bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Dietitians in Providing Guidance: On the Use of Natural Health Products
Authors: Mihalynuk Tanis , Whiting Susan
Published: May 2013

Purpose: Dietitians are experts on nutrition, and yet much uncertainty remains about their readiness and capacity to address a rapidly evolving marketplace of novel foods, nutrients, and nutrient-like substances (i.e., natural health products [NHPs]), which are available to consumers. In 2011, we conducted a qualitative examination of current thinking on the scope of practice, as well as barriers to and facilitators of dietitians’ role as experts in providing guidance on NHP use.

Methods: We sought rich descriptions of existing and future dietetic competencies with NHPs. We therefore conducted six focus groups. Participants were 18 dietitians practising in rural settings and 21 practising in urban settings of Atlantic Canada.

Results: Themes identified included people, products, and information; future education and training underlay these themes. The “food first” philosophy of dietetics practice was a primary convergent theme, the consensus being that NHPs can be used for select populations, lifestyles, and health conditions. The less food-related the NHP, the more divergent opinions were on specific competencies and scope of practice; focus group participants often referred to the importance of “doing no harm” and evidence-based practice.

Conclusions: Dietitians’ achievement of competency in providing guidance on NHPs will require core, consistent, and crossdisciplinary information and competencies, as well as enhanced integrative practice models.
Change in Bone Mineral Density in Post Menopausal Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Aghaei Mehrdad , Sedighi Sima , Behnampour Naser , Hezarkhani Sharabeh , Shirashiani Mona , Mohebi Elena Gholam , Zayeni Habib , Shojaa Mahdieh , Jamshir Mohsen , Agh Aili
Published: May 2013

Introduction: Low bone mass is a serious complication of post menopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. We determined the Change in Bone Mineral Density in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was carried out on consecutive postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis who were referred to the Azar 5th teaching hospital affiliated to Golestan University of Medical Sciences, North of Iran in 2009. The required data were gathered from the patients medical records. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and statistical tests. Results: We studied 98 postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. Mean number of years since menopause and mean duration of disease were 9.39 and 5.13 respectively. T Score mean in femoral neck and lumbar spines was -1.45±1.26 and -2.45±1.44 respectively. The overall prevalence of osteoporosis at both the lumbar spine and femoral neck was 13.3. We have found a significant correlation between age, duration of disease, duration of menopause and bone mineral density (P-Value<0.01). Conlusion: Our results indicate a negative effect of age, number of years since menopause and duration of disease on bone mineral density. So, BMD should be measured in high risk women prior to the implementation of any treatment or prevention program. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 12 No. 02 April13 Page 158-163 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v12i2.14944
Estrogen Receptor Alpha (Esr) Gene Polymorphism As Risk Factor For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2dm) In Javenese Menopause Women of Indonesia
Authors: Akhmad Syaefudin Ali , Madiyan Maliyah , Hastuti Pramudji , Sinorita Hemi
Published: May 2013

Background: The number of menopausal women who suffer from low level estrogen-associated type-2 diabetes has been increasing recently. The role of estrogen in metabolism of glucose depends on estrogen receptor alpha expression that is regulated by estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR ?). PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms in the ESR ? receptor may decrease the expression of ESR ? protein and receptor activity, thereby increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in menopausal women. Purpose: to determine the ESR ? polymorphism as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in menopause women of Javanese in Indonesia. Methods: Sixty five menopausal women were recruited for the study consisted of 40 women with T2DM and 25 women as control. PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reacton-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The absence of PvuII and XbaI restriction sites were indicated by P1 and X1 and presence by P2 and X2, respectively. Chai Square test were used in statistical analyisis to measure Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) and the risk of P1/P2 and X1/X2 allele for suffering T2DM. Results: PvuII genotype was distributed as; 22.5% (P1P1), 45% (P1P2), 32.5% (P2P2) while XbaI genotype was distributed as 10 % (X1X1), 62.5% (X1X2) and 27.5% (X2X2) in diabetics respectively. There was no difference in distribution of P1 and P2 between diabetics and non diabetics but difference for X1 and X2 existed between groups. The frequency of P2 allele was 55 % while P1 allele frequency is 45% in diabetics. X2 allele frequency was 58.8% while X1 allele is 41.2%. X2 allele had an impact on the 3.6 times higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes in Javanese menopausal women (OR = 3.662, CI = 1.711 to 7.840). Conclusions: PvuII and XbaI polymorphism was found in Javanese menopause women of Indonesia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The allele frequency of P2 and X2 are 55% and 58.8% respectively. X2 allele was found as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Javanese menopause women of Indonesia. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 12 No. 02 April13 Page 171-179 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v12i2.14946
Unusual Airway Foreign Body In An 11-Year-Old Boy
Authors: Mohamad Irfan , Yusof Nor Idayu M , Soleh Mohd Najeb , Abdullah Baharudin
Published: May 2013

