bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L'émergence d'une critique artistique : la danse hip-hop
Authors: Shapiro Roberta
Published: January 2013

Résumé L’analyse de corpus d’articles parus de 1987 à 2001 montre que deux grands quotidiens nationaux, Le Monde et Libération, accordent une place non négligeable à la danse hip-hop. Au cours de la période, les rédacteurs se dégagent progressivement d’une description en termes d’animation culturelle au bénéfice d’une approche en termes artistiques, délaissant du coup le portrait socio-démographique des producteurs pour la qualification esthétique de leurs œuvres. Ils qualifient de « courant de la danse contemporaine » ce qui a longtemps été perçu comme un jeu d’adolescents destiné à passer de mode. Mais il ne s’agit pas seulement de labellisation : la requalification artistique opéré par le discours journalistique a accompagné un long travail de transformation concrète de l’activité elle-même, engagée dans les années 1980, et qui est l’œuvre d’une pluralité d’acteurs : danseurs hip-hop, travailleurs sociaux, administrateurs et artistes du monde du spectacle vivant, agents de la puissance publique. En en faisant ensuite un objet de compte-rendu digne de la curiosité publique, en la qualifiant de danse, les critiques contribuent à faire connaître le hip-hop bien au-delà du cercle des premiers pratiquants. En définissant les producteurs et leurs œuvres en référence à une filiation esthético-historique, en en faisant la théorie, le discours critique influence et oriente en retour les actions des personnes évaluées, les désigne comme dignes du soutien des financeurs et contribue à former un public. Mais il témoigne également des limites de la reconnaissance qu’on veut bien accorder à une expression portée principalement par les enfants de l’immigration.
Le deust comme formation théâtrale universitaire du comédien en région
Authors: Cardot Nathalie
Published: January 2013

Résumé Nous tenterons par le biais du deust (diplôme d’étude universitaire scientifique et technique) formation théâtrale régionale à Besançon (Franche-Comté), d’observer comment l’université se positionne aujourd’hui dans le paysage théâtral. L’aspect régional nous autorise à saisir les différentes voies et possibilités offertes à l’étudiant en région dans la recherche d’une formation théâtrale. Deux types d’enseignement s’offrent à l’étudiant de théâtre en France, le premier relève d’institutions sous tutelle d’État et le second de cours privés très nombreux et de valeur inégale. Le deust théâtre est une formation universitaire de deux ans à finalité professionnelle qui fonctionne en parallèle d’un deug théâtre. Cette formation, comme beaucoup d’autres se trouve confrontée au culte de l’autodidaxie et au discours de la non-utilité de posséder un diplôme pour être comédien. La justification du deust se fonde sur l’utilité du passage par une école pour être comédien et sur la complémentarité théorie-pratique. L’étudiant, apprenti comédien, en s’engageant dans le deust , suit une formation théâtrale par alternance lui permettant d’intégrer les codes et les règles du champ théâtral. Deux promotions ont été suivies grâce à la méthode de l’entretien. Elles nous ont expliqué les difficultés rencontrées, les possibilités de débouchés et l’échec rencontré lors de la formation. L’université, nouvelle recrue sur le marché des formations théâtrales, rivalisera-t-elle avec les écoles spécialisées en théâtre ?
Critiques et cinéastes à l'épreuve des gens ordinaires sur internet
Authors: Verdrager Pierre
Published: January 2013

Résumé L’auteur analyse dans cet article la controverse qui a eu lieu en 1999 au sujet de la fonction et de la place de la critique cinématographique. L’objet de l’enquête est la mise au jour des principes sur lesquels prennent appui les personnes pour forger leur jugement ; son terrain a été fourni par le Forum du site Internet du journal Libération où se sont exprimées bon nombres de personnes au sujet de cette controverse ; sa méthode est guidée par le respect du double principe de la neutralité axiologique et de la symétrie analytique.
Christian Bobin et les infortunes de la critique littéraire
Authors: Tralongo Stéphanie
Published: January 2013

Résumé L’article questionne les conséquences du flottement dans les indices de position dans le champ littéraire de l’œuvre de Christian Bobin, sur les discours de réception par la critique. Il s’agit d’un auteur dont les œuvres coexistent dans le sous-champ de production restreinte et dans le sous-champ de grande production. Ce cas de figure est analysé sous l’angle des discours de réception produits par la critique littéraire, la presse nationale (générale, féminine, religieuse), et régionale. On constate alors que lorsque les indicateurs font osciller la position de l’auteur du sous-champ de production restreinte au sous-champ de grande production, les discours de la critique littéraire légitime et d’une partie de la presse nationale vont dans le sens d’une déqualification de l’œuvre. Il apparaît ainsi que la position d’un écrivain au démarrage de sa carrière a un effet déterminant sur les conditions de réception de son œuvre par la critique.
Historicités du 20 e siècle
Authors: Bantigny Ludivine
Published: January 2013

