bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women in the Free/Libre Open Source Software Development
Authors: Lin Yuwei
Published: May 2011

Free/libre open source software (FLOSS) has become a prominent phenomenon in the ICT field and the wider public domain for the past years. However, according to a FLOSS survey on FLOSS developers in 2002, “women do not play a role in the [FLOSS] development; only 1.1% of the FLOSS sample is female.” (Ghosh, Glott, Krieger, & Robles, 2002). In the mainstream research on FLOSS communities, many researchers also overlook different processes of community-building and diverse experiences of members, and presume a stereotyped male-dominated “hacker community” (e.g., Levy, 1984; Raymond, 2001; Himanen, 2001; Thomas, 2002). Moreover, issues around gender inequality are often ignored and/or muted in the pile of FLOSS studies. Female programmers often are rejected ex/implicitly from the software labour market (Levesque & Wilson 2004). The requirements of female users are not respected and consulted either (European Commission, 2001). This feature is opposite to the FLOSS ideal world where users should be equally treated and embraced (op. cit.). While many researchers endeavour to understand the FLOSS development, few found a gender-biased situation problematic. In short, women are almost invisible in current FLOSS-related literature. Most policies targeting at advocating FLOSS are also gender blind. Thus, this essay highlights the need for increased action to address imbalances between women’s and men’s access to and participation in the FLOSS development in cultural (e.g., chauvinistic and/or gender-biased languages in discussions on mailing lists or in documentations), economic (e.g., unequal salary levels for women and men), political (e.g., male-dominated advocacy environment) and technical (e.g., unbalanced students gender in technical tutorials) spheres. On the other hand, it also emphasises the powerful potential of FLOSS as a vehicle for advancing gender equality in software expertise. FLOSS helps transport knowledge and experience of software engineering through distributing source code together with the binary code almost without any limit. Many FLOSS licences such as the General Public Licence (GPL) also facilitates the flow of information and knowledge. In other words, if appropriately harnessed, FLOSS stands to meaningfully contribute to and mutually reinforce the advancement of effective, more expedited solutions to bridging the gender digital divide. In the end, this article points out that while women in more advanced countries have a better chance of upgrading their ICT skills and knowledge through participating in the FLOSS development, the opportunity is less available for women in the developing world. It is worth noting that although the gender issues raised in this article are widespread, they should not be considered as universally indifferent. Regional specificities in gender agenda in software engineering should be addressed distinctly (UNDP/UNIFEM, 2004).
Women, Hi-tech, and the Family-Career Conflict
Authors: Hazzan Orit , Levy Dalit
Published: May 2011

This article focuses on female software engineers in the Israeli hi-tech industry. We describe findings of our research that was based on in-depth interviews with 17 female software engineers from four organizations of different kinds and sizes.
Location Services in Cellular Networks
Authors: Martin-Escalona Israel , Barcelo Francisco
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents the main features entailed in providing location services in cellular networks. It begins by describing some of the most important location-based services and the main location techniques that have been developed in order to allow these services to be provided. These techniques involve several constraints that reduce their applicability in certain environments. Several of these restrictions are explained in this chapter, as well as the solutions proposed in order to overcome them. Regulator bodies have included some of these techniques in their official recommendations. This chapter also reviews the location architectures standardized for use in the main cellular networks and presents the concept of location middleware as a natural addition to these architectures.
A Nueral Network-Based Mobile Architecture for Mobile Agents
Authors: Kuppuswami A.
Published: May 2011

Wide area network (WAN) offers advantages like providing myriad services available on globally diversified computers with reasonably simple process. The ability to dynamically create networks offers the processing powers of various processors at our command. With the advent of protocols like SOAP and Web services, the consumption of services are more organized. In spite of various advances in communication techniques, the consumption of services through mobile gadgets is still only at the research level. The major impedances in implementing such systems on a mobile network are the latency factor, abrupt disconnection in service, lower bandwidth and minimal processing power. The mobile agent’s paradigm proves to be an effective solution to various issues raised. It has received serious attention in the last decade and several systems based on this paradigm have been proposed and built. All such systems have been designed for a static network, where the service providers and the requestors are connected to the server on a permanent basis. This chapter presents a new framework of managing the mobile environment and the participating nodes with active intelligent migration. The functioning of the mobile agents in such a scenario is also presented.
Co-Existence of WLAN and WPAN Communication Systems
Authors: Shuaib Khaled , Boulmalf Mohamed
Published: May 2011

