Near field communication: an assessment for future payment systems

In this paper, we present an assessment of near field communication (NFC) in the context of a payment market. During these past years, we have been witnessing a number of mobile payment trials based on NFC. Early experiences are already quite encouraging and many expect NFC to become a highly efficient and effective technology for mobile payments. The objective of our research is to evaluate in a systematic manner the potential of NFC as an upcoming technology for mobile payments. In order to ensure the rigor of our research, we used a formal and structured approach based on multi-actor multi-criteria methods. Our research provides one of the first assessment of NFC and a realistic picture of the current Swiss situation as we involved numerous mobile payment experts. Our findings show that Swiss industry experts are quite enthusiastic about the future of NFC

Why Mobile Payments Fail? Towards a Dynamic and Multi-Perspective Explanation

Despite optimistic expectations fast diffusion of mobile payments has not taken place after a decade of trials. Several explanations to this situation have been put forward using several theories and levels of analysis. Due to the complexity and dynamism of the diffusion we need multiple perspectives to account for diffusion challenge. We juxtapose three frameworks into a dynamic analysis framework. We apply the proposed framework to explain three failed introductions of mobile payments in the Swiss market. In particular, a recent ambitious trial is confronted with the proposed framework to detect roots of its failure. Our analysis suggests that market-level and behavioral facets need more attention in future in explaining mobile payment diffusion. To guide future efforts we propose several avenues for further research

Technology Foresight for IT Investment: Multi-Criteria Decision-Making versus Prediction Markets

This paper presents and compares two original techniques for disruptive technology assessment and foresight based on opposite paradigm: a management science approach (Multi-Criteria Decision-Making) versus a Web 2.0 approach (Prediction Market). These approaches are intended to support the management of a technology portfolio and the assessment of new technology by an IT organization. In order to explore the relevance of the research, we conducted several experiments in real environments. The results demonstrated that the rigor of management science and the participation of the Web 2.0 approach are complementary strengths for technology foresight

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 activity facilitates the dissociation of nuclear proteins from platinum-modified DNA

The affinity of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) for platinum-damaged DNA was first discovered during photo-cross-linking experiments using the photoactive compound Pt-BP6 [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 6536–6537], an analogue of the anticancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), cisplatin. Although PARP inhibitors sensitize cancer cells to cisplatin, there are conflicting reports in the literature about their efficacy. In order to improve our understanding of the mechanism by which PARP inhibition might potentiate the cell-killing ability of cisplatin, and to shed light on the source of the discrepancy among different laboratories, we have in the present study probed the influence of three PARP inhibitors in four types of cancer cells, cervical (HeLa), testicular (NTera2), pancreatic (BxPC3), and osteosarcoma (U2OS), on the results of Pt-BP6 photo-cross-linking experiments and cytotoxicity assays. We find that the activity of PARP proteins following exposure to platinum-modified DNA results in the dissociation of DNA-bound proteins. PARP inhibitors were able to sensitize some, but not all, of the cell lines to cisplatin. This cell line-dependence and the potential consequences of PARP-initiated protein removal from platinum–DNA lesions are discussed. Control experiments revealed that NTera2 cells are especially sensitive to PARP inhibition

Environmental context significance in strategic decision support systems

Appraising the environmental context in which an organization deploys its activity is a necessity in order to make appropriate decisions and adapting strategies to a context in constant evolution, especially in a time where this context is increasingly complex, uncertain and disruptive. Decision makers therefore need more than ever better tools that aid them to analyze their environment, providing them the most pertinent information to take the most appropriate decisions. In this paper, we attempt to propose a set of reusable artifacts that would facilitate the development of decision support systems for assessing the organization's environment. In particular, we propose an ontology that defines the different elements that shall be taken into account in order to effectively and efficiently scan an environment. We then provide an overview of some analysis techniques and tools that could be useful to analyze, assess and visualize essential information about these elements. Finally, we present two decision support system prototypes that allow a partial analysis of the environment using appropriate interaction and visualization techniques

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 activity facilitates the dissociation of nuclear proteins from platinum-modified DNA

The affinity of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) for platinum-damaged DNA was first discovered during photo-cross-linking experiments using the photoactive compound Pt-BP6 [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 6536–6537], an analogue of the anticancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), cisplatin. Although PARP inhibitors sensitize cancer cells to cisplatin, there are conflicting reports in the literature about their efficacy. In order to improve our understanding of the mechanism by which PARP inhibition might potentiate the cell-killing ability of cisplatin, and to shed light on the source of the discrepancy among different laboratories, we have in the present study probed the influence of three PARP inhibitors in four types of cancer cells, cervical (HeLa), testicular (NTera2), pancreatic (BxPC3), and osteosarcoma (U2OS), on the results of Pt-BP6 photo-cross-linking experiments and cytotoxicity assays. We find that the activity of PARP proteins following exposure to platinum-modified DNA results in the dissociation of DNA-bound proteins. PARP inhibitors were able to sensitize some, but not all, of the cell lines to cisplatin. This cell line-dependence and the potential consequences of PARP-initiated protein removal from platinum–DNA lesions are discussed. Control experiments revealed that NTera2 cells are especially sensitive to PARP inhibition

Evolution of the Gorda Escarpment, San Andreas fault and Mendocino triple junction from multichannel seismic data collected across the northern Vizcaino block, offshore northern California

The Gorda Escarpment is a north facing scarp immediately south of the Mendocino transform fault (the Gorda/Juan de Fuca-Pacific plate boundary) between 126°W and the Mendocino triple junction. It elevates the seafloor at the northern edge of the Vizcaino block, part of the Pacific plate, ~1.5 km above the seafloor of the Gorda/Juan de Fuca plate to the north. Stratigraphy interpreted from multichannel seismic data across and close to the Gorda Escarpment suggests that the escarpment is a relatively recent pop-up feature caused by north-south compression across the plate boundary. Close to 126°W, the Vizcaino block acoustic basement shallows and is overlain by sediments that thin north toward the Gorda Escarpment. These sediments are tilted south and truncated at the seafloor. By contrast, in a localized region at the eastern end of the Gorda Escarpment, close to the Mendocino triple junction, the top of acoustic basement dips north and is overlain by a 2-km-thick wedge of pre-11 Ma sedimentary rocks that thickens north, toward the Gorda Escarpment. This wedge of sediments is restricted to the northeast corner of the Vizcaino block. Unless the wedge of sediments was a preexisting feature on the Vizcaino block before it was transferred from the North American to the Pacific plate, the strong spatial correlation between the sedimentary wedge and the triple junction suggests the entire Vizcaino block, with the San Andreas at its eastern boundary, has been part of the Pacific plate since significantly before 11 Ma