bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined Ambient and Wearable Sensors for Gesture-Based Environmental Control in the Home
Authors: Coffey Aodhán L. , Ward Tomás E.
Published: January 2015

Home-based therapy will need to play a huge role in the future if we are to achieve effective and cost-efficient forms of rehabilitation. Creative solutions are already being implemented by researchers with the development of revolutionary applications for healthcare leveraging commercially available technology. In this chapter, the authors endeavour to contribute to this goal, describing their ongoing contributions through the application of combined ambient and wearable sensors for gesture-based environmental control. The authors describe in detail the development of three novel systems: an autonomous sensor glove that classifies hand gestures and controls Infrared (IR)-based devices, a smart watch that recognises motion gestures to interact with Radio Frequency (RF) controlled devices, and a hybrid (sensor glove and LEAP motion controller) sensor solution for achieving high fidelity hand and finger motion capture/playback with applications for virtual ambient systems.
Developing Team Work in IT Education to Foster Student Engagement
Authors: McKelvey Nigel , Curran Kevin
Published: January 2015

Teamwork is an important aspect that should be provided by both employers and employees. This chapter proposes relating this ethos to an educational environment in order to foster encouragement among students. Students demonstrating professionalism can provide important discussion points that can help the class environment run more efficiently. When issues arise in a class, students learn not to hesitate in speaking up. Many co-workers fail to work as a team because people do not voice their opinions on certain matters. Learning how to voice that opinion can aid students/employees in progressing an assignment without hindering any other processes. This chapter outlines how to incorporate teamwork into IT educational environments in order to encourage students to engage more with the process. It also gathers information based on student, staff, and industry surveys and strives to highlight the importance of teamwork as a skill essential for IT graduates.
Ambient Intelligence in the Bedroom
Authors: Van Deun Dorien , Willemen Tim , Verhaert Vincent , Haex Bart , Van Huffel Sabine , Vander Sloten Jos
Published: January 2015

Over the past years, ambient intelligence has infiltrated our lives through various home applications, enabled by the decreasing size and cost of computing technology. While in transport or industry, its presence has become second nature; some areas, such as our bedroom, have remained fairly untouched. Since our bedroom hosts the beginning and end of our daily activities, it needs to assist us in the recovery and preparation of daily activities. Therefore, it holds an enormous opportunity for AI applications, which do exactly what is needed: sensibly assist the user, learn his preferences, and react to his/her mood and needs. This chapter outlines the different ways of assisting the user in his/her intelligent bedroom: ways to monitor health, improve both physical and mental recovery during the night by automatically optimising the environment, as well as automate a number of tedious tasks that reoccur at every start and end of the day.
Contemporary Gold Rush or Scientific Advancement
Authors: Quinn Darren , Chen Liming , Mulvenna Maurice
Published: January 2015

Following the expansion and mass adoption of Online Social Networks, the impact upon the domain of Social Network Analysis has been a rapid evolution in terms of approach, developing sophisticated methods to capture and understand individual and community interactions. This chapter provides a comprehensive review, examining state-of-the-art Social Network Analysis research and practices, highlighting key trends within the domain. In section 1, the authors examine the growing awareness concerning data as a marketable and scientific commodity. Section 2 reviews the context of Online Social Networking, highlighting key approaches for analysing Online Social Networks. In section 3, they consider modelling motivations of networks, discussing models in line with tie formation approaches. Section 4 outlines data collection approaches along with common structural properties observed in related literature. The authors discuss future directions and emerging approaches, notably semantic social networks and social interaction analysis before conclusions are provided.
A Literacy and Numeracy E-Learning Mobile Application for Pre-Schoolers
Authors: McCarroll Niall , Curran Kevin
Published: January 2015

The Northern Ireland pre-school curriculum promotes educational development through enabling learning environments and active learning through play and exploration. Enabling learning environments are rich in books, pictures, signs, symbols, rhymes, and multimedia technology. Through play and exploration, children are engaged in activities that interest and preoccupy them. The resources that are used as a context for play have an important bearing on the depth of learning experienced by a child. According to the Early Years Foundation Stage, from age 40 months, a child's literacy and numeracy can develop rapidly with the support of a wide range of interesting materials, activities, media, and technologies (Department for Education, 2008). The aim of this project is to create the “SmartFun” literacy and numeracy E-Learning application. “SmartFun” is a fun, engaging environment to promote the early learning of letters and numbers for pre-school and primary one children.
Context-Aware Mobile and Wearable Device Interfaces
Authors: Ahlrichs Claas , Iben Hendrik , Lawo Michael
Published: January 2015

