bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of the Acumen Concept on 1-D Core Neutronics Codes
Authors: Albarhoum M.
Published: December 2012

An example of how to implement the acumen concept to 1-D neutronics codes is presented here. The acumen concept makes these codes capable of detecting the execution time errors in addition to the usual user physical, geometrical, read-write errors in the input file so that these errors can be corrected before wrong calculations and results are obtained, with indication of their potential origin in the input file. Acumen-provided codes can detect the error, but they cannot correct it. The next generation of codes (the “intelligent” codes) can be the final solution to the problem with the help of databases serving as the basis for expert systems which can detect and correct the errors. Acumen-provided codes are directed to save both the user’s time and effort. These codes are examples of how The System Theory (ST) can be successfully applied to systems consisting of programs written in some third generation programming languages.
A Novel Trans-Scale Precision Positioning Stage Based on the Stick-Slip Effect
Authors: Zhong Bowen , Chen Liguo , Wang Zhenhua , Sun Lining
Published: December 2012

This article focuses on developing a novel trans-scale precision positioning stage based on the stick-slip effect. The stick-slip effect is introduced and the rigid kinematics model of the stick-slip driving is established. The forward and return displacement equations of each step of the stick-slip driving are deduced. The relationship of return displacement and the acceleration produced by friction are obtained according to displacement equations. Combining with LuGre friction model, the flexible dynamics model of the stick-slip driving is established and simulated by using Simulink software. Simulation results show that the backward displacement will reduce with the acceleration of the slider produced by dynamic friction force, the rigid kinematics model is also verified by simulation results which are explained in further detail in the article.
Nanorobot-Based Handling and Transfer of Individual Silicon Nanowires
Authors: Bartenwerfer Malte , Fatikow Sergej
Published: December 2012

Presented is a new experimental implementation for well-directed handling of silicon nanowires with diameters of less than 100 nm and length of up to 10 µm. Handling device is a robotic setup of several centimeters in size and nanometer accuracy, mounted inside a SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) chamber. The actual transfer of the nanowires is done by this setup from a production substrate to a different electrode substrate by using an STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscope) tungsten tip as carrier, gas based adhesive bonding, and FIB (Focused Ion Beam) assisted milling. The goal of this series is the placement on the electrodes in order to facilitate further electrical characterization measurements. The presented handling technique for nanoscale objects facilities an accurate picking and placing of individual nanowires on the one hand and a transfer over several centimeters to a complete different substrate on the other hand. Advantages, prospects and limits are investigated particularly with regard to a handling automation for applications.
Investigation of Temperature Distribution in the Workpiece During High Speed Deep Surface Grinding using FEM
Authors: Narayan Audhesh , Yadava Vinod
Published: December 2012

High amount of energy generated in the grinding zone is dissipated as a heat which leads to thermal damage to the workpiece. Heat transfer phenomena in high speed deep surface grinding (HSDSG) is entirely different than conventional shallow cut grinding. Due to high wheel speed and large depth of cut, the temperature rise in the grinding zone becomes very high during high speed deep surface grinding. Therefore, investigation of the temperature distribution becomes important in such situations. In this paper, a two dimensional thermal based finite element model has been developed to investigate the transient temperature distribution within the contact zone as well as in the whole workpiece due to high speed deep surface grinding. After comparing the results of present model with the available results, the model is used to study the effect of different input parameters such as depth of cut, workpiece speed, heat flux profile and wheel material on transient temperature distribution.
The Offset Model of a Hexapod Robot and the Effect of the Offset Parameter
Authors: Mostafa Kazi , Her Innchyn , Wu Yi-Hsien
Published: December 2012

Generally, it is claimed that hexapod walking robots are superior to others. However, in some conditions hexapod suffers from stability problems. To solve the problem of stability, this paper proposes a new gait model of hexapod robot named offset model and also investigates the effects of morphological factor of hexapod robots on their locomotion. A comparison between the offset model and general model of hexapod robot is also included. The stability margin and error margin are used to indicate the stability of a hexapod robot, as it walks with different gaits in arbitrary directions. Two hexapod gaits are compared, which are the diametrical gait and the paired metachronal gait. The former is an artificial gait and the latter is a natural gait. The authors conclude that that the stability of a hexapod robot with the diametrical gait can be enhanced by increasing the offset parameter.
Numerical Simulation of Dual-Mode Scramjet Combustor with Significant Upstream Interaction
Authors: Ingle Rahul , Chakraborty Debasis
Published: December 2012