Recently applications and technologies utilizing the free industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band have grown exponentially. Mainly there are three dominant technologies operating at the ISM 2.4 GHz band, IEEE 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth and IEEE 802.15.4 or Zigbee. With the diverse deployment and broad range of applications running over such technologies, it is inevitable that radio channel interference between devices utilizing such technologies exist. In this chapter we focus on co-existence issues between such technologies and on the quantification of the impact of Bluetooth on IEEE 802.11b/g.
Mobile Commerce in Emerging Economics
Authors: Patel Amol
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the opportunities and challenges of mobile commerce in emerging economies. It analyses the profound impact of a mobile device on the way products and services are bought and sold in developing nations. The chapter argues that many mobile applications can have a much larger impact on emerging economies than those of the developed world. The chapter is aimed at creating an understanding of the unique social, technological and economic drivers that can help entrepreneurs and solution providers to build and deploy compelling and revolutionary mobile commerce applications in these emerging markets.
M-Business
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh S.
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the use of mobile, handheld computer devices that are connected wirelessly to a network for business and personal use across people, projects, tasks or organizational units to infer a trend of general acceptance of m-business in the market place. It describes the state of the mobile commerce industry from a worldwide perspective and the barriers to implementation of m-commerce, discusses the issues and challenges followed by the the conclusions and directions for future research.
Mobile Strategy Roadmap
Authors: Falcone Francesco , Garito Marco
Published: May 2011

Convergence between business environment and technology solutions is a today challenge: is it possible to identify and adapt traditional business analysis tools into IT infrastructure and viceversa ? Mobile business has already dramatically changed our way of life: to get the most of it, it is necessary to understand how and when to take the next step in order to achieve the best possible results. After a short description of the current and available Mobile technologies, the chapter tackles the solutions that some companies have already implemented, enabling thus customers and stakeholder to efficiently and effectively cooperate: yes, because the bog news in mobile business is that such a technology makes business process and communications (either internal and external) visible. It is a true “one stop shop” where people are really always connected. It is now possible to create a framework where business environment and mobile solutions get together, enabling the development of a roadmap (or a mindset if you prefer so) that can be used to create new services. Enjoy the reading!
Investigation of Consumer Behavior in Using Mobile Payment Services - A Case Study of Mobile Recreational Services in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Maria Ruey-Yuan , Lan Yi-chen , Su Hsiang-ju
Published: May 2011

The growing popularity of the mobile phone and the diverse functionality of mobile services have forced mobile service providers to enter into a highly competitive business arena. In digital life today, mobile phone services are not restricted merely to communicating with people but more and more value-added services have emerged to amalgamate disparate industries/businesses and open up greater market opportunities. These disparate industries/businesses may include recreational and travel services, mobile learning services, mobile banking services, and many others. Nevertheless the service providers must understand the consumer behaviour in value-added services in order to enhance their product design. The key objectives of this research is to investigate and analyze the relationships between the consumer behaviour, consumer personality and lifestyle in adopting mobile recreational services; and provide recommendations to the service providers for increasing competitiveness—in the context of Taiwan.
Applying Mobile Technologies to Banking Business Processes
Authors: Arunatileka Dinesh
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the impact of mobile technologies on service delivery processes in a banking environment. Advances in mobile technologies have opened up numerous possibilities for businesses to expand their reach beyond the traditional Internet-based connectivity and, at the same time, have created unique challenges. Security concerns, as well as hurdles of delivering mobile services “anywhere and anytime” using current mobile devices with their limitations of bandwidth, screen size and battery life are examples of such challenges. Banks are typically affected by these advances as a major part of their business deals with providing services that can benefit immensely by adoption of mobile technologies. As an example case study, this chapter investigates some business processes of a leading Australian bank in the context of application of mobile technologies.
Mobile Batch Tracking - A Breakthrough in Supply Chain Management
Authors: Hurster Walter , Feuchtmuller Hartmut , Fischer Thomas
Published: May 2011