Résumé Ce texte propose d’examiner les définitions de la notion d’« historicités », d’explorer les usages qui en sont faits ou pourraient en être faits par les sciences sociales en général et par l’histoire en particulier, et de réfléchir à ce qui a été nommé le « présentisme ». Si la définition est loin d’être figée, on peut entendre par historicité la capacité qu’ont les acteurs d’une société ou d’une communauté donnée à inscrire leur présent dans une histoire, à le penser comme situé dans un temps non pas neutre mais signifiant, par la conception qu’ils s’en font, les interprétations qu’ils s’en donnent et les récits qu’ils en forgent. L’historicité suppose une conscience mouvante et changeante du passé et du futur, façonnée à l’aune du présent. Il est dès lors important d’insister sur la pluralité des modes d’historicités et donc sur leur coexistence. Par là, il s’agit de considérer les formes d’historicités dominantes et les résistances qui peuvent aussi lui être opposées.
Histoire et concurrence des temps
Authors: Duara Prasenjit , Bantigny Ludivine
Published: January 2013

Résumé Les récits du passé sont peut-être nécessaires à toutes les organisations sociales qui cherchent à se constituer comme telles. Cependant, avant l’apparition de l’État-nation, ces récits non seulement englobaient des différences et des contestations, mais ils entretenaient aussi une relation à un temps et des idéaux universels ou cosmologiques. L’émergence de la modernité contribua au désenchantement du politique, parallèlement à l’avènement d’États capitalistes en concurrence, qui cherchèrent à mobiliser toutes les formes de ressources et de biopouvoir. Ces histoires de l’État et de la civilisation, linéaires et réifiées, furent essentielles dans cette mobilisation. Un bon exemple peut en être donné avec les récits historiques eurasiens et la manière dont ils circulèrent. Cet article les examine et s’intéresse notamment aux modalités de l’historicité en Asie orientale, en étant attentif à leurs circulations et en insistant sur les voies, à la fois globales et régionales, qu’elles empruntèrent. Leurs forces furent converties en récits historiques linéaires de nations souveraines engagées dans des interrelations de compétitions agressives.
L'historicité nazie
Authors: Chapoutot Johann
Published: January 2013

Résumé On perçoit, de l’extérieur, le projet nazi comme une projection vers un millenium de modernité et de domination. À y regarder de plus près, on s’aperçoit que la conception nazie du temps est plus rétrospective que prospective : « l’homme nouveau » est le produit d’une archéologie eugéniste, et la fin ultime du projet nazi est de mettre un terme à l’histoire, au passage du temps, en éliminant une bonne fois pour toutes l’éternel ennemi de la race nordique. Le temps nazi rêvé est donc l’immobilité de la stase, un temps eschatologique, sans guerre ni passage, qui est proprement une sortie de l’histoire pour rejoindre le temps, routinier et réitératif, de la nature.
Le temps politisé
Authors: Bantigny Ludivine
Published: January 2013

Résumé Cet article entend revisiter l’événement Mai-Juin 68 à l’aune de la conscience historique qu’en ont ses différents acteurs et du rapport aux temporalités imbriquées qu’ils entretiennent alors. Il évoque l’attention particulière prêtée au temps vécu comme un « temps de qualité », entre sentiment de l’urgence et impression de vivre un moment suspendu. Pour autant, ces temporalités elles-mêmes sont replacées dans la conscience que l’histoire est en train de se faire et qu’elle nécessite de réfléchir à cette condition historique, où le passé est un héritage pour mieux penser l’avenir. De fait, les références historiques mobilisées ici n’ont rien de figé ; elles signent bien plutôt un rendez-vous de l’histoire et de l’événement, ce qui en fait un passé vivant.
Acute Anterior Uveitis Following Intravitreal Injection of Bevacizumab
Authors: Mozayan Arash , Farah Samer
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To report five cases of iritis after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The clinical charts of patients who received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab or ranibizumab from January 2009 to September 2011 by one physician were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS:

A total of 1,097 injections of bevacizumab and 571 of ranibizumab were administered. Five patients developed acute anterior uveitis and presented with severe pain, photophobia, conjunctival injection, and anterior chamber reaction 2 to 24 hours after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. All five patients were treated with topical corticosteroids with rapid resolution of the inflammation.

CONCLUSION:

Although uncommon, acute iritis is a complication of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.
Carbon Nanotube Bucky Paper as an Artificial Support Membrane for Retinal Cell Transplantation
Authors: Leng Theodore , Fishman Harvey A.
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Transplantation of epithelial cells on a substrate to rescue diseased retinal cells is an experimental therapy for age-related macular degeneration. Carbon nanotube bucky paper was tested for cell transplantation into the retina.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Bucky paper was prepared and human RPE cells cultured on its surface demonstrating its utility as a cell transplantation substrate. Bucky paper was implanted underneath 9 rabbit retinas using a standard 3-port pars plana vitrectomy and subretinal bleb. A 1 mm retinotomy was created through which Bucky paper precut to fit was inserted with the subretinal forceps, into the subretinal bleb. The retina was reattached by airfluid exchange.

RESULTS:

By light microscopy, RPE cells demonstrated normal morphology and growth patterns on the bucky paper surface. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed a confluent monolayer of cells, and indicated the formation of microvilli on the apical surface. Bucky paper remained flat in the subretinal space after 2 weeks, the retina fully attached without edema or inflammation.

