bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet as a Source of Health Information and its Perceived Influence on Personal Empowerment
Authors: Paré Guy , Malek Jean-Nicolas , Sicotte Claude , Lemire Marc
Published: May 2011

The primary aim of this study is twofold. First, the authors seek to identify the factors that influence members of the general public to conduct Internet searches for health information. Their second intent is to explore the influence such Internet use has on three types of personal empowerment. In the summer of 2007 the authors conducted a household sample survey of a population of Canadian adults. A total of 261 self-administered questionnaires were returned to the researchers. Our findings indicate that use of the Internet as a source of health information is directly related to three main factors: sex, age and the individual’s perceived ability to understand, interpret and use the medical information available online. Further, their results lend support to the notion that using the Internet to search for information about health issues represents a more consumer based and participative approach to health care. This study is one of the first to relate Internet use to various forms of personal empowerment. This area appears to have great potential as a means by which consumers can become more empowered in managing personal health issues.
Challenges with Adoption of Electronic Medical Record Systems
Authors: Radhakrishnan Abirami , David Dessa , Zaveri Jigish
Published: May 2011

Among health care information systems, past research has credited Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems with offering the greatest potential for improving quality within health care environments. Benefits range from reducing errors to cutting overall health care costs. For instance, the utility of an EMR system will allow physicians’ enterprise wide access to a patient’s entire medical chart, monitor patients’ care for possible drug interaction, proactively prompt doctor(s) with recommended treatment, provide clinical decision support, simplify record keeping, e-prescription, documented referrals, and reminders to patients and health care providers. In this article, we present the results from our study. The next section highlights challenges associated with EMR adoption and use. We conclude by suggesting solutions geared towards lessening these challenges thereby clearing the path for successful EMR adoption and use.
Developments in Modeling Organizational Issues in Healthcare
Authors: Chahal Kirandeep , Dalby Herbert , Eldabi Tillal , Paul Ray J.
Published: May 2011

Healthcare organisations increasingly use simulation and modelling techniques to analyse their procedures and policies. Modelling activities attempt to help meet the challenges, constraints and requirements for efficiency encountered in the modern healthcare environment. A variety of techniques are used, often applied in different roles and by different functions in the organisation. Recent research has investigated the benefits of considering multiple approaches in the analysis of problems. This chapter briefly introduces the use of simulation and modelling in healthcare and the factors driving the increasingly widespread use of these techniques. Simple examples show how individual methods may be applied to model healthcare problems. The recent emergence of multi method approaches to modelling is examined and, focusing specifically on healthcare, examples of how these new ideas may also be applied in healthcare modelling are presented. Finally the challenges to implementing such new approaches effectively in a healthcare environment are discussed.
The Impact of Privacy Legislation on Patient Care
Authors: Barnett Jeff
Published: May 2011

This article looks at how privacy legislation in Canada may interfere with patient care and the use of electronic health records. A review of the literature shows that legislation across Canada is not uniform and varies to the degree in which it addresses issues of privacy and confidentiality. What is not clear is what impact legislation has on the movement towards electronic health records? A case study was undertaken to look at a specific project involving the design of an electronic health record as a means of sharing information between physicians and prostate cancer patients. Through interviews with those associated with the project, it was clear that legislation itself was not a barrier. The problem was that the legislation was open to interpretation. The author hopes that an understanding of the issues raised by this article will lead to further discussion and research on this topic.
Temporal Uncertainty During Overshadowing
Authors: Jennings Dómhnall J. , Alonso Eduardo , Mondragón Esther , Bonardi Charlotte
Published: May 2011

Standard associative learning theories typically fail to conceptualise the temporal properties of a stimulus, and hence cannot easily make predictions about the effects such properties might have on the magnitude of conditioning phenomena. Despite this, in intuitive terms we might expect that the temporal properties of a stimulus that is paired with some outcome to be important. In particular, there is no previous research addressing the way that fixed or variable duration stimuli can affect overshadowing. In this chapter we report results which show that the degree of overshadowing depends on the distribution form - fixed or variable - of the overshadowing stimulus, and argue that conditioning is weaker under conditions of temporal uncertainty. These results are discussed in terms of models of conditioning and timing. We conclude that the temporal difference model, which has been extensively applied to the reinforcement learning problem in machine learning, accounts for the key findings of our study.
An Associative Approach to Additivity and Maximality Effects on Blocking
Authors: Schmajuk Néstor A. , Kutlu Munir G.
Published: May 2011

