bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composite La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3/Ag Cathode For SoFCs With Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 Electrolyte / Kompozytowa Katoda La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3/Ag Do Stało-Tlenkowych Ogniw Paliwowych Z Elektrolitem Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9
Authors: Mosiałek M. , Dudek M. , Wojewoda-Budka J.
Published: April 2013

Influence of the short time external polarization of silver electrode contacted Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 electrolyte was studied. Silver is moving along the Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 surface during the -0.5 V cathodic polarization at 600°C. It caused both the increase of the electrode - electrolyte contact area and the triple phase boundary length but also decrease of electrolyte and polarization resistances. Deposit of silver oxide was found at the place where the electrode polarized at the potential of 0.5 V contacted the electrolyte and around. The decrease of electrolyte and polarization resistance was smaller but more stable in this case. Composite cathodes were obtained on Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 electrolyte with the double step sintering procedure. Silver introduced into a La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3 cathode improved a performance of a La0.6Sr0:4Co0.8Fe0.2O3|Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9|Ni cell by 33%.
Comments on the genus Neoclides UVAROV, 1940 with the description of a new species (Phasmatodea: Diapheromerinae: Necrosciinae)
Authors: Bresseel Joachim
Published: April 2013

A new species of Neoclides UVAROV, 1940; Neoclides heitzmanni sp. n. is described and illustrated from the adult female and egg. It is the first time that an egg of the genus is described and illustrated. Lectotypes are designated for Neoclides simyra (WESTWOOD, 1859), and Neoclides rivalis (REDTENBACHER, 1908) stat. rev. comb. n., which is hereby removed from the synonymy with Neoclides simyra (WESTWOOD, 1859). Both lectotypes are illustrated. The distribution range of the genus is extended to southern Vietnam. The record of Neoclides magistralis from Peninsular Malaysia is clearly an error and represents an undescribed species.
Fiinancial Stability and Reform of the Financial System
Authors: Sipko Juraj
Published: April 2013

The paper describes the main features of financial stability and the preparation of the reform of the global financial system. The mortgage crisis in the USA brought about the global financial crisis. This crisis was the result of the failure of financial regulation, including supervision, and the failure of the management of the banking industry. Therefore, the international community, including Group 20, urged the appropriate institutions to introduce a comprehensive reform of the financial sector.

To avoid a potential financial crisis, the creation of the framework for financial stability would be needed. In line with this, the paper examines the interaction between both monetary and fiscal policies, including micro-and macroprudential policies and their instruments. Although still is going on discussion on definition of macroprudential policy, there is a generally accepted opinion that macroprudential policy should limit systemic risk. In addition, this policy should focus on interaction between the financial system and the real economy. Furthermore, micro- andmacroprudential policy should use appropriate instruments in dealing with the systemic risk. In this regard, the article undescores that put in a place the frameworkfor financial stability will create favorable conditions for decision-makers how they should to respond to financial imbalances.

The paper also pointed out some potential economic costs related to the implementation of the overall international reform of the financial sector. Based on comprehensive literature study, the author came to the conclusion that despite the fact that there will be some economic costs related to implementing the overall regulatory reform of the financial sector, the main benefit from the long-term perspective will be avoiding the potential financial crisis in the future. To fulfill all the requirements for global financial reform, international cooperation will be needed.
Quantitative Ultrasound of Cancellous Bone. Modeling and Experiment
Authors: Pakuła Michał
Published: April 2013

The paper present theoretical and experimental issues related to application of Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) for assessment of cancellous bone quality and prediction of bone fractures. Commonly used for modeling of ultrasonic wave propagation in cancellous bone, the macroscopic Biot’s theory is discussed in context of its potential applicability for theoretical prediction of wave parameters: phase velocity and attenuation coefficient as functions of frequency. The analysis of the model is focused on the absorption mechanisms responsible for attenuation of ultrasonic waves in cancellous bone, which based on the ultrasonic experiments presumably play a predominant role in the total attenuation. The suitability of the model is discussed and verified by comparison of results of sensitivity analysis of the model with ex vivo experimental ultrasonic data obtained for cancellous bones filled with different fluids.
Enhancement of Temperature Feature as a Result of Double Source Image Fusion
Authors: Jachowicz Rafał , Duch Piotr , Łaski Maciej , Błaszczyk Sylwester , Wulkiewicz Adam , Sankowski Dominik
Published: April 2013

In this paper a double source images fusion algorithm is presented. Its task is to enhance temperature feature of objects located on the scene. Presented solution is design to be executed in real-time environment. It consists of three stages: in the first part the differences between acquired double source images are examined in order to determine their intersection. Then for each analysed image the contours of all objects located on the scene are determined. This operation is essential to solve disparition issue. In the last stage, based on determined contours and their match coefficient the images are fused. The enhanced temperature feature is displayed on one image acquired from day-light camera.
The Concept of the Modularized Subsystem Performing Mobile Platform Navigation Tasks
Authors: Wulkiewicz Adam , Łaski Maciej , Błaszczyk Sylwester , Duch Piotr , Jachowicz Rafał , Sankowski Dominik
Published: April 2013

