bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trend in Ammonia Excretion during Acclimatization of Adult Freshwater Red Hybrid Tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852) X Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Different Salinities
Authors: Pradeep P.J. , Srijaya T.C. , Hussain A. , Mithun S. , Shaharom F. , Chatterji A.
Published: January 2012

An attempt was made to study the trend in ammonia excretion by red hybrid tilapia during their acclimatization in seawater under slow and sudden conditions. Acclimatization of salinity 5 ppt showed an increase of ammonia level in water by 83.35% (7.69 mg/kg/l/day) as compared to the control group (P<0.05) whereas the value was 24.97% (10.25 mg/kg/l/day) at 10 ppt. The level of ammonia was dropped at salinity 15 ppt (5.12 mg/kg/l/day) by 50% and 25% at 20 ppt (3.84 mg/kg/l/day). The ammonia level with sudden transfer to different salinities were; 1.94, 1.38 and 2.77 mg/kg/l at 10, 20 and 30 ppt respectively, after 2 hrs of acclimatization whereas it reached to 11.11 mg/kg/l at 10 and 20 ppt within 24 hrs. All fishes were found dead within 3 hours of their sudden transfer to 30 ppt. The Results suggest that a gradual salinity increase is beneficial for acclimatizing marine tilapia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v9i1.5730
Removal of Cu2+ Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Copper Resistant Bacteria
Authors: Rajeshkumar R. , Kartic N.
Published: January 2012

Biosorption using resistant microorganisms is an effective process for treatment of industrial effluents and removal of heavy metals from contaminated sites. In this study copper resistant bacteria from fireworks industrial contaminated soil were isolated, enumerated and characterized. The tolerances of the organisms decreased with increase in the copper concentration. The isolated bacterial strain was identified as Bacillus sp. and was resistant to 300 mg/L of copper concentration. Biosorption studies were carried out in the Bacillus sp. The optimum temperature was determined to be 35°C and pH was 8.0. The maximum removal of 88% was obtained at optimum conditions when the initial copper ion concentration was 100 mg/ L. Hence the Bacillus sp. isolated proved to be an efficient biosorbent.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v9i1.5733
Phenology of Leaf Flushing, Flower Initiation and Fruit Maturation in Dry Deciduous and Evergreen Forests of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, Southern India
Authors: Nanda A. , Prakasha H.M. , Krishna Murthy Y.L. , Suresh H.S.
Published: January 2012

Varying with altitude and rainfall of two forest types of tropical forest were studied. Community wide pattern in both vegetative and reproductive phenophases among various tree species of Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, Karnataka is reported here. Leaf initiation peaks in the month of April in dry forest, after leaf less period of 1-2 months, in evergreen forest leaf initiation peaks in the month of January simultaneously with leaf senescence. Flower initiation begins from January till June with a peak in April in dry forest. Evergreen forest starts from November to march with a peak in January and February. Fruit maturation in dry forest starts from March to December with a peak in August and November, in evergreen forest from January to July with a peak in April.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v9i1.5738
Potential Use of some Petal Extracts against Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris
Authors: Bhardwaj S.K. , Singla S.K. , Bhardwaj R.K.
Published: January 2012

The aqueous petal-extracts of 20 plants were screened by agar diffusion methods for their antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, a causal organism of black rot of cabbage and cauliflower. X. campestris pv. campestris was found most sensitive to the petal extracts of Tagetes erecta and Chrysanthemum coronarium. Some of the other plants such as Acacia fernesiana, Anthocephalus cadamba, Bombax malabaricum, Lathyrus odoratus, Rosa damascena and Thevetia nerifolia also showed the inhibitory effect against the test bacteria.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v9i1.5739
Transhumance Effect on Husbandry Practices and Physiological Attributes of Chauri (Yak-Cattle) in Rasuwa District
Authors: Chetri D.K. , Nepali Karki D.B. , Sah R. , Devkota N.R.
Published: January 2012

This study was conducted in Rasuwa district, Nepal from 2008 to 2009 in Chauries (3 to 16 years) to analyze the transhumance effect in husbandry practices and physiological vitals. Physiological vitals were evaluated by 2×4 Factorial CRD with two levels of altitude (high- 3300 m and low- 1655 m) and four levels of age group (G1- ≤6 yrs, G2- 7 to 9 yrs, G3- 10 to 13 yrs and G4- >13 yrs); information regarding husbandry practices were collected from herders (n=60) using semi-structured questionnaire. Physiological vitals were taken from two altitudes, then analyzed for two- way ANOVA by Mstat- C and survey data by SPSS 16.0. Husbandry practices were found to be almost similar round the year except the matter of herbage supplementation during winter and early parturition. Rectal temperature, respiration rate, pulse rate and DSI showed significant increase (P<0.01) when animals were at low altitude pasture. Therefore, findings of this study revealed that transhumance system of Chauri management is herders' rational farming approach to make use of available pastures at different altitudes and have a distinct impact on rearing system and animals' physiology.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v9i1.5747
Une lecture institutionnaliste de la gouvernance de l’eau potable : des terrains d’Afrique de l’Ouest francophone aux faits stylisés
Authors: Baron Catherine , Maillefert Muriel
Published: January 2012

The issue of water and in particular the access to potable water in developing countries has become a great challenge on the local scale as well as at the global level. Public policies—often under the influence of donors—have successively favored several patterns of access to water. Each of these patterns has been tested, though none has been able to achieve established objectives from the point of view of both efficiency and equity. Using an institutionalist perspective that focuses on the issues of actors constructing collective rules of resources management and distribution, we perform a comparative analysis of the processes of emergence and of institutional sustainability for water management in some French-speaking African countries, based on field cases.