Globalization and expanding markets has invariably led to increasingly higher loads of goods traffic. This has resulted, amongst other things, in challenges to supply chain management in terms of cost pressure and demands for short-term availability of the goods. Considering that an increasing number of goods will be “on the road” (on rails, on ship, in the air) for an appreciable percentage of the life-cycle, there is an urgent need to bridge the information gap between the automated systems at the factory sites and the storage control systems at the destination sites. This chapter reports on a system solution that has been developed by T-Systems’ Solution and Service Center Ulm / Germany, within the Service Offering Portfolio “Embedded Functions”. The system solution has been gained as a synergy effect of connecting mobile communication solutions with Auto ID Services. It is presented here and discussed in the context of online surveillance during transportation, providing both downstream batch tracking, as well as upstream traceability.
User-Centered Design and Marketing
Authors: Porter Thomas W.
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to help Web marketers better understand the basis for the development of more customer-focused, value-enhanced Web sites. To help address this issue, this chapter integrates theory and research from user-centered design with theory and research from marketing on value and goal-directed behavior to develop and support a model of online customer value. The model based on means-end theory provides a theoretical explanation for linking Web site features and functions to perceptions of value by consumers.
Stance Analysis
Authors: Mason Peyton , Davis Boyd , Bosley Deborah
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we will first discuss what stance is and highlight how we identify and measure stance using multivariate techniques, using an ongoing example taken from an Online Financial Focus Group. We review differences in stance between online real-time focus groups and online chat, as well as between online and face-to-face focus groups; and finally, proffer examples of stance analysis in two very different online focus groups: older adults discussing financial services and teens discussing clothes. As marketers see that online focus groups offer valuable marketing information by understanding the significance of how something is said as well as what is said, their confidence in the use of online focus-group data should increase.
Coordinating Agent Interactions Under Open Environments
Authors: Bai Quan , Zhang Minjie
Published: May 2011

An intelligent agent is a reactive, proactive, autonomous, and social entity. The social ability of an agent is exercised in a multi-agent system (MAS), which constitutes a collection of such agents. Current multi-agent systems mostly work in complex, open, and dynamic environments. In an open environment, many facts, such as domain constraints, agent number, and agent relationships, are not fixed. That brings a lot of difficulties to coordinate agents’ interactions and cooperation. One major problem that impedes agent interaction is that most current agent interaction protocols are not very suitable for open environments. In this chapter, we introduce an approach to ameliorate agent interactions from two perspectives. First, the approach can enable agents to form knowledge “rich” interaction protocols by using ontologies. Second, we use coloured Petri net (CPN) based methods to enable agents to form interaction protocols dynamically, which are more suitable for agent interaction under open environments.
Smart Cars
Authors: Petersson Lars , Fletcher Luke , Barnes Nick , Zelinsky Alexander
Published: May 2011

This chapter gives an overview of driver assistance systems (DAS) in general and the Smart Cars project in particular. In the Driver Assistance Systems Section, a set of key competencies for an effective DAS are identified by comparing with a human co-pilot, namely, traffic situation monitoring, driver’s state monitoring, vehicle state monitoring, communication with the driver, vehicle control, and a reasoning system. It is also recognised that such a system must be intuitive, non-intrusive and override-able. A few of the currently available commercial systems are mentioned in the following section. The Smart Cars project, which is a joint project between the Australian National University and National ICT Australia, is then introduced. A number of different research directions within the project are then presented in detail: obstacle detection and tracking, speed sign detection and recognition, pedestrian detection, and blind spot monitoring.
An Introduction to Biometrics Image Discrimination (BID)
Authors: Zhang David , Jing Xiao-Yuan , Yang Jian
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we briefly introduce biometrics image discrimination (BID) technologies. First, we define and describe types of biometrics and biometrics technologies. Then, some applications of biometrics are given. The next section discusses biometrics systems and discrimination technologies, followed by a definition of BID technologies. The history and development of BID technologies is offered, and an overview and taxonomy of appearance-based BID technologies, respectively, is provided. Finally, the last section highlights each chapter of this book.
Linear Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Zhang David , Jing Xiao-Yuan , Yang Jian
Published: May 2011

