bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policy Technologies for Security Management in Coalition Networks
Authors: Calo Seraphin B. , Karat Clare-Marie , Karat John , Lobo Jorge , Craven Robert , Lupu Emil , Ma Jiefei , Russo Alessandra , Sloman Morris , Bandara Arosha
Published: May 2010

The goal of policy-based security management is to enable military personnel to specify security requirements in terms of simple, intuitive goals. These goals are translated into the concrete system settings in a way that the system behaves in a consistent and desirable way. This technology minimizes the technical expertise required by military personnel and automates security management while allowing a high level control by the human in the loop. This chapter describes a framework for managing security policies, and an overview of two prototypes that simplify different aspects of policy management in the context of coalition operations.
Cultural Network Analysis
Authors: Sieck Winston R. , Rasmussen Louise J. , Smart Paul
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this chapter is to describe a rigorous, end-to-end methodology for modeling culture as networks of ideas that are distributed among members of a population. The method, Cultural Network Analysis (CNA), represents an interdisciplinary synthesis of techniques drawn from the fields of cognitive anthropology, cultural and cognitive psychology, naturalistic decision making, and decision analysis. CNA is used to develop cultural models for groups and populations, typically depicted as a network representation of the culturally shared concepts, causal beliefs, and values that influence key decisions. CNA can be usefully employed for a variety of applications, including the design of tools to support multinational collaborative planning and decision making, the development of situated cultural training programs, and characterizing the cognition of target audiences to support strategic communications campaigns.
Ontologies in Computer Science
Authors: Gandon Fabien L.
Published: May 2010

Ironically the field of computer ontologies suffered a lot from ambiguity. The word ontology can be used and has been used with very different meanings attached to it. The authors will introduce in this chapter two faces of ontologies in computer science: (1) the ontology object: focusing on the nature and the characteristics of the ontology object, its core notions and its lifecycle. (2) ontology engineering: the branch of knowledge modeling that develops ontology-oriented computable models of some domain of knowledge, focusing here on the design rationale and the assisting tools.
Building and Use of a LOM Ontology
Authors: Ouafia Ghebghoub , Marie-Hélène Abel , Claude Moulin , Adeline Leblanc
Published: May 2010

The increasing number of available resources that may be used during e-learning can raise problems of access, management and sharing. An e-learning application therefore shares the same problem of relevance to the Web concerning the access to learning resources. Semantic web technologies provide promising solutions to such problems. One main feature of this new web generation is the shared understanding based on ontologies. This chapter presents an approach to index learning resources semantically using a LOM ontology. This ontology was developed to clarify the concepts, and to describe the existing relations between elements of the LOM standard. The author present also our tool based on this ontology which allows to describe learning objects and helps retrieving them.
Open Source and Bridging the Digital Divide
Authors: Schnackenberg Heidi L. , Vega Edwin S.
Published: May 2010

This case study involves the adoption of new technologies by a developing nation. The leader of the country, in consultation with an advisory non-profit agency must weigh the benefits and drawbacks of commercial products versus open source/low-cost options. He must also consider ways of remaining sensitive to cultural traditions and norms when introducing these new innovations.
Doctoral Faculty 2020
Authors: Williams Peter E. , Hyatt L.
Published: May 2010

Leaders are in demand and leadership institutions are necessary to prepare students for important roles in our society (Green, Alexander, & Boryczka, 2001). Faculty are a central factor in graduate and post-graduate programs as they are responsible for guiding student learning (Bryant, 2003). This case reports on an exploratory case study of 21st century competencies for faculty in an organizational leadership doctoral program. Esteemed researchers have conducted studies regarding transitioning students to become new faculty (e.g. Austin, 2002; Austin, Connolly, & Colbeck, 2008; Gardner, 2005; Purcell 2007); however, little research exists specific to the new-century skills necessary for doctoral faculty in leadership programs. As the surge in technology continues to bring about global changes, preparing potential leaders is our best hope going forward. It follows then, that it is important to discover the competencies doctoral faculty will need in order to address the challenges of the future.
Faculty Training and Mentoring at a Distance
Authors: Palloff Rena M. , Pratt Keith
Published: May 2010

