bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smart Antennas for Automatic Radio Frequency Identification Readers
Authors: Karmakar Nemai Chandra
Published: May 2011

Various smart antennas developed for automatic radio frequency identification (RFID) readers are presented. The main smart antennas types of RFID readers are switched beam, phased array, adaptive beams forming and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennas. New development in the millimeter wave frequency band?60 GHz and above? exploits micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices and nano-components. Realizing the important of RFID applications in the 900 MHz frequency band, a 3×2-element planar phased array antenna has been designed in a compact package at Monash University. The antenna covers 860-960 GHz frequency band with more than 10 dB input return loss, 12 dBi broadside gain and up to 40° elevation beam scanning with a 4-bit reflection type phase shifter array. Once implemented in the mass market, RFID smart antennas will contribute tremendously in the areas of RFID tag reading rates, collision mitigation, location finding of items and capacity improvement of the RFID system.
Pervasive iTV and Creative Networked Multimedia Systems
Authors: Roibás Anxo Cereijo , Johnson Stephen
Published: May 2011

This article presents a research project carried out at the BT Mobility Research Center with the aim of developing appropriate applications for pervasive iTV, paying special attention to the personal and social contextual usage of this media within the entertainment, work, and government environments. It prospects a future trend in the use of pervasive interactive multimedia systems in future communications scenarios for mobile and pervasive iTV, that is, the use of handhelds as interfaces to extend and enhance the TV experience outside the home boundaries. The new scenarios discussed in this article are based on the assumption that mobile phones interconnected with other surrounding interfaces (e.g., iTV, PCs, PDAs, in-car-navigators, smart-house appliances, etc.), will be decisive in the creation of pervasive interactive multimedia systems. With its recent development into becoming an interactive system, TV seems to increasingly replace traditional “passive” TV platforms through active viewers-participation (Lamont & Afshan, 1999). Moreover, interactive television gives viewer the opportunity to extend their UX of television for activities that currently occur more typically on the Web (Steemers, 1998). These activities are consequent to the enhanced communication possibilities that have been enabled by new media: users can browse information, personalize their viewing choices, play interactive games, carry out e-commerce activities (shopping, banking, voting, etc.), and play increasingly active roles in broadcast programs (to the extent of interacting with other viewers).
Intelligent Agent Framework for Secure Patient-Doctor Profiling and Profile Matching
Authors: Mohammadian Masoud , Jentzsch Ric
Published: May 2011

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a promising technology for improving services and reduction of cost in health care. Accurate almost real time data acquisition and analysis of patient data and the ability to update such a data is a way to improve patient’s care and reduce cost in health care systems. This article employs wireless radio frequency identification technology to acquire patient data and integrates wireless technology for fast data acquisition and transmission, while maintaining the security and privacy issues. An intelligent agent framework is proposed to assist in managing patients’ health care data in a hospital environment. A data classification method based on fuzzy logic is proposed and developed to improve the data security and privacy of data collected and propagated.
Internet-Enabled User Interfaces for Distance Learning
Authors: Liu Wei , Soon The Keng , Peiris Roshan , Choi Yongsoon , Cheok Adrian David
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the integration of handheld computers in K-12 classrooms and its impact on digital literacy. Following a brief description of this new technology for education, teacher stories are used to illustrate what types of educational activities are possible above and beyond what is possible with available technology, what pedagogical changes need to be made to effectively integrate handheld technology in K-12 classrooms, how handheld devices can be adapted to harness their full potential as ubiquitous devices for teaching and learning, and how digital literacy skills influence and are being influenced by this technology. The ultimate goal of the author is to show that handheld computers have the potential to have a tremendous impact on teaching and learning, given the right context.
Handhelds for Digital Libraries
Authors: Veronikis Spyros , Tsakonas Giannis , Papatheodorou Christos
Published: May 2011

The advent of Internet technologies since decades ago has propelled distance learning drastically. In this modern world, knowledge develops so fast that the amount of intellectual information that needs to be learnt before it becomes obsolete again is so huge. Distance learning through the use of Internet technologies has the advantage of being able to get across the information to the students remotely and effortlessly. The other advantage, which is the main focus of this paper, is that students are able to learn from their instructors on an entirely new media platform - the Internet-enabled and tangible user interface. This paper discusses how to use two main new media: multi-modal Internet technologies, namely remote physical interface and remote augmented reality technology in distance learning.
Ubiquitous Computing for Microbial Forensics and Bioterrorism
Authors: Prasad Gaya , Minakshi
Published: May 2011

