bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telederm
Authors: West Geoff , Lazarescu Mihai , Ou Monica
Published: May 2010

In this chapter we describe a web-based decision support system called Telederm that has been developed with the aim of helping general practitioners diagnose skin ailments from a knowledge base while allowing incremental updates of the knowledge base as cases occur. We outline the two major challenges in developing the Telederm system: developing a general practitioner query process that is easily accessible and building knowledge validation in a case-based reasoning system. We provide a detailed description of our approaches to address these problems which involve the use of artificial intelligence classification and reasoning techniques. The system was deployed in a large scale trial in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia and we present the results and feedback obtained from an evaluation by the general practitioners involved.
Discovery of Process Models from Data and Domain Knowledge
Authors: Nguyen Hung Son , Jankowski Andrzej , Peters James F. , Skowron Andrzej , Stepaniuk Jaroslaw , Szczuka Marcin
Published: May 2010

The rapid expansion of the Internet has resulted not only in the ever-growing amount of data stored therein, but also in the burgeoning complexity of the concepts and phenomena pertaining to that data. This issue has been vividly compared by the renowned statistician J.F. Friedman (Friedman, 1997) of Stanford University to the advances in human mobility from the period of walking afoot to the era of jet travel. These essential changes in data have brought about new challenges in the discovery of new data mining methods, especially the treatment of these data that increasingly involves complex processes that elude classic modeling paradigms. “Hot” datasets like biomedical, financial or net user behavior data are just a few examples. Mining such temporal or stream data is a focal point in the agenda of many research centers and companies worldwide (see, e.g., (Roddick et al., 2001; Aggarwal, 2007)). In the data mining community, there is a rapidly growing interest in developing methods for process mining, e.g., for discovery of structures of temporal processes from observed sample data. Research on process mining (e.g., (Unnikrishnan et al., 2006; de Medeiros et al., 2007; Wu, 2007; Borrett et al., 2007)) have been undertaken by many renowned centers worldwide1. This research is also related to functional data analysis (see, e.g., (Ramsay & Silverman, 2002)), cognitive networks (see, e.g., (Papageorgiou & Stylios, 2008)), and dynamical system modeling, e.g., in biology (see, e.g., (Feng et al., 2007)). We outline an approach to the discovery of processes from data and domain knowledge. The proposed approach to discovery of process models is based on rough-granular computing. In particular, we discuss how changes along trajectories of such processes can be discovered from sample data and domain knowledge.
Regional-National ICT Strategies
Authors: Kirlidog Melih , Little Stephen E.
Published: May 2010

An overwhelming majority of developing and industrialized countries have developed national Information and Communication Technology (ICT) strategies. Developing countries hope to leapfrog towards social and economic progress, modernization, and wealth, and industrialized countries do not want to be left behind in the race for ICT capabilities. While industrialized countries have distinct advantages in formulating and realizing these strategies, some developing countries’ objectives are too ambitious, seeking to achieve an information society by these strategies alone. An important reflection of today’s globalization on this issue is the cross-country aspect of “national” ICT strategies. Japan’s ICT strategy is increasingly outward oriented, sub-Saharan African countries are developing their strategies with the support of international agencies and non-government organizations, and Caribbean countries have established a common regulatory framework for the telecommunications sector. The aim of all these efforts is to develop a regional synergy for fostering ICT. This chapter is an exploratory analysis of the internationalization of national ICT strategies.
The Challenges of the National ICT Policy Implementation Process
Authors: Maynard Nicholas C.
Published: May 2010

Thailand and Malaysia have both undergone a rapid transformation of their ICT sectors, including their telecommunications networks, national policies, institutions, and regulatory regimes. The author contents that the privatization of the monopoly telecommunications operator and the creation of a regulatory agency are the foundation for all other governmental ICT initiatives designed to accelerate telecommunications adoption. This is a difficult process to successfully implement, with many countries unable to sufficiently reduce the authority of the postal, telegraph & telephone (PTT) agency to develop a new entity that is politically independent. Despite these difficulties, this process is vital to the success of a national ICT market. The creation of a competitive market and a government regulator is the basis on which all other regulatory reforms, institutional reforms, and national ICT policies must rest. If a country cannot achieve a politically sustainable balance of power between the government, the former monopoly, and the competitive players, then that country cannot sustain its rapid ICT adoption. A number of national initiatives are currently under way to develop technology sectors and increase adoption rates in developing countries, but many of these initiatives do not have a clear understanding of their potential impact and benefit on the economy – and are therefore difficult to justify politically or economically (Docktor, 2004). The stated goal of this research was to provide a set of tools for local and international policy makers and technology providers to help assess the benefits of technology initiatives while tying them to the larger issue of economic development.
ICT Strategy for Development
Authors: Kamel Sherif , Rateb Dina
Published: May 2010

