bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ontology-Based Authorization Model for XML Data in Distributed Systems
Authors: Jain Amit , Farkas Csilla
Published: May 2010

This research work proposes a Semantic-Aware Authorization Framework, called SAAF, for applying syntax independent authorization on eXtensible Markup Language (XML) documents. Our model supports secure data sharing in an open environment without the need for a centralized authority and supports application flexibility. We propose the use of data and application semantics, expressed as Resource Description Framework (RDF) ontologies, to specify security requirements for XML documents. XML documents are associated with their semantics (RDF ontologies) via mappings. The authors use these mappings and the corresponding RDF authorizations models to generate access control permissions for the mapped XML documents. The SAAF ensures the preservation of authorization permissions on XML data even if the syntax and the structure of the data are changed. Their method also aids the detection and removal of inconsistent authorizations on structurally different but semantically similar XML data.
Policy-Based Security Engineering of Service Oriented Systems
Authors: Maña Antonio , Pujol Gimena , Muñoz Antonio
Published: May 2010

In this chapter the authors present a policy-based security engineering process for service oriented applications, developed in the SERENITY and MISTICO projects. Security and dependability (S&D) are considered as first-class citizens in the proposed engineering process, which is based on the precise description of reusable security and dependability solutions. The authors’ process is based on the concept of S&D Pattern as the means to capture the specialized knowledge of security engineers and to make it available for automated processing, both in the development process (the focus of this chapter) and later at runtime. In particular, in this chapter they focus on the verification of the compliance with security policies, based on the formal specification of S&D Properties. The main advantages of the approach presented in this chapter are precisely that it allows us to define high-level policies and to verify that a secure oriented system complies with such policy (developed following the SERENITY approach). They also describe the application of the proposed approach to the verification of S&D properties in the web services (WS) environment. Concretely, the authors describe the use of SERENITY framework to facilitate the development of applications that use standard security mechanisms (such WS-Security, WS-Policy, WS-Security Policy, etc) and to ensure the correct application of these standard mechanisms, based on predefined policies. Finally, they show how to verify that the application complies with one or several S&D policies.
Strategic Human Resource Management & Organizational Performance
Authors: Bahuguna P.C. , Kumari P.
Published: May 2010

The discipline of human resource management has progressed significantly over a period of time. Today it is being considered as the most critical source of competitive advantage to the firm. It has progressed to a strategic business partner. Various approaches and models of strategic human resource management have been developed within the framework of strategic human resource management. Like many theories of organization, none are complete. Rather being right or wrong each approach points to different aspect of the process needed to develop effective strategic human resource functions. The issue of fitting HR practices to business strategy has become increasingly relevant over few years. Therefore in the present study we have made efforts to highlight various issues which are relevant to the strategic HRM in the changing scenario of business environment. The present chapter has been divided into five sections. In the first part, the changes occurring in the business environment and its implications for human resource functionaries have been discussed. In the second section we have highlighted the changing role of human resource management. Historical background of strategic human resource management, its role in addressing the challenges of changing business scenario and determinants of strategic fit have also been presented in the second section. In the third section issues regarding the relationship of strategic human resource management with business performance have been discussed. In the fourth section we have made efforts to bring into notice those emerging future trends which might become key issues for high performance in the organization of new era. At last conclusions have been drawn that what needs to be done on the part of the HR functionaries and the organization itself to enhance the strategic fit between the various HR practices and the overall organizational strategic plan.
Librarians for Tomorrow at the San José Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Joint Library
Authors: Wu Yuhfen Diana , Cabrera Peggy , Paul Jeff
Published: May 2010

Recruitment initiatives at San José State University date back over a decade. SJSU and local librarians and faculty from the School of Library and Information Science and local libraries have been partnering with professional organizations by sponsoring recruitment fairs, ice cream socials and other gatherings at SJSU and in the broader communities to recruit individuals to attend library school. This paper provides a review of the literature regarding recruitment and retention of students of color in library schools. Also included is a review of the factors that lead to the decision to become a librarian. It provides a description of the IMLS Librarians for Tomorrow Program at San José State University. Challenges and recommendations for future study followed.
Supplier Relationship Management in Health Care
Authors: Mettler Tobias , Rohner Peter
Published: May 2010