Spanish
La problemática del agua, particularmente el acceso al agua potable en los países en desarrollo, se ha convertido en un gran desafío a nivel local y global. Las políticas públicas, a menudo bajo influencia de concesionarios, han implementado en los últimos años diversos modelos de acceso al agua sin alcanzar los objetivos de eficiencia y equidad esperados. A partir de información de campo, y desde una perspectiva institucionalista centrada en la construcción social de reglas colectivas de gestión y asignación de recursos, nos proponemos un análisis comparativo de los procesos de surgimiento y sustentabilidad de las instituciones encargadas de la gestión del agua en países africanos de habla francesa.

French
La problématique de l'eau, et notamment l'accès à une eau saine dans les pays en développement, est devenue un enjeu majeur tant à l'échelle locale qu'au niveau global. Les politiques publiques, souvent sous influence des bailleurs, ont successivement privilégié plusieurs modèles d'accès à l'eau, chacun ayant été testé, sans pour autant atteindre les objectifs fixés à la fois sur le plan de l'efficacité et sur celui de l'équité. Nous proposons, à partir d'une entrée institutionnaliste, c'est-à-dire qui s'intéresse aux enjeux de la construction, par les acteurs, des règles collectives de gestion et de répartition des ressources, une analyse comparative des processus d'émergence et de pérennisation des institutions pour la gestion de l'eau dans certains pays d'Afrique francophone, à partir de données de terrain.
Surgical Treatment of Intra-Abdominal Desmoid Tumors Resulting In Short Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Wheeler Matthew , Mercer David , Grant Wendy , Botha Jean , Langnas Alan , Thompson Jon
Published: January 2012

Advanced intra-abdominal desmoids tumors present with severe symptoms, complications or rapid growth, which lead to adverse outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the treatment and outcome of patients with advanced intra-abdominal desmoids tumors, and develop guidelines for surgical management of these patients. We reviewed the clinical courses of 21 adult patients with advanced stage intra-abdominal desmoid tumors who presented to an intestinal rehabilitation and transplantation program. Patients with massive intestinal resection presented in two groups. The first group had a short small intestinal remnant after resection ( < 60 cm). These patients were poor rehabilitation candidates and eventually met criteria for transplant. The second had longer intestinal remnants and were more successfully rehabilitated and have not had complications that would lead to transplantation. Advanced intra-abdominal desmoid tumors have outcomes after resection that merit aggressive resection and planned intestinal rehabilitation and intestinal transplantation as indicated.
Performance Analysis and Simulation of a Novel Brushless Double Rotor Machine for Power-Split HEV Applications
Authors: Zheng Ping , Wu Qian , Zhao Jing , Tong Chengde , Bai Jingang , Zhao Quanbin
Published: January 2012

A new type of brushless double rotor machine (BDRM) is proposed in this paper. The BDRM is an important component in compound-structure permanent-magnet synchronous machine (CS-PMSM) systems, which are promising for power-split hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications. The BDRM can realize the speed adjustment between claw-pole rotor and permanent-magnet rotor without brushes and slip rings. The structural characteristics of the BDRM are described and its magnetic circuit model is built. Reactance parameters of the BDRM are deduced by an analytical method. It is found that the size characteristics of the BDRM are different from those of conventional machines. The new sizing and torque equations are analyzed and the theoretical results are used in the optimization process. Studies of the analytical magnetic circuit and finite element method (FEM) model show that the BDRM tends to have high leakage flux and low power factor, and then the method to obtain high power factor is discussed. Furthermore, a practical methodology of the BDRM design is developed, which includes an analytical tool, 2D field calculation and performance evaluation by 3D field calculation. Finally, different topologies of the BDRM are compared and an optimum prototype is designed.
Standardization Work for BEV and HEV Applications: Critical Appraisal of Recent Traction Battery Documents
Authors: Omar Noshin , Daowd Mohamed , Hegazy Omar , Mulder Grietus , Timmermans Jean-Marc , Coosemans Thierry , Van den Bossche Peter , Van Mierlo Joeri
Published: January 2012

