bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser on Tensile Bond Strength and Caries Resistance of Human Enamel
Authors: Wen X , Zhang L , Liu R , Deng M , Wang Y , Liu L , Nie X
Published: August 2013

This study aims to evaluate the effects of pulsed Nd:YAG laser on the tensile bond strength (TBS) of resin to human enamel and caries resistance of human enamel. A total of 201 human premolars were used in this in vitro study. A flat enamel surface greater than 4 × 4 mm in area was prepared on each specimen using a low-speed cutting machine under a water coolant. Twenty-one specimens were divided into seven groups for morphology observations with no treatment, 35% phosphoric acid etching (30 seconds), and laser irradiation (30 seconds) of pulsed Nd:YAG laser with five different laser-parameter combinations. Another 100 specimens were used for TBS testing. They were embedded in self-cured acrylic resin and randomly divided into 10 groups. After enamel surface pretreatments according to the group design, resin was applied. The TBS values were tested using a universal testing machine. The other 80 specimens were randomly divided into eight groups for acid resistance evaluation. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results showed that the enamel surfaces treated with 1.5 W/20 Hz and 2.0 W/20 Hz showed more etching-like appearance than those with other laser-parameter combinations. The laser-parameter combinations of 1.5 W/15 Hz and 1.5 W/20 Hz were found to be efficient for the TBS test. The mean TBS value of 14.45 ± 1.67 MPa in the laser irradiated group was significantly higher than that in the untreated group (3.48 ± 0.35 MPa) but lower than that in the 35% phosphoric acid group (21.50 ± 3.02 MPa). The highest mean TBS value of 26.64 ± 5.22 MPa was identified in the combination group (laser irradiation and then acid etching). Acid resistance evaluation showed that the pulsed Nd:YAG laser was efficient in preventing enamel demineralization. The SEM results of the fractured enamel surfaces, resin/enamel interfaces, and demineralization depths were consistent with those of the TBS test and the acid resistance evaluation. Pulsed Nd:YAG laser as an enamel surface pretreatment method presents a potential clinical application, especially for the caries-susceptible population or individuals with recently bleached teeth.
Uniform Gaussian Bounds for Subelliptic Heat Kernels
and an Application to the Total Variation Flow of
Graphs over Carnot Groups
Authors: Capogna Luca , Citti Giovanna , Manfredini Maria
Published: August 2013

In this paper we study heat kernels associated with a Carnot
group G, endowed with a family of collapsing left-invariant
Riemannian metrics σε which converge in the Gromov-
Hausdorff sense to a sub-Riemannian structure on G as ε→
0. The main new contribution are Gaussian-type bounds on
the heat kernel for the σε metrics which are stable as ε→0
and extend the previous time-independent estimates in [16].
As an application we study well posedness of the total variation
flow of graph surfaces over a bounded domain in a step
two Carnot group (G; σε ). We establish interior and boundary
gradient estimates, and develop a Schauder theory which are
stable as ε → 0. As a consequence we obtain long time
existence of smooth solutions of the sub-Riemannian flow
(ε = 0), which in turn yield sub-Riemannian minimal surfaces
as t → ∞.
The Antioxidants Changes in Ornamental Flowers during Development and Senescence
Authors: Cavaiuolo Marina , Cocetta Giacomo , Ferrante Antonio
Published: August 2013

The concentration of antioxidant compounds is constitutive and variable from species to species and is also variable considering the development of the plant tissue. In this review, we take into consideration the antioxidant changes and the physiological, biochemical and molecular factors that are able to modulate the accumulation of antioxidant compounds in ornamental flowers during the whole development process until the senescence. Many ornamental flowers are natural sources of very important bioactive compounds with benefit to the human health and their possible role as dietary components has been reported. The most part of antioxidants are flower pigments such as carotenoids and polyphenols, often present in higher concentration compared with the most common fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants content changes during development and during senescence many biochemical systems and molecular mechanisms are activated to counteract the increase of reactive oxygen species and free radicals. There is a tight correlation between antioxidants and senescence processes and this aspect is detailed and appropriately discussed.
Cooperative Control to Enhance the Frequency Stability of Islanded Microgrids with DFIG-SMES
Authors: Gu Wei , Liu Wei , Wu Zhi , Zhao Bo , Chen Wu
Published: August 2013

The issue of frequency stability of microgrids under islanded operation mode and mode transfer has attracted particular attention recently. In this paper, a cooperative frequency control method, which consists of a microgrid central control (MGCC) and microgrid local control (MGLC), is proposed to achieve a seamless transfer from grid-connected to islanded mode, and hence increase the frequency stability of islanded microgrids during both primary and secondary frequency control. A power deficiency prediction and distribution method is proposed in MGCC to effectively distribute and utilize the power and loads, and accomplish the cooperative control of all microgrid units. With regards to MGLC, a Hopfield fuzzy neural network control (HFNNC) is applied to make the corresponding frequency control of DFIG-SMES more adaptive. Meanwhile a state of capacity (SOC) control is utilized in battery energy storage (BES) to extend battery life. Simulation results indicate that the proposed frequency control approach can maintain the frequency stability of islanded microgrids even in emergency conditions.
Resistance Genes, Phage Types and Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis Pulsotypes in Salmonella enterica Strains from Laying Hen Farms in Southern Italy
Authors: Camarda Antonio , Pugliese Nicola , Pupillo Antonia , Oliva Marta , Circella Elena , Dionisi Anna , Ricci Antonia , Legretto Marilisa , Caroli Anna , Pazzani Carlo
Published: August 2013