Evidence suggests that a good instructor is the key to student persistence in an online course. Because of this, the hiring, training, and evaluation of good online instructors has become high priority for most online institutions. Providing good training and also providing incentives for keeping good online faculty have become critical concerns for most colleges and universities. However, not all universities are able to provide good training even under the best of circumstances. Many factors can wreak havoc with well-intended plans to provide training for online faculty. This case looks at the characteristics of a good online instructor as well as the faculty training needed to ensure high quality course design and delivery. Models of effective faculty training and evaluation are reviewed. Two cases, Delgado Community College in New Orleans and Excelsior Community College in Kingston, Jamaica are also reviewed to illustrate how critical needs for the delivery of high quality faculty training were met at a distance under less than ideal conditions. The cases illustrate the importance and impact that good training can make.
Improvement of Engineering Students Education by E-learning
Authors: Sorial George. A. , Noroozi Babak
Published: May 2010

Traditional education for engineers has shifted towards new methods of teaching and learning through the proliferation of Information and Communication Technologies. The continuous advances in technology enable the realization of a more distributed structure of knowledge transfer. Virtual Learning Environment has become an increasingly ambiguous term in recent years because of essential elements facilitating a consistent environment for learners. It has the potential to position the learner within a meaningful context to a much greater extent than traditional interactive multimedia environments. The 3D environment acquaints students with features of different shapes and objects, and can be particularly useful in teaching younger students different procedures and mechanisms for carrying out specific tasks. This case explains the key issues and success factors regarding the e-Learning for engineering education especially in developing countries.
Managing Learning Activities in E-Learning Systems
Authors: Mahdavi Mehregan , Badashian Ali Sajedi
Published: May 2010

The advent of computers and later the Internet has led to trends in Computer Aided Learning (CAL). The learning process is rapidly transforming from traditional learning to electronic learning. Computer-based systems enable effective delivery and access to learning materials, at a time and place chosen by the student. This case explores Learning Activity Management (LAM) systems, which are new tools for designing, managing and delivering online collaborative learning activities. LAM systems provide instructors with a flexible environment in which to design, organize and monitor the learning activities of the learners. We describe components and key features of LAM systems and also explore the challenges that exist in this field.
Absorptive Capacity, R&D Intensity and Innovation Results
Authors: Cruz-González Jorge , Delgado-Verde Miriam
Published: May 2010

The dynamic capabilities Perspective has emerged in the last decade to improve the explanatory power of the Resource-Based View of the firm with regard to obtaining sustainable competitive advantage by firms operating in rapid change environments. However, some aspects of its conceptualization, especially in relation to the factors that make up them, do not appear to be entirely clear. Accordingly, the aim of the present chapter is to provide a conceptual synthesis of the construct, trying to identify the key factors involved in the development of dynamic capabilities by firms. Based on a sample of 177 companies around the world operating in the software industry, the authors derive an empirical study. Their findings suggest that firms that jointly develop absorptive capacity and innovative capacity achieve better results.
An Intellectual Capital-Based View of Technological Innovation
Authors: Delgado-Verde Miriam , Cruz-González Jorge
Published: May 2010

The growing importance of knowledge as a key productive factor in today’s society requires a change in thinking about innovation in general terms as well as in specific terms, such as technological innovation, product innovation and organizational innovation (Nonaka, 1994). Also, companies are aware that knowledge is the most valuable and strategic resource to face the current environment (Chen et al., 2004). In this sense, intellectual capital is increasingly interesting to companies that get their benefits through innovation and knowledge. For this reason, it is important to study the relationship between intellectual capital and innovation (Edvinsson and Sullivan, 1996). In fact, it is widely accepted that an organization capability to innovate is closely tied to it is intellectual capital, or its ability to utilize its knowledge resources (Subramaniam and Youndt, 2005). So, this research proposes a theoretical model to identify and classify the different elements of intellectual capital (human capital, organizational capital, technological capital, relational capital and social capital) as a source of various types of technological innovation (product, process, radical and incremental innovation), analyzing the relationship between each of those components and the four types of innovation.
Prioritizing Corporate R&D Capabilities
Authors: Chang Yuan-Chieh , Yu Pei-Ju , Chi Hui-Ru
Published: May 2010

This chapter examines a comprehensive list of intellectual capital (IC)-related indicators for developing corporate R&D capabilities along the input-process-result (IPR) processes. Via factor analysis, 43 R&D related IC indicators were abstracted into 11 factors. Corporate R&D managers prioritized these IC factors by completing analytical hierarchy process (AHP) questionnaires. The results of AHP are as follows: (1) the result phase is the pivotal of developing corporate R&D capabilities in three phases, (2) the top three weighting factors are the relational and process capitals (cost effectiveness to customers) in the result phase, followed by organizational capital (strategy fitness) in the input phase, and human capital (competency of R&D personnel) in the input phase; (3) strategy fitness in the input phase, project execution capability in the process phase; and cost effectiveness to customers in the result phase is the most crucial IC capabilities. Some discussions and conclusions were drawn.
Interprofessional and Interdisciplinary Learning
Authors: Smith Steve , Clouder Lynn
Published: May 2010