Koreans envision a world in which anyone can access information and the tools to explore it anytime, anywhere. Korea has been one of the leaders in the mobile industry and this chapter explores the past, present and future of mobile technology and markets in Korea. Starting with background and a brief overview of the current situation, this chapter uses the CLIP framework to describe mobile services in Korea. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion of challenges and future strategies.
Outline of the Human Factor Elements Evident with Pervasive Computers
Authors: Watson Genevieve , Glambedakis Antony
Published: May 2011

The future of pervasive computers largely depends upon culture studies of human societies. This forms a challenging field of social research because cultural differences exist across societies for a varied acceptability of ubiquitous computing in everyday lives. Hence, it is highly necessary to study various cultures and cultural phenomena that can demonstrate human need patterns, individual experiences, as well as orientations for the use of various pervasive computers. The chapter emphasizes culture as the centerpiece for the advancement of pervasive computing technology in the coming days; as culture is the key determinant of any tool necessary for human development. The study of culture in this context is highly essential, whose meaning in the anthropological perspective has been explained. Technological growth as a cultural activity has been highlighted with a necessity of a cultural approach for its sustenance. A culture-centric methodology has been presented, which will enable manufacturers at local, as well as global levels, for the design of culture-specific appliances based on such technology; depending upon of the need and choice of consumers in various cultural segments which are largely influenced by the forces of globalization.
How Research can Help to Create Commercially Successful Ubiquitous Services
Authors: Palo Teea , Koskela Kaisa , Koivumäki Timo , Tähtinen Jaana
Published: May 2011

Adaptation is one of the key requirements to handle the increasing complexity in today’s computing environments. This chapter focuses on the aspect of adaptation that puts the user into focus. In this context it introduces the different adaptation types possible for ubiquitous computing services like interaction, content, and presentation. To allow for an automatic adaptation it is important to get some means about the users. Basic requirements to model the users and approaches to personalize applications will be presented.
Knowledge Sharing and Pervasive Computing
Authors: Brook Phillip W.J.
Published: May 2011

Ubiquitous computing will change the way people live with technology. At the same time it will also affect the way people access and use services. It is obvious that these new ubiquitous services have a lot of business potential. However, before this potential can be fully exploited, we need to understand the crucial factors behind creating commercially successful ubiquitous services. To do so, research is needed in three important areas. Firstly, we need to understand the basic nature of ubiquitous services, i.e., their unique characteristics. Secondly, we need to know the needs of the customers in order to create value to them so that they will accept and use ubiquitous services. This can be done by involving users into the innovation process of ubiquitous services. And thirdly, we need to understand the value creating networks developing and commercializing the ubiquitous services as well as to find an appropriate business model for describing them. Value creation is impossible without a successful network business model which is yet to be found. Thus, the aim of this chapter is to describe, examine and give proposals for further research in these three important research fields which can be seen as the prerequisites for developing commercially successful ubiquitous services.
Learning by Pervasive Gaming
Authors: Kittl Christian , Edegger Francika , Petrovic Otto
Published: May 2011

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has been considered the “next revolution in supply chain management” (Srivastava, 2004, p. 60). Current research and development related to RFID focuses on the manufacturing and retail sectors with the aim of improving supply chain efficiency. After the manufacturing and retail sectors, health care is considered to be the next sector for RFID (Ericson, 2004). RFID technology’s potential to improve asset management in the health sector is considerable, especially with respect to asset management optimization. In fact, health expenses have increased substantially in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in recent years. In Canada, the public health budget amounted to $91.4 billion (CAD) for the year 2005–2006 compared to $79.9 billion in 2003–2004 (CIHI, 2005). Moreover, the health care industry has been the focus of intense public policy attention. In order to curb this upward trend, the public heath sector in Canada is subject to strict budget constraints. Among the different alternatives for reducing expenditures, the improvement of asset management within the different health institutions appears to be worthwhile. RFID technology seems to be a viable alternative to help hospitals effectively manage and locate medical equipment and other assets, track files, capture charges, detect and deter counterfeit products, and maintain and manage materials. In other words, health care organizations would benefit particularly from RFID applications. The main objective of this study is to investigate the potential for RFID technology within one specific supply chain in the health care sector.B ased on a field study conducted in a large nonprofit hospital, this article tests some scenarios for integrating RFID technology in the context of two warehousing activities. We will first introduce the context of the health care sector and the current applications of RFID technology in that sector. The next section presents the methodological approach that was used in the study. The research findings and their implications are then discussed. Finally, some closing remarks are made.
When Does RFID Make Business Sense for Managing Supply Chains?
Authors: Özelkan Ertunga C. , Galambosi Agnes
Published: May 2011

