bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les fibules gallo-romaines à disque médian / Gallo-Roman mesial disc brooches
Authors: Fauduet Isabelle
Published: May 2010

A study of disc brooches of the Augustan period, particularly those from the sites of Central Gaulish oppida, supplements our knowledge of native craft and regional customs. An examination of typological details, geographical and chronological distributions, is essential for the understanding of the function and the purpose of these artefacts.
Dessin et archéologie / Drawing and archaeology
Authors: Laurent Pierre
Published: May 2010

L'auteur examine la spécificité et les applications du dessin archéologique comparé à d'autres méthodes, en distinguant le type de réalisme le mieux adapté à la publication. Quelques données techniques fondamentales accompagnent ces principes en essayant de situer les problèmes dans un ensemble aussi proche que possible de la réalité concrète.
Sur l'usage des microlithes comme armatures de projectiles / The use of microliths to frame projectile
Authors: Albarello B.
Published: May 2010

This article is made from a postulate : the use of microliths (at least a few of them) to frame projectiles. The question is : how can we diagnose this function when it deals with archaeological implement. It gives a lot of functionnal experimentations (making and use of microliths in the frame of arrows) made to give functionnal and diagnostic signs (stigmas and micro-wear), these signs are often hazardous and ambigous, but difficult to interpret.
Un monument mégalithique à occupation artenacienne : Le dolmen de "Chez Boucher" à La Croix-sur-Gartempe (Haute-Vienne) / A megalithic monument with "Artenac culture" : the dolmen at "Chez Boucher" near La Croix-sur-Gartempe
Authors: Beausoleil Jean-Michel , Picard Philippe
Published: May 2010

La fouille du dolmen de "Chez Boucher" à la Croix-sur-Gartempe a permis de récupérer un matériel très classique et souvent présent dans les monuments funéraires en Limousin. Le matériel recueilli peut être rattaché à la culture d'Artenac. De plus, on énumère ici les caractères de la culture matérielle artenacienne limousine (lithique et céramique), qui laissent apparaître un matériel commun sans originalité. On montre enfin les difficultés à situer chronologiquement l'Artenac-Limousin et, par là même, les carences de la recherche limousine.
Le théâtre gallo-romain de Neung-sur-Beuvron (Loir-et-Cher) et son environnement / The romano-gqulish theater at Neung-sur-Beuvron and its surrounding
Authors: Delétang Henri
Published: May 2010

Les fouilles récentes ont découvert un théâtre de type gallo-romain, édifié de toutes pièces en terrain plat, à la charnière des Ier-IIe siècles, et abandonné définitivement au IVe siècle. La cavea est partagée par trois vomitoires rayonnants et bordée d'une galerie circulaire ; l'hémicycle, de 100 m de diamètre, est complété par des passages latéraux qui conduisent à l'aire centrale ; la construction centrale, de 6 m sur 7 m, ne peut-être regardée comme une véritable scène. Le monument appartient à un sanctuaire rural avec source et temple classique, à proximité de l'oppidum pré-romain de Neung-sur-Beuvron et dans la zone frontière entre Carnutes et Bituriges.
L'épée et le fourreau de la sépulture 13 de la nécropole de " Mainville " à Bromeilles (Loiret)
Authors: Rapin André
Published: May 2010

Destabilisé par une première restauration superficielle, le matériel métallique de la nécropole celtique de Bromeilles (Loiret) est à nouveau menacé par la corrossion. Une nouvelle restauration du fourreau de la tombe 13 a relevé les décors plastiques de l'entrée et de la bouterolle. Les études récentes sur ces armes ont orienté les comparaisons vers la Champagne ainsi que vers l'Europe centrale et l'Italie du Nord. Elles ont conduit à la définition d'un nouveau type d'épée, bien différencié, qui caractérise la dernière phase de la Tène ancienne. (IVe-IIIe siècles avant J.-C).
Catalogue des poinçons décoratifs sur sigillée du "Groupe Centre-Ouest"
Authors: Ferdière Alain , Gendron Christian
Published: May 2010

During the 1st and 2nd cent. A.D., the western center of Gaul is concerned with a specific production of terra sigillata, small quantities of which are found in the excavations. The index of decorative stamps should be an aid at identifying these specific productions.
Découverte d'un sarcophage paléochrétien et de sépultures médiévales en sarcophage à Arpajon-sur-Cère (Cantal)
Authors: Usse Annie , Usse Jean-Philippe , Scherding Christiane , Scherding Michel , Sauget Jean-Michel
Published: May 2010

Watching briefs around the church of Saint-Vincent have revealed roman levels as well as a Pyrenean marble sarcophagus of Aquitanian style. Other graves in sarcophagi were found in a sondage West of the church. Most of the sarcophagi were reused by medieval graves.
Une industrie pré-acheuléenne en Brivadois (Haute-Loire) / A pre-acheulian assemblage in Brivadois (Haute-Loire)
Authors: Magoga Lionel , Raynal Jean Paul , Vernet Gérard
Published: May 2010

