Abstract This paper considers the potential for co-evolutionary interactions between plant secondary compounds and browsing mammals in a relatively simple system. It first briefly presents several theoretical ideas on plant-animal co-evolution and then present the evidence on interactions between mammalian browsers and woody plants in boreal regions that may bear on the co-evolutionary questions.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Theoretical Co-evolution
Browsers and Food Plants in the Boreal Forest
Variation in Secondary Compounds and Browsing Resistance
Estimating Plant Fitness
The Herbivores: Hares, Moose, and Voles
Conclusion
From the Paper "The evidence for the effects of secondary compounds on fitness has not been measured directly for boreal mammals. However, the evidence presented above suggests that they may be important. Both the fine-scale selectivity of browsers among similar plants and plant parts that vary in their levels of secondary compounds (Bryant et al. 1991a,b, Bryant et al. 1992) and the potentially severe effects of these chemicals on the herbivores' nutritional status (Iason and Palo 1991) suggest that the ability to avoid or detoxify secondary compounds is a result of selection."
Abstract Today it seems like everyone is talking about something called "broadband", its importance, and how it's going to affect and enhance your computing experience. However, it is rarely defined in a simple and straightforward manner. This paper will attempt to provide an explanation in a way that is pertinent to you as an end user-- it will define what is meant by "broadband" and "wireless area network technology", describe what is involved, and differentiate between the most popular broadband technologies.
From the paper:
"Broadband is usually used to refer to a type of Internet connection. Simply speaking, a broadband connection is a connection that allows for extremely high speeds and supports data, voice, and sometimes even video information. It is considered broad because multiple kinds of information can travel across the wire, or band. High speed means that in addition to surfing the web without delays, you will also be able to enjoy multimedia-rich applications such as streaming audio and videoconferencing. Broadband connections are typically always on, so you don't have to spend extra time dialing in to your service provider; as soon as the computer attached to the service is turned on, you can start browsing."
A discussion on the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, on the basis of which the United States Department of Justice, along with twenty state attorney generals, charged the Microsoft Corporation with conducting illegal anti-competitive business practices.
Abstract The following paper discusses the controversial charges brought about by the government on Microsoft. The writer examines thoughts and opinions of people and companies that think that Microsoft and CEO Bill Gates are acting in violation of the anti-trust laws of the United States, while others think that the charges against Microsoft are damaging the free market. This paper examines the truth to both sides of the argument.
From the Paper "The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was passed by the United States Congress in order to declare illegal "every contract combination in the form of a trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce with several states, or foreign nations", meaning that any corporate action for the purpose of eliminating competition in an area of business and of controlling the market for a product, was declared illegal. (1) In May of 1998, the United States Department of Justice charged the Microsoft Corporation with conducting such illegal anti-competitive business practices. Microsoft, the largest and wealthiest software company in the world, was under fire because it was supplying, free of charge, it's version of an internet browser called Internet Explorer with the selling of the Windows operating system. The government stated "internet browsers are separate products competing in a separate product market from personal computer operating systems"?. (2) The government was calling for action to split the Microsoft Corporation into two separate companies: software and web browsing."
Abstract This paper reviews the literature and study conducted on the advantages of Netscape's "Navigator" program over Microsoft's "Internet Explorer". Statistics provided show that worldwide use of Internet Explorer, is up while Netscape's share of the market has plummeted from 33.43 percent in February 1999 to 13.90 percent in June 2000. The study compares Netscape Navigator 6 with the Microsoft 5.5 release using a simple property font code to show the differences that still exist. The paper includes a look at the differences and similarities between the two programs with comments on their abilities to perform.
From the Paper "Part of this problem is still related to the fact that both Netscape and Microsoft still rely for the most part on HTML scripting, even though both are making bold and blatant overtures to the growing XML groups (Yager 2000). Microsoft, in October of this year plans to begin sending out copies of its new Microsoft.NET program that is its first venture into a fulltime commitment to XML."
