bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glucose Metabolism in 105 Children and Adolescents After Pancreatectomy for Congenital Hyperinsulinism
Authors: Beltrand Jacques , Caquard Marylène , Arnoux Jean-Baptiste , Laborde Kathleen , Velho Gilberto , Verkarre Virginie , Rahier Jacques , Brunelle Francis , Nihoul-Fékété Claire , Saudubray Jean-Marie , Robert Jean-Jacques , de Lonlay Pascale
Published: December 2011

OBJECTIVE

To describe the long-term metabolic outcome of children with congenital hyperinsulinism after near-total or partial elective pancreatectomy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients (n = 105: 58 diffuse and 47 focal congenital hyperinsulinism) received operations between 1984 and 2006. Follow-up consisted of periodic measurements of pre- and postprandial plasma glucose over 24 h, OGTT, and IVGTT. Cumulative incidence of hypo- or hyperglycemia/insulin treatment was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

After near-total pancreatectomy, 59% of children with diffuse congenital hyperinsulinism still presented mild or asymptomatic hypoglycemia that responded to medical treatments and disappeared within 5 years. One-third of the patients had both preprandial hypoglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia was found in 53% of the patients immediately after surgery; its incidence increased regularly to 100% at 13 years. The cumulative incidence of insulin-treated patients was 42% at 8 years and reached 91% at 14 years, but the progression to insulin dependence was very variable among the patients. Plasma insulin responses to IVGTT and OGTT correlated well with glycemic alterations. In focal congenital hyperinsulinism, hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia were rare, mild, and transient.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with focal congenital hyperinsulinism are cured of hypoglycemia after limited surgery, while the outcome of diffuse congenital hyperinsulinism is very variable after near-total pancreatectomy. The incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes is very high in early adolescence.
A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Associates With the Response of Muscle ATP Synthesis to Long-Term Exercise Training in Relatives of Type 2 Diabetic Humans
Authors: Kacerovsky-Bielesz Gertrud , Kacerovsky Michaela , Chmelik Marek , Farukuoye Michaela , Ling Charlotte , Pokan Rochus , Tschan Harald , Szendroedi Julia , Schmid Albrecht Ingo , Gruber Stephan , Herder Christian , Wolzt Michael , Moser Ewald , Pacini Giovanni , Smekal Gerhard , Groop Leif , Roden Michael
Published: December 2011

OBJECTIVE

Myocellular ATP synthesis (fATP) associates with insulin sensitivity in first-degree relatives of subjects with type 2 diabetes. Short-term endurance training can modify their fATP and insulin sensitivity. This study examines the effects of moderate long-term exercise using endurance or resistance training in this cohort.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A randomized, parallel-group trial tested 16 glucose-tolerant nonobese relatives (8 subjects in the endurance training group and 8 subjects in the resistance training group) before and after 26 weeks of endurance or resistance training. Exercise performance was assessed from power output and oxygen uptake (Vo2) during incremental tests and from maximal torque of knee flexors (MaxTflex) and extensors (MaxText) using isokinetic dynamometry. fATP and ectopic lipids were measured with 1H/31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Endurance training increased power output and Vo2 by 44 and 30%, respectively (both P < 0.001), whereas resistance training increased MaxText and MaxTflex by 23 and 40%, respectively (both P < 0.001). Across all groups, insulin sensitivity (382 ± 90 vs. 389 ± 40 mL ⋅ min−1 ⋅ m−2) and ectopic lipid contents were comparable after exercise training. However, 8 of 16 relatives had 26% greater fATP, increasing from 9.5 ± 2.3 to 11.9 ± 2.4 μmol ⋅ mL−1 ⋅ m−1 (P < 0.05). Six of eight responders were carriers of the G/G single nucleotide polymorphism rs540467 of the NDUFB6 gene (P = 0.019), which encodes a subunit of mitochondrial complex I.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate exercise training for 6 months does not necessarily improve insulin sensitivity but may increase ATP synthase flux. Genetic predisposition can modify the individual response of the ATP synthase flux independently of insulin sensitivity.
Phenolic Profile of Edible Honeysuckle Berries (Genus Lonicera) and Their Biological Effects
Authors: Jurikova Tunde , Rop Otakar , Mlcek Jiri , Sochor Jiri , Balla Stefan , Szekeres Ladislav , Hegedusova Alzbeta , Hubalek Jaromir , Adam Vojtech , Kizek Rene
Published: December 2011