In this chapter, recent research on context-aware mobile and wearable computing is described. Starting from the observation of recent developments on Smartphones and research done in wearable computing, the focus is on possibilities to unobtrusively support the use of mobile and wearable devices. There is the observation that size and form matters when dealing with these devices; multimodality concerning input and output is important and context information can be used to satisfy the requirement of unobtrusiveness. Here, Frameworks as middleware are a means to an end. Starting with an introduction on wearable computing, recent developments of Frameworks for context-aware user interface design are presented, motivating the need for future research on knowledge-based intuitive interaction design.
An Investigation of the Affect Heuristic in the Brazilian Stock Market
Authors: Gonzalez Ricardo Alonso , Bruni Adriano Leal
Published: January 2015

It is considered that decisions are influenced, even in part, by aspects of affect. It is agreed with that studies that suggest the action of the affect heuristic, which can influence the perception of risks and benefits, even in environments where rationality should be more prominent, such as in the financial market. This paper investigates how risks and benefits are perceived by Brazilian stock market investors. Additionally, it investigates whether these aspects could be explained by gender, age or perceived knowledge about the market. The analysis makes use of the t-test, logistic regression and factor analysis and is applied to a sample consisting of 143 investors. The results confirm the existence of the affect heuristic and a negative association between perceived knowledge of the market and the affect heuristic.
Promoting Tourist Destination Image and Websites in North Sulawesi Indonesia
Authors: Umboh Ivonne Angelic , Aryanto Vincent Didiek Wiet
Published: January 2015

North Sulawesi's tourist destination image is imperative to be promoted to the rest of the world, it is one of the top ten tourist destination in Indonesia. The tourism objects in North Sulawesi are varying such as culinary, undersea coral diving in Bunaken and Lembe, festivals, rituals both Christian and Muslim, eco-tourism, mountain climbing, jungle explorer, variety of culture's ethnic groups, tropical panorama etc. North Sulawesi is also known to have abundant of spice (nutmeg) and one of the biggest sea coral treasures in the world. Promotion variables are composed of advertising, direct marketing, festivals, events and experiences, cooperation with other parties, promotion by word-of-mouth, and tourist destination websites. 310 foreign tourist visitors from various country of origin were drawn as sample in this study. This study reveals that foreign tourists image on promotion undertaken by the government as well as private tourism industries vary to each variable being used in this study.
Expanding Toolkits for Heritage Perpetuation
Authors: Hoerig Karl A. , Welch John R. , Ferguson T. J. , Soto Gabriella
Published: January 2015

From 2010 to 2013, the White Mountain Apache Tribe and the University of Arizona, with funding from the National Science Foundation, hosted the Western Apache Ethnography and Geographic Information Science Research Experience for Undergraduates. Designed to foster practical skills and scholarly capacities for future resource managers and anthropologists, this field school introduced Apache and non-native undergraduate students to ethnographic field research and GIS tools. Building upon the extensive arrays of geographical, cultural, and historical data that are available for Western Apache territory, field school students engaged in community-based participatory research with Western Apache elders and tribal natural and heritage resource personnel to contribute to the Western Apache tribes' efforts to document their cultural histories, traditional ecological knowledge, local understanding of geography, and issues of historic and contemporary resource management. This essay reviews the program and traces how student alumni have incorporated skills and perspectives gained into their subsequent academic and professional work.
Qualitative Participatory Mapping of Seal and Walrus Harvest and Habitat Areas
Authors: Gadamus Lily , Raymond-Yakoubian Julie
Published: January 2015

In the Bering Strait region of Alaska decreasing sea ice and increasing development are driving environmental and policy changes that significantly impact federally recognized tribes, which depend on marine resources for cultural, economic, and nutritional reasons. Kawerak, Inc., an Alaska Native non-profit tribal consortium, conducted participatory ice seal and walrus harvest and habitat mapping in collaboration with nine of the region's federally recognized tribes. Participants were concerned that maps could misrepresent marine mammal mobility, limit future harvest area flexibility, increase outside regulation of harvest activities, generate conflict between communities, and attract commercial activity. This paper addresses these concerns through a technique called qualitative participatory mapping, which preserves local voices and priorities. This technique helped communicate and convey respect for traditional knowledge while lowering the probability of map misuse or misinterpretation. This work evaluated project results in terms of Elwood's dimensions of empowerment, which indicated the largest gain in capacity building, and more moderate gains for procedural and distributional empowerment.
Simulating Demand Uncertainty and Inventory Control Variability of Multi-Echelon Distribution Supply Chain
Authors: Ech-Cheikh Hamid , Elhaq Saâd Lissane , Rachid Ahmed , Douraid Abdessamad
Published: January 2015

