bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grid Data Handling
Authors: Costan Alexandru
Published: October 2011

To accommodate the needs of large-scale distributed systems, scalable data storage and management strategies are required, allowing applications to efficiently cope with continuously growing, highly distributed data. This chapter addresses the key issues of data handling in grid environments focusing on storing, accessing, managing and processing data. We start by providing the background for the data storage issue in grid environments. We outline the main challenges addressed by distributed storage systems: high availability which translates into high resilience and consistency, corruption handling regarding arbitrary faults, fault tolerance, asynchrony, fairness, access control and transparency. The core part of the chapter presents how existing solutions cope with these high requirements. The most important research results are organized along several themes: grid data storage, distributed file systems, data transfer and retrieval and data management. Important characteristics such as performance, efficient use of resources, fault tolerance, security, and others are strongly determined by the adopted system architectures and the technologies behind them. For each topic, we shortly present previous work, describe the most recent achievements, highlight their advantages and limitations, and indicate future research trends in distributed data storage and management.
Architecturing Resource Aware Sensor Grid Middleware
Authors: Glatz Philipp M. , Weiss Reinhold
Published: October 2011

Resource aware sensor grid middleware is subject to optimization of services and performance on one side and has to deal with non-functional requirements and hardware constraints on the other side. Implementing different applications and systems on different types of hardware and architectures demands for sophisticated techniques for modeling and testing. This chapter highlights common misconceptions in design, simulation, test and measurement that need to be overcome or at least be considered for successfully building a system. Rules of thumb are given for how to design sensor grids such that they can easily be simulated and tested. Errors that are to be expected are highlighted. Several practical issues will be discussed using real world examples. A sensor grid utilizing network coding and duty cycling services serves as an example as well as a multi-application middleware and a localization system. The approach shows how to implement performance optimizations and resource awareness with a minimum of negative impact from mutual side effects. This type of view on system development of sensor grids has not been looked at before in detail. Therefore the reader will get valuable insights to state of the art and novel techniques of networking and energy management for sensor grids, power profile optimization, simulation and measurement and on how to translate designs from one stage to another.
Grid Access Control Models and Architectures
Authors: Gouglidis Antonios , Mavridis Ioannis
Published: October 2011

In recent years, grid computing has become the focal point of science and enterprise computer environments. Access control in grid computing systems is an active research area given the challenges and complex applications. First, a number of concepts and terminology related to the area of grid access control are provided. Next, an analysis of the Role Based Access Control (RBAC) and Usage Control ABC (UCONABC) models is given, due to their adaption from the grid computing systems. Additionally, a presentation of well known grid access control architectures illustrates how the theoretical access control models are implemented into mechanisms. In a comparative review of the examined access control models and mechanisms, their pros and cons are exposed. Apart from the mapping of the access control area in grid computer systems, the given comparison renders valuable information for further advancement of current approaches.
Grid Computing for Ontology Matching
Authors: Tenschert Axel
Published: October 2011

This chapter is examines the challenge of ontology matching in a grid environment in a scalable and high efficient way. For this, ontology matching approaches as well as grid computing are considered with the aim to present an approach for ontology matching on various resources. Hence, related approaches and tools are presented and discussed in order to provide an adequate background. Through this, a distributed ontology matching as it is required for ontology matching in a distributed environment such as the grid becomes usable. However, a novel ontology matching approach which meets the requirements of a grid architecture is considered in this chapter.
Enhancing the Grid with Multi-agent and Semantic Capabilities
Authors: Koller Bastian , Laria Giuseppe , Karaenke Paul , Micsik András , Frutos Henar Muñoz , Gaeta Angelo
Published: October 2011

Addressing the requirements of academic end users, the Grid paradigm and its underlying technologies was in past developed and evolved neglecting the needs of potential business end users. Nowadays the trend changed towards the use of Grid technologies within electronic business (e-Business) which at the same time requires adapting existing technologies to allow for more flexible, intelligent and reliable support for business stakeholders. The BREIN project was the first one integrating two so far parallel evolving domains into the Grid, namely multi-agent and semantics. By this, the Grid was enhanced to provide the requested capabilities from business end users. This chapter will show the rationale behind the performed developments and the way how BREIN addresses its four main objectives of enabling and/or enhancing: (i) Autonomy and Automation, (ii) Self-Optimization, (iii) Context-Aware Security, (iv) Reduced Complexity of Use with a dedicated focus on the major pillars of the framework, Virtual Organizations (VOs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). With that, a generic solution is presented, which can be applied to a variety of distinct application areas.
Flow-Based Networking Architectures under Mixed Internet and Grid Traffic
Authors: Cárdenas César , Gagnaire Maurice , López Víctor
Published: October 2011