Foreign body in early pediatric life is common, owing to the childs developing dentition and maturity of swallowing mechanism. As the child grew older, the nature of foreign body inhaled might changed. Most of them are due to carelessness and improper habit of holding foreign material in between the lips. We report a case of a boy who inhaled a soft-board metal pin, which was retrieved after multiple attempts due to the nature of the pin that easily slipped and dislodged into distal bronchioles. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 12 No. 02 April13 Page 238-239 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v12i2.14981
Exploration of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis to Improve Animal Welfare by Means of Genetic Selection: Lessons from the South African Merino
Authors: Hough Denise , Swart Pieter , Cloete Schalk
Published: May 2013

It is a difficult task to improve animal production by means of genetic selection, if the environment does not allow full expression of the animal’s genetic potential. This concept may well be the future for animal welfare, because it highlights the need to incorporate traits related to production and robustness, simultaneously, to reach sustainable breeding goals. This review explores the identification of potential genetic markers for robustness within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA), since this axis plays a vital role in the stress response. If genetic selection for superior HPAA responses to stress is possible, then it ought to be possible to breed robust and easily managed genotypes that might be able to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions whilst expressing a high production potential. This approach is explored in this review by means of lessons learnt from research on Merino sheep, which were divergently selected for their multiple rearing ability. These two selection lines have shown marked differences in reproduction, production and welfare, which makes this breeding programme ideal to investigate potential genetic markers of robustness. The HPAA function is explored in detail to elucidate where such genetic markers are likely to be found.
Numerical Modeling of Climate-Chemistry Connections: Recent Developments and Future Challenges
Authors: Dameris Martin , Jöckel Patrick
Published: May 2013

This paper reviews the current state and development of different numerical model classes that are used to simulate the global atmospheric system, particularly Earth’s climate and climate-chemistry connections. The focus is on Chemistry-Climate Models. In general, these serve to examine dynamical and chemical processes in the Earth atmosphere, their feedback, and interaction with climate. Such models have been established as helpful tools in addition to analyses of observational data. Definitions of the global model classes are given and their capabilities as well as weaknesses are discussed. Examples of scientific studies indicate how numerical exercises contribute to an improved understanding of atmospheric behavior. There, the focus is on synergistic investigations combining observations and model results. The possible future developments and challenges are presented, not only from the scientific point of view but also regarding the computer technology and respective consequences for numerical modeling of atmospheric processes. In the future, a stronger cross-linkage of subject-specific scientists is necessary, to tackle the looming challenges. It should link the specialist discipline and applied computer science.
Teaching HR Professionals: The Classroom as a Community of Practice
Authors: Rowlands Kate , Avramenko Alex
Published: May 2013

This paper introduces an innovative course design incorporating both communities of practice and reflective practice as a learning strategy for part-time learners in higher education. The new design has been applied to teaching HR practitioners in a UK-based business school. Findings indicate that the suggested way of organizing teaching and learning for part-time professionals is very informative and facilitates a richer engagement with theory whilst addressing issues of practice.
Water-Related Parasitic Diseases in China
Authors: Lv Shan , Tian Li-Guang , Liu Qin , Qian Men-Bao , Fu Qing , Steinmann Peter , Chen Jia-Xu , Yang Guo-Jing , Yang Kun , Zhou Xiao-Nong
Published: May 2013

Water-related parasitic diseases are directly dependent on water bodies for their spread or as a habitat for indispensable intermediate or final hosts. Along with socioeconomic development and improvement of sanitation, overall prevalence is declining in the China. However, the heterogeneity in economic development and the inequity of access to public services result in considerable burden due to parasitic diseases in certain areas and populations across the country. In this review, we demonstrated three aspects of ten major water-related parasitic diseases, i.e., the biology and pathogenicity, epidemiology and recent advances in research in China. General measures for diseases control and special control strategies are summarized.
An Ultrasensitive Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay for Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 in Serum Based on Antibody Labeled Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as Capture Probes and Graphene/CdTe Quantum Dot Bionanoconjugates as Signal Amplifiers
Authors: Gan Ning , Zhou Jing , Xiong Ping , Li Tianhua , Jiang Shan , Cao Yuting , Jiang Qianli
Published: May 2013

The CdTe quantum dots (QDs), graphene nanocomposite (CdTe-G) and dextran–Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles have been synthesized for developing an ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay for Carcinoembryonic antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in serums. Firstly, the capture probes (CA 19-9 Ab1/Fe3O4) for enriching CA 19-9 were synthesized by immobilizing the CA 19-9’s first antibody (CA 19-9 Ab1) on magnetic nanoparticles (dextran-Fe3O4). Secondly, the signal probes (CA 19-9 Ab2/CdTe-G), which can emit an ECL signal, were formed by attaching the secondary CA 19-9 antibody (CA 19-9 Ab2) to the surface of the CdTe-G. Thirdly, the above two probes were used for conjugating with a serial of CA 19-9 concentrations. Graphene can immobilize dozens of CdTe QDs on their surface, which can emit stronger ECL intensity than CdTe QDs. Based on the amplified signal, ultrasensitive antigen detection can be realized. Under the optimal conditions, the ECL signal depended linearly on the logarithm of CA 19-9 concentration from 0.005 to 100 pg/mL, and the detection limit was 0.002 pg/mL. Finally, five samples of human serum were tested, and the results were compared with a time-resolved fluorescence assay (TRFA). The novel immunoassay provides a stable, specific and highly sensitive immunoassay protocol for tumor marker detection at very low levels, which can be applied in early diagnosis of tumor.
The Future of NMR Metabolomics in Cancer Therapy: Towards Personalizing Treatment and Developing Targeted Drugs?
Authors: Palmnas Marie , Vogel Hans
Published: May 2013