The increased activity in the field of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) have led to an increase in standardization work, performed by both world-wide organizations like the IEC or the ISO, as by regional and national bodies such as CEN, CENELEC, SAE or JEVA. The issues of these standards cover several topics: safety, performance and operational/dimension issues. This paper reports a brief overview of current standardization activities of lithium batteries based on IEC 62660-1/2 and ISO 12405-1/2. Furthermore, in this paper, a series of innovative test procedures for lithium-ion batteries are presented. Thanks to these tests, the general characteristics of a battery such as charge and discharge capabilities, power performances and life cycle can be determined. Then, a new approach for extracting the life cycle of a battery in function of depth of discharge has been developed.
Sport Fields as Potential Catalysts for Physical Activity in the Neighbourhood
Authors: Cutumisu Nicoleta , Spence John C.
Published: January 2012

Physical activity is associated with access to recreational facilities such as sports fields. Because it is not clear whether objectively- or subjectively-assessed access to facilities exerts a stronger influence on physical activity, we investigated the association between the objective and perceived accessibility of sport fields and the levels of self-reported physical activity among adults in Edmonton, Canada. A sample of 2879 respondents was surveyed regarding their socio-demographics, health status, self-efficacy, levels of physical activity, as well as their perceptions of built environment in relation to physical activity. Neighbourhood-level data were obtained for each respondent based on their residence. Accessibility to facilities was assessed using the enhanced Two-Step Floating Catchment Area method. Geographic Information Systems were employed. A logistic regression was performed to predict physical activity using individual- and neighbourhood-level variables. Women, older individuals, and individuals with higher educational attainment were less likely to be physically active. Also, individuals with higher self-efficacy and higher objectively-assessed access to facilities were more likely to be physically active. Interventions that integrate provision of relevant programs for various population groups and of improved recreational facilities may contribute to sport fields becoming catalysts for physical activity by generating movement both on the site and in the neighbourhood.
Studies on Bioflocculant Production by Arthrobacter sp. Raats, a Freshwater Bacteria Isolated from Tyume River, South Africa
Authors: Mabinya Leonard V. , Cosa Sekelwa , Nwodo Uchechukwu , Okoh Anthony I.
Published: January 2012

A bioflocculant-producing bacteria was isolated from Tyume River in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa and identified by 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence to have 91% similarity to Arthrobacter sp. 5J12A, and the nucleotide sequence was deposited in GenBank as Arthrobacter sp. Raats (accession number HQ875723). The bacteria produced an extracellular bioflocculant when grown aerobically in a production medium containing glucose as sole carbon source and had an initial pH of 7.0. Influences of carbon, nitrogen and metal ions sources, as well as initial pH on flocculating activity were investigated. The bacteria optimally produced the bioflocullant when lactose and urea were used as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen respectively with flocculating activities of 75.4% and 83.4% respectively. Also, the bacteria produced the bioflocculant optimally when initial pH of the medium was 7.0 (flocculating activity 84%), and when Mg2+ was used as cation (flocculating activity 77%). Composition analyses indicated the bioflocculant to be principally a glycoprotein made up of about 56% protein and 25% total carbohydrate.
Aurantoside K, a New Antifungal Tetramic Acid Glycoside from a Fijian Marine Sponge of the Genus Melophlus
Authors: Kumar Rohitesh , Subramani Ramesh , Feussner Klaus-D. , Aalbersberg William
Published: January 2012

A new tetramic acid glycoside, aurantoside K, was isolated from a marine sponge belonging to the genus Melophlus. The structure of the compound was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis (1H NMR, 1H–1H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC, as well as high-resolution ESILCMS). Aurantoside K did not show any significant activity in antimalarial, antibacterial, or HCT-116 cytotoxicity assays, but exhibited a wide spectrum of antifungal activity against wild type Candida albicans, amphotericin-resistant C. albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sporangia and Sordaria sp.
Antibacterial Bisabolane-Type Sesquiterpenoids from the Sponge-Derived Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Authors: Li Dan , Xu Ying , Shao Chang-Lun , Yang Rui-Yun , Zheng Cai-Juan , Chen Yi-Yan , Fu Xiu-Mei , Qian Pei-Yuan , She Zhi-Gang , Voogd Nicole J. de , Wang Chang-Yun
Published: January 2012

Four new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids, aspergiterpenoid A (1), (−)-sydonol (2), (−)-sydonic acid (3), and (−)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(2′,6′,6′-trimethyltetrahydro-2H- pyran-2-yl)phenol (4) together with one known fungal metabolite (5) were isolated from the fermentation broth of a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp., which was isolated from the sponge Xestospongia testudinaria collected from the South China Sea. Four of them (1–4) are optically active compounds. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by using NMR spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometric analysis, and by comparing their optical rotations with those related known analogues. Compounds 1–5 showed selective antibacterial activity against eight bacterial strains with the MIC (minimum inhibiting concentrations) values between 1.25 and 20.0 µM. The cytotoxic, antifouling, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of these compounds were also examined.
Segmenting the Cruise Market: An Application of Multiple Correspondence Analysis
Authors: Paris Cody Morris , Teye Victor
Published: January 2012