CONCLUSION:

Bucky paper possesses the necessary attributes for therapeutic cell transplantation in the eye.
Illustrators of the New World. The Image in the Spanish Scientific Expeditions of the Enlightenment
Authors: Puig-Samper Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2013

In the Eighteenth Century, with the boom in the exploration of the Earth, most travellers and explorers had painters and illustrators at their sides who recorded their adventures, even their deaths, the exotic locations they visited, the aborigines, the landscapes or the strange creatures or plants that inhabited them. The presence of artists would increase in these types of exploration companies, sent by Spain, in order to recognise the natural resources and the imperial control of their territories. We take as a starting point Löfling’s expedition, in which naturalist artists seek to comply with the requirements of the Linnaean classification system then, looking at the case of Francisco Requena, who cartographically represented the territory and drew the activities of his own expedition members along the boundaries with the Portuguese empire. Likewise, we analyze expeditions known as “Botanical” to the different viceroyalties, which attempted to transmit the American nature idealized in a few “types” that were drawn and recorded to make the new species and the wealth of the Empire known, until finally arriving at the expedition of Malaspina, in which there is a step towards the depiction of the imperial landscape.
Ernesto Quesada, a Positivist Traveler. Between Cosmopolitism and Scientific Patriarchy
Authors: Gasquet Axel
Published: January 2013

Ernesto Quesada (1858-1934) was a renowned and prolific intellectual of the 1890 generation in Argentina. With his father, Vicente Gaspar Quesada, he co-directed Nueva Revista de Buenos Aires between 1863 and 1871. Sociologist, Professor, Germanist and publicist, Quesada was a well-known representative of positivism. A true cosmopolitan, Quesada stood out as a traveler among his peers who were used to extensive journeys, especially in the west. He embarked on unconventional paths for the Argentineans of his time; in 1884 he traveled to Russia and around the world in 1913. These experiences are registered in A Winter in Russia (1888) and Around the World (1914), texts that have not been subject to critique until now. There are thirty years of intense intellectual work from one book to the other. We will study them in the light of his work and time, when a new vision about the Middle and Far East -independent from Europe- was born in Argentina. This contributed to create the model for a modern liberal state for the Argentinean nation. This timespan goes from the federalization of Buenos Aires (with the founding of La Plata as provincial capital in 1882) to the opulence of the centenary (1910).
La diversificación de las cícadas y la biodiversidad tropical
Authors: Rull V.
Published: January 2013

El reciente e inesperado descubrimiento de que las Cycadales actuales no son relictos Jurásico-Cretácicos (200-65 Mya), ya que todos sus géneros iniciaron su diversificación durante el Mioceno Tardío (12 Mya), ha puesto en entredicho un mito evolutivo clásico. En esta nota se expone como este hallazgo puede, además, proporcionar nuevas pistas sobre el origen de la elevada biodiversidad tropical.
Investigación activista autónoma. El caso del movimiento de okupaciones de Madrid
Authors: Martínez López Miguel Ángel , Lorenzi Fernández Elísabeth
Published: January 2013

La participación ciudadana ha sido recientemente incorporada en el diseño e implementación de diferentes políticas públicas, pero quienes participan han criticado a menudo que existe poco espacio para las modalidades autónomas de participación ciudadana dentro de los marcos institucionales. ¿Cuáles son los rasgos específicos de los procesos autónomos de participación ciudadana comparados a los más institucionales? ¿Cómo se desarrolla la participación autónoma? Este artículo expone algunos aspectos metodológicos de la participación autónoma. Presentamos una experiencia de investigación activista autónoma desarrollada con el movimiento de okupaciones de Madrid durante dos años y medio. En particular, nos centramos en las decisiones metodológicas adoptadas por los investigadores-activistas y describimos las principales contribuciones de este proceso participativo. De este modo, argumentamos que este proceso de investigación-activista se fundamentó en tres estrategias que proporcionaron un entorno productivo para la implicación de los participantes: a) un grupo de investigadores activistas abierto, horizontal y autogestionado; b) un compromiso con el “open-source” y “copy-left” para garantizar un acceso igualitario a la producción de conocimiento; c) un enfoque metodológico cualitativo y comprensivo que permitió reunir un amplio rango de informaciones e integrar la diversidad social presente en el movimiento de okupaciones.
E-Government, M-Government, L-Government
Authors: Asquer Alberto
Published: January 2013

The development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) brings about considerable changes in the ways public administration provides information and delivers services to citizens, businesses, and other public administration systems. This chapter reviews the application of ICT in the provision of public administration services. e-Government tools have been introduced in various countries in the world and enabled the strengthening of existing public administration services and the activation of innovative ones. m-Government tools, which are related to the emergence and diffusion of Internet mobile technology and devices, allow both overcoming infrastructure deficits and providing innovative services, which are particularly sensitive to users’ context conditions. Finally, l-Government tools—i.e., ubiquitous, seamless, user-centric, and automated application of Internet technology to public administration services—have the potential to further redefine the terms of access of users to public administration services and to enhance the ties among citizens, businesses, and the government.
Marketing E-Government to Citizens
Authors: Molina María de Miguel , Soler Carlos Ripoll
Published: January 2013