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is believed to change how supply chains operate today. While RFID’s promise for improved inventory visibility and automation in inventory management is making many supply chain players hopeful for increased sales and reduced operating costs, these benefits do come at a cost and involve risks. This article presents financial returns analysis that captures RFID’s costs and benefits, and quantifies the financial risks of implementing RFID for various business sizes and products with different unit profits to understand when RFID makes business sense. More precisely, the returns analysis is performed using an econometric model to understand how break-even sales volumes, unit profits, tag prices, return on investment, and risks vary between a manufacturer and a retailer in a supply chain. The results are extended to multiproduct cases as well. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to understand the returns in pessimistic and optimistic scenarios.
Privacy Issues of Applying RFID in Retail Industry
Authors: Li Haifei , Hung Patrick C.K. , Zhang Jia , Ahn David
Published: May 2011

Retail industry poses typical enterprise computing challenges, since a retailer normally deals with multiple parties that belong to different organizations (i.e., suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, end consumers). Capable of enabling retailers to effectively and efficiently manage merchandise transferring among various parties, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an emerging technology that potentially could revolutionize the way retailers do business. With the dramatic price drop of RFID tags, it is possible that RFID could be applied to each item sold by a retailer. However, RFID technology poses critical privacy challenges. If not properly used, the data stored in RFID could be abused and, thus, cause privacy concerns for end consumers. In this article, we first analyze the potential privacy issue of RFID utilization. Then we propose a privacy authorization model that aims to precisely define comprehensive RFID privacy policies. Extended from the role-based access control model, our privacy authorization model ensures the special needs of RFID-related privacy protection. These policies are designed from the perspective of end consumers, whose privacy rights potentially could be violated. Finally, we explore the feasibility of applying Enterprise Privacy Authorization Language (EPAL) as the vehicle for specifying RFID-related privacy rules.
Security and Privacy in RFID Based Wireless Networks
Authors: Trcek Denis
Published: May 2011

Mass deployment of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology is now becoming feasible for a wide variety of applications ranging from medical to supply chain and retail environments. Its main draw-back until recently was high production costs, which are now becoming lower and acceptable. But due to inherent constraints of RFID technology (in terms of limited power and computational resources) these devices are the subject of intensive research on how to support and improve increasing demands for security and privacy. This chapter therefore focuses on security and privacy issues by giving a general overview of the field, the principles, the current state of the art, and future trends. An improvement in the field of security and privacy solutions for this kind of wireless communications is described as well.
Emotional Ambient Media
Authors: Lugmayr Artur , Dorsch Tillmann , Humanes Pabo Roman
Published: May 2011

The “medium is the message”: nowadays the medium as such is non-distinguishable from its presentation environment. However, what is the medium in an ambient environment, when the environment is smart, recognizes emotions, and at the same time responsive? Emotions have had an inferior role in philosophy, psychology, art, and nowadays in media technology. In philosophy and psychology many researchers devoted their work to the question what emotions are, and how they can be modeled, ranging from common-sense theories, theories that emotions are simply physiological disturbances, and the many behavior theories describing emotions providing a much more comprehensive view on emotions (Solomon, 1977). In the age of ambient media, where media technology is embedded seamlessly and hidden into the natural environment of the consumer, the view towards media is changing. The modality how emotions are experienced and the technology to recognize and simulate emotions are changing. To support the theories within the scope of this chapter, a case study – the emotional ambient responsive character – has been performed. The concept was realized as a simple interactive game responding to human emotions. Within this book section, we present a technical oriented view towards recognizing, simulating, and binding emotions in ambient media systems. A case-study for an emotion recognition and response system is presented. The system integrates the content and emotion recognition elements.
Ubiquitous Services and Business Processes
Authors: Barros Alistair
Published: May 2011

In the commercial world, the value of ubiquitous computing applications is proportional to the range of business services that can be accessed in device-consumptive ways. Services originate in legacy applications of organizations, and are developed and operated typically in heterogeneous environments. Service-oriented architecture (SOA), supported by a complex stack of Web services standards, addresses ways in which software components of diverse applications can be homogeneously interacted with and composed. Thus, SOA provides a crucial mechanism for making services accessible to ubiquitous computing applications. In this chapter, we shed light on what SOA entails, based on Web services interfaces and messaging, and service composition through single-party process orchestration and multiparty choreography languages. For the latter, concrete patterns are used to describe the capabilities of prospective standards. Ways in which SOA needs be extended to allow wider and more flexible service trading, typified in current developments through service marketplaces, are then discussed. Such extensions, we argue, converge with directions in ubiquitous computing through so-called ubiquitous service networks and service ecosystems.
Ambient Intelligence on the Dance Floor
Authors: Seif El-Nasr Magy , Vasilakos Athanasios V.
Published: May 2011