The cruise line industry is one of the fastest growing travel sectors, and an industry with a high rate of repeat business. This study contributes to the understanding of potential repeat visitors by segmenting cruise tourists based upon their intent to cruise in the future. The purpose
of this research note is to reflect on the segmentation method applied. Respondents were asked to respond to questions about their intentions to cruise in the future, and were able to answer yes, no, or not sure, thus making a traditional factor-cluster approach using principal
components analysis (or similar) not feasible. This study uses a two step method that combines Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) with a k-means cluster analysis, to segment the sample based on responses to five questions about future cruising intentions.
Evaluating the Economic and Fiscal Impact of an International Cultural Heritage Festival on a Regional Economy: Folkmoot USA
Authors: Grunwell Sandra , Ha Inhyuck , Swanger Susan L.
Published: January 2012

Folkmoot USA is a 2-week annual large-scale international folklore festival celebration held in western north Carolina attracting approximately 75,000 attendees. This study examined the economic and fiscal impact of the 2007 Folkmoot USA international festival, developed an attendee
profile to assist Folkmoot management and other area tourism professionals in their future planning and decision making, and compared findings to a similar study conducted in 2001. The IMPlAn (Impact Analysis for Planning) software modeling system and database was used to analyze more than
1,000 questionnaires collected from attendees, performers, and festival management during the 2-week festival. Findings revealed that the 2007 Folkmoot USA festival events induced spending on lodging, food and beverage sales, transportation, retail sales, and entertainment by attendees and
performers, in addition to the operational expenditures of the festival itself. This spending infused the local economy by an estimated $4,025,684, increased state and local tax receipts by an estimated $343,702 and generated 56.6 jobs, reflecting an 88.8% increase in total economic
impact over the previous study conducted in 2001. The profile of attendees of the 2007 festival revealed a shift of demographics to an older, largely female population compared to the 2001 study, information which is vital to the planning of future events and the overall sustainability of
the festival.
Direct-write polymer nanolithography in ultra-high vacuum
Authors: Lee Woo-Kyung , Yang Minchul , Laracuente Arnaldo R , King William P , Whitman Lloyd J , Sheehan Paul E
Published: January 2012

Polymer nanostructures were directly written onto substrates in ultra-high vacuum. The polymer ink was coated onto atomic force microscope (AFM) probes that could be heated to control the ink viscosity. Then, the ink-coated probes were placed into an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) AFM and used to write polymer nanostructures on surfaces, including surfaces cleaned in UHV. Controlling the writing speed of the tip enabled the control over the number of monolayers of the polymer ink deposited on the surface from a single to tens of monolayers, with higher writing speeds generating thinner polymer nanostructures. Deposition onto silicon oxide-terminated substrates led to polymer chains standing upright on the surface, whereas deposition onto vacuum reconstructed silicon yielded polymer chains aligned along the surface.
MANUFACTURING STRATEGY FORMATION PROCESS: CASE STUDY OF IRANIAN MANUFACTURING COMPANIES / GAMYBOS STRATEGIJOS FORMAVIMO PROCESAS IRANO GAMYBOS ĮMONĖSE
Authors: Ghazinoory Sepehr , Khotbesara Rahman Mahdiani , Fardoei Sedigheh Rezaeian
Published: January 2012

This paper describes case study research undertaken in six Iranian manufacturing companies aimed at advancing the understanding of the manufacturing strategy formation process. As shown in this study, culture, leadership, policy and incrementalism have their own undeniable roles in manufacturing strategy formation. Cultural factors impact on political factors, and political factors impact on individual factors. It could be useful To utilize formal business planning for firms interested in deliberative manufacturing strategy. In this study, we use Barnes's manufacturing strategy formation process as frameworks with some new changes. Also a case study methodology was used to investigate the process of formation of manufacturing strategy in six small manufacturing companies in Iran like Barnes did in the UK. The results of this study are the main features of the process of manufacturing strategy formation and manufacturing strategy formation model in the case companies. In the case study method, external validity is inevitably compromised due to the limited number of companies that can be studied. The demonstrated model in this study offers a comprehensible view in organizational and external contexts that can be used by manufacturing decision makers. Santrauka Straipsnyje aprašomi šešiose Irano gamybos įmonėse atlikti moksliniai tyrimai, įrodantys gamybos strategijos formavimo proceso reikšmę. Tyrimas nustatė, kad kultūra, vadovavimas ir politika turi savo neginčijamą įtaką gamybos strategijos formavimo procese. Kultūriniai veiksniai daro įtaką politiniams veiksniams, o politiniai veiksniai veikia individualius veiksnius. Gali būti naudinga naudoti formalų verslo planavimą formuojant įmonės gamybos strategiją. Šiame tyrime buvo naudojamas modifikuotas Barnes gamybos strategijos formavimo procesas. Barnes pavyzdžiu buvo siekiama ištirti gamybos strategijos formavimo procesą šešiose nedidelėse Irano gamybos įmonėse. Šio tyrimo rezultatai atskleidė tiriamų įmonių gamybos strategijos formavimo proceso ypatumus. Tyrimui neišvengiamo subjektyvumo suteikia ribotas ištirtų įmonių skaičius. Pasiūlytas modelis leidžia visapusiškai ištirti vidinę ir išorinę organizacijos aplinkas bei pasiūlyti sprendimus gamybos planuotojams.
THE EFFECT OF R&D, TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION CAPABILITIES AND INNOVATION PERFORMANCE / MOKSLINIŲ TYRIMŲ IR EKSPERIMENTINĖS PLĖTROS BEI TECHNOLOGIJŲ KOMERCIALIZAVIMO GALIMYBĖS ĮTAKA INOVACIJŲ EFEKTYVUMUI
Authors: Kim Seo Kyun , Lee Bong Gyou , Park Beom Soo , Oh Kyoung Seok
Published: January 2012