Emerging information and communication technology (ICT) is setting the pace for a changing, competitive and dynamic global marketplace and representing an enabling platform for business and socioeconomic development in the 21st century. In that respect, developing nations are urged to keep pace regularly with the developments taking place in the developed world through the design and implementation of strategy, vision and detailed plans for universal access in terms of ICT literacy and its effective utilization for developmental purposes were ICT is promoted as a vehicle for development. It is important to note that building the ICT infrastructure and infostructure will not realize quantum leaps in the development process unless it is coupled with concrete projects and initiatives that engage the society at large with its multiple stakeholders from public, private, government and civil society organizations irrespective of their locations whether urban or remote, gender or background. This chapter describes the evolution of the ICT sector in Egypt over the last decade with an emphasis on national ICT strategy development and deployment as an integral element of Egypt’s overall development process within the context of a an emerging economy and the various growing potentials ICT offers for its socioeconomic development.
Rule-Based OWL Ontology Reasoning Systems
Authors: Meditskos Georgios , Bassiliades Nick
Published: May 2010

This chapter is focused on the basic principles behind the utilization of rules in order to perform reasoning about the Web Ontology Language (OWL), a Description Logic-based language that is the W3C recommendation for creating and sharing ontologies in the Semantic Web. More precisely, we elaborate on the entailment-based OWL reasoning (EBOR) paradigm, which is based on the utilization of RDF/ RDFS and OWL entailment rules that run on a rule engine, applying the formal semantics of the ontology language. To this end, seven EBOR systems are described and compared, analyzing the different approaches. Despite the closed rule environment, which comes in contrast with the open nature of the Semantic Web, and the fact that OWL semantics are partially mapped into rules, the rule-based OWL reasoning paradigm can give great potentials in the Semantic Web, enabling the utilization of rule engines on top of ontology information.
The Debugging of Rule Bases
Authors: Zacharias Valentin
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents an overview of the issues affecting and the tools used for the debugging of rule bases. It describes the challenges in debugging rules, presents a classification of the debugging methods developed in academia and the tools currently used in practice. This chapter explains the main debugging paradigms for rule based systems: Procedural Debugging, Explanations, Why-Not Explanations, Algorithmic Debugging, Explorative Debugging, Automatic Theory Revision and Automatic Knowledge Refinement.
Modeling and Programming by Commitment Rules in Agent Factory
Authors: Collier Rem , O’Hare Gregory M.P.
Published: May 2010

Agent-Oriented Programming (AOP) is a relatively new programming paradigm, proposed by Yoav Shoham, which views software systems as consisting of a set of agents that interact with one another to solve problems beyond their individual capabilities. Since the inception of the paradigm, a number of AOP languages have been proposed. This chapter focuses on one such language, the Agent Factory Agent Programming Language (AFAPL), a practical rule-based language that has been applied to a wide range of problem domains including robotics, virtual and mixed reality environments, and mobile computing. AFAPL is placed in context through a general introduction to the state-of-the-art in AOP. The chapter finishes with a discussion of some future trends for AOP and some concluding remarks.
Business Rules Management for Business Processes
Authors: El Kharbili Marwane
Published: May 2010

The power of rule-based solutions has been demonstrated over a wide range of domains and a number of industrial-scale solutions and business rules have now proven their usability in complex real world scenarios. But the use of business rules in conjunction with business process management is still a young research field. Business process management (BPM) is a new paradigm for companies to carry out their value-creating activities. Bringing agility and flexibility to business process management is one of the most pressing challenges we are facing today. In this chapter, we make the case for rule-enabled BPM by motivating the need for introducing business rules in BPM and studying the possible advantages of combining business rule management (BRM) and BPM techniques. A discussion of possible uses of business rules (BRs) in business processes (BPs) is made. Furthermore, we also propose a lifecycle for BPM-oriented business rule management, and illustrate this using a business scenario. Hence, the aim of this chapter is to provide readers with insights into issues conceptual BRM applied to BPM in a business context, not from a formal, but from a methodological point of view.
Security in Semantic Interoperation
Authors: Zhao Yi , Wang Xia , Halang Wolfgang A.
Published: May 2010