With the evolution of intelligent devices, sensors, and ambient intelligent systems, it is not surprising to see many research projects starting to explore the design of intelligent artifacts in the area of art and technology; these projects take the form of art exhibits, interactive performances, and multi-media installations. In this paper, we seek to propose a new architecture for an ambient intelligent dance performance space. Dance is an art form that seeks to explore the use of gesture and body as means of artistic expression. This paper proposes an extension to the medium of expression currently used in dance—we seek to explore the use of the dance environment itself, including the stage lighting and music, as a medium for artistic reflection and expression. To materialize this vision, the performance space will be augmented with several sensors: physiological sensors worn by the dancers, as well as pressure sensor mats installed on the floor to track dancers’ movements. Data from these sensors will be passed into a three layered architecture: a layer analyzes sensor data collected from physiological and pressure sensors. Another layer intelligently adapts the lighting and music to portray the dancer’s physiological state given artistic patterns authored through specifically developed tools; and, lastly, a layer for presenting the music and lighting changes in the physical dance environment.
An Outsourcing Acceptance Model
Authors: Benamati John “Skip” , Rajkumar T. M.
Published: May 2011

The use of outsourcing is expanding rapidly. This study empirically tests a model of application development outsourcing acceptance based on the technology acceptance model (TAM). TAM suggested perceived usefulness and ease of use mediate the effects of other variables on users’ attitudes towards a technology. The model tested in this study suggests perceived usefulness and ease of use of outsourcing mediate the effects of the external environment, prior outsourcing relationships, and risks on decisionmakers’ attitude toward application development outsourcing. One hundred and sixty respondents to a survey sent to 3000 IT decision makers provided data to confirm the applicability of TAM and the influences of these external variables. Support for applying TAM in this alternative context was found. Three sub-dimensions of risk, project management, relationship, and employee risk emerged. Project management and employee risks along with prior relationships were found to significantly influence decision maker perceptions about application development outsourcing.
An Empirical Study on the Integrated Framework of e-CRM in Online Shopping
Authors: Kim Changsu , Zhao Weihong , Yang Kyung Hoon
Published: May 2011

Based on customer cognitive, affective and conative experiences in Internet online shopping, this study, from customers’ perspectives, develops a conceptual framework for e-CRM to explain the psychological process that customers maintain a long-term exchange relationship with specific online retailer. The conceptual framework proposes a series of causal linkages among the key variables affecting customer commitment to specific online retailer, such as perceived value (as cognitive belief), satisfaction (as affective experience) and trust (as conative relationship intention). Three key exogenous variables affecting Internet online shopping experiences, such as perceived service quality, perceived product quality, and perceived price fairness, are integrated into the framework. This study empirically tested and supported a large part of the proposed framework and the causal linkages within it. The empirical results highlight some managerial implications for successfully developing and implementing a strategy for e-CRM.
E-Government Service Delivery Performance
Authors: Lawson-Body Assion , Keengwe Jared , Mukankusi Laurence , Illia Abdou , Miller Glenn
Published: May 2011

E-government service delivery performance has been discussed in literature as a way governments use information technologies (IT) to deliver valuable services to their citizens at a lower cost. This article examines the effectiveness of Web site-supported Balanced Scorecard’s four dimensions (innovation and learning, internal process, veteran value proposition, and financial) in improving e-government service delivery performance. The study used content analysis to analyze the data obtained from a sample of 19 county veteran service officers (CVSOs) to test the hypotheses. CVSOs use Web sites to serve veterans on a Government-to-Citizen (G2C) basis.
Information Technology / Systems Offshore Outsourcing
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh S. , Starr Brandi , Hickerson Blake , Morrison Marshelle , Howard Michael
Published: May 2011

The offshore outsourcing of information technology and information systems (IT/IS) is being increasingly practiced among firms that are focusing on core competencies and cost-effectiveness. With the increase in offshore IT/IS operations, a growing number of companies are encountering negative experiences and unpredicted results. The analysis performed in this chapter reveals the possible risks and perceived success factors of companies outsourcing IT/IS operations offshore. The major points of interest are operational and strategic risks; legal contracts; cultural, security, and financial issues; and noted success factors by companies that participate in offshore outsourcing. The research indicates the importance of risk identification and the formulation of strategic plans that include preventive, detective, and corrective control methods of implementation and evaluation. Effective methods and metrics for measuring the success or failure of IT/IS offshore outsourcing operations is expected to be a continuing development with the increasing growth of this phenomenon.
Agile Workflow Technology for Long-Term Processes
Authors: Minor Mirjam , Tartakovski Alexander , Schmalen Daniel , Bergmann Ralph
Published: May 2011