This chapter deals with issues related to linear discriminant analysis (LDA). In the introduction, we indicate some basic conceptions of LDA. Then, the definitions and notations related to LDA are discussed. Finally, the introduction to non-linear LDA and the chapter summary are given.
PCA/LDA Applications in Biometrics
Authors: Zhang David , Jing Xiao-Yuan , Yang Jian
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we show some PCA/LDA applications in biometrics. Based on the introductions to both PCA and LDA mentioned in Chapters II and III, their simple descriptions are given first. Then, we indicate a significant application in face recognition. The next sections discuss palmprint identification and gait verification, respectively. For other applications, ear biometrics, speaker identification, iris recognition and signature verification are respectively described. At the end of this chapter, we point out a brief but useful summary.
Two-Directional PCA/LDA
Authors: Zhang David , Jing Xiao-Yuan , Yang Jian
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces a two-directional PCA/LDA approach that is a useful statistical technique applied to biometric authentication. We first describe both bi-directional PCA (BDPCA) and BDPCA plus LDA. Then, some basic models and definitions related to two-directional PCA/LDA approach are given. Next, we discuss two-directional PCA plus LDA. And, finally, the experimental results and chapter summary are given.
Overview of Movement Analysis and Gait Features
Authors: Best Russell , Begg Rezaul
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides an overview of the commonly used motion analysis approaches and techniques and the key features that are extracted from movement patterns for characterizing gait. The ultimate goal of gait analysis should be to provide reliable, objective data on which to base clinical decisions (Kaufman, 1998). Thousands of gait features/parameters have been used over the years. Selection of the correct gait features forms an important part of the research process, and often the success of the research outcomes depends heavily on selecting the most appropriate gait features. Analysis tools based on both statistical and machine-learning techniques use various types of gait features, ranging from the basic and directly measurable parameters to parameters that have undergone significant data processing and treatments. In this chapter, we attempt to introduce the commonly used methods to extract these features for use with the various statistical and computational intelligence analysis tools.
Evolutionary Methods for Analysis of Human Movement
Authors: Davoodi Rahman , Loeb Gerald E.
Published: May 2011

A movement rehabilitation therapist must first diagnose the cause of disability and then prescribe therapies that specifically target the dysfunctional unit of the movement system. Objective diagnosis and prescription are difficult, however, because human movement is the result of complicated interactions among complex and highly nonlinear elements. Treatment based on limited observations may target the wrong element of the movement system. Researchers in central nervous system (CNS) control of human movement and functional electrical stimulation (FES) restoration of movement to paralyzed limbs face similar challenges in objective analysis of the integrated movement system. In this chapter, we will present evolutionary methods as powerful new tools for analysis and rehabilitation of human movement. These methods have been modeled after the same biological processes that have been optimized for the control of human movement in the process of biological evolution. Therefore, it is logical to think that these methods, if applied properly, could help us understand the control of human movement and repair it when it is disabled. A case study demonstrates the potential of evolutionary methods in movement analysis and rehabilitation.
On Drives
Authors: Trajkovski Goran
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we briefly overview the connections between drives, motivations, and actions in an agent. Drives take a central place in our agents and influence significantly how they use their internalization of the environment. Appendix B focuses more elaborately on these phenomena in humans.
On Learning
Authors: Trajkovski Goran
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we explain how Interactivist-Expectative Theory of Agency and Learning (IETAL) agents learn their environment and how they build their intrinsic, internal representation of it, which they then use to build their expectations when on quest to satisfy their active drives.
On an Evolutionary Approach to Language
Authors: Trajkovski Goran
Published: May 2011

The focus of this chapter is the explanation of a method for allowing languages to emerge within a multi-agent system. The need for such a method tends to be in larger multi-agent systems that focus either on large domains or span across multiple domains. This method can also be adapted for interfacing multi-agent systems with humans through natural languages. Also addressed in this chapter are the necessary requirements for a multi-agent system to utilize an evolving communication system. A specification of an evolving vocabulary is presented along with an explanation of results from an experiment that contains an implementation of these specifications.
On Future Work
Authors: Trajkovski Goran
Published: May 2011

This chapter concludes the book by stating open questions and directions for further research. Some of the topics that we focus on here are the interaction between the human and nonhuman agents, interactions of the human in heterogeneous environments, and alternative representations of environments. We also present Izbushka, a context-0 interactive environment, and discuss our immediate future research expectations from its implementation, as well as its implication to multiple application areas.
Usability Dimensions in Collaborative GIS
Authors: Haklay Mordechai (Muki)
Published: May 2011

Collaborative GIS requires careful consideration of the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Usability aspects, given the variety of users that are expected to use these systems, and the need to ensure that users will find the system effective, efficient, and enjoyable. The chapter explains the link between collaborative GIS and usability engineering/HCI studies. The integration of usability considerations into collaborative GIS is demonstrated in two case studies of Web-based GIS implementation. In the first, the process of digitising an area on Web-based GIS is improved to enhance the user’s experience, and to allow interaction over narrowband Internet connections. In the second, server-side rendering of 3D scenes allows users who are not equipped with powerful computers to request sophisticated visualisation without the need to download complex software. The chapter concludes by emphasising the need to understand the users’ context and conditions within any collaborative GIS project.
Argumentation Mapping in Collaborative Spatial Decision Making
Authors: Rinner Claus
Published: May 2011