Twenty-four Salmonella enterica isolates (13 serovar Enteritidis and 11 Typhimurium) isolated from 5,600 samples from intensive laying hen farms in Italy in 1998–2007 were characterized for antimicrobial resistance genes, pulsotype and phage type. Most of S. Typhimurium strains were pulsotype STYMXB.0147 (81.8%), phage type DT143 and resistant to sulfamethoxazole encoded by sul2. Two multidrug resistant (MDR) strains were identified. One strain, STYMXB.0061, was resistant to ampicillin (A), chloramphenicol (C), streptomycin (S), sulfamethoxazole (Su) and tetracycline (T) encoded by the Salmonella Genomic Island SGI1. The second MDR strain, STYMXB.0110, was resistant to SSuT encoded by sul1 and sul2, aadA1 and tet(C)-flanked by an IS26 element, respectively. The tet(C) gene has been reported to confer low levels of resistance and it has very rarely been detected in S. Typhimurium from poultry. In the current study, the MIC value (32 µg/mL) was consistent with the breakpoint (³16 µg/mL) reported for Enterobacteriaceae. Most of the S. Enteritidis strains were resistant to Su (encoded by sul2). One MDR strain (ANxSSuT) was identified. With the exception of nalidixic acid (Nx), the resistances were respectively encoded by blaTEM, strAB, sul2 and tet(A) harbored by an IncN conjugative plasmid. All isolates were pulsotype SENTXB.0001 with PT14b being the most prevalent identified phage type (57.1%). In Europe, SENTXB.0001 is the predominant PFGE profile from clinical cases and the identification of PT14b has steadily been on the increase since 2001. The findings presented in this study highlight the potential spread of S. Enteritidis phage types PT14b and S. Typhimurium DT143 in a field of particular relevance for zoonoses. Additional, the presence of resistance genes and genetic elements (conjugative plasmid and IS element) underlines the need to assess routinely studies in field, such as poultry farms, relevant fot the public health and suitable for the storage and diffusion of antimicrobial resistance.
Resistance and Inactivation Kinetics of Bacterial Strains Isolated from the Non-Chlorinated and Chlorinated Effluents of a WWTP
Authors: Martínez-Hernández Sylvia , Vázquez-Rodríguez Gabriela , Beltrán-Hernández Rosa , Prieto-García Francisco , Miranda-López José , Franco-Abuín Carlos , Álvarez-Hernández Alejandro , Iturbe Ulises , Coronel-Olivares Claudia
Published: August 2013

The microbiological quality of water from a wastewater treatment plant that uses sodium hypochlorite as a disinfectant was assessed. Mesophilic aerobic bacteria were not removed efficiently. This fact allowed for the isolation of several bacterial strains from the effluents. Molecular identification indicated that the strains were related to Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli (three strains), Enterobacter cloacae, Kluyvera cryocrescens (three strains), Kluyvera intermedia, Citrobacter freundii (two strains), Bacillus sp. and Enterobacter sp. The first five strains, which were isolated from the non-chlorinated effluent, were used to test resistance to chlorine disinfection using three sets of variables: disinfectant concentration (8, 20 and 30 mg·L−1), contact time (0, 15 and 30 min) and water temperature (20, 25 and 30 °C). The results demonstrated that the strains have independent responses to experimental conditions and that the most efficient treatment was an 8 mg·L−1 dose of disinfectant at a temperature of 20 °C for 30 min. The other eight strains, which were isolated from the chlorinated effluent, were used to analyze inactivation kinetics using the disinfectant at a dose of 15 mg·L−1 with various retention times (0, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 min). The results indicated that during the inactivation process, there was no relationship between removal percentage and retention time and that the strains have no common response to the treatments.
Supporting Pacific Island Countries to Strengthen Their Resistance to Tobacco Industry Interference in Tobacco Control: A Case Study of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands
Authors: McCool Judith , McKenzie Jeanie , Lyman Annabel , Allen Matthew
Published: August 2013