Quality-of-Service (QoS) is a key issue for grid services provisioning. QoS architectures originally developed for the Internet such as DiffServ (DS) have been tested in grid environment. We present in this chapter the investigation on the potentialities of a new innovative Internet QoS architecture known as Flow-Aware Networking (FAN). FAN is a flow-based networking architecture and it appears as the most promising alternative to DS for QoS provisioning in IP networks. DS proceeds to traffic differentiation and QoS provisioning through IP packet marking whereas FAN consists in implicit IP flow differentiation and a flow-based admission control. A grid traffic session may be seen as a succession of parallel TCP flows with voluminous data transfers (e.g. GridFTP). In this chapter, we compare by means of computer simulations the performance of FAN and DS architectures under the mix traffic composed by Internet and grid services.
Stem Cell-Based Personalized Medicine
Authors: Prigione Alessandro
Published: October 2011

Regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving research field whose main aims are to provide new therapeutic approaches and to repair or replace injured tissues with functional cells derived from stem cells. In the past few years, research breakthroughs have revolutionized the field by showing that all somatic cells have the potential to re-acquire stem cell-like properties. Thus, it appears possible to generate relevant cell types starting from cells easily obtained from affected individuals. The obtained differentiated cells could eventually serve as in vitro tools for the study of disease-associated mechanisms and for performing customized drug screenings. Moreover, in the context of cellular transplantation, these cells represent the ideal cell source given that they posses the same genetic code and thus will avoid the occurrence of unwanted immune reactions. Overall, this revolutionary technique called cellular reprogramming might provide substantial support for the future development of personalized medicine. In this chapter, I describe the recent advances in the field of stem cell-based regenerative medicine applications. Parkinson’s disease is chosen as a paradigmatic example in which the use of stem cells for study and therapy could have a relevant impact and potentially represent a future cure for this debilitating disorder.
Bifurcation Analysis of a Model Accounting for the 14-3-3s Signalling Compartmentalisation
Authors: Nikolov S. , Vera J. , Wolkenhauer O.
Published: October 2011

Bifurcation theory studies the qualitative changes in the phase portrait when we vary the parameters of the system. In this book chapter we adapt and extend a mathematical model accounting for the subcellular localisation of 14-3-3s, a protein involved in cell cycle arrest and the regulation of apoptosis. The model is analysed with analytical tools coming from Lyapunov-Andronov theory, and our analytical calculations predict that soft (reversible) loss of stability takes place.
Ethical Guidelines for the Quality Assessment of Healthcare
Authors: Chattopadhyay Amit , Malhotra Khushdeep , Chatterjee Sharmila
Published: October 2011

One of the keystone concepts of healthcare improvement is the belief that informed choices will lead to enhanced quality of life and healthcare. Medical Ethics, or Bioethics, is the study of moral issues in the fields of medical treatment and research. It is also used to describe ethical issues in the life sciences and the distribution of scarce medical resources. This chapter will review and describe the principles of ethics and discuss how ethical principles can be used as guidelines for the quality assessment of healthcare provision. It will also discuss areas such as: ethical handling of information, patient safety, communication, obligation for impartial quality assessment, private health information protection, ethical committees and supervision authorities, competence of the assessor, supervision of ethical guidelines for health quality assessment, research and publication ethics, and global ethics of healthcare. Another goal of the manuscript will be to serve as a central reference to access of information about resources related to this topic.
Planning of a Specialized Pedagogic Environment and Defining Ethical Requirements in Educational Practice for Healthcare Quality
Authors: Ioannidi Vassiliki , Travlos Antonios K. , Vasileiadou Sofia , Loukidou Evangelia
Published: October 2011

In this social and cultural framework, the role of Nurse Science becomes very significant, as health is considered to be the means of well being. Didactical interventions are important to that aim. On the other hand, research is significant for the improvement of health and quality of life. Science and technology are rapidly improving, and legislation is following on an attempt to cover major issues on ethics and deontology. Nurses’ and other health scientists’ and officers’ views, perceptions and attitude on the concept of health and health promotion, as well as on other basic parameters, are critical. The philosophy of the present chapter consists of the following ideas: Presentation and discussion of theoretical pedagogic and ethical dimensions on health care and safety; Research and analysis of special didactical methods in a sustainable administration of health, aiming at ethics and education for health, quality and safety in health care.
The Social Role of Technology in Healthcare Quality Improvement
Authors: Kadda Anastasia K.
Published: October 2011