This chapter explores the different literature that analyses the application of marketing strategies in e-Government to help government managers promote citizen communication and participation. On occasion, the application of marketing strategies to encourage citizens to use G2C (Government to Citizen) tools is poor. Providing citizens with information is the first step whilst the final step of governments should be to reach citizen participation in decisions. To achieve this final step, governments will need to carry out a network analysis in order to find out more about their citizens and their needs. They will then need to communicate effectively how they can cover these needs through e-Government. Based on several experiences, the authors aim to study the gaps that governments at any administrative level should cover to enhance their communication with citizens and so increase the use of e-Government. In this chapter, the authors propose the use of Web 2.0 tools as a new way of communication.
Alignment of IT Projects and Investments to Community Values
Authors: Vogt Marcus , Hales Kieth
Published: January 2013

Information Technology (IT) investments and IT management have become increasingly important for an organization’s success. The principles of IT Governance, the use of IT Governance Frameworks, the application of IT Portfolio Management, and IT Value Management are proven methodologies to lead private companies to a successful and efficient implementation of their ITT investments. However, due to the structure of public organizations, they seem to have their limits. This chapter shows the issues of IT Value Management in public organizations and discusses the usability of classic IT alignment methods.
From Town Hall to the Virtual Community
Authors: Kloby Kathryn , Sadeghi Leila
Published: January 2013

Engaging the public is a vital component of the public policy process. Traditional strategies for civic engagement include town hall meetings as well as citizen surveys, 311 call systems, and more interactive meetings for public deliberation. Each of these approaches has their limitations, leading many to consider new ways of engaging the public and the role that technology can play in the process. The authors focus on a discussion of the traditional citizen engagement approaches that are widely used by government to communicate with and interact with the public. Focusing on new interactive media, they discuss what is meant by “Web 2.0” and present the capabilities and potential applications of social media in the public sector. Highlighting government programs that utilize these technologies and interviewing subject-matter experts on this new form of communication, the authors present some of the adoption concerns and implementation strategies that public administrators should consider as they adopt Web 2.0 technologies. They conclude with a discussion of the potential that these new civic engagement techniques can offer the public sector as strategies to communicate, interact, and engage the public.
Key Success Domains for Business-IT Alignment in Cross-Governmental Partnerships
Authors: Tapia Roberto Santana , van Eck Pascal , Daneva Maya , Wieringa Roel
Published: January 2013

Business-IT alignment is a crucial concept in the understanding of how profit-and-loss organizations use Information Technology (IT) to support their business requirements. This alignment concept becomes tangled when it is addressed in a socio-political context with non-financial goals and political agendas between independent organizations, i.e., in governmental settings. Collaborative problem-solving and coordination mechanisms are enabling government agencies to deal with such a complex alignment. In this chapter, the authors propose to consider four key domains for successful business-IT alignment in cross-governmental partnerships: partnering structure, IS architecture, process architecture, and coordination. Their choice of domains is based on three case studies carried out in cross-governmental partnerships, in Mexico, The Netherlands, and Canada, respectively. The business-IT alignment domains presented in this chapter can guide cross-governmental partnerships in their efforts to achieve alignment. Those domains are still open to further empirical confirmation or refutation. Although much more research is required on this important topic for governments, the authors hope that their study contributes to the pool of knowledge in this relevant research stream.
From E-Government to E-Governance in Europe
Authors: Orelli Rebecca Levy , Padovani Emanuele , del Sordo Carlotta
Published: January 2013

The influence of e-government on the modernization and growth of public sector initiatives in Europe has been deeply claimed. Little is known, however, about how the so-called shift from e-government to e-governance takes place in European governments. This chapter presents a view of both challenges and advantages of implementing e-governance strategies, by examining how closely and critically intertwined e-government and e-governance are in European countries.
E-Government in Bangladesh
Authors: Siddiquee Noore Alam , Faroqi Md. Gofran
Published: January 2013

In this chapter, the authors delineate the overall policy and institutional framework of e-government from the perspective of Bangladesh. Recognizing the current government’s attempt at branding the country as “Digital Bangladesh,” the authors explore major e-government programs and initiatives in operation. Most importantly, they eloquently elaborate on the constraints and challenges facing Bangladesh in its pursuit of electronic governance and also shed light on the way forward.
Combating Corruption through e-Governance in India
Authors: Mishra Durga Shanker
Published: January 2013

Studies have shown a prevalence of high level of corruption in the Indian Administrative System, which adversely affects the day-to-day lives of common citizens. This chapter examines the role of e-governance in combating corruption in delivering public services. Through a literature review assessing the outcomes of a few e-governance initiatives related to improving service delivery in different parts of India, this chapter argues that even though technology assists in instituting a transparent, accountable, consistent, reliable, and efficient system for delivery services, it cannot overcome corruption by itself. It will require political will, focused administrative strategy, business process reengineering for simplifying and opening up the system, and persistent efforts to ensure that corruption entrepreneurs do not subvert the gains of the technology.
Metaheuristic Algorithms for Supply Chain Management Problems
Authors: Taleizadeh Ata Allah , Cárdenas-Barrón Leopoldo Eduardo
Published: January 2013

