bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beam Tracing with Refraction
Authors: Sikora Marjan , Mateljan Ivo , Bogunović Nikola
Published: February 2013

This paper presents the beam tracing with refraction method, developed to examine the possibility of creating the beam tracing simulation of sound propagation in environments with piecewise non- homogenous media. The beam tracing with refraction method (BTR) is developed as an adaptive beam tracing method that simulates not only the reflection but also the refraction of sound. The scattering and the diffraction of sound are not simulated. The BTR employs 2D and 3D topology in order to efficiently simulate scenes containing non-convex media. After the beam tracing is done all beams are stored in a beam tree and kept in the computer memory. The level of sound intensity at the beginning of each beam is also memorized. This beam data structure enables fast recalculation of results for stationary source and geometry. The BTR was compared with two commercial ray tracing simulations, to check the speed of BTR algorithms. This comparison demonstrated that the BTR has a performance similar to state-of- the-art room-acoustics simulations. To check the ability to simulate refraction, the BTR was compared with a commercial Finite Elements Method (FEM) simulation. In this comparison the BTR simulated the focusing of the ultrasound with an acoustic lens, with good accuracy and excellent performance.
Chronicle. Joint NTAV/Spa 2012 Conference Lodz University Of Technology Poland, September 27–29, 2012
Authors: Pawel Strumillo
Published: February 2013

The NTAV/SPA 2012 conference was held on 27–29th September 2012 and was organized by the Institute of Electronics, Lodz University of Technology (www.eletel.p.lodz.pl) with the support of the IEEE Polish Section Region 8, Polish Section of the Audio Engineering Society, Department of Acoustics, Wroclaw University of Technology and the Division of Signal Processing and Electronic Systems, Poznan University of Technology.
Improving Sound Absorption Property of Polyurethane Foams by Adding Tea-Leaf Fibers
Authors: Ekici Bülent , Kentli Aykut , Küçük Haluk
Published: February 2013

The sound absorption property of polyurethane (PU) foams loaded with natural tea-leaf fibers and luffa cylindrica (LC) has been studied. The results show a significant improvement in the sound absorption property parallel to an increase in the amount of tea-leaf fibers (TLF). Using luffa-cylindrica as a filler material improves sound absorption properties of soft foam at all frequency ranges. Moreover, an increase in the thickness of the sample resulted in an improvement of the sound absorption property. It is pleasing to see that adding tea-leaf fibers and luffa-cylindrica to the polyurethane foam demonstrate a significant contribution to sound absorption properties of the material and it encourages using environmental friendly products as sound absorption material in further studies.
Performance in a Pitch Memory Task by Visually Handicapped Children and Youths
Authors: Bogusz Edyta , Koprowska Hanna , Skrodzka Ewa
Published: February 2013

The present work discusses results concerning sound perception obtained in a pitch memorization experiment for blind and visually impaired subjects (children and teenagers). Listeners were divided into two age groups: 7-13 year olds and 14-18 year olds. The study tested 20 individuals (8 congenitally blind and 12 visually impaired) and 20 sighted persons comprising reference groups. The duration of the experiments was as short as possible due to the fact that our listeners were children. To date, no study has described results of such experiment for blind/visually handicapped children and teenagers. In the pitch memory experiment blind teenagers outperformed blind children and both age groups of visually impaired subjects in two out of three tested cases. These results may have implications for the development of auditory training in orientation and mobility of young visually handicapped people.
Book Review: Jens Blauert, Ning Xiang, Acoustics for Engineers – Troy Lectures
Authors: Dobrucki Andrzej
Published: February 2013

The reviewed book is an introductory course on engineering acoustics designed for undergraduates with basic knowledge in mathematics. It is not written clearly enough but in my opinion is it a handbook for students of electrical engineering. Some parts of the material require the knowledge of the basics of electricity and magnetism. Particularly, there are chapters about electromechanical and electroacoustical analogies and electroacoustical transducers. It is not clear whether the course is intended for students who plan to specialize in acoustics or for those for whom this will be the only contact with engineering acoustics. In the second case basic information about physiology and psychology of hearing is missing. The book is divided into 15 chapters. The Authors write that each chapter represents material for two hours of lecture. The 15th chapter does not present a material for a lecture. It contains appendices: basic information about
complex notation for sinusoidal signals, power and intensity, supplementary bibliography for self-study
and exercises. In my opinion the exercises have various levels of difficulty and should be solved under the direction of a teacher. They are a very important part of the entire course.
Incremental Rule-Based Learners for Handling Concept Drift: An Overview
Authors: Deckert Magdalena
Published: February 2013

Learning from non-stationary environments is a very popular research topic. There already exist algorithms that deal with the concept drift problem. Among them there are online or incremental learners, which process data instance by instance. Their knowledge representation can take different forms such as decision rules, which have not received enough attention in learning with concept drift. This paper reviews incremental rule-based learners designed for changing environments. It describes four of the proposed algorithms: FLORA, AQ11-PM+WAH, FACIL and VFDR. Those four solutions can be compared on several criteria, like: type of processed data, adjustment to changes, type of the maintained memory, knowledge representation, and others.
Dental Caries and associated factors among 2-5 years children attending OPD of a selected Dental Hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Md Asif Iqbal , Rahman Md Mahfuzur , Hossain Md Mahfuz , Shahin Abu Syem Md
Published: February 2013