There has been a recent shift in how cancers are defined, where tumors are no longer simply classified by their tissue origin, but also by their molecular characteristics. Furthermore, personalized medicine has become a popular term and it could start to play an important role in future medical care. However, today, a “one size fits all” approach is still the most common form of cancer treatment. In this mini-review paper, we report on the role of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics in drug development and in personalized medicine. NMR spectroscopy has successfully been used to evaluate current and potential therapies, both single-agents and combination therapies, to analyze toxicology, optimal dose, resistance, sensitivity, and biological mechanisms. It can also provide biological insight on tumor subtypes and their different responses to drugs, and indicate which patients are most likely to experience off-target effects and predict characteristics for treatment efficacy. Identifying pre-treatment metabolic profiles that correlate to these events could significantly improve how we view and treat tumors. We also briefly discuss several targeted cancer drugs that have been studied by metabolomics. We conclude that NMR technology provides a key platform in metabolomics that is well-positioned to play a crucial role in realizing the ultimate goal of better tailored cancer medicine.
Vasodilator Compounds Derived from Plants and Their Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Luna-Vázquez Francisco , Ibarra-Alvarado César , Rojas-Molina Alejandra , Rojas-Molina Isela , Zavala-Sánchez Miguel
Published: May 2013

The present paper reviews vasodilator compounds isolated from plants that were reported in the past 22 years (1990 to 2012) and the different mechanisms of action involved in their vasodilator effects. The search for reports was conducted in a comprehensive manner, intending to encompass those metabolites with a vasodilator effect whose mechanism of action involved both vascular endothelium and arterial smooth muscle. The results obtained from our bibliographic search showed that over half of the isolated compounds have a mechanism of action involving the endothelium. Most of these bioactive metabolites cause vasodilation either by activating the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway or by blocking voltage-dependent calcium channels. Moreover, it was found that many compounds induced vasodilation by more than one mechanism. This review confirms that secondary metabolites, which include a significant group of compounds with extensive chemical diversity, are a valuable source of new pharmaceuticals useful for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Geometric Accuracy Investigations of SEVIRI High Resolution Visible (HRV) Level 1.5 Imagery
Authors: Aksakal Sultan
Published: May 2013

GCOS (Global Climate Observing System) is a long-term program for monitoring the climate, detecting the changes, and assessing their impacts. Remote sensing techniques are being increasingly used for climate-related measurements. Imagery of the SEVIRI instrument on board of the European geostationary satellites Meteosat-8 and Meteosat-9 are often used for the estimation of essential climate variables. In a joint project between the Swiss GCOS Office and ETH Zurich, geometric accuracy and temporal stability of 1-km resolution HRV channel imagery of SEVIRI have been evaluated over Switzerland. A set of tools and algorithms has been developed for the investigations. Statistical analysis and blunder detection have been integrated in the process for robust evaluation. The relative accuracy is evaluated by tracking large numbers of feature points in consecutive HRV images taken at 15-minute intervals. For the absolute accuracy evaluation, lakes in Switzerland and surroundings are used as reference. 20 lakes digitized from Landsat orthophotos are transformed into HRV images and matched via 2D translation terms at sub-pixel level. The algorithms are tested using HRV images taken on 24 days in 2008 (2 days per month). The results show that 2D shifts that are up to 8 pixels are present both in relative and absolute terms.
Soft, Transparent, Electronic Skin for Distributed and Multiple Pressure Sensing
Authors: Levi Alessandro , Piovanelli Matteo , Furlan Silvano , Mazzolai Barbara , Beccai Lucia
Published: May 2013

In this paper we present a new optical, flexible pressure sensor that can be applied as smart skin to a robot or to consumer electronic devices. We describe a mechano-optical transduction principle that can allow the encoding of information related to an externally applied mechanical stimulus, e.g., contact, pressure and shape of contact. The physical embodiment that we present in this work is an electronic skin consisting of eight infrared emitters and eight photo-detectors coupled together and embedded in a planar PDMS waveguide of 5.5 cm diameter. When a contact occurs on the sensing area, the optical signals reaching the peripheral detectors experience a loss because of the Frustrated Total Internal Reflection and deformation of the material. The light signal is converted to electrical signal through an electronic system and a reconstruction algorithm running on a computer reconstructs the pressure map. Pilot experiments are performed to validate the tactile sensing principle by applying external pressures up to 160 kPa. Moreover, the capabilities of the electronic skin to detect contact pressure at multiple subsequent positions, as well as its function on curved surfaces, are validated. A weight sensitivity of 0.193 gr−1 was recorded, thus making the electronic skin suitable to detect pressures in the order of few grams.
Identifying Time Measurement Tampering in the Traversal Time and Hop Count Analysis (TTHCA) Wormhole Detection Algorithm
Authors: Karlsson Jonny , Dooley Laurence , Pulkkis Göran
Published: May 2013