This chapter begins by considering the words used to discuss collaborative education. Although it can be argued that “practice” separates “a profession” from “a discipline”, the merit in separating theory from practice is highly questionable. The literature suggests that the challenges to interprofessional and interdisciplinary learning are very similar, for example, the “silo” mentality causes problems within both. In addition, it is evident that the reasons behind advocacy of interprofessional and interdisciplinary learning are also similar. The chapter demonstrates that successful interprofessional and interdisciplinary learning requires fundamental changes to both the curriculum and the organisation delivering it. The authors conclude that while subtle differences might exist between interprofessional and interdisciplinary learning their promotion is based on a similar rationale, which is to ensure that students are prepared for the real world in which collaboration, boundary crossing, adopting multiple perspectives and working with others to achieve optimal outcomes, is paramount.
A Threefold Framework for Relating to Innovations and Technology in Education
Authors: Edelbring Samuel
Published: May 2010

In recent years computer technology has developed quickly as have cultural practices in society. However, educational practices with technology have not yet reached the point where educators and learners benefit optimally from innovative technology. In interprofessional education (IPE) there are examples of technology use that forms an integral part of education. To improve IPE there is a need for reflection on how today and tomorrow’s technology can contribute. As technology and its practices melt together this reflection is however, not easily done. A framework intended as a starting point for such reflection is presented in the following chapter which involves learning from, with and about technology. To assess the benefit of technology for learning we need research on technology integration, on outcomes from learning with technology as well as processes of learning in conjunction with technology. This research has to use different perspectives involving various scientific traditions.
Developing an Interprofessional E-Learning Pathway
Authors: Bluteau P. A. S. , Jackson J. A.
Published: May 2010

Implementing interprofessional education is fraught with challenges, developing an e-learning approach whilst overcoming some challenges, is still not smooth. This chapter using a case study approach offers an insight into the successful development and implementation of an interprofessional e-learning pathway. The chapter draws on the authors’ experiences of the challenges and constraints in setting up this model. By unpacking these challenges the reader will be offered the opportunity to explore the impact on two Higher Education Institutes and the professional groups working within these organisations. It highlights the difficulties associated with managing change and the importance of strong leadership at key points within this process.
Overcoming the Barriers to Promoting Online Interprofessional Education
Authors: Forman Dawn , Jones Marion
Published: May 2010

It is not always transparent how e-learning can facilitate the interaction necessary for individuals to learn with, from and about each other as advocated by CAIPE (2002). This chapter emphasises the critical importance of facilitators acquiring new techniques to enable learners to make optimum use of the opportunities provided by Electronic Interprofessional Education (EIPE). To understand how barriers to online interprofessional education can be overcome, it is necessary to understand approaches to the development of positive e-learning environments. With this understanding, e-learning in supporting Interprofessional Education can be implemented more smoothly for both academic staff and students.
A Case Study Exploring a Multi-Disciplinary Collaborative Initiative to Use E-Learning to Meet the Professional Learning Needs of Health and Social Care Practitioners
Authors: Ousey Karen , White Stephen
Published: May 2010

This chapter explores the early development stages of an interactive interprofessional online learning package that updates and supports health and social care professionals who mentor students in practice settings. The package aims to present content that is relevant and useful to fourteen different disciplines accessing it. A benefit of online content is that learning can be undertaken when convenient for the mentor, 24 hours a day-7 days a week, with the facility to stop and restart as needed. Additionally the package is constructed so both individuals and groups can use it; this both meets a regulatory body’s requirement for having a face-to-face update every year, and provides support for interprofessional learning between mentors from different disciplines.
Mixing Students Mixing Methods
Authors: Dearnley Christine , Owens Melissa , Greasley Pete , Plews Caroline
Published: May 2010