Recently, metaheuristic algorithms (MHAs) have gained noteworthy attention for their abilities to solve difficult optimization problems in engineering, business, economics, finance, and other fields. This chapter introduces some applications of MHAs in supply chain management (SCM) problems. For example, consider a multi-product multi-constraint SCM problem in which demands for each product are not deterministic, the lead-time varies linearly with regard to the lot-size and partial backordering of shortages are assumed. Thus, since the main goal is to determine the re-order point, the order quantity and number of shipments under the total cost of the whole chain is minimized. In this chapter, the authors concentrate on MHAs such as harmony search (HS), particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), firefly algorithm (FA), and simulated annealing (SA) for solving the following four supply chain models: single-vendor single-buyer (SBSV), multi-buyers single-vendor (MBSV), multi-buyers multi-vendors (MBMV) and multi-objective multi-buyers multi-vendors (MOMBMV). These models typically are in any supply chain. For illustrative purposes, a numerical example is solved in each model.
Investigating of Hybrid Meta-Heuristics to Solve the Large-Scale Multi-Source Weber Problems and Performance Measuring of them with Statistical Tests
Authors: Ghaderi Abdolsalam
Published: January 2013

The location–allocation problems are a class of complicated optimization problems that requires finding sites for m facilities and to simultaneously allocate n customers to those facilities to minimize the total transportation costs. Indeed, these problems, belonging to the class NP-hard, have a lot of local optima solutions. In this chapter, three hybrid meta-heuristics: genetic algorithm, variable neighborhood search and particle swarm optimization, and a hybrid local search approach. These are investigated to solve the uncapacitated continuous location-allocation problem (multi-source Weber problem). In this regard, alternate location allocation and exchange heuristics are used to find the local optima of the problem within the framework of hybrid algorithms. In addition, some large-scale problems are employed to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of hybrid algorithms. Obtained results from these heuristics are compared with local search methods and with each other. The experimental results show that the hybrid meta-heuristics produce much better solutions to solve large-scale problems. Moreover, the results of two non-parametric statistical tests detected a significant difference in hybrid algorithms such that the hybrid variable neighborhood search and particle swarm optimization algorithm outperform the others.
A Hybrid Meta-Heuristic to Solve a Multi-Criteria HFS Problem
Authors: Ghedjati Fatima , Khalouli Safa
Published: January 2013

In this chapter the authors address a hybrid flow shop scheduling problem considering the minimization of the makespan in addition to the sum of earliness and tardiness penalties. This problem is proven to be NP-hard, and consequently the development of heuristic and meta-heuristic approaches to solve it is well justified. So, to deal with this problem, the authors propose a method which consists on the one hand, on using a meta-heuristic based on ant colony optimization algorithm to generate feasible solutions and, on the other hand, on using an aggregation multi-criteria method based on fuzzy logic to assist the decision-maker to express his preferences according to the considered objective functions. The aggregation method uses the Choquet integral. This latter allows to take into account the interactions between the different criteria. Experiments based on randomly generated instances were conducted to test the effectiveness of the approach.
Generators Maintenance Scheduling Using Music-Inspired Harmony Search Algorithm
Authors: Khan Laiq , Badar Rabiah , Mumtaz Sidra
Published: January 2013

This work explores the potential of Music-Inspired Harmony Search (MIHS), meta-heuristic technique, in the area of power system for Generator Maintenance Scheduling (GMS). MIHS has been used to generate optimal preventive maintenance schedule for generators to maintain reliable and economical power system operation taking into account the maintenance window, load and crew constraints. The robustness of the algorithm has been evaluated for five different case studies: 8-units test system, 13-units test system, 21-units test system, 62-units test system, and 136-units test system of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Pakistan. As per previous practice, WAPDA used to use manual scheduling based on hit-and-trial. The simulations have been carried out in MATLAB®. Based on its comparison with Genetic Algorithm (GA), it has been found that MIHS has fast convergence rate and optimal schedule for all the test systems satisfying the stated constraints.
Optimal Ordering of Activities of New Product Development Projects with Time and Cost Considerations
Authors: Abdelsalam Hisham M. , Magdy Amany
Published: January 2013

This chapter presents a Discrete Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm that determines the optimal order of activities execution within a design project that minimizes project total iterative time and cost. Numerical Design Structure Matrix (DSM) was used to model project activities’ execution order along with their interactions providing a base for calculating the objective functions. Algorithm performance was tested on a hypothetical project data and results showed its ability to reach Pareto fronts on different sets of objective functions.
Valuing Knowledge-Based Initiatives
Authors: Benbya Hind
Published: January 2013