The aim of this study is to describe the social role of technology in healthcare quality improvement. Methodologically, the study was based on a review of the relevant literature, Greek and foreign, as well as Internet sources related to the social role of technology in healthcare quality improvement. The main conclusions drawn were the following: a) The development of new technologies in the field of health and their involvement within the social context is today a fast accelerating process; b) The presentday expansion of health-oriented technology is of vital importance because of current trends in the field of healthcare and of the social evolution on healthcare services; c) Information technology is capable of profoundly contributing to the improvement of the quality of health, and thus to the wellbeing of the citizens in a society; d) By the use of health technology, more efficient and productive financial management is achieved with numerous benefits for the economy; e) Electronic health can improve the quality of healthcare thereby facilitating the work of health professionals; f) Greek society is being increasingly influenced by both international and domestic scientific and technological advances in health technology despite the existence of significant legal barriers; g) Current trends in the European Union as far as health technology is concerned are intimately connected with expanding citizen participation in the electronic revolution and their increasing access to the Information Society.
Intelligent System to Quality Assurance in Drugs Delivery
Authors: Jara Antonio J. , Alsaedy Mona , Alcolea Alberto F. , Zamora Miguel , Gómez-Skarmeta Antonio F.
Published: October 2011

Improving quality assurance and providing effective healthcare are some of the most important aims of information and communication technologies (ICT). This chapter presents a novel solution to improve quality assurance in drugs delivery, i.e., reduce clinical errors caused by drug interaction and dose. For that purpose, we have proposed an innovative system based on Internet of things for the drugs identification. Internet of things (IoT) is one of the latest advances in ICT, providing a global connectivity and management of sensors, devices, users, and information. Our contribution is a solution to examine drug related problems based on IoT technologies, i.e. smart phones and Web, to support ubiquitous access, 6LoWPAN technology to support ubiquitous data collection of patients, sensors and hospitals, and RFID/NFC to support global identification. These technologies offer a wide range of applications in healthcare, which improves the quality of services, reduces mistakes, and even detects health anomalies from vital signs. This chapter presents how IoT technology is applied in a pharmaceutical system to examine drugs in order to detect Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs), harmful effects of pharmaceutical excipients, allergies, complications and contraindications related with liver and renal defects, and harmful side effects during pregnancy or lactation. Thereby, the system provides an enhanced approach assisting physicians in clinical decisions and drug prescribing. The solution presented is based on NFC (Near Field Communication), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and barcode identification technologies, which have been integrated in common devices such as smart-phones, PDAs, and PCs. In addition, a remote knowledge-based system based ontologies and rules-engine, has been built to define an intelligent drugs checker, which we have defined as Pharmaceutical Intelligent Information System, where the drug identifies collected from the RFID/NFC tag or barcode is checked, in order to detect whether the identified drug is suitable with respect to the patient’s health record.
Bayesian Ontologies in Spatial Integrating Medical Information Systems
Authors: Zimeras Stelios
Published: October 2011

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) play a major role in all areas of health research, especially for the understanding of spatial variations concerning disease monitoring. The information produced by the spatial analysis can be modelled and displayed using maps. Spatial analysis (as an alternative statistical technique) may be used in order to suggest health patterns for describing the spreading of various diseases. Areas where GIS can be of benefit include the point mapping of patients and aggregated analyses within different geographical areas. The incorporation of GIS sections in Healthcare Information Systems aims towards the efficient and automated follow-up of prevalence of various diseases in diverse geographic regions. A very important feature of the current system is the integration of queries for the extraction of specific information regarding the above parameters. The queries have been developed through the ontologies of the system. Each ontology refers to each of the correlations that are being explored. The appropriate ontology design techniques have been used to assure the validity of the query output. This work describes the methodological approach for the development of a real time electronic health record, for the statistical analysis of geographic information and graphical representation for disease monitoring. Uncertainty of the ontology system may be achieved by proposing Bayesian type statistical techniques like Bayesian network and Markov logic. Implementation of the proposed techniques will be illustrated considering real accident data.
Performance Metrics and Models for Continuous Authentication Systems
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed Awad E. , Traoré Issa
Published: October 2011