This chapter describes an innovative interprofessional education (IPE) module delivered with a blended approach, incorporating face-face teaching and online problem based e-learning (PBeL) activities. This has been evaluated using qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative work provided an overall perspective on how students experienced IPE. The quantitative work demonstrated significant differences in how different professions experienced the same curriculum; it also provided a useful insight into attitudinal changes over the period of learning. The evaluation findings are presented here with discussion of their implications for future delivery of IPE. Key issues include: maximising student engagement by optimising the timing of the module, the development of IT skills and managing the professional ethnocentrism and differences in professional epistemology and philosophy, which impact on students expectations of, engagement with, and subsequently the delivery of IPE.
Exploring Interprofessional Educational Possibilities
Authors: Clarke Elinor
Published: May 2010

This chapter reports a pilot research study investigating the possibility for Interprofessional education in a 3D multi user ‘virtual world’ known as Second life® (SL) (Linden Corporation). Following a brief introduction and context of interprofessional education (IPE) in health and social care, the pilot research project is reported. The goal was to gather insights into IPE and teaching and learning in virtual worlds. An action research approach enabled the author to collaborate with students and other experienced users of SL. Drawing on emerging interprofessional, constructivist and activity theories and insights from the research project, this chapter makes suggestions for utilising immersive worlds for interprofessional teaching and learning. It identifies the need for further research focusing on the vital ingredients necessary for interprofessional learning in virtual worlds, and a requirement to ensure that patient/client/service users remains the focus of the students’ learning, which is the essence of successful interprofessional working.
A Blended Learning Course for Teachers' Ongoing Professional Development in Greece
Authors: Mouzakis Charalambos , Bourletidis Constantinos
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the design, implementation and evaluation of a professional development program for teachers initiated by the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs in cooperation with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The course focused on multicultural education and bullying in schools as it was realized through blended learning whereas the methodology applied was a face-to-face meeting and 250-hour web-based learning. The evaluation process aimed to involved teachers’ perceptions toward different aspects of the blended training process. The quantitative and qualitative results indicate that the teachers were satisfied both with the opportunity to learn at home at their own pace as with the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in relation to their work. The results brought to light arguments, controversies, and problems related to the course. Finally, some recommendations that would improve the effectiveness of courses employing blended learning methodologies are given.
Technology to Enhance the Affective Learning Outcomes of Teacher Trainees
Authors: Alias Nor Aziah , Alias Nor Aiza
Published: May 2010

This chapter focuses on the utilization of technology to enhance the learning outcomes of pre-service teachers in the context of post secondary four year teacher education program provided by higher education institutions. A brief description of technology in teacher education precedes the discussion on the learning outcomes with a specific focus on the affective outcomes. Several guiding principles for enhancing the affective learning outcomes of pre-service teachers are furnished prior to describing a technology supported immersive learning approach to elicit such outcomes. The chapter concludes with a Malaysian immersive learning example that utilises the internet technology and collaboration with practitioners in schools.
Women and Technology, Upon Reflection
Authors: Cramer Judith , Crocco Margaret Smith
Published: May 2010

Two collaborating urban university educators document their evolving understanding of the ways in which technology, gender and social studies intersect to challenge traditional assumptions in teacher education. The “male” culture of computing, notoriously unfriendly to girls in schools, is part of a well-documented digital gender gap. Though teacher preparation curricula often make little reference to gender, most American education students are female, and are taught by females in a profession often referred to (derogatively) as “feminized.” Through their efforts to infuse technology in a course on global women’s issues, and in the surrounding pre-service master’s degree program, the authors learned to see the role of digital technology in new ways. Joining the subject of female empowerment worldwide to issues of technology access, use, and culture in schools, they used research on the digital gender divide to expand technology’s role in their curriculum from mere method to essential course content.
Reflections on a Course Designed to Encourage Technology Integration in Secondary School Mathematics
Authors: Kersaint Gladis
Published: May 2010

Mathematics education is used as a context to demonstrate the types of learning experiences that can be provided to preservice secondary mathematics teachers as part of a teacher education program to encourage technology integration. Specifically, the author reflects on the design, development, and implementation of a mathematics-specific technology course and considers the extent to which this course provides prospective teachers experiences to achieve the goals identified in the Mathematics TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) Framework developed by the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. In its current form, the course addresses most of the identified guidelines; however, after reflecting on the extent to which this course might satisfy all of the indicators, the author concludes that a single course on technology integration is not sufficient. Technology integration should be considered a programmatic teacher education goal across multiple courses, both content and pedagogy.
Video Analysis as a Reflective Tool
Authors: Cuper Pru , Gong Dr. Yi
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this chapter is to present and explain the effects of a videotaping assessment instrument designed to help pre-service teachers hone specific aspects of their developing practice. In an educational era marked by emphasis on both quantitative assessment and reflective practice (sometimes considered conflicting targets), this instrument is particularly effective in providing quantitative data while simultaneously evoking gradual and productive self analysis in pre-service teachers. The authors begin with a discussion of the use of videotaping in pre-service teacher education over the years (the benefits and the drawbacks), before proceeding to discuss the merits of this particular assessment instrument as well as their thoughts on future revisions and research.
The Online Exhibit Room
Authors: Lennex Lesia , Swetnam Brianna , Flynn Heather
Published: May 2010

