bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurses and Telehealth
Authors: Edirippulige Sisira , Smith Anthony C. , Bensink Mark , Armfield Nigel R. , Wootton Richard
Published: May 2011

Nurses play a pivotal role in the provision of healthcare. Home telehealth, the use of information and communication technologies to deliver and support healthcare directly to the home, is emerging as an important application for nurses. This chapter provides an overview of home telehealth and how it may be applied to the practical challenges nurses face everyday. We provide a summary of the evidence available to support its use in specific areas and a guide for those thinking of implementing telehealth in their own practice. The future of home telehealth lies in carefully considered and designed research, ongoing education and training and a multidisciplinary approach. This chapter aims to stimulate the consideration of home telehealth as an application that may improve nursing care and ultimately patient outcomes.
Overview and Analysis of Electronic Health Record Standards
Authors: Kitsiou Spyros
Published: May 2011

A fundamental requirement for achieving continuity of care is commonly accepted to be the integration and interoperability of different clinical oriented systems towards the realization of a “longitudinal” Electronic Healthcare Record. To enable seamless integration of various kinds of IT applications into a healthcare network, a commonly accepted framework based on international relevant standards has become an urgent need. However, there is much marketplace confusion today in the healthcare domain, due to the variety of overlapping or complementary interoperability standards and initiatives, which have evolved over the years addressing integration of applications at different levels. This chapter provides a brief overview of the most relevant Electronic Healthcare Record standards, by examining the level of interoperability and functionality they provide, in terms of context, structure, access services, multimedia support, and security, to provide healthcare decision-makers and system integrators with a clear perspective regarding the capabilities and limitations of each standard.
A Distributed E-Healthcare System
Authors: Kart Firat
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we describe a distributed e-healthcare system that uses service oriented architecture as a basis for designing, implementing, deploying, invoking and managing healthcare services. The ehealthcare system that we have developed provides support for patients, physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, as well as for medical monitoring devices, such as blood pressure monitors. The system transmits e-prescriptions from physicians to pharmacists over the Internet. It offers multimedia input and output, including text, images and speech, to provide a human-friendly interface, with the computers and networks hidden from the user.
A Framework for Capturing Patient Consent in Pervasive Healthcare Applications
Authors: Russello Giovanni , Dong Changyu , Dualy Naranker
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, the authors describe a new framework for pervasive healthcare applications where the patient’s consent has a pivotal role. In their framework, patients are able to control the disclosure of their medical data. The patient’s consent is implicitly captured by the context in which his or her medical data is being accessed. Context is expressed in terms of workflows. The execution of a task in a workflow carries information that the system uses for providing access rights accordingly to the patient’s consent. Ultimately, the patient is in charge of withdrawing consent if necessary. Moreover, the use of workflow enables the enforcement of the need-to-kwon principle. This means that a subject is authorised to access sensitive data only when required by the actual situation.
Building a Health Care Multi-Agent Simulation Sysmte with Role-Based Modeling
Authors: Zhang Xiaoquin , Xu Haiping , Shrestha Bhavesh
Published: May 2011

Multi-Agent System (MAS) is a suitable programming paradigm for simulating and modeling health care systems and applications, where resources, data, control and services are widely distributed. We have developed a multi-agent software prototype to simulate the activities and roles inside a health care system. The prototype is developed using a framework called Role-based Agent Development Environment (RADE). In this chapter, the authors present an integrated approach for modeling, designing and implementing a multi-agent health care simulation system using RADE. They describe the definition of role classes and agent classes, as well as the automatic agent generation process. The authors illustrate the coordination problem and present a rule-based coordination approach. In the end, they present a runtime scenario of this health care simulation system, which demonstrates that dynamic task allocation can be achieved through the creation of role instances and the mapping from role instances to agents. This scenario also explains how agents coordinate their activities given their local constraints and interdependence among distributed tasks.
Wireless for Managing Health Care
Authors: Alasaarela Esko , Nemana Ravi , DeMello Steven , Oliver Nick S. , Miyazaki Masako
Published: May 2011