Robotic vehicles autonomy is the subject of many researches performed by various institutions. There is growing tendency to conduct research in the field of autonomous mobile units, unmanned vehicles and robots moving without operator supervision. Authors of this article presents the concept of the modularized subsystem implementing the functionality of the mobile platform navigation in an unknown environment. The concept has been implemented in the real mobile robot.
Attempts at Automatic Detection of Railway Head Edges from Images and Laser Data
Authors: Marmol Urszula , Mikrut Sławomir
Published: April 2013

The more and more high resolution of aerial and ground images, as well as high density of laser data cause that they are more and more widely applied in many engineering projects. Given the current technical parameters, it is also possible to map railway infrastructure not only from the ground level but also from airborne locations (photogrammetry, laser scanning). Testing the usefulness of those data in obtaining information about railway infrastructure, and in particular, in detecting rail heads has been a subject of research of this paper authors. The paper presents results of experiments, consisting in verification of existing solutions and testing own algorithms for an automatic extraction of railway rail heads. The tested algorithms of object detecting and locating produced preliminary, satisfying results. The authors believe it to be reasonable to continue their research work.
Visual Surveillance for Movement Rehabilitation
Authors: Pawlik Piotr , Bublinski Zbigniew
Published: April 2013

The paper presents an attempt to create a system for visual surveillance for movement rehabilitation. The Delaunay triangulation was used as a key method for skeletonization of detected human silhouette. Also, the Hough transform was performed on skeletons of selected body parts in order to obtain slants of those body parts. Analysis of slant changes gives information of movement range, number of exercise repetitions and in general, to assessing correctness of performed exercises. The presented results show that - under some circumstances - it is possible to create visual system for such task.
Cuda Based Fuzzy C-Means Acceleration for the Segmentation of Images with Fungus Grown in Foam Matrices
Authors: Rowińska Zdzisława , Gocławski Jarosław
Published: April 2013

In the paper authors verify the advantages of GPU computing applied to fuzzy c-means segmentation. Three different algorithms implementing FCM method have been compared by their execution times. All tests refer to the images of polyurethane foam matrices filled with fungus (mould). They are aimed at separating mould regions from the matrix base. The authors proposed a method using CUDA programming tools, which significantly speedsup FCM computations with multiple cores built in a graphic card.
Scene Configurator
Authors: Szymczyk Piotr , Szymczyk Magdalena
Published: April 2013

In this paper authors describe in details a system dedicated to scene configuration. The user can define different important 2D regions of the scene. There is a possibility to define the following kinds of regions: flour, total covering, down covering, up covering, middle covering, entrance/exit, protected area, prohibited area, allowed direction, prohibited direction, reflections, moving objects, light source, wall and sky. The definition of this regions is very important to further analysis of live stream camera data in the guardian video system.
Formulation of Colors Using a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Draus Cezary , Nowak Grzegorz , Nowak Maciej , Tokarski Marcin
Published: April 2013

The possibility to obtain a desired color of the product and to ensure its repeatability in the production process is highly desired in many industries such as printing, automobile, dyeing, textile, cosmetics or plastics industry. So far, most companies have traditionally used the "manual" method, relying on intuition and experience of a colorist. However, the manual preparation of multiple samples and their correction can be very time consuming and expensive. The computer technology has allowed the development of software to support the process of matching colors. Nowadays, formulation of colors is done with appropriate equipment (colorimeters, spectrophotometers, computers) and dedicated software. Computer-aided formulation is much faster and cheaper than manual formulation, because fewer corrective iterations have to be carried out, to achieve the desired result. Moreover, the colors are analyzed with regard to the metamerism, and the best recipe can be chosen, according to the specific criteria (price, quantity, availability). Optimaization problem of color formulation can be solved in many diferent ways. Authors decided to apply genetic algorithms in this domain.
Text Analysis and Correction Using Specialized Linguistic Habit Graphs LHG
Authors: Gadamer Marcin , Horzyk Adrian
Published: April 2013

This paper introduces a novel linguistic habit graph LHG for automation of contextual text correction. The result of our current researches is a constructed mechanism for searching and aggregating tens of millions word-triples from websites that create a simple context statement for a given language that makes us able to predict word sequences and proceed corrections better than currently used solutions. Moreover, the LHG graph during colleting word-triples grow is limited and slows down so LHG graphs can be continuously supplemented by reading next texts to improve the correction results.
Pedestrian Detection and Analysis with Scale-Space and Distance Transform
Authors: Komorkiewicz Mateusz , Przybyło Jaromir
Published: April 2013