National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) reviews offers a serious challenge for many educational institutions. The educational program must provide, through the Internet, documentation for the six NCATE standards. What should be included, when should the process begin, and how is it accomplished? This chapter will provide detailed development of Americans with Disability Act compliant Web (Section 508) sites, detail technical construction of Web sites for an online exhibit room, and examine features such as Adobe Flash animation and appropriate online databases.This chapter gives special attention to the construction of sites that welcome prospective students, highlight the cultural diversity of its campus/institution, and provide relevant information quickly to any site visitors. This chapter represents the best ideals and practices of NCATE-accredited Web sites, and will effectively instruct teacher education candidates and instructors in appropriate electronic methods.
The Savory Deviant Delight
Authors: Boyns David
Published: May 2010

Massively Multiplayer Online worlds (MMOs), like World of Warcraft (WoW) have been established as increasingly prominent, technologically-based communities. Because MMOs require high-levels of cooperative activity, and are organized in an anonymous, virtual space, the establishment of a normative order among participants is essential. Trust is a key component of that normative order. This study examines trust and normative order among WoW game-players, and is based upon an ethnographic analysis of the gaming community. The results identify four primary techniques of normative order maintenance that are both formally institutionalized in the game, and informally organized within the player community itself. Trust is identified as a key resource through which players manage the uncertainties of their technologically-based community, and maintain the integrity of WoW’s normative order. The study concludes that the construction of a normative order within online worlds is crucial and that trust plays an important role in their stability.
Internet Trust as a Specific Form of Technology Trust and its Influence on Online Banking Adoption
Authors: Grabner-Kräuter Sonja , Faullant Rita
Published: May 2010

The construct of trust is important for online banking, because it underlines what is conducive to an enabling online banking environment. This chapter reports on an empirical study of 381 bank customers in Austria that investigates the role of Internet trust as a specific form of technology trust in the context of Internet banking. Furthermore the impact of propensity to trust as a facet of personality on Internet trust is investigated. The findings stress the importance of Internet trust as a determinant of consumer attitudes toward Internet banking and its adoption. In addition, the results show that propensity to trust is a determinant not only for trust in interpersonal relationships but also for trust in technological systems.
Millennials, Social Networking, and Trust
Authors: Komaromi Kurt , Unsal Fahri , Erickson G. Scott
Published: May 2010

Trust in exchanges is an important concept in business and has become of topic of some interest in e-commerce. Substantial work has been done on how institutional mechanisms, technology, word-of-mouth, and numerous other variables affect trust in a website and potential customers’ willingness to conduct business there. This study continues that line of research by considering how the millennial generation perceives the trustworthiness of three types of online sites: a retailer, an auction site, and a social networking site. Little work has been done on whether social network sites have more or less trust than other types of websites and what aspects of trust are affected. Given the broad trend toward utilizing these social network sites for commercial purposes, it makes sense to assess how targeted users view and interact with them. This study presents preliminary data on all of these issues, suggesting that there do appear to be differences between social network sites and more traditional online vendors.
From Watermarking to In-Band Enrichment
Authors: Mitrea Mihai , Prêteux Françoise
Published: May 2010

Fostered by the emerging Knowledge Society, the enriched media is nowadays a very challenging research topic, be it considered either from academic or from industrial perspectives. In its largest acceptation, enriched media refers to all possible associations established between some original data (video, audio, 3D, …) and some metadata (textual, audio, video, executable codes, …). Such a new content may be further exploited for various applications, like interactive HDTV, computer games, or data mining, for instance. This chapter is meant to bring into evidence the role watermarking techniques may play in this new applicative field. Following the watermarking philosophy, the in-band enrichment supposed that the enrichment data are inserted into the very data to be enriched. Thus, three main advantages are ensured: backward compatibility, format coherence, and virtually no network overhead. The discussion is structured on both theoretical aspects (the accurate evaluation of the watermarking capacity in several real-life scenarios) and on applications developed under the framework of the R&D contracts conducted at the ARTEMIS Department, Institut TELECOM.
Watermarking Audio Signals for Copyright Protection Using ICA
Authors: Matam B. R. , Lowe David
Published: May 2010

