprises. The results show how differences in TK between partners affect the networked enterprise’s performance. Furthermore, the assessment approach reveals the most significant values to adopt and the irrelevant values that must be abandoned to smooth the partnership formation. The proposed model can prevent unexpected conflicts between partners if managed properly.
ANN Based Approach to Integrate Smell Sense in Multimedia Systems
Authors: Al-Bastaki Yousif , Al-Mutawah Khalid A.
Published: December 2012

Despite the wide usage of multimedia in several applications, research in the field of olfaction is immature in helping humans work and communicate through multi-sensory interfaces, including smell. There is no consistent method of testing user capability of smell. Therefore, smell detection and generation systems are not well integrated into today’s multimedia systems. In this paper, the authors propose an odor sensing system with the capability of the discrimination among closely similar 20 different odor patterns and propose an on-line classification method using a handheld odor meter (OMX-GR sensor) and neural network that can be used in different multimedia applications. The proposed system is integrated to enhance the functionality of an online multimedia shopping system that is capable of selling products with visual and auditory senses.
A Comparative Study of the Effects of Culture on the Deployment of Information Technology
Authors: Ditsa George , Alwahaishi Saleh , Al-Kobaisi Shayma , Snášel Václav
Published: December 2012

Culture is thought to be the most difficult to isolate, define, and measure in the adoption and use of IT (Information Technology) (Hassan & Ditsa, 1999). Consequently, the impact of culture on the adoption and use of IT does not feature prominently in Information Systems (IS) literature. As cultural factors are important to the success of IT adoption and use, this research paper examines culture’s impact on the adoption and use of IT in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The results of the study were compared along eight cultural dimensions with a study on the adoption and use of IT in developing and developed countries. The results are also used to identify issues that concern the relationship of culture and IT and their implications for IT adoption and use in the UAE. The study results are further used to suggest ways of bridging the digital divide between the UAE and developed countries.
A Preliminary Classification of Usage Measures in Information System Acceptance
Authors: Lallmahomed Muhammad Z. I. , Rahim Nor Zairah Ab , Ibrahim Roliana , Rahman Azizah Abdul
Published: December 2012

In the light of a diverse body of disorganized usage measures available and the difficulty of building a cumulative research tradition, a literature review is conducted on system use in Information Systems (IS) Acceptance through the two main theories of Technology Adoption, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and The Unified Theory of Use and Acceptance of Technology (UTAUT). The authors seek to understand how usage measures are being operationalised and proposed a preliminary classification of those measures that covers system and task aspects of use. A Q-Sort approach was taken to validate the authors’ classification scheme and the result indicates high inter-rater agreement. The ensuing classification is meant to help researchers in their choice of system use measures. This review also summarises the arguments for a multi-dimensional measure of use and establishes that omnibus measure such as frequency, volume and use/non-use hold prevalence. Finally, the authors provide recommendations for further research in the area of system use.
The Driving Internal Beliefs of Household Internet Adoption among Jordanians and the Role of Cultural Values
Authors: Al Omoush Khaled Saleh , Alqirem Raed Musbah , Shaqrah Amin A.
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a comprehensive model for the determinants of household Internet adoption through identifying the driving internal beliefs of individuals and the effect of cultural values on behavioral intention to adopt the household Internet among Jordanians. Given the widely recognized effect of cultural values on adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), this study, applying Hofstede’s multidimensional framework, investigated the effect of cultural values on the behavioral intention to household Internet adoption in micro level. The empirical examination of the research model indicated that the behavioral intention to household Internet adoption is determined directly by five internal beliefs, including perceived needs, perceived risks, perceived ease of use, perceived resources, and perceived image. The results provide supporting empirical evidence linking most of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions to behavioral intention to household Internet adoption. With the exception of power distance, the results showed that collectivism (low individualism), masculinity, long-term orientation, and uncertainty avoidance had significant effects on the behavioral intention to household Internet adoption. The results demonstrated differences in the driving forces and cultural impact on Internet adoption between households and organizations settings.
Semantic Search Engine and Object Database Guidelines for Service Oriented Architecture Models
Authors: Shehab Omar , Zolait Ali Hussein Saleh
Published: December 2012

In this paper, the authors propose a Semantic Search Engine, which retrieves software components precisely and uses techniques to store these components in a database, such as ontology technology. The engine uses semantic query language to retrieve these components semantically. The authors use an exploratory study where the proposed method is mapped between object-oriented concepts and web ontology language. A qualitative survey and interview techniques were used to collect data. The findings after implementing this research are a set of guidelines, a model, and a prototype to describe the semantic search engine system. The guidelines provided help software developers and companies reduce the cost, time, and risks of software development.
Creating a Personalized Artificial Intelligence Course
Authors: Popescu Elvira , Badica Costin
Published: December 2012