Development of simulation models allows performance analysis of multi-echelon inventory networks, and this part of supply chain is not well-established research area. Moreover, by encapsulating all major characteristics of multi-echelon system, the simulation modeling does not allow only its study, but also it provides the means to achieve the desired system performance. This paper deals with a multi-echelon distribution inventory system made of suppliers, distributors and retailers. The retailer faces stochastic demands placed by customers and replenishing from its distributor, which in turn procures from its supplier at the upstream of the chain. The main purpose of this simulation model is to analyze the multi-echelon distribution system behavior according some key performance metrics such as cost and backorder, as well as customer service level at each echelon.
Optimization-Simulation for Maritime Containers Transfer
Authors: Benghalia Abderaouf , Oudani Mustapha , Boukachour Jaouad , Boudebous Dalila , Alaoui Ahmed El Hilali
Published: January 2015

This paper proposes a simulation model to analyze the handling and the transfer system of containers in Le Havre seaport. The decision variables of simulation are determined by using the CPLEX optimization software. The goal is to determine the least expensive strategy for the transfer of a set of containers between container terminals. The simulation model is developed using an object-oriented approach and Flexsim CT simulation software. The objective is to obtain an efficient operating process for the multimodal terminal of Le Havre which is an intermediate platform for transferring containers (collection and delivery) by rail and river (trains and barges). The goal is to evaluate the performance of the containers transfer by rail shuttles between the future multimodal terminal and the maritime terminals. The aim is to analyze and to evaluate performance indicators of port logistics chain (costs, resource occupancy rate, service rate), and to test several management strategies.
Preventive Maintenance with Aircraft on Ground Case Consideration, and Airline Crew Scheduling Problem
Authors: Ezzinbi Omar , Sarhani Malek , El Afia Abdellatif , Benadada Youssef
Published: January 2015

This study formulates an innovative aircraft preventive maintenance model by taking into account the aircraft on ground (AOG) problem. The proposed model is solved by using binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA). It also proposes a methodology solution based on BPSO and GA to solve the airline crew scheduling problem. Additionally, a study of computational results is given to improve the quality of the solutions and the performance of the proposed algorithms.
Forecasting Demand with Support Vector Regression Technique Combined with X13-ARIMA-SEATS Method in the Presence of Calendar Effect
Authors: Sarhani Malek , El Afia Abdellatif
Published: January 2015

In order to better manage and optimize supply chain, a reliable prediction of future demand is needed. The difficulty of forecasting demand is due mainly to the fact that heterogeneous factors may affect it. Analyzing such kind of data by using classical time series forecasting methods, will fail to capture such dependency of factors. This paper is released to present a forecasting approach of two stages which combines the recent methods X13-ARIMA-SEATS and Support Vector Regression (SVR). The aim of the first one is to remove the calendar effect, while the purpose of the second one is to forecast the demand after the removal of this effect. This approach is applied to three different case studies and compared to the forecasting method based on SVR alone.
Navigating the Academic Developmental Maze
Authors: King Kathleen P. , Norstrand Lu , Leos Julie A.
Published: January 2015

As an increased number of international students join College and University classrooms across the United States, their transition and acclimation to campuses has received attention over the past few years, particularly, in the areas of preparation and acculturation. This topic is important because faculty mentors can play a pivotal role in the professional development of international doctoral students. This article addresses these needs with a model which integrates adult learning and mentoring strategies to support international doctoral students. The model includes developing the skills which not only international graduates, but all graduates will benefit from in the 21st century. The significance of this model is its contribution to develop the valuable capabilities of proactive, problem solving, self-directed learners/academics able to self-reflect and navigate different cultural environments than their own. The discussion also provides future research recommendations.
Solving the Curriculum Sequencing Problem with DNA Computing Approach
Authors: Debbah Amina , Ben Ali Yamina Mohamed
Published: January 2015

In the e-learning systems, a learning path is known as a sequence of learning materials linked to each others to help learners achieving their learning goals. As it is impossible to have the same learning path that suits different learners, the Curriculum Sequencing problem (CS) consists of the generation of a personalized learning path for each learner according to one's learner profile. This last one includes one's knowledge and preferences. In fact the CS problem is considered as NP hard problem, so many heuristics and meta-heuristics have been used to approximate its solutions. Therefore the results have shown their efficiency to solve such a problem. This work presents a DNA computing approach that aims to solve the CS problem.
Sidekick
Authors: Inventado Paul Salvador , Legaspi Roberto , Moriyama Koichi , Fukui Ken-ichi , Numao Masayuki
Published: January 2015