The structural transformation of modern societies (e.g. aging of population, mobility) as well as continuously increasing market dynamics (e.g. mergers, technological advancement) induce health care organizations, more than ever, to reduce their costs while enhancing service delivery at the same time. In other industrial sectors this was achieved by optimizing cooperation, coordination, and communication particularly with regard to the supplier base. However, as the pressure to innovate will increase extensively in the next years, similar developments are becoming relevant for the health care supply chain, too. In this chapter we therefore adapt the current findings on supplier relationship management (SRM) to the health care context. We analyze theoretical foundations of SRM and explore one particular area of application in health care, namely the ordering of pharmaceuticals by hospitals. On the basis of a case study we develop a future scenario for drugs supply management and discuss potential performance and quality improvements.
Upgrading effectiveness in VEs
Authors: Kirytopoulos Konstantinos , Voulgaridou Dimitra , Leopoulos Vrassidas
Published: May 2010

Due to the rapid evolution of information technology, supply chain integration is nowadays easier than in the past. Moreover, the need for economic efficiency leads suppliers and customers to closely co-operate in pursuit of, what seems to be the holy grail of modern supply chain management, end to end optimization. The core objective of this chapter is the provision of a decision framework for enterprise formations organized as collaborative clusters, which is a sophisticated form of a virtual enterprise network. This framework, based on the ANP-BOCR model, takes into account clusters’ special characteristics the most important of which is that the supply chain entities do have a clear picture of strategies, policies, needs, strengths and weaknesses of one another. The whole approach is illustrated through a parapharmaceutical cluster case study which reveals that “common” knowledge and risks are very important in an environment where entities are sometimes partners and sometimes competitors.
Social Networking for Distance Caregiving and Aging in Place
Authors: Becker S. Ann
Published: May 2010

This case examines the business development process for launching a social network targeting older adult caregivers many of whom have chronic health conditions. An older adult becomes a member of a social network called iShare-With-U.biz to monitor online one or more health conditions. He or she invites family and friends to join a private network for support in distance caregiving, staying connected in personal health management, and socializing using common social networking features. Web site design is discussed in terms of usability by older adults. Health Web sites and social networks are assessed in terms of usage by age group. Options for revenue generation are identified when taking into account free and fee-based Web site membership. The case concludes with a discussion of challenges facing online startups given rapid changes in technology, minimal barriers to market entry, and a near saturation point for Web sites with social networking capabilities.
Concept of Mobile Agent-Based Electronic Marketplace – Safety Measures
Authors: Patel Ahmed
Published: May 2010

In mobile agent-based systems, the use of mobile agents in pervasive ubiquitous electronic marketplace (e-marketplace) environment requires very well protected, secure and safe infrastructure and networking services, if they are to be trusted. The important issues and functions of security, privacy, trust and audit complement the basic requirements of mobile agent-based systems. These must support e-marketplace trading in today’s computing arena facilitated and driven by the Web, Internet and ad hoc networks. In this chapter, the concept and application of security, privacy, trust, and audit for normal business and digital forensics purposes under the single term safety measures are presented. These measures are the key drivers and principles of secure mobile agents for mobile agent based environments.
Leading the Organizational Dynamics of E-Business Firms
Authors: Mutlu Esin Can , Bal Yasemin , Büyükbalci Pinar
Published: May 2010

As a result of globalization and continuously changing environmental conditions, new business models emerge in the new era of management. E-business firms also have been formed during this era and took attention of management scholars as they show a wide variety of new organizational dynamics in terms of certain structural characteristics. Leading these dynamics requires special leadership traits that constitute a base for the harmonic functioning of e-business firms. In this context, the main aim of this study is to conceptually discuss the important organizational aspects in e-business firms and support them with the needed leadership traits.
The Effect of User Location and Time of Access on Ecommerce
Authors: Kumar Chetan
Published: May 2010

The amount and range of information on the Internet is growing at a rapid pace. Cisco systems report (2008) expects Internet traffic growth to be spurred by video, social networking and collaboration applications collectively referred to as Web 2.0 technologies. The Cisco systems report (2008) forecasts that “global Internet Protocol (IP) traffic will increase by a factor of six from 2007 to 2012, reaching 44 exabytes per month in 2012, compared to fewer than 7 exabytes per month in 2007.” ComScore report (2009) estimates that the total global Internet audience has surpassed 1 billion visitors in December 2008. Magid Abraham, CEO of ComScore Inc., says “Surpassing one billion global users is a significant landmark in the history of the Internet. It is a monument to the increasingly unified global community in which we live and reminds us that the world truly is becoming more flat. The second billion will be online before we know it, and the third billion will arrive even faster than that, until we have a truly global network of interconnected people and ideas that transcend borders and cultural boundaries.” The increase in Internet traffic is aided because making information available online is becoming relatively inexpensive, and as more people have Internet access demand for information increases. The trend of increasing Internet traffic is likely to continue (Datta et al. 2003, Cisco systems report 2008).
RFID Enabled B2B E-Commerce Technologies and Applications
Authors: Bendavid Ygal
Published: May 2010