The protection or tracking of content transmitted via digital time series data is an important and under-researched area of watermarking. In this chapter a discussion of information hiding in the context of copyright protection of audio signals, an example of time series data is presented. Independent component analysis (ICA) based watermarking methods are used to embed copyright information. The integrity of a hidden message when the cover text in which it is hidden, is attacked by applying signal processing techniques such as filtering and addition of noise to the signal will be investigated. The results of the application of the ICA based method are compared with the results of the application of the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based approach. This chapter reveals the advantages of using a data dependent transform (for example ICA) based watermarking method for copyright applications when compared with static transform domain (having fixed coefficients, for example DWT) based methods.
Data Hiding Schemes Based on Singular Value Decomposition
Authors: Pomponiu Victor , Cavagnino Davide , Basso Alessandro , Vernone Annamaria
Published: May 2010

Information hiding techniques are acquiring an always increasing importance, due to the widespread diffusion of multimedia contents. Several schemes have been devised in the fields of steganography and digital watermarking, exploiting the properties of different domains. In this chapter, the authors focus on the SVD transform, with the aim of providing an exhaustive overview (more than 100 papers are analyzed) on those steganography and watermarking techniques leveraging on the important properties of such a transform. The large number of algorithms operating in the image, video and audio contexts is first classified by means of a general approach, then analyzed, to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The authors also give a detailed discussion about the applicability of each reviewed and compared data hiding scheme, in order to identify the most appropriate candidates for practical applications.
Copyright Protection in the Distribution of Multimedia Digital Objects in Internet
Authors: Higuero Mariví , Saiz Purificacion , Aguado Marina
Published: May 2010

This chapter shows the most significant approaches developed so far for the distribution of digital contents with copyright protection, highlighting their most interesting features. These proposals may be classified into two categories: on the one hand systems that try to prevent unauthorized uses of the contents, and on the other hand systems whose purpose is to detect unauthorized uses of the contents and to identify involved offenders. This chapter is focused on the systems that fit in the second of these strategies, most of which are based on the use of watermarking techniques. However, watermarks cannot provide a suitable answer to this issue by themselves, but they must be framed into more complex systems, involving the participation of different entities and the use of well defined protocols which establish the exchange of data and contents among these entities. It is important to point out that cryptography is also a key element in all of these systems and protocols.
Hardware Implementations of Image/Video Watermarking Algorithms
Authors: Idris Fayez M.
Published: May 2010

Digital watermarking is a process in which a secondary pattern or signature, called a watermark, is hidden into a digital media (e.g., image and video) such that it can be detected or extracted later for different intentions. Digital watermarking has many applications including copyright protection, authentication, tamper detection, and embedding of electronic patient records in medical images. Various software implementations of digital watermarking algorithms can be built. While software implementations can address digital watermarking in off-line applications, they cannot meet the requirements of many applications. For example, in consumer electronic devices, a software solution would be very expensive. This has motivated the development of hardware implementations of digital watermarking. In this chapter, the authors present a detailed survey of existing hardware implementations of image and video watermarking algorithms. Fundamental design issues are discussed and special techniques exploited to enhance efficiency are identified. Future outlooks are also presented to address the challenges of hardware architecture design for image and video watermarking.
Introduction to the Use of MEPS (Medical Expenditure Panel Survey)
Authors: Cerrito Patricia , Cerrito John
Published: May 2010

We will begin with data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and use it throughout the text. This dataset has been provided since 1996 and contains yearly information concerning every interaction with the healthcare profession for a cohort of approximately 30,000 patients and 11,000 households. Each household is included in the survey for a two-year period. It contains every inpatient and outpatient event, all physician visits, medications, and lab orders for every member of this cohort. It is usually two years behind, so that in 2008, medication information concerning Medicare, Part D from 2006 first became available for analysis. Because of patient privacy, patient treatment and diagnosis information is incomplete. However, this database contains very complete information about reimbursements from private insurers, government agencies, and individual patients. Therefore, it can be used to determine healthcare expenditures by individuals and households.
Preprocessing Medpar Data
Authors: Cerrito Patricia , Cerrito John
Published: May 2010