Collaboration and decision-making of humans usually entails logical reasoning that is expressed through discussions and individual arguments. Where collaborative work uses geospatial information and where decision-making has a spatial connotation, argumentation will include geographical references. Argumentation maps have been developed to support geographically referenced discussions, and provide a visual access to debates in domains such as urban planning. The concept of argumentation maps provides for explicit links between arguments and the geographic objects they refer to. These geo-argumentative relations do not only allow for cartographic representation of arguments, but also support the querying of both space and discussion. Combinations of spatial queries and retrieval of linked arguments provide a powerful way of analyzing and summarizing the current state of a debate. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the original argumentation model, and we discuss related research and application development. We also link argumentation mapping to related concepts in geographic visualization, spatial decision support systems, and public participation GIS under the umbrella of collaborative GIS.
Multcriteria Decision Analysis for Collaborative GIS
Authors: Malczewski Jacek
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides a critical review of GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) for supporting group (collaborative and participatory) decision making. The review is based on a survey of referred papers that have been published over the last 15 years or so. The chapter offers a classification of the GIS-MCDA approaches for group decision making. First, the articles are classified according to the generic elements of the MCDA methods. Second, the GIS-MCDA methods are classified according to the various perspectives on collaborative decision support. These taxonomies of the GIS-MCDA approaches provide a background for an evaluation of the contribution of MCDA to GIS-based collaborative decision making.
A Concept Learning-Based Patient-Adaptable Abnormal ECG Beat Detector for Long-Term Monitoring of Heart Patients
Authors: Li Peng , Chan Kap L. , Fu Sheng , Krishnan Shankar M.
Published: May 2011

n this chapter, a new concept learning-based approach is presented for abnormal ECG beat detection to facilitate long-term monitoring of heart patients. The novelty in our approach is the use of complementary concept—“normal” for the learning task. The concept “normal” can be learned by a v-support vector classifier (v-SVC) using only normal ECG beats from aspecific patient to relieve the doctors from annotating the training data beat by beat to train a classifier. The learned model can then be used to detect abnormal beats in the long-term ECG recording of the same patient. We have compared with other methods, including multilayer feedforward neural networks, binary support vector machines, and so forth. Experimental results on MIT/BIH arrhythmia ECG database demonstrate that such a patient-adaptable concept learning model outperforms these classifiers even though they are trained using tens of thousands of ECG beats from a large group of patients.
Movement Pattern Recognition Using Neural Networks
Authors: Begg Rezaul , Kamruzzaman Joarder
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides an overview of artificial neural network applications for the detection and classification of various gaits based on their typical characteristics. Gait analysis is routinely used for detecting abnormality in the lower limbs and also for evaluating the progress of various treatments. Neural networks have been shown to perform better compared to statistical techniques in some gait classification tasks. Various studies undertaken in this area are discussed with a particular focus on neural network’s potential in gait diagnostics. Examples are presented to demonstrate the suitability of neural networks for automated recognition of gait changes due to aging from their respective gait patterns and their potential for identification of at-risk or non-functional gait.
Test-Case Mutation
Authors: Polo Macario , Piattini Mario
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a new testing technique called “test-case mutation.” The idea is to apply a set of specific mutation operators to test cases for object-oriented software, which produces different versions of the original test cases. Then, the results of the original test case and of its corresponding mutants are compared; if they are very similar, the technique highlights the possible presence of a fault in the class under test. The technique seems useful for testing the correctness of strongly constrained classes. The authors have implemented a supporting tool that is also described in the chapter.
Certifying Properties of Programs Using Theorem provers
Authors: Jorge J. Santiago , Gulias Victor M. , Cabrero David
Published: May 2011

Proving the correctness of a program, even the simplest one, is a complex and expensive task; but, at the same time, it is one of the most important activities for a software engineer. In this chapter, we explore the use of theorem provers to certify properties of software; in particular, two different proof-assistants are used to illustrate the method: Coq and PVS. Starting with a simple pedagogic example, a sort algorithm, we finally reproduce the same approach in a more realistic scenario, a model of a block-allocation algorithm for a video-on-demand server.
Launch and Promotion
Authors: DiMarco John
Published: May 2011