This article focuses on the emerging phenomenon of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies & the EPC Network by examining how it enables innovative B2B E-Commerce supply chain applications. A business process approach is used to facilitate the understanding on HOW to design RFID enabled B2B E-Commerce scenarios. Results indicate that RFID with other ubiquitous computing technologies constitute another step in the evolution from E-Commerce to “U-commerce”.
Train the Trainer
Authors: Grant Mary Rose
Published: May 2010

This chapter describes an online competency-based model for teaching adult learners in virtual environments. This model, informed by prior studies for online teaching, expands emergent themes within best practices and identifies competencies for course design, delivery and management of adult-centered online learning environments. The use of part-time instructors, in academic and corporate settings, to facilitate learning in virtual environments requires formal processes to develop web-based teaching skills that meet the needs and expectations of a multigenerational mix of online adult-learners. The competency-based model uses a generative approach to developing instructors as adult learners and builds on adult and constructivist learning theories. The model provides opportunities to improve web-based teaching skills and encourage behaviors that influence student engagement, retention and learning. This chapter guides the reader through a step-by-step process of understanding competencies needed to facilitate virtual learning with suggestions for implementation and practice in corporate settings.
Facilitating a Hierarchy of Engagement
Authors: Messinger Paul R. , Ge Xin , Mayhew Glenn E. , Niu Run , Stroulia Eleni
Published: May 2010

Virtual worlds, where many people can interact simultaneously within the same three-dimensional environment, are productive enabling environments for corporate education. In this chapter, the authors propose a hierarchy of four types of educational engagement, at successively deeper levels of interaction. The authors then show that virtual worlds can be useful platforms for distance corporate education because they can be used to promote engagement at all four levels of the proposed hierarchy. By linking their hierarchy with existing learning theories, they argue that the effectiveness of corporate education can be successfully carried out by using virtual worlds. They also provide an overview of the historical development of virtual worlds, the development of distance education, and a description of technological, institutional, and research challenges needed to be met for distance corporate education to realize its potential.
Economic Forecasting Techniques and Their Applications
Authors: Kahraman Cengiz , Kaya Ihsan , Ulukan H. Ziya , Uçal Irem
Published: May 2010

Forecasting techniques have a widespread area from simple regression to complex metaheuristics like neural networks and genetic algorithms. Economic forecasting is the process of attempting to predict the future condition of the economy. It is the projection or estimation of statistical measures of the performance of a country, group of countries, industry, firm or community. This involves the use of these techniques utilizing variables sometimes called indicators. Some of the most well-known economic indicators include inflation and interest rates, GDP growth/decline, retail sales and unemployment rates. While economic forecasting is not an exact science, it remains an important decision-making tool for businesses and governments as they formulate financial policy and strategy. Concepts forecasted are often standard measures of economic or business results such as production, employment, prices, incomes, spending, sales, profits and other similar statistics. This chapter summarizes and classifies the forecasting techniques from classical logic to fuzzy logic and from metaheuristic techniques (e.g. neural networks or ant colony optimization) to integrated metaheuristics (e.g. neuro-fuzzy). The chapter also includes numerical examples.
Lowering the Center of Gravity around Enterprise IT
Authors: Hutchins Amy C. , Goodman Brian D. , Rooney John W.
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, we look at three key reasons why corporate development projects fail and how a technology and innovation management program can change a company’s approach to information technology. First, we briefly provide context to typical IT management issues, covering business-as-usual management with the role it plays as part of supporting the enterprise and the issues that arise because of it. We then review three common issues – solutions that are dead on arrival, dead by committee and dead by adoption. An introduction to IBM’s Technology Adoption Program describes one such innovation management discipline demonstrating through three brief case studies how to mitigate the common plagues of development projects. While the issues with technology and innovation management are obviously wide and varied, this chapter focuses on the need for a formal initiative to manage innovation. Similarly, fully understanding the workings of a program such as TAP is of considerable scope. The benefit to the reader is our focus on driving the decision making around technology to the users – the community – as a core part of making decisions.
Innovation System Linkages in Indian Hydrocarbon Sector
Authors: Dhodapkar Prashant , Gogoi Anup , Agadh Medhi
Published: May 2010