The increasing dynamics of today’s work impacts the business processes. Agile workflow technology is a means for the automation of adaptable processes. However, the modification of workflows is a difficult task that is performed by human experts. This chapter discusses the novel approach of agile workflow technology for dynamic, long-term scenarios and on change reuse. First, it introduces new concepts for a workflow modelling language and enactment service, which enable an interlocked modelling and execution of workflows by means of a sophisticated suspension mechanism. Second, it provides new process-oriented methods of case-based reasoning in order to support the reuse of change experience. The results from an experimental evaluation in a real-world scenario highlight the usefulness and the practical impact of this work.
The Construction of Green Supply Chain Management System
Authors: An Heekyung
Published: May 2011

Considering the implications of EU environmental laws such as REACH (registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals) and EuP (directive on eco-design of energy-using products) as well as RoHS (restrictions of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment) Directive, they have been acquired to advance GSCM (green supply chain management) more and more. The aim of this article is to introduce the construction of GSCM system that improves collaborative relationships between an EEE manufacturer and its suppliers. The study is conducted in three steps. Firstly, the four elements, which are necessities to form collaborative relationships between an EEE manufacturer and its suppliers, are described. Secondly, the condition and construction of GSCM system including the four elements is proposed. Finally, we presented the method that the GSCM system is constructed as a practicable tool in the initial stage by a case study held in Shimadzu Corporation.
Social Semantic Web and Semantic Web Services
Authors: Sfakianakis Stelios
Published: May 2011

In this chapter the authors aim to portray the social aspects of the World Wide Web and the current and emerging trends in “Social Web”. The Social Web (or Web 2.0) is the term that is used frequently to characterize Web sites that feature user provided content as their primary data source and leverage the creation of online communities based on shared interests or other socially driven criteria. The need for adding more meaning and semantics to these social Web sites has been identified and to this end the Semantic Web initiative is described and its methodologies, standards, and architecture are examined in the context of the “Semantic Social Web”. Finally the embellishment of Web Services with semantic annotations and semantic discovery functionality is described and the relevant technologies are explored.
Semantic Web in Ubiquitous Mobile Communications
Authors: Zhdanova Anna V. , Li Ning , Moessner Klaus
Published: May 2011

The world becomes ubiquitous, and mobile communication platforms become oriented towards integration with the web, getting benefits from the large amount of information available there, and creation of the new types of value-added services. Semantic and ontology technologies are seen as being able to advance the seamless integration of the mobile and the Web worlds. We provide background information on the Semantic Web field, discuss other research fields that bring semantics into play for reaching the ontology-enabled ubiquitous mobile communication vision, and exemplify the state of the art of ontology development and use in telecommunication projects.
Basics to Develop Web Services for Human Resources
Authors: Povalej Roman , Weiß Peter
Published: May 2011

In this article certain pillars as basics are presented being necessary to develop Web services (W3C, 2007) supporting human resource (HR) processes like assessing, hiring, modeling information systems, staffing, and so forth; by the help of these Web services. Current HR information systems in general do not adequately support tasks related to cross-organizational or global skills and competence management. In the following, the topic is presented which relates to knowledge management especially to “communities of practice,” as well as related topics such as e-skills and ICT (information and communication technologies) professionalism; the latter currently being broadly discussed by experts in Europe.
The Power and Promise of Web 2.0 Tools
Authors: Page G. Andrew , Ali Radwan
Published: May 2011

The key idea that sets constructivism apart from other theories of cognition was launched about 60 years ago by Jean Piaget. It was the idea that what is called knowledge does not and cannot have the purpose of producing representations of an independent reality, but instead has an adaptive function (Von Glasersfeld, 1996, p.3). In this chapter, a variety of Web 2.0 applications and their affordances are presented and discussed in relation to constructivism in higher education. The aim is to explain how these applications can be used in higher education to promote interactive and engaging learning environments. Recommendations for harnessing the potential of these tools along with practical examples will assist facilitators of higher education with creative means to design their courses and thus promote Learning 2.0.
Security in a Web 2.0 World
Authors: Barnes Richard T.
Published: May 2011