At this point you should be excited. You have created a Web portfolio and uploaded it to the Internet. You and your immediate circle of friends and colleagues may know about the site by now. Potential employers, potential clients, and other important contacts may not be aware that you have posted a Web portfolio. During the launch and promotion stage you will reach out to your audience with marketing communications that launch and promote your new Web portfolio. In this chapter we will discuss the launch and outline vehicles and methods that you can use to promote your Web portfolio. We mentioned previously that the Web portfolio is a product. The Web portfolio truly embodies the meaning of a product. Pride and Ferrell (1987, p. 12) defined a product as a good, service, or idea. As a good, the Web portfolio represents you and to work as physical entities that can be bought. As a service, the Web portfolio can promote you as a freelancer who provides specific services. As an idea, the Web portfolio contains your philosophies, your images, your concepts, and your themes. And with all products the Web portfolio needs launch and promotion. Marketing and communications activities and vehicles are what drive launch and promotion. So to begin, we will talk about marketing and communications and how they fit into your strategies for getting your Web portfolio seen by the right people.
Web Portfolios in the Information Society and Future
Authors: DiMarco John
Published: May 2011

This chapter offers theories behind why the networked e-portfolio (Web portfolio) will evolve into the post modern identity vehicle for the knowledge worker of the new millennium. Ideas behind how Web portfolios are narratives and can change society are established based on writings from information science theorists and scientists including Jean Francois Lyotard, Dr. Amy Spaulding, Professor Nicolas Negroponte, Alan Kay, and Frank Webster. Additionally, the effects of the e-portfolio as a media and information management tool in postmodern society are approached with reference to the writings of Marshall McLuhan, Margot Lovejoy, and Dr. Stephen Covey. I wrote this chapter to focus on my specialization and fascination with information studies. However, the thoughts and predictions I offer will bedriven by disciplines such as education, humanities, and natural sciences. These disciplines involvement in Web portfolio initiatives within curriculum are a factor in the Web portfolio evolving in professional and academic settings.
Learning Science Concepts with Haptic Feedback
Authors: Bussell Linda D.
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines the use of haptic feedback in a multimedia simulation as a means of conveying information about physical science concepts. The case study presented herein investigates the effects of force feedback on children’s conceptions of gravity, mass, and related concepts following experimentation with a force-feedback-enabled simulation. Two groups of 17 children conducted experiments with the simulation; the experimental group used both visual and force feedback, and the control group used visual feedback only. Evidence of positive gains by the experimental group who used the simulation with force feedback is presented. Guidelines for applying these technologies effectively for educational purposes are discussed. This chapter adds to the limited research on the application of haptic feedback for conceptual learning and provides a basis for further research into the effects of computer-based haptic feedback on children’s cognition.
Portable MP3 Players for Oral Comprehension of a Foreign Language
Authors: Djoudi Mahieddine , Harous Saad
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we present an approach for mobile learning that aims at equipping learners by portable MP3 players. As known, the primary use of this device is to listen to music in MP3 format, but it can be adopted to be a useful tool for the service of teaching/learning of languages. This method is based on an easy to use technology that makes it possible for learners to work, at their own pace/rhythm, the oral comprehension of a foreign language. It is a question of supporting the personalization (but not only) of what audio files (short, long) each user should listen to. These files are created by the teacher and uploaded on a Web based distance-learning platform. So, these audio resources are available permanently on the server and can be downloaded by learners at any time. The proposed method is designed for a diversified population and allows the development and the maintenance of knowledge throughout the life.
Context Awareness for Pervasicve Assistive Environment
Authors: Feki Mohamed Ali , Mokhtari Mounir
Published: May 2011

This chapter will describe our experience concerning a model-based method for environment design in the field of smart homes dedicated to people with disabilities. An overview of related and similar works and domains will be presented in regards to our approach: adaptive user interface according to environment impact. This approach introduces two constraints in a context aware environment: the control of different types of assistive devices (environmental control system) and the presence of the user with disabilities (user profile). We have designed a service-oriented approach to make it easier the management of services life cycle, and we are designing a semantic specification language based on XML to allow dynamic generation of user interface and environment representation. With the new design of context representation, context framework, and context rule specification, we will demonstrate how changes in contexts adapts supervisor task model which in turn configure the whole system. This chapter is dedicated to researchers having strong interest in developing context aware applications based on existing framework. The application to assistive technology for dependant people is the most suitable since the demand of such pervasive environment is clearly identified.
ASKARI
Authors: Chibelushi Caroline , Sharp Bernadette , Shah Hanifa
Published: May 2011