The current status of research on polyphenolic compounds in the berries of edible honeysuckle and their biological effects, including recommended utilization, are reviewed. The major classes of phenolic compounds in the blue berried honeysuckle are flavonols (quercetin, rutin, quercitrin) and flavanes (proanthocyanidins, catechins) and anthocyanins. Cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside are considered as major anthocyanidins in edible honeysuckle berries. Such a high level of antioxidant activity in the berries of different species of the genus Lonicera is especially due to the high level of polyphenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. These berries seem to be prospective sources of health-supporting phytochemicals that exhibit beneficial anti-adherence and chemo-protective activities, thus they may provide protection against a number of chronic conditions, e.g., cancer, diabetes mellitus, tumour growth or cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Drogues et conflits : éléments pour une modélisation
Authors: Labrousse Alain
Published: December 2011

Résumé Les relations entre drogues et conflits ont leur racine dans l’histoire. Mais c’est durant la guerre froide qu’elles prennent une acuité particulière. Après la chute du mur de Berlin, elles se démocratisent et se retrouvent dans la plupart des conflits locaux, ce qui permet de les modéliser. La spécificité de ces relations repose sur des modalités propres au trafic de drogue, en particulier « l’escalade des profits » qui permet aux groupes armés de se greffer au niveau d’articulation des différentes étapes de la production, de la transformation des drogues ainsi qu’à celui du franchissements des différents obstacles sur les routes qui mènent des zones de production aux marchés de consommation. Les exemples de la guérilla colombienne et des talibans afghans ou d’autres suggèrent que lorsque des groupes qui se battent dans les zones de production utilisent l’alibi de la défense des producteurs pour s’insérer dans le système des drogues, ils interviennent en général au niveau du trafic au risque de se criminaliser. Risque auquel n’échappent pas non plus les forces de répression.
Atomisme et physicalisme à l'épreuve du temps : le principe d'indépendance d'Armstrong et la topologie temporelle
Authors: Cahen Muriel , Nef Frédéric
Published: December 2011

Résumé Les auteurs distinguent classiquement topologie et ontologie temporelles et entreprennent de montrer que le choix d’une ontologie temporelle, mais aussi d’une ontologie générale, a des conséquences sur les propriétés de la topologie temporelle. Ils choisissent comme point de départ de cette démonstration l’application du principe d’indépendance d’Armstrong à l’ontologie temporelle et plus spécialement à la transitivité. Leur conclusion est que le choix de ce principe pose des problèmes très difficiles pour l’ontologie temporelle, autant que pour la topologie temporelle.
Growth and Survival of Hatchery-Produced Atlantic Sturgeon Released as Young-of-Year into the Hudson River, New York
Authors: Mohler Jerre W. , Sweka John A. , Kahnle Andrew , Hattala Kathryn , Higgs Amanda , DuFour Mark , Breece Matthew W. , Fox Dewayne A.
Published: December 2011

In 2007, a team of U.S. scientists performed a status review of Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus and concluded that the species would likely become endangered (U.S. Endangered Species Act 1973, as amended) in the foreseeable future over much of its range, including populations of the New York Bight, which is comprised of the Hudson and Delaware rivers. Therefore, we evaluated an experimental release of hatchery-produced Atlantic sturgeon that took place in 1994 to determine the value of using stocked fish as a population recovery tool. We obtained recapture data on hatchery fish (identified by presence of pelvic fin removal) from the Atlantic Coast Sturgeon Tagging Database. Our evaluation of retention for a pelvic fin removal mark on hatchery fish showed that 36% of clipped individuals retained a clean fin clip after 49 d. The minimum survival rate for hatchery fish to age 5 was estimated to be in the range of 0.49–0.66% using documented recaptures (N  =  24), known number of fish stocked, and results of the pelvic fin removal evaluation. Length and weight-at-age for recaptured hatchery fish at known ages 5–17 were within the range of values reported for wild fish whose ages were estimated by pectoral spine analysis. We also report that one ripe male hatchery fish at age 15 was captured along with other spermiating males at its parental spawning area in the Hudson River in 2009.
Un regard ethnologique amateur sur l’art français de policer l’ordre des banlieues
Authors: Ocqueteau Frédéric
Published: December 2011

Rendant compte d’une enquête ethnographique dédiée aux modalités d’exercice de l’ordre dans les banlieues périphériques françaises, l’article conteste tant la démonstration que les conclusions de l’auteur. Il soutient d’une part que les prérequis de son indigénisation au sein d’une brigade anti-criminalité sont totalement opaques et démarrés sur une hypothèse aventureuse. Il montre, d’autre part, au prix de quel coup de force lié à une simple métonymie, seraient déduites des modalités discriminatoires et racistes largement répandues dans la pratique du maintien de l’ordre. Il conclut que l’enquête, basée sur une « économie morale revisitée » mal articulée et peu étayée, relève plutôt d’un essayisme qui ne répond pas aux bonnes questions pourtant soulevées au fil des pages.
Multi-Access Communications in Wireless Mesh Networks by Virtualization
Authors: Sargento Susana , Matos Ricardo , Hummel Karin Anna , Hess Andrea , Toumpis Stavros , Tselekounis Yiannis , Stamoulis George D. , Al-Hazmi Yahya , Ali Muhammad , de Meer Hermann
Published: December 2011