Students engage in many learning activities outside of class but, it is not easy for them to learn on their own because they also need to identify what activities to perform, decide how long to engage in them, evaluate their progress, shift to other activities if needed and avoid distractions aside from others. This research designed and implemented a learning support tool called Sidekick, which used a retrospective approach to help students analyze and evaluate their own behavior so they can adjust it accordingly. The results showed that students benefitted from understanding their behavior more. It also showed how students' learning behavior changed over time and the differences in the type and amount of change between learning sessions according to students' level of autonomy. Less autonomous students seemed to improve less compared to highly autonomous students however, the system was able to encourage them to recall and self-evaluate which they might not have done without the system.
The Longitudinal Study of Computer Simulation in Learning Statistics for Hospitality College Students
Authors: Huang Ching-Hsu
Published: January 2015

The class quasi-experiment was conducted to determine whether using computer simulation teaching strategy enhanced student understanding of statistics concepts for students enrolled in an introductory course. One hundred and ninety-three sophomores in hospitality management department were invited as participants in this two-year longitudinal study. Students received computer simulation intervention in experimental group and traditional teaching method in control group. In particular, learning effectiveness difference was found in two groups. The pretest scores were found to do something with the improvement rate. The preliminary results of this study indicated some evidence that these methods may improve student understanding of statistics concepts.
Understanding IT Compensation Strategies from the Perspective of Small Non-IT Firms
Authors: Wang Chingning , Kaarst-Brown Michelle L.
Published: January 2015

Since 2008, the weakened global economy has resulted in increased layoffs, hiring freezes, and company closures in high-tech industries. Ironically, there has been increased demand for information technology professionals (IT workers) in non-high-tech industries such as financial services, healthcare, and transportation industries. This idiosyncrasy suggests there is value in exploring IT personnel strategy in non-high-tech industries. Larger firms or high-tech companies commonly compete for IT talent through lucrative incentive payments or higher base salaries. In contrast, smaller companies or non-high-tech firms with limited resources are more constrained in their compensation strategies, and more vulnerable in competing for IT talent. Taking this predicament as a backdrop, this paper reports the findings of a case study investigating IT compensation practices in a small, U.S. based, Chinese media firm that relied on IT to change its media strategy. Focusing on four specific risk areas, we illustrate how this firm competed successfully when resources were scarce but competition high within and across the industry.
Skill oriented Training Activity as a Service
Authors: Khemaja Maha , Mastour Taoufik
Published: January 2015

In this paper, the authors address the problem of fast changing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) profession which hampers efficiency of ICT professionals and practitioners as well as businesses. For instance, ICT practitioners increasingly need support and training activitie to adapt their skills or to acquire new ones in order to deal with ICT technology changes. The authors attempt for that aim to provide a generic training Framework based on Intelligent Tutoring Systems' configuration and adaptation to ICT professionals and practitioners needs. In this framework, the Intelligent Tutoring System's components are e-skill oriented training services using corresponding resources all together deployed in the cloud accordingly to a Software as a Service model. More specifically, they proposed Framework adopts the European e-Competence Framework, the European Qualification Framework as well as the Instructional Management System portfolio standard.
Interdisciplinarity in Sustainability Science
Authors: Turvey Rosario Adapon
Published: January 2015

Over the last few decades, Sustainability Science (SS) has gained momentum and emerged in the academy with an extraordinary performance in knowledge production and contributions to the research and publications enterprise, growth in academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, creation of centers/laboratories, and formation of scientific communities, networks and associations. Increasingly, terms like integration, collaboration and bridging of fields and disciplinary boundaries are in the forefront of conversations and/or debates. The key question addressed by this review essay is this: Is interdisciplinarity in Sustainability Science a challenge or opportunity for educational institutions and local communities in the 21st century? Considering the recent momentum in educational advancements and institutional progress, the study outlines relevant literature on interdisciplinarity in SS; synthesizes recent thinking and developments in SS and attempts to address what challenges and opportunities people across the globe face in sustainability education and research and in the development of academic programs and sustainable communities. When scientists, policy makers, academics get together as teams, partners and collaborators they are likely to be engaged in interdisciplinary work and possibly doing sustainability research, policy development and problem-solving to deal with the pressing demands and challenges of the 21st century society. In this context, it is urgent in science and society to seek solutions to major sustainability problems such as climate change and one way to address that is by doing interdisciplinary work in Sustainability Science.
Observing Customer Segment Stability Using Soft Computing Techniques and Markov Chains within Data Mining Framework
Authors: Hiziroglu Abdulkadir
Published: January 2015

This study proposes a model that utilizes soft computing and Markov Chains within a data mining framework to observe the stability of customer segments. The segmentation process in this study includes clustering of existing consumers and classification-prediction of segments for existing and new customers. Both a combination and an integration of soft computing techniques were used in the proposed model. Segmenting customers was done according to the purchasing behaviours of customers based on RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary) values. The model was applied to real-world data that were procured from a UK retail chain covering four periods of shopping transactions of around 300,000 customers. Internal validity was measured by two different clustering validity indices and a classification accuracy test. Some meaningful information associated with segment stability was extracted to provide practitioners a better understanding of segment stability over time and useful managerial implications.
A Dynamic Services Discovery Model for Better Leveraging BPM and SOA Integration
Authors: Perin de Souza Alexandre , Rabelo Ricardo J.
Published: January 2015