With the liberalization of Indian hydrocarbon sector, the various organizations that comprise this sector face the challenge of becoming globally competitive. This chapter elaborates the concept of innovation system, that is, the formal or informal linkages between the policy makers, industry, academic and research institutions, etc. and its relevance for organizational effectiveness. Using creative and visual thinking tools, authors explore the reasons for the fragmentation of innovation system of Oil India Limited (OIL), a national oil company operating mainly in the northeast India. This fragmentation is evident from several issues such as stagnating oil production, technological obsolescence, continued impact of natural calamities and conflicts in the region and prolonged dependence on central government funding. The authors suggest a high impact solution consisting of policy-making directed at promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening the innovation system through improved stakeholder communication and prioritizing the science and technology investments to address the regional problems.
Nanotechnology Innovation Systems
Authors: Islam Nazrul
Published: May 2010

The general aim of this chapter is to provide a systematic comparison of nanotechnology innovation systems (NanoSI) at the national level in Europe and Japan. In particular, the characteristics of the national NanoSI that relate to the evolving structure and dynamics of the systems, demand and push factors for driving nanotechnology innovation are investigated, as well as other framework conditions shaped by government policies. In this chapter, a deductive research approach has been adopted rather than an inductive one, a research hypothesis has been put forward and supported by qualitative data analysis. Having carried out a detailed analysis on the primary data, relevant attributes of nanotechnology innovation infrastructure have been identified and similarities and disparities between European and Japanese NanoSI have been explored. The author addresses strengths and weaknesses, major drivers and barriers to a detailed understanding and smooth functioning of NanoSI.
MDA, Metamodeling and Transformation
Authors: Favre Liliana María
Published: May 2010

MDA requires the ability to understand different languages such as general purpose languages, domain specific languages, modeling languages or programming languages. An underlying principle of MDA for integrating semantically in a unified and interoperable way such languages is using metamodeling techniques.
MOF-Metamodels and Formal Languages
Authors: Favre Liliana María
Published: May 2010

This chapter describes how to automatically translate MOF metamodels into NEREUS (Favre, 2005) (Favre, Martinez, & Pereira, 2005). We describe a bridge between MOF metamodels and NEREUS based on reusable schemes and a system of transformation rules. We consider MOF metamodels that are expressed by UML class diagrams, packages diagrams and OCL specifications. The text of a NEREUS specification is completed gradually. Figure 1 shows the main steps of this transformation. First, the signature and axioms are obtained by instantiating the reusable scheme BOX_. Next, associations are transformed by instantiating reusable schemes that exist in the component Association. Finally, OCL specifications are transformed using a set of transformation rules. Then, a specification that reflects all the information of UML diagrams is constructed. Following we describe the transformation of a basic package (that does not depend on others) including only classes and relationships. Following sections describe how to transform basic classes and associations. The transformation processes is supported by reusable schemes and a system of transformation rules for translating OCL specifications into NEREUS.
Progression of UK Women Engineers
Authors: Takruri-Rizk Haifa , Sappleton Natalie , Dhar-Bhattacharjee Sunrita
Published: May 2010

Whilst evidence presented in recent scholarship suggests initiatives aimed at increasing female recruitment to the industry may be proving somewhat effective, retention of female engineers is falling, and there has been minimal progress on breaking down vertical segregation in the engineering workplace. In this chapter the authors explore the situation of women engineers in the UK; they examine, using qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, whether women in engineering do indeed suffer from the application of descriptive and prescriptive stereotypes in the workplace, and how they are able to circumvent them. In particular, the authors instigate the factors, such as self-promotion and confidence, which may aid or hinder the progression of women’s careers. They urge educational institution and engineering industries and organisations to nurture such qualities. Their findings indicate that confidence and self-promotion should be high on the agenda of women engineers to survive and progress in the engineering industry.
Afterword
Authors: Konstantinos E. Parsopoulos , Michael N. Vrahatis
Published: May 2010

In the previous chapters, we presented the fundamental concepts and variants of PSO, as along with a multitude of recent research results. The reported results suggest that PSO can be a very useful tool for solving optimization problems from different scientific and technological fields, especially in cases where classical optimization methods perform poorly or their application involves formidable technical difficulties due to the problem’s special structure or nature. PSO was capable of addressing continuous and integer optimization problems, handling noisy and multiobjective cases, and producing efficient hybrid schemes in combination with specialized techniques or other algorithms in order to detect multiple (local or global) minimizers or control its own parameters.
Health Care Virtual Communities
Authors: El Morr Christo
Published: May 2010