Schmajuk, Lam, and Gray (SLG, 1996) introduced an attentional-associative model able to describe a large number of classical paradigms. As other models, the SLG model describes blocking in terms of the competition between the blocker and the blocked conditioned stimulus (CS) to gain association with the unconditioned stimulus (US) or outcome. Recent data suggest, however, other factors together with competition might control the phenomenon. For instance, Beckers et al. (2005) reported that blocking and backward blocking are stronger when participants are informed that (a) the predicted US is submaximal than when it is maximal, and (b) the predictions of the US by the CSs are additive than when they are sub-additive. Submaximality refers to the evidence that the predicted US is weaker than its maximal possible value. Additivity denotes the fact that two CSs, each one independently predicting a given US, predict a stronger US when presented together. Beckers et al. suggested that their results are better explained by inferential accounts, which assume involvement of controlled and effortful reasoning, than by associative views. This chapter shows that a configural version of the SLG attentional-associative model is able to quantitatively approximate submaximality and additivity effects on blocking while providing a mechanistic explanation of the results. In general, the chapter illustrates the potential of associative models to account for newly discovered properties of known psychological phenomena.
Using Myoelectric Signals to Manipulate Assisting Robots and Rehabilitation Devices
Authors: Asghari-Oskoei Mohammadreza , Hu Huosheng
Published: May 2011

Myoelectric signal is known as an alternative human-machine interface (HMI) for people with motor disability in dealing with assisting robots and rehabilitation devices. This chapter examines a myoelectric HMI in real-time application and compares its performance with traditional tools. It also studies the manifestation of fatigue in long-term muscular activities and its impact on ultimate performance. The core of applied HMI is built on the support vector machine as a classifier. The experiments confirm that the myoelectric HMI is a reliable alternative to traditional HMI. Meanwhile, they show a significant decline in the dominant frequency of myoelectric signals during long-term applications.
Modelling and Analysis of Agent Behaviour
Authors: Nehmzow Ulrich
Published: May 2011

Mobile robotics can be a useful tool for the life scientist in that they combine perception, computation and action, and are therefore comparable to living beings. They have, however, the distinct advantage that their behaviour can be manipulated by changing their programs and/or their hardware. In this chapter, quantitative measurements of mobile robot behaviour and a theory of robot-environment interaction that can easily be applied to the analysis of behaviour of mobile robots and animals is presented. Interestingly such an analysis is based on chaos theory.
Wireless Data Acquisition System for Greenhouses
Authors: Aguilar Jaime Ortegón , Castillo Javier Vázquez , Puc Freddy Chan , Atoche Alejandro Castillo , Cardeña Mayra Palomino , Villanueva César Rosado
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a novel wireless data acquisition system. The system has been designed to take advantage of inexpensive robotics systems like Lego NXT, which establishes a new paradigm in the wireless ad-hoc networks field. The system architecture can record data from different variables in greenhouse environments. These wireless systems employ wireless access points (WAPs) and wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) adapter modules for data acquisition that sample the environment. The measurements data are transmitted to a central station or inclusive to another different node. The acquisition system was designed and adapted to be used in greenhouses located in Quintana Roo, Mexico, where the typical relevant variables are temperature, luminosity and humidity. The developed system uses virtual instrumentation to measure and record environmental variables. The proposed implementation uses commercial data acquisition boards and sensors to gather data, which are processed and visualized with the LabVIEW-based software.
Digital Libraries and Copyright Issues
Authors: Lucas-Schloetter Agnès
Published: May 2011

While cultural institutions such as libraries, museums and archives wish to digitize their collections for preservation purposes and make the world’s cultural heritage available to the public, private entities are launching projects to provide access to digitized contents through Internet search engines. This may, however, raise copyright issues, particularly in case of “opt-out” programs such as Google’s Book Search, where rights holders have to specifically request that their copyrighted works be excluded from the project. This chapter highlights the legal challenges involved in the digitization of works from libraries’ collections and the subsequent use of the digital files.
Virtual Communities as Tools to Support Teaching Practicum
Authors: English Rebecca , Howell Jennifer
Published: May 2011