Continuous Authentication (CA) systems represent a new class of security systems that are increasingly the focus of much attention in the research literature. CA departs from the traditional (static) authentication scheme by repeating several times the authentication process dynamically throughout the entire login session; the main objectives are to detect session hijacking and ensure session security. As the technology gains in maturity and becomes more diverse, it is essential to develop common and meaningful evaluation metrics that can be used to compare and contrast between existing and future schemes. So far, all the CA systems proposed in the literature were by default evaluated using the same accuracy metrics used for static authentication systems. As an alternative, we discuss in this chapter dynamic accuracy metrics that better capture the continuous nature of CA activity. Furthermore, we introduce and study diverse and more complex forms of the Time-To-Authenticate (TTA) metrics corresponding to the authentication delay. We study and illustrate empirically the proposed metrics and models using a combination of real and synthetic data samples.
Cognitive Biometrics
Authors: Revett Kenneth
Published: October 2011

Cognitive biometrics is a new authentication scheme that utilises the cognitive, emotional, and conative state of an individual as the basis of user authentication and/or identification. These states of mind (and their derivatives) are extracted by recording various biosignals such as the EEG, ECG, and electrodermal response (EDR) of the individual in response to the presentation of the authentication stimulus. Stimuli are selected which elicit characteristic changes within the acquired biosignal(s) that represent unique responses from the individual. These characteristic changes are processed using a variety of machine learning algorithms, resulting in a unique signature that identifies or authenticates the individual. This approach can be applied in both static mode (single point of authentication), or in continuous mode, either alone, or in a multi-modal approach. The data suggest that the classification accuracy can reach 100% in many scenarios, providing support for the efficacy of this new approach to both static and continuous biometrics.
Hopfield Lagrange Network for Economic Load Dispatch
Authors: Dieu Vo Ngoc , Ongsakul Weerakorn
Published: October 2011

In this chapter, a Hopfield Lagrange network (HLN) is proposed for solving economic load dispatch (ELD) problems. HLN is a combination of Lagrangian function and continuous Hopfield neural network where the Lagrangian function is directly used as the energy function for the continuous Hopfield neural network. In the HLN method, its energy function augmented by Hopfield terms from the continuous Hopfield network could damp out oscillation of the conventional Hopfield network during the convergence process. Consequently, the proposed HLN can overcome the disadvantages of the conventional Hopfield network in solving optimization problems for its simpler implementation, better global solution, faster convergence time, and larger scale applications. The proposed method has been tested on different ELD problems including all thermal units, thermal units with fuel constraint, and both thermal and hydro units. The obtained results from the test cases have shown that the proposed method is effective and efficient for solving the ELD problems. Therefore, the HLN method is the new contribution to the development of new methods for solving optimization problems in power systems.
Demand-Side Response Smart Grid Technique for Optimized Energy Use
Authors: Kamel Fouad , Marwan Marwan
Published: October 2011

The chapter describes a dynamic smart grid concept that enables electricity end-users to be acting on controlling, shifting, or curtailing own demand to avoid peak-demand conditions according to information received about electricity market conditions over the Internet. Computer-controlled switches are used to give users the ability to control and curtail demand on a user’s premises as necessary, following a preset user’s preferences. The computerized switching provides the ability to accommodate local renewable energy sources as available. The concept offers further the ability to integrate charging electrical vehicles during off-peak periods, helping thus substantially improving the utilization of the whole electricity system. The approach is pursuing improved use of electrical energy associated with improved energy management, reduced electricity prices and reduced pollution caused by excessive use of combustion engine in transport. The technique is inherently restricted to take effect in frame of energy tariff regimes based on real-time price made to encourage and reward conscious users being proactively participating in holistic energy management strategies.
Soft Computing and Computational Intelligent Techniques in the Evaluation of Emerging Energy Technologies
Authors: Cebi Selcuk , Kahraman Cengiz , Kaya Ihsan
Published: October 2011

The global warming and energy need requires developing emerging energy technologies for the electricity, heat, and transport markets. The emerging energy technologies aim at increasing efficiency of energy utilization processes from energy sources and diminish CO2 exhalation. The main aim of the chapter is to exhaustively present soft computing and computational intelligent techniques in the evaluation of emerging energy technologies. In the scope of the chapter, classification of emerging energy technologies, their application trends in the literature, a brief explanation for soft computing and computational intelligent techniques, and literature survey of related techniques on both emerging energy technologies and energy planning are included. Moreover, technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution, analytic hierarchy processes, and their fuzzy structures are introduced.
Dynamic Analysis and Stability Improvement Concerning the Integration of Wind Farms Kurdistan Electric Network Case Study
Authors: Saleh Mohammad , Bevrani Hassan
Published: October 2011