The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the current state of theory and practice on valuing Knowledge-Based Initiatives (KBI). Drawing on the literature concerning IT and business value, this paper summarizes what is known about valuing IT-based initiatives, discusses the specificity of KBI and outline main challenges that continue to limit research in this area. This paper also examines how managers deal with these challenges and what metrics they use to assess knowledge value. These managerial insights are derived from interviews as well as empirical analysis of several Silicon Valley firms. This paper gives an emerging approach for valuing KBI and illustrates its implementation with a case study from IBM.
The Practice of Jordanian Business to Attain Customer Knowledge Acquisition
Authors: Talet Amine Nehari , Alhawari Samer , Mansour Ebrahim , Alryalat Haroun
Published: January 2013

This paper examines how Jordanian companies use the knowledge process to support Customer Knowledge Acquisition (CKA) and how they foster it. The empirical study is based on a sample of the data collected from 156 respondents, drawn randomly from three software business solution companies working in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) area, and four companies which are employing the CRM system. The results show that the three selected factors (need for Customer Knowledge, Verify Customer Source, and Capture Customer Knowledge) have a significant impact on customer acquisition. However, the source identification of knowledge is not significant in Jordanian business software environments. The empirical findings will help both researchers and practitioners in future Knowledge Management (KM) and Customer Acquisition research to gain a better understanding of the knowledge processes about customers on Customer Acquisition. This paper provides a contribution to the literature about Customer Knowledge Acquisition in one of the developing countries as a framework to keep organizations competitive within the global business environment.
Application of Era-Based Cellular Planning for Development of E-Government in Developing Countries
Authors: Pourezzat Ali Asghar , Attar Ghazaleh Taheri , Sharifmousavi Sayed Mahdi
Published: January 2013

Developing countries face numerous problems in the planning process for EG development which makes using linear processes difficult for them, and forces them to consider a specific plan for implementing plans of EG development, using nonlinear complex processes. Era-based cellular planning system (ECPS) provides the possibility for developing countries to follow EG development using non-linear processes to plan, establish, and implement it.
Oligodeoxynucleotides Expressing Polyguanosine Motifs Promote Antitumor Activity through the Upregulation of IL-2
Authors: Kobayashi Nobuaki , Hong Choongman , Klinman Dennis M. , Shirota Hidekazu
Published: January 2013

The primary goal of cancer immunotherapy is to elicit an immune response capable of eliminating the tumor. One approach toward accomplishing that goal uses general (rather than tumor-specific) immunomodulatory agents to boost the number and activity of pre-existing CTLs. We find that the intratumoral injection of polyguanosine (poly-G) oligonucleotides (ODN) has such an effect, boosting antitumor immunity and promoting tumor regression. The antitumor activity of poly-G ODN was mediated through CD8 T cells in a TLR9-independent manner. Mechanistically, poly-G ODN directly induced the phosphorylation of Lck (an essential element of the T cell–signaling pathway), thereby enhancing the production of IL-2 and CD8 T cell proliferation. These findings establish poly-G ODN as a novel type of cancer immunotherapy.
Activation of TLR4 Is Required for the Synergistic Induction of Dual Oxidase 2 and Dual Oxidase A2 by IFN-γ and Lipopolysaccharide in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Wu Yongzhong , Lu Jiamo , Antony Smitha , Juhasz Agnes , Liu Han , Jiang Guojian , Meitzler Jennifer L. , Hollingshead Melinda , Haines Diana C. , Butcher Donna , Roy Krishnendu , Doroshow James H.
Published: January 2013

Pancreatitis is associated with release of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species and plays an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer. We recently demonstrated that dual oxidase (Duox)2, an NADPH oxidase essential for reactive oxygen species–related, gastrointestinal host defense, is regulated by IFN-γ–mediated Stat1 binding to the Duox2 promoter in pancreatic tumor lines. Because LPS enhances the development and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer in vivo following TLR4-related activation of NF-κB, we examined whether LPS, alone or combined with IFN-γ, regulated Duox2. We found that upregulation of TLR4 by IFN-γ in BxPC-3 and CFPAC-1 pancreatic cancer cells was augmented by LPS, resulting in activation of NF-κB, accumulation of NF-κB (p65) in the nucleus, and increased binding of p65 to the Duox2 promoter. TLR4 silencing with small interfering RNAs, as well as two independent NF-κB inhibitors, attenuated LPS- and IFN-γ–mediated Duox2 upregulation in BxPC-3 cells. Induction of Duox2 expression by IFN-γ and LPS may result from IFN-γ–related activation of Stat1 acting in concert with NF-κB–related upregulation of Duox2. Sustained extracellular accumulation of H2O2 generated by exposure to both LPS and IFN-γ was responsible for an ∼50% decrease in BxPC-3 cell proliferation associated with a G1 cell cycle block, apoptosis, and DNA damage. We also demonstrated upregulation of Duox expression in vivo in pancreatic cancer xenografts and in patients with chronic pancreatitis. These results suggest that inflammatory cytokines can interact to produce a Duox-dependent pro-oxidant milieu that could increase the pathologic potential of pancreatic inflammation and pancreatic cancer cells.
Minibus taxi drivers’ sexual beliefs and practices associated with HIV infection and AIDS in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa
Authors: Ncama Busisiwe , Mchunu Gugu , Naidoo Joanne , Majeke Sisana , Pillay Padmini , Myeza Thandazile , Ndebele Thandiwe
Published: January 2013

