bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jean VI Malet de Graville et la fondation de la foire de Châtres (1470-1475) : entre procédure institutionnelle et privilèges personnels
Authors: Theiller Isabelle
Published: January 2014

En juillet 1470, Louis XI concède à Jean VI Malet de Graville le droit de réunir une foire annuelle à Châtres-sous-Montlhéry. Des points de vue institutionnel, juridique et économique rien ne semble contrevenir à l’établissement de ce rassemblement commercial au sud de Paris. Pourtant, en avril 1471 l’administration royale n’a toujours pas enregistré la lettre patente instituant la foire et ordonne une enquête de commodo et incommodo afin de s’informer de son bien-fondé et de définir les droits et franchises du seigneur de Graville. S’engage alors entre le requérant, prisonnier d’Édouard IV à Londres, son fils Louis, le roi et son administration un bras de fer qui ne prendra fin qu’en 1475, lorsque Louis XI va imposer un entérinement partiel de la lettre patente. Le dossier documentaire, exceptionnellement bien conservé, renferme l’enquête diligentée par le prévôt de Paris et les échanges épistolaires entre les protagonistes de la demande d’enregistrement. Il témoigne d’une administration gardienne du domaine royal et de ses propres privilèges, des conflits d’intérêt qui peuvent s’y jouer voire des enjeux politico-économiques qui peuvent sous-tendre la concession d’un privilège par le roi.
La vue, la preuve et le droit : les vues figurées de la fin du Moyen Âge
Authors: Dumasy-Rabineau Juliette
Published: January 2014

Au cours des deux derniers siècles du Moyen Âge, apparaît un genre de documents entièrement nouveau et assez spectaculaire : les vues figurées. Comparables à des vues en perspective cavalière, de plans ou encore de cartes, elles représentent des lieux ou des territoires disputés au cours d’un procès, et sont exhibées afin de mieux définir le droit de chacun. Les fondements juridiques de leur usage sont repérables du côté de la théorie et de la pratique du droit, qui affirment toutes deux l’excellence de la preuve par la vue. Mais leur nature, en tant que pièces de procédure, reste inclassable, parce qu’elles appartiennent à la fois au domaine du témoignage, de l’expertise et de la preuve.
Les docteurs régents de la Faculté de médecine de Paris et la fourniture de soins aux « bons pauvres malades » dans les paroisses parisiennes (1644-1791)
Authors: Coquillard Isabelle
Published: January 2014

Élite médicale, les docteurs régents de la Faculté de médecine de Paris possèdent le privilège exclusif d’exercer leur art dans la capitale. À ce titre, la Faculté de médecine parvient à faire interdire la tenue des consultations charitables mises en place par Théophraste Renaudot, docteur de Montpellier, mais le Parlement lui donne l’ordre d’y suppléer en 1644. Si la Faculté de médecine peine à imposer la tenue de ces consultations gratuites aux docteurs régents, ceux-ci s’adonnent aux activités charitables dans le cadre des Compagnies de Charité de paroisse tenues par les Filles de la Charité de Saint-Vincent-de-Paul. Devenu médecin de paroisse, aux appointements fixes et réguliers, le docteur régent explore son territoire d’exercice, accumule un savoir spécifique sur un groupe, « consommateur de la charité », exprimant une demande de soin spécifique et pouvant, à tout moment, retrouver une position économique stable. Acteur de la nouvelle politique d’assistance du pouvoir royal, les docteurs régents cherchent à dominer ce « marché de la charité », dont l’implantation paroissiale tend progressivement à s’élargir au Royaume.
Falsos antropónimos en la toponimia española: Fuente de Mariguantes, Alto de Maripez, Mariagua
Authors: Nieto Ballester Emilio
Published: January 2014

Toponimia y antroponimia son dos parcelas de los estudios de onomástica íntimamente relacionadas. Tenemos centenares de topónimos en los que aparece el antropónimo femenino María, Mari. Entre ellos hay algunos en los que aparece un segundo elemento, un apellido, de Mari o María un tanto sorprendente, como ocurre en casos como Mariguantes, Maripez, Mariagua. El trabajo muestra que hay que entender en estos ejemplos un primer elemento Mira-, con metátesis vocálica favorecida por la etimología popular. Otros topónimos españoles también ofrecen Paco y Juan como falsos antropónimos.
Medical Education
Authors: Sturmberg Joachim
Published: January 2014