This chapter presents an architecture for context-aware Virtual Networks (VNs) that provides user-driven multi-access communication. The architecture is dedicated and appropriate for the flexibility provided by Wireless Mesh Networks. According to this architecture, VNs with different context characteristics such as Quality of Service (QoS), mobility, and security are built to support communications with different characteristics that best fit the users’ needs. The architecture is modeled both through a probabilistic and an optimization approach to provide quantitative insights into its performance. The probabilistic model quantifies the overhead on the architecture in terms of networking delays induced due to the VN management (searching, creation, and management). The optimization model provides insights into the competition of the VNs for the limited bandwidth resources. Indicative results of the models show the feasibility of the architecture, the upper bounds in terms of number of supported VNs to achieve good quality communications, and the relative placement of the flows in different, competing VNs.
Toward Intelligent Fuzzy QoS Model in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Khoukhi Lyes , El-Masri Ali , Gaiti Dominique
Published: December 2011

On the other hand, the advance in the field of artificial intelligence and the progress in its application in telecommunications, and the growing scientific interest in ad hoc networks are reasons to think about coexistence and interoperability among these two areas. In the past few years, some intelligent methods have been successfully applied in the wireless networks with the aim to obtain more adaptive and flexible QoS models over the existing models. This chapter focuses on the cross layer QoS model (i.e., frameworks for achieving QoS over multiple layers). It presents two model-categories of QoS provisioning in MANETs: “conventional QoS models” that are based on traffic engineering mechanisms and QoS optimization techniques, and “intelligent QoS models” that exploit the efficiency of intelligent learning theories such as Fuzzy Logic control in wireless networks. Then, it proposes an intelligent fuzzy logic QoS model to deal with the buffer management and traffic regulation issues in MANET. The fuzzy logic theory control promises to be an efficient solution and may constitute a best alternative to the conventional methods, based on the complex optimization and overloaded traffic engineering mechanisms.
Packet Scheduling in Home and Business Femtocell Networks
Authors: Sevindik Volkan , Bayat Oguz
Published: December 2011

This chapter presents the performance of the existing macrocell schedulers in the home femtocell environment and provides a scheduling solution for the traffic differentiation problem in the business femtocell environment. The traffic classification concept is applied to Best Effort (BE) traffic in the femtocell network, and a Grade of Service (GoS) metric is used as a scheduler parameter to classify the traffic in terms of total delivered throughput. CDMA2000 1xEVDO Rev, a femtocell product, is used to conduct two different throughput experiments in order to collect real Data Rate Request (DRC) values. For both existing and proposed scheduling methods, the first experiment consists of 4 BE users, and the second experiment consists of 4 BE and 2 Voice over IP (VoIP) users. Collected DRC values are used in computer simulations to assess the performance of both the existing and the proposed scheduling methods. Average delivered throughput, throughput fairness, BE traffic differentiation error, and VoIP packet delay bound error are used as key indicators to show the performances of both scheduling techniques.
Traffic Prioritization in Sensor Networks using Bandwidth Scavenging
Authors: Plummer Anthony , Taghizadeh Mahmoud , Biswas Subir
Published: December 2011

This chapter presents a history-based statistical channel access mechanism for enabling traffic prioritization in wireless sensor networks. Prioritized access is realized such that low priority non-real-time sensors can access channel bandwidth that is unused by high priority real-time traffic. The key idea is for the low priority sensor nodes to first observe and statistically model the channel usage pattern by the high priority traffic, then make advantageous probabilistic transmissions so that the non-priority traffic throughput is maximized while protecting the high-priority traffic from disruptions. The chapter details a practical whitespace measurement scheme and presents a channel history based prioritization protocol. The access mechanism is implemented in a TelosB mote-based sensor testbed in which the non-priority motes continually measure the RSSI to infer the channel usage pattern and probabilistically access the channel while different types of traffic are sent by high-priority TelosB motes.
Information Acquisition and Recall in Location-Aware and Search Engine Retrieval Systems
Authors: Matei Sorin Adam , Madsen Lance , Bruno Robert
Published: December 2011

This paper examines the potential cognitive impact of location aware information systems compared to that of search engines using a dual coding and conjoint retention theoretical framework. Supported by virtual reality or mobile devices, location aware systems deliver information that is relevant for a specific location. Research questions and hypotheses formulated under the assumption that location aware systems are better prepared to contextualize and make information memorable are explored using a planned comparison repeated measures 3 (2 treatment; 1 control) x 3 (pre-test, post-test, one week post-test) design. The results indicate that information acquisition in location-aware systems is just as powerful as that facilitated by search engines and that information recall (after 1 week) of facts is superior when using location-aware systems. The findings reinforce and extend dual coding theory suggesting that spatial and three-dimensional indexing can be one of the channels used in indexing and recalling information. The results also indicate that location-aware applications are a promising technology for distributing information in general and for learning in particular.
A Pattern Language for Knowledge Discovery in a Semantic Web Context
Authors: Adda Mehdi
Published: December 2011