Tobacco use is the biggest single preventable cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Western Pacific region. Currently, 14 Pacific Island countries have ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and, in having done so, are committed to implementing tobacco control measures aligned with the FCTC. Progressing strong and effective tobacco control legislation is essential to achieving long term gains in public health in small island countries. However, survey evidence suggests that pervasive tobacco industry interference serves to undermine tobacco control and public policy in several Pacific countries. An initiative was developed to provide dedicated, in-country technical support for developing legislation and policy to support implementation of Article 5.3 of the FCTC in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. This paper examines the factors that have assisted the two Pacific countries to make progress in implementing Article 5.3 and what this might mean for supporting progress in other Pacific settings. A document analysis was undertaken to identify the process and outcome of the intervention. Two significant outputs from the project including having identified and documented specific examples of TII and the development of draft legislation for Article 5.3 and other key resources for public servants both within and outside the health sector. Key determinants of progress included a motivated and engaged Ministry of Health, active civil society group or champion and access to media to prepare tobacco industry related material to stimulate public and policy sector debate.
Tunisian Migrant Journeys: Human Rights Concerns for Tunisians Arriving by Sea
Authors: Hendow Maegan
Published: August 2013

In part due to its location on the North African coast, in conjunction with its history of being a former French protectorate, Tunisia has become an important country of emigration to the European Union. In particular, maritime arrivals have become a concern for European states, for both humanitarian and security reasons. The experiences of Tunisian irregular migrants arriving to the EU by sea, who are then detained and returned, highlights the multitude of human rights issues that arise across their journey as they interact with the various stakeholders involved—Tunisian and Libyan smugglers, EU and Tunisian authorities and NGOs, amongst others. The situation for these migrants at sea and during rescue and interception operations can most directly involve such issues as the right to life, access to food and water, access to emergency healthcare and access to information. The next stages of detention and return (either immediately or when later identified on EU territory) can most directly involve human rights issues related to the identification and referral mechanisms for groups at risk, access to information and legal remedy, the right of “non-refoulement” and prohibition of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment. By examining Tunisian migrant experiences along the entirety of their trajectory, one can see the specific human rights issues that arise at each stage for maritime arrivals—from departure to return. The article will examine these human rights concerns in the context of the Tunisian migrant journey, focusing on the four identified stages of the situation at sea, rescue or interception, detention and return. The article will present results from qualitative in-depth interviews conducted for the EU Fundamental Rights Agency in 2011 with 15 Tunisian migrants who had arrived by sea to Italy between 2005 and 2011 and were returned to Tunisia between 2008 and 2011, complemented by interviews with two Tunisian fishermen and an anonymous Tunisian non-governmental stakeholder.
First Identification of 5,11-Dideoxytetrodotoxin in Marine Animals, and Characterization of Major Fragment Ions of Tetrodotoxin and Its Analogs by High Resolution ESI-MS/MS
Authors: Yotsu-Yamashita Mari , Abe Yuka , Kudo Yuta , Ritson-Williams Raphael , Paul Valerie , Konoki Keiichi , Cho Yuko , Adachi Masaatsu , Imazu Takuya , Nishikawa Toshio , Isobe Minoru
Published: August 2013

Even though tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a widespread toxin in marine and terrestrial organisms, very little is known about the biosynthetic pathway used to produce it. By describing chemical structures of natural analogs of TTX, we can start to identify some of the precursors that might be important for TTX biosynthesis. In the present study, an analog of TTX, 5,11-dideoxyTTX, was identified for the first time in natural sources, the ovary of the pufferfish and the pharynx of a flatworm (planocerid sp. 1), by comparison with totally synthesized (−)-5,11-dideoxyTTX, using high resolution ESI-LC-MS. Based on the presence of 5,11-dideoxyTTX together with a series of known deoxy analogs, 5,6, 11-trideoxyTTX, 6,11-dideoxyTTX, 11-deoxyTTX, and 5-deoxyTTX, in these animals, we predicted two routes of stepwise oxidation pathways in the late stages of biosynthesis of TTX. Furthermore, high resolution masses of the major fragment ions of TTX, 6,11-dideoxyTTX, and 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX were also measured, and their molecular formulas and structures were predicted to compare them with each other. Although both TTX and 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX give major fragment ions that are very close, m/z 162.0660 and 162.1020, respectively, they are distinguishable and predicted to be different molecular formulas. These data will be useful for identification of TTXs using high resolution LC-MS/MS.
Alternative Dietary Fiber Sources in Companion Animal Nutrition
Authors: De Godoy Maria , Kerr Katherine , Fahey, Jr. George
Published: August 2013

The US has a pet population of approximately 70 million dogs and 74 million cats. Humans have developed a strong emotional bond with companion animals. As a consequence, pet owners seek ways to improve health, quality of life and longevity of their pets. Advances in canine and feline nutrition have contributed to improved longevity and well-being. Dietary fibers have gained renewed interest in the pet food industry, due to their important role in affecting laxation and stool quality. More recently, because of increased awareness of the beneficial effects of dietary fibers in health, as well as the popularity of functional foods and holistic and natural diets, alternative and novel carbohydrates have become widespread in human and pet nutrition. Fiber sources from cereal grains, whole grains and fruits have received increasing attention by the pet food industry and pet owners. While limited scientific information is available on the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of alternative fiber sources, studies indicate that corn fiber is an efficacious fiber source for pets, showing no detrimental effects on palatability or nutrient digestibility, while lowering the glycemic response in adult dogs. Fruit fiber and pomaces have good water-binding properties, which may be advantageous in wet pet food production, where a greater water content is required, along with low water activity and a firm texture of the final product. Rice bran is a palatable fiber source for dogs and may be an economical alternative to prebiotic supplementation of pet foods. However, it increases the dietary requirement of taurine in cats. Barley up to 40% in a dry extruded diet is well tolerated by adult dogs. In addition, consumption of complex carbohydrates has shown a protective effect on cardiovascular disease and oxidative stress. Alternative fiber sources are suitable ingredients for pet foods. They have been shown to be nutritionally adequate and to have potential nutraceutical properties.
Spectrometer for Sky-Scanning Sun-Tracking Atmospheric Research (4STAR): Instrument Technology
Authors: Dunagan Stephen , Johnson Roy , Zavaleta Jhony , Russell Philip , Schmid Beat , Flynn Connor , Redemann Jens , Shinozuka Yohei , Livingston John , Segal-Rosenhaimer Michal
Published: August 2013