The notion that the medical professions are grounded in sound social and philosophical commitments to human well-being and advancement is the very foundation of medicine since time in memoriam. Caring is the essential work of all health professionals, since most patients have no medical condition explainable by the mechanistic biomedical model. Health, illness, and disease, and biomedically defined disease distributions in the community follow a Pareto distribution (aka the 80/20 split) (i.e. only a minor percentage require tertiary hospital interventions). This chapter unravels important failures inherent in current medical education approaches – the misconceptions about science, the limitations inherent in the prevailing worldviews, the shaping of attitudes and behaviors resulting from social interactions in health professional institutions, and the impact of the lack of flexibility within health professional institutions. Positing that health is a personal dynamic balanced state, represented through a somato-psycho-socio-semiotic model, is the basis on which principles for a patient-centered educational approach are developed. Such a new curriculum would embrace the complex adaptive systems principle – focusing on the interdependencies between teachers and learners, allowing the curriculum to emerge over the course based on learners’ clinical exposures and experiences, fostering a critical engagement with the multifaceted knowledge base of the disciplines, and most importantly, building the necessary resilience for handling, individually and collectively, the emotional demands of caring.
Educational Paradigm Change and Fostering Sustainable Success of Healthcare Organization with the Aid of Web-Based Interactive Training
Authors: Zgodavová Kristina , Bourek Aleš
Published: January 2014

This chapter focuses on improving the existing education process and presents comprehensive insight into the methodology of acquiring skills for managing healthcare organizations for sustained success through interactive Web-based training with special attention to simulations in­ a virtual learning environment. The authors describe functions and properties of the IMPROHEALTH® portal, as well as services pertaining to integrated e-learning, e-implementation of the specific management system with the added bonus of role play simulation, e-improvement of provided healthcare services, and present the way knowledge can be presented in the form of a Web-log book. Moreover, the purpose of this chapter is seen in addressing the obtained experience with regards to the utilization of information and communication technologies among the knowledgeable community. It is intended for professional educators involved in managing healthcare organizations, in e-health management, and for all people keen on modern digital ways of caring about their health status and on improving their sense of well-being, further supported by the so-called e-laboratory. Several innovative approaches augmenting the possibilities of traditional e-learning options are presented.
Online Interest Groups for Graduate Students
Authors: Melrose Sherri , Moore Sharon L. , Ewing Helen
Published: January 2014

This chapter extends discussion of an educational innovation project where faculty (the authors and associates) provided virtual gathering spaces (Clinical Interest Groups) for online health professions students to congregate. Unlike gathering spaces offered in discrete courses, the non-graded Clinical Interest Groups were open to all students in the nursing faculty’s graduate programs. Getzlaf, Melrose, Moore, Ewing, Fedorchuk, and Troute-Wood (2012) found that students believed the virtual gathering spaces offered a valuable place where learners could discuss common interests and support one another. However, findings also revealed that participation in the groups was limited due to competing demands on students’ time from other commitments. As online learning programs become commonplace, and as online social networking spaces also increase in popularity and usage, educators must consider both the benefit and the burden of inviting professional learners to participate in supplemental activities such as online interest groups. Areas for future research are suggested.
The Single Most Popular Theory
Authors: Wang Victor X. , Cranton Patricia
Published: January 2014

Although Westerners have used over 200 terms to describe Self-Directed Learning (SDL), few Western scholars realize that educators in Confucius Heritage Cultures (CHC) have successfully promoted and implemented SDL. In those cultures, self-directed learning is considered the single most popular theory in teaching and learning. For decades, American educators have argued that American students do not compare with students from other industrialized countries. This chapter proposes that for learners in the Western cultures, especially in the United States to catch up with learners in other industrialized nations including newly emerged China and India, SDL must be promoted and implemented at all levels of education, not only within adult education. Self-directed learning is the single most popular model that helps learners master skills for the sake of competency development. The goal in learning is to achieve the changed status on the part of learners or “perspective transformation.” Unless students are learning in a self-directed manner, it may be difficult to foster transformative learning; SDL and transformative learning are intertwined.
Newly Created Heterogeneous Groups
Authors: Davis Theodore E.
Published: January 2014