Virtual Communities (VCs) emerged in the beginning of the 1990’s due to the proliferation of the World Wide Web. Researchers explored the potentials of virtual communities in health and created different types of Health VCs. There is growing evidence that health virtual communities can empower patients with knowledge, facilitate health information dissemination, and provide social and psychological support. Although Health VCs present several advantages, many challenges are still ahead and opportunities as well. This chapter will provide an overview of non-mobile and mobile VCs; it will then provide an overview of Health VCs research and applications as well as their advantages and challenges. The chapter ends with an outline of the main future opportunities and perspectives in Health VCs.
Virtual Reality for Supporting Surgical Planning
Authors: Leal Sandra , Suarez Cristina , Framinan J. M. , Parra Carlos Luis , Gómez Tomás
Published: May 2010

Nowadays many surgical procedures are still carried out based on the skills and manual dexterity of each surgeon. The complexity and variability of the operations (very dependent on anatomical and functional personal characteristics), the difficulty of sharing and transferring the acquired knowledge, and the problems for surgeons to train in a realistic context make up a very complex scenario. In this sense, Virtual Reality (VR) provide supporting for surgical training and planning. VR permits modeling, simulation and visualization techniques using 3-D, anatomical predictive models, which are based on realistic models of tissues and organs. The usage of these technologies as a support for surgical planning results in a reduction of the uncertainty in the surgical process, a decrease in the risks for the patients, as well as an improvement of the results. This chapter presents a case of study of a Virtual Reality tool for supporting surgical planning, called VirSSPA, that has been already successfully applied in the University Hospital “Virgen del Rocio” (Seville-Spain).
Opportunities and Challenges of Integrating mHealth Applications into Rural Health Initiatives in Africa
Authors: Mechael Patricia
Published: May 2010

Within the broader field of eHealth, a new sub-specialization is emerging from the dramatic uptake of mobile phones throughout the world, namely mHealth. mHealth is characterized by the use of a broad range of mobile information and communication technologies including mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and remote medical devices and sensors to support medical and public health efforts. Mobile technologies serve as an extension of existing health information and telemedicine systems as well as stand-alone support systems for health professionals and individuals within the general public. This chapter highlights the developments and trends within mHealth and how the integration of mobile technology has been used to support the Millennium Villages Project. Each of the Millennium Villages, which serve populations ranging from 5,000 to 55,000 people, are located in ten countries throughout Africa, and they have been established to illustrate how targeted interventions valued at approximately $110 USD per capita can be used to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Aspects of OFDM-Based 3G LTE Terminal Implementation
Authors: Xu Wen , Berkmann Jens , Carbonelli Cecilia , Drewes Christian , Huebner Axel
Published: May 2010

3GPP standardized an evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN) within the release 8 Long Term Evolution (LTE) project. Targets include higher spectral efficiency, lower latency, and higher peak data rate in comparison with previous 3GPP air interfaces. The E-UTRAN air interface is based on OFDMA and MIMO in downlink and on SCFDMA in uplink. Main challenges for a terminal implementation include an efficient realization of fast and precise synchronization, MIMO channel estimation and equalization, and a turbo decoder for data rates of up to 75 Mbps per spatial MIMO stream. In this study, the authors outline the current 3GPP LTE standard and highlight some implementation details of an LTE terminal. Efficient sample algorithms are presented for key components in the baseband signal processing including synchronization, cell search, channel estimation and equalization, and turbo channel decoder. Their performances, computational and memory requirements, and relevant implementation challenges are discussed.
Cross-Layer Architecture
Authors: De Rango Floriano , Malfitano Andrea , Marano Salvatore
Published: May 2010

WiMAX is the most promising technology of recent years; it can be the technology that resolves some problems related to the spread of wireless service. When thinking of the concept of service, the most important related issue is the QoS (Quality of Service). Behind WiMAX, there is the IEEE 802.16 protocol (IEEE 802.16, 2004), which provides some basic mechanisms to guarantee QoS. This chapter aims to explore these mechanisms, but it also attempts to highlight the absence of some elements in the protocol or those components in it that can be improved. The protocol can be optimized and in the last part of chapter we show how to improve it using a set of algorithms collected by literature. Finally, it is explained how instruments not designed to be applied to the world of wireless, such as games theory or fuzzy logic, can be used to deal with wireless issues.
Digital Ecosystems
Authors: Razavi A. R. , Krause P. , Moschoyiannis S.
Published: May 2010