This work addresses the problem of BPM-SOA integration using the services discovery activity as the main driver for that. The developed model is able to select the most adequate (web) services for given business transactions that are modeled at BPM level, regarding their business' contexts and QoS restrictions. It considers an inter-organization scenario, where services are published and made available by disparate providers over largely distributed and heterogeneous repositories, which can also be accessed under the SaaS model. Key elements of the model include a business processes catalog and an ontology based on the UBL open standard, and a QoS ontology. The implemented framework strongly relies on open ICT standards at all tackled levels, facilitating interoperability and the integration of services discovery environment in wider enterprise architecture projects. A software prototype has been implemented and results are described at the end. In spite of a set of assumptions, it was realized that a focus on the dynamic services discovery activity can be a feasible approach for better levering BPM-SOA integration, providing a more flexible basis for enterprises when executing their daily business transactions.
Software Services Delivered from the Cloud
Authors: Boiron Pierre , Dussaux Valère
Published: January 2015

Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), alongside Radiological Information Systems (RIS) are nowadays widely disseminated, proven useful, hospital information systems components. The “Région Sans Film” (“Filmless Region”) program was launched in 2009 by the French ministry of health in order to help the generalization to all healthcare structures such as hospitals or general physician practices, of PACS, RIS, and archiving of medical images. It is done by means of a mutualized service platform whom building and running has been entrusted to an industrial consortium. This platform implements the latest technologies of medical image processing and of cloud computing. It is built in order to support service-oriented enterprise architecture composed of one main layer of software services. This natively scalable platform is innovative because it is the first one which contains all the materials for the implementation of all services in the cloud. The corresponding SLA are defined in order to be adaptable to the needs of further health structures which could later join the platform by participating in its mutualized purchasing. The goal is not only to share the costs but also to deliver new images sharing services. New business processes/services around sharing of images such as teleradiology or access to the images produced in hospitals to the general practitioners are defined towards the exercise of real filmless radiology.
Value-Oriented Specification of Service Systems
Authors: Pombinho João , Aveiro David , Tribolet José
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we analyze relevant state of the art in the areas of Service Science, Business Modeling and Enterprise Engineering in specifying service systems. The main shortcoming identified essentially resides in the lack of capability to model the purpose and value of a given service system in a structured way to guide current and future development efforts. In order to address these issues, our research focuses on modeling enterprises as service systems along three perspectives, namely: construction, function and contribution to differentiate and integrate their teleological and ontological models. With the proposed approach, we are able to clearly specify how each component of an enterprise system provides a service – thus value – to other components of the same system or of the environment along different, possibly intertwining and overlapped value chains.
Standardization Strategies and Their Impact on Partners' Relationships in Complex Product and Systems
Authors: Benmeziane Karim , Mione Anne
Published: January 2015

In this contribution, the authors investigate the way partners involved in Complex Products and Systems (CoPS) development manage local standards. In particular, this paper analyses how this management impacts the relations between partners through their roles of leader and complementor within platforms. The results are based on a qualitative case study in the launch vehicle segment of the space sector, especially the development of the Ariane 5 and Vega European space launchers. First, the authors find that standards management reveals the firm's position in a platform as a leader or a complementor. Second, it is shown that standards can be a way for complementors to build new system skills by collaborating with platform leaders. Along with skill building, they allow a firm to challenge the dominant position of the platform leader. Third, the authors show that firms use local standards combined with alliance strategies to manage competitive tensions. Then, the paper discusses literature on standards in CoPS and on leader and complementor's positions within platforms.
“Standard Bibles” and Mediators as a Way of Software Development Organizations to Cope with the Multiplicity and Plurality of Standards
Authors: Gey Ronny , Fried Andrea
Published: January 2015

This paper focuses on the appearance and implementation of process standards in software development organizations. In particular, it shows interest in the way organizations handle the plurality and multitude of process standards they are faced with in a modern working environment. The process how organizations respond to environmental challenges like the increasing demand for process standards we call metastructuring. Based on the metastructuring approach by Orlikowski et al. (1995) it explores the process of internal standard-use mediation by an in-depth single case study. The case company develops step by step a dedicated institutional entity reacting to standard complexity and customer pressure. As a result, mediators shape extensively the standard use of the employees in the case company. They develop a process library which integrates different standards. This work sheds light on how this metastructuring process is accomplished, which areas of metastructuring regarding process standards can be found and explore different types of metastructuring activities by the involved standard-use mediators.
Post-Secondary Students Using the iPad to Learn English
Authors: Gitsaki Christina , Robby Matthew A.
Published: January 2015