Ontologies are used to represent data and share knowledge of a specific domain, and in recent years they tend to be used in many applications such as database integration, peer-to-peer systems, e-commerce, semantic web services, bioinformatics, or social networks. Feeding ontological domain knowledge into those applications has proven to increase flexibility and inter-operability and interpretability of data and knowledge. As more data is gathered/generated by those applications, it becomes important to analyze and transform it to meaningful information. One possibility is to use data mining techniques to extract patterns from those large amounts of data. One challenging general problem in mining ontological data is taking into account not only domain concepts, properties and instances, but also hierarchical structures of those concepts and properties. In this paper, the authors research the specific problem of extracting ontology-based sequential patterns.
A Model for Ranking and Selecting Integrity Tests in a Distributed Database
Authors: Alwan Ali Amer , Ibrahim Hamidah , Udzir Nur Izura
Published: December 2011

Checking the consistency of a database state generally involves the execution of integrity tests on the database, which verify whether the database is satisfying its constraints or not. This paper presents the various types of integrity tests as reported in previous works and discusses how these tests can significantly improve the performance of the constraint checking mechanisms without limiting to a certain type of test. Having these test alternatives and selecting the most suitable test is an issue that needs to be tackled. In this regard, the authors propose a model to rank and select the suitable test to be evaluated given several alternative tests. The model uses the amount of data transferred across the network, the number of sites involved, and the amount of data accessed as the parameters in deciding the suitable test. Several analyses have been performed to evaluate the proposed model, and results show that the model achieves a higher percentage of local processing as compared to the previous selected strategies.
P2P-NetPay
Authors: Dai Xiaoling , Chaudhary Kaylash , Grundy John
Published: December 2011

Micro-payment systems are becoming an important part of peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. The main reason for this is to address the “free-rider” problem in most existing content sharing systems. The authors of this chapter have developed a new micro-payment system for content sharing in P2P networks called P2P-Netpay. This is an offline, debit based protocol that provides a secure, flexible, usable, and reliable credit service in peer-to-peer networks ensuring equitable participation by all parties. The authors have carried out an assessment of micro-payment against non-micro-payment credit systems for file sharing applications. The chapter reports on the design of our experiment and results of an end user evaluation. The chapter then discusses the performance of the credit model, comparing it to a non-micro-payment credit model. Through evaluation of the proposed system and comparison with other existing systems, the authors find that the new approach eliminates the “free-rider” problem. The chapter analyses a heuristic evaluation performed by a set of evaluators and presents directions for research aiming to improve the overall satisfaction and efficiency of this model for peers.
Predicting Temporal Exceptions in Concurrent Workflows
Authors: Leong Iok-Fai , Si Yain-Whar , Biuk-Aghai Robert P.
Published: December 2011

Current Workflow Management Systems (WfMS) are capable of managing simultaneous workflows designed to support different business processes of an organization. These departmental workflows are considered to be interrelated since they are often executed concurrently and are required to share a limited number of resources. However, unexpected events from the business environment and lack of proper resources can cause delays in activities. Deadline violations caused by such delays are called temporal exceptions. Predicting temporal exceptions in concurrent workflows is a complex problem since any delay in a task can cause a ripple effect on the remaining tasks from the parent workflow as well as from the other interrelated workflows. In addition, different types of loops are often embedded in the workflows for representing iterative activities, and presence of such control flow patterns in workflows can further increase the difficulty in estimation of task completion time. In this chapter, the authors describe a critical path based approach for predicting temporal exceptions in concurrent workflows that are required to share limited resources. This approach allows predicting temporal exceptions in multiple attempts while workflows are being executed. The accuracy of the proposed prediction algorithm is analyzed based on a number of simulation scenarios. The result shows that the proposed algorithm is effective in predicting exceptions for instances where long duration tasks are scheduled (or executed) at the early phase of the workflow.
Geographic Information Retrieval and Text Mining on Chinese Tourism Web Pages
Authors: Tsou Ming-Cheng
Published: December 2011

The World Wide Web (WWW) offers an enormous wealth of information and data, and assembles a tremendous amount of knowledge. Much of this knowledge, however, comprises either non-structured data or semi-structured data. To make use of these unexploited or underexploited resources more efficiently, the management of information and data gathering has become an essential task for research and development. In this paper, the author examines the task of researching a hostel or homestay using the Google search web service as a base search engine. From the search results, mining, retrieving and sorting out location and semantic data were carried out by combining the Chinese Word Segmentation System with text mining technology to find geographic information gleaned from web pages. The results obtained from this particular searching method allowed users to get closer to the answers they sought and achieve greater accuracy, as the results included graphics and textual geographic information. In the future, this method may be suitable for and applicable to various types of queries, analyses, geographic data collection, and in managing spatial knowledge related to different keywords within a document.
SPACots
Authors: Alsumait Asmaa , Habib Sami J.
Published: December 2011