This paper is concerned with a numerical study corresponding to experimental investigation of Chinzei and co-workers on hydrogen fueled dual-mode scramjet engine essentially to understand the key features of upstream interaction, mixing and combustion. Three dimensional Navier Stokes equations along with a K-? turbulence model and infinitely fast kinetics are solved using commercial CFD software. Reasonable agreement has been obtained between the computed surface pressure with experimental values and the results of other numerical simulations. Insights into the flow features inside the combustor are obtained through analysis of various thermochemical parameters. The comparison of surface pressure with experimental results and other numerical results demonstrated that simple kinetics and turbulence – chemistry interaction model may be adequate to address the overall flow features in the combustor. A principal conclusion is that the boundary layer at the combustor entry has a pronounced effect on the flow development in the dual-mode scramjet combustor and causes significant upstream interaction.
Student Diaspora and Learning Style Impact on Group Performance
Authors: Strang Kenneth David
Published: December 2012

The study examined diaspora (team culture) and learning style of 700 international students from 19 countries, enrolled at an accredited Australian university. The research focus was to explore online pedagogy by measuring student diaspora and learning style impact on group performance. To accomplish that, a generalized least squares regression model was developed from survey responses, homeland culture, and team project performance, during a flexible learning course (part online, part face-to-face). Teacher reflections were reviewed for additional pedagogical insight into learning style and diaspora interaction.
Moving to a New Land
Authors: Li Qing , Groen Janet
Published: December 2012

In this paper, the authors seek, through the theoretical framework of situated cognition learning theory, to document and understand the experiences and views of teachers who are in their first year of instructing secondary students online. Using a case study methodology, the authors captured these secondary teachers’ perceptions of their most successful experiences in teaching online students, as well as their view of the challenges and difficulties they experienced in this transition. In turn, the authors wished to determine what supports are needed for secondary teachers to ease their transition to this new land. Three salient themes emerged through the analysis of data: interacting with students, interacting with and adapting curriculum, and pedagogical approaches and engaging in self-reflection on their role as teacher which led to deeper questions of establishing teacher – student relationships and effective e-pedagogy.
The Effectiveness of Electronic Information Search Practices of Secondary School Students in a Singapore Science Education Context
Authors: Laxman Kumar
Published: December 2012

The Internet is a complex repository containing a huge maze of information from a variety of sources. It has become a common fixture in school nowadays. Whether to use technologies such as the Internet to advance teaching in schools is not the issue since technology is already pervasively in use. Rather it is how to effectively capitalize upon technology and harness fully the new opportunities created for learning with the Internet to facilitate greater learning gains. Though in Singapore, Internet access is easily available and prevalent, be it in schools or at homes, this cannot be assumed to mean that effective use of the learning affordances of the Internet is being accomplished. This study attempted to investigate the Internet information search literacy skills of secondary school students in Singapore. The general information search techniques and strategies that were adopted by students during their information seeking interactions with the Internet were examined. It was found that students generally lacked robust Internet information searching skills and require instructional mediation in enhancing these critical skills essential for the electronic information-rich age that is now prevalent.
Children’s Participation in Constructing the Future School
Authors: Halkola Eija , Iivari Netta , Kuure Leena , Kinnula Marianne , Molin-Juustila Tonja
Published: December 2012

Children are active technology users. Still, a literature review reveals that they are not positioned in a very strong role in large-scale efforts involving information and communication technology (ICT) development. Information systems (IS) literature hardly mentions children in connection to ICT. The authors have examined how children have participated in the development of a ‘future school’ in a large-scale ICT development effort, involving also developments in the domains of pedagogy, architecture and interior design. They identified three established roles for children: the user, the informant and the tester. In addition, the authors identified traces of children’s more genuine participation, hardly addressed in the IS literature but discussed extensively within other disciplines. Therefore, the authors offer a broadened conception of what ‘participation’ may entail for the IS community. They argue that large-scale efforts of this kind would benefit from more active participation by children as it has been acknowledged that children’s participation may lead to improved decision-making.
A Tool Suite to Enable Web Designers, Web Application Developers and End-users to Handle Semantic Data
Authors: Rico Mariano , Corcho Óscar , Macías José Antonio , Camacho David
Published: December 2012

Current web application development requires highly qualified staff, dealing with an extensive number of architectures and technologies. When these applications incorporate semantic data, the list of skill requirements becomes even larger, leading to a high adoption barrier for the development of semantically enabled Web applications. This paper describes VPOET, a tool focused mainly on two types of users: web designers and web application developers. By using this tool, web designers do not need specific skills in semantic web technologies to create web templates to handle semantic data. Web application developers incorporate those templates into their web applications, by means of a simple mechanism based in HTTP messages. End-users can use these templates through a Google Gadget. As web designers play a key role in the system, an experimental evaluation has been conducted, showing that VPOET provides good usability features for a representative group of web designers in a wide range of competencies in client-side technologies, ranging from amateur HTML developers to professional web designers.
The Eco-Knowledge City Theory and its Practice in Shenzhen of China
Authors: Wang Dong , Wu Zhanglan , Li Yan , Wang Yunzhi
Published: December 2012