The use of mobile technology in language learning has increased considerably, with an unprecedented adoption of mobile tablets in K-12 and higher education settings. Despite the number of recent small-scale studies that have found increased student motivation and engagement in learning as a result of using mobile tablets, there is a need to further examine the impact of these devices on student learning. This paper describes a study of 370 high-school graduate students learning English as a second language using the iPad in an intensive academic preparation program. The study utilised an online survey and student exam scores at the end of the 16-week treatment. Results of the self-reported data showed increased student motivation and engagement in English learning activities. Results were correlated with self-reported data and regression analysis models demonstrated that use of the iPad for specific English learning tasks correlated with better exam performance.
Creating Coherent Incidental Learning Journeys on Smartphones Using Feedback and Progress Indicators
Authors: Jones Ann , Gaved Mark , Kukulska-Hulme Agnes , Scanlon Eileen , Pearson Charlie , Lameras Petros , Dunwell Ian , Jones Jan
Published: January 2015

Although the motivating role of feedback and progress indicators is understood in formal learning, their role in supporting incidental mobile learning is less well understood. In this paper we argue that well-designed feedback and progress indicators (FPIs) offer guidance and structure that may encourage mobile app users to move from fragmented learning episodes towards a longer term, reflective learning journey. Drawing from relevant literature we consider how FPIs can be used in the EU-funded MASELTOV project which explores how a suite of smartphone apps can support recent immigrants to Europe to become integrated in their new cities. These apps allow learning episodes to be part of daily activities and interactions. The authors discuss what kinds of FPIs should be provided and introduce the SCAMP model which emphasises five types of FPIs- Social, Cognitive, Affective, Motivational and Progress. Finally, the authors provide examples of FPIs that will be used in the MASELTOV project.
Can IT Innovation become a Tool against Fiscal Crisis?
Authors: Anthopoulos Leonidas G. , Siozos Panagiotis
Published: January 2015

Economic recession has expanded during the last five years from U.S.A. to Europe and sprawls at an international level. Governments try to redefine their strategies and policies in order to recognize and deal with this unexpected environment, while they prioritize alternative methods in order to return to growth and to control national and supranational economics. Some of these strategic changes emphasize on innovation and research as the means to overcome this recession. The aim of this paper is to question and illustrate the connection between innovation and fiscal growth and in this order to explore whether Governments can capitalize innovation against fiscal crisis. Emphasis will be given on Information Technology (IT) innovation initiatives that are being undertataken with these updated strategies. Literature findings depict such an interconnection, while findings from the latest European strategies are compared to data from other countries regarding innovation's capitalization against fiscal recession and national downturn.
Participatory Budgeting
Authors: Weber Henriette I. , Vogt Sebastian , Eberz-Weber Lisa-Marie , Steinmetz Holger , Wagner Sascha A. , Walther Falko , Weber Patrick , Kabst Rüdiger
Published: January 2015

Consultative participation of citizens in political decision-making processes has been increasing in order to facilitate democratic legitimacy and responsiveness. Consequently, participatory budgets have been established as a 'best practice' for consultative participation of citizens in political decision-making processes. The authors compare participatory budgets of 31 German municipalities. An analysis of differences between successfully and unsuccessfully rated participatory budgeting processes provides informative insights and allows for in-depth comparison on a municipal level. The authors show that external service providers and electronic participation channels significantly increase the number of participatory citizens and are positively connected with pursued objectives of dialog processes and public responsiveness as well as efficient and effective decisions. Furthermore, the acceptance of all participants proved to be a key factor for a successful public participation process. The authors' analysis opens up new starting points for further research.
Proposals of a Method Detecting Learners' Difficult Points in Object Modeling Exercises and a Tool to Support the Method
Authors: Tanaka Takafumi , Mori Kazuki , Hashiura Hiroaki , Hazeyama Atsuo , Komiya Seiichi
Published: January 2015

In recent years, practical software development exercises have been carried out in many higher education institutions. To carry out the exercises effectively, it is important that teachers understand the difficulty of learners in exercises and advise appropriately for it. Currently, a common way to check the results of the exercises is that teachers review artifacts that learners submitted. However, there is a problem in this way because it cannot obtain information regarding the learners' artifacts creation process. Therefore, teachers cannot fully understand the difficulties of the learners. The authors focus on the learners' artifacts creation process and propose a method for detecting learners' difficult points during the exercises. The authors develop a tool that collects the class diagram creation process by learners during exercises and analyze it.
Evolution of Security Engineering Artifacts
Authors: Felderer Michael , Katt Basel , Kalb Philipp , Jürjens Jan , Ochoa Martín , Paci Federica , Tran Le Minh Sang , Tun Thein Than , Yskout Koen , Scandariato Riccardo , Piessens Frank , Vanoverberghe Dries , Fourneret Elizabeta , Gander Matthias , Solhaug Bjørnar , Breu Ruth
Published: January 2015