Abstract This paper studies the successful on-line auction enterprise known as eBAY. It describes eBAY's service, its format, how it delivers its service, its use of e-commerce, and the reasons for the company's success. The paper also describes eBAY members and users and the occasional attempts to misuse its services. Important economic data about eBAY is included, and a comparison analysis of eBAY and its primary competitor, Amazon.com, is provided.
From the Paper "The 38 million buyers and sellers who access the EBAY auction site can exchange almost all sorts of items and this has been the result of clear vision of the company's CEO Margaret C. Whitman. In the past few years, the company has been focusing on expanding its services without losing site of its main goal i.e. to maximize profits. It is true that the reason why this company has proved to be such a tremendous success is that its CEO and founder have not lost sight of their primary goal while introducing new and better technologies every now and then to make the auction process easier."
Abstract This paper examines how wireless technology is rapidly evolving and is playing an increasing role in the lives of people throughout the world. It looks at how more specialized and exotic examples of wireless communications and control include third-generation wireless technology and hardware devices. The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the various operating systems, cellular access, and Mhz ranges and features and benefits involved with third-generation wireless technology. The features analyzed include the extent to which each device provides email, Internet browsing, photography, instant messaging, cellular phone capability, expandability, music and video content ,and file access and editing capabilities. It also provides a discussion on the availability of third-party applications. Physical attributes, such as touch screens, keypads, screen dimensions and clarity, video capability, and sound are also discussed.
Outline
Introduction
Area of Research
Technology Involved
Wireless Technologies
Inter-Connectivity of Devices
Security
Future Trends
Regulatory Issues
Global Implications
Conclusion
From the Paper "GSM is the pan-European standard for digital cellular telephone service. GSM networks are an alternative to current AMPS systems. In the future, they will support enhanced data applications. GSM was designed for European markets to provide the advantage of automatic, international roaming in multiple countries. The SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card is a vital component in GSM operation. The user can store all relevant data for the phone on a removable plastic card. The card can be plugged into any GSM compatible phone and the phone is instantly personalized to the user."
Tags: amps, csm, networks, sim, cellular, access, operating, systems
Abstract This paper discusses the strategic decision of creating a website for Starbucks. The paper explains that the purpose is to project the Starbucks's story and share it with its customers, both existing and new. The objectives include branding, e-commerce, and customer communication, and this idea rests on meeting experiential and utilitarian goals. The paper examines the site that provides the opportunity to explore, browse, and learn about Starbucks on one side and specific task-based needs on the other side like shopping, locating a store, or looking for a job.
From the Paper "The new online strategy analysts believe will help Starbucks extend its brand image to a larger range of audience than just its coffee-retail market. Many of the current Web portals are just information-based and hardly offer any brand identity. The Starbucks portal will draw customers to it because of its unique character and personality. The portal's e-commerce part is a combination of the current line of activity and also offers links to other businesses like Drugstore.com and eBay. The content side is focused on lifestyle and arts and music reviews and includes message boards. (Starbucks to launch portal site, report says)"
Abstract This paper examines how spyware and its often less harmful counterpart, adware, can be a serious threat to the security and performance of any computer and how spyware can cost personal computer users and businesses alike valuable time and money. It looks at how there are many avenues that can be explored to help combat this problem, including choosing the most spyware-combative operating systems and web-browsing programs.
From the Paper "In fact, even moderate spyware infections will, in most cases, cause a decrease in system performance that may exceed 50 percent, as well as stability issues that will cause computers to crash often and make it difficult to connect to the internet. (Simon) "Spyware also consumes memory and system resources. Because it constantly phones home to deliver user information and then sends back more pop-ups, banner ads and the like, spyware uses up valuable corporate bandwidth. Adding insult to injury, many spyware programs store their unwanted advertisements on the user's own hard drive." (Martin) More serious spyware can be frighteningly invasive."