An assemblage of quartz pebble-tools has recently been discovered on a high terrace of the A Hier river. This has furnished details of the early phases in the typology built up on the evidence of numerous sites in the Bourbonnais. According to indirect dating data, it can be dated to between 0.8 and 0.5 M.a.
Libéralisation du compte capital et choix d'un régime de change, quelle portée pour la flexibilité en Tunisie?
Authors: Ben Ali Mohamed Sami
Published: May 2010

L’adoption par la Tunisie des réformes structurelles de son économie dans un contexte d’ouverture graduelle depuis 1986, lui a permis d’instaurer en janvier 1993 la convertibilité de son compte courant. Le desserrement de la contrainte de change et l’achèvement de la convertibilité totale du Dinar restent des objectifs prioritaires comme finalités pour une plus grande intégration de l’économie tunisienne dans l’économie mondiale. La perspective de la convertibilité intégrale du Dinar pose la problématique du choix prospectif de régime de change. On analyse dans cette étude, dans le cadre de la théorie des jeux, le choix de régime de change optimal par référence à la notion de bien-être. Dans un modèle de biens échangeables/ biens non échangeables, le choix d’un régime de change est défini en termes d’interactions stratégiques entre les autorités monétaires et les entreprises domestiques. Les autorités sont supposées choisir un régime optimal suivant un critère de bien-être en minimisant une fonction de perte définie en termes de compétitivité externe et d’inflation. Les résultats des simulations du modèle montrent que la libéralisation du compte capital serait compatible avec un régime de change flexible.
Male-only Systemic Lupus
Authors: AGGARWAL RACHNA , NAMJOU BAHRAM , LI SHIBO , D’SOUZA ANIL , TSAO BETTY P. , BRUNER BENJAMIN F. , JAMES JUDITH A. , SCOFIELD R. HAL
Published: May 2010

Objective.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is more common among women than men, a ratio of about 10 to 1. We undertook this study to describe familial male SLE within a large familial SLE cohort.

Methods.

SLE families (2 or more patients) were identified from the Lupus Multiplex Registry and Repository. Genomic DNA and blood samples were obtained using standard methods. Autoantibodies were determined by multiple methods. Medical records were abstracted for SLE clinical data. Fluorescentin situhybridization (FISH) was performed with X and Y centromere-specific probes, and a probe specific for the Toll-like receptor 7 gene on the X chromosome.

Results.

Among 523 SLE families, we found 5 families in which all the SLE patients were male. FISH found noyaagene equivalent in these families. SLE-unaffected primary female relatives from the 5 families with only-male SLE patients had a statistically increased rate of positive antinuclear antibodies compared to SLE-unaffected female relatives in other families. White men with SLE were 5 times more likely to have an offspring with SLE than White women with SLE, but there was no difference in this likelihood among Black men.

Conclusion.

Because women in the all-male families had positive antinuclear antibodies, and men are more likely to have children with SLE, these data suggest genetic susceptibility factors that act only in men.
Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factors in Patients with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: TOBIN ANNE-MARIE , VEALE DOUGLAS J. , FITZGERALD OLIVER , ROGERS SARAH , COLLINS PAUL , O’SHEA DONAL , KIRBY BRIAN
Published: May 2010

Objective.

Patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome compared to the normal population. Patients with psoriasis and PsA may also have increased risk from nonconventional risk factors such as raised levels of homocysteine and excessive alcohol consumption. We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on CVD and all cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psoriasis and PsA.

Methods.

Data sources: All studies identified from a Medline (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) search pertaining to CVD, individual risk factors in psoriasis, and PsA were included. Study selection: Studies included a healthy reference population, were published between 1975 and 2009, and were written in English.

Results.

Our search yielded 14 studies that documented rates of CVD in patients with psoriasis and PsA compared to controls. Substantial evidence points to elevated risk of CVD in patients with psoriasis and PsA.

Conclusion.

It remains difficult to conclude if risk factors are caused by psoriasis or share a common pathogenesis. Physicians treating patients with psoriasis and PsA must be aware of all potential cardiovascular risk factors in their patients.
IL10 GGC Haplotype Is Positively and HLA-DQA1*05-DQB1*02 Is Negatively Associated with Radiographic Progression in Undifferentiated Arthritis
Authors: URSUM JENNIE , van der WEIJDEN MIGNON A.C. , van SCHAARDENBURG DIRKJAN , PRINS AREND P.A. , DIJKMANS BEN A.C. , TWISK JOS W.R. , CRUSIUS JAKOB B.A. , van der HORST-BRUINSMA IRENE E.
Published: May 2010

Objective.

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), many genetic markers, such as the shared-epitope (SE) alleles, are described in association with radiographic progression, but limited data are available on undifferentiated arthritis (UA). We investigated whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and haplotypes in immune response genes and HLA class II alleles are associated with radiographic progression in patients with early UA.