Background Despite remarkable reduction in the prevalence of dental caries in developed countries, dental caries is still a highly prevalent disease among children in developing countries. Objectives To estimate the oral health status of children under five years of age by assessing decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) status of primary teeth along with their tooth cleaning and food habits. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study on oral health status of children under five years of age was carried out among 107 children attending the Outpatient Department of Sapporo Dental College and Hospital, situated at Uttara, Dhaka. Data was collected both in English and Bengali with a pre-tested structured questionnaire and a checklist. Results Dental caries (d) was found in 69.2% of the children while missing (m) and filled (f) teeth were recorded in 14% and 21.5% of the children respectively. Almost three quarter children (72%) demonstrated an overall dmft score 1 or higher; whereas one third children (28%) demonstrated dmft score 0 or free from any form of dental decay, missing teeth and dental filling. Increased age of the children was directly associated (p<0.05) with the number of decayed, missing or filled teeth. The study also revealed that correct method of brushing was practiced by only 44% of the children and recommended brushing time (1-3 minutes) was done by 37.3% only. Children who were assisted by their parents during brushing experienced less caries compared to the children who brushed their teeth by themselves and this finding was statistically significant (p<0.05). Taking snacks between meals was preferred by 106 children and among them 97.2% did not clean their mouth after having snacks. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/updcj.v1i1.13945 Update Dent. Coll. j: 2011; 1 (1): 02-05
Cast removable partial denture improving appearance and masticatory function - A case report
Authors: Khan Md Ali Afzal , Begum Aleya , Hasan Md Nazmul , Mohsina Newaz , Jahangir Md Mamunur Rahman
Published: February 2013

Dentists are disappointed after delivery of cast removable partial dentures because their patient refuses or is unable to wear the denture and the treatment is therefore deemed unsuccessful. When so many patients do not comply with treatment, it is instructive to reflect on why and how the treatment is performed. Appropriate, comprehensive treatment planning should precede and eliciting the patient's chief complaint, as well as his or her expectations of treatment before treatment planning. The case presentation provides for the practitioner to discuss the patient's expectations and to outline both favourable and unfavourable short and long term outcomes. By providing this information, the practitioner ensures that the patient is fully informed before giving consent and that he or she understands the associated benefits and risks. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/updcj.v1i1.13948 Update Dent. Coll. j: 2011; 1 (1): 14-17
Hemisection of a Mandibular Molar
Authors: Quader SM Abdul , Alam M Shamsul , Khan M Osman Ghani , Moral A Asgor
Published: February 2013

Teeth once designated obsolete for rehabilitation and deemed for extraction should be re-evaluated for salvaging two thirds or even one third component of the individual teeth. Advances in dentistry, as well as the increased desire of patients to maintain their dentition, have lead to treatment of teeth that once would have been removed. In order to carry out this present day mandate, periodontally diseased teeth with severe bone loss and/or mandibular molar teeth exhibiting furcation invasions may well be retained by removal of one or more of their roots. This article describes a simple procedure for root amputation in mandibular molar and its subsequent restorations. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/updcj.v1i1.13949 Update Dent. Coll. j: 2011; 1 (1): 18-22
Editorial Vol.2(1)
Authors: Khan Md Osman Ghani
Published: February 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/updcj.v2i1.13953 Update Dent. Coll. j: 2012; 2 (1): 01
Efficacy of topical Doxepin in the treatment of eczematous dermatoses
Authors: Hazra Samaresh Chandra , Kabir Ehsanul , Ahmed Nafiza
Published: February 2013

Background: Doxepin hydrochloride is a dibenzoxepin tricyclic, has a potent H1 & H2 receptor blocking actions. If topical doxepin can effectively control pruritus associated with eczematous dermatoses, we can use it as adjunctive therapy and can reduce the drawbacks of topical steroids and antihistamines. Methods: An interventional study from january 2010 to june 2010 has done in the department of dermatology and venereology, Faridpur Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh to evaluate the efficacy of topical doxepin cream in eczematous dermatoses. We included moderate to severe pruritic eczematous dermatoses patient in this study. Results: Improvement of pruritus was assessed at day 3 and at day 7 by both Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Itch severity scale (ISS). At day 3 by VAS 61.3 %( 57) patients showed improvement and at day 7 improvement rate increases to 84.9% (79). By ISS improvement at day 3 was 68.9% (64) and increased to 90.3% (84) at day 7. Improvement was experienced by all types of eczema patients. An average of 27.27% (29.88% by VAS and 24.65% by ISS) reduction of pruritus noticed at the end of day 3 and at the end of study, response increases to 55.58% (57.10% by VAS and 54.06% by ISS). Paired sample t test was done both for visual analogue scale (VAS) and itch severity scale (ISS) that compare the mean pruritus reduction at day 3 and day 7 with baseline pruritus (day-0). Pruritus reduction was statistically significant at day 3 and day 7 both by VAS & ISS.Conclusion: Doxepin cream is highly effective in relieving pruritus associated with eczematous dermatoses but it has little effect on eczema itself.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/updcj.v2i1.13955 Update Dent. Coll. j: 2012; 2 (1): 14-20
Number of Fimbria of fallopian tubes - A postmortem study
Authors: Hena Hasna , Qasim Rubina , Ullah MD Enayet , Ara Shamim , Siddiqua Dilruba , Jahora Fatema
Published: February 2013

