bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liability for Telemedicine
Authors: Nakayasu Kazuyuki , Sato Chiaki
Published: January 2012

This paper analyzes four issues about “telemedicine” in light of the systems (norms), responsibilities, and liabilities in effectively connecting health services. The structures are: First is “face to face examination” as a general principle and physician’s responsibility and liability. Second is dividing lines between physicians and physicians in telemedicine. Third are about areas which should be regulated by medical practitioners acts in providing telemedicine. Fourth is fee arrangements and cost burden for continuing telemedicine projects. The authors argue that not telemedicine’s special features as a means, but judgments for its medical necessity should be focused. The authors also alert that a responsibility can arise to establish a business model where all of the actors are responsible for managing healthcare delivery systems will continue to involve in the delivery of telemedicine, because patients become deeply in despair when telemedicine services stop without any alternative ways to get medical cares.
Legal Interpretation of Face-to-Face Consultation in Telemedicine
Authors: Tomioka Yasumitsu
Published: January 2012

In legal studies on telemedicine, the requirement of face-to-face consultation emerges as a major concern. Although the legal basis of the “face-to-face consultation” requirement is often assumed to come from Medical Practitioners Law Article 20, it is actually from a notice issued on 24/12/1997 in Health Policy Publication No. 1075 by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). In this article, through analysis of how the court made a judgment in regard to “face-to-face consultation” in previous rulings related to the Medical Practitioners Law Article 20, the authors clarify that judgment is based on these “notices”. In addition, through analysis of what policy on telemedicine the MHLW announces in the government ministries’ response issued on 20/10/2009 to the questionnaire from the members of a task force in the IT Strategic Headquarters, it is ascertained that interpretation of the “face-to-face patient care” in telemedicine becomes broader than the “notices”. This paper accelerates the broader interpretation and establishes a legal system defining telemedicine independently.
Legal Bases for Medical Supervision via Mobile Telecommunications in Japan
Authors: Juzoji Hiroshi
Published: January 2012

This paper discusses the legal basis for mobile telecommunications-based medical supervision in Japan and bulletin from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. According to Article 44 of the Emergency Life-Saving Technician’s Act, an emergency technician shall not perform certain emergency medical procedures unless specifically authorized to do so by a medical practitioner. Actual conditions make these requirements unwieldy to put into practice. When requested to provide medical control in response to an ambulance call, a licensed physician has no choice but to allow the emergency technician to administer medical care. These circumstances expose medical practitioners to significant legal risks and societal ramifications. Is a mobile telecommunications environment characterized by insufficient information satisfactory for the medical care needed in ambulances? This paper discusses such medical care and its legal ramifications, including: how to implement such medical care under Article 21 of the Basic Act on Establishing a Networked Society Based on Advanced Information and Telecommunications. The Japanese government is obligated to provide citizens with broadband telecommunication lines in the near future to enable the smooth implementation of medical control over medical supervision provided in ambulances.
Green and Lean Paradigms Influence on Sustainable Business Development of Manufacturing Supply Chains
Authors: Carvalho Helena , Azevedo Susana Garrido , Duarte Susana , Cruz-Machado V.
Published: January 2012

Green and lean paradigms have been adopted in a supply chain management context, but nearly always separately and with little understanding of their influence on supply chain performance and sustainable business development. This paper proposes a theoretical framework about the influence of green and lean practices on sustainable business development in a supply chain context. Green and lean upstream supply chain practices, supply chain attributes and a performance measurement system, based on the balanced scorecard, are suggested. An exploratory case study was conducted at a Portuguese automotive supply chain to test qualitatively the validity of the proposed theoretical framework.
Global Information Management Research
Authors: Niederman Fred , Alhorr Hadi , Park Yung-Hwal , Tolmie Carri R.
Published: January 2012

This study assesses the past decade in the GIM domain, based on Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM) research findings. Based on the issues addressed by these articles, the authors develop 11 topical categories and discuss each in terms of the accumulation of knowledge contributed by these findings. The authors also discuss for each topic possible extension and further understanding based on related research in international business. In consideration of the topics of these articles, a large number simultaneously addressing multiple topics and potential of explicitly linking these topics in future research are discussed. Additionally, the authors update prior quantitative analysis considering JGIM citations of key international business scholars, evolution of research methods, and levels of scope and analysis in these articles. Finally, the authors indicate gaps in the body of research within categories, when categories are considered in relationships, and when looking further from the perspective of recent IB research.
Utilizing Technology Based Learning for Disaster Preparedness
Authors: Burkhammer Michele , Lawner Benjamin , Berge Zane
Published: January 2012