Traversal time and hop count analysis (TTHCA) is a recent wormhole detection algorithm for mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) which provides enhanced detection performance against all wormhole attack variants and network types. TTHCA involves each node measuring the processing time of routing packets during the route discovery process and then delivering the measurements to the source node. In a participation mode (PM) wormhole where malicious nodes appear in the routing tables as legitimate nodes, the time measurements can potentially be altered so preventing TTHCA from successfully detecting the wormhole. This paper analyses the prevailing conditions for time tampering attacks to succeed for PM wormholes, before introducing an extension to the TTHCA detection algorithm called ∆T Vector which is designed to identify time tampering, while preserving low false positive rates. Simulation results confirm that the ∆T Vector extension is able to effectively detect time tampering attacks, thereby providing an important security enhancement to the TTHCA algorithm.
La Notion de « Classes moyennes » dans l'Athènes du Ve s. av. J.-C
Authors: Romilly Jacqueline de
Published: May 2013

Le mot mesos est d'abord passé du sens matériel au sens moral ; celui-ci est fréquent chez les lyriques. Puis il se fait un glissement vers une politique de juste milieu : ce sens s'affirme à l'époque de la guerre du Péloponnèse et inspire les projets des modérés. On voit apparaître dans le théâtre d'Euripide leurs connotations sociales. Au total, la notion de « classes moyennes », qui devait prendre tant d'importance chez Aristote, ne correspondait pas à une réalité sociale ou économique de la cité grecque, coupée entre riches et pauvres : elle prit corps comme une espérance pour échapper aux maux des guerres civiles.
Eschyle et la légende des Argonautes
Authors: Deforge Bernard
Published: May 2013

L'article met en lumière la place importante et le sens de l'inspiration argonautique dans l'œuvre d'Eschyle. Après avoir abordé le drame de Phinée, appartenant à la tétralogie dite des Perses, l'auteur s'attache à quatre drames qui devaient former une tétralogie argonautique, constituée ainsi : Argô, Hypsipyle, les Cabires, les Lemniens ; il développe ici dans le détail l'argumentation justifiant cet ordre, et en particulier les raisons qui conduisent à ne pas considérer les Cabires comme un drame satyrique.
L'inscription d'Éphèse relative aux condamnés à mort de Sardes
Authors: Masson Olivier
Published: May 2013

Nouvelle étude d'une inscription de 57 lignes découverte à Êphèse en 1961. Après une brève introduction, elle donne la liste de 46 hommes de la ville de Sardes, condamnés à mort à Ephèse en raison de sacrilèges commis conlre l'Artémis d'Éphèse. Le texte est établi et traduit. Divers problèmes sont repris en détail : la nature du procès, les modalités du sacrilège, les événements de Sardes et les motifs qui ont inspiré les meneurs. Ensuite, la composition de la liste des condamnés est analysée : identité de chacun, problème des noms de métiers, onomastique et origine ethnique. Sur ces derniers points, on aboutit aux catégories suivantes : noms qui sont grecs, noms locaux ou lydiens noms « asianiques » et incertains, noms iraniens. L'ensemble témoigne du caractère cosmopolite de Sardes vers 340-320 avant notre ère.
Sur l'emploi particulier d'un démonstratif chez Jean
Authors: Delebecque Édouard
Published: May 2013

On trouve souvent chez Jean, dans les épîtres comme dans l'évangile, une formule grecque qui lui est propre, le démonstratif οΰτος (généralement sous la forme εν τούτω) suivi de

ἵνα ou de ὅτι, l'un et l'autre complétifs. Jean la réserve à l'annonce d'explications sur des problèmes majeurs de l'enseignement de Jésus. La formule qui a servi à Jésus parlant à ses disciples se retrouve chez Jean écrivant pour les siens.
Le sacré dans les discours d'Aelius Aristide (XLVII-LII Keil)
Authors: Bompaire Jacques
Published: May 2013

Les Discours sacrés d'Aristide, dont l'intérêt est aujourd'hui largement reconnu, apportent une triple information sur le plan religieux. Ils nous renseignent sur la théologie, somme toute conforme à celle de l'époque, du dévot d'Asclépios. Sur son expérience mystique multiforme et d'une intensité exceptionnelle (identification au dieu). Sur le caractère sacré de l'œuvre littéraire et de l'écrivain, particulièrement inspiré et protégé par le dieu. C'est un produit typique et nullement marginal de la Seconde sophistique.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for the medicinal plant Smilax brasiliensis (Smilacaceae) and related species
Authors: Martins Aline R. , Abreu Aluana G. , Bajay Miklos M. , Villela Priscilla M. S. , Batista Carlos E. A. , Monteiro Mariza , Alves‐Pereira Alessandro , Figueira Glyn M. , Pinheiro José B. , Appezzato‐da‐Glória Beatriz , Zucchi Maria I.
Published: May 2013

• Premise of the study: A new set of microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed for Smilax brasiliensis, which is popularly known as sarsaparilla and used in folk medicine as a tonic, antirheumatic, and antisyphilitic. Smilax brasiliensis is sold in Brazilian pharmacies, and its origin and effectiveness are not subject to quality control.