Because the amount of various video streams recorded by video surveillance systems is increasing, the new approach, where human operator analyzing the video is replaced by artificial intelligence system is gaining new followers. The algorithm have to meet several requirements: must be accurate and not produce too many false alarms, moreover it must be able to process the received video stream in real-time to provide sufficient response time. In the article a system is presented which is able to detect and analyze walking pedestrians. It is based on two algorithms: scale space and matching contours using distance transform. The information can be used by other parts of the advanced video surveillance system, namely object tracking by detection, detecting heavy equipment only zone intrusion or for sorting out possible suspicious persons (pickpocket, homeless etc.).
Visualisation of Granular Material Concentration Changes, During Silo Discharging Process, Using ECT Large Scale Sensor
Authors: Grudzień Krzysztof , Chaniecki Zbigniew , Matusiak Bartosz , Romanowski Andrzej , Rybak Grzegorz , Sankowski Dominik
Published: April 2013

Measuring changes of bulk materials concentration during gravitational flow, a silo emptying is essential information for the assessment of the behaviour and condition of the material during the emptying of the silo. Parameters obtained during this process are important both in terms of process economics and safety, are the basis for monitoring and diagnostics of the process. Affect the current process, but primarily are the result of their filling the silo, and the process of storing the material. Previous studies, conducted by a team of authors, the laboratory-scale silos and numerical calculations and simulations of its increase, helped build the ECT sensor on a large scale. Results related to the change of scale of the sensor and the actual measurements will be discussed in the article. Proposed by the authors of the paper, the method of visualization, performed in the measuring process, helps to ask about the process and suggests a methodology for dealing with the material stored in the silo.
Gathering Information About Tourist and Recreation Activities Within the Area of Lodz Agglomeration Using Mobile Technologies
Authors: Strzecha Krzysztof , Koszmider Tomasz
Published: April 2013

In the paper the mobile technologies based distributed system for the improvement of the current situation of cyclists moving within the Lodz agglomeration was presented. When finished, system may contribute to significant improvements in safety and comfort of cyclists within the Lodz agglomeration and, consequently, to popularize cycling as an everyday means of transportation and recreation. In its expanded form, system should help to increase the tourist attractiveness of Lodz and the surrounding area and the effective promotion of Lodz agglomeration, as a friendly and interesting place for visitors who prefer various forms of tourism and recreation.
Breakage Susceptibility of Wheat and Triticale Seeds Related to Moisture Content and Impact Energy
Authors: Shahbazi F. , Dowlatshah A , Valizadeh S.
Published: April 2013

Mechanical damage of seeds due to harvest, handling and other process is an important factor that affects the quality and quantity of seeds. Seed damage result in lower grain value, storability problem, and reduced seed germination and seedling vigor and subsequent yield of crops. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of moisture content and impact energy on the breakage susceptibility of wheat and triticale seeds. The experiments were conducted at five moisture contents of 7.5, 12, 17, 22 and 27% w.b. and at the impact energies of 0.05 and 0.1 J. The percentage of breakage of both wheat and triticale seeds increased as impact energy increased. The analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between breakage susceptibility of wheat and triticale seeds at the 1% probability level. Triticale seeds had more breakage than wheat seeds. For both wheat and triticale seeds as the moisture content of the seeds increased, the amount of the percentage breakage of seeds decreased as a polynomial. The average values of percentage breakage of wheat seeds decreased from 43.81 to 19.88% as the moisture content increased from 7.5 to 27%. Over this same moisture content range the percentage breakage of triticale seeds varied from 81.34 to 37.77%. Below the moisture contents of 17% for the wheat and 22% for the triticale the percentage breakage of seeds increased dramatically.
Osmo and Hydro Priming Mediated Germination Improvement Under Cold Stress Conditions in Mountain Rye (Secale Montanum)
Authors: Ansari O. , Sharif Zadeh F.
Published: April 2013

Seed priming techniques have been used to increase germination, improve germination uniformity and seedling establishment under stressed conditions. Seed priming was used in rye mountain (Secale montanum) to increase seed germination and tolerance on stress exposure (Cold stress). Rye seeds were treated with water (Hydro priming) and polyetelyn glycol 6000 (Osmo priming). The effect of priming was assessed on germination characteristics under cold stress (at 3°C) for 7 days. Analyze of variance for hydro priming showed that temperature × time of priming interaction was significantly (P < 0.01) for all traits under cold stress and for osmo priming showed that Concentration of PEG × Temperature × Time of priming interaction was significantly (P < 0.01) for all traits under cold stress except seedling dry weight (SDW). For hydro priming the highest germination percentage (GP) was attained from hydro priming at 15±1°C for 16 h (70%), whereas the highest normal seedling percentage (NSP) (22.5%), germination index (GI) (8.57), seedling vigor index (SVI) (38.9) and seedling length (SL) (1.7 cm) were in the hydro priming at 10±1°C for 16 h. For osmo priming the highest germination percentage (GP) (80 and 80.5%), normal seedling percentage (NSP) (48 and 45%), seedling vigor index (SVI) (101.26 and 85.25) and seedling length (SL) (2.11 and 1.89 cm) observed in the osmo priming with concentrations of -9 and -15 bar PEG at 15±1°C for 24 h.
The Effect of Sorbitol and Conservation Period on The in Vitro Evolution of Solanum Tuberosum L. Plantlets
Authors: Ciobanu Iustina Brînduşa , Constantinovici Dana
Published: April 2013