This chapter presents an overview of key issues and technical challenges in a regional electric network, following the integration of a considerable amount of wind power. A brief survey on wind power system, the present status of wind energy worldwide, common dynamic models, and control loops for wind turbines are given. In this chapter, the Kurdistan electric network in the Northwest part of Iran is introduced as a case study system, and an analytical approach is conducted to evaluate the potential of wind power installation, overall capacity estimation, and economic issues, based on the practical data. Then, the impact of high penetration wind power on the system dynamic and performance for various wind turbine technologies is presented. The stability of integrated system is analyzed, and the need for revising of conventional controls and performance standards is emphasized. Finally, a STATCOM-based control approach is addressed to improve the system stability.
Power Systems Investments
Authors: Zambujal-Oliveira João
Published: October 2011

The study employs a real options approach that doesn’t need to capture all the uncertainty and proposes a process that directly determines the uncertainty associated with the first period. The results support that its use can be considered fair. However, it shows that long periods of operation and poor adhesion to the geometric Brownian motion by the project returns might call into question its use in the energy market. The values for option pricing have remained inside acceptable ranges, but some shortfalls could be found. First, the study employs Monte Carlo simulations, which can be viewed as forward-looking processes, and option pricing problems need backward recursive solutions. Second, the study shows that its simplicity produces results as accurate as those gathered from approaches with added complexity and computational needs.
Optimal Configuration and Reconfiguration of Electric Distribution Networks
Authors: Milani Armin Ebrahimi , Haghifam Mahmood Reza
Published: October 2011

Power loss reduction can be considered as one of the main purposes for a distribution system’s designers and operators, especially for recent non-governmental networks. Moreover, the nature of power loss challenges different methods to solve this problem, while various studies indicate effectiveness of reconfiguration and its high portion for this case. Thus, “reconfiguration” can be introduced as an optimization procedure to obtain economical high quality operation by changing the status of sectionalizing switches in these networks. Some major points such as using different switch types, considering number of switching and time varying loads, which are almost neglected or not applied simultaneously in most pervious essays, are the main motivation to propose this chapter. A heuristic practical scheme is proposed to perform optimal reconfiguration, and all previous neglected topics are fully discussed. Proposed method will apply to sample distribution networks, and the effectiveness of this method will be discussed through several case studies and comparisons.
A Descriptive Approach for Power System Stability and Security Assessment
Authors: Tikdari A. G. , Bevrani H. , Ledwich G.
Published: October 2011

Finally, a new power system emergency control framework based on descriptive study of electrical measurements and electromechanical wave propagation in large electric power systems is introduced. Since, fast and accurate detection of instability is essential in initiating certain emergency control measures, the proposed methodology could be also useful to detect the contingency condition and performing the well-known islanding and load shedding techniques. The chapter is supplemented by some illustrative nonlinear simulations on large scale test systems.
Solving Fuzzy Optimization Problems of Uncertain Technological Coefficients with Genetic Algorithms and Hybrid Genetic Algorithms Pattern Search Approaches
Authors: Vasant Pandian
Published: October 2011

In this chapter a solution is proposed to a certain nonlinear programming difficulties related to the presence of uncertain technological coefficients represented by vague numbers. Only vague numbers with modified s-curve membership functions are considered. The proposed methodology consists of novel genetic algorithms and a hybrid genetic algorithm pattern search (Vasant, 2008) for nonlinear programming for solving problems that arise in industrial production planning in uncertain environments. Real life application examples in production planning and their numerical solutions are analyzed in detail. The new method suggested has produced good results in finding globally near-optimal solutions for the objective function under consideration.
Codec Adaptation for Wireless Multimedia Streaming
Authors: Yeh Ping-Cheng , Hsieh Hung-Yun , Wu Zhung-Han , Lee Yen-Chi , Chiang Chun-Cheng , Ou Antonio
Published: October 2011

Due to the time-varying nature of wireless channels and the Internet backbone traffic, it is a challenging task to maintain the quality of wireless multimedia streaming throughout the transmission. An effective solution is to adapt the codec setting based on the wireless channel condition or the Internet backbone state. In this chapter, we present three cross-layer codec adaptation algorithms that adjust the codec setting in real-time based on media access control frame error rate, received signal strength indication, and path bandwidth respectively. Results show that the algorithms are effective in achieving good video quality for wireless multimedia streaming over wireless links.
Multimedia Services Offer Mixing Telco and Internet Assets
Authors: Galindo Luis Angel , Salvachúa Joaquín
Published: October 2011