Risky sexual behaviours in South Africa are a major contributing factor to the spread of HIV infection and AIDS. HIV infection amongst minibus taxi drivers is a concern, because these people belong to an occupational group that exhibits risky behaviours due to the demands of their work. Given the high vulnerability of minibus taxi drivers, exploring the sexual beliefs and health-related sexual practices of this group will assist in planning targeted interventions.The objectives of this study were to assess the level of knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding HIV infection and AIDS amongst minibus taxi drivers. An exploratory descriptive study was conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire to explore and describe sexual beliefs and practices associated with HIV infection and AIDS in a convenience sample of 175 minibus taxi drivers. Permission to undertake the study was obtained from the KwaZulu-Natal Taxi Alliance and individuals who participated in the study. Data analysis were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 13.0. The study revealed that minibus taxi drivers are one of the high- risk groups in the spread of HIV infection and AIDS; they lack necessary education and need attention in relation to control and prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS. Multiple sexual partners are relatively common amongst the minibus taxi drivers. Violence against women and even forceful sexual intercourse in the belief that women should tolerate it to keep the family together was reported. There is a need for intervention programmes with a focus on minibus taxi drivers and similar high-risk groups. Prevention activities should incorporate the distribution of condoms amongst this group and HIV prevention educational programmes, as well as creating mechanisms for accessing circumcision by the minibus taxi drivers.
Morphine clearance in children: Does race or genetics matter?
Authors: Sadhasivam, MD, MPH Senthilkumar , Krekels, MSc Elke H. J. , Chidambaran, MD Vidya , Esslinger, MPT Hope R. , Ngamprasertwong, MD Pornswan , Zhang, MD, MBA Kejian , Fukuda, PhD Tsuyoshi , Vinks, PharmD, PhD Alexander A.
Published: January 2013

Objective: Interindividual variability in analgesic response and adverse effects of opioids because of narrow therapeutic indices are major clinical problems. Morphine is an opioid commonly used in children to manage perioperative pain. Although size and age often are considered primary covariates for morphine pharmacokinetic models, the impact of other factors important in personalizing care such as race and genetic variations on morphine disposition is not well documented.Design: Genotype blinded clinical observational pharmacokinetic study. One hundred forty-six African American and Caucasian children scheduled for elective outpatient adenotonsillectomy were enrolled in our prospective genotype blinded observational study with standard perioperative clinical care.Setting: Tertiary care pediatric institution.Interventions: Morphine bolus for intraoperative analgesia in children and pharmacokinetic analyses in different races.Main outcome measures: Pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics of intravenous morphine in a homogeneous pediatric outpatient surgical pain population were evaluated.Results: The authors observed that African American children have higher morphine clearance than Caucasian children. The increased clearance is directed toward the formation of morphine-3-glucuronide formation, rather than the formation of morphine-6-glucuronide. Common uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) 2B7 genetic variations (-161C>T and 802C>T) were not associated with observed racial differences in morphine’s clearance although the wild type of the UGT2B7 isozyme is more prevalent in the African Americans.Conclusions: Race of the child is an important factor in perioperative intravenous morphine’s clearance and its potential role in personalizing analgesia with morphine needs further investigation.
Which skills are associated with residents’ sense of preparedness to manage chronic pain?
Authors: Fox, MD, MS Aaron D. , Kunins, MD, MPH, MS Hillary V. , Starrels, MD, MS Joanna L.
Published: January 2013