Mechanical damage of seeds due to harvest, handling and other process is an important factor that affects the quality and quantity of seeds. Seed damage result in lower grain value, storability problem, and reduced seed germination and seedling vigor and subsequent yield of crops. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of moisture content and impact energy on the breakage susceptibility of wheat and triticale seeds. The experiments were conducted at five moisture contents of 7.5, 12, 17, 22 and 27% w.b. and at the impact energies of 0.05 and 0.1 J. The percentage of breakage of both wheat and triticale seeds increased as impact energy increased. The analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between breakage susceptibility of wheat and triticale seeds at the 1% probability level. Triticale seeds had more breakage than wheat seeds. For both wheat and triticale seeds as the moisture content of the seeds increased, the amount of the percentage breakage of seeds decreased as a polynomial. The average values of percentage breakage of wheat seeds decreased from 43.81 to 19.88% as the moisture content increased from 7.5 to 27%. Over this same moisture content range the percentage breakage of triticale seeds varied from 81.34 to 37.77%. Below the moisture contents of 17% for the wheat and 22% for the triticale the percentage breakage of seeds increased dramatically.
Response of Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Applications at Vegetative and Reproductive Stages
Authors: Aliloo A.A. , Khorsandy H. , Mustafavi S.H.
Published: April 2013

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of foliar spraying of aqueous solutions 2 and 4% urea at two stages (before and after flowering) and 20 kg/ha urea application in soil (three-week after sowing) on growth, yield and yield components of chickpea cultivars (Azad and ILC 482) under rain-fed conditions. Results showed that the plant height, height of lower pod and 100-seed weight were significantly affected by cultivars. Plant height of Azad cultivar was significantly higher than that of cv. ILC 482. There was no significantly difference between cv. Azad and cv. ILC482 on biological yield. Grain yield of cv. ILC 482 was 4.2% less than that of cv. Azad, however, this difference was not statistically significant. The interaction of urea application × cultivar for days to maturity and pods per plant was significant. Lowest days to maturity of Azad were achieved under 20 kg urea applications but for ILC482, it was recorded under 4% urea spraying before flowering. Urea spraying at before flowering of ILC 482 cause reduction in days to maturity, and lowest period was observed at this stage. The effect of urea treatment on plant height was notable but other traits were not significantly affected by nitrogen applications. Highest plant height was obtained by application of 20 kg/ha urea in soil. However, difference among 20 kg urea application, 2% and 4% urea spraying before flowering was not significant. It can be concluded that the nitrogen fertilizer applying in rain-fed chickpea is not effective. Consequently, unused nitrogen in the soil/or plant can cause soil and air pollution.
Research Regarding the Influence of Ethephon on the Ripe Acerola (Malpighia Glabra L.)
Authors: Quoc L.P.T. , Dat C.P. , Hang A.T. , Mi T.H. , Nga L.T.T.
Published: April 2013

These days, there are many types of chemicals which have ability to hasten the ripe fruit and affect the quality of fruits like calcium carbide, ethylene, acetylene, gibberellic acid. The objective of this research determines the influence of ethephon (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid or ethrel) on the ripe acerolas (Malpighia glabra L.). Because the acerolas are the common fruit in Vietnam and another Asia countries, it had a lot of water and high nutrition, especially reducing sugars and acid ascorbic. The acerolas samples was soaked into ethephon solution at concentrations of 0, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 % (v/v), then preserved in basket covered with cloth in conditions: temperature 30±1.4 oC, relative humidity 72±10 %. The use of specifications for evaluating were the percentage of ripe fruits, weight loss, the content of reducing sugar, total acidity and sensory evaluation of acerolas. The results showed that acerolas soaked into concentration of 2 % (v/v) ethephon have stimulated fruits that were the quick and uniform maturity; peel of acerolas was very smooth, red and characteristic flavour. Consumers are not unpleasant with the sensory evaluation quality of fruits soaked with ethephon. The ethephon residue in fruit after treatment did not harm in consumer’s health and it was absolutely suitable for the food law in Vietnam.
Natural Product Research in the Australian Marine Invertebrate Dicathais orbita
Authors: Benkendorff Kirsten
Published: April 2013