Security is an important quality aspect of modern open software systems. However, it is challenging to keep such systems secure because of evolution. Security evolution can only be managed adequately if it is considered for all artifacts throughout the software development lifecycle. This article provides state of the art on the evolution of security engineering artifacts. The article covers the state of the art on evolution of security requirements, security architectures, secure code, security tests, security models, and security risks as well as security monitoring. For each of these artifacts the authors give an overview of evolution and security aspects and discuss the state of the art on its security evolution in detail. Based on this comprehensive survey, they summarize key issues and discuss directions of future research.
An Empirical Examination of Users' Switch from Online Payment to Mobile Payment
Authors: Zhou Tao
Published: January 2015

As an emerging service, mobile payment has not been widely adopted by users. Integrating both perspectives of enablers and inhibitors, this research examined user switch from online p ayment to mobile payment. Enablers include trust in mobile payment, flow and satisfaction, whereas the inhibitor is switching costs. Flow represents an optimal experience associated with using mobile payment. The results indicated that user switch receives a dual influence from both enablers and inhibitors. Among them, flow has the largest effect on switch intention. The results imply that service providers need to consider both aspects of enablers and inhibitors in order to facilitate user switch from online payment to mobile payment.
A Qualitative Investigation of Gamification
Authors: Rapp Amon
Published: January 2015

Gamification is commonly employed in designing interactive systems to enhance user engagement and motivations, or to trigger behavior change processes. Although some quantitative studies have been recently conducted aiming at measuring the effects of gamification on users' behaviors and motivations, there is a shortage of qualitative studies able to capture the subjective experiences of users, when using gamified systems. The authors propose to investigate how users are engaged by the most common gamification techniques, by conducting a diary study followed by a series of six focus groups. From the findings gathered, they conclude the paper identifying some implications for the design of interactive systems that aim at supporting intrinsic motivations to engage their users.
Impact of Social Media Marketing Strategies on Consumers Behaviour in Delhi
Authors: Saluja Deepali , Singh Shamsher
Published: January 2015

In the information age, social media is growing rapidly and at a faster pace. Social media is playing an important role in the day to day life of individuals. Using social media has become the everyday routine. Many social media sites display different type of advertisement by which decision making process is generally getting affected. Social Media is much more than just a medium of sharing information. The present study is an attempt to understand how the social media affect the decision making process of consumers and impact of various marketing strategies used by firms on social media. The study employs the surveys methods to collect primary data from 200 customers who have been regularly using social media. Factor Analysis and ANOVA has been used for having insights in the study. The selected respondents are assumed to represent the population in the urban areas of Delhi.
Interference Minimization and Dynamic Sub-Carrier Allocation in Broadband Wireless Networks
Authors: Wang Ju , Liu Jonathan
Published: January 2015

Efficient channel allocation is the key to fully exploit the signal diversity presented in the multi-carrier physical link in today's broadband wireless access networks. There are mounting evidences that the 4G and future-generation systems will take advantage of two opposite types of access methods, one using centralized control method and the other using a distributed approach. The authors study the distributed channel allocation problem in this article, formulated as a non-linear optimization problem, in broadband wireless networks. The signal properties of the multi-carrier radio interface in 3G and 4G networks are discussed to comprehend the complexity of the channel allocation problem. The authors propose a novel distributed heuristic algorithm based on the particle-swarm searching method. The distributed approach allows user stations to quickly switch sub-carriers with minimum intervention from the base station. The work presented in this paper shows an effective method to allocate a large number of channels while minimizing the possible interference. Extensive numerical experiments are conducted to evaluate several versions of distributed channel allocation algorithm for these new problem settings. The authors' results show that PSO-based method converges quickly in all our numerical experiments despite the high-dimensional searching space. The proposed technologies will eventually allow the true mobile steaming video/audio experience anywhere and anytime, which will have the huge impact to business, entertainment and people's quality of life.
Efficient Channel Utilization and Prioritization Scheme for Emergency Calls in Cellular Network
Authors: Mohan Babu K. N. Rama , Murthy K.N. Balasubramanya , Pavithra G.V. , Mamatha K.R
Published: January 2015