The Wirhe project is an international collaborative study that focused on the future of healthcare needs, technology requirements and solutions for effective use of wireless technologies for health care delivery. This paper presents results of a Wirhe survey of 85 experts and individual interviews with 35 experts. Key findings include: 1) both notable quality improvements and process enhancements can be expected from effectively utilizing wireless technologies and mobile solutions, 2) integration of personal health monitoring and professional health management is a key issue to be addressed and 3) health promotion and illness prevention efforts can grow by utilizing mobile solutions. We propose a framework that can be used in developing wireless health care solutions for managing diseases and related health problems. This framework can also be used to structure and stratify the needs of technologies and solutions, and to estimate their market potential.
Collaborative Virtual Environments and Multimedia Communication Technologies in Healthcare
Authors: Rodrigues Maria Andréia F.
Published: May 2011

This chapter shows how recent computing technologies such as collaborative virtual environments, high speed networks and mobile devices can be used for training and learning in healthcare providing an environment with security and quality of service. A number of studies have been conducted so far in these research areas. However, the development of integrated care has proven to be a difficult task. Therefore, we aim also to discuss the promising directions of the current work and growing importance on these subjects. This includes comparative analysis of the most relevant computer systems and applications developed so far that integrate modern computing technologies and health care. We believe this work is considered to be primarily for the benefit of those who are working in the field of computer science and health care, as well academic community, practitioners, and those involved in the development, implementation and study of integrated care using new computing technologies.
Assessing Physician and Nurse Satisfaction with an Ambulatory Care EMR
Authors: Wager Karen A.
Published: May 2011

Evaluating clinician satisfaction with an electronic medical record (EMR) system is an important dimension to overall acceptance and use, yet project managers often lack the time and resources to formally assess user satisfaction and solicit feedback. This article describes the methods used to assess clinician satisfaction with an EMR and identify opportunities for improving its use at a 300-physician academic practice setting. We administered an online survey to physicians and nurses; 244 (44%) responded. We compared physician and nurse mean ratings across 5 domains, and found physicians satisfactions scores were statistically lower than nurses in several areas (p
Reforming Public Healthcare in the Republic of Ireland with Information Systems
Authors: Sammon David , Adam Frederic
Published: May 2011

The need for reforming public healthcare towards greater efficiency and measurable returns on investment has been felt by governments in many countries. In Ireland, this led to the PPARS project, which sought to implement SAP across all public healthcare sites. This project, however, was unsuccessful and led to a parliamentary inquiry. To understand why the PPARS project failed, we carried out an extensive case study of the project and compared our findings to the implementation of JD Edwards in a multinational in the private sector. Our study reveals that despite specific circumstances in the public sector that contributed to the failure of the ERP project, the primary causes of failure result from a lack of understanding of what ERP involves and a failure to prepare adequately, which can be found in any organisation, public or private. This leads to significant lessons for ERP implementations and IS projects involving substantial change.
Drivers for Wireless Technology Acceptance in Indian Healthcare
Authors: Gururajan Raj
Published: May 2011

The outcomes of clinical usefulness as a driver of wireless technology for Indian healthcare are reported here. Using both qualitative and quantitative techniques, 30 physicians were interviewed and 200 health professionals were surveyed. The outcomes established that in addition to technology factors, other factors such as clinical factors, administration factors and communication factors play a crucial role in determining the uptake of wireless technology for healthcare. These factors were further validated using a PLS model.
A Centrist Approach to Introducing ICT in Healthcare
Authors: Finnegan David J. , Currie Wendy L.
Published: May 2011

The challenge to provide a nation-wide healthcare service continues unabated in the 21st century as politicians and managers drive through policies to modernize the UK National Health Service (NHS). Established around 60 years ago to offer free healthcare at the point of delivery to all citizens, the NHS now accounts for the largest portion of public expenditure after social security, with total spending around £84 billion in 2006/2007. Over the past 3 decades, the political agenda within healthcare has moved from one of professional dominance, where clinicians and their representative bodies dominated the leadership and management of healthcare organisations, to one where politicians have imposed new ideas in the form of market mechanisms and the “new public management” which extend the use of private sector firms. The political justification for these reforms is to make the NHS more efficient and cost effective and to develop an ethos of patient choice.
Changing Healthcare Institutions with Large Information Technology Projects
Authors: Guah Matthew W.
Published: May 2011