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of racial and gender diversity on group process and problem solving in an academic setting. The importance of this dynamic is its value in preparing students for the workplace. The supposition is if heterogeneous groups had enough time to resolve group process conflicts, they could significantly increase their performance on group tasks (Davis, 2012). Moreover, their later performance on tasks should exceed the performance of the homogeneous groups (Davis, 2012). However, how much time, as well as tasks, does it take heterogeneous groups to start to exceed the performance of the homogenous groups? Data for the study was collected from upper-level undergraduate male and female students registered in a sixteen-week business course taught by one instructor at a large university in a metropolitan city in the northeastern United States. There were five racially mixed groups of seven members in the four sections of the course. During this period, group members met frequently for a series of case analyses. Only balanced heterogeneous groups significantly enhanced their groups’ performance on complicated problem-solving tasks over time. They exceeded the performance of all homogeneous groups, except that of the Black American female homogeneous groups. Ultimately, the academic grades of the balanced heterogeneous groups as well as their individual members were in the upper half of all grades issued.
Mobile Devices as Effective Language Training Tools of Digital Era
Authors: Viswanathan Revathi
Published: January 2014

Students of this digital era are proficient users of various gadgets, and it is the responsibility of language teachers to tap that expertise for facilitating learning beyond the classroom. Teachers can offer training to enhance students’ language skills with the help of mobile devices through which modules could be shared. It helps students to get adequate practice in using the language skills. A short study was conducted recently by the author with a few engineering students who received training in business English through mobile devices. This chapter explores the current study. It must be stated that this study was a continuation of the pilot study conducted, in which students were encouraged to record and share their presentations through mobile devices.
An Extenics-Based Learning Performance Evaluation Scheme in Distance Learning
Authors: Lee Ying-Chen , Terashima Nobuyoshi
Published: January 2014

In recent years, Web-based learning has become one of the major applications of the Internet. For Web-based learning, it is important to design an intelligent curriculum Website for students and to make teachers understand the learning situation of each student in order to provide adequate auxiliary learning materials to individual students. Seven factors, including learning behaviors, were assumed to affect the learning performance of students. These assumptions have been analyzed to determine their effectiveness, and five factors, the degree of interest in the course, the degree of the familiarity with the computer, the number of Web pages browsed, the length of the course content, and the degree of difficulty of the course content are selected for evaluating the learning performance of students. In the research, a Moodle-based curriculum Website was established as the experimental platform to record students’ learning behaviors for analysis. By applying the extenics engineering method, a learning performance evaluation scheme is proposed to generate an evaluated learning performance of individual students for instructors’ reference. Thus, according to the evaluated learning performance, instructors can provide students with more adequate learning materials in accordance with individual students’ learning performance.
Multi-Granular Computing through Rough Sets
Authors: Tripathy B. K.
Published: January 2014

Granular Computing has emerged as a framework in which information granules are represented and manipulated by intelligent systems. Granular Computing forms a unified conceptual and computing platform. Rough set theory put forth by Pawlak is based upon single equivalence relation taken at a time. Therefore, from a granular computing point of view, it is single granular computing. In 2006, Qiang et al. introduced a multi-granular computing using rough set, which was called optimistic multigranular rough sets after the introduction of another type of multigranular computing using rough sets called pessimistic multigranular rough sets being introduced by them in 2010. Since then, several properties of multigranulations have been studied. In addition, these basic notions on multigranular rough sets have been introduced. Some of these, called the Neighborhood-Based Multigranular Rough Sets (NMGRS) and the Covering-Based Multigranular Rough Sets (CBMGRS), have been added recently. In this chapter, the authors discuss all these topics on multigranular computing and suggest some problems for further study.
Privacy Preservation in Information System
Authors: Acharjya D. P. , Mary A. Geetha
Published: January 2014

The information technology revolution has brought drastic change in the way data is collected or generated for decision mining. The accumulated data has no relevance unless it provides certain useful information pertaining to the interest of an organization. The real challenge lies in converting high dimensional data into knowledge and to use this knowledge for the development of the organization. On the other hand, hiding an organization’s sensitive information is a major concern. Much research has been carried out in this direction. This chapter discusses various privacy preservation techniques that can be employed in an information system to safeguard the sensitive information of an organization. This chapter also highlights sensitive fuzzy association rules that can be generated from an information system. The authors provide illustrations wherever necessary to give a clear idea of the concepts developed.
Characterizing Intelligent Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems Using Data Mining
Authors: Panda Mrutyunjaya , Patra Manas Ranjan
Published: January 2014

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) are being widely implemented to prevent suspicious threats in computer networks. Intrusion detection and prevention systems are security systems that are used to detect and prevent security threats to computer networks. In order to understand the security risks and IDPS, in this chapter, the authors make a quick review on classification of the IDPSs and categorize them in certain groups. Further, in order to improve accuracy and security, data mining techniques have been used to analyze audit data and extract features that can distinguish normal activities from intrusions. Experiments have been conducted for building efficient intrusion detection and prevention systems by combining online detection and offline data mining. During online data examination, real-time data are captured and are passed through a detection engine that uses a set of rules and parameters for analysis. During offline data mining, necessary knowledge is extracted about the process of intrusion.
The Role of Knowledge Management on Job Satisfaction
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: January 2014