The predatory marine gastropod Dicathais orbita has been the subject of a significant amount of biological and chemical research over the past five decades. Natural products research on D. orbita includes the isolation and identification of brominated indoles and choline esters as precursors of Tyrian purple, as well as the synthesis of structural analogues, bioactivity testing, biodistributional and biosynthetic studies. Here I also report on how well these compounds conform to Lipinski’s rule of five for druglikeness and their predicted receptor binding and enzyme inhibitor activity. The composition of mycosporine-like amino acids, fatty acids and sterols has also been described in the egg masses of D. orbita. The combination of bioactive compounds produced by D. orbita is of interest for further studies in chemical ecology, as well as for future nutraceutical development. Biological insights into the life history of this species, as well as ongoing research on the gene expression, microbial symbionts and biosynthetic capabilities, should facilitate sustainable production of the bioactive compounds. Knowledge of the phylogeny of D. orbita provides an excellent platform for novel research into the evolution of brominated secondary metabolites in marine molluscs. The range of polarities in the brominated indoles produced by D. orbita has also provided an effective model system used to develop a new method for biodistributional studies. The well characterized suite of chemical reactions that generate Tyrian purple, coupled with an in depth knowledge of the ecology, anatomy and genetics of D. orbita provide a good foundation for ongoing natural products research.
Uncertainty in Concept Hierarchies for Generalization in Data Mining
Authors: Beaubouef Theresa , Petry Frederick
Published: April 2013

Attribute oriented induction is an approach used in data mining to provide summaries of data in a database by the process of generalization that can be used for knowledge discovery in the form of rules or patterns. This is accomplished through the use of a concept hierarchy. When uncertainty is involved in the development and use of the concept hierarchy, the theory behind the uncertainty models in use must first be established. This chapter focuses on providing the foundations for defining imprecise hierarchies and the generalization process with crisp and rough data and hierarchies. Scaling and efficiency issues here involve the problems of creation of appropriate concept hierarchies and the scaling of the generalization process to deal with large databases.
Efficiency and Scalability Methods in Cancer Detection Problems
Authors: Stainvas Inna , Manevitch Alexandra
Published: April 2013

Computer aided detection (CAD) system for cancer detection from X-ray images is highly requested by radiologists. For CAD systems to be successful, a large amount of data has to be collected. This poses new challenges for developing learning algorithms that are efficient and scalable to large dataset sizes. One way to achieve this efficiency is by using good feature selection.
The Kolmogorov Spline Network for Authentication Data Embedding in Images
Authors: Leni Pierre-Emmanuel , Fougerolle Yohan D. , Truchetet Frédéric
Published: April 2013

In 1900, Hilbert declared that high order polynomial equations could not be solved by sums and compositions of continuous functions of less than three variables. This statement was proven wrong by the superposition theorem, demonstrated by Arnol’d and Kolmogorov in 1957, which allows for writing all multivariate functions as sums and compositions of univariate functions. Amongst recent computable forms of the theorem, Igelnik and Parikh’s approach, known as the Kolmogorov Spline Network (KSN), offers several alternatives for the univariate functions as well as their construction. A novel approach is presented for the embedding of authentication data (black and white logo, translucent or opaque image) in images. This approach offers similar functionalities than watermarking approaches, but relies on a totally different theory: the mark is not embedded in the 2D image space, but it is rather applied to an equivalent univariate representation of the transformed image. Using the progressive transmission scheme previously proposed (Leni, 2011), the pixels are re-arranged without any neighborhood consideration. Taking advantage of this naturally encrypted representation, it is proposed to embed the watermark in these univariate functions. The watermarked image can be accessed at any intermediate resolution, and fully recovered (by removing the embedded mark) without loss using a secret key. Moreover, the key can be different for every resolution, and both the watermark and the image can be globally restored in case of data losses during the transmission. These contributions lie in proposing a robust embedding of authentication data (represented by a watermark) into an image using the 1D space of univariate functions based on the Kolmogorov superposition theorem. Lastly, using a key, the watermark can be removed to restore the original image.
Techniques to Model and Derive a Cyber-Attacker’s Intelligence
Authors: Hawrylak Peter J. , Hartney Chris , Haney Michael , Hamm Jonathan , Hale John
Published: April 2013

Identifying the level of intelligence of a cyber-attacker is critical to detecting cyber-attacks and determining the next targets or steps of the adversary. This chapter explores intrusion detection systems (IDSs) which are the traditional tool for cyber-attack detection, and attack graphs which are a formalism used to model cyber-attacks. The time required to detect an attack can be reduced by classifying the attacker’s knowledge about the system to determine the traces or signatures for the IDS to look for in the audit logs. The adversary’s knowledge of the system can then be used to identify their most likely next steps from the attack graph. A computationally efficient technique to compute the likelihood and impact of each step of an attack is presented. The chapter concludes with a discussion describing the next steps for implementation of these processes in specialized hardware to achieve real-time attack detection.
Biogeography-Based Optimization for Large Scale Combinatorial Problems
Authors: Du Dawei , Simon Dan
Published: April 2013