Eco-knowledge city is a new concept for the world’s urban studies, an all-new urban form, and concept of urban development and strategy. The core of eco-knowledge city is to surpass the traditional urban development model of industrial society strategically, to purposely encourage citizens to learn and share knowledge equally, and to enhance creativity through the cultivation of knowledge, technological innovation, and scientific research, sequentially to reduce material consumption and pollution, and to achieve cooperative development of urban economy, society, and environment. Shenzhen would not only pay attention to elements of ecological knowledge in the industrial field, but also would like to embody the characteristics of emphasis on ecology and respect for knowledge in all aspects of city life. Ecological knowledge has become the source of power for the city to continue moving forward.
Analysis of Foreign Ownership in China’s Listed Companies
Authors: Shaobo Liu , Zhuqing Yang , Dezhu Ye
Published: December 2012

This paper provides an overview of the foreign ownership in the China’s listed companies. The characters are as follows: 1) It has a small proportion of shares, showing not in control position in most companies; 2) it has a strong preference for the banking industry; 3) most of them have been located in the developed regions; 4) most of them mainly come from Asia, especially from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan; 5) most of them have share in value-add big companies. In addition, this paper found a significant difference in big foreign shareholders of stock preference between direct and indirect investment.
Social Network Analysis
Authors: Quinn Darren , Chen Liming , Mulvenna Maurice
Published: December 2012

Social Network Analysis is attracting growing attention as social networking sites and their enabled applications transform and impact society. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of social network analysis state of the art research and practice. In the paper the authors’ first examine social networking and the core concepts and ingredients of social network analysis. Secondly, they review the trend of social networking and related research. The authors’ then consider modelling motivations, discussing models in line with tie formation approaches, where connections between nodes are taken into account. The authors’ outline data collection approaches along with the common structural properties observed in related literature. They then discuss future directions and the emerging approaches in social network analysis research, notably semantic social networks and social interaction analysis.
Cascaded Evolutionary Estimator for Robot Localization
Authors: Moravec Jaroslav
Published: December 2012

All processes in the real world are burdened with interference to some extent. The present work shows a method permitting effective interference filtration using sensor data applied for localization possibilities in the known environment using 2D-laser-range-finder. So called cascaded estimator is utilized for filtration mechanism consisted of up to five serially arranged strategies that are able to navigate successfully in useful data. The interference level, at which the estimator devised is able to work, equals up to 100 percent of the original signal. The novelty of the cascaded estimator includes successful evolutionary computations replacing high-performance accelerator with keeping all necessary features of the original algorithms. It is possible to draw up a large quantity of various strategies having specific features. A behavioural analysis of various estimators is performed for verification of features of individual types with application of brute force and classic gradient algorithm. Comparison of efficiency and time requirements is executed utilizing evolutionary methods together with robustness demonstration and reliability of selected types in various kinds of environment. Their advantages, disadvantages, and efficiency are discussed in the course of classification. The number of experiments executed gives wider and mainly practical view on problems of cascaded estimator application for interference filtration and navigation.
A Linguistic Approach to Model Urban Growth
Authors: Mantelas Lefteris , Prastacos Poulicos , Hatzichristos Thomas , Koutsopoulos Kostis
Published: December 2012

This paper presents a linguistic approach for modeling urban growth. The authors developed a methodological framework which utilizes Fuzzy Set theory to capture and describe the effect of urban features on urban growth and applies Cellular Automata techniques to simulate urban growth. Although several approaches exist that combine Fuzzy Logic and Cellular Automata for urban growth modeling, the authors focused on the ability to use partial knowledge and combine theory-driven and data driven knowledge. To achieve this, a parallel connection between the input variables is introduced which further allows the model to disengage from severe data limitations. In this approach, a number of parallel fuzzy systems are used, each one of which focuses on different types of urban growth factors, different drivers or restrictions of development. The effects of all factors under consideration are merged into a single internal thematic layer that maps the suitability for urbanization for each area, providing thus an information flow familiar to the human conceptualization of the phenomenon. Following, cellular automata techniques are used to simulate urban growth. The proposed methodology is applied in the Mesogeia area in the Attica basin (Athens) for the period 1990-2004 and provides realistic estimations for urban growth.
Estimating Fractional Snow Cover in Mountain Environments with Fuzzy Classification
Authors: Whitesides Clayton J. , Connolly Matthew H.
Published: December 2012