This article reviews the development of institutional theory in direct relations to historical changes within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) with an eye to contributing to the theoretical specification of healthcare information processes. This is done partly by extending certain paradigms (see Meyer & Rowan, 1991; Powell & DiMaggio, 1991; Tolbert & Zucker, 1994) through a proposed model of causes and consequences of variations in levels of institutionalisation in the healthcare industry. It reports findings from a 5-year study on the NHS implementation of the largest civil ISs worldwide at an estimated cost of $10 billion over a 10-year period. The theoretical basis for analysis is developed, using concepts drawn from neo-institutionalism, realisation of business value, and organisational logic, as well as mixed empirical results about the lack of IT investments value in the NHS. The findings suggest that large scale, IT change imposed upon a highly institutionalised healthcare industry is fraught with difficulty mainly because culturally embedded norms, values, and behavioural patterns serve to impede centrally imposed initiatives to automate clinical working practices. It concludes with a discussion about the nature of evaluation procedures in relation to the process of institutionalising IS in healthcare.
Managing ICT in Healthcare Organization
Authors: Zakaria Nasriah , Affendi Shafiz , Zakaria Norhayati
Published: May 2011

The objective of this chapter is to illustrate a case study of a medical research institute in Malaysia in order to discuss issues pertaining to ICT adoption in healthcare organizations, in particular exploring the culture, challenges, and issues of ICT adoption among medical teams, patients, etc. In this chapter, we examine the question of ‘What are the challenges of implementing ICT in healthcare organizations?’ Some of the lessons learned from the case study were: ICT was successfully adopted and implemented based on several factors such as supportive organizational culture, competent IT workers, committed IT department and heavy investment on ICT infrastructure. Yet challenges also arise which hinges upon factors like initial deployment of outside IT resources or expertise for ICT implementation, lack of user training and continuous communication between involved parties in the initial stage.
Information Management in a Grid-Based E-Health Business Environment
Authors: Andronikou Vassiliki , Sideras Gabriel , Halkos Dimitrios , Firopoulos Michael , Varvarigou Theodora
Published: May 2011

E-business today has moved focus to information sharing and integration across organisational boundaries in an effort to transform business processes throughout the value chain and standardize collaboration among communicating entities. Healthcare comprises a strongly collaborative distributed business environment in which information value plays a strategic role and informational privacy comprises a great concern. This new era in e-business, however, is followed by a series of issues that need to be addressed both at application and infrastructural level, such as information heterogeneity, system interoperability, security and privacy. The Grid as a technology enables sharing, selection, and aggregation of a wide variety of distributed resources comes to fill these gaps. In this chapter, the communication of information among healthcare organisations operating over a Grid infrastructure will be presented and analysed both from a technical and a business perspective.
Space-Time Cluster Analysis
Authors: Woodside Joseph M. , Sikder Iftikhar U.
Published: May 2011

Spatial epidemiological approach to healthcare studies provides significant insight in evaluating health intervention and decision making. This article illustrates a space-time cluster analysis using Kulldorff’s Scan Statistics (1999), local indicators of spatial autocorrelation, and local G-statistics involving routine clinical service data as part of a limited data set collected by a Northeast Ohio healthcare organization (Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Ohio) over a period 1994—2006. The objective is to find excess space and space - time variations of lung cancer and to identify potential monitoring and healthcare management capabilities. The results were compared with earlier research (Tyczynski, & Berkel, 2005); similarities were noted in patient demographics for the targeted study area. The findings also provide evidence that diagnosis data collected as a result of rendered health services can be used in detecting potential disease patterns and/or utilization patterns, with the overall objective of improving health outcomes.
A Neural Network Approach Implementing Non-Linear Relevance Feedback to Improve the Performance of Medical Information Retrieval Systems
Authors: Kyriazis Dimosthenis , Doulamis Anastasios , Varvarigou Theodora
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, a non-linear relevance feedback mechanism is proposed for increasing the performance and the reliability of information (medical content) retrieval systems. In greater detail, the user who searches for information is considered to be part of the retrieval process in an interactive framework, who evaluates the results provided by the system so that the user automatically updates its performance based on the users’ feedback. In order to achieve the latter, we propose an adaptively trained neural network (NN) architecture that is able to implement the non- linear feedback. The term “adaptively” refers to the functionality of the neural network to update its weights based on the user’s content selection and optimize its performance.
An Evidence-Based Health Information System Theory
Authors: Carbone Daniel
Published: May 2011

The aim of this chapter is to bridge the gap between what is known about IS theory and the specifics characteristics of health to develop an evidence based health information systems theory. An initial background first sets the significance for the need to have a solid information systems theory in health and then argues that neither the information systems literature nor the health sector have been able to provide any satisfactory pathway to facilitate the adoption of information systems in health settings. The chapter further continues by reviewing the common pathway to develop information systems theory and the knowledge foundations used in the process, and then proceeds to highlight how this theory was developed. Subsequently, the building blocks (constructs, premises, supporting evidence and conclusions) that underpins the constructs and a brief explanation of the relationships between them is included. A discussion and limitation section is then followed by a conclusion.
Toward a Better Understanding of the Assimilation of Telehealth Systems
Authors: Jean-Jules Joachim , Villeneuve Alain O.
Published: May 2011