This paper presents a software tool for integrating a child-friendly computer system based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The effective selection of COTS components, which meet a child’s requirements and expectations, is a non-trivial and challenging optimization problem. However, many published papers consider the functional requirements while ignoring usability requirements. The functional requirements are concerned with what the computer should be able to do, whereas the usability requirements are concerned with the extent to which the child is able to learn effectively and efficiently throughout the COTS based computer. In this paper, the authors propose an iterative five-task selection and integration of COTS process, including both hardware devices and software modules, to be automated. The core of the automated tool is employing Simulated Annealing (SA) to search the design space to match, select, and integrate COTS components with a maximal satisfaction while neither exceeding a given budget nor violating child and performance constraints. A Monte Carlo simulator was utilized to evaluate the goodness of the COTS based computer design. Computational results based on building a computer for a child handwriting e-learning application show feasibility of SPACots in finding a solution satisfying all constraints while reducing the cost by 58%.
Quality of Service Management by Third Party in the Evolved Packet System
Authors: Atanasov Ivaylo , Pencheva Evelina
Published: December 2011

The chapter investigates the capabilities for open access to quality of service management in the Evolved Packet System. Based on the analysis of requirements for policy and charging control in the Evolved Packet Core, functions for quality of service (QoS) management and charging, available for third party applications, are identified. The functionality of Open Service Access (OSA) and Parlay X interfaces is evaluated for support of dynamic QoS control on user sessions. An approach to development of OSA-compliant application programming interfaces for QoS management in the Evolved Packet System is presented. The interface’s methods are mapped onto the messages of network control protocols. Aspects of interface implementation are discussed, including interface to protocol conversion.
The Role of Physical Affordances in Multifunctional Mobile Device Design
Authors: Matei Sorin Adam , Faiola Anthony , Wheatley David J. , Altom Tim
Published: December 2011

As designers of mobile/media-rich devices continue to incorporate more features/functionality, the evolution of interfaces will become more complex. Meanwhile, users cognitive models must be aligned with new device capabilities and corresponding physical affordances. In this paper, the authors argue that based on HCI design theory, users approach objects by building mental models starting with physical appearance. Findings suggest that users who embrace a device’s multifunctionality are prevented from taking full advantage of an array of features due to an apparent cognitive constraint caused by a lack of physical controls. The authors submit that this problem stems from established mental models and past associated behaviors of both mobile and non-mobile interactive devices. In conclusion, users expressed a preference for immediate access and use of certain physical device controls within a multi-tasking environment, suggesting that as mobile computing becomes more prevalent, physical affordances in multifunctional devices may remain or increase in importance.
Mobile Phones as Mediating Tools within Augmented Contexts for Development
Authors: Cook John
Published: December 2011

This paper argues for the need to re-examine approaches to the design of, and research into, learning experiences that incorporate mobile phones in the learning context. Following an overview of ‘mobile learning’ the author’s argument describes two initiatives: Firstly, Design Research is presented as an approach that tends to have interventionist characteristics, and is process-oriented and contributes to theory building. Secondly, describing Augmented Contexts for Development; these place context as a core construct that enables collaborative, location-based, mobile device-mediated problem-solving where learners generate their own ‘temporal context for development’, and a case study is used to reify this Vygotskian-oriented initiative. This paper revisits Design Research by making use of various questions, and concludes by briefly outlining intentions on how to move toward some preliminary generalized design principles and implications for broader theory.
Unlocking Lifelong Learning Through E-Heritage
Authors: Paskaleva Krassimira , Megliola Maurizio
Published: December 2011

Lifelong learning is often associated with the sociology and the economics of education. However, its broader and more holistic context, which includes learning through involvement in cultural activities, tourism, leisure, and recreation, is much less known. The relationship of this term to the rapidly changing world of Information and Communication Technologies and to various conceptions of interaction is also worthy of further investigation. This article seeks to shed light on that theme by presenting a novel IT platform involving mobile technologies that can enhance access and consumption of cultural heritage community resources. Drawing on material from the ISAAC European project, the article demonstrates how lifelong m-learning can be supported by an integrated e-destination platform that enables the user to build content and engage with that through a variety of applications over time. It concludes with a demonstrator system for the city of Genoa, Italy, to highlight the pathways to change.
A Platform for Actively Supporting e-Learning in Mobile Networks
Authors: Khan Basit A. , Matskin Mihhail
Published: December 2011