• Methods and Results: Using a protocol for genomic library enrichment, primer pairs were developed for 26 microsatellite loci and validated in 17 accessions of S. brasiliensis. Thirteen loci were polymorphic and four were monomorphic. The primers successfully amplified alleles in the congeners S. campestris, S. cissoides, S. fluminensis, S. goyazana, S. polyantha, S. quinquenervia, S. rufescens, S. subsessiliflora, and S. syphilitica.

• Conclusions: The new SSR markers described herein are informative tools for genetic diversity and gene flow studies in S. brasiliensis and several congeners.
Characterization of microsatellite loci in Castilleja sessiliflora and transferability to 24 Castilleja species (Orobanchaceae)
Authors: Fant Jeremie B. , Weinberg‐Wolf Hannah , Tank David C. , Skogen Krissa A.
Published: May 2013

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed in the hemiparasitic perennial forb Castilleja sessiliflora to investigate patterns of gene flow and genetic diversity within and among populations.

• Methods and Results: Twelve polymorphic loci were identified in C. sessiliflora and tested on three populations (32 individuals each) sampled across the range of the species. The loci amplified di‐ and trinucleotide repeats with 3–14 alleles per locus. To assess cross‐amplification, primer pairs were also tested on 24 additional Castilleja species that represent the morphological and geographic diversity of the genus. We provide reports of their effectiveness in all 25 taxa.

• Conclusions: These results indicate the utility of these primers in C. sessiliflora for future studies of genetic structure and gene flow, as well as their widespread applicability in other members of the diverse and complex genus Castilleja.
Aqueous reductive amination using a dendritic metal catalyst in a dialysis bag
Authors: Willemsen Jorgen S , van Hest Jan C M , Rutjes Floris P J T
Published: May 2013

Water-soluble dendritic iridium catalysts were synthesized by attaching a reactive metal complex to DAB-Am dendrimers via an adapted asymmetric bipyridine ligand. These dendritic catalysts were applied in the aqueous reductive amination of valine while contained in a dialysis bag. Comparable conversions were observed as for the noncompartmentalized counterparts, albeit with somewhat longer reaction times. These results clearly show that the encapsulated catalyst system is suitable to successfully drive a complex reaction mixture with various equilibrium reactions to completion.
EFFICIENCY EVALUATION IN PUBLIC ROAD TRANSPORT: A STOCHASTIC FRONTIER ANALYSIS
Authors: Jarboui Sami , Forget Pascal , Boujelben Younes
Published: May 2013

This paper measures the technical efficiency of 54 public road transport operators and investigates the degree to which various factors influence efficiency levels in these firms. The study makes an attempt to provide an overview of the general status of different operators in 18 countries. Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) methods are applied to our sample over a twelve year period from 2000 to 2011. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive analysis of technical efficiency of public road transport operators in 18 countries using parametric method. Our empirical results indicate that investment, operating profit and firm size have a significant influence on technical efficiency levels. We find that technical efficiency level of public road transport operators varies between 0.458 and 0.95. We also observe that large-size operators with more investment capacity tend to be more technically efficient than small-size operators. Finally, we find that operators from developed countries are technically more efficient than those of developing countries.
Pluralistic ambiance and urban socialisation
Authors: Milliot Virginie
Published: May 2013

Dans cet article nous proposons de décrire l’ambiance d’un des plus vieux quartiers cosmopolites de Paris : la Goutte d’Or. Nous analyserons les ressorts de la vie publique qui s’est fixée dans cet espace malgré trente ans de politique de « rénovation urbaine ». Ce quartier fonctionne comme une centralité, un nœud de réseaux pour les mondes de l’immigration et la rue y est transformée en espace de sociabilité et d’activités économiques informelles. C’est à la fois un espace de ressourcement culturel et une scène « cosmo-politique » populaire, un univers pluraliste en tension. Nous étudierons les rassemblements spontanés qu’occasionne quotidiennement le spectacle de la rue, la dynamique de communication et de « concernement » générée par cette vie publique. Nous verrons que cette ambiance est une forge pluraliste où se focalisent des attentions, se décentrent des opinions, se redéfinissent des seuils, une forge où se cristallise une diversité de publics mutuellement concernés par ce qu’ils peuvent ou non partager.
Adopting E-Mailing Systems Technology
Authors: Al-Haraizah Ahed S
Published: May 2013