The impact of Web 2.0 and social networking tools such as virtual communities, on education has been much commented on. The challenge for teachers is to embrace these new social networking tools and apply them to new educational contexts. The increasingly digitally-abled student cohorts and the need for educational applications of Web 2.0 are challenges that overwhelm many educators. This chapter will make three important contributions. Firstly it will explore the characteristics and behaviours of digitally-abled students enrolled in higher education. An innovation of this chapter will be the application of Bourdieu’s notions of capital, particularly social, cultural and digital capital to understand these characteristics. Secondly, it will present a possible use of a commonly used virtual community, Facebook©. Finally it will offer some advice for educators who are interested in using popular social networking communities, similar to Facebook©, in their teaching and learning.
A Theoretical Method of Measuring Virtual Community Health and the Health of their Operating Environment in a Business Setting
Authors: Robertson Brent
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses how virtual communities are associated with business and describes how the communities support the overall business effort. The chapter then examines the ways that the execution of certain business processes – such as the ‘lessons learned process’ – can have a strong supporting role in maintaining the health of virtual communities. Quantitatively measuring key aspects of these business processes provides a strong indication of the health of virtual communities that are linked to the process. The chapter introduces a measurement by objectives system, describes how it can be used to assess the health of virtual communities and how this can be extrapolated to assess the supportive nature of the overall business environment the communities are operating in.
Weaving the Social Fabrics
Authors: Tang Tiffany Y. , Winoto Pinata
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes our evaluation which shed light on the impact of appropriate technology and its design elements in promoting and supporting social awareness and seamless group interactions.
Four Long-Chain Acyl-Coenzyme A Synthetase Genes that Might be Involved in the Biosynthesis of Lipids in Brassica Napus
Authors: Zhu Fuge , Tan Xiaoli , Li Juan , Wei Mingyu , Yu Lili
Published: May 2011

Long chain acyl-coenzyme A synthetases (LACSs) activate free fatty acid to acyl-CoA thioesters, and play important roles in the biosynthesis and degradation of lipids. In this study, four cDNAs (Complementary DNA) encode long chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase activity has been found in Brassica napus. Sequence analysis indicated that the four LACSs possessed typical molecular characteristics of LACS. Compared with low oil content varieties seed, the four genes are strongly expressed in high oil content varieties seeds at 35 days after pollination (DAP). The expression pattern suggested that the four LACSs might be involved in the biosynthesis of lipids and oil accumulation in rapeseed.
In Silico Prediction of Blood Brain Barrier Permeability
Authors: Wang Zhi , Yan Aixia , Li Jiaxuan
Published: May 2011

The ability of penetration of the blood-brain barrier is an important property for the development of Central Nervous System drugs, which is commonly expressed by logBB (logBB = log(Cbrain/Cblood). In this work, a support vector machine was used to build quantitative models of blood brain barrier permeability. Molecular descriptors for 182 compounds were calculated by ADRIANA.Code and 12 descriptors were selected using the automatic variable selection function in Weka. Based on two common physicochemical descriptors (xlogP and Topological Polar Surface Area (TPSA)) and 10 2D property autocorrelation descriptors on atom pair properties, an SVM regression model was built. The built model was validated by an external test set. The reliable predictions of the test set demonstrate that this model performs well and can be used for estimation of logBB values for drug and drug-like molecules.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Interlayer Structure and Hydration Properties of Glycine Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxides
Authors: Pan Guo-Xiang , Cao Feng , Tang Pei-Song , Chen Hai-Feng , Ni Zhe-Ming , Yang Jin-Tian , Wang Li-Geng , Xu Min-Hong
Published: May 2011

Interlayer structure, hydrogen-bond, hydration and swelling properties of glycine intercalated layered double hydroxides (LDHs-Gly) were investigated with molecular dynamics (MD) methods. The results show that the interlayer spacing dc increases as hydration level increases. The computed hydration energies reach the most negative values at low water contents and change rapidly over the range 1 = NW = 6, and slowly and gradually approach the potential energy for bulk SPC water at NW > 6. But there are no local minima in the energy over the entire hydration range. This result suggests that LDHs-Gly tend to absorb water continuously in water-rich environments and enhance swelling to delaminate the hydroxide layers. The interlayers of LDHs-Gly exhibit complex hydrogen-bond network. With water content increasing, the glycine molecules progressively change their orientation from parallel to the layers to nearly perpendicular. Water molecules firstly form hydrogen-bond with M-OH layers at low water contents. While the hydroxide layers gradually get to saturation state at Nw > 3. And then water molecules continuously fill the interlayer to expand interlayer spacing.
Financing Distance Education in a Time of Economic Challenge
Authors: Rhodes Elizabeth Moore , Ennis Willie , Crain-Dorough Mindy , Richardson Michael D. , Chan Tak C.
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines marketing messages that may persuade older adult learners to enroll in online higher education programs. It builds on a theoretical framework of the factors in adults’ decisions to enroll in higher education programs. A demographic shift has been occurring that will influence the population targeted for academic online educational opportunities. Baby Boomers are becoming older adults, defined as those over the age of 60, and it is projected that these individuals will remain in educational, social service, managerial, and customer service positions past the traditional age of retirement. Yet marketing strategies used by institutions of higher education may be neglecting this population, who will require additional educational opportunities to obtain credentials needed for workplace opportunities (Willis, 2006; Stokes, 2006). In addition, older adult learners do not have time to devote to long educational experiences and must move through the system as quickly as possible, often attending only part time to accommodate work and family needs.
Learning from Baroque
Authors: Moujan Carola
Published: May 2011