Current research and development in ICT has opened new opportunities and threats for both large corporations and SMEs alike. Many SMEs see the new Digital Ecosystem as a new open frontier where they can enter, innovate and compete with large corporations on an equal footing. This chapter examines the role of the large corporations (the keystones) in the digital ecosystem and presents solutions about the emergence of two major problems that if left unanswered will result in the creation of major entry barriers for SMEs. The authors’ proposed distributed coordination and high connectivity between SMEs can provide a more appropriate business environment for fair competition and collaboration.
Providing VoD Services in Community Networks Using P2P Technology
Authors: Muñoz-Gea Juan Pedro , Malgosa-Sanahuja Josemaria , Piñero-Escuer Pedro Jose , García-Haro Joan
Published: May 2010

Thanks to the technological development, the production of multimedia content is no longer restricted to content providers. End-users communities are enabled to efficiently share, distribute, manage, and consume audio-visual contents. In this context, community networks are expected to play a central role. This kind of networks can be understood as the sum of all networks that interconnect devices in the homes, and the homes in a neighbourhood. They can use diversity of technologies, and among all of them, PLC (power line communication) is a very good alternative. In order to provide community networks with proper video services an appropriate middleware support is required to glue together the services and the infrastructures. In this respect, P2P (peer-to-peer) technology is a very good candidate to achieve this objective. On the other hand, there are several aspects of the PLC medium that make it difficult to share resources fairly but they can be solved using P2P technology. In this work, different proposal to provide VoD services using P2P technology are reviewed.
Recurrent Higher Order Neural Observers for Anaerobic Processes
Authors: Sanchez Edgar N. , Urrego Diana V. , Alanis Alma Y. , Carlos-Hernandez Salvador
Published: May 2010

In this chapter we propose the design of a discrete-time neural observer which requires no prior knowledge of the model of an anaerobic process, for estimate biomass, substrate and inorganic carbon which are variables difficult to measure and very important for anaerobic process control in a completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with biomass filter; this observer is based on a recurrent higher order neural network, trained with an extended Kalman filter based algorithm.
Electric Machines Excitation Control via Higher Order Neural Networks
Authors: Karnavas Yannis L.
Published: May 2010

This chapter is demonstrating a practical design of an intelligent type of controller using higher order neural network (HONN) concepts, for the excitation control of a practical power generating system. This type of controller is suitable for real time operation, and aims to improve the dynamic characteristics of the generating unit by acting properly on its original excitation system. The modeling of the power system under study consists of a synchronous generator connected via a transformer and a transmission line to an infinite bus. For comparison purposes and also for producing useful data in order for the demonstrating neural network controllers to be trained, digital simulations of the above system are performed using fuzzy logic control (FLC) techniques, which are based on previous work. Then, two neural network controllers are designed and applied by adopting the HONN architectures. The first one utilizes a single pi-sigma neural network (PSNN) and the significant advantages over the standard multi layered perceptron (MLP) are discussed. Secondly, an enhanced controller is designed, leading to a ridge polynomial neural network (RPNN) by combining multiple PSNNs if needed. Both controllers used, can be pre-trained rapidly from the corresponding FLC output signal and act as model dynamics capturers. The dynamic performances of the fuzzy logic controller (FLC) along with those of the two demonstrated controllers are presented by comparison using the well known integral square error criterion (ISE). The latter controllers, show excellent convergence properties and accuracy for function approximation. Typical transient responses of the system are shown for comparison in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed controllers. The computer simulation results obtained show clearly that the performance of the developed controllers offers competitive damping effects on the synchronous generator’s oscillations, with respect to the associated ones of the FLC, over a wider range of operating conditions, while their hardware implementation is apparently much easier and the computational time needed for real-time applications is drastically reduced.
Making Space and Place for Knowledge Production
Authors: Yigitcanlar Tan , Martinez-Fernandez Cristina
Published: May 2010

In the knowledge era the importance of making space and place for knowledge production is clearly understood worldwide by many city administrations that are keen on restructuring their cities as highly competitive and creative places. Consequently, knowledge-based urban development and socio-spatial development of knowledge community precincts have taken their places among the emerging agendas of the urban planning and development practice. This chapter explores these emerging issues and scrutinizes the development of knowledge community precincts that have important economic, social and cultural dimensions on the formation of competitive and creative urban regions. The chapter also sheds light on the new challenges for planning discipline, and discusses the need for and some specifics of a new planning paradigm suitable for dealing with 21st Century’s socio-economic development and urbanization problems.
Utilization of the Emergency Department
Authors: Nfodjo David
Published: May 2010