With the increasing interest in Semantic Web-based applications, researchers have started to build tools enabling organisations to share information. An important aspect in maintaining the Semantic Web is, however, to preserve security during semantic interoperation of different entities. Security and privacy are indispensable to the success of Semantic Web services. Hence, this chapter aims to investigate the currently used security methods in semantic interoperation, including the security methods employing Semantic Web representation languages such as XML, RDF and ontologies, and their application methods in semantic interoperation such as secure access control and secure knowledge management. How to manage privacy, trust and reputation at the same time during semantic interoperation will also be discussed in this chapter. Finally, some directions for our further research will be presented.
Inferring Gene Regulatory Networks from Genetical Genomics Data
Authors: Liu Bing , Hoeschele Ina , de la Fuente Alberto
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, we review the current state of Gene Regulatory Network inference based on ‘Genetical Genomics’ experiments (Brem & Kruglyak, 2005; Brem, Yvert, Clinton & Kruglyak, 2002; Jansen, 2003; Jansen & Nap, 2001; Schadt et al., 2003) as a special case of causal network inference in ‘Systems Genetics’ (Threadgill, 2006). In a Genetical Genomics experiment, a segregating or genetically randomized population is DNA marker genotyped and gene-expression profiled on a genomewide scale. The genotypes are regarded as natural, multifactorial perturbations resulting in different gene-expression ‘phenotypes’, and causal relationships can therefore be established between the measured genotypes and the gene-expression phenotypes. In this chapter, we review different computational approaches to Gene Regulatory Network inference based on the joint analysis of DNA marker and expression data and additionally of DNA sequence information if available. This includes different methods for expression QTL mapping, selection of regulator-target pairs, construction of an encompassing network, which strongly constrains the network search space, and pairwise and multivariate methods for Gene Regulatory Network inference, such as Bayesian Networks and Structural Equation Modeling.
Improved Model Checking Techniques for State Space Analysis of Gene Regulatory Networks
Authors: Pais Hélio C. , McMillan Kenneth L. , Sentovich Ellen M. , Freitas Ana T. , Oliveira Arlindo L.
Published: May 2010

A better understanding of the behavior of a cell, as a system, depends on our ability to model and understand the complex regulatory mechanisms that control gene expression. High level, qualitative models of gene regulatory networks can be used to analyze and characterize the behavior of complex systems, and to provide important insights on the behavior of these systems. In this chapter, we describe a number of additional functionalities that, when supported by a symbolic model checker, make it possible to answer important questions about the nature of the state spaces of gene regulatory networks, such as the nature and size of attractors, and the characteristics of the basins of attraction. We illustrate the type of analysis that can be performed by applying an improved model checker to two well studied gene regulatory models, the network that controls the cell cycle in the yeast S. cerevisiae, and the network that regulates formation of the dorsal-ventral boundary in D. melanogaster. The results show that the insights provided by the analysis can be used to understand and improve the models, and to formulate hypotheses that are biologically relevant and that can be confirmed experimentally.
Determining the Properties of Gene Regulatory Networks from Expression Data
Authors: Liebovitch Larry S. , Shehadeh Lina A. , Jirsa Viktor K. , Hütt Marc-Thorsten , Marr Carsten
Published: May 2010

The expression of genes depends on the physical structure of DNA, how the function of DNA is regulated by the transcription factors expressed by other genes, RNA regulation, such as that through RNA interference, and protein signals mediated by protein-protein interaction networks. We illustrate different approaches to determining information about the network of gene regulation from experimental data. First, we show that we can use statistical information of the mRNA expression values to determine the global topological properties of the gene regulatory network. Second, we show that analyzing the changes in expression due to mutations or different environmental conditions can give us information on the relative importance of the different mechanisms involved in gene regulation.
Integrating Various Data Sources for Improved Quality in Reverse Engineering of Gene Regulatory Networks
Authors: Gustafsson Mika , Hörnquist Michael
Published: May 2010

In this chapter we outline a methodology to reverse engineer GRNs from various data sources within an ODE framework. The methodology is generally applicable and is suitable to handle the broad error distribution present in microarrays. The main effort of this chapter is the exploration of a fully data driven approach to the integration problem in a “soft evidence” based way. Integration is here seen as the process of incorporation of uncertain a priori knowledge and is therefore only relied upon if it lowers the prediction error. An efficient implementation is carried out by a linear programming formulation. This LP problem is solved repeatedly with small modifications, from which we can benefit by restarting the primal simplex method from nearby solutions, which enables a computational efficient execution. We perform a case study for data from the yeast cell cycle, where all verified genes are putative regulators and the a priori knowledge consists of several types of binding data, text-mining and annotation knowledge.
Collaborative Knowledge Management in the Call Center
Authors: Richards Debbie
Published: May 2010