This chapter introduces the framework and causal model of organizational culture, organizational learning, knowledge management, and job satisfaction. It argues that dimensions of organizational culture, organizational learning, and knowledge management have mediated positive effect on job satisfaction. Knowledge management positively mediates the relationships between organizational culture and job satisfaction and between organizational learning and job satisfaction. Organizational culture is positively related to organizational learning. Furthermore, the author hopes that understanding the theoretical constructs of organizational culture, organizational learning, knowledge management, and job satisfaction through the use of the framework and causal model will not only inform researchers of a better design for studying organizational culture, organizational learning, knowledge management, and job satisfaction, but also assist in the understanding of intricate relationships among different factors.
Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT)
Authors: Kannan Ramesh
Published: January 2014

This chapter focuses primarily on Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT), one of the intriguing techniques used for network-based management. It is a stochastic network technique and has many advantages over the conventional Critical Path Method (CPM) and Programme Evaluation and Review Techniques used for project management. The formulation of the GERT network for linear situation can be development by analytical techniques (such as signal flow graph theory); thus for a non-linear and other complex conditions, the Q-GERT (included Queueing Concepts) is used. To reinforce the importance of GERT and Q-GERT, a firm study is carried out on the limitations of the CPM and PERT. Thus, a solid comparison of GERT network with the CPM and PERT network is done not only to emphasize the applicability of the network but also to validate of the network. The scheduling of concrete formwork systems are considered for the comparison.
Design Issues of 4G-Network Mobility Management
Authors: Manjaiah D. H. , Payaswini P.
Published: January 2014

Fourth Generation wireless networking (4G network) is expected to provide global roaming across different types of wireless and mobile networks. In this environment, roaming is seamless and users are always connected to the best network. Moreover, 4G networks will be packet switched systems entirely based on the IPv6 protocol. The essentiality of Quality of Service (QoS) and the heterogeneous nature of 4G pose high demands onto the mobility management technology. Due to this, one of the most challenging research areas for the 4G network is the design of intelligent mobility management techniques that take advantage of IP-based technologies to achieve global roaming among various access technologies. In order to address the issue of heterogeneity of the networks, IEEE 802.21 working group proposed Media Independent Handover (MIH). The scope of the IEEE 802.21 MIH standard is to develop a specification that provides link layer intelligence and other related network information to upper layers to optimize handovers between heterogeneous media. The IEEE 802.21 group defines the media independent handover function that will help mobile devices to roam across heterogeneous networks and stationary devices to switch over to any of the available heterogeneous networks around it.
Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Mohan Khilar Pabitra
Published: January 2014

Genetic Algorithms are important techniques to solve many NP-Complete problems related to distributed computing and its application domains. Genetic algorithm-based fault diagnoses in distributed computing systems have been a feasible methodology to solve diagnosis problems recently. Distributed embedded systems consisting of sensors, actuators, processors/microcontrollers, and interconnection networks are one class of distributed computing systems that have long been used, staring from small-scale home appliances to large-scale satellite systems. Some of their applications are in safety-critical systems where occurrence of faults can result in catastrophic situations for which fault diagnosis in such systems are very important. In this chapter, different types of faults, which are likely to occur in distributed embedded systems and a GA-based methodology to solve these problems along with the performance analysis of fault diagnosis algorithm have been presented. Nevertheless, the diagnosis algorithm presented here is well suitable for general purpose distributed computing systems with appropriate modification over system and fault model. In fact, this book chapter will enable the reader not only to study various aspects of fault diagnosis techniques but will also provide insight to build robust systems to allow for continued normal service despite the occurrence of failures.
Incorporating Mobile Technology into Evidence-Based Practices for Students with Autism
Authors: Strnadová Iva , Cumming Therese M. , Rodríguez Cathi Draper
Published: January 2014

This chapter discusses how mobile technology can contribute to the quality of life of children with autism across their school years and through the transition to adulthood. Mobile technology has the potential to support students not just at school, but also across all environments in and throughout their lives. There are a number of educational practices and strategies that have been identified as having a strong evidence base to effectively support students with autism. The theoretical framework underpinning this chapter is the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which prescribes that these practices be integrated into instruction from the outset to ensure equal access and participation of all students in the classroom. Case studies of students on the autism spectrum with diverse needs and during different stages of their lives (from the school years to the transition to adulthood) are used to demonstrate the benefits of incorporating mobile technology into evidence-based educational practices for people with autism.
The Use of Computer-Based Technologies to Increase the Academic, Behavioral, and Social Outcomes of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Schools
Authors: Sansosti Frank J. , Mizenko Mary Lynn , Krupko Allison
Published: January 2014