Biogeography-based optimization (BBO) is a recently-developed heuristic algorithm that has shown impressive performance and efficiency over many standard benchmarks. The application of BBO is still limited because it was only developed four years ago. The objective of this chapter is to expand the application of BBO to large scale combinatorial problems. This chapter addresses the solution of combinatorial problems based on BBO combined with five techniques: (1) nearest neighbor algorithm (NNA), (2) crossover methods designed for traveling salesman problems (TSPs), (3) local optimization methods, (4) greedy methods, and (5) density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN). This chapter also provides a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages for each of these five techniques when used with BBO, and describes the construction of a combinatorial solver based on BBO. In the end, a framework is proposed for large scale combinatorial problems based on hybrid BBO. Based on four benchmark problems, the experimental results demonstrate the quality and efficiency of our framework. On average, the algorithm reduces costs by over 69% for a 2152-city TSP compared to other methods: genetic algorithm (GA), ant colony optimization (ACO), nearest neighbor algorithm (NNA), and simulated annealing (SA). Convergence time for the algorithm is only 28.56 sec on a 1.73-GHz quad core PC with 6 GB of RAM . The algorithm also demonstrated good results for small and medium sized problems such as ulysses16 (16-city TSP, where we obtained the best performance), st70 (70-city TSP, where the second best performance was obtained), and rat575 (575-city TSP, where the second best performance was obtained).
Making Agile Development and Offshoring Practice Successful on Global Software Development Project
Authors: Chen Edward
Published: April 2013

Two significant trends have been gaining momentum in software development: the utilization of Agile development methodologies, and the continuing trend of companies to outsource development work offshore. These two trends have changed the way companies develop software and business applications. This chapter seeks to evaluate how a company can successfully manage both trends in conjunction with each other on global business. The primary question addressed is whether the benefits derived from Agile development methodologies and the savings from outsourced software development efforts cancel each other out when applied together, or whether they create a synergy greater than the sum of the parts. In order to answer this question, this chapter intends to examine several relevant business practices and industry experiences. From lessons learned, we identify factors which seem to influence a successful combination of Agile methodology and offshoring in global software development projects.
A Synthesis of Globalisation, Business Culture and E-Business Adoption in Vietnam
Authors: Le Huong , Koo Fung K. , Sargent Jason
Published: April 2013

The pace and intensity of social change in modern society is increasing, particularly through advances in modern technology and the remarkable innovations in information and communications technology (ICT), as well as through social movements, especially globalisation (Synott, 2004). This chapter will discuss the concept of globalisation and its impact on the economies, cultures, and international business in developing countries and, in particular, Vietnam. The chapter provides an insight into how national culture and technology affects business operations, including current issues in technological readiness for e-business adoption in Vietnam. By applying theories of globalisation to explain changes and progress in Vietnamese economic development, the chapter also provides a better understanding of the complex mix of culture, technology, and business operations in Vietnam. Recommendations are also made for the development of an appropriate environment for e-business in small to medium enterprises that will further strengthen the country’s international business operations.
Optimizing International Joint Venture (IJV) Ownership Structures
Authors: Wollenberg Alexander
Published: April 2013

This chapter portrays a quantitative framework regarding entry mode choice and ownership structures by measuring performance under given ownership structures as the degree of efficiency in technology transfer, and knowledge exchange in the form of a residual productivity growth variable. This method has been shown to be a proxy for or an indirect measure of transaction costs, in that ownership structures are validated by the growth in technology/knowledge-based productivity that they caused. In the process, the chapter discusses hierarchical entry modes and adjustment of ownership structures with respect to minimizing transaction costs incurred in the transfer and internalization of complementary assets, both tangible and intangible. Previous research has dealt with subsidiary performance mainly in terms of financial measures (e.g., profitability, ROA, ROE, ROI), instability, and lifespan. By contrast, this chapter extends existing research by providing a specific quantitative framework for optimizing technology/knowledge-based productivity growth. The second important contribution of the chapter is the linkage of the quantitative results to their applicability and potential for implementation in Japanese equity-based subsidiaries in Latin America over the lifetime of the subsidiaries. Other factors important in the implementation and internalization of new technologies and knowledge have also been analyzed quantitatively and linked to case studies qualitatively. The chapter further analyzes adaptations to regional contexts and parent companies of nationalities other than Japanese. Therefore, the model presented in the chapter addresses IJV ownership structures which are optimal to productivity growth linked to new technologies and knowledge and by adaptation of variables, and discusses results for emerging markets in Latin America, such as Peru, Colombia, and the newly industrialized Brazil. The chapter also highlights advantages and disadvantages of forming IJVs with a local partner of different levels of technological sophistication, and the degree of managerial and equity involvement to allow the local partner.
Towards an Integrated Approach for Leading and Managing Transcultural Virtual Teams
Authors: Hosseini M. Reza , Chileshe Nicholas
Published: April 2013