Web 2.0 has brought enumerable benefits as well as daunting problems of securing transactions, computers, and identities. Powerful hacker techniques, including cross-site scripting (XSS) and cross-site request forgery (CSRF), are used to exploit applications to reveal and steal, at the worst, confidential information and money, or, at the least, cause trouble and waste time and money for reasons that may be best described as fun or simply possible to do. The people interested in transgressing Web 2.0 applications do so for money, prestige, or for the challenge. An infamous hacker from the early days of the Internet now heads his own Internet security company. A more recent hacker of some infamy has created a stir of concern and consternation as to how pervasive and potentially destructive hacker attacks can be. Securing Web 2.0 applications requires a multifaceted approach involving improved code development standards, organizational policy changes, protected servers and workstations, and aggressive law enforcement.
The Effectiveness of Scaffolding in a Web-Based, Adaptive Learning System
Authors: Chang Mei-Yu , Tarng Wernhuar , Shin Fu-Yu
Published: May 2011

This study combined ideas from learning hierarchy and scaffolding theory to design a webbased, adaptive learning system to investigate the effectiveness of scaffolding for elementary school students having different levels of learning achievement. The topic chosen for learning was the Three States of Water. A quasi-experiment was conducted. In this experiment, students were divided into three groups: control group (without scaffolds), experimental group A (scaffolds providing by on-line conversation) and experimental group B (scaffolds providing by face-to-face conversation). The experimental results showed significant improvement for students after they had studied using the web-based, adaptive learning system. Specifically, scaffolds in the form of face-to-face conversations greatly enhanced the learning of high-achievement students. However, there were no significant differences between the low-achievement students with or without the provision of scaffolds. It was also discovered that the web-based, adaptive learning system could help students develop their learning responsibility.
Context-Aware Applications for the Web
Authors: Daniel Florian
Published: May 2011

Adaptivity (the runtime adaptation to user profile data) and context-awareness (the runtime adaptation to generic context data) have been gaining momentum in the field of Web engineering over the last years, especially in response to the ever growing demand for highly personalized services and applications coming from end users. Developing context-aware and adaptive Web applications requires addressing a few design concerns that are proper of such kind of applications and independent of the chosen modeling paradigm or programming language. In this chapter we characterize the design of context-aware Web applications, the authors describe a conceptual, model-driven development approach, and they show how the peculiarities of context-awareness require augmenting the expressive power of conceptual models in order to be able to express adaptive application behaviors.
A Semantic Web-Based Approach for Building Personalized News Services
Authors: Frasincar Flavius , Borsje Jethro , Levering Leonard
Published: May 2011

This article proposes Hermes, a Semantic Webbased framework for building personalized news services. It makes use of ontologies for knowledge representation, natural language processing techniques for semantic text analysis, and semantic query languages for specifying wanted information. Hermes is supported by an implementation of the framework, the Hermes News Portal, a tool which allows users to have a personalized online access to news items. The Hermes framework and its associated implementation aim at advancing the state-of-the-art of semantic approaches for personalized news services by employing Semantic Web standards, exploiting domain information, using a word sense disambiguation procedure, and being able to express temporal constraints for the desired news items.
SWELS
Authors: Elia Gianluca , Secundo Giustina , Taurino Cesare
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a prototypal e-learning system based on the Semantic Web paradigm, called SWELS (Semantic Web E-Learning System). The chapter starts by introducing e-learning as an efficient and just-in-time tool supporting the learning processes. Then a brief description of the evolution of distance learning technologies will be provided, starting from first generation e-learning systems through the current Virtual Learning Environments and Managed Learning Environments, by underling the main differences between them and the need to introduce standards for e-learning with which to manage and overcome problems related to learning content personalization and updating. Furthermore, some limits of the traditional approaches and technologies for e-learning will be provided, by proposing the Semantic Web as an efficient and effective tool for implementing new generation e- Learning systems. In the last section of the chapter, the SWELS system is proposed by describing the methodology adopted for organizing and modeling its knowledge base, by illustrating its main functionalities, and by providing the design of the tool followed by the implementation choices. Finally, future developments of SWELS will be presented, together with some remarks regarding the benefits for the final user in using such system.
Web Services Discovery with Rough Sets
Authors: Li Maozhen , Yu Bin , Sahota Vijay , Qi Man
Published: May 2011