Objective: To identify gaps in residents’ confidence and knowledge in managing chronic nonmalignant pain (CNMP) and to explore whether specific skills or pain knowledge was associated with global preparedness to manage CNMP.Design: Cross-sectional web-based survey.Setting and participants: Internal medicine residents in Bronx, NY.Main outcome measures: The authors assessed the following: 1) confidence in skills within the following four content areas: physical examination, diagnosis, treatment, and safer opioid prescribing; 2) pain-related knowledge on a 16-item scale; and 3) global preparedness to manage CNMP (agreement with, “I feel prepared to manage CNMP”). Gaps in confidence were skills in which fewer than 50 percent reported confidence. Gaps in knowledge were items in which fewer than 50 percent answered correctly. Using logistic regression, the authors examined whether skills or knowledge was associated with global preparedness.Results: Of 145 residents, 92 (63 percent) responded. Gaps in confidence included diagnosing fibromyalgia, performing corticosteroid injections, and using pain medication agreements. Gaps in knowledge included pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain and interpreting urine drug test results. Twenty-four residents (26 percent) felt globally prepared to manage CNMP. Confidence using pain medication agreements (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 5.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.02-17.75), prescribing long-acting opioids (AOR, 5.85; 95% CI, 2.00-17.18), and performing corticosteroid injection of the knee (AOR, 5.76; 95% CI, 1.16-28.60]) were strongly associated with global preparedness. Conclusions: Few internal medicine residents felt prepared to manage CNMP. Our findings suggest that educational interventions to improve residents’ preparedness to manage CNMP should target complex pain syndromes (eg, fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain), safer opioid prescribing practices, and alternatives to opioid analgesics.
Dehydration in the tropical tropopause layer estimated from the water vapor match
Authors: Inai Y. , Hasebe F. , Fujiwara M. , Shiotani M. , Nishi N. , Ogino S.-Y. , Vömel H. , Iwasaki S. , Shibata T.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Variation in stratospheric water vapor is controlled mainly by the dehydration process in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) over the western Pacific; however, this process is poorly understood. To address this shortcoming, in this study the match method is applied to quantify the dehydration process in the TTL over the western Pacific. The match pairs are sought from the Soundings of Ozone and Water in the Equatorial Region (SOWER) campaign network observations using isentropic trajectories. For the pairs identified, extensive screening procedures are performed to verify the representativeness of the air parcel and the validity of the isentropic treatment, and to check for possible water injection by deep convection, consistency between the sonde data and analysis field, and conservation of the ozone content. Among the pairs that passed the screening test, we found some cases corresponding to the first quantitative value of dehydration associated with horizontal advection in the TTL. The statistical features of dehydration for the air parcels advected in the lower TTL are derived from the match pairs. Match analysis indicates that ice nucleation starts before the relative humidity with respect to ice (RHice) reaches 207 ± 81% (1σ) and that the air mass is dehydrated until RHice reaches 83 ± 30% (1σ). The efficiency of dehydration is estimated as the relaxation time required for the relative humidity of the supersaturated air parcel to approach the saturation state. This is empirically estimated from the match pairs as the quantity that reproduces the second water vapor observation, given the first observed water vapor amount and the history of the saturation mixing ratio of the match air mass exposed during the advection. The relaxation time is found to range from 2 to 3 h, which is consistent with previous studies.
Surface pathway of radioactive plume of TEPCO Fukushima NPP1 released 134Cs and 137Cs
Authors: Aoyama M. , Uematsu M. , Tsumune D. , Hamajima Y.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. 134Cs and 137Cs were released to the North Pacific Ocean by two major likely pathways, direct discharge from the Fukushima NPP1 accident site and atmospheric deposition off Honshu Islands of Japan, east and northeast of the site. High density observations of 134Cs and 137Cs in the surface water were carried out by 17 cruises of cargo ships and several research vessel cruises since March 2011 till March 2012. Main body of radioactive surface plume of which activity was exceed 10 Bq m−3 had been travelling along 40° N, and reached International Date Line on March 2012 one year after the accident. A feature was that the radioactive plume was confined along 40° N when the plume reached International Date Line. A zonal speed of the radioactive plume was estimated to be about 8 cm s−1 which was consistent with zonal speeds derived by Argo floats and satellite observations at the region.
Time scale of the largest imaginable magnetic storm
Authors: Vasyliūnas V. M.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. The depression of the horizontal magnetic field at Earth's equator for the largest imaginable magnetic storm has been estimated (Vasyliūnas, 2011a) as −Dst ~ 2500 nT, from the assumption that the total pressure in the magnetosphere (plasma plus magnetic field perturbation) is limited, in order of magnitude, by the minimum pressure of Earth's dipole field at the location of each flux tube. The obvious related question is how long it would take the solar wind to supply the energy content of this largest storm. The maximum rate of energy input from the solar wind to the magnetosphere can be evaluated on the basis either of magnetotail stress balance or of polar cap potential saturation, giving an estimate of the time required to build up the largest storm, which (for solar-wind and magnetospheric parameter values typical of observed superstorms) is roughly between ~2 and ~6 h.
Numerical simulations of Gurenhekou Glacier on the Tibetan Plateau using a full-Stokes ice dynamical model
Authors: Zhao L. , Tian L. , Zwinger T. , Ding R. , Zong J. , Ye Q. , Moore J. C.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. We investigate the impact of climate change on a small Tibetan glacier that is representative of the tens of thousands of mountain glaciers in the region. We apply a three-dimensional, thermo-mechanically coupled full-Stokes model to Gurenhekou Glacier located in the southern Tibetan Plateau. The steep and rugged geometry requires use of such a flow model to simulate the dynamical evolution of the glacier. We parameterize the temperature and mass balance using nearby automatic weather stations and an energy balance model for another glacier in the same mountain range. Summer air temperature increased at 0.02 K a−1 over the past 50 yr, and the glacier has retreated at an average rate of 8.3 m a−1. Prognostic simulations suggest an accelerated retreating rate up to 14 m a−1 for the next 50 yr under continued steady warming, which is consistent with observed increased retreat in the last decade. However, regional climate models suggest a marked increase in warming rate over Tibet during the 21st century, and this rate causes about a 1% per year loss of glaciated area and glacier volume. These changes imply that this small glacier will probably disappear in a century. Although Tibetan glaciers are not particularly sensitive to climate warming, the rather high warming rates predicted by regional climate models combined with the small sizes of most Tibetan glaciers suggest that significant numbers of glaciers will be lost in the region during the 21st century.