Collaboration is fundamental to the goals and success of knowledge management (KM) initiatives aimed at supporting decision making and problem solving. Yet many KM approaches and systems do not provide explicit mechanisms which allow knowledge to be collaboratively built up, validated and reconciled so that the more general goals of knowledge sharing and reuse can be achieved. In domains such as the call center, problems and solutions need to be created, retrieved, reworked and reused by multiple individuals and typically involves the use of multiple knowledge management tools, knowledge scattered across disparate sources and implicit “know-how”. Acquiring, accessing, maintaining, sharing, reconciling and reusing knowledge in its various forms are particular challenges in the call center domain where the knowledge needed is complex and constantly changing made worse by short-term knowledge workers. The approach suggested allows knowledge, in the form of rules, to be incrementally acquired as the problem arises, in the form of cases, as part of the daily routine. Using the approach, knowledge workers are able to collaboratively and incrementally capture and maintain the heuristics they use daily for trouble-shooting. Further the system is designed to integrate to a wide variety of information and knowledge sources including legacy systems, recognizing the investment and value of such sources and minimizing the need to duplicate existing resources. This paper reports experiences and issues with knowledge management systems in the call center environment. A case study conducted during 2003-2006 is presented which describes how users found the incumbent systems and a prototype knowledge management system embodying the above approach.
End Users' Acceptance of Information Technology
Authors: Soutar Geoffrey N. , Ward Steven
Published: May 2010

While there has been research on the diffusion of a particular type of innovation, few if any studies have examined the acceptance of a set of innovations (behavioral innovativeness) over time. This study using the Rasch methodology found evidence that computer hardware innovations are adopted in a particular order. The same could not be said for computer software, whose acceptance may be application based. This study applied a theoretical framework based on the diffusion of innovation literature (See Rodgers 1995). Data was collected via a telephone survey of 302 computer users. Scores obtained from Rasch analysis were used as the dependent variable (that of behavioral innovativeness) in a regression analysis, against factors such as overall innovativeness, use innovativeness, opinion leadership/acceptance, product class knowledge and use of sources of information. Determinates of the level of behavioral innovativeness were found to be personality traits of innovateness, (a willingness to trial new technology) and use innovateness (how innovatively existing information technology was used). The level of recent purchases in the last month of information technology items, a measure of leading edge use was also positively associated with acceptance of new technology. The research findings suggest that computer hardware manufacturers can assume that there is an order of acceptance of new technology and so can predict from the knowledge of existing hardware the acceptance of innovations in the future. Computer manufacturers can also effectively target early adopters of their technology given the results of this study. Rasch modeling can also be beneficial for organizations wishing to market diverse computer packages to users, as it allows a numerical scoring of a users acquisition profile or use of information technologies.
Ratings Schemes in e-Commerce
Authors: Poston Robin S. , Royne Marla B.
Published: May 2010

Evidence has been growing that suggests Internet-based opinion systems influence users’ purchase decisions. One of the most popular systems are the rating schemes found on Web sites such as eBay.com, expertcentral.com, bizrate.com, epinions.com, slashdot.net, moviefone.com, citysearch.com, etc. Rating schemes affect user productivity by changing their ability to search and find products and services on the Internet. Regrettably, ratings schemes can provide misleading information because those inputting ratings have personal subjective opinions, or they want to manipulate other users’ behaviors. For example, an author of a book may ask family and friends to rate his or her book highly and his or her competitors’ books poorly. This chapter provides a robust summary of the rating scheme literature and delineates the sources of rating scheme bias and the potential effects of this bias on how users utilize ratings. In a research study, data were gathered from 73 upper-division undergraduates completing a preliminary survey with open- and closed-ended questions and 164 additional students completing an exploratory survey to support the preliminary survey results. Based on the research findings, the chapter discusses preliminary insights and develops a set of propositions to encourage a more rigorous and indepth examination of rating scheme bias by both practitioners and academicians.
Temporal Perspectives in Event Processing
Authors: Etzion Opher
Published: May 2010

One of the major characteristics of event processing is its strong relationship to the notion of time, yet some of the temporal aspects of event processing still issue challenges to the implementations of event processing tools. This paper provides an overview of the notion of “event processing network” as the underlying model behind event processing; maps the temporal aspects, and discuss each of them. The temporal aspects that are discussed are: temporal dimensions of events, time granularities, temporal context, temporal patterns, event order, and retrospective and proactive operations.
Automating Integration Testing of Large-Scale Publish/Subscribe Systems
Authors: Piel Éric , González Alberto , Gross Hans-Gerhard
Published: May 2010