Background: Fallopian tube is one of the vital organ for human fertility.This is where the sperm fertilizes the ovum and human life begins. Detailed  morphological knowledge is essential for proper diagnosis and management of disease of fallopian tube. Study Design: Cross Sectional descriptive type of study. Place & period of study: Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2008 to June 2009. Materials: 120 postmortem human fallopian tubes were collected from 60 unclaimed dead bodies that were under examination in the morgue of Department of Forensic Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. Methods: The samples were divided into three age groups: Group-A (10-13 years), Group-B (14-45 years) and Group-C (46-50 years). Results: The mean(±SD) number of fimbriae of the right & left Fallopian tubes were 21.20(±3.63) and 21.00(±4.00) in group A, 21.71(±2.13) and 21.53(±2.07) in group B and 20.90(±3.48) and 21.20± 2.30 in group C respectively.The highest mean number was found in group B and lowest mean number was in group A. The mean difference in number of fimbria of right and left Fallopian tube between Group-A, Group-B and Group-C were statistically not significant. Conclusion:In this study, the number of fimbriae does not vary in between right and left fallopian tubes, in any age group.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/updcj.v2i1.13956 Update Dent. Coll. j: 2012; 2 (1): 21-24
Bilateral double mandibular canal - a case report
Authors: Banik Shoma , Banik Samir , Shaikh Mushfiq Hassan , Mallick Parimol Chandra , Gofur Abdul , E-Mahmud Manjur
Published: February 2013

Objectives: The objective is to draw attention to the anatomical variation of mandibular canal (double mandibular canals). Methods: This case report showing clinical and radiographic findings of a patient who was presented with bilateral double mandibular canals were recorded. Results: Bifid or double mandibular canals can be detected on a panoramic radiograph. More precise information about the course of the canal can be revealed on CBCT scan. Conclusions: The detection of these bifid or double mandibular canals are important because of their clinical implications. Special attention has to be made in the surgical procedures, especially  involving the lower jaw.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/updcj.v2i1.13958 Update Dent. Coll. j: 2012; 2 (1): 31-34
Substitution in ʿAbd Allāh b. Masʿūd's Readings, and Their Exegetical Value
Authors: Al-Jalil ʿAbd
Published: February 2013

Non-canonical readings have special significance in Qur'anic studies, partly because of their connection with tafsīr and partly because of issues relating to correctness of taʾwīl. Abd Allāh b. Masʿūd is one of the foremost Companions to whom non-canonical readings have been attributed. This paper will study the exegetical value of Ibn Masʿūd's qirāʾāt and the semantic differences between these variant readings and the canonical text. It will also apply historico-linguistic methodology in considering whether or not his readings offer new meanings which further elucidate the text. The article analyses the phenomenon of substitution in his qirāʾāt as compared with the vocabulary and structure of the canonical text. In addition it will investigate the exegetical value of Ibn Masʿūd's readings through tracing their influence in various tafāsīr.
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Thermal Performance of a Water/Steam Cavity Receiver
Authors: Tu Nan , Wei Jinjia , Fang Jiabin
Published: February 2013

An experimental platform was designed and built for testing the thermal performance of a water/steam cavity receiver. The experimental platform was utilized to investigate the start-up performance and operation characteristics of the receiver. The electrical heating mode was chosen to simulate the non-uniform distribution of heat flux on the surface of absorber tubes inside the cavity. During start-up the temperature rise rate and the mass flow rate are considered as control variables. A couple of start-up curves under different working pressures were finally obtained. The results showed that the receiver performed at relatively low thermal efficiencies. The main reason for the low thermal efficiency was attributed to the low steam mass flow rate, which causes a high proportional heat loss. In order to study the relationship between thermal efficiency and mass flow rate, a computational model for evaluating the thermal performance of a cavity receiver was built and verified. This model couples three aspects of heat transfer: the radiative heat transfer inside the receiver, the flow boiling heat transfer inside the absorber tubes and the convection heat transfer around the receiver. The water/steam cavity receiver of the experimental platform was studied numerically. The curve of thermal efficiency versus mass flow rate was obtained to show that the thermal efficiency increases with increasing mass flow rate within a certain range, and the increase is more remarkable at low mass flow rates. The purpose of the present study was to determine an appropriate mass flow rate for the receiver of the experimental platform to ensure its efficient operation.
The Impact of Socio-Economic Status on Self-Rated Health: Study of 29 Countries Using European Social Surveys (2002–2008)
Authors: Alvarez-Galvez Javier , Rodero-Cosano Maria , Motrico Emma , Salinas-Perez Jose , Garcia-Alonso Carlos , Salvador-Carulla Luis
Published: February 2013