Web services are emerging as a major technology for building service-oriented distributed systems. Potentially, various resources on the Internet can be virtualized as Web services for a wider use by their communities. Service discovery becomes an issue of vital importance for Web services applications. This article presents ROSSE, a Rough Sets based Search Engine for Web service discovery. One salient feature of ROSSE lies in its capability to deal with uncertainty of service properties when matching services. A use case is presented to demonstrate the use of ROSSE for discovery of car services. ROSSE is evaluated in terms of its accuracy and efficiency in service discovery.
Semantic Web Take-Off in a European Industry Perspective
Authors: Léger Alain , Heinecke Johannes , Nixon Lyndon J.B. , Shvaiko Pavel , Charlet Jean , Hobson Paola , Goasdoué François
Published: May 2011

Semantic Web technology is being increasingly applied in a large spectrum of applications in which domain knowledge is conceptualized and formalized (e.g., by means of an ontology) in order to support diversified and automated knowledge processing (e.g., reasoning) performed by a machine. Moreover, through an optimal combination of (cognitive) human reasoning and (automated) machine processing (mimicking reasoning); it becomes possible for humans and machines to share more and more complementary tasks. The spectrum of applications is extremely large and to name a few: corporate portals and knowledge management, e-commerce, e-work, e-business, healthcare, e-government, natural language understanding and automated translation, information search, data and services integration, social networks and collaborative filtering, knowledge mining, business intelligence and so on. From a social and economic perspective, this emerging technology should contribute to growth in economic wealth, but it must also show clear cut value for everyday activities through technological transparency and efficiency. The penetration of Semantic Web technology in industry and in services is progressing slowly but accelerating as new success stories are reported. In this chapter we present ongoing work in the cross-fertilization between industry and academia. In particular, we present a collection of application fields and use cases from enterprises which are interested in the promises of Semantic Web technology. The use cases are focused on the key knowledge processing components that will unlock the deployment of the technology in industry. The chapter ends with the presentation of the current state of the technology and future trends as seen by prominent actors in the field.
The Web Strategy Development in the Automotive Sector
Authors: Memmola Massimo , Tzannis Alessandra
Published: May 2011

Especially in recent years, a transformation is ongoing: the Web, besides being a means of information sharing (internal-external), becomes a powerful tool for saving costs, reducing the distribution structure, initiating distance transactions, and ever more, becomes a mechanism of integration with the external environment and a catalyst of experiences for all stakeholder. Starting from the identification of the key elements, potentialities, and of the impact of the Internet on firms’ performance, competitiveness, effectiveness, and efficiency, this chapter is focused on the changes in the automotive sector due to the integration between business strategy and Web strategy. Therefore, starting from the consideration of a clear identification and subsequent sharing need of strategic goals, a research work will be presented exploring, on the basis of an interpretative model, the Internet potential in the automotive sector in order to achieve the identification of an optimal path definition and development of Web strategy. This objective will be developed through a desk analysis focused on the strategic positioning of the current businesses in the automotive sector (i.e., complexity evaluation of the presence on the Internet, strategic architecture, quality, and effectiveness of this presence).
Communicative Networking and Linguistic Mashups on Web 2.0
Authors: Pegrum Mark
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the application of a range of Web 2.0 technologies to language education. It argues that Web 2.0 is fundamentally about networking, community building, and identity negotiation. Given the textual nature of the Web, all of this is made possible primarily through the medium of language. Consequently, Web 2.0 is ideally suited to the teaching of language and literacy. To be most effective, this requires a broadly social constructivist pedagogical approach as well as a willingness to work with the messy reality of linguistic “mashups,” the hybrid uses of languages, codes, and media which inform Web 2.0.
Improving Online Readability in a Web 2.0 Context
Authors: Loucky John Paul
Published: May 2011

This study describes a task-based assessment (TBA) approach to teaching reading and writing online. It then analyzes key factors emerging from the results of implementing this approach with graduate engineering students in Japan. It is argued that these factors should be considered when designing or assessing any online reading or writing course for ESL/EFL students. The findings of this study are especially relevant to task-based approaches and technical or pedagogical innovations which can help foster more effective and enjoyable learning for teachers and students in blended learning environments. It is hoped that this discussion can serve as a model of what can be done to enhance online EAP/ESP/ETP courses, as well as any other online reading or writing course being designed for speakers and readers of languages other than English. The goal in this chapter is to summarize research aimed at integrating some of the most useful Web sites for English language learning into a user-friendly system for optimal online vocabulary development — which could be self-monitored by students as well as tracked by teachers via a course management system.
On the Management Performance of Networked Environments Using Web Services Technologies
Authors: Granville Lisandro Zambenedetti , Neisse Ricardo , Vianna Ricardo Lemos , Fioreze Tiago
Published: May 2011

