IBM POWER SYSTEMS AND SERVICE ORIENTED ARCHITECTURE AT BANK OF AMERICA’S FOREIGN ITEMS SYSTEMS OFFICE

This is a teaching case on a real life scenario in an organization involving IT solution evaluation and selection. This case involves the Bank of America’s Foreign Items Systems office in Toronto. The officers from the Bank of America’s Foreign Items Systems office in Toronto were discussing how to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) from a major U.S. bank to provide foreign currency services. The case discusses three options: Standard J2EE Web Application Global Foreign Currency, Modified J2EE Web Application with Single Sign On, and Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) via Web Services. The case can be used to complement chapters in MIS and IT courses that are related to Systems Integration, IT Infrastructure or IT Implementation. The case can also be used to discuss IT planning, management, evaluation, and trade-off issues. The case is intended for use by senior undergraduate and MBA students

ENHANCING BRAND EQUITY THROUGH FLOW: COMPARISON OF 2D VERSUS 3D VIRTUAL WORLD

This research uses the theory of flow to examine the effect of 2D versus 3D virtual world environments on brand equity and use intention. The results suggest that a 3D virtual world environment has both positive (indirect) and negative (direct) effects on brand equity. The positive, indirect effect of the 3D virtual world environment occurs through feelings of telepresence and enjoyment, both of which contribute positively to brand equity and, in turn, induces a higher behavioral intention. The negative, direct effect can be explained using distraction-conflict theory, where attentional conflict is faced by users of a highly interactive and rich medium. This paper explains the flow experience and its effects on brand equity in 2D versus 3D virtual world environments, and provides insights to practitioners for designing 3D virtual world sites to enhance brand equity and behavioral intention

Understanding Gender Differences in Media Perceptions: A Comparison of 2D versus 3D Media

We examine gender differences in 2D versus 3D media perceptions. Using the Hunter-Gatherer Theory of Spatial Gender Differences and Jung’s Theory of Psychological Types, we hypothesize differences in men’s and women’s perceptions of skill, challenge, telepresence, and satisfaction with online experiences in 2D versus 3D media interaction. The findings suggest that even though women perceive lower skill levels and greater challenges in using 2D and 3D media than men, women’s sense of telepresence is higher than men in both 2D and 3D media. Women are also more satisfied with their interaction in 2D and 3D media than men

Are Male and Female Avatars Perceived Equally in 3D Virtual Worlds?

Virtual worlds are three-dimensional, computer-generated worlds in which users take the form of avatars and use those avatars to interact with objects and other avatars in the virtual world. Virtual worlds are growing in importance in both educational institutions and businesses. Educational institutions have adopted virtual worlds as a medium for instructional delivery whereas businesses are using virtual worlds for recruitment, training, collaboration, and marketing. Given these emerging phenomena, a better understanding of behavioral and perceptual issues in virtual worlds is warranted. We propose a research model to study the interaction effects of gender stereotypicality of male and female avatars and gender typicality of tasks on trust perceptions. Gender stereotypes have been widely studied in the real world along with their effects on trust perceptions. An experiment is proposed to examine the effects of gender stereotypes on trust perceptions in virtual worlds. Implications and expected contributions are also discussed

An Examination of Perceptions of Male and Female Avatars

Virtual worlds are three-dimensional, computer-generated worlds in which users take the form of avatars. Through their avatars, users can interact with objects and other avatars in the virtual world. Virtual worlds are growing in importance in both educational institutions and businesses. Educational institutions have adopted virtual worlds as a medium for instructional delivery whereas businesses are using virtual worlds for recruitment, training, collaboration, and marketing. Given these emerging phenomena, a better understanding of behavioral and perceptual issues in virtual worlds is warranted. In this paper, we propose a research model to study gender stereotypicality of male and female avatars and their effects on trust perceptions. Gender stereotypes have been widely studied in the real world along with their effects on trust perceptions. This research will assess if such gender stereotypes also exist in the virtual worlds

Perceptions of Avatars in 3D Virtual Worlds: Impact of Task and Gender Stereotypicality

Virtual worlds are growing in importance and popularity in businesses. As the use of virtual worlds increases, it becomes increasingly important to understand the behavioral and perceptual issues in virtual worlds. Although gender stereotypes have been widely studied in the real world along with their effects on trust perceptions, very little such research has been conducted in virtual worlds. We propose a research model to study the interaction effects of gender stereotypicality of male and female avatars and gender typicality of tasks on trust perceptions. An experiment is proposed to examine the effects of gender stereotypes on trust perceptions in virtual worlds. Implications and expected contributions are also discussed

Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a common disorder that is strongly linked to asthma and conjunctivitis. It is usually a long-standing condition that often goes undetected in the primary-care setting. The classic symptoms of the disorder are nasal congestion, nasal itch, rhinorrhea and sneezing. A thorough history, physical examination and allergen skin testing are important for establishing the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Second-generation oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Allergen immunotherapy is an effective immune-modulating treatment that should be recommended if pharmacologic therapy for allergic rhinitis is not effective or is not tolerated. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and appropriate management of this disorder

Saving the kids : an honors creative project (HONRS 499)

Thoughts of suicide and the beginnings of eating disorders peak in intensity during the early teenage years of a person's life. This statistic can be, in part, associated with the increase in media awareness during these years as well as a general dissatisfaction with the inability of the average human body to transform into the stereotypical advertising image. With study and understanding of the advertising industry and how it works, students can learn to identify and overcome the negative feelings of self-worth that are key to the success of marketing. Through a detailed lesson-plan, real-life examples of the images that infiltrate their world every day, and hands-on projects to get them started in a media-savvy direction, sixth graders at Greenfield Middle School will be given the tools they will need to become more aware consumers, and interested people for years to come will have the resources at hand to spread the lesson again and again.Honors CollegeThesis (B.S.

Overlooked and Underappreciated: The Impact of Organized Crime in Cleveland, Ohio on the American Mafia

The long, bloody history of the American Mafia has been researched by numerous historians over the course of several decades. The American public has grown increasingly infatuated with the Mafia in the last century because of the national media. The stories of infamous gangsters are told in newspapers and magazines as well as popular movies and plays. Most people associate the Mafia with cities such as New York, Chicago and Las Vegas. However, these are certainly not the only cities that have been a major factor in the American Mafia’s history. Cleveland, Ohio is overlooked by most researching the American Mafia. Beginning in the early twentieth century, organized crime in Cleveland affected the Mafia in many ways ranging from large scale bootleggers during Prohibition to invaluable government informants. Through the use of interviews, testimonies, police records and the most influential secondary sources, this thesis describes in great detail the impact organized crime in Cleveland, Ohio has had on the history of the American Mafia