This paper investigates the relationship between R&D capabilities (learning, R&D and external networking), technology commercialization (manufacturing and marketing), and innovation performance (product competitiveness) among SMEs in IT-related businesses. The study focuses on 254 Korean IT SMEs that were either recipients of government R&D grants or their indirect beneficiaries during the two-year period between 2005 and 2007. The major findings of this study are as follows: First, unlike what has been suggested by previous studies, R&D intensity was not the only factor influencing the innovation performance of firms; learning and external networking also had a significant influence on innovation. The research implication of this finding is that the measurement of firms’ performance should not be solely based on the intensity of R&D expenditures, but a broader set of factors including learning and external networking capabilities. Second, the technology commercialization capabilities of firms played the role of a mediator in the relationship between R&D and innovation performance. Within the innovation cycle of input (R&D capabilities), process (technology commercialization capabilities) and output (innovation performance), we found that R&D seldom influenced performance in a direct fashion, but its influence was most often mediated by technology commercialization capabilities. The practical implication of this finding for companies is that in order to improve performance, they must avoid narrowly focusing on R&D, but must invest also in capabilities to commercialize technologies resulting from R&D. Third, when direct and indirect beneficiaries of public R&D funding are compared together, the explanatory power of the relationship between R&D capabilities, technology commercialization capabilities and innovation performance was stronger among the latter than the former. Santrauka Straipsnyje tiriamas ryšys tarp mokslinių tyrimų ir eksperimentinės plėtros (MT ir EP), technologijų komercializavimo (gamybos ir rinkodaros) bei inovacijų efektyvumo (produkto konkurencingumo) smulkiose ir vidutinėse informacinių technologijų (IT) įmonėse. Buvo tiriamos 254 Korėjos smulkios ir vidutinės IT įmonės, kurios buvo valstybės paramos gavėjos arba gavo netiesioginę paramą 2005–2007 m. Pagrindinės tyrimo išvados yra šios: mokslinių tyrimų ir eksperimentinės plėtros mastas nėra vienintelis veiksnys, darantis įtaką inovacijų efektyvumui įmonėse; mokymas ir išorinis komunikavimas taip pat daro didelę įtaką inovacijoms. Taigi įmonių veiklos vertinimas neturėtų būti grindžiamas tik mokslinių tyrimų ir eksperimentinės plėtros intensyvumu, bet ir kitais veiksniais, kaip mokymo ir išorinio komunikavimo galimybės. Įmonės turėtų investuoti į galimybes komercializuoti technologijas, sukurtas mokslinių tyrimų ir eksperimentinės plėtros metu.
Plateformes, coordination et incitations
Authors: De Vogeleer Elena , Lescop Denis
Published: January 2012

Résumé Les entreprises peuvent créer leurs écosystèmes d’affaires au travers de stratégies de plateforme. Cet article s’intéresse aux conditions d’émergence de ce phénomène dans des situations d’échecs de marché. Il étudie comment les plateformes se substituent au marché pour jouer un rôle de coordination et de gouvernance des acteurs économiques. L’analyse permet de faire un lien entre les plateformes et le concept d’écosystèmes d’affaire.
Le potentiel d'inclusion financière du “Mobile Banking”. Une étude exploratoire
Authors: Assadi Djamchid , Cudi Anaïs
Published: January 2012

Résumé Face au nombre de non-bancarisés dans le monde et au nombre croissant de téléphones portables en usage, le Mobile Banking semble être la solution pour diffuser des services financiers et bancariser une nouvelle population. Pourtant certains investisseurs privés et institutions financières rechignent à servir ces populations pour des raisons d’inaccessibilité, d’éloignement géographique ou de coût. Ce papier a pour but d’examiner l’attitude des professionnels de la microfinance face à l’introduction de services M-Banking aux populations non-bancarisées des pays développés et en développement. Les résultats ont montré le fort potentiel du téléphone portable à donner accès aux services financiers aux non-bancarisés des pays en développement tout en baissant le coût des transactions. Marché à fort potentiel, le Mobile Banking semble avoir un avenir très favorable au sein des pays en développement alors que celui-ci ne semble pas apporter une solution durable aux problèmes de non-bancarisation des pays développés.
Innovative Leadership Training Using Technology across Borders
Authors: Parker Judith
Published: January 2012