Traditionally, Internet has offered multimedia services independently of the services offered by companies associated to Telco (companies that traditionally offer telephony and associated services). In the last years, the technical community has assumed that the convergence of both worlds is a fact; however, there are many barriers to be removed. On one hand the emergence of cloud computing technologies will change the way of providing multimedia services. On the other hand economic issues are very important in this convergence process. In this chapter we describe how multimedia services are offered from Internet and the Telco. The convergence of Web 2.0 and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem on the WIMS 2.0 initiative focuses on creating value for Internet and Telco and making multimedia services a reality for end users, independent of the underlying environment. We propose a novel strategy that uses cloud computing to facilitate the development and deployment of converged multimedia services. We also observe a sustainable business model accompanying the converged proposals to offer innovative multimedia services.
Using MapReduce Framework for Mobile Applications
Authors: Dou Adam , Kalogeraki Vana , Gunopulos Dimitrios , Mielikainen Taneli , Tuulos Ville H.
Published: October 2011

Most of today’s smart-phones are geared towards a single user experience, whether it is reading a book, watching a movie, playing a game or listening to music. However, there has been a shift towards providing a more complex and social experience: applications are being developed and deployed to help users connect and share information with each other.These applications allow people to keep track of their friends’ statuses in real time, or to help them navigate around traffic congestion. While exciting, most such applications are currently being developed in an ad-hoc nature, reinventing and duplicating a lot of work to support their distributed operations. In this work, we present our framework, Misco. A platform for developing distributed applications for mobile smart-phones. We also explore some existing solutions, applications and related systems. We then discuss some of the many future research paths and show that solutions like ours are just the beginning.
Context-Aware Multimedia Services for Mobile Lecture Streaming
Authors: Lucke Ulrike
Published: October 2011

Applications and infrastructures of the future will have to be intelligent to some extent, which means that they should automatically adapt to the current situation and intention of the user. This regards basic interoperability issues in heterogeneous environments as well as advanced behavior of software. Two technological trends contribute to solve this problem: service-orientation and context-awareness. We present a system architecture and realization that makes use of these trends. Its scope is education in general, or the interconnection of face-to-face and online learning in particular. The focus of this article is to explain the technical architecture behind these applications. Its validity is demonstrated with the help of selected use cases.
Routing and Coding Enhancements to Improve QoS of Video Transmissions in Future Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Guerri Juan C. , Arce Pau , Acelas Patricia , Castellanos Wilder E. , Fraile Francisco
Published: October 2011

Video services are much demanded nowadays but bandwidth and delay requirements of this kind of services are very restrictive. Offering real-time video services in wireless ad-hoc networks is not an easy task because of the difficulty of guaranteeing certain quality in a shared medium. Practical solutions should try to improve communications at (and gathering information from) several layers of the protocol stack. Mobile Ad-hoc Networks are infrastructure-less wireless networks characterized by being very versatile, dynamic and self-organized but also by the difficulty to achieve a good Quality of Service in video transmissions due to packet losses and node mobility. On the other hand, the Wireless Mesh Network is presented as the next step in wireless networks. Wireless Mesh Networks have a hierarchical topology, clustered structure and static backbone, which all help to improve the network stability. In the way towards Wireless Mesh Networks, hierarchical routing protocols could transform an ad-hoc network in a more robust wireless network. Therefore, in this chapter, hierarchical routing protocols have been studied, particularly Hierarchical Optimized Link State Routing Protocol, and compared with a traditional flat routing protocol named Optimized Link State Routing. Furthermore, additional video coding techniques have been used in order to improve video quality in reception. At application layer, results show that Multi-description Coding achieves better quality on video transmissions when nodes have medium or high mobility, especially when using multipoint-to-point transmission or disjoint paths in a hierarchical structure. Video trace simulations have allowed us to perform subjective quality tests to assert the Quality of Experience improvements in video transmissions.
Low Carbon Economy-Finance and Technology Models
Authors: Sureshkukar S.
Published: October 2011

The climate change is forcing a low carbon growth model not only for the developed nations but also for the developing countries, and particularly the emerging major emitters belonging to the emerging economies like China and India. New types of policies, partnerships and instruments, which dramatically scale up present climate change efforts, will be needed, if efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects are to succeed. The focus of this chapter will be on these and related issues pertaining to financial and technological aspects of the challenges confronting us in this context. The methodology used is essentially based on current literature and tacit knowledge arising from related experience along with its explicit accounts.
Mind the Gap Please!
Authors: Wong Sam
Published: October 2011