In recent years, the number of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in both special and general education classrooms has increased substantially. As such, there may be no greater challenge facing educators than planning for the education of this growing population. One method of instruction that appears to hold great promise for educating these students is the use of computer-based technologies. The purpose of this chapter is to: (a) provide a brief overview of the contemporary research regarding the use of computer-assisted instruction and mobile devices for improving the academic, behavior, and social outcomes of students with ASD within school-based contexts and (b) to provide educators with strategies for collecting data to promote accountability. Taken together, the intent is to call attention to the evidence that supports the use of computer-based technologies for students with ASD in schools, raise awareness of those strategies that appear to be the most effective for such students, and assist service providers in providing defensible education.
Information and Computer Technology for Individuals with Autism
Authors: Nkabinde Zandile P.
Published: January 2014

The goal of this chapter is to explore the effective use of information and computer technology to assist individuals with autism. In 1985, the Picture Communication System, also known as PECS, was developed for children who had limited abilities to express themselves verbally. The idea was that by pointing to a picture, the child could communicate what he/she wanted. PECS has been modernized with the development of Apps for the iPad. Now, a child can choose from a wide variety of communication choices simply by touching a screen that will facilitate the process and provide a wide variety of choices never before available. This chapter helps parents and teachers to understand how information and computer technology improves communication for children with autism. In addition, the use of iPad and how it improves communication for children with autism are discussed. The use of iPads by children with autism was chosen because of the interactivity they offer to this population as well as for the range of educational opportunities they provide.
Robots and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Senland Amie
Published: January 2014

Technology featuring robots is a promising innovative technological intervention for treating and educating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This chapter reviews, critiques, and presents future directions for research on clinical and educational applications of robots for these children. Specifically, this chapter reviews current research on: (1) robots that act as social mediators for children with ASD and (2) robots that assist them in developing social skills such as joint attention and imitation. A critical review of the research suggests that robots may have the capacity to assist some of these children, but additional rigorous studies are necessary to demonstrate their efficacy and effectiveness. Future research must (1) examine whether robots have differential effects for specific subgroups of children with ASD and (2) contribute to a deeper understanding of robots’ potential use in educational settings.
The Development of Virtual Reality Technologies for People on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Newbutt Nigel
Published: January 2014

The role of virtual reality technologies to help people with autism has been well documented and is an area of research that continues to develop. While the evidence base is somewhat limited, there are many studies that have started to explore the potential of virtual reality technologies for people with autism. Work conducted by Strickland et al. (1996), Murray (1997), Charitos et al. (2000), Parsons and Mitchell (2002), Parsons et al. (2006, 2007), Cobb (2007), Fabri and Moore (2005), and Fabri et al. (2004) have all added to this positive picture of virtual reality technologies to support people on the autism spectrum, specifically in terms of social interaction and social skills development. This chapter uncovers the evidence base and work of others in relation to virtual reality technologies used by people with autism. This chapter concludes with a view as to what future work might pursue in this field.
Effective Recruitment Practices as Part of a Larger Plan
Authors: Lehner John A. , Kemp Barbara E.
Published: January 2014

This chapter explores recruitment. Recruitment is intrinsic to succession planning and management. Succession planning relies on external recruitment to bring appropriate individuals into the organization. In addition, because of succession planning's focus on developing and advancing individuals within the organization, internal recruitment is a key process. Recruitment is often subsumed within discussions of personnel selection, but it is a distinct stage in the employer-employee relationship. There is a substantial and growing body of empirical research on recruitment in the industrial/organizational psychology literature. It is important for libraries to learn from the body of empirical research on effective recruiting. The growing complexity and mutability of professional work in libraries is making it more difficult for libraries to attract and engage appropriate individuals for employment. Effective recruiting practice is becoming increasingly important for libraries, and it is a precursor to effective succession planning.
Mentoring for Retention, Promotion, and Advancement
Authors: Springs Gene R.
Published: January 2014