Studies show that the association between socio-economic status (SES) and self-rated health (SRH) varies in different countries, however there are not many country-comparisons that examine this relationship over time. The objective of the present study is to determine the effect of three SES measures on SRH in 29 countries according to findings in European Social Surveys (2002–2008), in order to study how socio-economic inequalities can vary our subjective state of health. In line with previous studies, income inequalities seem to be greater not only in Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian countries, but especially in Eastern European countries. The impact of education is greater in Southern countries, and this effect is similar in Eastern and Scandinavian countries, although occupational status does not produce significant differences in southern countries. This study shows the general relevance of socio-educational factors on SRH. Individual economic conditions are obviously a basic factor contributing to a good state of health, but education could be even more relevant to preserve it. In this sense, policies should not only aim at reducing income inequalities, but should also further the education of people who are in risk of social exclusion.
Relationships between Heavy Metal Concentrations in Roadside Topsoil and Distance to Road Edge Based on Field Observations in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China
Authors: Yan Xuedong , Gao Dan , Zhang Fan , Zeng Chen , Xiang Wang , Zhang Man
Published: February 2013

This study investigated the spatial distribution of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) in roadside topsoil in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and evaluated the potential environmental risks of these roadside heavy metals due to traffic emissions. A total of 120 topsoil samples were collected along five road segments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The nonlinear regression method was used to formulize the relationship between the metal concentrations in roadside soils and roadside distance. The Hakanson potential ecological risk index method was applied to assess the degrees of heavy metal contaminations. The regression results showed that both of the heavy metals’ concentrations and their ecological risk indices decreased exponentially with the increase of roadside distance. The large R square values of the regression models indicate that the exponential regression method can suitably describe the relationship between heavy metal accumulation and roadside distance. For the entire study region, there was a moderate level of potential ecological risk within a 10 m roadside distance. However, Cd was the only prominent heavy metal which posed potential hazard to the local soil ecosystem. Overall, the rank of risk contribution to the local environments among the eight heavy metals was Cd > As > Ni > Pb > Cu > Co > Zn > Cr. Considering that Cd is a more hazardous heavy metal than other elements for public health, the local government should pay special attention to this traffic-related environmental issue.
Cytotoxic and Antimalarial Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids from the Bulbs of Lycoris radiata
Authors: Hao Bin , Shen Shu-Fang , Zhao Qing-Jie
Published: February 2013

Phytochemical investigation of the 80% ethanol extract of the bulbs of Lycoris radiata resulted in the isolation of five new Amaryllidaceae alkaloids: (+)-5,6-dehydrolycorine (1), (+)-3α,6β-diacetyl-bulbispermine (2), (+)-3α-hydroxy-6β-acetyl- bulbispermine (3), (+)-8,9-methylenedioxylhomolycorine-N-oxide (5), and 5,6-dihydro-5- methyl-2-hydroxyphenanthridine (7), together with two known compounds, (+)-3α-methoxy- 6β-acetylbulbispermine (4) and (+)-homolycorine- N-oxide (6). Structural elucidation of all the compounds were performed by spectral methods such as 1D and 2D (1H-1H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) NMR spectroscopy, in addition to high resolution mass spectrometry. Alkaloid 1 showed potent cytotoxicity against astrocytoma and glioma cell lines (CCF-STTG1, CHG-5, SHG-44, and U251), as well as HL-60, SMMC-7721, and W480 cell lines with IC50 values of 9.4–11.6 μM. Additonally, compound 1 exhibited antimalarial activity with IC50 values of 2.3 μM for D-6 strain and 1.9 μM for W-2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum.
An Improved HPLC Method with the Aid of a Chemometric Protocol: Simultaneous Determination of Atorvastatin and Its Metabolites in Plasma
Authors: Crevar-Sakač Milkica , Vujić Zorica , Brborić Jasmina , Kuntić Vesna , Uskoković-Marković Snežana
Published: February 2013

The aim of the present study was to optimize a chromatographic method for the analysis of atorvastatin (acid and lactone forms), ortho- and para-hydroxyatorvastatin by using an experimental design approach. Optimization experiments were conducted through a process of screening and optimization. The purpose of a screening design is to identify the factors that have significant effects on the selected chromatographic responses, and for this purpose a full 23 factorial design was used. The location of the true optimum was established by applying Derringer’s desirability function, which provides simultaneously optimization of all seven responses. The ranges of the independent variables used for the optimization were content of acetonitrile in mobile phase (60–70%), temperature of column (30–40 °C) and flow rate (0.8–1.2 mL min−1). The influences of these independent variables were evaluated for the output responses: retention time of first peak (p-hydroxyatorvastatin) and of last peak (atorvastatin, lactone form), symmetries of all four peaks and relative retention time of p-hydroxyatorvastatin. The primary goal of this investigation was establishing a new simple and sensitive method that could be used in analysis of biological samples. The method was validated and successfully applied for determination of atorvastatin (acid and lactone forms) and its metabolites in plasma.
Application of Chondroitin Sulfate Derivatives for Understanding Axonal Guidance in the Nervous System during Development
Authors: Ichijo Hiroyuki , Sugiura Nobuo , Kimata Koji
Published: February 2013