Insight into the reasons why people adopt or reject technology is one of the most challenging issues in information technology research. This chapter draws on the Electronic Commerce Technology Acceptance (ECTA) framework, which is in turn based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and examines Jordanian government’s employees’ attitudes towards adoption and use of Electronic Mailing systems within their job. The chapter is aimed at providing an overview of the current state of use, adoption and implementation of electronic mailing innovation within organisations, specifically governmental institutions in developing countries like Jordan. More precisely, the author first quantify constructs relating to the current state of governmental institutions’ beliefs and attitudes toward E-Mailing systems technology in Jordan, and then develop and validate the relationships between the various factors that drive the adoption and acceptance of such innovation. A quantitative survey is used to establish and illustrates employee’s behavioural intention and decision to e-mailing systems. The main influencing issues discussed in this chapter that affect these employees imply perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, employees’ attitudes towards new technologies, and behavioural intentions to use. Whereas, these various issues are suggested in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the enhanced Technology Acceptance Model extends them to include the external social factors proposed in this chapter such as trust, cultural beliefs, and sociology of technology. Eventually, the significant insight emanated from the findings identifies ways of assisting and spurring employees to make use of technology more effectively.
Legal Framework for the E-Taxation in Turkey
Authors: Gerger Günes Çetin
Published: May 2013

This study analyzes the legal framework of e-taxation in the Turkish Republic. Tax service is commonly provided by using ICT in many countries. In e-government applications in Turkey, provision of e-tax service is one of the leading projects. Among the members of OECD, electronic tax return, payment systems and tax automation systems generated in this area have gained an increasing importance. Taxpayers fill the declarations electronically and also pay tax debts without going to the tax offices. E-taxation system is becoming widespread in Turkey. Implementation of the system in Turkey started in 1998 with VEDOP I and continued with 2004 VEDOP II and 2007 VEDOP III Projects. These applications are legislated by the Tax Procedure Law in Turkey. Thus, legal regulations on electronic recording are established on a legal basis. In this study, e-government tax applications in the Turkish Tax Law (e-tax return, e-books, e-signature, e-audit) and legal base of this application is examined. Information is given on how it is implemented by means of information technologies in Turkey. The main purpose of the study is to examine what legal regulations were enacted for registering and taxation in the use of information technologies and to determine the current situation in Turkey.
E-Services Efficiency of Government Organisations in Asia
Authors: Adapa Sujana
Published: May 2013

This chapter discusses the importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and highlights the benefits of embracing the aforesaid in the government and the business sector. It presents a discussing on eGovernment and the theoretical foundations associated with it. The chapter also suggests the importance of inclusion and participation of various stakeholders. A number of short case studies are provided that relate to the effective planning and implementation of eGovernment-based strategies, especially with respect to e- services offerings focusing on the Asian countries context. Case studies refer to 9 countries in Asia. Factors that promote and obstacles that hinder the eGovernment services delivery are also discussed. The chapter provides an in-depth analysis of the differences between the effective implementation and the uptake of eGovernment by newly industrialised countries and developing nations. Furthermore, important recommendations are provided that, hopefully, the developing countries on the road to full implementation of eGovernment will find useful.
IR with and without GA
Authors: Al-Dallal Ammar , Abdulwahab Rasha S. , El-Haddadeh Ramzi
Published: May 2013

This paper proposes two IR approaches; the first is IR with GA, which is a GA-based IR approach. This approach introduces modified GA operators that allow IR with GA to achieve high performance. The second IR model is IR without GA, which is based on traditional IR approach. Both enhance the precision and recall of the web search by improving the document representation where an enhanced inverted index is developed for this purpose. Moreover, these two models use the same proposed evaluation function for measuring the document relativity to the user query. A number of experiments were conducted to compare the performance of the two suggested approaches with existing techniques. The two suggested approaches were then compared experimentally with another two techniques of classical IR namely Okapi-BM25 fitness function and Bayesian inference network model from documents quality of retrieval perspective. The obtained results demonstrate a good level of enhancement to the recall and precision times. In addition, the documents retrieved by IR with and without GA are more accurate and relevant to the queries than that retrieved by other techniques. Overall, the two suggested approaches provide a promising technique in web search domain delivering a high quality search results in terms of recall and precision.
Understanding Health Insurance Needs for Small Businesses in the U.S. to Formulate the Information Technology Strategy
Authors: Bhaskar Rahul , Zhang Yi “Jenny”
Published: May 2013

The majority of the workers are employees of a small business in the USA. A large percentage of these employees get healthcare insurance from their employers. However, there is a discrepancy between the employees and employers when it comes to health insurance preferences. This case presents a case study of a survey conducted by a health insurance company to formulate an information technology strategy. In the light of new health care reforms, the ASBC Company is planning to use the results of this survey to formulate an information technology strategy.
Integration of Just In Time (JIT) Inventory in Outpatient Pharmacy Information Systems
Authors: Kapoor Bhushan , Mullen Timothy
Published: May 2013