The disproportionate amount of water runoff from mountains to surrounding arid and semiarid lands has generated much research in snow water equivalent (SWE) modeling. A primary input in SWE models is snow covered area (SCA) which is generally obtained via satellite imagery. Mixed pixels in alpine snow studies complicate SCA measurements and can reduce accuracy. A simple method was developed to estimate fractional snow cover using freely available Landsat and data derived from DEMs, commercial and free software, as well as fuzzy classification and recursive partitioning. The authors attempted to develop a cost effective technique for estimating fractional snow cover for resource and recreation managers confined by limited budgets and resources. Results indicated that the method was non-sensitive (P = 0.426) to differences in leaf area index and solar radiation between 4 March 2000 and 13 March 2003. Fractional snow cover was predicted consistently despite variation in model parameters between years, indicating that the developed method may be a viable way for monitoring fractional snow cover in mountainous areas where capital and resources are limited.
Assessing the Success of an Industrial Cluster
Authors: Reid Neil , Smith Bruce W.
Published: December 2012

Industrial clusters have received considerable attention as a regional development strategy. While their efficacy has been debated by academics, clusters have become popular among practitioners. Despite clusters’ acceptance, there have been few attempts to measure their success or their impact on constituent firms. This paper outlines and discusses the metrics developed to evaluate the success of the northwest Ohio greenhouse cluster. The cluster was launched in 2004 to help the industry become more competitive though collaborative problem solving. In identifying success metrics, the authors were cognizant of the fact that they had to reflect the cluster’s objectives and goals. Thus metrics that measured the impact of branding and marketing efforts, reducing energy costs, and increasing collaboration among cluster stakeholders were developed. The work reported in this paper is only the beginning phases of a longer-term, on-going effort to track the progress and success of the northwest Ohio greenhouse cluster.
Using Geospatial Techniques to Analyze Landscape Factors Controlling Ionic Composition of Arctic Lakes, Toolik Lake Region, Alaska
Authors: Pathak Prasad , Whalen Stephen
Published: December 2012

The impacts of climate change on landscapes in arctic Alaska are evident in terms of permafrost melting, frequent thermokarst activity, and the occurrence of more broadleaf vegetation. These changes may alter natural biogeochemical cycles of ions along with major nutrients and affect ionic compositions of lakes, as they are connected with the landscapes. However, the nature of the connectivity between lakes and landscapes in this region is not yet explored. The authors propose that geospatial analysis of landscape properties along with observed lake ion concentrations will enable an understanding of the currently existing landscape controls over ion inputs into the lakes. For the watersheds of 41 lakes in the Arctic Foothills region of Alaska, spatial properties of natural vegetation communities expressed in terms of percentage, shape complexity, and patch density metrics were derived using satellite data. Regression analyses were performed for concentration of ions as well as conductivity in lake water where the spatial metrics along with lake physical properties, lake order, and glacial till age categories were used as predicting variables in the regression. Landscape metrics for major land covers i.e., Percentage of Moist Acidic Tundra (MAT) and Moist Non-acidic Tundra (MNT) were the major predicting variables for concentration of several ions.
Applied Geography Education in Focus
Authors: Cameron Nairne , Butterworth Edwin , Cerney Dawna L. , Gribb William J. , Haynes Kingsley E. , Hodge Bill , Honea Robert B. , Vogt Brandon J.
Published: December 2012

A panel session on “Applied Geography and Education” was held at the 2011 Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting. Each panelist presented their observations and suggestions followed by a roundtable discussion. Potential directions for enhancing applied geography education are grouped by student recruitment and retention, professionalism, career familiarization and networking, career listings, research, strategy, and internationalism.
MISQ
Authors: Oh Seog-Chan , Lee Dongwon , Kumara Soundar R.T.
Published: December 2012

A novel UML-based analytical modeling methodology named MISQ is presented for optimizing Web service composition in Business Service Networks. MISQ enables functional and temporal analyses at a high-level design stage so that Web service composition can be optimized systematically. Furthermore, MISQ provides an automatic generation of Web service implementations for improving productivity and reliability.
A Neural Dynamic Model Based on Activation Diffusion and a Micro-Explanation for Cognitive Operations
Authors: Wei Hui
Published: December 2012