This chapter scrutinises the World Bank’s nine guiding principles for investment strategies on renewable energy in developing countries. Drawing on two World Bank-funded solar lighting projects in Bangladesh and India as examples, it demonstrates a wide gap in investment strategies between the Bank and local people. It suggests that a rigid distinction of renewable and non-renewable options risks restricting poor people to adopt an energy-mix approach to cope with poverty. The economic assumptions of the strategic choice for renewable energy investment pay inadequate attention to the cultural norms that shape people’s preferences for energy sharing. A lack of participation of NGOs and local communities in shaping the Bank’s investment strategies also undermines the effectiveness of its renewable energy policies in the long term. This chapter suggests that the World Bank re-conceptualises the complex relationships between energy and poverty and seeks a better understanding of local people’s daily energy consumption practices.
Views of Students on Learning with Technologies in Dutch Education and Training
Authors: Swager Pieter , Bottema Jeroen
Published: October 2011

The integrated use of technologies in learning in formal education and training in The Netherlands is far from realized, and there is still a long way to go to reach that goal. But what are the views of students and early career teachers about learning with technologies? This chapter focuses on Dutch research into the expectations and experiences of students and early career teachers as to their views of learning with technologies in education and training. A survey was conducted online, followed by focus group interviews among all groups studied. The most important findings of the research are being presented here. Special attention is given to the use of mobile technologies and the Internet, social networking sites and gaming, bullying, spam and plagiarism, homework and learning, technologies in schools and in learning, motivation of students and the role of teachers.
Model Analysis and Development Strategy on Building an Industrial Research and Development (R&D) Centre
Authors: Li Xi , Leong Aliana M. W.
Published: October 2011

This chapter defines the concept of industrial R&D center in order to explore the industrial R&D impact upon the host country. On this basis, R&D center on the concept of the international industry is defined; interviews with experts as well as empirical studies on the development of industrial R&D centers are classified. Based on the above definition, this chapter will focus on building for the Shanghai R&D centers of global industry and practice related initiatives described and provide reference and guidance based on the proposed Shanghai foster industry related countermeasures R&D center for other cities by emphasizing on industrial R&D institutions.
Evaluation of Corporate Structure Based on Social Network Analysis
Authors: Palus Sebastian , Kazienko Przemyslaw , Michalski Radoslaw
Published: October 2011

Social network analysis provides helpful reports and comparisons, which may support the corporate human resources management. Several ideas, measurements, interpretations and evaluation methods are presented and discussed in the chapter, in particular group detection, centrality degree, location analysis, process management support, dynamic analysis, and social concept networks.
The Impact of Electronic Reference Content and Discovery on Publishers
Authors: Tobey Peter
Published: October 2011

The introduction of electronic reference sources has changed the landscape for publishers of traditional, vetted reference content. Sharing content, simultaneous use, pricing electronic content for a fair reward, accountability for product use, patron-driven selection of content, and the importance of content discovery are several of the issues and challenges that publishers are grappling with. These issues and challenges are presented from a publisher’s perspective and serve as an introduction to the myriad issues with electronic reference discovery and context.
The Challenges of Discovering Online Research/Reference Content
Authors: Bui Anh
Published: October 2011

“Discoverability” is the quality of being readily found by information seekers actively engaged in the search process. The path to discovery can vary based on a number of factors, including both external factors (such as accessibility issues) and ones specific to a particular user (such as the individual research habits of a given end user). However, the goal of finding efficiency within these discovery paths is universal. This chapter provides a broad outline of the problems of online research/reference content discoverability from the academic end-user perspective--in this case students in higher education and researchers. Starting with a look at common information seeking practices and the ways in which both “discovery failure” and “filter failure” can play a role, the primary challenges of new tools, content silos, accessibility, and loss of serendipity are reviewed within the context of end-user interviews, surveys, and studies conducted at Stanford University and elsewhere. The use of value signifiers—the signals that end-users look for to determine the relevance of found resources—is also discussed as an important part of the content evaluation and filtering process.
The Research Habits of Graduate Students and Faculty
Authors: Matteson Miriam
Published: October 2011

The work of faculty and graduate students is information intensive. These researchers make heavy use of particular types of resources to support their research, teaching, scholarly communication, and current awareness. They less frequently use traditional types of reference sources, however, raising questions of why that might be and what should be done about it. This chapter examines the research practices of graduate students and faculty to understand their information needs, their information seeking strategies and the information sources they use. It also looks more specifically at researchers’ uneven use of reference sources and discusses reasons why these practices exist. An argument is made that changes must be made to the types of reference sources available to researchers, and that academic librarians must change the way they promote these resources to their constituents.
Online Research without E-Reference
Authors: Zanghi-LaPlaca Jackie
Published: October 2011