The Spectrometer for Sky-Scanning, Sun-Tracking Atmospheric Research (4STAR) combines airborne sun tracking and sky scanning with diffraction spectroscopy to improve knowledge of atmospheric constituents and their links to air-pollution/climate. Direct beam hyper-spectral measurement of optical depth improves retrievals of gas constituents and determination of aerosol properties. Sky scanning enhances retrievals of aerosol type and size distribution. 4STAR measurements will tighten the closure between satellite and ground-based measurements. 4STAR incorporates a modular sun-tracking/ sky-scanning optical head with fiber optic signal transmission to rack mounted spectrometers, permitting miniaturization of the external optical head, and future detector evolution. Technical challenges include compact optical collector design, radiometric dynamic range and stability, and broad spectral coverage. Test results establishing the performance of the instrument against the full range of operational requirements are presented, along with calibration, engineering flight test, and scientific field campaign data and results.
The Nourishing Sea: Partnered Guardianship of Fishery and Seabed Mineral Resources for the Economic Viability of Small Pacific Island Nations
Authors: D'Arcy Paul
Published: August 2013

While island biogeography and modern economics portray Pacific island nations as isolated, ecologically fragile, resource poor and barely viable economies forever dependent on foreign aid, Pacific island history and culture conceives of their islands as intimately inter-linked to the surrounding ocean and of that ocean as an avenue to expanded resource bases, both terrestrial and aquatic. Pacific Islanders live in the most aquatic human zone on Earth, with the highest territorial ratios of sea to land. Recent studies are revealing the continuity and success of traditional near-shore guardianship of maritime resources in a number of Pacific islands. Sustainable development of seabed minerals and pelagic fisheries may offer enhanced income potential for small island nations with limited terrestrial resources. As offshore ecosystems are poorly policed, sustainable development is best realized through comprehensive planning centred on partnerships between local communities, their governments, marine scientists and commercial enterprises. The success or failure of Pacific Islanders in reasserting their maritime guardianship is now a matter of global significance given the decimation of most fisheries beyond the Pacific and the vast, but uncertain, medicinal, mineral and food resource potential of this huge area of the planet.
Return Travel, Assimilation, and Cultural Maintenance: An Example of Turkish-Americans in Arizona
Authors: Kaftanoglu Burcu , Timothy Dallen J.
Published: August 2013

Within the context of diaspora studies, immigration, assimilation, and return travel, this study examines the relationships between elements of cultural integration and travel characteristics among Turkish-Americans living in the state of Arizona. The findings suggest that integration activities and characteristics have little bearing on immigrants' travel patterns to the homeland, with the exception of length of stay and the types of accommodations used while in Turkey.
Bioinspired total synthesis of katsumadain A by organocatalytic enantioselective 1,4-conjugate addition
Authors: Wang Yongguang , Bao Ruiyang , Huang Shengdian , Tang Yefeng
Published: August 2013

Katsumadain A, a naturally occurring inﬂuenza virus neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor, was synthesized by using a bioinspired, organocatalytic enantioselective 1,4-conjugate addition of styryl-2-pyranone with cinnamaldehyde, followed by a tandem Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons/oxa Michael addition.
Les ambiguïtes de la dématérialisation des procédures en droit des étrangers
Authors: Tchen Vincent
Published: August 2013

Résumé Le bilan de la téléprocédure en droit des étrangers s’avère doublement décevant. Il porte tout d’abord sur un nombre restreint de formalités applicables, pour l’essentiel, aux demandes de visa et de titre de séjour. Les motifs qui ont animé les pouvoirs publics ont par ailleurs perturbé les effets de ces modestes initiatives. Celles‑ci ont le plus souvent été dénuées d’une véritable volonté d’améliorer les rapports entre une autorité en charge d’une mission de puissance publique et des usagers placés dans une situation toute singulière.
Les téléservices publics face au droit à la confidentialité des données
Authors: Cluzel-Métayer Lucie
Published: August 2013