Mentoring can play a key role in the career development of librarians. Formal mentoring programs are often available for students enrolled in graduate library and information science programs, for early career professionals through a variety of professional associations, and for librarians at the institutions in which they work. The goals of these mentoring programs may vary, and can range from orientation to promotion or retention and even to advancement. Using the 115 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic members as a population, this chapter examines the mentoring practices that may be in place at these institutions by closely reading and analyzing the existing mentoring documentation that was available on their Websites. In all, 22 ARL institutions had mentoring documentation available for analysis. The findings indicate that a large majority of the mentoring programs studied have defined orientation and promotion as their main objectives, while far fewer make any mention of advancement or leadership development as their objectives. Further research is recommended to study both formal and informal mentoring opportunities at ARL institutions.
Preparing Tomorrow’s Library Managers
Authors: McLean Evadne , Scale Mark-Shane , Rouse-Jones Margaret D.
Published: January 2014

This chapter reports on a study of leadership development and succession planning at The University of the West Indies Libraries. The research shows that in the absence of formal succession planning, leadership training takes place in tandem with the staff appraisal and career development process. The annual appraisal and assessment system provides the opportunity for staff who aspire to leadership positions to be guided in their career development and thus be better prepared when vacancies arise. The benefits provided to academic, senior administrative and professional staff—for example, funding for travel and professional activities, special leave for scholarly pursuits and other career development opportunities—are utilised by librarians to advance their careers. The chapter highlights the importance of strict adherence by library administration to the annual appraisal and assessment processes and staff use of organisational support for career development as integral components in leadership development and succession planning and implementation.
Adopting BIM Standards for Managing Vision 2030 Infrastructure Development in Qatar
Authors: Al Mohannadi Fatima , Arif Mohammed , Aziz Zeeshan , Richardson Phillip A.
Published: January 2014

This research was designed to assess the significance of using Building Information Modeling (BIM) standards to enhance efficiency in the Qatari construction industry. The need for more efficient processes arose in part from the Qatari government’s increased level of investment in infrastructure and the accompanying desire to secure the country’s 2030 vision. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data from the Qatari construction industry. Three questions guided this research: (i) What are the current challenges facing the Qatari construction industry in the smooth deliverance of projects?” (ii) “What strategies does the industry use in the promotion of an integrated business model that is technological centric?” (iii) “What are the possible challenges that the industry would face if it were to adopt BIM as a standard for all projects in the Qatari construction industry?” The outcome of the research shows that using BIM as a standard could not reduce the inefficiencies faced by the industry. While the respondents to the survey had realised that the industry had challenges, the implementation of BIM seemed not to be in line with the difficulties experienced in the industry. This finding was supported by a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.001 for many survey questions. While the industry could be using BIM in general, it still does not form part of the strategy to promote collaborative working. The research did not emphasise the process of implementing BIM standards because most contracts did not require the use of BIM; neither do regulators. The research highlights the challenges of implementing BIM as a standard in a modern construction industry that is facing inefficiency. Even though clients have the capacity to apply innovative strategies, they are stifled by complex business structures and processes. Inefficient delivery of facilities raises questions about the management structures used by the industry. With a large expatriate workforce, Qatar needs systematic tools and approaches such as BIM for managing construction processes regardless of the level of experience and exposure of its managers. Adopting BIM could significantly improve working relations on projects. The research shows that the construction industry would require a standardised BIM process if companies were to deliver on their targets. There is value in adopting tools and techniques that would enhance collaborative tendencies by professionals working in the industry. However, the overall strategy to implement a standardised BIM approach would initially exacerbate current problems before it could bring forth improvements to the construction process.
Relationship between Variables in Work Life Balance Study for IT Companies
Authors: Viswanathan Kumar , Kumaran Jeya
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between variables in a work life balance study conducted for Information Technology companies. The first objective was to check if there is a relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variables and if the relationship indeed exists, the next step was to check the extent of relationship. The analysis encompasses different categories of employees in IT industry, sex, position levels, experience level, marital status etc to see if there is any connection and if so to what extent. The variable analysis was performed on the data collected from a work life balance study conducted by the author for IT firms in India. A new instrument was constructed and administered to the IT work force to collect data keeping in mind the unique social fabric due to its diversity and cultural differences that exists in India.
A Model for an Adaptive e-Learning Hypermedia System
Authors: Mahnane Lamia , Tayeb Laskri Mohamed , Trigano Philippe
Published: January 2014