Leaders in today’s organizations can emerge from culturally and geographically diverse backgrounds. Therefore, leadership training must be innovative in its integration of national and organizational culture into the leadership content. This chapter investigates the impact that technology has had on distributing leadership training across borders and provides examples of effective implementation of this training.
Thinking like a School Technology Leader
Authors: Dickerson Jeremy , Coleman Howard V. , Geer Gregory
Published: January 2012

School technology leaders can be school principals and assistant principals, teachers, technology specialists, professional development coordinators, central office administrators, curriculum directors, and a variety of others (or a composite of people) within a school. This chapter presents important issues for emerging school technology leaders to consider in understanding the technological culture and conditions in educational settings. The concepts and critical questions listed in this chapter are utilized to enhance readers’ abilities to begin thinking like a school technology leader and to successfully implement, manage, change, and lead technology in schools. These points are derived from over six decades of the authors’ collective experiences in leadership and educational technology. The “take-aways” for readers are practical, experience-based knowledge and critical, guiding questions. The propositions in this chapter are based on the concept of “leadership through inquiry” as school technology leaders attempt to better understand both “where they are” as well as “where they want to go” with technology in schools by learning how to ask the right questions and understand the technological status of a school.
A Discussion of Critical Leadership Issues in Higher Education
Authors: Wang Victor X. , Berger Jim
Published: January 2012

The authors seek to illustrate that gaps exist between leadership theory and practice. Well-reasoned theories are disseminated in various academic venues; however, they are hardly applied in practice. In higher education, these gaps seem to be compounded by the administrator’s lack of technical skills or leadership ethics. To demonstrate the true gaps between leadership theories and practice, the authors provide a real world example. While different leadership theories are briefly reviewed, the authors’ intention was to show that they need to be applied to practice in order for leaders to be effective. Closing the gaps between leadership theories and practice may take many years and much effort. By reading this chapter, the authors hope readers/researchers will clearly see the gaps that exist in higher education and work to find ways to plug those gaps.
Educational Leadership for the Technology Enhanced Learning World
Authors: Spaulding James T
Published: January 2012

PC-games, video-games, serious-games, educational games, and online-games are forerunners of Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) tools we will exploit in myriad ways in the future on a variety of novel platforms. These developments challenge ideas of how to prepare educational leaders and curriculum developers to create and apply effective and meaningful learning tools in this rapidly changing environment. This chapter examines the impact on educational leadership of these phenomena compared with previous instructional designs, including e-learning. With these insights, it also examines the infrastructure needed to expedite cross-disciplinary practice in research and educational communities to create tools for 21st century learning.
RF-MEMS Components for Wireless Transceivers
Authors: Baghelani Masoud , Ghavifekr Habib Badri , Ebrahimi Afshin
Published: January 2012

The application of Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) in the fields of radio frequency and microwave is offensively spreading. Nowadays a large amount of scientists and research centers worldwide are involved with development, design, and fabrication of MEMS components for RF applications. RF-MEMS show numerous capabilities for improving the performance of RF transceivers. Their excellent features such as extremely low power consumption, low loss, simple and cheap fabrication process, the ability to work at UHF and SHF frequencies, and compatibility with standard CMOS process make them ideal devices replacing the bulky off-chip components and enhancing the performance of on-chip circuits of transceivers. Therefore they can realize the idea of a transceiver on a chip. The aim of this chapter is to provide a reader with deep information in the field of RF-MEMS, covering their current and possible applications, design, modeling, and simulation. Also their problems such as power handling, packaging, frequency extension, et cetera, are discussed. In addition, this chapter will introduce case studies in RF-MEMS area for researchers.
Passive Components for RF-ICs
Authors: Cornetta Gianluca , Santos David J. , Vázquez José Manuel
Published: January 2012

The modern wireless communication industry is demanding transceivers with a high integration level operating in the gigahertz frequency range. This, in turn, has prompted intense research in the area of monolithic passive devices. Modern fabrication processes now provide the capability to integrate onto a silicon substrate inductors and capacitors, enabling a broad range of new applications. Inductors and capacitors are the core elements of many circuits, including low-noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, baluns, mixers, and oscillators, as well as fully-integrated matching networks. While the behavior and the modeling of integrated capacitors are well understood, the design of an integrated inductor is still a challenging task since its magnetic behavior is hard to predict accurately. As the operating frequency approaches the gigahertz range, device nonlinearities, coupling effects, and skin effect dominate, making difficult the design of critical parameters such as the self-resonant frequency, the quality factor, and self and mutual inductances. However, despite the parasitic effects and the low quality-factor, integrated inductors still allow for the implementation of integrated circuits with improved performances under low supply voltage. In this chapter, the authors review the technology behind monolithic capacitors and inductors on silicon substrate for high-frequency applications, with major emphasis on physical implementation and modeling.
System Design Perspective
Authors: Venkataraman Hrishikesh , Ciubotaru Bogdan , Muntean Gabriel-Miro
Published: January 2012