Methods.

Progression of radiographic damage was determined in white Dutch patients with early UA after 2 years of followup. Severe progression was defined as an increase in Sharp/van der Heijde Score ≥ 5 points after 2 years of followup. The remainder was classified as mild. These SNP were genotyped by Taqman technology: tumor necrosis factor (TNF) −1031, −863, −857, −308, −238; lymphotoxin-α (LTA) +368, +252; interleukin 10 (IL10) −2849, −1082, −819; IL1A −889, IL1B −31, +3953; and IL1RN +2018. Carriage of SE alleles and HLA-DQA1*05-DQB1*02 haplotype was established. These markers were analyzed in relation to radiographic progression.

Results.

Forty-eight out of 151 patients with early UA had severe radiographic progression. Severe radiographic progression was associated with an increased carrier frequency of SE alleles (OR 5.12, 95% CI 2.0–13.1, p < 0.001) and IL10 GGC haplotype (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.4–5.8, p = 0.003). Mild radiographic progression was associated with the HLA-DQA1*05-DQB1*02 haplotype (OR 0.3, 95% CI, 0.1–0.8, p = 0.013) and with allele TNF −308A (OR 0.4, 95% CI, 0.2–0.9, p = 0.02).

Conclusion.

The SE and the IL10 GGC haplotype are associated with severe progression of radiographic damage, in contrast to the DQA1*05-DQB1*02 haplotype and the TNF −308A allele, which are associated with mild radiographic progression in early UA.
Regulation of Chondrogenesis by Transforming Growth Factor-ß3 and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 from Human Mesenchymal Umbilical Cord Blood Cells
Authors: MARA CRISTIANE S. , DUARTE ADRIANA S.S. , SARTORI ANGELICA , LUZO ANGELA C. , SAAD SARA T.O. , COIMBRA IBSEN B.
Published: May 2010

Objective.

Mature articular cartilage is vulnerable to injuries and disease processes that cause irreversible tissue damage because of its limited capacity for self-repair. Umbilical cord blood is a source of mesenchymal stem cells, which can give rise to cells of different lineages, including cartilage, bone, and fat. Cellular condensation is a required step in the initiation of mesenchymal chondrogenesis. We attempted to differentiate cells from umbilical cord blood into chondrocytes with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and transforming growth factor-ß3 (TGF-ß3).

Methods.

Cells were grown in high density micromass and monolayer culture systems and then evaluated for expression of type II collagen, aggrecan, and Sox9. Umbilical cord blood from 130 patients was harvested.

Results.

Expression of type II collagen, aggrecan, and Sox9 was detected after 14 days in TGF-ß3- and IGF-1-stimulated cells in both types of culture (monolayer and micromass). On Day 21 in the micromass culture, expression levels were greater than they were at 14 days for all genes. TGF-ß3 was found to be more efficient at promoting chondrogenesis than IGF-1. By western blot, we also found that after 3 weeks, the expression of type II collagen was greater in micromass culture with TGF-ß3.

Conclusion.

TGF-ß3 used in micromass culture is the best growth factor for promoting the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal cells from umbilical cord blood during chondrogenesis. This approach may provide an alternative to autologous grafting.
Bone Microarchitecture Assessment by High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Taking Corticosteroids
Authors: LI EDMUND K. , ZHU TRACY Y. , TAM LAI-SHAN , HUNG VIVIAN W. , GRIFFITH JAMES F. , LI TENA K. , LI MARTIN , WONG KONG CHIU , LEUNG PING CHUNG , KWOK ANTHONY W. , QIN LING
Published: May 2010

Objective.

We assessed the relationship between vertebral fracture and bone microarchitecture in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on chronic corticosteroid therapy using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

Methods.

Fifty-nine Chinese women with SLE taking corticosteroid were selected to participate in a cross-sectional study. Vertebral fracture was confirmed semiquantitatively by lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine. Density and microarchitecture at the distal radius were measured with HR-pQCT. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at hip and lumbar spine was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

Results.

Twelve patients had vertebral fractures. The aBMD of spine or hip did not differ between those with and without vertebral fractures. Measures by HR-pQCT revealed that patients with vertebral fractures had significantly lower level of average bone density (p = 0.007), cortical bone density (p = 0.029), trabecular bone density (p = 0.024), trabecular bone volume to tissue volume (p = 0.023), and trabecular thickness (p = 0.011) than those without vertebral fractures. Independent explanatory variables associated with higher risk of vertebral fractures were older age (p = 0.013) and lower average cortical bone density (p = 0.029).

Conclusion.

Vertebral fracture in patients with SLE on chronic corticosteroid treatment was associated with alterations of bone density and microarchitectures measured by HR-pQCT and DEXA. However, alterations were more pronounced in measurements by HR-pQCT. Low cortical bone density and old age were significant predictors of vertebral fracture risk.
Folate Pathway Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms and the Efficacy and Toxicity of Methotrexate in Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: CHANDRAN VINOD , SIANNIS FOTIOS , RAHMAN PROTON , PELLETT FAWNDA J. , FAREWELL VERNON T. , GLADMAN DAFNA D.
Published: May 2010

Objective.