The management of telecommunication and data networks has been based on standards defined in historical contexts quite different than the current times. As a consequence, traditional management technologies are not able to address important challenges posed by the modern infrastructures. Web Services technologies enable the proper communication of processes deployed on quite hostile environments such as the Internet. The use of Web Services for management allows the integration of low-level activities (e.g., retrieving monitoring information from gateways) with high-level business processes (e.g., creating a new product and its marketing strategy.) Despite clear advantages, Web Services-based management does not come for free; since Web Services are based on XML documents, its performance, compared with traditional management technologies, may represent an important drawback. This chapter covers the aspects of using Web Services for management focusing on the different interactions between managers and devices and the performance associated with it.
Semantic Web-Enabled Protocol Mediation for the Logistics Domain
Authors: Corcho Oscar , Losada Silvestre , Benjamins Richard
Published: May 2011

Among the problems that arise when trying to make different applications interoperate with each other, protocol mediation is one of the most difficult ones and for which less relevant literature can be found. Protocol mediation is concerned with non-matching message interaction patterns in application interaction. In this chapter we describe the design and implementation of a protocol mediation component that has been applied in the interoperation between two heterogeneous logistic provider systems (using two different standards: RosettaNet and EDIFACT), for a specific freight forwarding task.
A Static Web Immune System and its Robustness Analysis
Authors: Gong Tao
Published: May 2011

Static Web immune system is an important applicatiion of artificial immune system, and it is also a good platform to develop new immune computing techniques. On the Static Web system, a normal model is proposed with the space property and the time property of each component, in order to identify the normal state of the system that the artificial immune system protects. Based on the normal model, the Static Web immune sytsem is modelled with three tiers, that is the innate immune tier, the adaptive immune tier and the parallel immune tier. All the three tiers are inspired from the natural immune system. On the tri-tier immune model, the self detection mechanism is proposed and programmed based on the normal model, and the non-self detection is based on the self detection. Besides, the recognition of known non-selfs and unknown non-selfs are designed and analyzed. It is showed that the Static Web immune system is effective and useful for both theory and applications.
Web Application Server Clustering with Distributed Java Virtual Machine
Authors: Lam King Tin , Wang Cho-Li
Published: May 2011

Web application servers, being today’s enterprise application backbone, have warranted a wealth of J2EE-based clustering technologies. Most of them however need complex configurations and excessive programming effort to retrofit applications for cluster-aware execution. This chapter proposes a clustering approach based on distributed Java virtual machine (DJVM). A DJVM is a collection of extended JVMs that enables parallel execution of a multithreaded Java application over a cluster. A DJVM achieves transparent clustering and resource virtualization, extolling the virtue of single-systemimage (SSI). The authors evaluate this approach through porting Apache Tomcat to our JESSICA2 DJVM and identify scalability issues arising from fine-grain object sharing coupled with intensive synchronizations among distributed threads. By leveraging relaxed cache coherence protocols, we are able to conquer the scalability barriers and harness the power of our DJVM’s global object space design to significantly outstrip existing clustering techniques for cache-centric web applications.
Using Web Service Enhancements to Establish Trust Relationships with Privacy Protection
Authors: Wu Zhengping , Weaver Alfred C.
Published: May 2011

The lack of effective trust establishment mechanisms impedes the deployment of diverse trust models for web services. One issue is that collaborating organizations need mechanisms to bridge extant relationships among cooperating parties. We describe an indirect trust establishment mechanism to bridge and build new trust relationships from extant trust relationships with privacy protection. Another issue is that a trust establishment mechanism for web services must ensure privacy and owner control. Current web service technologies encourage a service requester to reveal all its private attributes in a pre-packaged credential to the service provider to fulfill the requirements for direct trust establishment. This may lead to privacy leakage. We propose a mechanism whereby the service requester discovers the service provider’s requirements from a policy document, then formulates a trust primitive by selectively disclosing attributes in a pre-packaged credential to negotiate a trust relationship. Thus the service requester’s privacy is preserved.
Knowledge Producing Megamachines
Authors: Karvalics Laszlo Z.
Published: May 2011

In the present study, the authors point of departure is the control crisis of science whose resolution requires radical social innovation. The author then shows that the only possible way for achieving this is the partial fusion of certain portions of scientific activity with the system of public education, by means of organizing scientists, teachers, as well as middle and high-school students into hybrid, knowledge producing mega-machines. The author shall subsequently argue that doing so will at the same time bring about a pragmatic shift in public education, for which professionals in the field of pedagogy have long been ready in principle and in theory. As a final result we shall see the emergence of science and public instruction tailored to the global system level, within the framework of the information society.