The ubiquitous availability of wireless networks has opened new possibilities for individuals to learn from each other in open learning spaces like cities. Therefore, the changed learning environment must be understood by e-learning systems and technological facilities must be provided for knowledge sharing and construction. Such systems need to be pedagogically sound, yet adaptive to altered modalities. The teacher who was once the central entity to fulfill the learner’s needs may not always be available. Therefore, e-learning systems would fill the gap created by this teacher unavailability by actively participating in learning activities and performing some of the teacher’s roles. This article proposes an architecture designed to meet such challenges in a city-wide context. The authors outline the main components and services needed to fulfill the new requirements and provide the learners with tools, services and educational support for learning activities.
Fruitful Market Mediation
Authors: Wood Lincoln
Published: December 2011

Working in the primary sector, FruitCom is a grouping of exporters who banded together in order to break into and develop new markets. While they aim at cooperating and coordinating their activities to support actions within these new markets, the firms involved still compete in other, more established, export markets. This “coopetitive” relationship allows the group many benefits related to their ability to source material and ensure a more consistent supply, but opens them up to challenges, such as dealing with opportunistic behaviour by other members. This case outlines the background of the firms and introduces the most recent significant challenge they face. The implications of their structure are discussed with emphasis on supply, risk pooling, information sharing, and revenue- and cost-sharing. The successes gained by the group are not without sacrifice; the challenges of their operations are discussed with stress on the most recent and perhaps the most significant challenge yet.
Supply Chains of Commodity Products in India
Authors: Dewani Deepti , Jain Shreyansh , Gupta Sumeet
Published: December 2011

Rice is one of the major commodities produced and consumed in India. India is also home to one of the finest varieties of rice sold under the name of Basmati. The State of Chhattisgarh is considered the Rice Bowl of India as it is one of the largest contributors to paddy production in India. Around 3 million families subsist on farming in Chhattisgarh, out of which, 1.522 million families are small farmers (owning less than 2 hectares of land). The Government of Chhattisgarh procures paddy in Chhattisgarh on behalf of Government of India. This scheme benefits about 1 million farmer families by procuring about 3 million metric tons of paddy in the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) of a year, spending about 600 Million US Dollars. The procurement takes place through about 1333 Primary Agricultural Societies in the whole state covering geographical area of 135000 sq. km. The paddy procured is converted into rice by millers after entering into an agreement. Rice is then handed over to Chhattisgarh State Civil Supplies Corporation to use it in another important scheme for providing food security to the poor. The supply chain of rice production is very simple. It is harvested in the form of paddy from the field and sold to the millers who then process the rice. The processed rice is then sold to the market. Although simple, there are a number of inefficiencies present in its supply chain. This case familiarizes the readers of the distribution system of rice, various government policies in its distribution system, and the issues that need to be addressed in a typical distribution system of rice. The case also urges the readers to mull over how these inefficiencies can be overcome with the latest supply chain management techniques so as to make its distribution efficient and cost effective.
A Study of Eco-Friendly Supply Chain Management at Cement Industries of Chhattisgarh
Authors: Ashraf Gazala Yasmin
Published: December 2011

India has experienced one of the fastest economic growth rates in the world which has been a dramatic driver in the nature and scale of impact on the country’s environment and natural resources. Environmental risks and problems are widening. The issues of managing environment impacts are capturing public attention. Modernization and technology up-gradation is a continuous process for any growing industry and is equally true for the cement industry. With increasing awareness of environmental protection worldwide, the green trend of conserving the Earth’s resources and protecting the environment is overwhelming, thereby exerting pressure on corporations in India. The pressure and drive accompanying globalization has prompted enterprises to improve their environmental performance (Zhu and Sarkis, 2006). Consequently, corporations have shown growing concern for the environment over the past ten years (Sheu, et al., 2005). The pressure on corporations to improve their environmental performances comes from globalization rather than localization (Sarkis and Tamarkin, 2005). Increasing environmental concern has gradually become part of the overall corporation culture and, in turn, has helped to reengineer the strategies of corporations (Madu, et al., 2002).
A Case Study of Singapore’s Automotive Supply Chain
Authors: Sundarakani Balan , De Souza Robert , Goh Mark
Published: December 2011

This chapter aims at examining Singapore’s capabilities in automotive supply chain. A thorough economic analysis of the automotive industry worldwide has been conducted in this study to identify the potential facilitating and inhibiting factors for automotive supply chain in future. Also, the study discusses the automotive supply chain in Asia Pacific region in detail and its impact on Singapore’s automotive supply chain. Based on the analysis, the study presents several recommendations for Singapore’s participation in automotive supply chain. Specifically, the results of this study suggest that Singapore can build its competence in manufacturing electronic components for automobiles as it is one of the leading semiconductor hubs in the world, a leading logistics port, and is well connected with countries all over the world.
Supply Chain Management for NGOs
Authors: Gupta Sumeet , Pal Sanjib , Praveer Saket Ranjan
Published: December 2011