Publish/subscribe systems are event-based systems separated into several components which publish and subscribe events that correspond to data types. Testing each component individually is not sufficient for testing the whole system; it also requires testing the integration of those components together. In this chapter, first we identify the specificities and difficulties of integration testing of publish/subscribe systems. Afterwards, two different and complementary techniques to test the integration are presented. One is based on the random generation of a high number of event sequences and on generic oracles, in order to find a malfunctioning state of the system. The second one uses a limited number of predefined data-flows which must respect a precise behaviour, implementable with the same mechanism as unit-testing. As event-based systems are well fitted for runtime modification, the particularities of runtime testing are also introduced, and the usage in the context of integration testing is detailed. A case study presents an example of integration testing on a small system inspired by the systems used in the maritime safety and security domain.
The PADRES Publish/Subscribe System
Authors: Jacobsen Hans-Arno , Cheung Alex , Li Guoli , Maniymaran Balasubramaneyam , Muthusamy Vinod , Kazemzadeh Reza Sherafat
Published: May 2010

This chapter introduces PADRES, the publish/subscribe model with the capability to correlate events, uniformly access data produced in the past and future, balance the traffic load among brokers, and handle network failures. The new model can filter, aggregate, correlate and project any combination of historic and future data. A flexible architecture is proposed consisting of distributed and replicated data repositories that can be provisioned in ways to tradeoff availability, storage overhead, query overhead, query delay, load distribution, parallelism, redundancy and locality. This chapter gives a detailed overview of the PADRES content-based publish/subscribe system. Several applications are presented in detail that can benefit from the content-based nature of the publish/subscribe paradigm and take advantage of its scalability and robustness features. A list of example applications are discussed that can benefit from the content-based nature of publish/subscribe paradigm and take advantage of its scalability and robustness features.
Event-Based Interaction for Rescue and Emergency Applications in Mobile and Disruptive Environments
Authors: Skjelsvik Katrine Stemland , Goebel Vera , Plagemann Thomas
Published: May 2010

Event-based interaction is suitable for rescue and emergency applications because the filtering capabilities can help to prevent information overload, and such interaction may be offered by an Event Notification Service (ENS). We focus on ENS in sparse Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs), since an incident may occur e.g., in a deserted place lacking infrastructure, the density of nodes may be low, and there may be physical obstacles limiting the transmission range. The asynchronous communication provided by the ENS is suited for an environment where there may be long-lasting network partitions. In this chapter, we describe characteristics of rescue operations and use this as a basis for discussing ENS design choices such as subscription language, architecture and routing. Afterwards, we present our own ENS solution, the Distributed Event Notification Service (DENS), which is tailored for such an application domain.
Novel Approaches to Studying Activity-Dependent Regulation of Neurotrophins and Neuropeptides in Sensory Pathways from Orofacial Tissues
Authors: Balkowiec Agnieszka , Balkowiec-Iskra Ewa
Published: May 2010

Growth factors are critical for normal development of craniofacial innervation. Recent evidence indicates that neuronal growth factors, and particularly members of the neurotrophin family, are also involved in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, with wide-ranging implications for chronic orofacial pain syndromes. The authors’ laboratory has developed novel approaches to studying regulation of neurotrophin expression and release from neurons by activity. This chapter presents their advances in preparation of neuron-enriched cultures of trigeminal ganglia followed by stimulation with physiological patterns of electrical activity alone, and in combination with neuropeptides and inflammatory mediators. It also describes the authors’ modified, ultra-sensitive ELISA methods (ELISA in situ and ‘rapid capture’ ELISA) for detection of endogenous neurotrophic factors, and other neuropeptides that are expressed and released in quantities below the detectability thresholds of standard assays. These methodologies are presented using Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Endomorphin-2 as examples.
Simulation
Authors: Molnar Istvan
Published: May 2010

This chapter attempts to define the knowledge body of simulation and describes the underlying principles of simulation education. It argues that any programs in Modelling and Simulation should recognize the multi- and interdisciplinary character of the field and realize the program in wide co-operation. The chapter starts with the clarification of the major objectives and principles of the Modelling and Simulation Program and the related degrees, based on a broad business and real world perspective. After reviewing students’ background, especially communication, interpersonal, team, analytical and critical thinking skills, furthermore some of the additional skills facilitating entering a career, the employer’s view and possible career paths are examined. Finally, the core knowledge body, the curriculum design and program related issues are discussed. The author hopes to contribute to the recent discussions about modelling and simulation education and the profession.
Modeling and Simulation of IEEE 802.11g using OMNeT++
Authors: Sarkar Nurul I. , Membarth Richard
Published: May 2010