This paper illustrates the use of WELSA adaptive educational system for the implementation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) course which is individualized to the learning style of each student. Several of the issues addressed throughout this paper are describing similar approaches existing in literature, how the AI course is created, and what kind of personalization is provided in the course including the underlying adaptation mechanism. The authors also focus on whether the course is used effectively by the stakeholders (teachers and students respectively). Results obtained in the paper confirm the practical applicability of WELSA and its potential for meeting the personalization needs and expectations of the digital native students.
Expertise Learning and Identification with Information Retrieval
Authors: Rubens Neil , Kaplan Dain , Okamoto Toshio
Published: December 2012

In today’s knowledge-based economy, having proper expertise is crucial in resolving many tasks. Expertise Finding (EF) is the area of research concerned with matching available experts to given tasks. A standard approach is to input a task description/proposal/paper into an EF system and receive recommended experts as output. Mostly, EF systems operate either via a content-based approach, which uses the text of the input as well as the text of the available experts’ profiles to determine a match, and structure-based approaches, which use the inherent relationship between experts, affiliations, papers, etc. The underlying data representation is fundamentally different, which makes the methods mutually incompatible. However, previous work (Watanabe et al., 2005a) achieved good results by converting content-based data to a structure-representation and using a structure-based approach. The authors posit that the reverse may also hold merit, namely, a content-based approach leveraging structure-based data converted to a content-based representation. This paper compares the authors’ idea to a content only-based approach, demonstrating that their method yields substantially better performance, and thereby substantiating their claim.
SocialX
Authors: Sterbini Andrea , Temperini Marco
Published: December 2012

SocialX is a web application supporting social-collaborative and cooperative aspects of e-learning, such as sharing and reuse of (solutions to) single exercises, and development of projects by group-work and social exchange. Such aspects are supported in the framework of a reputation system, in which learners participate. We describe design and motivational issues of the system, show implementation details and describe a small-scale experimentation that helped evaluating the effectiveness of the system as well as the best lines for further development. In the system, learner’s reputation is computed, presented and maintained during her/his interactions with the system. The algorithm to compute reputation can be configured by the teacher, by tuning weights associated to various aspects of the interactions. To enhance collaboration on exercises, we support contextual (to the exercise) micro-forum and FAQs, together with a currency-based concretization of the perceived usefulness of questions/answers. Group responsibilities, peer-assessment and self-evaluation are supported by group-based projects with self/peer-evaluated phases: Different stages of a project are assigned to different groups; a stage-deliverable is both self-evaluated (at submission) and peer-evaluated (by the group receiving it for the next stage). This paper is an extension of the original version, published on the International Journal of Information Systems and Social Change: mainly two sections were added, describing the latest improvements and some experimentation.
A Broken Supply and Social Chain
Authors: Zhang Yanli , Xing Ruben , Wang Zhongxian
Published: December 2012

There was a time in the history of GM when it was the largest corporation in the US. The history of GM also shows that it was the single largest employer in the world. The announcement of GM’s bankruptcy on June 1, 2009 shocked the world and had a tremendous impact on the United States economy. Looking back at the history of GM, there were many indicators which suggested the fate of the company. There were several internal factors that answer the question, what went wrong with GM. These internal factors are management arrogance, not meeting customer demands, the costs and demands of unions, poor forecasting, and internal controls on accounting standards. Similarly, there were several external factors that answer the same question, which include increased competition and loss of market share, rising gas prices and environmental friendliness, and the costs and burdens of meeting government regulations and restrictions. This paper will explore and answer the following questions: What are the fundamental causes of GM’s problems? What can be learned from GM’s mistakes and experiences? How and why an industrial icon came to ruin?
Collective Construction of Meaning and System for an Inclusive Social Network
Authors: Neris Vânia Paula de Almeida , Almeida Leonelo Dell Anhol , Cunha de Miranda Leonardo , Hayashi Elaine Cristina Saito , Baranauskas M. Cecília C.
Published: December 2012

Information and Communication Technology has the potential of benefiting citizens, allowing access to knowledge, communication and collaboration, and thus promoting the process of constitution of a fairer society. The design of systems that make sense to the users’ community and that respect their diversity demands socio-technical views and an in-depth analysis of the involved parties. The authors have adopted Organizational Semiotics and Participatory Design as theoretical and methodological frames of reference to face this challenge in the design of an Inclusive Social Network System for the Brazilian context. This paper presents the use of some artifacts adapted from Problem Articulation Method to clarify concepts and prospect solutions. Results of this clarification fed the Semantic Analysis Method from which this paper presents and discusses an Ontology Chart for the domain and the first signs of the inclusive social network system.