The development of ubiquitous computing has brought up the emergence of a new type of space, sensitive and neither fully material nor totally virtual, within our environments. This essay discusses, from a cultural perspective, aesthetic and philosophical issues related to what has been called “mixed reality spaces”. It aims to show how early examples of interactive art can be found in Baroque architecture and, through analysis of the perceptual means used in some of those works, proposes a strategy for bringing aesthetic depth and relevance into mixed reality installations. Depicting philosophical implications between vision and touch and their consequences for aesthetics, this essay proposes that, while designing mixed reality installations, artist operate a radical shift from the vision to touch in order to create meaningful experiences and preserve freedom for the participant.
The Electronic Surveillance of Public Assemblies
Authors: Anthopoulos Haralambos
Published: May 2011

The electronic surveillance of public assemblies has been an issue highly debated in the Greek public arena. The circumstances that brought this internationally contested topic in the public focus were the parliamentary introduction of Law 3625/2007 in Greece and the legislative enactment of an exemption from the data protection legislation for all police activities involving data processing during public assemblies. This paper will argue that the electronic surveillance of public assemblies affects both the privacy of political views (political privacy) and the activism (public anonymity) of a citizen. Along this line, the paper offers a combined analysis of the right to data protection [Art. 9A] and the right to free assembly [Art. 11] as acknowledged in the Greek Constitution (1975/86/01/08). As underlined, both rights constitute the basis for the protection of political privacy and public anonymity and preclude any legislatively posed limitations to their enjoyment. In the end, three key cases of the European Court of Human Rights shed light to the legitimacy of such a ‘panoptic’ surveillance of public assemblies.
Specification and Validation of Real Time Systems
Authors: Mosbahi Olfa
Published: May 2011

The chapter presents a specification technique borrowing features from two classes of specification methods, formal and semi-formal ones. Each of the above methods have been proved to be useful in the development of real-time and critical systems and widely reported in different papers (Bruel, 1996; Clarke & Wing, 1996; Cohen, 1994; Fitzgerald & Larsen, 1994; Ghezzi, Mandrioli & Morzenti, 1990). Formal methods are based on mathematical notations and axiomatic which induce verification and validation. Semi-formal methods are, in the other hand, graphic, structural and uer-friendly. Each method is applied on a suitable case study, that we regret some missing features we could find in the other class. This remark has motivated our work. We are interested in the integration of formal and semi-formal methods in order to lay out a specification approach which combines the advantages of theses two classes of methods. The proposed technique is based on the integration of the semi-formal method STATEMATE (Harel, 1997; Harel, 1987) and the temporal logic FNLOG (Sowmya & Ramesh, 1997). This choice is justified by the fact that FNLOG is formal, deals with quantitative temporal properties and that these two approaches have a compatibility which simplifies their integration (Sowmya & Ramesh, 1997). The proposed integration approach uses the notations of STATEMATE and FNLOG, defines various transformation rules of a STATEMATE specification towards FNLOG and extends the axiomatics of the temporal logic FNLOG by new lemmas to deal with duration properties. The chapter presents the various steps of our integration approach, the proposed extentions and illustrates it over a case of critical real-time systems: the gas burner system (Ravn, Rishel & Hansen, 1993).
Negotiating Meaning in a Blog-Based Community
Authors: Dennen Vanessa Paz
Published: May 2011

This chapter addresses how members of a blog-based community share problems and support each other in the problem solving process, both sharing knowledge and offering support. Problems are divided into three categories, unique, shared, and community, each having its own particular norms for presentation, knowledge sharing, and resolution. Additionally, processes may differ based on discourse that centers on one individual blog versus discourse that spans multiple blogs. Findings show that intersubjectivity, norms, roles, and individual ownership of virtual space all are important elements contributing to the problem sharing and solving process.
Culturally Unique Social Patterns in Computer-Mediated Social Networking
Authors: Rosen Devan , Stefanone Michael A. , Lackaff Derek
Published: May 2011