To determine the association between folate pathway gene polymorphisms and the effectiveness, toxicity, and drug survival of methotrexate (MTX) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods.

Data were obtained from a longitudinal cohort of PsA patients evaluated according to a standard protocol. Data on duration of drug therapy, dose, side effects, and reasons for discontinuation are systematically recorded. Patients treated with MTX after clinic admission who had ≥ 3 swollen joints prior to initiating MTX therapy were selected for evaluation of effectiveness. Response to MTX treatment was assessed at 6 months. Data from all patients treated in the clinic with MTX were used in evaluation of toxicity and drug survival. The following single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were measured using the Sequenom platform: MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133), MTHFR 1298A>C (rs1801131), DHFR −473T>C (rs1650697), DHFR 35289A>G (rs1232027), and RFC 80G>A (rs1051266). Fisher’s exact test, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to determine association.

Results.

Two hundred eighty-one patients were identified from the database. All patients were included in the analysis for side effects and drug survival, and 119 patients were included in the effectiveness analysis. The minor A allele of DHFR gene at +35289 was the only SNP demonstrating association with response to MTX therapy (OR 2.99, p = 0.02). Patients homozygous for the minor allele of MTHFR 677C/T (677TT) had more liver toxicity (Fisher exact test, p = 0.04).

Conclusion.

Polymorphisms of the DHFR gene may be associated with MTX efficacy. MTHFR 677TT may have a relationship with MTX-induced liver toxicity in PsA.
Estimated Cutoff Points for the 28-Joint Disease Activity Score Based on C-reactive Protein in a Longitudinal Register of Early Arthritis
Authors: CASTREJÓN ISABEL , ORTIZ ANA M. , TOLEDANO ESTHER , CASTAÑEDA SANTOS , GARCÍA-VADILLO ALBERTO , PATIÑO ESTHER , GONZÁLEZ-ÁLVARO ISIDORO
Published: May 2010

Objective.

To estimate the cutoff points for the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) calculated using C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements from patients with early arthritis.

Methods.

We analyzed data from 568 visits of 207 patients enrolled in our prospective longitudinal register of early arthritis. Six rheumatologists evaluated the degree of disease activity at each visit on the basis of the available clinical data, and the final degree of disease activity was established by consensus. DAS28 values were calculated for each visit using CRP or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Through a ROC analysis, cutoff points for both indices, as well as for minimal disease activity (MDA), were selected on the basis of the best tradeoff values between sensitivity and specificity.

Results.

The cutoff values to classify disease activity with the DAS28-CRP were 2.3, 3.8, and 4.9, considering remission at < 2.3, low disease activity 2.3–3.8, moderate disease activity 3.8–4.9, and high disease activity > 4.9. The cutoff value for MDA when calculated with CRP was 2.6. The area under the ROC curves was always greater for DAS28-CRP than for DAS28-ESR, reaching statistical significance for low/moderate activity and for the MDA.

Conclusion.

Our study confirms that the cutoff points for DAS28-CRP are lower than those described for DAS28-ESR, suggesting that DAS28-CRP may be more accurate to assess disease activity in our population.
Baseline Serum Concentrations of TRAIL in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: Relationship with Response to Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs
Authors: SECCHIERO PAOLA , CORALLINI FEDERICA , CASTELLINO GABRIELLA , BORTOLUZZI ALESSANDRA , CARUSO LORENZO , BUGATTI SERENA , BOSCO RAFFAELLA , MONTECUCCO MAURIZIO , TROTTA FRANCESCO
Published: May 2010

Objective.

To assess the relationship between serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the therapeutic response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

Circulating levels of TRAIL and its soluble receptor OPG were measured by ELISA in paired serum samples obtained from 66 patients with early RA at their first visit (baseline) and after 1 year of therapy. Levels of TRAIL and OPG were analyzed in relation to the clinical response, defined by the 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28).

Results.

Both serum TRAIL and OPG increased after DMARD therapy. Baseline levels of TRAIL, but not OPG, were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the patients that achieved a clinical response by DAS28 after 1 year of therapy, versus patients without clinical response to DMARD. Baseline serum levels of TRAIL were higher (p < 0.01) in rheumatoid factor-negative patients.

Conclusion.

Our data suggest that the basal level of circulating TRAIL is an important determinant in the therapeutic response to DMARD in patients with early RA.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Postarthroplasty Mortality: A Cross-sectional Analysis from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample
Authors: DOMSIC ROBYN T. , LINGALA BHARATHI , KRISHNAN ESWAR
Published: May 2010

Objective.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease of considerable morbidity, and this may place patients at greater risk for poor in-hospital postoperative outcomes for procedures such as arthroplasty. Our aim was to test this hypothesis.

Methods.