Neuronal axons and their growth cones recognize molecular guidance cues within the local environment, forming axonal pathways to produce precise neuronal networks during nervous system development. Chondroitin sulfates (CS), carbohydrate chains on chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, exhibit great structural diversity and exert various influences on axons and growth cones as guidance cues or their modulators; however, the relationship between their structural diversity and function in axonal guidance is not well known. To uncover the roles of CS in axonal guidance, artificially modified hybrid molecules: CS derivatives of biotinylated CS and lipid-derivatized CS, were used. The experiments with biotinylated CS suggest that the growing axons act on their environment, modifying CS, and rendering it more favorable for their growth. The experiments with lipid-derivatized CS demonstrated that growth cones distinguish types of CS with different unit contents and are likely to discriminate the structural diversity of CS. The application of CS derivatives is useful in uncovering axon–environment interaction and structure–function relationship of CS directly.
Le tourisme durable dans les Suds : solution ou mirage ?
Authors: Froger Géraldine
Published: February 2013

Cet article, dans un premier temps, identifie et d’explique les multiples dénominations qui qualifient des formes alternatives de tourisme relevant d’un tourisme “durable”, tout en soulignant les ambivalences et les contradictions. Dans un deuxième temps, il analyse les potentialités et les limites de deux formes particulières de tourisme durable, plus institutionnalisées que d’autres : l’écotourisme et le tourisme communautaire de nature, à l’aide des décalages constatés entre discours et pratiques dans plusieurs territoires des Suds.
Tourisme et développement dans les Caraïbes. Le cas de Cuba
Authors: Herrera Rémy
Published: February 2013

Cet article analyse, tout d’abord, les étapes de l’essor du tourisme à Cuba, de ses origines jusqu’à la période actuelle, puis les caractéristiques de ce secteur, à partir d’une comparaison internationale en Amérique latine et dans les Caraïbes, ainsi que ses singularités, structures et évolutions récentes ; enfin, les difficultés auxquelles il se trouve confronté, comme les défis en termes de développement à relever dans les prochaines années.
Le tourisme solidaire communautaire à l'épreuve des illusions culturaliste et participative. L'exemple d'une expérience au Bénin
Authors: Girard Alain , Schéou Bernard
Published: February 2013

L’illusion participative et l’illusion culturaliste réduisent la capacité du tourisme à contribuer aux Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement et à développer d’autres richesses que celles retenues par la tradition utilitariste, comme le pouvoir de décision, la sociabilité, l’expérience de l’altérité... Une analyse de l’expérience de tourisme communautaire que mène au Bénin une association française de tourisme solidaire nous permet de mettre en évidence des effets possibles de ces deux illusions.
Tourisme et développement local : une application aux clusters de tourisme
Authors: Fabry Nathalie , Zeghni Sylvain
Published: February 2013

Cet article considère le cluster de tourisme comme une option de développement territorial qui permet à un territoire à vocation touristique de basculer du statut d’espace mis en tourisme à celui de destination touristique. Après avoir rappelé la genèse du concept de cluster et ses formes alternatives sont analysées les spécificités du cluster de tourisme. Enfin, est proposé une grille de lecture du cluster de tourisme dans laquelle la gouvernance au service de la mobilisation des compétences et des ressources localisées apparaîtra comme un des éléments-clés de la réussite du projet territorial.
A misunderstanding: trauma and terrorism in the '9/11 fiction'
Authors: Borges Marana
Published: February 2013

The terrorist attacks in September 2001 were largely deemed by the media and cultural circles to be traumatic events. Since then, literary criticism has indiscriminately employed the concept of trauma in the so-called '9/11 fiction'. I shall offer a reading of Michael Cunningham's Specimen Days (2005) and Ben Lerner's Leaving the Atocha Station (2011) regarding their critical view of the term. My contention is that the predominance of trauma as a theoretical apparatus for literary works is due to a) a misreading of the very term, detached from its original legal-medical context, and b) a slippage between the categories of fiction and history.
La terreur et ses tremblements, le manque et ses abords
Authors: Kadari Louiza
Published: February 2013

Les romans Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close de Jonathan Safran Foer et Man in the Dark de Paul Auster déroulent la progressive reconstruction de familles endeuillées. Bien que déterminante, la violence terroriste n’y est en fait appréhendée que par le prisme de tiers médusés. C’est d’un retour à la lettre qu’il s’agit ici, d’un retour à cette étymologie qui désigne l’effet de tremblement produit par la peur (terror, -oris) et fait entendre immobilité et silence (terra).
Dans les marges de la science : Esquisse d’un projet comparatiste sur le rôle de l’auteur à partir de quelques textes de Strindberg, Zola et Joyce
Authors: Marcus Gustaf
Published: February 2013