With the implementation of the recent Healthcare Reform Act and the increased scrutiny on the soaring costs of healthcare, medical plans are looking for ways to optimize workflows and reduce costs. Titan Healthcare is a large non-profit integrated healthcare company located in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas. They provide health insurance coverage, and a broad range of comprehensive health care services. Titan Healthcare is engrossed to employ the best strategies to close performance gaps and efficiently manage their operations. To help improve their pharmacy operations, they are seeking to design and implement a new Outpatient Pharmacy Information System which will handle both dispensing and inventory functionality. From a pharmacy inventory perspective, expectations for the system are to significantly reduce inventory costs and increase service levels to their members. Titan Healthcare is currently exploring options for designing the right Outpatient Pharmacy Inventory Management System for its operations.
A Wearable Technology Revisited for Cardio-Respiratory Functional Exploration
Authors: Fontecave-Jallon Julie , Guméry Pierre-Yves , Calabrese Pascale , Briot Raphaël , Baconnier Pierre
Published: May 2013

The objective of the present study is to extract new information from complex signals generated by Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (RIP). This indirect cardio-respiratory (CR) measure is a well-known wearable solution. The authors applied time-scale analysis to estimate cardiac activity from thoracic volume variations, witnesses of CR interactions. Calibrated RIP signals gathered from 4 healthy volunteers in resting conditions are processed by Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition to extract cardiac volume signals and estimate stroke volumes. Averaged values of these stroke volumes (SVRIP) are compared with averaged values of stroke volumes determined simultaneously by electrical impedance cardiography (SVICG). There is a satisfactory correlation between SVRIP and SVICG (r=0.76, p<0.001) and the limits of agreement between the 2 types of measurements (±23%) satisfies the required criterion (±30%). The observed under-estimation (-58%) is argued. This validates the use of RIP for following stroke volume variations and suggests that one simple transducer can provide a quantitative exploration of both ventilatory and cardiac volumes.
A Simulation-Based Framework for the Exploration of Mapping Solutions on Heterogeneous MPSoCs
Authors: Miele Antonio , Pilato Christian , Sciuto Donatella
Published: May 2013

The efficient analysis and exploration of mapping solutions of a parallel application on a heterogeneous Multi-Processor Systems-on-Chip (MPSoCs) is usually a challenging task in system-level design, in particular when the architecture integrates hardware cores that may expose reconfigurable features. This paper proposes a system-level design framework based on SystemC simulations for fulfilling this task, featuring (i) an automated flow for the generation of timing models for the hardware cores starting from the application source code, (ii) an enhanced simulation environment for SystemC architectures enabling the specification and modification of mapping choices only by changing an XML descriptor, and (iii) a flexible controller of the simulation environment supporting the exploration of various mapping solutions featuring a customizable engine. The proposed framework has been validated with a case study considering an image processing application to show the possibility to automatically exploring alternative solutions onto a reconfigurable MPSoC platform.
Factors Influencing the Use of Mobile Technologies in a University Environment
Authors: Yamakawa Peter , Delgado Carlos , Díaz Esperanza , Garayar Erik , Laguna Hedda
Published: May 2013

The use of mobile technologies in higher education seem to be lagging those in other service sectors, which have been quick to utilize the advantages that mobile communications have to offer. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study analyzes the range factors and the level of influence on undergraduate intention to use a proposed mobile technology information service on the campus of a Peruvian university. The results, derived from factor analysis and regression, support the TAM showing that Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use are the principal factors influencing the intention to use the proposed service, with the external factors of mobility and social influence ranking as the next important. These results lead to the conclusion that the awareness of the attributes which the student’s value and their social contexts are significant factors to ensure student uptake and use when designing and introducing student focused mobile services.
Analysis of Finite Buffer Markovian Queue with Balking, Reneging and Working Vacations
Authors: Laxmi P. Vijaya , Goswami V. , Jyothsna K.
Published: May 2013

This article presents the analysis of a finite buffer M/M/1 queue with multiple and single working vacations. The arriving customers balk (that is do not join the queue) with a probability and renege (that is leave the queue after joining) according to exponential distribution. The inter-arrival times, service times during a regular service period, service times during a vacation period and vacation times are independent and exponentially distributed random variables. Steady-state behavior of the model is considered and various performance measures, some special cases of the model and cost analysis are discussed.
Freedom, Equality and the Quality of Democracy
Authors: Barth Thorsten D.
Published: May 2013