The primary role of the Emergency Department (ED) is to treat the seriously injured and seriously sick patients. However, because of federal regulations requiring the ED to treat all who enter, EDs have become the providers of a large number of unscheduled, non-urgent care patients. The role of the ED has changed considerably in recent years to treat those without insurance, and without primary care physicians. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the use of the hospital ED for non-urgent care in relationship to socio-economic status and payer type. This study will identify the Socio-economic factors related to the utilization of the emergency department for health care. The study will identify for the purpose of shifting patients that use the Ed as primary care to a nearby clinic. The clinic is within a mile of the ED. It is a Nurse-managed health center that provides free care.
Overview
Authors: Mullennix John W. , Stern Steven E.
Published: May 2010

A brief overview of the current research topics and future directions of research in the area encompassing CSS as used in augmentative and alternative communication for people with speech impairments. Issues that are especially important for practitioners who work with people with speech impairments are mentioned. This overview presents an integrated vision of research where practitioners need to be apprised of the latest research and technological developments and where researchers need to solicit feedback from practitioners in order to pursue fruitful future directions for research.
Systems Engineering and Health Informatics
Authors: Pasupathy Kalyan Sunder
Published: May 2010

Healthcare organizations are struggling to provide safe and high quality care while reducing costs. Abundant data on various aspects of the care delivery process (both clinical and non-clinical) are collected and stored in large databases in different parts of the organization. Informatics, as an area of study with roots in computer science and information science, has grown and evolved to enable collection, storage, retrieval, and analysis of data, and reporting of useful information. Health informatics (HI) ranges from bioinformatics to public health informatics depending on the level of focus and applications. At the same time, systems engineering (SE), as an interdisciplinary field of engineering, has grown to encompass the design, analysis, and management of complex health systems to improve their quality and performance. HI and SE are complementary in their approach to identification of problems, methodology, and solution procedure for improvement. This combination brings forth implications for industry and education to address pressing issues of today’s health care delivery.
Web Applications on the Move –Opening Up New Opportunities for Mobile Developers
Authors: Kress Anna , Linner David , Steglich Stephan
Published: May 2010

As a new platform for mobile applications the “Mobile Web” has recently gained importance. However, the Web as an application platform presents a number of limits to the application developer when compared to other application platforms, e.g. limited access to the local functionality of the mobile device. Those limits can be addressed through so-called “hybrid” application platforms which combine the best from the worlds of Web applications and locally installed applications. We believe that such hybrid applications will gain a significant market share in the nearby future. In this chapter we reflect the current state of those hybrid application platforms and analyze their advantages: After deriving general requirements for future mobile application platforms, we discuss the promises and limits of the Mobile Web platform and describe recent activities of public bodies addressing the discussed limits through “hybrid” extensions. Finally, we discuss the FOKUS Mobile Widget Runtime as a prototype for a hybrid application platform, and propose future research directions in this field.
Collaborative Digital Library Development in India
Authors: Das Anup Kumar , Sen B. K. , Dutta Chaitali
Published: May 2010

Digital library provides an excellent opportunity to widely disseminate our documentary heritages and greatly increases access to library collections of rare documents as well as current research literature. Indian digital library initiatives aim at producing a vast amount of digitized documents pertaining to different forms of recorded human knowledge, ranging from the rare manuscripts to current research literature. Digitized documents are made accessible in online information systems either through intranet or Internet channels. However, maintaining an Internet-based online digital library system has several problems such as availability of web server for 24X7 timeframe, robust broadband connectivity, efficient retrieval engine, ownership of digitized documents, etc. This chapter tries to address and document some of the prevailing social networking issues affecting Indian digital library initiatives, particularly the collaboration patterns among participating institutions as well as funding agencies. This chapter also tries to identify social relationships amongst the networked institutions in terms of nodes and ties. Nodes are the individual actors within the networks, and ties are the relationships between the actors. This chapter shows how social networks in the collaborative digital libraries play a critical role in determining the way problems are solved, organizations are run, and the degree to which individual projects succeed in achieving their goals. Digital Library of India (DLI) is the largest digitization initiative in India spreading across states of India and involving over ninety organizations to ensure several thousands of rare books written in Indian languages as well as non-Indian languages are accessible through Internet channel. This chapter critically appraises the formation of a formal social network in the DLI project embracing local memory institutions across the states of India as well as the funding agencies. Similarly, this chapter also critically analyses and elaborates another collaborative digital library initiative in India, namely, Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL).
‘Masculine Normal Guy Here' – Lonely Hearts and ‘Normal' Gays in Cyberspace
Authors: Paviour-Smith Martin
Published: May 2010