Cet article traite du rôle de l’auteur dans quelques textes de Strindberg, Zola et Joyce où la fiction et la littérature dans un sens large (le rôle de l’auteur, la critique et le texte littéraire) sont mises en relation avec la science et des méthodes scientifiques. Même si le fond scientifique présenté est différent chez les trois auteurs, des hiérarchies discursives et des stratégies communes émergent dans la comparaison des textes. Les auteurs essayent avant tout de créer un espace, une marge, dans la logique scientifique où la subjectivité de l’auteur et du texte littéraire a toujours un rôle à jouer. Trois textes sont plus particulièrement étudiés : The Study of Languages (1898/99 ?) de James Joyce, Sensations Détraquées (1893) de Strindberg et Le Roman expérimental (1880) de Zola. D’autres œuvres des trois auteurs sont aussi évoquées : ce thème constitue un objet d’étude privilégié qui n’a été ici qu’esquissé en vue d’une étude plus poussée.
“It might be a portrait but in any case it is for you”
Authors: Daugaard Solveig
Published: February 2013

« C’est peut-être un portrait mais en tout cas c’est pour vous » porte sur les aspects dialogiques du genre du portrait littéraire tel que le pratique l’auteure d’avant-garde américaine Gertrude Stein. L’article présente une brève analyse comparative entre les deux portraits intitulés Matisse et Picasso, tous deux écrits en 1911. Il se concentre sur l’utilisation d’instruments aussi bien grammaticaux que rythmiques dans l’invocation des sujets. L’article analyse le contexte biographique du salon artistique de Stein, fréquenté par les deux sujets, aussi bien que les circonstances particulières de la distribution des premières œuvres de Stein dans ce contexte. Le genre se trouve alors rattaché au genre oral des ragots. Enfin, l’article soutient que les portraits occupent une position clé dans la poétique générale de Stein et que ses portraits littéraires sont un travail décisif dans le développement de son concept dialogique du génie.
Inventing Contemporary Meaning of a Lived Life: Edith Wharton, Biography with the Young Reader in Mind
Authors: Strääf Maria
Published: February 2013

The Brave Escape of Edith Wharton: A Biography (2010), by Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge is a recent biography of Edith Wharton (1862-1937) written for young readers. Wharton, known as a writer who neither wrote about, or for children, is here introduced to an entirely new audience. This article sets out to discuss the interventions made in the biography’s narrative discourse that orientates the telling of Edith Wharton’s lifespan to a contemporary young reader. In adjusting the text to the audience, the biographic material and Wharton’s entire lifespan is translated across time and adapted to suit the young reader. The telling of a contemporary tale about the meaning of the author’s life and work is invented. What story is formed, and what taken for granted norms and values does it hold? In what way an entire lifespan, 1862 to 1937, is made relevant for young readers in 2010?
Terror and the Sublime: Two Post-1989 British Novels about East-Central Europe
Authors: Harasztos Ágnes
Published: February 2013

Since ancient times well into our postmodern era, aesthetic treatments have regarded the experience of mediated terror a source of the sublime. However, this traditional association of the two notions suffered a severe cataclasm during the violent tragedies of the twentieth century, and it became questionable whether such terror as that of a totalitarian state could trigger sublime at all. The aim of this essay is to outline how the traditional coupling of terror and the sublime is transformed in contemporary literary evaluations of socialist state terror based on two contemporary British novels about East-Central Europe : Paul Bailey: Kitty and Virgil, and Rose Tremain: The Road Home.
Fictionnalisation de l’attentat-suicide : surexposition d’un triple dispositif chez DeLillo, Binebine et Khadra
Authors: Tazartez Chloé
Published: February 2013

L’application de la critique des dispositifs développée par Philippe Ortel aux fictions du terrorisme telles que les œuvres de DeLillo, Khadra et Binebine, nous permet de pointer une dimension importante de la fictionnalisation du terrorisme dans la littérature contemporaine : il ne s’agit pas seulement de représenter un événement traumatique, mais également d’exposer une crise de l’imaginaire et de réfléchir au rôle de la fiction dans de telles circonstances.
From Catalogs to the Web
Authors: Shearn Michael K. , Miller Chip E. , Strader Troy J.
Published: February 2013

Airgun Products, Inc. (API) is a small firm that sells airguns and related products directly to consumers. From their founding in 1989 through the mid-1990s, they sold their products through a catalog-based phone order sales channel, and in 1995, they introduced their first Web site. Since the introduction of the online channel, they have struggled with how to best utilize their complementary channels and produce a profit. API is in a common retail scenario – a small firm in a niche market with an off-line and online channel with limited monetary and human resources that wishes to effectively use both channels, minimize their costs, increase sales, and become profitable. Their current challenges are to identify which of their customers prefer which channel (market segmentation), identify and take advantage of the relative advantages of their two channels (paper vs. online catalogs), and identify opportunities for enhancing the value provided by their Web site.
Hardwarezone
Authors: Tan Chee C. , Tan Gek W.
Published: February 2013