Freedom and equality are the content, the substance and the tension in a liberal democracy of today. Freedom and equality describe the design, stability and the quality of a democracy. Especially in a Quintuple Helix Model, the quality of democracy and sustainable development are closely related, because a high-quality democracy is a prerequisite for promoting sustainability in democracies. By investigating the quality of democracy this article develops two theses: 1.) Democracy with their quality rises or falls with the expression of freedom and/or equality; 2.) Democracy generates its stability from a balanced interaction between freedom and equality. With the concept of Democratic Life this article examines these two theses: Democratic Life as newly developed concept measures the quality of democracy with providing information about the type of a democracy and an approach to measure a democracy´s democratic development for the top 20 of the Democracy Ranking (2009). The central keys of the Democratic Life concept are the ‘Index of Classification’ and the ‘Democratic-Life-Index’, which are formed from an ‘Index of Freedom’ and an ‘Index of Equality’. By empirical examination of the research question of Democratic Life two essential questions in the modern democratic theory can be investigated: 1.) How democratic is a democracy? 2.) How much freedom and equality does a liberal democracy need? The countries analyzed for the Democratic Life concept in this article are the United States, Australia, Sweden and Germany in comparison between 1995 and 2008. This degree of democratic quality will create a lot of problems towards developing sustainability in a democracy, because in the United States there is currently a big disparity between freedom and equality.
An Empirical Investigation on Credit Card Adoption in India
Authors: G.Varaprasad  , Chandran Kailas Sree , Sridharan R. , Unnithan Anandakuttan B.
Published: May 2013

In India, the credit card usage as well as the penetration has been found to be very low compared to that of debit cards. Though banks offer the best of the services, still there are apprehensions about the risks involved in using a credit card in India. Hence, this study investigates the customer’s adoption behavior of credit cards and determines the factors which influence the acceptance among Indian customers. Many studies have been reported in the literature to analyze the customer’s adoption behavior of online banking, Automated Teller Machines, e-shopping etc. But, there are not many studies that analyze the adoption behavior of credit cards. In this study, an empirical model that includes ten behavioral factors has been proposed. Along with the main determinants identified from the literature, two new parameters such as perceived benefits and self-esteem have been included in the model. The analysis of the model reveals that factors such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, relative advantage, perceived trust, social influence and perceived benefits have been found to be the main determinants of credit cards adoption in India. The findings are of great use primarily for the banks which are planning to offer credit cards, and for already existing banks to focus on the gaps.
Appropriate Use of Information Systems
Authors: Brock Meagan E. , Buckley M. Ronald
Published: May 2013

With the advancement of technology, there has been a commensurate increase in the use of information systems in American Universities. However, these increases have yielded an increase in both resource misuse and attacks on University information system networks. Data from 155 undergraduate students was used to investigate the role of policy presentation, on students’ knowledge and transfer of information system policies. Results indicate that policy training does improve knowledge of information systems policies and transfer to novel situations however the form in which this training is presented is not important, as long as the information is presented in some format.
Current and Emerging Pharmacotherapeutic Options for Smoking Cessation
Authors: Carson Kristin V. , Brinn Malcolm P. , Robertson Thomas A. , To-A-Nan Rachada , Esterman Adrian J. , Peters Matthew , Smith Brian J.
Published: May 2013

Tobacco smoking remains the single most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries and poses a significant threat across developing countries where tobacco use prevalence is increasing. Nicotine dependence is a chronic disease often requiring multiple attempts to quit; repeated interventions with pharmacotherapeutic aids have become more popular as part of cessation therapies. First-line medications of known efficacy in the general population include varenicline tartrate, bupropion hydrochloride, nicotine replacement therapy products, or a combination thereof. However, less is known about the use of these products in marginalized groups such as the indigenous, those with mental illnesses, youth, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Despite the efficacy and safety of these first line pharmacotherapies, many smokers continue to relapse and alternative pharmacotherapies and cessation options are required. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarize the existing and developing pharmacotherapeutic and other options for smoking cessation, to identify gaps in current clinical practice, and to provide recommendations for future evaluations and research.
Ozone weekend effects in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei metropolitan area, China
Authors: Wang Y. H. , Hu B. , Wang Y. S.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The ozone weekend effect (OWE) was first investigated in the metropolitan area of Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH), China, using in situ measurements from the Atmospheric Environment Monitoring Network from July 2009 to August 2011. The results indicate that there is an obvious weekly periodical variation in the surface ozone concentration based on 24 h averaged value. There is a lower ozone concentration from Wednesday to Friday (weekday) and a higher concentration from Saturday to Monday (weekend) over the entire study area. NOx also displays weekly cycle, with the maximum level occurring on weekdays and the minimum level on weekends, especially later on Sunday night and early Monday morning. This pattern may be responsible for the higher concentration of ozone on weekends. Additionally, the vertical variations in O3 and NOx from the 8 m 47 m, 120 m and 280 m observation platforms on the 325 m Beijing meteorological tower displayed obvious weekly cycles that corresponded to the surface results. A smaller decrease in VOCs (a proxy for CO) and much lower NOx concentrations on the weekend may lead to higher VOC/NOx ratio, which can enhance the ozone production efficiency in VOC-regime areas. Additionally, a clear weekly cycle in the fine aerosol concentration was observed, with maximum values occurring on weekdays and minimum values occurring on weekends. Higher concentrations of aerosol on weekdays can reduce the UV radiation flux by absorption or scattering, which leads to a decrease in the ozone production efficiency. A significant weekly cycle in UV radiation, in consistent with the aerosol concentration, was discovered at the BJT site, validating the assumption. A comprehensive understanding of the ozone weekend effect in the BTH area can provide deep insights into controlling photochemical pollution.