Medicare data provide information that hospitals submit for billing purposes, Medpar, or Medicare Provider Analysis and Review. It is publicly available (for a fee) at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Limited- DataSets/02_MEDPARLDSHospitalNational.asp. There are multiple forms in Medicare data and we provide the SAS code on how to “unpack” the different forms for use in analysis. We are using the 2005 version of the data. It can be provided for one or several providers. We use Medpar data from a Wound Care Center to investigate the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. We want to determine how such patients are treated, especially those with infections. The Medicare population is at highest risk for such problems. Using a higher risk population means that there will be more patients with what are, essentially, rare occurrences of a disease. As stated in the Chapter 3, MEPS data is insufficient to examine rare occurrences, so we need to use additional data for such problems.
Creating a One-to-One Relationship in the Data from a Many-to-Many
Authors: Cerrito Patricia , Cerrito John
Published: May 2010

One of the biggest problems in dealing with healthcare data is that there can be multiple patient events for the same individual. Without finding some way to combine these many observations into one row in the dataset, it is very difficult to analyze the data by patient. When dealing with cost and reimbursement information, this can be relatively simple since a total sum of costs or reimbursements can be used to examine any one patient. However, if we are looking at patient conditions, or physician decisions in sequence, this consolidation of patient information can be especially difficult. When using the technique of survival data mining, as we will discuss in later chapters, such consolidation of information is absolutely essential. In this chapter, then, we will discuss some of the requirements for combining patient information into one data row.
Using the Data to Define Patient Compliance
Authors: Cerrito Patricia , Cerrito John
Published: May 2010

Patient compliance with treatment is essential. However, it is difficult to examine the issue of compliance from claims and administrative databases that include no direct input from patients. In order to measure compliance, we now have to define a meaningful compliance score within the administrative database. One way of doing this is to investigate patient medication information. Patients with chronic diseases taking maintenance medications usually receive a 30-day or 90-day supply on a regular basis, as long as they are taking the medications at the required intervals. Therefore, one way we can examine the level of compliance is by measuring the time intervals between medication refills.
Application of E-Learning in Teaching, Learning and Research in East African Universities
Authors: Walimbwa Michael
Published: May 2010

The challenges of an increasingly borderless world, as seen in the advancements in information technology, have brought reform in universities and re-conceptualized what constitutes learning, teaching, and research. E-learning is often implemented as a response to increasing educational demand and an increasingly networked community. E-learning is considered as an interactive means to provide an alternative environment that stimulates practical learning and equips learners with the skills to manage technological change and innovations. This chapter evaluates the initial phase of e-learning, the importance of a rightful attitude, context, and instructional design in digital learning environments in Makerere University, Uganda, University of Nairobi, Kenya and University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The increase in enrollment in these universities brings in many challenges in service provision, negatively affecting instruction, learning, assessment and research services. A crisis-solving approach is presented as stimulating a creative context for the meaningful introduction of e-learning. It is also discussed whether the environment created so far through computer-mediated learning motivates institutions to integrate e-learning further. The sample involved instructors and learners from three universities in three different countries of Eastern Africa. Findings conclude that an e-learning environment must be introduced by creating relevant awareness to change attitude and empower users with an authentic approach without too much technological complexity. Review of curriculum, assessment and training around e-learning environments are also imperative as these interrelated factors form part of the e-learning process.
Safety and Commercial Applications
Authors: El-Tawab Samy , Yan Gongjun
Published: May 2010

Applications in Vehicular Networks are the main motive for all researchers and vehicle manufactures to design new protocols; technologies and implementations that allow a specific type of applications. The chapter starts with different classifications of Applications in Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network (VANET). Then, it gives a background on Applications in VANET. Then, it discusses different categories of applications in details starting with different types of safety application and commercial applications. It compares between communications in high and low safety application. Then, it describes in details monitoring, service applications and a view on entertainment applications. Finally, it will explain the requirements for real-time applications. At the end, the chapter gives some case studies for applications.
Geographic Routing on Vehicular Ad hoc Networks
Authors: Yamaguchi Hirozumi , Sun Weihua , Higashino Teruo
Published: May 2010