Résumé  L’essor considérable des téléservices publics appelle une réflexion sur l’efficacité de la protection accordée au droit à la confidentialité des données personnelles des usagers. Tout porte à croire que ces derniers ont une maîtrise très relative de leurs propres données, tant concernant la collecte, le traitement et l’échange de ces données entre administrations que concernant leur réutilisation en dehors de tout téléservice public. Le droit à la confidentialité passe ainsi davantage par la sécurisation des échanges et des systèmes d’information, reposant sur un cadre juridique et technique difficile à stabiliser.
Droits des administrés internautes et téléservices publics
Authors: Perroud Thomas
Published: August 2013

Résumé Les téléservices publics entretiennent des relations complexes avec les droits des usagers. Apparaissant d’emblée comme une menace pour leurs droits fondamentaux ainsi que pour l’égalité des citoyens, ils se présentent aussi comme une promesse ; promesse pour la pérennité des services publics dans un contexte difficile économiquement, promesse d’approfondissement des droits existants que porte le service public, promesse enfin de concrétisation des nouveaux droits du service public et d’une nouvelle citoyenneté administrative. Cette ambiguïté fondamentale est au cœur des téléservices publics.
L'administration électronique, support de l'innovation dans les services publics
Authors: Ubaldi Barbara
Published: August 2013

Résumé Les technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC) offrent un potentiel énorme pour l’innovation dans la façon dont les gouvernements fonctionnent et fournissent des services publics. Les succès dans l’amélioration de la disponibilité et de la qualité des services publics en ligne ont souvent été atteints contre toute attente et malgré les défis spécifiques au secteur public. La rapidité du développement des technologies, la complexité des tâches des gouvernements et les nombreux acteurs impliqués dans la conception et la prestation des services illustrent les défis auxquels les gouvernements à travers le monde doivent faire face. Cet article examine les principaux développements dans l’utilisation des technologies de l’information et de la communication qui favorisent l’innovation dans la prestation des services publics et met en évidence quelques‑uns des défis qui subsistent.
Perspectives on Purchaser-Provider Co-Operation in the Local Welfare Regimes in Finland
Authors: Tynkkynen Liina-Kaisa , Fredriksson Sami , Lehto Juhani
Published: August 2013

This paper presents a baseline picture of the co-operation between service purchasers and private elderly care and primary health care providers both at the national level and at the level of local welfare regimes in Finland. Data from two national surveys and from interviews conducted in six municipalities are analysed. The perceptions of the co-operation during the contractual period differed substantially between the private providers and the municipalities. The differences were evident especially between the for-profit providers and the municipalities. In general the private providers would be willing to work together with the municipalities, but to them it seems that the municipalities lack interest in this. The municipalities, in turn, considered that contracting is mostly a tool to reduce administrative responsibilities. However, in order to be able to gain benefits from contracting, to avoid excessive transaction costs and to co-ordinate the network of different service providers, the municipalities should invest in contract management and also be active during the contractual period.
Publicness, Organisational Characteristics and Performance
Authors: Anderson Stuart
Published: August 2013

This paper reports an exploratory study utilising a publicness model in which the impact of ownership, funding and mode of control on performance is moderated by organisational characteristics such as goals, structure and management. It describes the testing in 164 English hospital pharmacies of four health sector-relevant characteristics; diffusion of ownership (number of owners), priority of financial goals, congruence of core purpose (goals of sub-unit compared to organisation), and proximity of control (hierarchical levels between sub-unit and top management). Associations between these and four indicators of performance (managerial effectiveness, utilisation of human resources, work quality and employee satisfaction) were examined. Statistically significant relationships were seen between three of the organisational characteristics and some aspect of performance. Priority of financial goals was associated with perceptions of managerial performance, and proximity of control with use of human resources, work quality and employee satisfaction. Further elucidation of such characteristics may be justified.
The State of E-Compliance Among U.S. Retailers
Authors: Saban Kenneth A. , Rau Stephen , Klein Paul
Published: August 2013

With increased Internet usage in the EU, U.S. retailers have intensified their marketing efforts to reach these consumers. A major challenge for retailers selling online is that they must comply with the laws where the consumers reside. Past studies suggest that U.S. firms are not in full compliance with non-U.S. e-commerce laws. This study examines U.S. retailers’ relative compliance with U.S. and non-U.S. ecommerce laws. E-commerce laws were selected from three EU countries and the U.S. The laws addressed two levels of web site functionality: 1) providing basic company information and 2) privacy protection during information exchanges. The authors found that U.S. retailers were more compliant with U.S. versus non-U.S. law. In addition, compliance with non-U.S. law declined as Web site functionality increased with no such decline for U.S. law. These results are important because noncompliance may result in stricter regulations and may also drive consumers away from retailers’ Web sites.
Objectified Knowledge through Social Media
Authors: Zaffar Fahd-Omair , Ghazawneh Ahmad
Published: August 2013