The next generation of cellular networks has evolved from voice-based to data-centric communication. The recent focus has been mainly on high data-rate services like mobile gaming, high quality music, Internet browsing, video streaming, etcetera, which consumes lots of bandwidth. This puts a severe constraint on the available radio resource. In this chapter, the IEEE 802.16 based multihop WiMAX networks (802.16j) is introduced, and the system design is explained in detail. The chapter outlines the background and the importance of multihop wireless networks, especially in the cellular domain. Different types of multihop design for WiMAX are explained, along with a detailed analysis of the effect of the number of hops in the WiMAX networks. Further, in order to support next generation rich media services, the system design requirements, and challenges for real-time video transmission are explained.
Pedagogical Agents and the Efficiency of Instructional Conditions in Educational Applications
Authors: Reategui Eliseo , Araújo dos Santos Leila Maria , Tarouco Liane
Published: January 2012

This chapter discusses how the use of pedagogical agents in educational applications may influence the relative efficiency of instructional conditions, a concept proposed by Paas & Merriënboer (1993), which combines the measures of mental effort and task performance to determine, for example, how efficient certain settings are regarding their potential to promote learning. The authors describe an experiment carried out with 179 students who were enrolled in a distance learning course about educational software. The results of the study demonstrated that the conversational agent contributed to the improvement of the efficiency of instructional conditions. Such results make a relevant contribution to interactive learning research as they demonstrate that the use of pedagogical agents may improve the efficiency of learning material. Furthermore, by simulating social interaction, these agents may expand the boundaries of educational applications, which have been often designed mainly for individualized learning.
The Study of the Relationship among Learner-Content Interaction, Learning Performance, and Learner Satisfaction in a Blended Learning English Class in a Rural High School
Authors: Jia Jiyou , Ding Zhuhui , Chen Yuhao , Cui Xuemei
Published: January 2012

Learner-content interaction is one of the four interaction types in computer assisted instruction systems. “Without leaner-content interaction, little or no learning will occur” (Moore, 1993). The authors developed a web-based vocabulary and listening learning and assessment system for English instruction, which focuses on the learner-content interaction based on the behaviorisms learning theory. The authors integrated it into a normal English class weekly for a term in a high school located in a rural province in China. They analyzed the student exam scores, the student survey answers, learner-content interaction records in the learning system, and their relationship using statistical software SPSS. The research reveals that there exists almost significant positive correlation between learner-content interaction and learning performance, but there is not any correlation between the learner-content interaction and learner satisfaction. The survey results also demonstrated the learners’ satisfaction with this interactive learning system. The reasons for those findings are analyzed. Finally, limitations and further work are discussed.
Interactive Digital Storytelling for Children's Education
Authors: Carrozzino Marcello , Evangelista Chiara , Neri Veronica , Bergamasco Massimo
Published: January 2012

A number of real-life experiences are presented, together with a discussion of advantages and limitations of the proposed methodology.
Understanding the Effects of University Students' Interaction on Online Learning Continuance Intention
Authors: Huang Rui-Ting , Jang Syh-Jong
Published: January 2012

Despite numerous studies focusing on the association between online learning interaction and satisfaction, few studies has investigated the relationship between learners’ perceived interaction and continuance intention. Although it has been found that learners’ age, gender, and prior experience could play a role in previous educational researches, further inquiries of demographic variables are still relatively rare in online learning studies. The primary purpose of this study was not only to investigate the key role of learners’ age, gender, and prior experience difference in online learning satisfaction and continuance intention but also to understand the effect of the perceived interaction on learners’ continuance intention. 122 online learning students from two universities in the southeastern United States participated in this study. An online survey was utilized to gather the data. The stepwise regression, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s Post Hoc Test were conducted to analyze the data. It was found that learners’ perceived usefulness, satisfaction, and learner-learner interaction had a positive effect on their continuance intention. Within four factors, the satisfaction appeared to have the most important influence on continuance intention. The results of one way ANOVA revealed that except for the prior-experience difference existing in the interaction between learners, no age, gender, or prior experience difference existed in the other online learning factors. The Tukey’s Post Hoc Test was performed to determine the differences between different prior-experience groups. It was demonstrated that the learners that had taken more than four online courses appeared to have a higher level of learner-learner interaction. In order to further enhance and maintain online learning effectiveness and efficiency, the institutions of higher education and online learning service providers should first focus on learners’ satisfaction with online learning programs. Moreover, learners’ perceived usefulness appears to have the second influential power toward their continuance intention. The continuous maintenance and upgrade in online learning technology would be one of the key components that could affect learners’ continuous participation in future online learning programs. Finally, the learner-learner interaction appears to have the least power toward online learners’ continuance intention. Nevertheless, the Tukey’s Post Hoc Test, revealing that the prior experience difference exists in learner-learner interaction, further suggests that learners with more online learning experience are very likely to have more interaction with online classmates than those with less online learning experience.
Task-Based Learning with Interactive ESP Courseware Integration in Higher Vocational Education
Authors: Tsai Shu-Chiao
Published: January 2012