A number of healthcare authorities are considering bringing telehealth systems out of experimental settings into mainstream clinical care. As most literature on telehealth systems to date has focused on their adoption and their evaluation, more work is warranted to understand how telehealth systems can be assimilated and to identify factors that may facilitate or impinge onto this assimilation. Borrowing from institutional, structuration and organizational learning theories, we propose a conceptual model of the determinants relevant for the assimilation of telehealth systems in healthcare organizations. The result is summarized in eight conjectures and a conceptual model. This work not only goes beyond the common methods of analyzing and discussing telehealth systems with user acceptance models, but it also draws a strong link between the assimilation of technological innovations and their institutional context. We hope it will contribute to guide research and managerial actions directed toward integrating telehealth systems in the workplace.
Adaptive Awareness of Hospital Patient Information through Multiple Sentient Displays
Authors: Favela Jesus , Tentori Monica , Segura Daniela , Berzunza Gustavo
Published: May 2011

Sentient computing can provide ambient intelligence environments with devices capable of inferring and interpreting context, while ambient displays allow for natural and subtle interactions with such environment. In this paper we propose to combine sentient devices and ambient displays to augment everyday objects. These sentient displays are aware of their surroundings while providing continuous information in a peripheral, subtle, and expressive manner. To seamlessly convey information to multiple sentient displays in the environment, we also propose an approach based on abstract interfaces which use contextual information to decide which display to use and how the information in the display changes in response to the environment. Our approach is illustrated through a hospital monitoring application. We present the design of two sentient displays that provide awareness of patient’s urine outputs to hospital workers, and how contextual information is used to integrate the functionality of both displays.
Case Study
Authors: Taylor Kent
Published: May 2011

The application of quality management tools in the content development process provides a range of benefits to writing, production, and program teams. This case study of a Natural Language Processing (NLP)-based information quality management solution developed by acrolinx® GmbH describes the results that real-world virtual collaborative writing practitioners have realized, and provides a roadmap for applying quality management strategies within writing organizations. When information products have consistent style, voice, terminology, and brand identification no matter where, when, or by whom the materials written, they are easier to read, understand, translate, and use. Quality management tools support collaboration within writing teams by centralizing access to the standards as writers are creating content, and providing objective quality metrics and reports at handoff points in the information supply chain. This process ensures consistency and clarity across information products, which makes them easier for writers to develop and for customers to use.
Integrating ICT in Education
Authors: Hammo Bassam , Saraireh Basem
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we present the findings of a study carried out at the University of Jordan to evaluate ICTE, an accredited, one-year high diploma training program in ICT Education. The ICTE program aims at preparing Jordanian teachers to use information and communication technology in education. In this study, we attempt to examine the program in terms of its social impact on teachers‘ lives and how it changed their pedagogical beliefs and practices in teaching. We adopt an evaluation methodology based on empirical analysis of the program modules and students profiling. This study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative tools including questionnaire interviews and document analysis. We focus on problems experienced by students, and highlight issues and recommendations to be considered for the success of the program. During the past three years, over 860 participants graduated from the ICTE program after they have been thoroughly trained on cutting-edge software packages to be used through the school curricula in Jordan.
Strategic Interaction under Asymmetric Regulation
Authors: Howell Bronwyn
Published: May 2011

Regulation binds incumbent firms to a different set of obligations from their entrant-competitors, thereby creating an asymmetric set of options from which the firms may select the strategies under which they will interact. Whilst most regulatory obligations are specified in law, some take the form of contractual agreements. New Zealand’s ‘Kiwi Share’ obligations bind the telecommunications market incumbent to a set of retail tariff structures and levels that have both restricted its choices and opened up a range of new strategic opportunities for its rivals that have had a significant effect upon the development of the New Zealand industry. This paper examines the specific consequences of the asymmetric tariff obligations and ensuing strategic interaction amongst sector participants on sector development – namely the effect of universal service retail prices and the allocation of the ensuing costs in determining the ongoing regulatory agenda; the role of a ‘free local calling’ obligation on the evolution of New Zealand’s broadband market; and the consequent application of further asymmetric legislative obligations on the incumbent to address apparent ‘problems’ for which the asymmetric tariffs and rivals’ strategic choices provide more credible explanations than the incumbent’s exertion of its dominant position.
Examining the Influence of Government Policy on Broadband Internet Access
Authors: Fan Qiuyan
Published: May 2011