The developments of new technologies, new scientific initiatives and a new globalized market are giving rise to new forms of collaboration, referred to as mass collaboration. This phenomenon is mainly derived from communities and self-organization, and is based on Web 2.0 technologies, services and tools. This new form of collaboration and technologies are giving rise of emergent social software platforms (ESSP’s) that are adopted by firms worldwide. The main aim of this research is to understand how firms are using such new technologies and collaborative efforts to assist knowledge sharing to achieve objectified knowledge. Central to this research is the proposed knowledge sharing cycle model, which has three main stages - internalization, externalization, and objectification. This model is adapted based on the findings of a case study of internal social media strategy of IBM Corporation. The findings indicate that ESSP’s can be used to support knowledge sharing practices and to help convert knowledge into its different forms in enhancing knowledge acquisition.
Institutional Memory and ICT
Authors: Leavitt Lester
Published: August 2013

This paper presents an expansive view of the theory behind an emerging information communication technology that is being developed to provide marginalised populations with the tools they need to unify their voices. The system allows for the capture of their crowd-sourced artistic creativity and engineers an algorithm that makes the media retrievable as policy-supporting narrative threads. This ICT is seen as critically important because of how powerful lobbyists, funded by global elites and predatory capitalists, have consistently been successful in skewing the outcomes of policymaking decisions and elections. The system is firmly rooted in established governing narrative theory and is consistent with the small-group, consensus-building organisational theories that have been advocated by some of the most respected authors in the field since the 1970s.
An Expert Panel Approach on Developing a Unified System Authentication Benchmarking Index
Authors: Mattord Herbert J. , Levy Yair , Furnell Steven
Published: August 2013

Network-based applications still rely heavily on password-based authentication methods to control access. In a recent study, a benchmarking instrument was used to assess authentication methods used in such systems. The authors’ instrument was built on an extensive literature foundation and was validated with an expert panel assessment. This paper reports on the development of the instrument and the expert panel assessment. The initial draft of the instrument was derived from literature to assess 1) password strength requirements, 2) password usage methods, and 3) password reset requirements. Criteria within the index were evaluated by an expert panel, who also provided opinions on the relative weights of the criteria and measures. The expert panel results were analyzed using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) techniques. Their results revealed that out of 100% allocation, Password Strength Measure (PSM) was the dominant factor in the aggregated perception of the panel of experts with weight of 43.1%, followed by Password Initialization and Reset Measure (PIRM) with weight of 29.2%, and Password Usage Measure (PUM) with weight of 27.7%. They concluded with discussions on how criteria were assembled, how the panel was conducted, and results from the panel. The results reported include the relative weights of the three measures within the unified system authentication benchmarking index.
Theoretical Analysis and Experimental Study
Authors: Caushaj Eralda , Fu Huirong , Sethi Ishwar , Badih Haissam , Watson Dion , Zhu Ye , Leng Supeng
Published: August 2013

The importance of wireless cellular communication in our daily lives has grown considerably in the last decade. The smartphones are widely used nowadays, besides voice communication; the authors routinely use them to access the internet, conduct monetary transactions, send text messages and query a lot of useful information regarding the location of specific places of interest. The use of smartphones in their day-to-day communication raises many unresolved security and privacy issues. In this paper they identify relevant security attacks in Wireless Cellular Network. The authors conduct experiments in four different platforms such as Iphone, Android, Windows and Blackberry. The packets captured through Wireshark for approximately 24 minutes, giving them a lot of information regarding security and privacy issues involving the users. A lot of useful apps installed and used by the end-users have serious issues in terms of privacy and the information exposed. Which is the better platform comparing all four and what exactly do they expose from the user’s information? What are the threats and countermeasures that the users should be aware of? The aim of the authors’ paper is to give answers to the above questions based on the data captured by conducting real-life scenarios.
Knowing the Enemy at the Gates
Authors: Corser George P. , Arslanturk Suzan , Oluoch Jared , Fu Huirong , Corser George E.
Published: August 2013

Traditional cost-benefit analysis (CBA) quantifies the value of information security safeguards in terms of their expenses compared to their savings before and after their implementation. This paper considers CBA from the attacker's viewpoint, adding another type of measurement, the willingness to endure consequences. The authors propose a new set of equations and examine their implications vis-à-vis two typical network attacks, identity theft and intellectual property theft.
Composition of Optimal Service Workflows with Quality-of-Service Enabled Multi-Criteria Uniform Cost Search Algorithm
Authors: Sangtani Jaina , Serpen Gursel
Published: August 2013

This paper proposes a search-based method to partly automate the workflow composition, including the planning and execution stages, with web services in a service-oriented architecture. The proposed methodology models the workflow composition problem as a directed and weighted graph, henceforth called the service-oriented architecture graph, where vertices are associated with the degree of completion of the overall task at hand and edges represent service executions. Edge weights are formulated based on the quality of services as defined by the user. A uniform cost search algorithm is adapted and applied to identify the optimal path based on user input, which constitutes an ordered sequence of service executions, from a given initial state to a user-defined goal state. The proposed approach for service oriented workflow composition was applied to an information-technology domain problem to demonstrate its utility through a simulation study. Simulation results indicated that the proposed methodology is feasible and optimal solutions can be computed within reasonable computational cost bounds.
TEA
Authors: Sun Zhaohao , Meredith Grant , Stranieri Andrew
Published: August 2013