People from distinct cultural backgrounds communicate and manage their interpersonal relations in systematically different ways. The current chapter utilizes a survey of young adults to examine the social patterns of culturally influenced differences in online behavior. Results show that individuals that identify with individualistic cultural backgrounds have larger networks of friends on social network sites (SNSs), have a larger proportion of these friends that they have not actually met face-to-face, and share more photos online, opposed to individuals that identify with less individualistic cultural backgrounds. The size of an individuals’ offline social support network size was a significant predictor of satisfaction with life, while SNS network size was not. Findings suggest that individuals who identify with more individualistic cultural backgrounds tend to be better connected, self-promote, and are more satisfied with their social lives.
Institutions, Organizations, and Interorganizational IT Projects in the Mexican Federal Government
Authors: Luna-Reyes Luis F. , Gil-Garcia J. Ramon
Published: May 2011

Electronic government has the potential of transforming the way government works and interacts with citizens. However, recent research has found that the promised benefits are rarely completely achieved. Some of these studies highlight the importance of institutions in shaping the development, implementation, and use of information technologies in government settings. Based on a survey and a set of interviews with Mexican federal government managers, this chapter explores the relationships between institutional arrangements, organizational forms, information technologies, and the outcomes of Mexican IT initiatives. Overall, the authors found that there are important interactions among these variables and important similarities exist between developed countries and other realities, such as Latin America. The research presented here contributes to the field by testing causal relationships often cited in the digital government literature, but with little empirical quantitative exploration. Moreover, understanding those relationships offers guidance in the implementation of interorganizational IT applications in government, potentially increasing their probability of success as well as the benefits for citizens and other stakeholders.
Rethinking Business Process Reengineering
Authors: Chen Yih-Chang
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce a new approach–Empirical Modelling–to computing and business modelling. Today most business processes rely on informal knowledge and social behaviour but these are areas which have not, so far, been well suited for modelling with computer-based techniques. For this, Empirical Modelling is introduced to modelling with computers, which has natural application to business process modelling. This chapter will suggest a way of applying this approach to integrated system development with BPR. A framework using this approach, SPORE (situated process of requirements engineering), is extended to encompass applications to participative BPR (i.e. supporting many users in a distributed environment). An outline of an application of our methods to a warehouse management system is included.
Virtual Environment Visualisation of Executable Business Process Models
Authors: Brown Ross , Rasmussen Rune
Published: May 2011

Business Process Modelling is a fast growing field in business and information technology, which uses visual grammars to model and execute processes within an organisation. However, many analysts present such models in a 2D static and iconic manner that is difficult to understand by many stakeholders. Difficulties in understanding such grammars can impede the improvement of processes within an enterprise due to communication problems. In this chapter, we present a novel framework for intuitively visualising animated business process models in 3D Virtual Environments. We also show that virtual environment visualisations can be performed with present 2D business process modelling technology, thus providing a low barrier to entry for business process practitioners. Two case studies are presented from film production and healthcare domains that illustrate the ease with which these visualisations can be created. This approach can be generalised to other executable workflow systems, for any application domain being modelled.
The Vineyard Approach
Authors: Vivacqua Adriana S. , de Souza Jano Moreira
Published: May 2011

Recent research has noted that individuals engage in multiple collaborations simultaneously and have difficulties managing these different contexts. Studies indicate that awareness of others’ activities plays an important part in collaboration. Proximity also has a strong effect on collaboration, as maintaining awareness of peers becomes harder in distributed environments. Many awareness systems have been proposed to deliver information on peers’ activities or status, which usually either require extensive configuration by the user or disseminate information regardless of users’ interests. With the increase in information available, systems must be sensitive to users’ attention foci, minimizing interruptions, and helping focus and providing information according to current tasks. We have been investigating ways to determine awareness foci through e-mail-based user interaction analysis. Our goal is to be able to draw inferences as to whom and about what a user is collaborating, enabling a system to automatically distribute awareness information and adapt itself according to users’ needs without much configuration.
Designing Grid Security Infrastructures Using Identity-Based Cryptography
Authors: Lim Hoon Wei
Published: May 2011

Public key infrastructure (PKI) is presently deployed in most grid implementations. Existing PKI-based grid systems make extensive use of public key certificates, both long-term and short-term, in order to support various grid security services, such as single sign-on, mutual authentication and delegation. Orthogonally, the emergence of identity-based cryptography (IBC), which is certificate-free, makes possible more lightweight, simpler public key management techniques than that of conventional certificate-based PKI. In this chapter, the authors study how properties of IBC can be used to design alternative grid security infrastructures which support grid security services in a more clean and natural way.
A Framework for Cost-Based Query Optimization in Native XML Database Management Systems
Authors: Weiner Andreas M. , Härder Theo
Published: May 2011