With so many e-resources in the library, and so many avenues to it, what tools point users to the information relevant to their research? Investing in an electronic library without a strong online reference service leaves resources undiscovered, unapproachable, and underutilized. This chapter will discuss the important and welcoming function of reference services in order to increase the value and use of an institution’s e-resources collection, especially resulting with increased information literacy for students.
Undergraduate Information Seeking Behavior, E-Reference and Information Literacy in the Social Sciences
Authors: Phillips Jason B.
Published: October 2011

As we consider the potential impact of e-reference, librarians should keep in mind another important concern that has received much attention in recent years, namely information literacy. The composition and differential usage of specialized indexes in the social sciences – resources that are not necessarily designed for undergraduate research – and of aggregated interdisciplinary databases present challenges to achieving information literacy. Users have e-reference tools at their disposal to help them navigate information found in such resources, but it is a classic problem of reference and now e-reference that these resources are underutilized. Interviews conducted with twelve undergraduates at New York University form the basis for a case study which is used to illuminate the issues discussed herein.
Interactive Reference
Authors: Beyer Tom
Published: October 2011

This is a survey of the current state of online reference products and the variety of interactive features that can help make the next generation of these products more functional and their content more discoverable. Topics examined include: addition of multi-media content to text; interfaces for comparing texts; timelines and maps for browsing; taxonomy and ontology; improvements to search functions and search results; inter-linking of products; issues around saving data, personalization, and creation of custom publications; and mobile devices.
Theory and Practice
Authors: Vance Alix , Wojick David
Published: October 2011

Design of mobile applications to deliver reference content and services is a new grand challenge. We present a template of design considerations, ranging from the general theory of content restructuring to strategic planning and tactical execution.
Medical E-Reference
Authors: DeSimio Terese , Chrisagis Ximena
Published: October 2011

Electronic medical information retrieval systems and reference sources were some of the first discipline-specific e-resources to be developed, due to physicians’ need to access the most current and relevant clinical information as quickly as possible. Many medical publishers and information aggregators have been incorporating the features their users demand for years. Thus, medical e-reference publishing could serve as a benchmark for e-reference publishing in other fields. Yet medical e-reference is not without its challenges. Today’s physicians and medical students expect immediate and user-friendly electronic access to media rich and value added clinical references, particularly via their mobile devices. Publishers, librarians, and network administrators will need to ensure that mobile information sources users demand are discoverable and easy to access and use, even in healthcare environments where increased data security is necessary.
INFOhio Transforms Content Delivery for PreK-12 Students
Authors: Fredericka Theresa M. , Schwelik Jennifer
Published: October 2011

This chapter presents a case study of how INFOhio, Ohio’s library and information network for PreK-12 schools, transformed content delivery through partnerships and collaborations to benefit today’s digital learners. It chronicles the formation of a unique relationship between INFOhio and library software vendor SirsiDynix, a partnership that was shaped by the common vision of creating a virtual classroom of reference, research, and discovery material to support student curricular needs. Discussion covers the creation and implementation of the Discovery Portal for student research and inquiry, which brings together Internet content, electronic resources, and physical library materials under one, online interface for Ohio students. Significant traditional and non-traditional partnerships have enabled INFOhio to become one of the largest school library Information Technology projects in the country.
Discovering Authoritative Reference Material
Authors: Conrad Lettie Y.
Published: October 2011

For reference publishing, recent revolutions in digital communications undermine the success of traditional methods of information delivery and retrieval. The need to present online reference material for easy discoverability presents challenges and opportunities for technological advancement – for data management and website design. Equally, reference discoverability demands that we foster a greater understanding of what today’s researchers need, and incorporate that knowledge into modern publishing tactics.
Acquiring, Promoting, and Using Mobile-Optimized Library Resources and Services
Authors: Mairn Chad
Published: October 2011

Although the reasons vary, it is apparent that the majority of library users prefer electronic reference content primarily because information provided in that format is easier to find and use; plus, much of this content is accessed via mobile devices. This chapter will discuss best practices for acquiring, promoting, and using mobile-optimized library resources and services including reference content -- although most Ready Reference print collections have disappeared because of the ease of finding factual information thanks to Google, Wikipedia, and others. A report on mobile library surveys and vendor usage statistics regarding the use and future aspects of mobile-optimized library reference resources and services will also be discussed in order to provide a snapshot of what is working in this emerging technology that is impacting most everyone today. The chapter also will attempt to answer questions to determine if promoting mobile-optimized content is helping users discover oftentimes hidden library reference content while they are on the go.