Recent years have shown increasing awareness for the importance of adaptivity in e-learning. Since the learning style of each learner is different. Adaptive e-learning hypermedia system (AEHS) must fit different learner’s needs. A number of AEHS have been developed to support learning styles as a source for adaptation. However, these systems suffer from several problems, namely: lack of maintenance, adaptation to learning style, less attention was paid to thinking styles and the insertion of specific teaching strategies into learning content. This paper proposes an AEHS model based on thinking styles and knowledge level. On one hand, the developed prototype will assist a learner in accessing and using learning resources which are adapted according to his/her personal characteristics (in this case his/her thinking style and level of knowledge). On the other hand, it will facilitate the learning content teacher in the creation of appropriate learning objects and their application to suitable pedagogical strategies.
A Procedure to Create a Pedagogic Conversational Agent in Secondary Physics and Chemistry Education
Authors: Pérez-Marín Diana , Boza Antonio
Published: January 2014

Pedagogic Conversational Agents are computer applications that can interact with students in natural language. They have been used with satisfactory results on the instruction of several domains. The authors believe that they could also be useful for the instruction of Secondary Physics and Chemistry Education. Therefore, in this paper, the authors present a procedure to create an agent for that domain. First, teachers have to introduce the exercises with their correct answers. Secondly, students will be presented the exercises, and if the students know the answer, and if it is correct, more difficult exercises will be presented. Otherwise, step-by-step natural language support will be provided to guide the student towards the solution. It is the authors’ hypothesis that this innovative teaching method will be satisfactory and useful for teachers and students, and that by following the procedure more computer programmers can be encouraged to develop agents for other domains to be used by teachers and students at class.
Storytelling
Authors: Kalogeras Stavroula
Published: January 2014

In the era of e-learning, student-centered approaches and constructivists learning environments are critical success factors. The inherent interactivity of the Internet and the emotional engagement of story can lead to transformative learning experiences in media rich environments. This paper focuses on Web-Based Transmedia Storytelling Edutainment as critical-creative pedagogy in higher e-education.
Capturing and Conveying Chamorro Cultural Knowledge Using Social Media
Authors: San Nicolas-Rocca Tonia , Parrish James
Published: January 2014

The Chamorro people have a long history and rich cultural traditions that have survived the affects of colonization and loss of political control. However, these traditions are in danger of being lost if they are not passed from one generation to the next. The purpose of this study is to understand if information and communication technologies, specifically social media, are used to capture and convey Chamorro cultural knowledge. Two data collection methods were used to understand the type(s) of Chamorro cultural knowledge that is valued, and what social media is used by the Chamorro people today to capture and convey cultural knowledge. The results indicate that the Chamorro people today share the core Chamorro cultural values, and do use information and communication technologies, including social media to capture and convey Chamorro cultural knowledge.
Social Networks and Organizational Performance
Authors: Schmidt Pamela , Sasidharan Sharath , Freeze Ronald
Published: January 2014

For sustained performance in a dynamic market environment, individuals within an organization must operate in a social network (SN) that promotes knowledge exchanges, encourages knowledge acquisition, and facilitates dissemination of domain knowledge pertinent to the execution of job-related tasks. Research on Knowledge Social Networks (KSN) has hitherto focused on interpersonal social network structures and its impact on knowledge outcomes with little attention being paid to the quality of domain knowledge possessed by knowledge sources and the value of resultant knowledge flows. This paper evaluates the quality of knowledge sources used in the social network by robustly measuring knowledge structures, the underlying foundation of conceptual knowledge. A field study of a simulated market environment with competing organizations found the KSN to be central in explaining organizational performance. However, its interplay with the domain knowledge structure of knowledge sources provided deeper insights into its link with organizational success.
Post-Web 2.0 Pedagogy
Authors: Cochrane Thomas , Antonczak Laurent , Wagner Daniel
Published: January 2014

The advent of web 2.0 has enabled new forms of collaboration centred upon user-generated content, however, mobile social media is enabling a new wave of social collaboration. Mobile devices have disrupted and reinvented traditional media markets and distribution: iTunes, Google Play and Amazon now dominate music industry distribution channels, Twitter has reinvented journalism practice, ebooks and ibooks are disrupting book publishing, while television and movie industry are disrupted by iTunes, Netflix, YouTube, and Vimeo. In this context the authors critique the changes brought about in a case study of film and television higher education from initial explorations of student-generated mobile movie production to subsequent facilitation of international student mobile media co-production teams supported by the development of an international Community of Practice, illustrating new forms of post-web 2.0 pedagogy.
A Learning Outcome-Oriented Approach towards Classifying Pervasive Games for Learning using Game Design Patterns and Contextual Information
Authors: Schmitz Birgit , Klemke Roland , Specht Marcus
Published: January 2014