This chapter reports on integrating a self-developed interactive courseware of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) into a self-study and elective course “English Reading for Technology” offered for sophomore students in the Applied Foreign Languages Department (AFLD) of a vocational university in Taiwan two hours per week for twelve weeks. A Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) approach combined with a Task-Based Learning (TBL) approach was adopted. The course mainly focused on vocabulary, reading, and comprehension. Evaluation of implementing these Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into ESP instruction with courseware integration was based upon data from a variety of pre- and post-tests including cloze, listening, writing, and Q&A. Meanwhile, a traditional teacher-centered Face-to-Face (F2F) instruction was conducted as a control group. The learning effectiveness in most of the post-tests under both instructions has been significantly improved. Students under the ICT instruction with courseware integration made as much progress as those did under the F2F instruction, suggesting that the well-structured courseware offered a potential solution to problems in the development and expansion in frequency of ESP courses in Taiwan by playing the role of an adjunct teacher, peer, and facilitator, through which students were able to practice language skills and learn content knowledge. Most students were satisfied with practices for learning English skills and professional knowledge provided by the courseware and had a positive attitude toward such ICT instruction. In addition, students used reading strategies to a high degree, and the most-commonly used reading strategies were cognitive, memory, and compensation, but social-affective strategies were least frequently employed.
3D Virtual Classroom Simulations for Supporting School Teachers' Continuing Professional Development
Authors: Sampson Demetrios G , Kallonis Pavlos
Published: January 2012

3D Virtual Worlds provide realistic three-dimensional environments accessible through the web that can offer engaging, interactive, and immersive experiences. This can create new opportunities for teaching and learning. Yet, the possible use of 3D Virtual Worlds in formal education is a major challenge for school teachers, even for those who are experienced and keen on using digital technologies. In this chapter, the authors present a 3D Virtual Classroom Simulation appropriately designed and implemented using SLOODLE for supporting a module for teachers’ continuing professional development based on the Synectics “making the strange familiar” instructional strategy, aiming towards acquiring appropriate competences for teaching within 3D Virtual Worlds and for developing innovative educational practices.
Interactive Learning in Workplace Training
Authors: Somyürek Sibel
Published: January 2012

This chapter investigates the major challenges encountered in workplace training and proposes an interactive learning environment model to overcome them. Due to the rapid nature of information change, companies need employees who remain open to new developments and continually refresh their job skills to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. The adoption of new knowledge and skills is both a key requirement and a challenge for companies. In addition to difficulties arising from learning and using new knowledge/skills, loss of organizational memory is a problem commonly faced by most organizations. Unless organizations capture the existing knowledge of their employees, they will repeat mistakes and waste time resolving previously solved problems. Providing relevant and accurate information to employees based on their current goals, knowledge, and experience in real time is also seen as an important challenge. This chapter examines these challenges and proposes an interactive learning environment model to address them.
Reengineering Structured Legacy System Documentation to UML Object-Oriented Artifacts
Authors: Fries Terrence P.
Published: January 2012

The need for reengineering of software systems has dramatically increased as legacy systems are migrated to new platforms and rewritten in modern object-oriented languages. Although the de facto standard for describing object-oriented systems is the Unified Modeling Language (UML), many legacy systems have been documented using non-object-oriented structured analysis and design methods. Problems arise in the migration because non-object-oriented documentation is inherently not conducive to the development of object-oriented systems. This chapter presents a set of rules to automate the conversion of systems which were originally modeled using structured techniques to UML. The newly created UML documentation can then be used in developing an object-oriented equivalent system. The UML model may also be used by computer aided software engineering tools to implement a new system. The reengineering rules are tested on an example structured system to demonstrate their viability.
Component-Based Modeling for Information Systems Reengineering
Authors: Talla Malleswara , Valverde Raul
Published: January 2012

An Information System can be envisioned as a set of interdependent components that provide the intended services. The component based modeling serves as a tool for collecting requirements of an Information System in user perspective and business perspective at various stages of software development. The chapter presents a methodology for component based modeling and development of an Information System, starting from the requirements definition phase, arriving at candidate components and creation of final components and their interfaces. The methodology aims at clarifying the intricate details and usage of an Information System via business type models and use-case models. The chapter presents the interaction diagrams in order to describe interactions among objects in systems perspective, and context diagrams for reflecting upon the business domain. Finally, the chapter proposes component replacement as a methodology for system reengineering, and model-view-control framework for component refinement and evolution in order to achieve a reengineered information system that reflects upon current requirements in business domain. The reengineering techniques proposed in this chapter can be applied to legacy systems to turn them into a component-oriented reengineered system.