The advancement of multimedia and communication systems has not only provided faster and better communication facilities but also facilitated easier means to organized crime. Concern about national security has increased significantly in the recent years due to the increase in organized crimes, leading to increasing amounts of data available for investigation by criminal analysts. The opportunity to analyze this data to determine patterns of criminal behavior, monitor, and predict criminal activities coexists with the threat of information overload. A large amount of information, which is stored in textual and unstructured form, contains a valuable untapped source of data. Data mining and text mining are two key technologies suited to the discovery of underlying patterns in large data sets. This chapter reviews the use of text mining techniques in crime detection projects and describes in detail the text mining approach used in the proposed ASKARI project.
Payment Systems of Financial Institutions
Authors: Kurihara Yutaka , Ohtsuka Shigeaki
Published: May 2011

Economic activity is always accompanied by payment. Payment systems, which are the subject of much recent discussion, are an indispensable part of the infrastructure that supports the entire economy. Progress in the field of information technology (IT) has spurred new developments in hardware and software that affect payment systems. Of recent interest are issues of increasing payment risk and the severe situation of financial institutions in some developed countries. The costs associated with setup and operation of payment systems is high, and market participants expect efficiency. Many problems are associated with bond payments. The spread of delivery vs. payment (DVP) systems and IT-based transactions are also impacting payment systems. Links between payment systems are also important and have made concerns about systemic risk if time-designated net settlements coexist with real-time gross settlements (RTGSs), which can alter outcomes or cause cancellations, thereby increasing systemic risk. If RTGSs and the net payment system are not operated by a single rule, this problem worsens. Unification of settlement systems, rules and dealings custom is critical. The complex legal frameworks that govern payment activity would benefit from structural revisions.
Enabling M-Government in South Africa
Authors: Maumbe Blessing M. , Owei Vesper , Taylor Wallace
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the emergence of m-government in Africa. It examines the introduction of m-government in South Africa. The chapter also provides key examples of similar experiences with m-government in other African countries. The chapter focuses on the emerging patterns of m-government use, and it identi?es key issues for consideration in its deployment in the African context. The chapter argues that m-government potential in South Africa in particular must be explored as a complement to the on-going Gateway Project e-government initiatives. The rapid penetration of mobile phones in South Africa offers clear opportunity to deliver government services via this new channel. Security, lack of content development capacity, expensive modern handsets, and high recharge rates are highlighted as key barriers to m-government deployment to the poor in South Africa. The authors contend that development of an m-government strategy and a coordinated effort in awareness generation and service deployment will help deliver a more viable m-government.
Dissolving Organisational and Technological Silos
Authors: Lam W. , Venky Shankararaman V.
Published: May 2011

Over the last few years, the importance of enterprise integration has grown significantly. As organizations expand, become more distributed, and rely more on technology, there is a need to ensure both business processes and technology systems are co-coordinated in a strategic rather than ad-hoc manner. In the early days of IT, integration was viewed largely as a technical activity. Today, there is a much stronger business focus. In fact, many of an organisation’s strategic initiatives such as e-business, customer relationship management and supply chain management depend upon enterprise integration. There are four basic integration architectures, namely, batch integration, point-to-point integration, broker-based integration and business process integration. Each integration architecture represents varying levels of enterprise integration maturity. Enterprise integration is a significant undertaking, and carries with it significant technical and managerial challenges. Managing enterprise integration projects requires, among other things, a strategic framework, senior management support and risk management. A clear understanding of enterprise integration requirements is also crucial.
... and the Social Matters
Authors: Elbanna A.
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces one of the social problems that could affect the integration of the implementation team and highlights its effect on the integration capability of the ERP system. It adopts the sociological theory of the actor network and develops the notion of organisational “othering” to make sense of the raised intragroup conflict during implementation and to trace its effects on the final solution. The chapter contributes to current understanding of the organisational complexity of ERP implementation and the growing research on politics and intragroup conflicts.
Case Study
Authors: Duran R.
Published: May 2011

Enterprise integration (EI) can be a major enabler for business process improvement, but it presents its own challenges. Based on the process improvement experiences of banks in several different countries, this chapter examines common EI challenges and outlines approaches for combining EI and process improvement to achieve maximum benefit. Common EI-related process improvement challenges are poor usability within the user desktop environment, a lack of network-based services, and data collection and management limitations. How EI affects each of these areas is addressed, highlighting specific examples of how these issues present themselves in system environments. The latter part of this chapter outlines best practices for combining EI with process improvement in relation to the challenges identified. Guidelines are provided on how to apply these practices in different organizational contexts.
Realizing the Promise of RFID
Authors: Thillairajah V. , Gosain S. , Clarke D.
Published: May 2011