This chapter documents the supply chain management practices at The Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF), a not-for-profit organization, which began operations in June 2000 by feeding 1500 children in 5 schools in Bangalore (Massachusetts Medical Society, n.d.). On November 28, 2001 the Supreme Court of India passed an order which mandated that: “A cooked mid-day meal is to be provided in all the government and government-aided primary schools in all the states.” Akshaya Patra was called in to give testimonies to the Supreme Court in order to implement the mandate. With the partnership of the Government of India and various State Governments as well as the generosity of thousands of supporters, it has grown from a small endeavor to a mammoth force that stretches across the country. Now Akshaya Patra is the world’s largest Non-Governmental Organization, providing a free midday meal to 1.2 million underprivileged children in India (Akshaya Patra India, n.d.). It houses one of the finest technologies, and its kitchen operations are exemplary. The case specifically discusses its operations in Bhilai (Chhattisgarh State), India’s Steel City, where it provides free meals to around 31,768 children in about 156 schools around Bhilai.
Categorization of Losses across Supply Chains
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Syed Faraz , Sinha Geetika
Published: December 2011

Supply chain loss can occur during transit and storage, leading to unnecessary inefficiencies. The literature details much of the traditional losses, albeit descriptively and for developed economies. Through several case studies conducted on the Indian manufacturers and retailers, this case study discusses the losses specific to supply chains operating in developing economies that are difficult to control and prevent even with contemporary enabling technologies such as RFID. This chapter also suggests some possible measures to counter such losses, so as to increase the efficiency and enhance the resilience of the supply chain. An understanding of these losses and their possible mitigation through improved flows, reduced inventory, and reduced manpower, can equip firms for better supply chain risk and productivity management.
An Analysis of Issues and Possible Remedies in the Adoption of RFID in Retail Supply Chains of India
Authors: Gupta Sumeet , Pal Sanjib
Published: December 2011

This case study examines issues faced by Indian retail industry in the adoption of RFID technology as an enabler of efficient retail supply chains. An in-depth case study of Big Bazaar (Future Group) was conducted for a period of two months for identifying and categorizing the issues in RFID adoption.
How Service Firms Manage Innovation
Authors: Jallat Frederic
Published: December 2011

By acknowledging the strategic importance of developing and managing new activities in the service sector, the chapter studies the key business dimensions and performance drivers of innovation, and the determinants of new service success. Therefore, this chapter seeks to address three objectives: (1) yield a critical synthesis of research linked to managing innovation in the service industry, (2) provide a detailed study of innovation management and success factors within the service sector, and (3) determine the links between the service development process and how new services perform.
The Role of External Indicators in Measuring the Service Performance of Local Governments
Authors: Cassia Fabio , Magno Francesca
Published: December 2011

This chapter discusses the role, adoption, and application of external performance indicators within local government. These indicators measure citizens’ satisfaction with offline and online public services and allow administrators to collect timely knowledge about their “customers.” In other words, they play the same role as customer satisfaction research in private companies’ marketing activities. Despite their relevance, external indicators are often overlooked and criticized by both professionals and researchers. This chapter will also review and challenge the main criticisms of external indicators, which state that external indicators are useless and unreliable. Through the analysis of a case study within Italian local governments, the discussion will demonstrate that these indicators have a significant role in public administrators’ decision making, provided that local government embraces a citizen-oriented culture.
Productivity and Innovation in Services
Authors: Ivanovic Aleksandar , Fuxman Leonora
Published: December 2011

A multidisciplinary approach to service science is necessary in order to study, design, improve, and manage service systems and processes in such a way that they add as much value as possible to their customers. It creates the need for service industry transformation, services innovations, and increasing services quality, productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness. Technology leveraging is identified as the key force enabling the advancement in all three main areas of services research. Its strategic priorities include encouraging service infusion and growth, improving well-being through transformative service, creating and maintaining true and sustained service culture. Service development requires stimulating service innovations, enhancing service design, and optimizing service networks and value chains. Finally, better service implementation encompasses effective branding and selling services, enhancing the service experience through value co-creation, as well as measuring and optimizing the value of services.
Technology-Induced Customer Services in the Developing Countries
Authors: Ozuem Wilson , Lancaster Geoff
Published: December 2011