This chapter examines the discourse of dating advertisements on a small-scale dating site, NormalGay.com. I analyse the deployment of linguistic resources of identity-making, in particular, the term, normal, and how members take up or reject this position. Examining the profiles as strategically managed displays of capital on the dating market reveals normal to have a number of meanings which are encoded in different ways. Many profile creators deploy the rhetorical strategy of the enthymeme to covertly define the term with respect to heterosexual norms. Others, who see the dating site as an extension to their off-line lives, define the term against the backdrop of “the gay scene”. The interpretation of identity terms such as normal requires construing the positions taken up with respect to their imagining of the community, heteronormative masculinity and understandings of gay male sociality.
Sustainable Airport Infrastructure
Authors: Keast Robyn L. , Baker Douglas C. , Brown Kerry
Published: May 2010

Ongoing financial, environmental and political adjustments have shifted the role of large international airports. Many airports are expanding from a narrow concentration on operating as transportation centers to becoming economic hubs. By working together, airports and other industry sectors can contribute to and facilitate not only economic prosperity, but create social advantage for local and regional areas in new ways. This transformation of the function and orientation of airports has been termed the aerotropolis or airport metropolis, where the airport is recognized as an economic centre with land uses that link local and global markets. This chapter contends that the conversion of an airport to a sustainable airport metropolis requires more than just industry clustering and the existence of ‘hard’ physical infrastructure. Attention must also be directed to the creation and on-going development of social infrastructure within proximate areas and the maximization of connectivity flows within and between infrastructure elements. It concludes that the establishment of an interactive and interdependent infrastructure trilogy of hard, soft and social infrastructures provides the necessary balance to the airport metropolis to ensure sustainable development. This chapter provides the start of an operating framework to integrate and harness the infrastructure trilogy to enable the achievement of optimal and sustainable social and economic advantage from airport cities.
Assessing Urban Transportation Development
Authors: Tezer Azime , Caliskan Care Olgun , Calik Mehmet Murat , Sinmaz Serkan
Published: May 2010

UN Population Revisions indicate that more than 50% of the world’s population has lived in ‘urban’ areas since 2008 and much of the future ‘urban’ population increase will be absorbed more by the few metropolitan areas of rapidly growing developing countries (UN, 2008). Due to the accelerated urban growth and uncontrolled urban dispersion through naturally significant peripheral areas, sustainable urban growth management becomes a critical urban development policy in Istanbul. In this respect, the interaction among urban growth, urban transportation, rational land use allocations and sustainable transportation policies has an important role to achieve more sustainable urban development in Istanbul. Istanbul set a unique example of urban spatial development/urban transportation interaction with Bosphorus bridges and the connecting highways. This chapter first addresses urban spatial dispersion and transportation development interaction with special emphasis on the existing and proposed Bosphorus Bridges, and then correlates the results with the recent Transportation Master Plan and Environmental Master Plan. Although the latest Environmental Master Plan prepared by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality foresights the progression of public transit systems and no third bridge crossing on Bosphorus, there is a top-down impact for the third bridge crossing and a road tunnel on Bosphorus by the Central Government. Due to the interaction among spatial dispersion, transportation development and existing infrastructure, proposed bridges, their connected highways and flyovers – as well as recent transportation investments of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality – are assessed under the light of sustainable urban transportation policies.
Brisbane Urban Growth Model
Authors: Au-Yeung Benson , Yigitcanlar Tan , Mayere Severine , Lau Chean-Piau
Published: May 2010

In recent years, local government infrastructure management practices have evolved from conventional land use planning to more wide ranging and integrated urban growth and infrastructure management approaches. The roles and responsibilities of local government are no longer simply to manage daily operational functions of a city and provide basic infrastructure. Local governments are now required to undertake economic planning, manage urban growth; be involved in major infrastructure planning; and even engage in achieving sustainable development objectives. The Brisbane Urban Growth model has proven initially successful to ensure timely and coordinated delivery of urban infrastructure. This model may be the first step for many local governments to move toward an integrated, sustainable and effective infrastructure management.
Using the How People Learn Framework for Online Course Design in Teacher Education
Authors: Dole Sharon , Bloom Lisa
Published: May 2010

The demand for online teacher education programs continues to grow in the United States. Two trends have fueled this dramatic growth for such programs: (1) The shortage of teachers in certain areas has prompted the spread of alternative routes to teacher preparation; (2) The nature of the higher education student in alternative programs has transformed from a traditional to a non-traditional profile. With the growth of online programs comes the need for effective courses. This case study uses the How People Learn (HPL) framework as the conceptual model to examine online courses in a teacher education program for evidence of high level learning outcomes. The case study involved data collection in the form of surveys, interviews and artifacts from four online classes using the HPL framework. Results of the study demonstrate that the HPL framework provides a powerful structure for creating and assessing environments conducive to the work of prospective professionals.