This paper proposes TEA: a generic framework for decision making in web services, which integrates the environment (6 Ps) of decision making, the behaviors (6 Cs) of decision makers, and inner activities (another 6 Ps) of decision makers. This framework unifies what the decision makers can “eye” (the above-mentioned first 6Ps), should “think” (the above-mentioned another 6 Ps) and “act” (6 Cs), whenever making decisions in web services. The paper also examines interrelationships among the first 6 Ps, 6 Cs, and another 6Ps, and their influences on decision making in web services. The proposed approach will facilitate research and development of decision making and decision support systems in web services.
Extracting Ontology Properties from the Web-Tables
Authors: Cha Song-il , Ma Z. M.
Published: August 2013

Web-tables are ubiquitous in Web pages. Since tables themselves are organized structurally and semantically, they are good resources from which we can easily extract ontology. But, most Web-tables are designed for intuitive perception of humans, thus, it has a certain limit to interpret table content using only structural information of the table. So this paper focuses on the method for interpretation of table content based on semantic characteristics of the table. In order to obtain many property elements used for ontology inference, in this paper, the authors discuss how to extract ontology properties from Web-tables. The extracted properties include the following elements: Is-a relationship, class-instance relationship, triple, property domain, property range, symmetric property, transitive property, functional property, and inverse functional property, property for defining super-sub relationship. Through experiment, the authors show that their method can effectively extract property elements from Web-tables.
Web Usage Mining
Authors: Ahmed Moiz Uddin , Mahmood Amjad
Published: August 2013

The technological revolutions have opened up new ways of information and communication. The Internet is growing as a vital source of information in this modern era of technology. The ever increasing volume of information through WWW is creating complexity in the design, development and deployment of WWW. It has become important for the organizations to analyze the usage of their web sites. The web usage analysis may help the organizations not only to monitor the load on their websites and cater for the needs of their potential clients but also enhance their web services and restructure the organization to better serve their clients. Web mining has emerged as important research areas used to discover information which can be utilized for improvement of websites. Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is one of the largest open and distant university of the world. Due to unique philosophy of open and distant learning, AIOU has been providing useful information online through its website. It is an active website which is flooded with huge flow of information. This paper presents web usage analysis of AIOU website and provides statistical analysis of the usage patterns. It presents how the results were used not only to enhance the web contents and services but also discusses how these results helped the university to allocate and reallocate its resources. The reallocation was used to improve efficiency and processes of the university in order to better serve its clients.
Replicating Silicon Valley in China
Authors: Huang Xingting , Yang Yu
Published: August 2013

The aim of this research is to generalize a quasi-universal approach for the Silicon Valley “replication” in China. To transform widely existed traditional industrial parks into Valley-style innovation parks in China, an industrial upgrade and expansion approach is proposed. Four steps including innovation resource and industrial base analysis, government promotion as well as industrial upgrade and expansion would make this transformation. Furthermore, a case in Suzhou and the two pilot projects for its expansion could be examined to verify this approach.
Electronic Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) in Jordan
Authors: Khasawneh Rawan , Abu-Shanab Emad
Published: August 2013

The continuous and rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT) influenced the operations and services provided by the banking sector. Many financial institutions adopted the “customer is king\queen” strategy by changing their business environment, making use of various types of ICT to their relationship with their customers. One of the major new trends is the concept of e-CRM, which defines an improved relationship with customers utilizing the Internet, web browsers, and other web application. E-CRM is making customer service more effective and efficient. This paper aims to gain a better understanding of the application of e-CRM concept and its benefits to both customers and banks utilizing the case of the Egyptian Arab Land Bank in Jordan.
Performance Enhanced AODV Routing Protocol Security in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks
Authors: Khan ShahSani Raees , Bakhsh Muhammad , Mahmood Amjad
Published: August 2013

With the emergence of mobile ad-hoc networks, more users desire connectivity regardless of geographic location. MANETs are a promising technology in terms of the applications in the military, emergency situations, and general daily life activities. Various protocols have been developed to handle the routing information in such networks. However, most protocols are vulnerable to various threats. Among them, the Black-hole type of denial-of-service attack causes a major degradation in the performance and trust of the network nodes. In this paper, the authors review and highlight the limitations of the existing solutions and propose a new algorithm to handle the black-hole attacks. The proposed algorithm is comparatively efficient and easy to implement for detecting and avoiding the black-hole attacks. The proposed algorithm has been implemented in Network Simulator (ns-2) to evaluate its performance in term of packet delivery ratio, network load, and end-to-end delay. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm achieves a considerable enhancement in the overall networking performance and avoids the black-hole attack successfully.
Immunization with a Chimera Consisting of the B Subunit of Shiga Toxin Type 2 and Brucella Lumazine Synthase Confers Total Protection against Shiga Toxins in Mice
Authors: Mejias María P. , Ghersi Giselle , Craig Patricio O. , Panek Cecilia A. , Bentancor Leticia V. , Baschkier Ariela , Goldbaum Fernando A. , Zylberman Vanesa , Palermo Marina S.
Published: August 2013