The neural mechanism of memory has a very close relation with the problem of representation in artificial intelligence. In this paper a computational model was proposed to simulate the network of neurons in brain and how they process information. The model refers to morphological and electrophysiological characteristics of neural information processing, and is based on the assumption that neurons encode their firing sequence. The network structure, functions for neural encoding at different stages, the representation of stimuli in memory, and an algorithm to form a memory were presented. It also analyzed the stability and recall rate for learning and the capacity of memory. Because neural dynamic processes, one succeeding another, achieve a neuron-level and coherent form by which information is represented and processed, it may facilitate examination of various branches of Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as inference, problem solving, pattern recognition, natural language processing and learning. The processes of cognitive manipulation occurring in intelligent behavior have a consistent representation while all being modeled from the perspective of computational neuroscience. Thus, the dynamics of neurons make it possible to explain the inner mechanisms of different intelligent behaviors by a unified model of cognitive architecture at a micro-level.
The Cognitive Mechanisms and Formal Models of Consciousness
Authors: Wang Yingxu
Published: December 2012

Consciousness is the sense of self and the sign of life in natural intelligence. One of the profound myths in cognitive informatics, psychology, brain science, and computational intelligence is how consciousness is generated by physiological organs and neural networks in the bran. This paper presents a formal model and a cognitive process of consciousness in order to explain how abstract consciousness is generated and what its cognitive mechanisms are. The hierarchical levels of consciousness are explored from the facets of neurology, physiology, and computational intelligence. A rigorous mathematical model of consciousness is created that elaborates the nature of consciousness. The cognitive process of consciousness is formally described using denotational mathematics. It is recognized that consciousness is a set of real-time mental information about bodily and emotional status of an individual stored in the cerebellums known as the Conscious Status Memory (CSM) and is processed/interpreted by the thalamus. The abstract intelligence model of consciousness can be applied in cognitive informatics, cognitive computing, and computational intelligence toward the mimicry and simulation of human perception and awareness of the internal states, external environment, and their interactions in reflexive, perceptive, cognitive, and instructive intelligence.
The Cognitive Load Affects the Interaction Pattern of Emotion and Working Memory
Authors: Li Xuebing , Ouyang Zhengzheng , Luo Yue-Jia
Published: December 2012

Emotion might selectively affect spatial and verbal cognitive activities and the selective interaction patter could be modulated by cognitive load. To test the hypotheses, the authors used event-related potentials (ERPs) technique to investigate the interaction pattern of emotion and working memory (WM) by typical WM n-back tasks with low and high cognitive loads. In the 0-back task, late ERP components for both spatial and verbal WM were affected by induced emotional states consistently. However, in the 2-back task, they could clearly observe that induced emotional states selectively affected ERPs for spatial WM, but not for verbal WM. These results suggested that the interactive pattern of emotion and WM was modulated by cognitive load. In the condition of low cognitive load, interaction of emotion and WM was similar and nonspecific. However, with the increasing of cognitive load, interaction of emotion and WM became specific and selective. ERP results suggested that attention resource competition could be the underlying neutral mechanism of the selective interactive pattern between emotion and WM.
An Acquisition Model of Deep Textual Semantics Based on Human Reading Cognitive Process
Authors: Zhang Jun , Luo Xiangfeng , Lu Lei , Liu Weidong
Published: December 2012

The acquisition of deep textual semantics is a key issue which significantly improves the performances of e-learning, web search and web knowledge services, etc. Though many models have been developed to acquire textual semantics, the acquisition of deep textual semantics is still a challenge issue. Herein, an acquisition model of deep textual semantics is developed to enhance the capability of text understanding, which includes two parts: 1) how to obtain and organize the domain knowledge extracted from text set and 2) how to activate the domain knowledge for obtaining the deep textual semantics. The activation process involves the Gough mode reading theory, Landscape model and memory cognitive process. The Gough mode is the main human reading model that enables the authors to acquire deep semantics in a text reading process. Generalized semantic field is proposed to store the domain knowledge in the form of Long Term Memory (LTM). Specialized semantic field, which is acquired by the interaction process between the text fragment and the domain knowledge, is introduced to describe the change process of textual semantics. By their mutual actions, the authors can get the deep textual semantics which enhances the capability of text understanding; therefore, the machine can understand the text more precisely and correctly than those models only obtaining surface textual semantics.
Dimensions of CRM Effectiveness and its Effect on Relationship Quality
Authors: Padmavathy C. J. , Sivakumar V.
Published: December 2012

Despite numerous studies in customer relationship management (CRM), research into CRM effectiveness is limited. The purpose of this study is to first identify the dimensions of customer relationship management effectiveness (CRME) and then investigate the effect of CRME dimensions on customer satisfaction, customer trust and customer commitment. Based on a sample of 458 Indian retail bank customers, the study has identified four dimensions of CRME, namely, reliability, process focus, customer focus and technology focus. It is found that CRME dimensions positively influence customer satisfaction; customer satisfaction positively affects customer trust and customer trust has positive effect on customer commitment. The study findings imply bank mangers that orchestration of all the four dimensions will increase the effectiveness of CRM practices and foster in enduring relationship with customers.
Development of a ‘Consumer Perceived Value Scale’ (SPERVAL Scale) in the Context of Services Industry
Authors: Kainth Jyoti Sikka , Verma Harsh V.
Published: December 2012