We compared the in-hospital postoperative mortality risk for patients with SLE undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty to those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the general population without either condition, using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1993–2006). We performed parallel, weighted, multivariable logistic regressions to calculate mortality risk stratified by joint site, type of admission, hospital type, income category, race, length of stay, surgical indication, and medical comorbidities.

Results.

The unadjusted mortality rates (per 1000 procedures) for patients with SLE, patients with RA, and controls were 7.4, 3.0, and 6.5, respectively, for nonelective procedures and 2.4, 1.3, and 1.8 for elective procedures. After adjustment for potential confounders, patients with SLE had an OR of 4.0 (95% CI 1.9–8.0) for postoperative mortality with hip replacements and an OR of 1.2 (95% CI 0.2–7.5) for mortality with knee replacements. Mortality risk of patients with RA was not different from that of controls. The adjusted risk estimates for those who underwent arthroplasty before and after 2002 and those who underwent surgery for nonfracture indications were similar.

Conclusion.

Arthroplasty, especially of hips, in patients with SLE is associated with relatively higher postoperative mortality risk.
Understanding E-Skills in the FLT Context
Authors: Pérez-Paredes Pascual , Sánchez-Tornel Maria
Published: May 2010

The research we report is a pilot study carried to test English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students’ reception of an electronic foreign language teaching (FLT) task. In doing so, our aim was to collect information that can allow us to refine our own e-skills model, a model that adapts to the specific learning context of our students by focusing on the objectives, competence, and learning activities that our students engage in, in their everyday learning experience. In this way, our e-skills model is field-specific and context-survey-driven. The factor analysis results suggest that, although our four-factor solution explains much of the variance, the original dimensions of e-skills in our FLT context should be reformulated and further adjusted.
The Emergence of Social Presence in Learning Communities
Authors: Soares Martins Antônio Carlos , de Carvalho Fidelis Braga Junia
Published: May 2010

The discussions presented herein emerged from two empirical studies in progress:“Online Learning Communities in the Realm of Complexity” and “The Complexity of Learning Environments” in the Graduate Program in Applied Linguistics at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil. One of the major pillars of both studies centers around Complexity Theory. Initially arising from the natural sciences, Complexity Theory has been gaining ground in the comprehension of human and social sciences. This chapter presents some ideas regarding the role of social presence in both blended and online learning environments, in line with the Community of Inquiry Framework (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2000). Moreover, the authors hope to contribute to a better understanding of patterns that emerge from social interactions as well as of the ideas embedded in learning communities as complex systems.
The Impact of New Trends in the Delivery and Utilization of Enterprise ICT on Supplier and User Organizations
Authors: Feuerlicht George
Published: May 2010

Enterprise information systems have rapidly evolved over the last decade. We expect these changes to accelerate during this decade as a result of new trends in enterprise computing. We argue in this chapter that information and communication technology (ICT) remains strategically important to organizations in the 21st century despite the prevailing trend to outsource ICT and related business processes. We have identified a number of important trends that include the move towards the software as a service (SaaS) model for enterprise applications, increased commitment to process orientation, and emphasis on managing the relationship between business and ICT using services. These trends lead to more effective management of ICT and closer integration of ICT with entrepreneurial activities and business processes in organizations, resulting in improvements in return on investment. These trends will have dramatic impact on both the suppliers and users of ICT, and will necessitate the reevaluation of the approach to ICT education as both the composition and qualifications of ICT workforce will undergo a fundamental change.
Different Web Strategies for Different E-Marketplaces
Authors: Geppert L.
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents two possible models of electronic marketplaces put in place at the beginning of this century, which, after their introduction, the first incoming wave of connected economy-based paradigms was ended. Both the two models show a particular use of Web-based information technology in order to exploit their mission and represent meaningful cases of application of well-defined Web strategies. Even though, at the moment, the initially built Web sites supporting those related business have been closed and merged with other Web sites, they may introduce examples of a Web strategy approach having a relevant historical meaning that may be still redefined in practical implementations once revised and adequately updated. The mentioned cases described in this chapter are usteel.com and up2gold. com, two examples of Web-based business in two well-defined supply chains, that is, the “steel” chain and the “gold and silver” chain.
Web & RFID Technology
Authors: Memmola Massimo , Palumbo Giovanna , Rossini Mauro
Published: May 2010

Radio frequency identification (RFId) has recently begun to receive increased interest from practitioners and academics. This type of technology has been widely used in healthcare organizations for different purposes, like to localize patients, devices, and medical instruments. This chapter presents the results of a study in which we used RFId technology and modern systems of cost management methodologies (e.g., activity-based costing, activity-based management, and process management) in a “proof of application” aimed at defining some specific data on care needs of a person with a disability, costs of the main activities performed during the person’s rehabilitation process, and level of performance which could be reached in order to improve the “disability management” process, from a clinical as well as a managerial perspective.
Innovating through the Web
Authors: Frigerio Chiara
Published: May 2010