The striking feature of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infections is the production of Shiga toxins (Stx) implicated in the development of the life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome. Despite the magnitude of the social impact of EHEC infections, no licensed vaccine or effective therapy is available for human use. One of the biggest challenges is to develop an effective and safe immunogen to ensure nontoxicity, as well as a strong input to the immune system to induce long-lasting, high-affinity Abs with anti-Stx–neutralizing capacity. The enzyme lumazine synthase from Brucella spp. (BLS) is a highly stable dimer of pentamers and a scaffold with enormous plasticity on which to display foreign Ags. Taking into account the advantages of BLS and the potential capacity of the B subunit of Stx2 to induce Abs that prevent Stx2 toxicity by blocking its entrance into the host cells, we engineered a new immunogen by inserting the B subunit of Stx2 at the amino termini of BLS. The resulting chimera demonstrated a strong capacity to induce a long-lasting humoral immune response in mice. The chimera induced Abs with high neutralizing capacity for Stx2 and its variants. Moreover, immunized mice were completely protected against i.v. Stx2 challenge, and weaned mice receiving an oral challenge with EHEC were completely protected by the transference of immune sera. We conclude that this novel immunogen represents a promising candidate for vaccine or Ab development with preventive or therapeutic ends, for use in hemolytic uremic syndrome–endemic areas or during future outbreaks caused by pathogenic strains of Stx-producing E. coli.
The In Vivo Antioxidant Effect of Vitamin C on Hemogram in Paraquat Treated Male Rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Authors: Okolonkwo Benjamin Nnamdi , Okeke Chukwubuike Udoka , Ibharokhonre Victor
Published: August 2013

Paraquat (PQ) is one of the most used herbicide globally; applied around trees in orchards and between crop rows to control broad-leaved and grassy weeds. Its oxidation results in the formation of superoxides which causes damage to cellular components. In this study, we determined the antioxidant effect vitamin C has on hemograms [hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and total white blood cells count] of rats under these toxic insults. The animals grouped (A-D), comprising subgroups without vitamin C (A1, B1, C1, D1) and subgroups on vitamin C (A2, B2, C2, D2), received different sub-lethal doses of PQ administered intraperitoneally monthly to the animals over a period of three months. The Hb values obtained were significantly reduced (P≤0.05) at month 1 and (P≤0.001) at months 2 and 3. These changes became more pronounced with increased dose and time. Vitamin C treated subgroups (B2, C2 and D2) had better Hb values than those without it (B1, C1 and D1) but the values were still significantly low when compared to the control subgroups (A1 and A2). This same trend was observed in the PCV results obtained. The Control subgroups showed that vitamin C treated subgroup (A2) had a more improved hemogram values than subgroup on water only (A1), but they were all higher than that of the test subgroups. These PQ induced anaemia were ameliorated by the subsequent administration of vitamin C, and continuous treatment with vitamin C restored the health status of the animals so treated.
Die uitdaging van die ateïsme en antiteïsme: ’n Teologiese gesprek met Armando Pellencin oor sy boek Ateïsme: die saak teen God (1 & 2)
Authors: Van Wyk J.H.
Published: August 2013

In hierdie artikel beskryf die outeur hoedat hy onverwags in 2007 in ’n debat met die ateïs Armando Pellencin betrokke geraak het en hoedat dit uiteindelik gelei het tot die skryf van hierdie artikel oor ateïsme. Nadat hy in ’n kort intermezzo ’n oorsig oor die opkoms van ateïsme gebied het, lewer die outeur daarna ’n uiteensetting van die standpunte van Pellencin. In die volgende hoofdeel van die artikel argumenteer die outeur dat Pellencin – asook ander ateïste – nie afdoende en bevredigende antwoorde kan gee op die vyf fundamentele lewensvrae nie. Hierdie fundamentele lewensvrae is die volgende: Hoe verwerf ’n mens kennis (waarheid)?; Waar kom alles vandaan?; Waar gaan alles heen?; Wat is die sin van die lewe?; Hoe kan ’n mens tussen goed en kwaad onderskei? Die outeur konkludeer dat ateïsme, as geloofskeuse en lewens- en wêreldbeskouing faal vanweë die inherente tekortkomings wat aan die reduksionisiese benadering van naturalisme, rasionalisme, positivisme en sciëntisme verbonde is.In this article the author describes how, in 2007, he got involved in an unexpected discourse with the atheist Armando Pellencin and how it eventually lead to the writing of this article on atheism. After a short intermezzo in which an overview of the rise of atheism is presented, the views of Pellencin are expounded. In the main part of the article the author argues that Pellencin and other atheists fail to supply decisive and satisfactory answers to the five fundamental questions in life. This fundamental questions are the following: How do we achieve knowledge (truth)?; Where does everything come from?; Where is everything going to?; What is the meaning of life?; How should we discern between good and evil? The author concludes that atheism, as a matter of faith, fails as a life and worldview, because of the deficiencies inherent in a reductionist approach such as naturalism, rationalism, positivism and scientism.