Consumer Perceived Value (CPV) is the value derived from the consumption of a product or service. It is perception based and situational. It is said that ‘Value’ lies in the eyes of the beholder. This appreciation conceives CPV as a dynamic variable. This research paper substantiates the CPV construct by understanding the theoretical underpinnings, followed by constructing a scale based on empirical generalizations in the Fine Dining Services Industry context. The multidimensional SPERVAL (Services Perceived Value) scale so generated as a result of the blend of qualitative and quantitative research helps identify ‘Value Indicators’. The SPREVAL scale targets to analyze the consumer’s perceptions towards various dimensions and drivers of the construct. The SPERVAL scale has a variety of potential applications and can serve as a framework for further empirical research in this inevitable area.
Digital Archiving and School Cultural Heritage
Authors: Nuzzaci Antonella , Revelli Luisa
Published: December 2012

Cultural institutions such as libraries and archives play an important role in the preservation of, and access to, cultural heritage. The digitization of documents of an historical educational nature is essential to ensure the preservation of the collective memory of certain generations for schoolchildren, and its use for educational purposes allows a collective identity to be re-established, suitable for use on increasingly large subject groups. This article examines the benefits of digitizing a specific type of material related to school culture, exercise books, which have played a significant role in the history of the teaching and learning processes. It examines issues related to the conservation of these items and access to them, given their cultural heritage and their impact on the preservation and upkeep of the history of educational institutions. The main aspects and stages of the CoDiSV project, which aims to build a digital library of cultural assets, and educational and historical ones in particular, will then be discussed.
IBF
Authors: Ferri Fernando , D’Andrea Alessia , Grifoni Patrizia
Published: December 2012

The paper provides an integrated business framework for Business-to-Business, Business-to-Consumer and Consumer-to-Consumer Virtual Communities. The framework involves internal and external factors. Internal factors that include: market analysis; products/services promotion; development of trust; social influence and Knowledge sharing, differ from the different orientations of the framework, while the external factors involve competitors and technological aspects that, while differing from the framework business orientation, have an important impact on the design and development of the business activities.
Lost in Cyberspace
Authors: Hoops Daniel S.
Published: December 2012

Daily business transactions are effected by many aspects of the law, many unknowingly. When transactions occur in an e-commerce environment, merchants, consumers, and B2B should be concerned with protecting their interests when many of the parties involved are known only by a screen name, email address or website. Parties engaged in transactions through the Internet should be mindful that the same issues that arise in a brick and mortar environment exist in cyberspace; but protecting and enforcing the various rights a person may have in cyberspace is a different ballgame. In addition to the practical concerns of global and cyber commerce, many of business issues and practices are relatively untested in both the legislative and judicial branches of government. This article is a summary of the legal issues that can arise in the e-commerce.
The Death of Social Media in Start-Up Companies and the Rise of S-Commerce
Authors: Sood Suresh
Published: December 2012

Startup employees led by the entrepreneur are masters of embracing complexity. This means the startup team understands cause and effect follow a non-linear relationship with the subtlest of changes potentially resultant in producing chaotic behavior and surprise. For the startup, this means counterintuitive thinking wins the day. In light of this, small expenditures can have a greater impact on developing new business. The startup employee prefers not to be constrained by desktop or the old broadcast model of email; instead exploiting social technologies anywhere. A startup is a learning organization improving processes and results on an ongoing basis mirroring entrepreneurship as a learning process. Startup employees realize success goes beyond consideration of product functionality or a track record built on an existing base of customers. With major technology disruptions during 2012-2014, the potential to launch a “startup-in-a-box” integrating social, mobile, and wearable computing technology is a reality and essential. Only through a combination of social technologies can startups and founding employees maintain pace with the changing business landscape and generate a rapid amount of knowledge to sustain sufficient advantage in the market. Furthermore, the forthcoming death of social media and rise of S-commerce as convergence with E-commerce progresses to help generate revenues from newfound knowledge perfectly complements startup employees.
Emergence of Gamified Commerce
Authors: Harwood Tracy
Published: December 2012