Since the very beginning of query processing in database systems, cost-based query optimization has been the essential strategy for effectively answering complex queries on large documents. XML documents can be efficiently stored and processed using native XML database management systems. Even though such systems can choose from a huge repertoire of join operators (e. g., Structural Joins and Holistic Twig Joins) and various index access operators to efficiently evaluate queries on XML documents, the development of full-fledged XML query optimizers is still in its infancy. Especially the evaluation of complex XQuery expressions using these operators is not well understood and needs further research. The extensible, rule-based, and cost-based XML query optimization framework proposed in this chapter, serves as a testbed for exploring how and whether well-known concepts from relational query optimization (e. g., join reordering) can be reused and which new techniques can make a significant contribution to speed-up query execution. Using the best practices and an appropriate cost model that will be developed using this framework, it can be turned into a robust cost-based XML query optimizer in the future.
Quests and Achievements in the Classroom
Authors: Barton Matthew , Moberley Kevin
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses how the quest structure and achievement systems so prevalent in popular videogames can help teachers and directors reform their pedagogy. The idea is to give teachers new ways to guide and motivate students, investing them more fully in the course and encouraging them to deeply explore the subject matter. The chapter provides theoretical support for this model as well as practical advice on its implementation.
Decision Support Systems For Forest Management In Mexico
Authors: Moreno-Sánchez Rafael , Torres-Rojo Juan Manuel
Published: May 2011

In the last 25 years there have been several efforts to create Decision Support Systems (DSS) for management of the forests in Mexico. Few references exists that document these experiences and that can assist in understanding their genesis, evolution, successes, shortcomings, or failures, as well as the factors that have led to these outcomes. This chapter fills this gap by presenting an overview of the DSS that have been created since the mid 1980’s. The characteristics of the Mexican forest ecosystems and the complex web of interactions and co-evolution of the contexts that frame the forestry activities in Mexico have influenced the characteristics, evolution, and current state of the art of the DSS for the management of the forest in the country. Similar characteristics and contexts are commonly found in developing countries around the world. Hence, the experiences, lessons, and recommendations for future developments presented in this chapter can be of value beyond the specific conditions of the Mexican forestry sector.
Internet-Enabled User Interfaces for Distance Learning
Authors: Liu Wei , Teh Keng Soon , Peiris Roshan , Choi Yongsoon , Cheok Adrian David , Mei-Ling Charissa Lim , Theng Yin-Leng , Nguyen Ta Huynh Duy , Qui Tran Cong Thien , Vasilakos Athanasios V.
Published: May 2011

The advent of Internet technologies since decades ago has propelled distance learning drastically. In this modern world, knowledge develops so fast that the amount of intellectual information that needs to be learnt before it becomes obsolete again is so huge. Distance learningthrough the use of Internet technologies has the advantage of being able to get across the information to the students remotely and effortlessly. The other advantage, which is the main focus of this paper, is that students are able to learn from their instructors on an entirely new media platform - the Internet-enabled and tangible user interface. This paper discusses how to use two main new media: multi-modal Internet technologies, namely remote physical interface and remote augmented reality technology in distance learning.
Adaptive Learning Organizer for Web-Based Education
Authors: Yessad Amel , Faron-Zucker Catherine , Dieng-Kuntz Rose , Laskri Med Tayeb
Published: May 2011

Adaptive learning support for learners becomes very important in the context of increasing re-use of resources from heterogeneous and distributed learning repositories. This paper presents OrPAF, an Adaptive Educational Hypermedia (AEHS) and web-based System which integrates semantic web models and technologies in order to achieve interoperability with e-learning systems. The key feature of OrPAF is the construction of adaptive hypermedia courses: both the course structure and the course content are dynamically generated and adapted to learners. We experimented the realized prototype on learners in order to evaluate the usability of OrPAF and the conceptual capabilities developed by the learners who used it.
Student and Faculty Use and Perceptions of Web 2.0 Technologies in Higher Education
Authors: Ajjan Haya , Hartshorne Richard , Ferdig Richard E.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, the authors provide evidence for the potential of Web 2.0 applications in higher educationthrough a review of relevant literature on educational technology and social networking. Additionally, the authors report the results and implications of a study exploringstudent and faculty awareness of the potential of Web 2.0technologies to support and supplement classroom instruction in higher education. Also, using the decomposed theory of planned behavior as the theoretical foundation, the authors discuss factors that influence student andfaculty decisions to adopt Web 2.0 technologies. The chapter concludes with a list of recommendations for classroom use of Web 2.0 applications, as well as implications for policy changes and future research.
Teaching Dimension in Web-Based Learning Communities
Authors: Pozzi Francesca
Published: May 2011