Handling of emergency calls in wireless cellular networks is one of the major issues. The main objective here is to improve quality of service by efficient channel utilization. In this paper, a new scheme called probabilistic emergency prioritization scheme (PEPS) is proposed which provides highest priority for emergency calls. The proposed method minimizes the dropping or blocking of emergency calls even if the number of emergency calls are more than 25% of the calls. Monte Carlo simulation results show that the proposed scheme works better than the existing adaptive probabilistic scheduling scheme (APS).
Protective Efficacy of Individual CD8+ T Cell Specificities in Chronic Viral Infection
Authors: Johnson Susan , Bergthaler Andreas , Graw Frederik , Flatz Lukas , Bonilla Weldy V. , Siegrist Claire-Anne , Lambert Paul-Henri , Regoes Roland R. , Pinschewer Daniel D.
Published: January 2015

Specific CD8+ T cells (CTLs) play an important role in resolving protracted infection with hepatitis B and C virus in humans and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) in mice. The contribution of individual CTL specificities to chronic virus control, as well as epitope-specific patterns in timing and persistence of antiviral selection pressure, remain, however, incompletely defined. To monitor and characterize the antiviral efficacy of individual CTL specificities throughout the course of chronic infection, we coinoculated mice with a mixture of wild-type LCMV and genetically engineered CTL epitope-deficient mutant virus. A quantitative longitudinal assessment of viral competition revealed that mice continuously exerted CTL selection pressure on the persisting virus population. The timing of selection pressure characterized individual epitope specificities, and its magnitude varied considerably between individual mice. This longitudinal assessment of “antiviral efficacy” provides a novel parameter to characterize CTL responses in chronic viral infection. It demonstrates remarkable perseverance of all antiviral CTL specificities studied, thus raising hope for therapeutic vaccination in the treatment of persistent viral diseases.
Broadening genetic diversity inBrassica napuscanola: Development of canola-quality springB. napusfromB. napus×B. oleraceavar.alboglabrainterspecific crosses
Authors: Rahman Habibur , Bennett Rick A. , Séguin-Swartz Ginette
Published: January 2015

Rahman, H., Bennett, R. A. and Séguin-Swartz, G. 2015. Broadening genetic diversity in Brassica napus canola: Development of canola-quality spring B. napus from B. napus × B. oleracea var. alboglabra interspecific crosses. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 29–41. The narrow genetic base in spring Brassica napus (AACC) canola is a limitation for continued improvement of this crop. This research focused on broadening of genetic diversity in spring canola by using B. oleracea (CC). Seeds of B. oleracea contain high levels of erucic acid and glucosinolates, which are undesired in canola. Therefore, inheritance of these traits and the prospect of developing spring canola with allelic diversity introgressed from B. oleracea were investigated in B. napus×B. oleracea interspecific progenies. Zero-erucic plants in F2generation occurred at a lower frequency than expected based on segregation involving only the C-genome erucic acid alleles. Selection in F2to F3focused on zero erucic acid, while focus in later generation was for low glucosinolate and B. napus plants. In the F6, 31% zero-erucic families had low glucosinolate content. Flow cytometry analysis of the F8families showed no significant difference from the B. napus parent. Genetic diversity analysis by using simple sequence repeat markers from the C-genome chromosomes showed that the F8families received up to 54% alleles from B. oleracea. The results demonstrate the feasibility of enriching genetic diversity in B. napus canola by using B. oleracea.
On a Class of Second-Order Differential Inclusions on the Positive Half-Line
Authors: Moroșanu Gheorghe
Published: January 2015

Consider in a real Hilbert space

H

the differential equation (inclusion) (E):

p(t)u''(t)+q(t)u'(t) \in Au(t) + f(t)

a.e. in

(0, \infty)

, with the condition (B):

u(0) = x \in \overline{D(A)}

, where

A :D(A)\subset H\rightarrow H

is a (possibly set-valued) maximal monotone operator whose range contains

0

;

p, q\in L^{\infty}(0,\infty )

, such that

\mathrm{ess} \inf \ p>0

,

\frac{q}{p}

is differentiable a.e., and

\mathrm{ess} \inf \, \big[{(\frac{q}{p})}^2 + 2(\frac{q}{p})^{\prime}\big] >0

. We prove existence of a unique (weak or strong) solution

u

to (E), (B), satisfying

a^{\frac{1}{2}}u \in L^{\infty}(0,\infty ;H)

and

t^{\frac{1}{2}}a^{\frac{1}{2}}u^{\prime} \in L^2(0,\infty ;H)

, where

a(t)=\exp{\big( \int_0^t \frac{q}{p}\, d\tau \big) }

, showing in particular the behavior of

u

as

t\rightarrow \infty

.
On the Well-Posedness of the Boussinesq Equations with Anisotropic Filter for Turbulent Flows
Authors: Berselli Luigi C. , Catania Davide
Published: January 2015

We consider approximate deconvolution models for the Boussinesq equations, based on suitable anisotropic filters. We discuss existence and well-posedness of the solutions, with particular emphasis on the role of the energy (of the model) balance.