Governments worldwide are driving initiatives to deploy broadband infrastructure and services. China has topped the world broadband market with the total broadband user base exceeding 320 million (CNNIC, 2009). However, a closer analysis indicates that broadband in China is less advanced in terms of penetration rate, access speed and price. Why China is lagging? Despite the fact that broadband performance and adoption are determined by both non-policy factors and policy factors, the OECD experience shows that smart national broadband policies are the key to broadband success. This chapter reviews and analyzes relevant regulations and government policies pertaining to broadband development in China using a multiple perspective model. The primary goal of this chapter is to examine how various policy factors interplay to affect broadband deployment and performance in the case of China. This research shows that the Chinese approach to broadband development has not produced desirable results. Several factors affect the growth of broadband. The most significant is lack of a detailed national broadband plan with clearly stated goals, performance targets and action plans for implementation. China’s regulatory arrangement and approaches to regulating broadband industry have failed to establish a well functioning and competitive market and to drive high levels of broadband performance, investment and innovation.
Consumer Usage of Broadband Internet Services
Authors: Hauge Janice , Jamison Mark , Marcu Mircea
Published: May 2011

We analyze the intensity and patterns of use of fixed and mobile broadband consumers in Portugal. If usage across types of consumers is similar after controlling for individual characteristics identified to be important drivers of adoption, then it is more likely that consumers view mobile and fixed broadband as somewhat substitutable. Such a result is important for studies of broadband impacts; specifically, for discerning whether mobile broadband service will have a similar level of impact upon social and economic development as fixed broadband services have had. Results indicate that broadband uses are similar across fixed and mobile users, suggesting that the technologies are somewhat substitutable from customers’ perspectives and raising the possibility of limited differential effects on innovation and other social goals. Results of interest include the characteristics of Internet users by technology, and differences of usage patterns reflected by individual characteristics.
Qualitative Case Study Research Approach
Authors: Iyamu Tiko
Published: May 2011

Data collection is a critical aspect of any research. To this point, it is very important that a researcher has a good understanding of why, where and how to collect data. Broadly speaking, there are two main research and data collection approaches; namely, quantitative and qualitative methodologies. These two approaches are used both in academia and professional domains. This study focuses on philosophical assumptions underpinning Information Systems (IS) research. The philosophical assumptions underlying interpretive, case study research tradition and approach implies a subjective epistemology and the ontological belief that reality is socially constructed. The study investigated the challenges of interpretive, case study research strategy and empirical techniques applied in the information systems discipline. This paper focuses on the realistic challenges that researchers face while conducting a qualitative, interpretive, case study, particularly during data collection.
Processing Change Instigated by Immersed New Media Usage and its Implications for School-Based and Informal Learning
Authors: Mallia Gorg
Published: May 2011

This case presented in this chapter1 revolves around the hypothesis that information processing has changed from a linear format, within a chronological progression, to a partially controlled chaotic format, with tracking achieved primarily through hypertextual nodes which goes against the enforced linearity of most institutionally imposed hierarchical learning. Suggestions are given as to how basic schooling methodologies may need to be modified to conform to new learning practices. The possibility of the informal learning option more amenable to hypertextual processing is also explored. Online whimsical searches and acquisition of information through social software interaction and other new media technology immersion has changed the breadth of informal learning, particularly self-directed and incidental learning. In a study of University of Malta students that requested self-perceptive descriptions of learning preferences (formal study/independent acquisition). 70% opted for formal study, explainable by their traditional academic context. 30% preferred flexibility and the intrinsic motivation stimulated by self-direction; a significant number given that a decision about a life choice was requested.
Application of Connectionist Models to Animal Learning
Authors: Honey Robert C. , Grand Christopher S.
Published: May 2011