Many industries have observed the rise of Virtual Teams (VTs) as highly productive team structures taking advantage of members scattered around the globe while being able to accomplish assigned tasks by communicating through internet based technologies. Nonetheless, the looked-for achievable gains of VTs working heavily rest on meeting the requirements prescribed by the antecedents and critical success factors associated with specific idiosyncrasies of VTs such as the multiculturalism dominating their working environment. In this regard, it is widely recognized that when it comes to adopting VTs, the managerial/leadership matters are among the main challenges facing organisations. The major parts of foregoing issues are stemmed from the limitations of mediums of communications exacerbated by cultural diversity and disparity of members. This chapter first aims at critically analysing the different approaches of managing and leading virtual teams and ascertaining the main influential variables. This is followed by presenting a management/leadership model for VTs based on a dynamic integrated approach, thus labelled, ‘Leading and Managing Virtual Teams’ (LeManViT).
The Role of Market Orientation in Internationalization of SMEs
Authors: Nahan-Suomela Rosmeriany , Lautamäki Satu
Published: April 2013

A rapidly changing business environment generates a growing demand for enterprises to understand their markets. Knowledge about markets is a strategic resource and enterprises are advised to invest in understanding their markets, competitors, and customers. Market orientation is widely studied as a concept describing how enterprises generate and respond to market knowledge. Market orientation is a cultural factor which we analyze in the framework of organizational culture. We examine market orientation as a cultural factor, as adopting a new type of culture inside and outside an organization can be particularly challenging for Small- and Medium-Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs have not been considered as very active participants in global business, where market knowledge is of utmost importance. For example, Keskin (2006) finds that market orientation is an antecedent of learning orientation in SMEs and market intelligence guides their learning processes. This chapter examines both theoretically and empirically how market orientation as a cultural factor is related to the internationalization processes of SMEs. This hopefully helps us to understand how SMEs can develop their businesses to a global level. We will present a qualitative study of four Finnish SMEs representing different phases of internationalization. Finally, discussion on the results and future research directions will be presented.
Knowledge Management and Its Challenges in Global Business
Authors: Chandan Harish C.
Published: April 2013

Knowledge Management (KM) is an organization-wide, strategic change management initiative dealing with people, processes, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) to achieve a competitive advantage through learning, productivity improvement, and innovation. Based on the current literature review of KM and its challenges in global business, a general framework for KM in terms of leadership, organization, and ICT is proposed. The role of leadership includes developing an international strategy for KM, executing strategic change management, practicing a mix of transformational and transactional leadership style, and developing KM performance metrics. The organizational parameters include learning, processes, culture, and organizational structure. ICT plays a crucial role in the learning and processes to acquire, store, share, and apply knowledge. Some of the KM challenges in global business include global leadership competencies and strategy, project-based flexible global virtual teams, global knowledge integration, and working with ICT gaps across different economies.
Evaluating UK Intra-National Outsourcing to North Staffordshire
Authors: Atkins Anthony S. , Sharp Bernadette , Atkins Lyn
Published: April 2013

Outsourcing is a widespread practice in the modern global economy, with decisions motivated by expectation of various advantages of which cost reduction is often the primary factor. Recent trends have been towards Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and offshore outsourcing, and more recently Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) has emerged as an established area of the market. Despite the potential attractions, there are a range of risks associated with outsourcing, and these are demonstrated by the substantial number of arrangements that fail to meet expectations. For example, Glick (2004) cites research by Gartner that indicated £4bn was wasted on poorly managed contracts by European businesses in the previous year. This highlights the business significance of outsourcing decisions and shows that the impact of major outsourcing decisions is likely to be strategic in that the competitive position of a company is influenced by the outcomes. The argument for use of a systematic decision support system to assist with outsourcing decisions is persuasive. The Holistic Approach Business, Information, Organisation (HABIO) Framework offers a holistic approach which takes account of interrelated strategies and complex considerations that may vary according to the circumstances and priorities of the decision-maker. It also facilitates monitoring decisions over the life of the outsourcing arrangements, thereby supporting timely anticipation and response to significant changes in the economic, political, or social environment. The HABIO model could be used in consideration of intra-national outsourcing decisions to areas such as North Staffordshire where decline in industries traditionally associated with the locality created needs and opportunities for regeneration.
Networking Through Cultures
Authors: Karnaukhova Oxana
Published: April 2013