In recent years, the financial services industry has been witness to considerable consolidation (Berger & Udell, 2006; De Nicolò, Bartholomew, Zaman, & Zephirin, 2004; Figueira, Neills, & Schoenberg, 2007) and organizational progress in order to sustain two main objectives: efficiency and commercial effectiveness (Epsten, 2005; Sherman & Rupert, 2005). In order to sustain customer-oriented and efficiency strategies, banks have started to explore new ways of conducting their business, introducing areas of innovation in their services, practices, and structures to offer the most complete array of services possible (Quinn et al., 2000). On the other hand, new services and products drive retail banks to explore new ways of producing or delivering these novelties. This is true especially for Internet banking services that offer services to customers 24/7, and it becomes clear that adding new services, that is, trading online or bill payments, is easily and quickly geared towards improving commercial effectiveness. The following chapter aims at describing to what extent the Internet has developed new services and businesses, and what are the main figures of the phenomenon in Europe. Moreover, the Internet has introduced new coordination processes within each financial institution. Let us think about Intranet portal, content management tools, and business process management suites, which are now quite spread in banks due mainly to their technological ease-of-use. Thus, Internet is representing an innovation wave extremely relevant for the financial industry as a whole, and the effects on banks’ performance is emerging. What do we expect in the near future? In all probability, the usage of Web-based application will be bigger and bigger also in other contexts of the bank processes, even if some risks could occur when clear strategies and change management practices do not direct the innovation.
The Evaluation of IT Investments through Real Options
Authors: Frontini Maria Alice
Published: May 2010

The decisions about IT investments are increasingly more complex, due to technical uncertainties and to the dynamics of organizational and strategic issues. One promising alternative for solving this problem would be the use of real options. Thus, this chapter intends to apply a relatively new methodology, called real options, used in corporate strategy for evaluating and deciding about new investments in IT. In order to do so, an analytic review of the literature is presented. The real options methodology is particularly recommended in two situations: in the case of the existence of a significant level of uncertainty about the benefits to be achieved by IT investments, or when IT benefits do not impact directly the current business but create a platform for future investments, capable of producing future new business impacts.
Strategic Use of the Internet and Organizational Structure for E-Business
Authors: Zilber Silvia Novaes
Published: May 2010

The Internet provides a global network infrastructure that is shifting business models, strategies, and processes. Many authors reflect on the importance of incorporating e-business into the firm’s global strategy. This chapter deals with these issues in discussing the introduction of e-business activities by General Motors Brazil, specifically in connection with the launch of the Celta car, an entry-level car designed to be sold on the Internet. A historical examination of e-business strategy shows that many organizations have formulated excellent conceptual strategies for e-business but failed to deliver sound execution. A key to successful Internet strategies is the leadership shown by senior management. Technological demands may also conflict with the successful implementation of e-business initiatives, requiring greater interaction between the CEO and CIO. The organizational structure implemented for the launching and sales of Celta car warranted the integration between employees on the business side and in IT in the context of GM Brazil’s strategic objective of growing the market share for lower-priced cars.
Social Institutional Explanations of Global Internet Diffusion
Authors: Zhao Hongxin , Kim Seung , Suh Taewon , Du Jianjun
Published: May 2010

This study attempts to examine empirically how social institutional factors relate to Internet diffusion in 39 countries. Based on nine-year cross-country data, the analytical results show that the rule of law, educational systems, and industrialization significantly influenced the global Internet diffusion, while the economic system did not exert significant impact. Uncertainty avoidance as a national cultural phenomenon significantly inhibited the Internet diffusion. This significant and negative effect is particularly true with less developed countries (LDCs).
Comparative Study of IT Investment Management Processes in U.S. and Portugal
Authors: Sherer Susan A.
Published: May 2010

This article investigates IT investment management processes in the U.S. and Portugal. In Portugal compared to the United States, we find less involvement of operational business users, less formalized processes, more bottom-up generation of ideas, less focus on business metrics other than financial ones, and more highly involved corporate boards. We develop a framework for understanding IT investment that includes five stages: idea generation, business case generation, investment selection, project implementation, and value realization. Several of Hofstede’s factors are used to explain national cultural differences in each of these stages. Cultures with high power distance involve fewer business line employees in idea generation, fewer operational business managers selecting investments, and more centrally managed project implementations. In cultures with high uncertainty avoidance, fewer large scale strategic project ideas are generated and there is a stronger emphasis on financial criteria in information technology investment selection.
Relational Flexibility
Authors: Chalkiti Kalotina
Published: May 2010

This chapter investigates how the hospitality industry of the Northern Territory of Australia achieves organizational flexibility in dynamic labor environments. A case study in the Northern Territory of Australia reveals a new type of organizational flexibility, “relational flexibility.” Relational flexibility is the result of behaviors, which go beyond the scope of job descriptions, used to repair the relational disruptions of labor changes and to adapt to the inevitability of labor dynamism. With relational flexibility, hospitality businesses can become flexible, responsive, and adaptable to dynamic labor environments while ensuring knowledge management activities are not inhibited. This research highlights the central role of peer relationships in dynamic labor environments and contributes to the organizational flexibility, staff turnover, and hospitality knowledge management literature.
Agile Alignment of Enterprise Execution Capabilities with Strategy
Authors: Worden Daniel
Published: May 2010