Hardwarezone.com is rated the top IT media Web site in Singapore by Hitwise, with more than 32 million page visits per month (Chellam, 2004). It provides 100% proprietary and localized content on IT news, product releases, and numerous member-centric services, such as hardware pricelists and forums. What started as a hobby for six undergraduates on an SGD $1,000 capital became a new-age media company with over SGD $200,000/month in advertising revenue and SGD $2 million in net assets within a short span of six years. Their success and continued growth today is exceptional, considering how most of its competitors and other dot-com ventures in Singapore have fallen by the wayside or stagnated after the dot-com crisis during mid-1999. This teaching case will chart the evolution of Hardwarezone’s business model and strategies through its humble beginnings and the challenges to the company as a result of the dot-com crisis and thereafter.
The End of Enron’s Empire
Authors: Wang John , Chen Qiyang , Yao James , Xing Ruben
Published: February 2013

Enron Corporation was the seventh largest company in the U.S. when its collapse shocked the nation. Enormous assets and careers staked on those assets went up in flames. It was the largest single failure in U.S. corporate history at the time and remains the most egregious case of corporate irresponsibility. Yet aside from the infamous fraudulent accounting practices, the Enron story has much to tell us about online commodity trading, decentralized IT management, and a hyper-competitive working environment. Pioneering new methods in e-commerce, Enron used electronic technology to facilitate business transactions and managed to create the largest e-commerce Web site in the world. While pushing off-the-books accounting to new levels on the one hand, Enron, on the other hand, innovated some very forward-looking projects, and what began as a smart business plan ended in disaster.
Implementation of an E-Government Initiative at Dreamland Municipality
Authors: Arif Mohammed , Talhami Habib , Alshawi Mustafa
Published: February 2013

Dreamland is a city kingdom located in the Middle East. In the year 2000, the crown prince initiated the e-government initiative and all of the 27 government departments were asked to move 90% of their services online by the year 2007. Dreamland Municipality (DM), the biggest government department, started implementing the initiative in 2001. This paper presents the DM case, in which value-centric steps were taken that have lead to successful implementations and a high acceptance rate. These steps are: (1) development of performance indicators; (2) identification of high value services; (3) selection of services that are highly visible; (4) all inclusive service development; and (5) post-implementation support. Some of the major challenges faced by DM were: (1) customer involvement in service development; (2) raising awareness; (3) online transactions; (4) development of comprehensive performance indicators; (5) a lack of BPR, resulting in merely a digitization of existing processes; and (6) a non-strategic status of IT in the DM organizational structure.
Fotogenika.com
Authors: Huerta Esperanza
Published: February 2013

Fotogenika is a small e-business that was born out of the idea of two young Mexican entrepreneurs. It started its operations in March 2004, and after a few months, it managed to successfully create a small customer base. Fotogenika.com is the commercial name of a company established in New York City that delivers digital pictures in Mexico. The company serves Mexicans living out of their country who want to keep in touch with their families in Mexico. Owned by Mexicans living in the U.S., Fotogenika understands the strong ties among Mexican families and their need to keep in touch with their family. Fotogenika shows how culture is important to serve customers in America and how to focus on a profitable market niche. Also, this case presents the technology and marketing challenges that small startup e-businesses face, as well. Finally, Fotogenika’s business proposition demonstrates the advantages of displacing a product digitally to where it will be produced and delivered at a low cost.
The Expansion Plan of TeleDoc
Authors: Bandopadhyay Tapati , Singh Naresh
Published: February 2013

The TeleDoc project of Jivan Institute has combined mobile commerce and the ancient concepts of Ayurveda for treatment of rural residents of India for whom health services are still available only in dreams. Using GPRS network and J2ME applications on Nokia 6800 mobile phones, TeleDoc field workers are reaching the remotest villages of India with the promise of possible Ayurvedic treatments for subsequent illnesses. With cash-positive results in the first year of operations, TeleDoc wants to expand in a big-bang way by covering 10,000 villages in 2006. They also want to improve the service quality by using real-time video streaming. But many members of the TeleDoc technical team are skeptical whether the existing GPRS-based solution will serve the purpose or not. There are different priorities in the team (e.g., cost-effectiveness, quality of service, availability, immediacy, cost-of-change, etc.). The IT consultant has many options, but getting the priorities sorted out is the daunting task at hand.
Privacy Issues of Applying RFID in Retail Industry
Authors: Li Haifei , Hung Patrick C.K. , Zhang Jia , Ahn David
Published: February 2013