Due to the complex nature of computer and telecommunication networks, it is often difficult to predict the impact of different parameters on system performance especially when deploying wireless networks. Computer simulation has become a popular methodology for performance study of computer and telecommunication networks. This popularity results from the availability of various sophisticated and powerful simulation software packages, and also because of the flexibility in model construction and validation offered by simulation. While various network simulators exist for building a variety of network models, choosing a good network simulator is very important in modeling and performance analysis of wireless networks. A good simulator is one that is easy to use; more flexible in model development, modification and validation; and incorporates appropriate analysis of simulation output data, pseudorandom number generators, and statistical accuracy of the simulation results. OMNeT++ is becoming one of the most popular network simulators because it has all the features of a good simulator. This chapter aims to provide a tutorial on OMNeT++ focusing on modeling and performance study of the IEEE 802.11g wireless network.
Interface Design, Positive Emotions and Multimedia Learning
Authors: Dong Chaoyan
Published: May 2010

In social psychology, “what is attractive is good” means that a physically attractive person is perceived to be more favorable and capable. In industrial design, the interface is one of the three elements that influence users’ experience with a product. For multimedia learning, does the interface design affect users’ experience with learning environments? Does attractive interface enhance multimedia learning? Research in multimedia learning has not yet sufficiently investigated this issue. In this chapter, I propose that attractive interface design does indeed promote multimedia learning. This hypothesis is based on the review of the following theories and related empirical studies: 1) an interface impacts a user’s experience; 2) beautiful interfaces induce positive emotions; 3) positive emotions broaden cognitive resources; and 4) expanded cognitive resources promote learning. The Model of Emotional Design in Multimedia Learning is proposed to highlight how emotions regulate multimedia learning. Suggestions regarding designing attractive interfaces are provided.
Key Capabilities, Components, and Evolutionary Trends in Corporate E-Learning Systems
Authors: Han Hyo-Joo , Dick Geoffrey , Case Tom , Van Slyke Craig
Published: May 2010

The chapter examines the development of online learning systems in corporations, corporate utilization of reusable learning modules, and the various forms of assessment and knowledge certification used to ensure and improve the quality of the learning outcomes. Corporations continue to embrace e-learning, at a dramatic rate. This is partly driven by a desire for cost reduction and partly to ensure that all staff to have the required skills and competencies for their jobs. Organizations are increasingly linking the e-learning/e-training systems with other modules of their human resource management systems and this chapter includes a case example to illustrate such linkages. Universities have demonstrated progress in e-learning but remain in a position to learn much from e-learning developments in the corporate world. In sum, the chapter provides an overview of corporate experiences with e-learning/e-training and how these might be transferred to the academic world; it also sounds a note of warning for the universities should they fail to observe the ongoing development of corporate e-learning systems.
A Human–Machine Interface Design to Control an Intelligent Rehabilitation Robot System
Authors: Akdogan Erhan , Adli M. Arif , Taçgin Ertugrul , Bennett Nureddin
Published: May 2010

The demand for rehabilitation increases daily as a result of diseases, occupational and traffic accidents and population growth. In the present time, some important problems occur regarding the rehabilitation period: the transportation of patients, the acquisition and storage of treatment data and the need to support the physiotherapists with intelligent devices. In order to overcome these challenges, the authors hereby propose a human machine interface to control an intelligent rehabilitation robot system designed for the lower limbs. The human machine interface has a structure that is created with a rule-based intelligent controlling structure, combined with conventional controller and an easy-to-use graphical user interface. By means of this interface, the rehabilitation sessions can be stored and members of the rehabilitation team can reach to this stored data via internet. Additionally, the patient can receive treatment in his house. One physiotherapist is able to treat several patients at a time by utilizing this system. The system’s capacity has been elaborated through the test results.
Tools for Corporate Assessment of Sustainable Development
Authors: Mark-Herbert Cecilia , Rorarius Jonas
Published: May 2010