Preparing for disasters can be a grueling, although necessary, exercise for those involved in emergency response. The large scale nature of disaster response poses many obstacles to executing an effective disaster preparedness drill that incorporates hospitals, fire and rescue personnel, and police. Cooperation and effective communication during these incidents is imperative. Simulation technology is a realistic alternative to a large, multi-disciplinary, one- time effort. Each discipline may be able to practice and reinforce their roles in a disaster with the aid of various emerging technologies. This paper examines some of the technologies already being implemented in the area of disaster preparedness. Technology based learning (TBL) strategies are analyzed for consistency with accepted principles of adult education.
Capturing Process Knowledge for Multi-Channel Information Systems
Authors: Gao Shang , Krogstie John
Published: January 2012

In this paper, a case study is used to evaluate the business process characterizing modeling (BPCM) language. The BPCM-framework is meant to guide both business stakeholders and model developers during model-based development. The focus of the approach is the use of BPCM as a starting point for capturing process knowledge when planning and developing information system support. Based on information within the BPCM models, goal models and process models can be developed and used for further development of the BPCM model. The approach in this paper is evaluated using a case study related to the arrangement of a conference series. Through the case study, the authors have confirmed the potential usability and usefulness of BPCM for early stage knowledge capture, getting input for further improvement of the approach.
A Privacy Agreement Negotiation Model in B2C E-Commerce Transactions
Authors: Rallapalli Murthy V.
Published: January 2012

This article presents an alternate approach to effectively address the way privacy agreements are initiated through web services. In this new framework, the consumer and the service provider can mutually negotiate on the privacy terms. It contains a privacy model in which the transaction takes place after a negotiation between the service provider and the web user is completed. In addition, this framework would support various negotiation levels of the agreement lifecycle which is an important aspect of the dynamic environment of a B2C e-commerce scenario. A third party trusted agency and a privacy filter are included to handle privacy information of the web user. The author seeks to raise awareness of the issues surrounding privacy transactions and the potential ongoing impact to both service providers and clients as the use of web services accelerates.
Cross Domain Framework for Implementing Recommendation Systems Based on Context Based Implicit Negative Feedback
Authors: Jhaveri Maitri , Pareek Jyoti
Published: January 2012

The last decade met a remarkable proliferation of P2P networks, PDMS, semantic web, communitarian websites, electronic stores, etc. resulting in an overload of available information. One of the solutions to this information overload problem is using efficient tools such as the recommender system which is a personalization system that helps users to find items of interest based on their preferences. Several such recommendation engines do exist under different domains. However these recommendation systems are not very effective due to several issues like lack of data, changing data, changing user preferences, and unpredictable items. This paper proposes a novel model of Recommendation systems in e-commerce domain which will address issues of cold start problem and change in user preference problem. This model is based on studying implicit negative feedback from users in cross domain collaborative environment to identify user preferences effectively. The authors have also identified a list of parameters for this study.
A Middleware Architecture for Secure Service Discovery using Ontologies with Multiagent Approach
Authors: Sarkar Arup , Marjit Ujjal , Biswas Utpal
Published: January 2012

Web is a place for information sharing as well as service providing. With the addition of Service Oriented Architecture ensures better reusability, maintainability and flexibility among the heterogeneous data sources. Possibility of a better interoperability within such a heterogeneous data sources is less without further assistance. For better service discovery, these issues must be cleared first. Besides this, security measures also play a key role. By developing a Multiagent based middleware system can resolve all these issues. Further it will add up better communication among the different modules of the system as well as the self learning capability. This paper’s approach is aimed to the development of Multiagent system based middleware architecture for better service discovery, selection and invocation through a secure way without replacing the existing services based on Web Service and Semantic Web Service technologies. The architecture will use ontologies heavily to introduce the rich semantics to the services to provide better meaning understandable by machines.
An Investigation on Customer Attitude and Perception towards Internet Banking
Authors: Majhi Ritanjali
Published: January 2012