The article tackles the issue of the teaching dimension in computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) contexts. In particular, it describes two Web-based courses that were held in 2006—one by the Istituto Tecnologie Didattiche – CNR and one by the University of Genoa, which, while sharing the socioconstructivist theoretical framework, adopt different approaches as far as theteaching dimension is concerned: While in the former course tutors were asked to cover all the functions typically required by e-tutors, in the latter, experience functions were distributed across a variety of actors. The aim of the work is to foster reflections about strong points and weaknesses of the two approaches, thus leading to considerations concerning the applicability of the models even in contexts different from the original ones.
The Impact of Sociocultural Factors in Multicultural Communication Environments
Authors: Ragusa Angela T.
Published: May 2011

Changes in the availability and quality of communicationtechnology have revolutionized, and fundamentally altered, learning environments. As citizens of the “Information Age,”the breadth and impact of global communication are triggering unprecedented transformation of social structures and institutions. This chapter explores theimpact of commodification on education when institutions of higher education sell knowledge as a commercial good. Thecontemporary phenomenon of distance education is increasingly offered and purchased by an international market which experiences heightened pressure for standardization from the global citizens it serves. It is argued here that technological changes necessitate reevaluation of communication processes, discursive practices, and organizational policies. To stay competitive and produce quality products for increasingly international audiences, institutions must create well-articulated policies. By providing insight on the impact multiple socio-cultural and communicative norms have on virtual communication, this research uses qualitative discursive analysis of caseexamples to examine how variance in the structure and delivery of virtual communication environments at a leadingdistance education university in Australia affects student satisfaction, perception, and learning outcomes. Whereas previous research fails to include a theoretical or conceptual framework, this work draws upon interdisciplinary work from the fields of sociology,education, and science and technology studies. How “cyberspace” changes interaction rituals, masks cultural norms, and alters entrenched social expectations by creating new sensitivities is discussed, along with theramifications of variation in technological availability, competence, and expectations in global classrooms. In sum, ideas for informing change in policy, administration, and the delivery of distance education and virtualcommunication in global environments are discussed to equip leaders and participants with skills to foster effective communicative and interaction strategies.
Service Flavors
Authors: Jegadeesan Harshavardhan , Balasubramaniam Sundar
Published: May 2011

In a services marketplace where a particular service is provided by multiple service providers, service offerings have to be differentiated against competitor services in order to gain market share. Differentiation of services is also needed for different markets and for different consumer segments. Strategies to differentiate service offerings have to be unintrusive—without requiring major changes to the existing service realization mechanisms. In this article, the authors present Service Flavors, a strategy for service providers to differentiate services. By using this strategy, it is possible to analyze and adapt various aspects of a service that help differentiate it from that of the competitors. The authors model differentiating aspects as policies and also provide a mechanism for enforcing these policies in the middleware.
Mobile Service Oriented Architecture (MSOA) for Businesses in the Web 2.0 Era
Authors: Wu Ming-Chien , Unhelkar Bhuvan
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes an approach to extending service oriented architecture (SOA) with mobile technologies (MT) resulting in what can be called mobile service oriented architecture (MSOA). Web services (WS) is a popular approach to business applications in the second Web generation (Web 2.0). Mobile technologies (MT) help people reach out and interact with each other anytime and anywhere, transcending time and location boundaries. MSOA brings together MT and WS to create opportunities for offering and consuming services over the wireless networks in Web 2.0 era and beyond. Furthermore, the intelligent convergence of mobile connectivity, network computing, open technology, open identity, and several such emerging technologies pave the way for newer and wider range of service-oriented business opportunities. The authors describe this MSOA model and an approach to its validation through an implementation framework in this chapter.
Measuring Consumer Attitudes Towards Self-Service Technologies
Authors: Portillo Pizana Jesus Enrique
Published: May 2011

In the midst of many trends taking place at this historic moment – such as deregulation of industries, privatization of state-owned enterprises, geographical diversification of powerful companies and massive destruction of small ones – “there are two forces that are shaping today’s economic landscape: information technology and globalization” (Kotler 1999). By “shaping”, we mean that we are learning to harness them, to learn from them and to channel them. They are taking form, and we are trying to contribute in a small way forming them. Today, the marketplace concept has changed. Customers no longer need to move to where products are sold. They are now making the rules from the intimacy of their computers.
Consumers` Attitudes Toward Mobile Commerce
Authors: Su QiYing , Adams Carl
Published: May 2011

Mobile commerce operates in a global market place where services are rolled out to different nations. However, it is unclear if mobile commerce developed for one national environment can be successfully applied in another. There are likely to be many influences on attitudes to mobile commerce, including environmental and cultural. This paper reports on a study on consumers’ attitudes toward m-commerce from samples in a city in China and a city in the UK. Attributes of environment and cultural influences are explored and the paper develops a model on Consumers’ Attitudes toward M-commerce in different Cultural Environments (CAMCE). The paper makes contribution by identify and distinguish between influences related to the environment and to culture.
The Benefits of Using Technology in Human Resource Management
Authors: Parry Emma
Published: May 2011