Corporate needs to assess, evaluate and communicate sustainability efforts are evident in the increasing use of management tools. A selected set of commonly used sustainability management tools are compared in this study with a key question in mind: how well does each of them provide grounds for assessing and communicating corporate sustainability ambitions? Each of the tools reflects different aspects of responsible conduct; expressed in economic, environmental, social and temporal & spatial terms. They represent a partial foundation for ex ante assessment and ex post evaluation and, as such, grounds for providing information and communicating. Selecting suitable tools for making sustainability management assessments presupposes an awareness of a need to integrate the perspectives on sustainability as well as finding a suitable marketing tool mix.
The Relation Between ICT and Environmental Management Practice in a Construction Company
Authors: Jacobsson Mattias , Linde Anneli , Linderoth Henrik
Published: May 2010

The aim of this chapter is to draw attention to the use of ICT in the building and construction industry with a special interest in the day-to-day activities of those companies that are working to develop more environmentally friendly and sustainable production processes. The chapter is based on a comprehensive survey of ICT use and attitudes to environmental related issues in middle and large sized construction companies in Sweden and two case studies: One of ICT use in a larger Swedish building and construction company and one of communication, coordination, and decision making processes in a construction project. Based on the empirical data we argue that in order to enhance a more environmentally friendly building and construction industry there is a need for a more genuine cooperation and knowledge sharing between different actors both in crossing project boundaries as well as overriding contractual limitations. Decisions in a construction project must be taken earlier in the process and construction companies need to focus more on those processes over which they actually do have power.
Communication, Information and Sustainability
Authors: Tortora Marco
Published: May 2010

This chapter, recognizing that the main communication concepts are deeply geographical in their inner nature, has the intent of introducing an analysis of the connection there should be between geography, communication, organization and sustainability. The author will use the geography of information as the main framework to detect these links and to present the analysis of a regional communication infrastructure to understand how the Internet can be pivotal to communication and local development strategies. The analysis will present regional communication policies, projects and practices to understand if these are positive or negative forces for a regional sustainable development.
Gender and Technology
Authors: Cozza Michela
Published: May 2010

In this chapter the mutual shaping of the technology and gender is analyzed in relation to the phenomenon of gender digital divide. The discussion starts with the re-construction of the theoretical background, shedding light on different analytical approaches to technological development. The gender blind perspective of mainstream technology studies is uncovered; looking at theoretical contributes of feminist and gender studies. This positioning is aimed to consider the cultural and material aspects involved in the digital gender gap. The chapter leads to a general conclusion: it is of utmost importance that researchers, decision-makers and professionals in Information Technology field take into account that all spheres inhabited by human beings are inevitably gendered. The gender mainstreaming approach may inform the construction of a gender-aware research agenda and the identification of the following transformative actions. The synergy among researchers, practitioners and decision-makers at political and business level is crucial for a gender-sensitive and sustainable development.
Group Technology
Authors: Zhou Zude , Wang Huaiqing , Lou Ping
Published: May 2010

Group technology (GT) is a management philosophy that attempts to group products with similar design and/or manufacturing characteristics. It is also a key factor in the successful implementation of flexible manufacturing systems, and equally is one of the foundations of the implementation of intelligent manufacturing. The success of GT implementation is in the effective formation of part families and the rational layout of the manufacturing cell (machine family). In this chapter, the background and conception of (GT) are introduced, followed by succinct descriptions of the similarity criterion, classification and coding systems, and classification approaches of GT. The actual applications of GT to product design, process planning and group scheduling are discussed, and finally the summary and trends of GT are articulated.
Music Matters
Authors: Gould Rebecca , Unger Elizabeth
Published: May 2010

This chapter describes how the introduction of a learning environment can stimulate creativity and innovation in learning and extend that innovation to students at a distance. The learning environment consists of a room, technology, and Internet assisted set of tools. This music environment is one of a series of learning environments created to enhance learning especially in the humanities. Capable of enhancing the instruction in music both for distance learning and for traditional students, this was accomplished at a Midwestern comprehensive research university. The learning environment created through a strong collaborative partnership between faculty and professional staff provided an enhancement to music theory instruction. It has served as a stimulus to innovation in music performance, band director’s instruction at a distance, instruction of music teacher students at a distance and also in the dance program. The result to date is an environment that has encouraged learning, collaboration and outreach to the international world of music. It is being shared with another institution of higher education to enhance their music programs. Distance learning in music and music education programs began fall of 2008 and like the initial two years of uses to improve face-to-face instruction, the potential is limitless to develop innovation and creativity in students and faculty alike.
Virtual Worlds and Avatars for the Development of Primary Foreign Languages and Primary Foreign Languages for the Development of Real Children
Authors: Kim Yongho
Published: May 2010