Emergent strategy provides for both planned and reactive aspects of strategic planning. It also identifies that strategy as implemented will often have different characteristics than originally anticipated. Today, even traditional, non-knowledge based organizations have adopted comparatively high levels of computerization compared to a decade ago. Enterprises now rely extensively on digital systems for data handling across operational and administrative processes. This chapter maintains that detection and reporting capabilities inherent in information technology (IT) can themselves be exploited as a strategy for managing knowledge. Using feedback loops to describe the dynamics of systems lets an organization capture and communicate intended strategy and emergent characteristics of the actual strategy along with changes in the execution environment. The role of IT as an execution capability required for both business strategy and knowledge management is examined, along with the need to more quickly align the business processes that use IT services to changes in business strategies or priorities. Advances in IT assisting in requirements discovery, system design and development- including use cases, patterns, decision modeling, and aspect-oriented software-are discussed. Techniques to capture and communicate knowledge vital for aligning organizational capabilities with emerging strategies and competing priorities are evaluated. A predicted emergent business pattern as a tool for managing the capture and communication of organizational knowledge is proposed. This includes techniques for defining strategy and decision elements as data about processes that can be used during execution to trigger notification and appropriate handling of exceptional events.
SMEs and Competitive Advantage
Authors: Maria Eleonora Di , Micelli Stefano
Published: May 2010

The global economy is transforming the sources of the competitive advantages of firms, especially for firms embedded in local manufacturing systems. Based on the theoretical contributions to knowledge management and industrial districts, this chapter describes alternative firm’s strategies and upgrading options by exploring the relationships among innovation, marketing, and network technologies. Starting from the analysis of the Global Competitiveness Report and the European Innovation Scoreboard, this chapter focuses on the case of firms specializing in the “Made in Italy” industries (fashion, furniture, home products) to outline a framework explaining the new competitive opportunities for SMEs. Through a qualitative analysis the chapter presents four case studies of Italian firms that promote successful strategies based on a coherent mix of R&D-based innovation, experienced marketing, and design by leveraging on ICT.
Reliability and Performance Models for Grid Computing
Authors: Dai Yuan-Shun , Dongarra Jack
Published: May 2010

Grid computing is a newly developed technology for complex systems with large-scale resource sharing, wide-area communication, and multi-institutional collaboration. It is hard to analyze and model the Grid reliability because of its largeness, complexity and stiffness. Therefore, this chapter introduces the Grid computing technology, presents different types of failures in grid system, models the grid reliability with star structure and tree structure, and finally studies optimization problems for grid task partitioning and allocation. The chapter then presents models for star-topology considering data dependence and treestructure considering failure correlation. Evaluation tools and algorithms are developed, evolved from Universal generating function and Graph Theory. Then, the failure correlation and data dependence are considered in the model. Numerical examples are illustrated to show the modeling and analysis.
Middleware for Community Coordinated Multimedia
Authors: Zhou Jiehan , Ou Zhonghong , Sun Junzhao , Rautiainen Mika , Ylianttila Mika
Published: May 2010

Community Coordinated Multimedia (CCM) envisions a novel paradigm that enables the user to consume multiple media through requesting multimedia-intensive Web services via diverse display devices, converged networks, and heterogeneous platforms within a virtual, open and collaborative community. These trends yield new requirements for CCM middleware. This chapter aims to systematically and extensively describe middleware challenges and opportunities to realize the CCM paradigm by reviewing the activities of middleware with respect to four viewpoints, namely mobility-aware, multimedia-driven, service-oriented, and community-coordinated.
Scalable Internet Architecture Supporting Quality of Service (QoS)
Authors: Nanda Priyadarsi , He Xiangjian
Published: May 2010

The evolution of Internet and its successful technologies has brought a tremendous growth in business, education, research etc. over the last four decades. With the dramatic advances in multimedia technologies and the increasing popularity of real-time applications, recently Quality of Service (QoS) support in the Internet has been in great demand. Deployment of such applications over the Internet in recent years, and the trend to manage them efficiently with a desired QoS in mind, researchers have been trying for a major shift from its Best Effort (BE) model to a service oriented model. Such efforts have resulted in Integrated Services (Intserv), Differentiated Services (Diffserv), Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), Policy Based Networking (PBN) and many more technologies. But the reality is that such models have been implemented only in certain areas in the Internet not everywhere and many of them also faces scalability problem while dealing with huge number of traffic flows with varied priority levels in the Internet. As a result, an architecture addressing scalability problem and satisfying end-to-end QoS still remains a big issue in the Internet. In this chapter the authors propose a policy based architecture which they believe can achieve scalability while offering end to end QoS in the Internet.
Multi-Core Supported Deep Packet Inspection
Authors: Xiang Yang , Tian Daxin
Published: May 2010