Transnational communication is a natural effect escorting activities of research teams throughout the world. We understand this phenomenon not as a new-born process mediated by technologies, but the process of cross-border dissemination of opinions, information, ideas, and toolkits. We also recognize that while so-called “new” information and communications technologies (ICTs) have created their own specific problems and concerns, it should be remembered that all forms of communication are capable of causing tensions and latent conflicts (Cupach, 1997; Ribeiro, 1998). The study concerns networking and ICT-mediated collaboration in transnational research teams with Russian participation affected by cultural differences. The core interest lies in investigation of communicative strategies and effects of visual and interactive techniques, including video-conferencing, participatory social media, podcasting, and others--and, to collaboratively construct, interpret, and theorize participants’ accounts of cooperation.
Cultural Influence on Global Assessment of Higher Education Service Quality
Authors: Sultan Parves , Wong Ho Yin
Published: April 2013

This study compares students’ cultural influence on global assessment of higher education service quality. In particular, this study surveyed the full-time students (that is at least 24 credit points of study in a semester) studying at the Central Queensland University (CQU), Australia. CQU has ten campuses and is one of the largest universities in Australia, with more than 14,000 students, in which 3,000 students are enrolled as full-time students and 11,000 as part-time students. An online survey was undertaken, and 227 responses from full-time students were returned for data analysis. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to determine valid and reliable dimensions of perceived service quality. Tests of differences such as ANOVA and t-test were conducted to examine the differences of perceived service quality in terms of four cultural dimensions; namely, power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity. Findings show that different cultures perceive service quality differently; especially administrative service quality and physical facilities service quality.
Quality Management
Authors: Vecchi Alessandra , Brennan Louis
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this chapter is to address the extent to which quality management is “culture-specific.” The chapter presents the results of a survey administered across 21 countries that seeks to examine quality priorities and practices by adopting the Global Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Effectiveness (GLOBE) framework (House et al., 2004). Drawing on previous research (Vecchi & Brennan, 2011), data was collected in 2009 as part of the fifth iteration of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS). The methodology involved the use of a self-administered questionnaire to director/head of operations/manufacturing in best practice firms within the sector of firms classified by ISIC codes (rev.3.1) Divisions 28-35. From this study, it emerges that adopting the GLOBE framework provides an invaluable insight into understanding quality management across countries. While some previous research portrays quality management as a comprehensive management paradigm with elements and relationships that transcend cultural and national boundaries, the current study provides evidence that the adoption of certain quality practices across different countries can follow distinctive patterns.
Tourism E-Booking and ’E-Purchasing’
Authors: Valek Nataša Slak , Axelsson Eva Podovšovnik
Published: April 2013

Information technology plays a significant role in tourism, but mainly as an informational tool. Ideally, the information search process on the Internet should try to encourage consumers to book and purchase travel services and products prior to leaving for their vacation, but cultural differences in booking on-line are found. The present study research problem is to understand the complex of e-booking and e-purchasing travel behaviors among Slovenes, since no research between Slovene tourists was done before. In details, the relationship between e-booking and paying travel accommodation and travel transportation on the Internet in the period of five years is investigated. The results show slow changes and an increase in booking and buying travel transportation, while booking and paying tourism accommodation gains greater interest during a five-year period.
A Comparative Analysis of Functionalities of Salesforce.com, mySAP.com, and SiebelCRM
Authors: Ahuja Vandana
Published: April 2013

Customer Relationship Management or CRM is an enterprise-wide initiative which belongs to all areas of an organization. It reflects the comprehensive strategy and process of acquiring, retaining, and partnering with selective customers to create superior value for the company and the customer. In the era of IT-enabled relationship management, organisations have a host of CRM software products from which they can choose. These products come with different functionalities and support the different functions of a firm, thereby changing the face of global business today. In the era of so-called Cloud computing, support for web-based functionalities is the prime requisite for any CRM Software. This chapter attempts to compare functionalities of three well-established CRM Tools for Organisations: Salesforce.com, mySAPCRM and Siebel CRM.
Cryptography for the Forensics Investigator
Authors: Martin Thomas
Published: April 2013

There are many challenges for a forensic investigator when it comes to digital evidence. These include the constantly changing technology that may store evidence, the vast amounts of data that is stored, and the increasing use of cryptography. This last problem can prevent any useful information being retrieved and is encountered in the use of communication protocols, whole-disk encryption, and individual applications. Cryptography is a field of great depth and breadth, encompassing both complex mathematics and cutting-edge technology. A forensics investigator does not need to be aware of all aspects of this field, but there are certain areas that are vital. The knowledge described in this chapter can assist an investigator in obtaining information that may otherwise be obscured, and also prepare them to defend the integrity of any evidence obtained.