Mobile and in particular pervasive games are a strong component of future scenarios for teaching and learning. Based on results from a previous review of practical papers, this work explores the educational potential of pervasive games for learning by analysing underlying game mechanisms. In order to determine and classify cognitive and affective learning outcomes, the authors propose employing game design patterns for mobile games and context information. Context information, in the course of this article, is introduced as an additional characteristic feature of mobile game design patterns. With the proposed framework the authors aim to understand how pervasive game content may support learning. Findings from their research indicate that context information directs the use and presentation of content within a game and thus influences learning effects of individual patterns. This work concludes with a discussion on the shortfalls and potentials, which the authors’ framework for analysis provides.
On the Internalisation, Intraplasmodial Carriage and Excretion of Metallic Nanoparticles in the Slime Mould, Physarum Polycephalum
Authors: Mayne Richard , Patton David , Costello Ben de Lacy , Adamatzky Andrew , Patton Rosemary Camilla
Published: January 2014

The plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum is a large single cell visible with the naked eye. When inoculated on a substrate with attractants and repellents the plasmodium develops optimal networks of protoplasmic tubes which span sites of attractants (i.e. nutrients) yet avoid domains with a high nutrient concentration. It should therefore be possible to program the plasmodium towards deterministic adaptive transformation of internalised nano- and micro-scale materials. In laboratory experiments with magnetite nanoparticles and glass micro-spheres coated with silver metal the authors demonstrate that the plasmodium of P. polycephalum can propagate the nano-scale objects using a number of distinct mechanisms including endocytosis, transcytosis and dragging. The results of the authors’ experiments could be used in the development of novel techniques targeted towards the growth of metallised biological wires and hybrid nano- and micro-circuits.
Geometric Approaches to Gibbs Energy Landscapes and DNA Oligonucleotide Design
Authors: Garzon Max H. , Bobba Kiran C.
Published: January 2014

DNA codeword design has been a fundamental problem since the early days of DNA computing. The problem calls for finding large sets of single DNA strands that do not crosshybridize to themselves, to each other or to others' complements. Such strands represent so-called domains, particularly in the language of chemical reaction networks (CRNs). The problem has shown to be of interest in other areas as well, including DNA memories and phylogenetic analyses because of their error correction and prevention properties. In prior work, a theoretical framework to analyze this problem has been developed and natural and simple versions of Codeword Design have been shown to be NP-complete using any single reasonable metric that approximates the Gibbs energy, thus practically making it very difficult to find any general procedure for finding such maximal sets exactly and efficiently. In this framework, codeword design is partially reduced to finding large sets of strands maximally separated in DNA spaces and, therefore, the size of such sets depends on the geometry of these spaces. Here, the authors describe in detail a new general technique to embed them in Euclidean spaces in such a way that oligonucleotides with high (low, respectively) hybridization affinity are mapped to neighboring (remote, respectively) points in a geometric lattice. This embedding materializes long-held metaphors about codeword design in analogies with error-correcting code design in information theory in terms of sphere packing and leads to designs that are in some cases known to be provably nearly optimal for small oligonucleotide sizes, whenever the corresponding spherical codes in Euclidean spaces are known to be so. It also leads to upper and lower bounds on estimates of the size of optimal codes of size under 20-mers, as well as to a few infinite families of DNA strand lengths, based on estimates of the kissing (or contact) number for sphere codes in high-dimensional Euclidean spaces. Conversely, the authors show how solutions to DNA codeword design obtained by experimental or other means can also provide solutions to difficult spherical packing geometric problems via these approaches. Finally, the reduction suggests a tool to provide some insight into the approximate structure of the Gibbs energy landscapes, which play a primary role in the design and implementation of biomolecular programs.
Weaver Ant Colony Optimization-Based Neural Network Learning for Mammogram Classification
Authors: Mohideen A. Kaja , Thangavel K.
Published: January 2014

Neural Networks (NNs) have been efficaciously used for classification purposes in medical domains, including the classification of microcalcifications in digital mammograms. Unfortunately, for a NN to be effective in a particular purview, its architecture, training algorithm and the domain variables selected as inputs must be amply chosen. In this paper, a novel Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) based learning approach with a modified architecture is proposed to speed up the learning phase of a Backpropagation Neural Network (BPN) classifier. The novel ACO simulates the behavior of weaver ants, known for their unique nest building behavior where workers construct nests by weaving together leaves using larval silk. The proposed Weaver Ant Colony Optimization (WACO) based Backpropagation Neural Network (WACO-BPN) is applied for classifying digital mammograms received from MIAS database. The performance is analyzed with Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve. The greater accuracy of 97% states the grander performance of the proposed neural network learning approach.