Network security applications such as intrusion detection systems (IDSs), firewalls, anti-virus/spyware systems, anti-spam systems, and security visualisation applications are all computing-intensive applications. These applications all heavily rely on deep packet inspection, which is to examine the content of each network packet’s payload. Today these security applications cannot cope with the speed of broadband Internet that has already been deployed, that is, the processor power is much slower than the bandwidth power. Recently the development of multi-core processors brings more processing power. Multi-core processors represent a major evolution in computing hardware technology. While two years ago most network processors and personal computer microprocessors had single core configuration, the majority of the current microprocessors contain dual or quad cores and the number of cores on die is expected to grow exponentially over time. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the research on using multi-core technologies to parallelize deep packet inspection algorithms, and how such an approach will improve the performance of deep packet inspection applications. This will eventually provide a security system the capability of real-time packet inspection thus significantly improve the overall status of security on current Internet infrastructure.
The Digital Divide and the Emerging Virtual Therapeutic System
Authors: Barthold Christine H. , McNutt John G.
Published: May 2010

As the Internet becomes increasingly more and more ingrained in our society, the gap between those who have adequate Web access and those who do not will continue to widen. In the health, mental health, and disability sectors of society, technology helps provide access to previously unavailable information, communication, and services, allowing for greater independence, as well as 24/7 access to collaboration and support. The digital divide might prevent the people who will benefit the most from virtual services from accessing them. This chapter will explore systems of online health and mental healthcare, both formal and informal, the dependence on advanced networking technologies for these systems to be effective, and the impact of the digital divide on individuals’ access to online health and mental healthcare. We will discuss the implications for both policy and practice.
Generation, Education, Gender, and Ethnicity in American Digital Divides
Authors: Losh Susan Carol
Published: May 2010

Through increasing access to knowledge and facilitating widespread discourse, information and communication technology (ICT) is believed to hold the potential to level many societal barriers. Using national probability samples of United States adults from 1983 to 2006, I examine how gender, ethnicity, and education interacted with generation to influence computer ownership and Internet use. Narrower digital divides in more recent generations can mean greater future digital equality through cohort replacement. However, although gender is now of far less consequence than previously in ICT access and use, significant divides, especially in PC ownership and selected Internet uses have widened by ethnicity and education over five birth cohorts. On the other hand, results from earlier research interpreted as “aging effects” are most likely generational influences instead. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Does the Digital Divide Extend to Minority- and Women-Owned Small Businesses?
Authors: Lerman Robert , Ratcliffe Caroline , Salzman Harold , Wissoker Douglas , Meagher Jennifer
Published: May 2010

This chapter examines whether the digital divide in the United States extends to computer use in small businesses. The analysis is based on a 2003 telephone survey of 1,123 firms with fewer than 50 employees and at least one computer, and in-depth interviews with 45 business owners. The analysis provides no evidence of a business digital divide across racial, ethnic, and gender groups. In fact, firms owned by African-American males show more intensive computer use than white male-owned firms, even after controlling for firm and owner characteristics. We do, however, find links between the intensity of computer use and firm and owner characteristics, such as firm size, market reach, intensity of computer use in the relevant industry, and age of owner. Finally, the in-depth interviews suggest that businesses with effective computer use depend upon the technical expertise of the business owners or people in their social networks.
Late on the Curve
Authors: de Haan Jos
Published: May 2010

Differences in digital skills lie at the heart of social inequality in advanced knowledge societies. The Internet access ‘markets’ in these societies are close to reaching saturation point, giving almost everyone access to the Net. By contrast, differences in digital skills appear to be widening over time. This chapter focuses on The Netherlands, where above all the elderly, people with a lower education level, people who are economically inactive and members of ethnic minorities lag behind. It addresses the mechanisms that underlie differences in digital skills between population groups. A lack of financial and cognitive resources seems to be of particular importance. Based on a diffusion of innovations framework the paper goes beyond the largely descriptive research on the digital divide and considers the consequences of differences in digital skills. These differences influence the labour market performance of those at a digital disadvantage and also has an impact on their personal lives.
Information Literacy and the Digital Divide
Authors: Dunn Hopeton S.
Published: May 2010

With the increasing spread of information and communications technologies (ICTs) globally, there is heightened debate about the continuing disparities of access and usage. The dialogue has proceeded in many respects oblivious of the centrality of information literacies in capacity building measures to redress the digital divide. This chapter examines both the concepts of the digital divide and information literacies and regards them as highly compatible in their application to the global south following a detailed analysis of issues such as orality and literacy, globalization from below and effective access to technology networks. The chapter concludes with a range of recommendations relating to reforms in strategic thinking and policy planning. The call for heightened emphasis on education including information literacies forms the centerpiece of an analysis grounded in both theory and empirical research.