Here the authors examine the nature of the mnemonic structures that underlie the ability of animals to learn configural discriminations that are allied to the XOR problem. It has long been recognized that simple associative networks (e.g., perceptrons) fail to provide a coherent analysis for how animals learn this type of discrimination. Indeed “The inability of single layer perceptrons to solve XOR has a significance of mythical proportions in the history of connectionism.” (McLeod, Plunkett & Rolls, 1998; p. 106). In this historic context, the authors describe the results of recent experiments with animals that are inconsistent with the theoretical solution to XOR provided by some multi-layer connectionist models. The authors suggest a modification to these models that parallels the formal structure of XOR while maintaining two principles of perceptual organization and learning: contiguity and common fate.
Designing Useful Robots
Authors: Bisset David
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores the challenges presented by the introduction of robots into our everyday lives, examining technical and design issues as well as ethical and business issues. It also examines the process of designing and specifying useful robots and highlights the practical difficulties in testing and guaranteeing behaviour and function in adaptive systems. The chapter also briefly reviews the current state of robotics in Europe and the global robotic marketplace. It argues that it is essential, for the generation of a viable industry, for the Academic and Business sectors to work together to solve the fundamental technical and ethical problems that can potentially impede the development and deployment of autonomous robotic systems. It details the reality and expectations in healthcare robotics examining the demographics and deployment difficulties this domain will face. Finally it challenges the assumption that Neural Computation is the technology of choice for building autonomous cognitive systems and points out the difficulties inherent in using adaptive “holistic” systems within the performance oriented ethos of the product design engineer.
Intelligent Vision Systems for Landmark-Based Vehicle Navigation
Authors: Wu Wen , Yang Jie , Chen Xilin
Published: May 2011

Human drivers often use landmarks for navigation. For example, we tell people to turn left after the second traffic light and to make a right at Starbucks. In our daily life, a landmark can be anything that is easily recognizable and used for giving navigation directions, such as a sign or a building. It has been proposed that current navigation systems can be made more effective and safer by incorporating landmarks as key navigation cues. Especially, landmarks support navigation in unfamiliar environments. In this chapter, we aim to describe technologies for two intelligent vision systems for landmark-based car navigation: (1) labeling street landmarks in images with minimal human effort; we have proposed a semi-supervised learning framework for the task; (2) automatically detecting text on road signs from video; the proposed framework takes advantage of spatio-temporal information in video and fuses partial information for detecting text from frame to frame.
Multi-Sensored Vision for Autonomous Production of Personalized Video Summary
Authors: Chen Fan , Delannay Damien , De Vleeschouwer Christophe , Parisot Pascaline
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides a survey of the major research efforts that have exploited computer vision tools to extend the content production industry towards automated infrastructures allowing contents to be produced, stored, and accessed at low cost and in a personalized and dedicated way.
A Perceptual Approach for Image Representation and Retrieval
Authors: Abbadeni Noureddine
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes an approach based on human perception to content-based image representation and retrieval. We consider textured images and propose to model the textural content of images by a set of features having a perceptual meaning and their application to content-based image retrieval. We present a new method to estimate a set of perceptual textural features, namely coarseness, directionality, contrast and busyness. The proposed computational measures are based on two representations: the original images representation and the autocovariance function (associated with images) representation. The correspondence of the proposed computational measures to human judgments is shown using a psychometric method based on the Spearman rank-correlation coefficient. The set of computational measures is applied to content-based image retrieval on a large image data set, the well-known Brodatz database. Experimental results show a strong correlation between the proposed computational textural measures and human perceptual judgments. The benchmarking of retrieval performance, done using the recall measure, shows interesting results. Furthermore, results merging/fusion returned by each of the two representations is shown to allow significant improvement in retrieval effectiveness.
Ant-Inspired Visual Saliency Detection in Image
Authors: Tian Jing , Yu Weiyu
Published: May 2011

Visual saliency detection aims to produce saliency map of images via simulating the behavior of the human visual system (HVS). An ant-inspired approach is proposed in this chapter. The proposed approach is inspired by the ant’s behavior to find the most saliency regions in image, by depositing the pheromone information (through ant’s movements) on the image to measure its saliency. Furthermore, the ant’s movements are steered by the local phase coherence of the image. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed approach.
Location Acquisition and Applications in Mobile and Ad-Hoc Environments
Authors: Rodriguez David Muñoz , Cruz José Ramón Rodríguez , Rosales Cesar Vargas , Jimenez Daniel Elias Muñoz
Published: May 2011