This chapter introduces geographic routing in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). The aim of this chapter is to clarify the basic principle of geographic VANET routing protocols by stating their ideas. To this goal, we explain the common ideas behind the geographic routing protocols, and consider issues in applying those ideas to vehicular ad hoc networks. Then we summarize a wide variety of protocols; from ones in early design stages to understand the basic principle, to state-of-the-art ones to know recent research trends. After that, we give the detailed design of an example protocol to understand the design principle of VANET geographic routing protocols. Finally, we summarize the protocols introduced in this chapter and discuss future directions for possible research issues.
Modelling & Matching and Value Sensitive Design
Authors: Chen Yun , Hamilton Andy , Borning Alan
Published: May 2010

In this chapter the authors present two methodologies: Modelling & Matching methodology (M&M) and Value Sensitive Design (VSD), which can help address the knowledge gap in the methodologies for designing e-Planning systems. Designed to address the requirements of diverse user groups and multi-disciplinary cooperation for systems development, these two methodologies offer operational guidance to e-Planning systems developers. After the background introduction on e-Planning systems, these two methodologies are described, along with their application in two projects, namely VEPs and UrbanSim. This is followed by suggestions for the further work and conclusions.
Local Internet Forums
Authors: Staffans Aija , Rantanen Heli , Nummi Pilvi
Published: May 2010

The Internet is shaking up the expertise and production of knowledge in the planning institution. Digital citizens are searching for information from different places, combining formal and informal sources without apology, and are debating and speaking out on matters. Public planning organisations will be fully stretched to adapt their practices and services to meet these demands. This chapter will present the research results of a project that embarked on gathering and combining local information and knowledge on urban planning on Internet forums. Interactive applications were also developed for these forums to support public participation in ongoing land use planning and development projects in the City of Espoo, Finland. The research results demonstrate how fragmented local, place-based knowledge is, how difficult it is to combine informal and formal information in urban planning, and how inaccessible public data systems still are.
Communicating Geoinformation Effectively With Virtual 3d City Models
Authors: Jobst Markus , Döllner Jürgen , Lubanski Olaf
Published: May 2010

Planning situations are commonly managed by intensive discussions between all stakeholders. Virtual 3D city models enhance these communication procedures with additional visualization possibilities (in opposite to physical models), which support spatial knowledge structuring and human learning mechanisms. This chapter discusses key aspects of virtual 3D city creation, main components of virtual environments and the framework for an efficient communication. It also explores future research for the creation of virtual 3D environments.
The E-Citizen in Planning
Authors: Conroy Maria Manta , Evans-Cowley Jennifer
Published: May 2010

Municipalities that plan have both a legal obligation and a professional directive to incorporate citizens into the planning process, but garnering sufficient and diverse citizen participation is often a struggle. Online participation tools as a component of e-government provide a potential venue for enhancing the participation process. However, e-government participation raises challenges pertaining to trust, exclusion, and responsiveness. This chapter contributes to the understanding of these issues by analyzing how municipalities in the U.S. view the e-participant. The analysis is based on an ongoing longitudinal study that examines planning department web sites for U.S. cities with 2000 census populations of 50,000 or more. The authors’ findings highlight respondents’ views of online tools as a means to further efficiency and citizen satisfaction, rather than as a means by which to potentially enhance discussion of community issues.
The Role of Local Agencies in Developing Community Participation in E-Government and E-Public Services
Authors: Wessels Bridgette
Published: May 2010

This chapter discusses the way in which understanding of participation in e-services has evolved through a social learning process within planning and implementation processes. The chapter traces the development of methodologies, partnerships and design constituencies in pilot projects that inform the development of inclusive e-services. It draws on case studies of e-services between 1995 and 2009 to show how planning processes become embedded in cycles of learning and development. E-services involve change in services as well socio-technological change and relate to change in forms of participation. This has led to the development of partnerships to plan and implement e-services and to the development of research and design methodologies that foster participation in the design and use of e-services.
E-Planning
Authors: Aikins Stephen Kwamena
Published: May 2010

This chapter discusses the security risks and management implications for the use of information technology to manage urban and regional planning and development processes. The advancement in GIS technology and planning support systems has provided the opportunity for planning agencies to adopt innovative processes to aid and improve decision-making. Although studies show that a number of impediments to the widespread adoption these technologies exist, emerging trends point to opportunities for the integration of planning supporting systems with various models to help estimate urban growth, environmental, economic and social impact, as well as to facilitate participatory planning. At the same time, information security infrastructure and security preparedness of most public agencies lag behind vulnerabilities. Drawing on the literature on planning, e-planning and information security, the author argues that the emergence of e-planning as an efficient approach to urban planning and development also poses enormous security challenges that need to be managed to ensure integrity, confidentiality and availability of critical planning information for decision-making.