This chapter touches on some basics on RFID and covers business opportunities as well as some of the relevant challenges to be faced. Although it is a new technology, standard obstacles of organizational and technological barriers still have to be overcome and mediums crossed that were previously not traversed as on warehouse and distribution center floors yield for challenging environments from a business process as well as a technological adoption perspective. It provides a combined outlook sprinkled with key lessons from early adopters and service providers close to some of the emerging trends and implementations happening in the field. A range of benefits will evolve with the adoption of RFID within an organization and especially across the entire supply network.
Instructional Roles of Electronic Portfolios
Authors: Sherman Greg
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents an overview of 11 different ways in which electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) can support the teaching and learning process. Too often, discussion about the general instructional nature of ePortfolios only focuses on two distinct roles: portfolios as a means of assessing specific student performance, and portfolios as a showcase for outstanding student accomplishments. This chapter summarizes how ePortfolios can contribute to the design and implementation of effective instruction in many different ways by assuming a variety of roles that go beyond a traditional approach to portfolio use in the classroom. These roles include artifact creation as meaningful context, goal-setting, practice with a purpose, examples and non-examples, assessment, reflection, communication, instructor planning and management tool, learner organization tool, interdisciplinary teaching and learning, and historical records/stories as role models. Examples of portfolio requirements and assessment strategies from a higher education teacher preparation program are used to illustrate these different roles.
Perspectives on a Visual Map-Based Electronic Portfolio System
Authors: Kim Paul
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces portfolio system design perspectives that incorporate concept mapping and the map-based user interface. It also presents a prototype of a portfolio system that has been developed based on the discussed perspectives, along with its capacities and the lessons learned in the design and pilot-testing processes. The author argues that a concept map-based design can enhance a portfolio system, and a concept map as a visual aid can be an efficient user interface for students to better organize, present, archive, and retrieve multimedia contents. This chapter will help educators understand the benefits of incorporating the principles of concept mapping in the design of portfolio systems, and how the system capacities may support constructivist learning environments and qualitative assessment strategies linked to curriculum standards.
Enhancing Self-Regulation and Goal Orientation with ePortfolios
Authors: Blackburn Jessica L. , Hakel Milton D.
Published: May 2011

This chapter reviews the self-regulatory learning and goal orientation literatures. Findings from these literatures are used to make specific recommendations for the effective design and use of electronic portfolios in order to increase academic learning. Specifically, the authors recommend that electronic portfolios provide the means for students to set learning goals, monitor and regulate their progress toward these goals, as well as develop their self-assessment skills. Additionally, they suggest that these goals be focused on learning objectives rather than performance objectives.
ePortfolios; Pathway from Classroom to Career
Authors: Flanigan Eleanor J. , Amirian Susan
Published: May 2011

This chapter includes three main themes, answering basic questions of “Why,” “Where,” and “How” that are asked when discussing the development of career portfolios during a student’s academic program. The reasons why portfolios in general should be created are discussed primarily in the Rationale section. Following this is a description of ongoing programs at two universities where portfolios are an integral part of the curriculum for students in two diverse departments: Media Communications in a School of Professional Studies, and Management Information Systems in a School of Business. Finally, there is an outline of the portfolio development process with concrete suggestions on the steps to follow, the design process, and modes of distribution. The authors hope that their experiences in helping students to compile their electronic portfolios will encourage other educators to engage in this creative process, smoothing the pathway from classroom to career.
ePortfolio
Authors: Marcoul-Burlinson Isabelle
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines the concept and the uses of electronic portfolios as pedagogical tools for adult learners, particularly in UK Higher Education, where it is part of the personal development plan (PDP) agenda on lifelong learning and widening participation. Its development relies on an environment that favours the learners’ active involvement in the learning process as well as learning outcomes through reflection and collaborative participation. A better understanding of the pedagogical implications of such portfolios and their learning processes is needed and will be discussed in this chapter.
An Overview of Student ePortfolio Functions
Authors: Walz Phil
Published: May 2011

The possible uses of student ePortfolios are varied, complex, and novel, making it difficult for scholars and professionals alike to capture an overall picture of this new technology. This chapter will address this concern by presenting a very straightforward overview of student ePortfolio functions, according to what have been identified as their five most basic functions: (1) storage, (2) information management, (3) connections, (4) communication, and (5) development. Each of these functions will be clarified with examples of practical applications, grounded in the real needs of undergraduate students at the University of California at Berkeley. Taken together, the functionality of student ePortfolios, if used to its full potential, could transform higher education by placing students at the center of their learning, better prepared to draw connections across subject matters and across the many realms of student life.