This paper, published in large part in Ciaramitaro’s (2011) Virtual Worlds and E-Commerce, reflects how gaming and virtual worlds have impacted on ecommerce in recent years. A dynamic commercial environment with massive growth in user numbers and an overspill into real worlds through gamification, virtual worlds have contributed new language, new ways of engaging customers in branded virtual experiences and new business models. Co-creation and co-production remain central themes within this environment. Convergence between online and offline proceeds apace, facilitated by ever more accessible technological interfaces such as mobile and tablets but also now micro-projection technologies that enable new ways of sharing and engaging. The paper reviews the convergence context and concludes with a discussion of how relationships between customers and businesses have changed, economies have emerged and boundaries between virtual and real have become blurred to form gamified commercial experiences.
Engaging Politicians with Citizens on Social Networking Sites
Authors: Wandhöfer Timo , Taylor Steve , Alani Harith , Joshi Somya , Sizov Sergej , Walland Paul , Thamm Mark , Bleier Arnim , Mutschke Peter
Published: December 2012

Governmental policy makers can use social networking sites to better engage with citizens. On the one hand social networking sites are well accepted by citizens and a familiar environment where discussions are already taking place and social networking sites are also more important for politicians. Thus, a need for information retrieval (the policy maker gathering information), dissemination (the policy maker broadcasting information) and two-way dialog between the policy maker and citizens over these platforms. The idea is to connect both the policy makers and the citizens. In fact social media is a mass medium and it’s difficult to sieve through multitudes of comments to get to the crux of a debate. The authors’ approach to address this is to use automatic analysis components to summarise and categorize text. To be able to place successful tools that can be used in the policy maker’s everyday life within the design process is important. This paper describes the phase of combining the policy makers’ requirements with the technical feasibility to develop a software prototype, where the analysis tools can be validated within the domain of policy makers and policymaking. This paper sets up the environment for evaluating this approach and to address the question of usefulness with respect to a dialogue with citizens.
Using ICT to Strengthen the Voices of the ‘Poor’ Without Asking Who Will Listen
Authors: Scarf Charlotte
Published: December 2012

This paper uses a case study of the ‘Open Knowledge Network’ to explore the political value of ‘information and communication technology for development’ (ICT4D) projects that promote the creation and exchange of ‘local content’ in poor communities. These initiatives are distinguishable from the vast majority of digital content initiatives that aggregate and adapt ‘global content,’ which project implementers consider relevant to the needs of target beneficiaries. They are guided by the assumption that active participation in the Information Society is a crucial component of human development, which is closely tied to citizenship and political agency. From this starting point, ICTs are seen as political vehicles for strengthening the voices of the poor, rather than positioning them as passive recipients of mediated messages from above. This paper argues that the political value of these projects will be limited if they focus too strongly on generating local content without addressing the question of demand.
Challenges in Channel Measurement and Modeling for RF Localization Inside the Human Body
Authors: Pahlavan Kaveh , Ye Yunxing , Fu Ruijun , Khan Umair
Published: December 2012

In this invited paper, the authors introduce an overview of the fundamentals of radio frequency (RF) channel measurement and modeling techniques needed for localization inside the human body. To address these fundamentals, the authors use capsule endoscopy as an example application. The authors first provide the results of the Cramer Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) for received signal strength (RSS) based endoscopy capsule localization, inside the human body, using existing path-loss models for radio propagation. Then challenges demanding further research are highlighted for attaining more precise localization using the time-of-arrival (TOA) based ranging techniques.
A Simulation Tool for Real-Time Hybrid-Cooperative Positioning Algorithms
Authors: Sottile Francesco , Caceres Mauricio A. , Spirito Maurizio A.
Published: December 2012

The authors propose a simulation tool (ST) able to test real-time hybrid GNSS/terrestrial and cooperative positioning algorithms that fuse both pseudorange measurements from satellites and terrestrial range measurements based on radio frequency communication performed between nodes of a wireless network. In particular, the ST simulates devices belonging to a peer-to-peer (P2P) wireless network where peers, equipped also with a GNSS receiver, cooperate among them by exchanging aiding data in order to improve both positioning accuracy and availability. Furthermore, the authors propose a method to increase the robustness of cooperative algorithms based on the estimated position covariance matrix. In particular, the proposed approach assures a faster estimation convergence and improved accuracy while lowering computational complexity and network traffic. Finally, the authors tested the sensitivity of the implemented positioning algorithms through the ST in two different scenarios, first in presence of high level of pseudorange noise and then in presence of a malicious peer in the P2P network.
Manufacturing Task Process Characterization Utilizing Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Sanders Janet H. , Udoka Silvanus J.
Published: December 2012