Retail industry poses typical enterprise computing challenges, since a retailer normally deals with multiple parties that belong to different organizations (i.e., suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, end consumers). Capable of enabling retailers to effectively and efficiently manage merchandise transferring among various parties, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an emerging technology that potentially could revolutionize the way retailers do business. With the dramatic price drop of RFID tags, it is possible that RFID could be applied to each item sold by a retailer. However, RFID technology poses critical privacy challenges. If not properly used, the data stored in RFID could be abused and, thus, cause privacy concerns for end consumers. In this article, we first analyze the potential privacy issue of RFID utilization. Then we propose a privacy authorization model that aims to precisely define comprehensive RFID privacy policies. Extended from the role-based access control model, our privacy authorization model ensures the special needs of RFID-related privacy protection. These policies are designed from the perspective of end consumers, whose privacy rights potentially could be violated. Finally, we explore the feasibility of applying Enterprise Privacy Authorization Language (EPAL) as the vehicle for specifying RFID-related privacy rules.
Extending Apache Axis for Monitoring Web Service Offerings
Authors: Tosic Vladimir , Ma Wei , Esfandiari Babak , Pagurek Bernard , Lutfiyya Hanan
Published: February 2013

The Web Service Offerings Infrastructure (WSOI) is a monitoring and management infrastructure for the Web Service Offerings Language (WSOL). It extends Apache Axis, an open-source tool for hosting Web services. We present technical details of several WSOI solutions for monitoring Web Services. To pass management information among management parties, we built WSOI serializer and WSOI deserializer modules converting data between formats of Axis’ MessageContext properties and SOAP headers. To perform different monitoring activities for different WSOL service offerings, we implemented Web Service Offering Descriptor (WSOD) as a complement to Axis’ Web Service Deployment Descriptor (WSDD) component. To represent run-time values of WSOL-related management information, we developed WSOI management information model. All these solutions were verified with a prototype implementation of WSOI 2.0 and validated on case studies.
A Web Service Architecture for Revenue-Earning Information Products
Authors: Taylor Kerry , Austin Tim , Cameron Mark
Published: February 2013

Industries are adopting Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA) for multi-organizational federated information systems where there is synergistic value in combined services. By contributing information services to the federation, each participant benefits from integrated access to services provided by other participants. However, integrated information services for use by external customers, based on SOA, are rare. One reason for this is the absence of technical mechanisms for information providers to share in the financial rewards associated with the provision of integrated information products to end customers. This article explores issues associated with the design of charging mechanisms within SOAs that permit dynamic composition of services in order to achieve customer goals. It proposes a suite of service components that can implement charging functions and explains their application within an application scenario. The scenario concerns an integrated service that is of interest to customers in local government practice, sociological research, and real property investment.
Planning for the Web Sites of Hostels in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Sellitto Carmine , Burgess Stephen
Published: February 2013

This case examines the implementation and maintenance of Web sites by six “backpacker” establishments in the city of Melbourne on the south coast of Australia. Specifically, the case examines the approach of the owners and managers of the businesses to planning for the Web sites, gathering the expertise required for their effective implementation, what features they put on the Web sites, how they measured success, and how they promoted the Web sites. Many of the businesses faced similar problems to small businesses in general when setting up and maintaining their Web sites. Some of these problems could have been overcome with more effective planning, but overall the majority of the businesses seemed to build capacity by trial and error. While taking longer, it appeared that the owners and managers had a more sophisticated knowledge of Web sites and their use than when they commenced. However, there still seemed to be a need for further knowledge in how to measure the success of the Web site and how to balance the booking of rooms across manual booking, online booking through the Web site, or online booking through third party operators. This article is an outcome of an Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism Project.
The Client-Supplier eRelationship Management
Authors: Tagliavini Marco , Ghiringhelli Elisa
Published: February 2013

The case study describes the experience of one of the top companies operating in the business to business office forniture industry. It describes the market peculiarities and their impact on the eBusiness strategy, the different IT solutions adopted (from the improvement of the information exchange to the development of customer relationship management applications), and the future challenges and opportunities.
E-Commerce Opportunities in the Nonprofit Sector
Authors: Abuhamdieh Ayman , Kendall Julie E.
Published: February 2013

The case study presents the experience of the New York Theatre Group (NYTG), a nonprofit performing arts organization, in integrating e-commerce in its operational practices. In particular, its strategic positioning and integration of its web presence into its business model is detailed, along with the consequences and lessons learned from this integration.
A Not Quite Bountiful Thanksgiving at BizE
Authors: Gogan Janis L. , Kamis Arnold
Published: February 2013

The case examines the strategic positioning of BizE (disguised) an eCommerce start-up that serves small online businesses via an Internet portal. During an economic downturn BizE encounters difficulties with its new private-label strategy. With cash running dangerously low, executives reassess the new strategy and consider what they can do to ensure the company’s survival.
E-Mexico
Authors: Luna-Reyes Luis F. , Gil-Garcia J. Ramon , Cruz Cinthia Betiny
Published: February 2013

After six years of challenges and learning pushing forward the e-Government agenda in Mexico, the Presidential succession brought an opportunity for assessing the current progress, recognizing the main unsolved problems, and planning the vision for the future of e-Government in Mexico. This case provides a rich description of the e-Mexico system, including its main objectives and goals, governance structures, IT infrastructure, collaboration processes, main results, and current challenges. Some background information about Mexico is also provided at the beginning of the case. Playing the role of a consultant working for the new Mexican CIO, the reader is asked to evaluate the current situation and help in the design of a work plan, including a proposal for organizing the ICT function, the main strategic objectives, and some specific lines of action for the next six years.