The case study is a chronicle of Korean elementary students’ efforts to gain autonomous control of a foreign language, English, from the top down, that is, through use of English in communication (as opposed to mere exposure to English through study or through the passive absorption of comprehensible input). This communicative use of English is realized through materials pertinent to their overall development and not just to their language development. The materials include a surrogate self or avatar within a virtual learning environment which can, in principle, though not in this study, connect them with children all over the world. The question for this study is how the use of an avatar in a virtual learning environment brings about not only the learning of vocabulary and grammar (similar to the piecemeal learning that happens in any classroom) but also interacts with and even activates the child’s overall psychological development the way that play awakens developmental functions on the playground.
Transpositions in Configurable Virtual Storyworlds
Authors: Sosnoski James J. , Harvey Kevin Q. , Stalker Jordan , Monahan Colleen
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND: The Center for the Advancement of Distance Education (CADE) is a self-supporting unit within the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The center’s services range from online continuing education and professional training to multimedia Web-casting and research data management, analysis and presentation. TECHNOLOGY USED: In public health emergency response training, an isolation and quarantine situation is one of the most challenging. Second Life has the capability and potential to address many of the training and planning challenges associated with such a sensitive topic. It enables public health emergency responders to test and refine existing plans and procedures in a safe, controllable, immersive and repeatable environment. CASE STUDY: A quarantine scenario designed for emergency training. The authors designed “The Canyon Crossroads” as a key transit point between two quarantine areas and two uninfected areas. They placed a state border to divide the crossroads leaving quarantine zones in each jurisdiction. The local hospital was located in one of the quarantine zones and it is an official holding and treatment location for infected victims. The exercise involves transmitting persons in and out of the four areas. CHALLENGES: There are three challenges the authors are currently addressing: (a) how to increase the levels of engagement in the training process, (b) how to construct a virtual world that fosters collaboration, and (c) how to measure the levels of engagement in this collaborative environment.
Web Based Model for Information Supply Chain
Authors: Ramachandra Manjunath
Published: May 2010

Advances in the web technologies and signal processing have resulted in their extensive usage in all walks of life. Although independent, these great technologies often cross each other when it comes to the realization of applications suitable for the current requirements. The present day requirements for information have changed drastically in terms of time, quality and quantity. In this chapter, the usage of these technologies for information supply chain management is explored. It forms the foundation for the rest of the chapters in this book.
Information Cleansing and Processing
Authors: Ramachandra Manjunath
Published: May 2010

The data gathered from the sources are often noisy Poor quality of data results in business losses that keep increasing down the supply chain. The end customer finds it absolutely useless and misguiding. So, cleansing of data is to be performed immediately and automatically after the data acquisition. This chapter provides the different techniques for data cleansing and processing to achieve the same.
Intelligent Information Processing
Authors: Ramachandra Manjunath
Published: May 2010

The data stored in a database exhibits a certain pattern at different degrees of abstraction although by nature it is random. The availability of patterns in the data would be useful in classifying the same with a tag and clustering the same. Query over such a data cluster would provide a quick response. Ina huge database, it is difficult to come out with exact patterns. The result of classification and clustering is often probabilistic. As a result, the estimation would turn statistical calling for the merger of the responses. In this chapter, the clustering and classifier algorithms are explained along with the decision process to merge the results.
Correlation Analysis in Classifiers
Authors: Lemaire Vincent , Hue Carine , Bernier Olivier
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents a new method to analyze the link between the probabilities produced by a classification model and the variation of its input values. The goal is to increase the predictive probability of a given class by exploring the possible values of the input variables taken independently. The proposed method is presented in a general framework, and then detailed for naive Bayesian classifiers. We also demonstrate the importance of “lever variables”, variables which can conceivably be acted upon to obtain specific results as represented by class probabilities, and consequently can be the target of specific policies. The application of the proposed method to several data sets shows that such an approach can lead to useful indicators.
Preparing for New Competition in the Retail Industry
Authors: Klepac Goran
Published: May 2010

A business case presents a retail company facing new competitors and consequently preparing a customer retention strategy. The business environment in which the company was operating prior to the arrival of new competitors can be described as a stable market. Bearing in mind the plans and marketing activities of a competitor retail chain and making use of the data mining methods a system is being devised for the purpose of preventing or at least buffering the churn trend. Development of an early warning indicator system based on data mining methods is also being described as a support to the management in early detection of both market opportunities and threats. Research in data mining could also be concentrated on applying existing data mining techniques to find the best solution regarding practical business problems in the public or private sector. Knowledge regarding how some business cases were solved using data mining techniques could contribute in a better understanding of the nature or data mining nature and help solve specific business issues.