This chapter addresses the relevance of location information as an important resource that supports other applications. This information is important for better network planning, development of new location-based services, fast deployment of assistance services, and support of surveillance and safety regulations, among others. Accuracy of location acquisition processes is an important factor because the potential for multiple new location-based services depends on it. However, noise is always present at least in two forms. Measurements taken with electronic instruments are inherently noisy and estimation algorithms introduce noise of their own in the assumption process. For this reason, this chapter explores several methods and techniques. A well- balanced solution should take into account the compromise between accuracy and delay and/or complexity. Many solutions have been proposed for new needs and new applications which demand more timely and accurate position locations of users or objects.
Game Theory for Resource Allocation in Wireless Networks
Authors: Rawat Danda B. , Bajracharya Chandra , Yan Gongjun
Published: May 2011

Wireless technologies and devices are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in modern society. Wireless resources are natural and fixed, whereas wireless technologies and devices are increasing day-by-day, resulting in spectrum scarcity. As a consequence, efficient use of limited wireless resources has become an issue of vital importance in wireless systems. As demand increases, management of limited wireless resources for optimal allocation becomes crucial. Optimal allocation of limited wireless resources results in quick and reliable dissemination of information to larger service areas. Recently, game theory has emerged as an efficient tool to help optimally allocate wireless resources. Game theory is an optimization technique based on strategic situations and decision-making, and has found its application in numerous fields. The first part of this chapter presents a review of game theory and its application in resource allocation at different layers of the protocol stack of the network model. As shown by a recent study, static assignment of frequency spectrum by governmental bodies, such as FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the United States, is inefficient since the licensed systems do not always fully utilize their frequency bands. In such a scenario, unlicensed secondary (cognitive radio) users can identify the idle spectrum bands and use them opportunistically. In order to access the licensed spectrum dynamically and opportunistically, the dynamic spectrum access functionality needs to be incorporated in the next generation (XG) wireless networks. Different game theory approaches for dynamic spectrum access are discussed in the second part of the chapter.
Quality and Interoperability
Authors: Ferro Nicola
Published: May 2011

This chapter deals with the problem of defining and assessing the quality of a digital library. The chapter will provide a brief excursus on the evolution of digital libraries and their current complexity to make it clear that there is a strong need for systematic and exhaustive models which precisely define what digital libraries are and encompass a model for the quality of digital libraries. In this context, the authors will present an overview of the DELOS Reference Model for digital libraries and they will go into details about how quality has been modelled in it. The authors will also compare this model to another formal model for digital libraries, which is the Stream, Structures, Spaces, Scenarios, Societies (5S) model. The discussion addressed in the chapter will not be limited to quality issues but will show how quality impact on various dimensions of the digital library universe. In particular, they will discuss how quality relates to interoperability. To this end, they will describe the conceptual model for interoperability developed in support to the European Digital Library initiative and will highlight its relationships with the quality domain in the DELOS Reference Model. Finally, the authors will outlook some future directions that may be pursued to improve and automate the assessment and evaluation of quality in digital libraries.
The Digitization of Contents in Digital Libraries
Authors: Papadopoulou Anthoula
Published: May 2011

The present chapter deals with the challenges faced by moral rights in the digital environment, especially as they pertain to digital libraries. It starts with an introduction to issues concerning the legal framework of moral rights, clarifying their position internationally. Furthermore, specific issues regarding infringements of moral rights are addressed, namely: content digitization, practice of linking, alterations of the work during the digitization process etc. In short, the necessity of the digitization of the library’s content is elucidated and the societal demand of easy and cheap access to knowledge is presented. The author is of the opinion that moral rights, arising out of the conflict of economical interests, are easier to maintain their legal intensity. Furthermore, in the modern information society, moral rights are prone to an inter-disciplinary approach and thus, they gain intensity in the balance of interest between authors and users. More specifically, moral rights have an intricate interrelationship with social, cultural, economic and philosophical aspects as well as with Fundamental and Human Rights.
Digital Libraries and Web Linking
Authors: Sinanidou Maria G.
Published: May 2011

In the digital era knowledge and information are becoming more and more online accessible. In this perspective, libraries have a vital function in respect of copyright protection and accessibility to knowledge. On the one hand, web services are facilitating flow of information and access to knowledge; on the other hand, Internet moots questions regarding copyrights protection. The main purpose of linking is the creation of the World Wide Web as a thesaurus of knowledge and information. Nevertheless, digitization projects on an international level are already experiencing conversely issues, mainly because of copyright. Purpose of this chapter is to discuss some of these issues deriving from the linking, particularly for digital libraries. What is the relation between the scope of digital libraries on the one hand and of copyright on the other one? What is the role of the various stakeholders, i.e. the libraries and the right holders?
Newspapers and Digital Libraries
Authors: Kyprouli Nadia
Published: May 2011