The use of technology within human resource management has grown considerably over the last decade with the majority of organizations now using some form of HR information system (HRIS). For instance, in Europe, Watson-Wyatt (2002) found that 70% of the organizations surveyed used the Internet or Intranet to deliver HR services to employees with most respondents planning to enhance substantially their e-HR capabilities over the two years after the survey. In the UK alone, survey research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in 2005 showed that 77% of organizations used an HRIS. Research from Cranfield School of Management in 2003 found an even higher proportion of companies using HRIS at 82%. An HRIS can perform a number of functions from the simple storage and communication of information, to more complex transactions. As technology advances, the range of functions that an HRIS can undertake increases. The use of HRIS can provide a number of benefits to the HR function, line managers, and the wider organization. On one level, the use of technology has been shown to lead to faster, more accurate and more efficient processes, and reduced HR costs. Technology can also be used to provide HR information and to enable managers and employees to perform simple HR tasks themselves. On another level, the use of HRIS to reduce the administrative and transactional burden on the HR function can lead to a change in the structure of HR and allow the function to play a more strategic role in the organization. The reasons behind an organization’s introduction of an HRIS may vary considerably from the need to facilitate efficient processes or cut costs, to improve communication and customer service, or the desire to create a shift in the role of the HR function from one that is mainly administrative to one that is more strategic. This chapter will discuss the potential impacts of technology on HRM in terms of the possible rationale behind the introduction of an HRIS. The chapter will draw on the past literature on HRIS as well as on case study research conducted by the author in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Parry, Tyson, Selbie, & Leighton, 2006) to examine the possible components of a business case for HRIS and the benefits that such systems can potentially offer to an organization.
Customer Value and New Product Retailing Dynamics
Authors: Rajagopal Dr.
Published: May 2011

The customer value concept is utilized to assess product performance and to determine the competitive structure of the new products. The analytical approach to the new product-market structuring based on customer value may be fitted well within the microeconomic framework. The measure of customer value as the product efficiency may be viewed from the customer’s perspective towards a ratio of outputs (e.g., perceived use value, resale value, reliability, safety, comfort) that customers obtain from a product relative to inputs (price, running costs) that customers have to deliver in exchange. The efficiency value derived can be understood as the return on the customer’s investment.
Innovations from Business Process Models
Authors: Perotti James
Published: May 2011

This chapter asserts that process models are an excellent platform for a continuous stream of innovations. Such models can illuminate opportunities for new products and services and for new ways of distributing products and services. These dynamic models make it possible to coordinate the efforts of multiple business partners in order to better serve customers with quality, speed, and responsiveness to their needs. There is increasing evidence that businesses using these models to discover opportunities have achieved a sustainable advantage over their competitors.
Vertical Fragmentation in Databases Using Data-Mining Technique
Authors: Gorla Narasimhaiah , Betty Pang W.Y.
Published: May 2011

A new approach to vertical fragmentation in relational databases is proposed using association rules, a data-mining technique. Vertical fragmentation can enhance the performance of database systems by reducing the number of disk accesses needed by transactions. By adapting Apriori algorithm, a design methodology for vertical partitioning is proposed. The heuristic methodology is tested using two real-life databases for various minimum support levels and minimum confidence levels. In the smaller database, the partitioning solution obtained matched the optimal solution using exhaustive enumeration. The application of our method on the larger database resulted in the partitioning solution that has an improvement of 41.05% over unpartitioned solution and took less than a second to produce the solution. We provide future research directions on extending the procedure to distributed and object-oriented database designs.
Ensuring Users' Rights to Privacy, Confidence and Reputation in the Online Learning Environment
Authors: Swartz Louis B. , Cole Michele T. , Lovejoy David
Published: May 2011

There is no clear right to privacy, confidence, and reputation in United States case law or in legislation for students in the online environment. While some privacy interests are protected under a variety of legal theories, none expressly applies to online education. The study presented in chapter 21 examines pertinent issues concerning the privacy rights of students while engaged in online learning. A survey of students using online tools in their courses demonstrated a widespread belief that their communications were private. A second survey of business law instructors using online tools revealed a lack of awareness of the potential for abuse by third parties able to access users’ information. Survey results were inconclusive with regard to the existence of policies and procedures within the institutions with regard to protecting users’ privacy rights in online instruction. Survey respondents made several recommendations for action to mediate the lack of existing protections for privacy in online learning.