Describes the Western Washington University Periodic Search Agent for Protein Database Information or WWU Search Agent, a research project developed under the guidance of one of Western Washington University's biosciences professor.
Abstract This paper describes a recent initiative of the The National Center for Biotechnology Information, which is a national resource for molecular biology information. The project is known as Western Washington University Periodic Search Agent for Protein Database Information or WWU Search Agent. This web-based search engine browses and does periodic searches of the protein databases of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool or BLAST. The writer describes the benefits of this project, which include its interfacing with the NCBI BLAST and the continuous updates and enhancements done by NCBI on the system.
Includes Charts:
Chart - Content of Protein Sequence Databases
Fig. 1 - General Subsequence and Database Input Area
Figure 2 - Options for Advanced BLASTing Input Area
Figure 3 - Format input area for report outputs
From the Paper "The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) finds regions of local similarity between sequences. The program compares nucleotide or protein sequences to sequence databases and calculates the statistical significance of matches. BLAST can be used to infer functional and evolutionary relationships between sequences as well as help identify members of gene families. The summary of the Content of Protein Sequence Databases with the sequences they contain are as follows: (NCBI, 2006)"
Abstract The paper discusses the many strategies of Lockheed-Martin with regard to ensuring ethical business behavior, in addition to legal and regulatory compliance. The paper examines the stance of the company on intellectual property rights and the ethical use of online data collected from employees' use of e-mail and Web browsing. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for improving these policies within the Lockheed-Martin company.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Lockheed-Martin's Defining Best Practices in Online Ethics
Intellectual Property Rights and Ethical use of Online Data
Opportunities for Improvement
From the Paper "For many companies in the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry the ethical challenges of selling to foreign governments and winning contracts over competing vendors located in these host countries leads to bribery and unethical offers of assistance in an attempt to win new business. The many ethical lapses of Boeing including their many harassment scandals (Atkins 2006) have become common knowledge, with extensive U.S. government of the entire A&D industry occurring as a result."
Abstract This paper explains that the privacy challenges, which were inherent in DoubleClick's business model and further accentuated by its acquisition of Abacus Direct, have become a precedent for Internet privacy cases and litigation. The advantage of Abacus Alliance to DoubleClick was the ability to segment on additional dimensions, including the use of psychographics, with greater levels of accuracy. The paper relates DoubleClick's response to legal charges and its privacy policy and then provides suggestions for revising the company's information systems architecture.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Advantages of Abacus Direct
Critiquing DoubleClick's Response to Charges
Assessing DoubleClick's Privacy Policy
Revising and Augmenting an Information Systems Architecture
From the Paper "Despite the initial steps that DoubleClick had taken to respond to privacy advocates' concerns, the pressure continued until specific aspects of how cookies were managed, reporting managed and the integration of Abacus Data were handled were all modified. These steps also ensured that consumers' privacy would be maintained while not comprising the innate strengths of the DoubleClick business model and unique strengths as a platform for Internet marketing campaign planning and execution."
Tags:browsing, value chain, cookies click-stream database
Abstract This paper explains how Paco Underhill's book, "Why We Buy", illustrates the secrets behind shopping and how shops can encourage consumers to purchase items on impulse. The paper outlines how the book addresses ideas such as the importance of stores keeping customers' hands free to touch and browse the items they want to purchase, placing signs where most customers are waiting and providing extra seating for support people. The paper includes the writer's personal opinion on these ideas and concludes that this book is a good tool for marketers as well as shoppers.
From the Paper "Human beings usually wonder why it's so hard to control spending when always faced with factors that loosen the wallet or the purse. Even though understanding these factors can be the ultimate way to be on budget or to get out of debt, we find ourselves tormented by some of the psychological effects tied with shopping. Marketers use these effects as a market device to base their selling strategies so as to make profit margins worthy of their research. Strategies like advertising have proved to be effective means of selling products. Countless dollars are spent to understand the buying habits of consumers and to create a psychological connection between them and the consumable products."