To meet today’s business culture of rapid deployment of new products and processes, engineering and manufacturing personnel must utilize efficient means for process development. This paper discusses a novel approach to characterize a task driven manufacturing process. The approach utilized Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to investigate, identify, and prioritize the key process drivers and subsequently develop quantifiable methods for setting the operating levels for the process drivers to determine if the current levels of these key process drivers result in a process response value that is near optimum. The approach identifies the improved response region, generates a mathematical model of the process and specifies an operating window that would yield consistent results for each of the process drivers. A High Strength Fiber Splicing process was used to demonstrate this approach. This study led to the identification of the region that improved the process yield from 65% to 85%.
America’s Army
Authors: Pearcy Mark
Published: December 2012

America’s Army is a first-person “shooter” online video game produced by the U.S. Army and freely available on the Internet. Ostensibly a recruitment tool, the game constitutes a “mimetic” experience that encompasses real-life Army codes, regulations, and behaviors, approximating an authentic military experience, including realistic missions that involve violence. This article considers the educational role of such mimetic games, practical impediments to its inclusion in classrooms, and the conceptual demands the use of such games may place on teachers and students. Additionally, this article considers the ideological barriers and arguments against the educational use of games like America’s Army. Finally, this article connects the experience of America’s Army to Douglas’ (2008) concept of “playful hatred,” calling for a reconceptualization of the term towards a more competitive and pedagogically useful approach.
ePortfolios and Technology
Authors: Flanigan Eleanor J.
Published: December 2012

An effective tool for business students eager to introduce themselves into the professional work world is an ePortfolio (electronic portfolio), used to supplement the rather sparse chronological or thematic listing typically found on a resume. The career portfolio is a showcase of work focused on documenting the diverse items displayed to enhance opportunities for employment. This type of portfolio is totally dedicated to highlighting achievements, relevant work samples, and one’s accomplishments. This article will focus on the career portfolio, the one most appropriate for the business professional and for those just beginning their careers. It will describe ideas for both the process of developing an ePortfolio along with dealing with the topics relevant to the final product. It will address questions such as “Why create a career portfolio?”, “What should be in it?”, “Using some available new technologies such as Web 2.0, how are portfolios created, stored, and disseminated?”
Building Empathy in Online Courses
Authors: Fuller Richard G.
Published: December 2012

This research study examined the empathetic practices of effective higher education faculty from seven universities that offer online programs. Using a phenomenological approach with a purposeful sample of fourteen faculty interviews identified eight common themes of practice that faculty employ to promote empathy in the online higher education arena.
Graduate Students’ Perceptions and Experiences of Online Collaborative Learning in Web-Based and Web-Supplemented Learning Environments
Authors: Du Jianxia , Ge Xun , Zhang Ke
Published: December 2012

This case study was designed to investigate students’ perceptions and experiences of the dynamics of online collaborative learning over a semester. Multiple sources of data were collected and triangulated through pre- and post-surveys, personal interviews, group reflection papers, and instructor’s observations. Forty-one graduate students enrolled in the same course with the same instructor in two different learning environments – web-based and web-supplemented, participated in the study. The overall results indicated that students in the two environments shared their positive understandings and perceptions about online collaborative learning, which were significantly deepened over time. However, the students in the web-based class were found more positive about the advantages of online collaborative learning than those in the web-supplemented class as their learning experience developed. The study also identified the attributes that were considered crucial to successful online collaboration.
Affective Tutoring Systems
Authors: Thompson Nik , McGill Tanya Jane
Published: December 2012

This paper introduces the field of affective computing, and the benefits that can be realized by enhancing e-learning applications with the ability to detect and respond to emotions experienced by the learner. Affective computing has potential benefits for all areas of computing where the computer replaces or mediates face to face communication. The particular relevance of affective computing to e-learning, due to the complex interplay between emotions and the learning process, is considered along with the need for new theories of learning that incorporate affect. Some of the potential means for inferring users’ affective state are also reviewed. These can be broadly categorized into methods that involve the user’s input, and methods that acquire the information independent of any user input. This latter category is of particular interest as these approaches have the potential for more natural and unobtrusive implementation, and it includes techniques such as analysis of vocal patterns, facial expressions or physiological state. The paper concludes with a review of prominent affective tutoring systems and promotes future directions for e-learning that capitalize on the strengths of affective computing.
Virtual Goods
Authors: Bulearca Marius , Bulearca Suzana
Published: December 2012

The debate covered in this paper gravitates around the intangible nature of virtual goods – many people consider them worthless, and predict them a fate similar to that of Second Life, which currently has only 18m users and struggles to re-create excitement in its potential among investors, brands, and consumers. The concept of virtual consumption is first discussed from a socio-philosophical perspective, placing it in the context of the postmodern society, and then motivations for virtual consumption are presented. The paper proposes conclusions and recommendations which may help companies think about the virtual goods model in a strategic way and fully exploit its potential.