The emergence of the internet has signaled the coming of a new era in the history of cultural transmission. Indeed, a baffling array of industries have adopted and implemented internet technologies in tandem with its prototypical subsets, especially in developed countries. Whilst there has been some surge in the adoption and implementation of internet businesses in developing countries, it appears that these countries are still lagging behind in the delivery of technologically-induced customer services. Despite the bifurcation between the level of internet adoption and implementation, most extant literature related to understanding the dynamics of customer services in technologically induced environments is dominated by scholars and practitioners in developed countries. This dominance has not only provided a truncated view of prevailing trends, but has obscured unique evolving business models from sub-Saharan countries. Drawing on an interpretivist ethnographic methodological approach emerging through an interest in the origins of culture and civilisation, primarily through analysis of (primitive) societies, this chapter provides a background on the sub-Saharan perspective on general technologically induced environments, which is necessary to formulate the basis for a contemporary sub-Saharan e-business model. The aim is to look afresh at problems faced by the banking sector in the delivery of services to customers, and to demonstrate how these users might brace themselves generatively to meet the challenges it poses.
Business-to-Consumers eCommerce
Authors: Karakaya Fahri
Published: December 2011

This chapter focuses on the effective use of the Internet for marketing products and services. The chapter starts by presenting statistics about Internet usage and online sales in the USA and around the world. It then examines the evolution of web sites from a static format to an interactive format with the start of Web 2.0. As a plus to small businesses, the chapter also briefly outlines the steps involved in starting an online business and the advantages and disadvantages of having one. Special emphasis is placed on developing an eMarketing strategy, drawing on the marketing mix, online marketing research, and search engine optimization, as well as social media marketing. The chapter ends by showcasing Amazon.com’s marketing tools as excellent examples of effective eBusiness.
Business Strategies Incorporating Sustainable Development Principles
Authors: Gurau Calin , Pascual-Espuny Céline , Ranchhod Ashok
Published: December 2011

Sustainable development is considered essential for avoiding a global scale environmental crisis. Using the primary data provided by 68 UK SMEs, this chapter investigates firm managers’ level of knowledge regarding the concept and principles of sustainable development, and analyses its impact on the specific sustainability strategies adopted by these firms. The findings indicate a relatively low level of managerial knowledge, as well as a scarce application of sustainability strategies in the investigated SMEs. The results indicate the need to develop management education and best practice examples in order to increase the understanding and the practical application of these concepts.
Strategic Marketing
Authors: Doherty Noel , Lu F. Victor
Published: December 2011

Strategies and planning tools are explained from the product and market perspective. The principal growth and sustainability strategies of market penetration, market development, product development, and diversification are explained and illustrated. The meaning and importance of segmentation, targeting, and positioning are also explained.
Business Education across Cultures and Languages
Authors: Koubaa Yamen
Published: December 2011

This chapter first presents the effect of culture and language on the efficiency of business education across cultures and languages. It begins with the effect that culture and language may have on the amount and the quality of knowledge transferred from business educators to business learners when the educator and the learner are affiliated to different cultural backgrounds or when the language of education is different from the native language of the educator, of the learner, or of the two. Then, it defines several concepts related to business education across English and several other languages. Secondly, an investigation among business educators across cultures and languages is conducted. Findings reveal that culture and language have a significant impact on the perception of business concepts and on the ways business educators deliver their knowledge. The research involves seven languages namely Arabic, Chinese, French, English, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish, and their respective cultures.
International Applications of Knowledge Intensive Services of Management and IT Consulting in Transitional Countries
Authors: Fuxman Leonora , Ivanovic Aleksandar
Published: December 2011

Management and Information Technology (IT) consulting, both in Ukraine and in Serbia, are still in their developmental stages. Most problems they meet are due to a lack of managerial and restructuring experience in a free-market economy. However, significant innovation as well as necessary managerial education and IT infrastructure improvement have been achieved to make them affordable and attractive to a large range of organizations in these economies in transition. Their historical development, current trends, segments of activity, implementation areas, challenges and problems usually met in business practice, and a number of cases and managerial implications of their possible solutions are discussed in this chapter.
Dynamic Knowledge
Authors: Hernández José G. , García María J. , Hernández Gilberto J.
Published: December 2011

This chapter shows how to make an enterprise diagnosis and how, with the right tools, a better management of dynamic knowledge can be established. The chapter begins by examining the Logistic Model Based on Positions (LoMoBaP) and using the position of Customer Services Manager to perform an enterprise diagnosis. The results of this are then expressed through a Matrixes Of Weighing (MOW). The general objective of the chapter is to show how by making the diagnosis of a company through the Customer Services Manager, which is one of the positions of the Logistic Model Based on Positions, and expressing this diagnosis through Matrixes Of Weighing, a dynamic knowledge base that will allow the company an efficient knowledge management, specifically for the most important management aspects, is generated.
On the Application of Automated Software Testing Techniques to the Development and Maintenance of Speech Recognition Systems
Authors: Bolanos Daniel
Published: December 2011

This chapter provides practitioners in the field with a set of guidelines to help them through the process of elaborating an adequate automated testing framework to competently test automatic speech recognition systems. Through this chapter the testing process of such a system is analyzed from different angles, and different methods and techniques are proposed that are well suited for this task.