This chapter deals with the new digital environment that embraces newspaper content. The notions of newspapers, news, articles, photographs, cartoons and podcasts are considered. The legal notion of the entitlement of creators’ rights in different newspaper contents (journalists, photographers, cartoonists, visual artists), the legal implications due to contractual arrangements and the status of rights in case of an employment contract and in case of a services contract are analyzed from the copyright perspective. The chapter answers the question who owns the electronic rights in the newspapers contents. It considers the exceptions and limitations of copyright, the fair use principle and the three-steps test. Lastly, it deals with the undisputed modern reality of digital libraries with newspaper content and digital libraries of general cultural content and defines the unique characteristics of works included in newspapers. It concludes that, while international and national legislators acknowledge the social request for a more free access to technical and educational materials, copyrights are to be respected.
Liability of Hosting Provider with Regard to Open Libraries
Authors: Tsingos Thanos K.
Published: May 2011

Internet allows free access of information to anyone, without any particular quantitative, temporal or geographical restriction. At the same time, the use of Web 2.0 technologies allows users to offer their personal contributions in order to enrich projects, such as the renowned “open libraries’” project. However, the emergence of “open libraries’, which is much related to the concept of the so called “User Generated content”, may give rise to several types of copyright infringement by reason of impairing one or more of the original author’s exclusive rights. In addition, Internet Service Providers may facilitate users’ infringing activities by offering either a mere access to the net or by providing them with hosting services for various actions to take place that may be properly characterized as copyright infringements by the applicable copyright law. In the abovementioned context, this chapter examines the issue of whether an Internet Hosting provider could be held liable for copyright infringement in terms of any content originated by the user, especially in relation to an open library, by offering a deeper understanding on the rules governing ISP’s liability in the USA and the EU. The author attempts to describe the main recent developments taken place in this area of law and conclude on the most important differences between the US and the EU legal order.
Copyright Infringement of Digital Libraries and Private International Law
Authors: Hatzimihail Nikitas
Published: May 2011

New technologies, and the digitization of works of intellect in particular, have led to an explosive expansion of transnational litigation, challenging the traditional premises of private international law. This Chapter considers the rules under which European and U.S. courts may assert jurisdiction over cases involving digital libraries: notably copyright claims, but also other IP rights. Initiatives to create a transnational set of rules or principles are also examined.
GEEK
Authors: Shi Lian , Berrueta Diego , Fernández Sergio , Polo Luis , Mínguez Iván , Rubiera Emilio , Fernández Silvino
Published: May 2011

Finding experts over the Web using semantics has recently received increased attention, especially its application to enterprise management. This scenario introduces many novel challenges to the Web of Data. Gathering Enterprise Expertise Knowledge (GEEK) is a research project which fosters the adoption of Semantic Web technologies within the enterprise environment. GEEK has produced a prototype that demonstrates how to extract and infer expertise by taking into account people’s participation in various online communities (forums and projects). The reuse and interlinking of existing, well-established vocabularies in the areas of person description (FOAF), Internet communities (SIOC), project description (DOAP) and vocabulary sharing (SKOS) are explored in our framework, as well as a proposal for applying customized rules and other enabling technologies to the expert finding task.
Graphically Mapping Electronic Discussions
Authors: Howell Jennifer
Published: May 2011

Transcripts of electronic discussions have traditionally been examined via the use of conversational analysis techniques. Coding such transcripts provides rich data regarding the content and nature of the discussions that take place. However, understanding the content of the messages is not limited to the actual message itself. An electronic message is sent either in response to or to start a discussion thread. Examining the entry point of a new message can help to clarify the dynamics of the community discussion. Electronic discussions do not appear to follow traditional conversational norms. New messages may be immediate responses or they can be responses to messages posted over a longer period of time in the past. However, by graphically mapping electronic discussions, a clearer understanding of the dynamics of electronic discussions can be achieved. This chapter will present the findings of a study that was conducted on three online communities for teachers. The transcripts of electronic discussions were collected and examined via conversational analysis. These messages were then analysed via graphical mapping and the findings concluded that three distinct patterns exist in which electronic discussions may follow. It was further discovered that each of these patterns were indicative of a distinct type of electronic discussion. The findings from this study offer further insight into the nature of online discussions and help to understand online conversational dynamics.