This study identifies factors responsible for customers’ attitudes and perceptions towards emerging internet banking sector. It also reveals the importance of the key variables relating to customers’ demographic and social inputs. A sample of 156 customers is personally surveyed using a structured questionnaire in various cities of Andhra Pradesh. The data are analyzed using descriptive analysis like chi-square test, cross tabulations, t-test and factor analysis, and the proposed hypotheses are tested. Further the effects of psychometric factors are analyzed and the results are compared with those obtained without psychometric input. Extensive analysis of the data reveals that factors such as customer relationship management, word of mouth and the attitudes of the customers play important roles in increasing the productivity with respect to internet banking. Hypothesis tests also demonstrate that significant difference exists in usage of mobile banking and SMS banking with reference to demographic factors. The quality of the service also influences the customers to choose internet banking as a better alternative.
Identification, Specification, and Development of Web-Oriented Architectures
Authors: Thies Gunnar , Vossen Gottfried
Published: January 2012

Web-oriented Architectures (WOAs) provide a way of designing an IT system by using a variety of Web Procedures, i.e., procedures (or services) called over the Web. The idea of (typically atomic) components that are black boxes, have interfaces, and can be assembled into a larger process is fundamental and has existed since the early days of distributed systems. Two particular types of modern distributed systems are Service-oriented Architectures and Resource-oriented Architectures, which are built on specific technology stacks and define their own concepts. A WOA uses the best of both worlds plus specifics like Web APIs to build an interconnected IT system in the easiest way possible. In this article, the authors introduce the concept behind a WOA, the topology of a WOA, and possible integration scenarios within an enterprise. More importantly, the authors discuss what a methodology for building a WOA can look like and how control can be achieved, by using a logical software element called the Web Architecture Controller, which specifies the Web-centric core elements of a WOA. Lastly, the cost of implementing and running such a system is briefly addressed.
The Social Antecedents of Business/IT Alignment
Authors: Walentowitz Katja , Beimborn Daniel
Published: January 2012

Business/IT alignment is a major source of business value generated from IT and social structures at the interface between a firm’s business and IT units are of vital importance to business/IT alignment. Yet, there is a substantial gap in understanding the nature of these social structures. Based on a literature review comprising all related articles published in the AIS Senior Scholars’ Basket journals between January 2000 and August 2011, this paper identifies antecedents of alignment related to social network structure. These are translated into formal SNA concepts. The identification and formalization of social network structures allow IT governance to implement social engineering mechanisms influencing the social network structure, thus improving business/IT alignment and IT value. Examples for such translated arguments are high degree centrality of CIOs vis-à-vis other executives and strong ties in terms of cross-domain knowledge between CIOs and other executives. Finally, important avenues for future research are highlighted.
Patterns of Social Intelligence and Leadership Style for Effective Virtual Project Management
Authors: Nauman Shazia
Published: January 2012

This paper explores the relationship of social intelligence and leadership style for effective project management in projects with varying degrees of virtuality. In the present study, the author determines what leadership style is preferred in virtual projects and analyzes the differential effects of varying degrees of virtuality on social intelligence and leadership style. The author tests hypotheses with data collected from virtual project management professionals working on information technology projects in five countries. Results show that social awareness and relationship management are positively related to concern for task and concern for people and are found to be higher in more virtual than less virtual project team members. The findings have significant implications for leadership skills and behaviors as well as the role of social intelligence for effective virtual project management. The article adds to the understanding of effective management of virtual projects, suggesting new options to consider for project management and HR professionals.
The Effects of Investments in Information Technology on Firm Performance
Authors: Wong Jeffrey , Dow Kevin E.
Published: January 2012

Analyzing the beneficial effects of investments in information technology (IT) is an area of research that interests investors and academics. A number of studies have examined whether investments in IT have a positive effect on some measure of earnings or other form of financial return. Results from these studies have been mixed. This paper extends the literature by adopting an investor’s perspective on firm performance when IT investments are made, using the preservation of capital as a performance measure. The authors examine companies that made public announcements of their investments in technology to see if they were able to mitigate losses to investors by reducing their downside risk to investors. This study further discusses whether different types of IT investments have different impacts on firm risk from an investor’s viewpoint. Findings suggest that IT investments impact a firm’s downside risk, and the authors offer an alternative perspective on the benefits of IT investments, particularly where no positive incremental financial results are evident.
Improving Health Care Management Through the Use of Dynamic Simulation Modeling and Health Information Systems
Authors: Goldsmith Daniel , Siegel Michael
Published: January 2012

To better understand the performance of hospital operations in response to IT-enabled improvement, this paper reports the results of a system dynamics model designed to improve core medical processes. Utilizing system dynamics modeling and emerging Health Information Systems (HIS) data, the authors demonstrate how current behavior within the hospital leads to a ‘stove-pipe’ effect, in which each functional group employs policies that are rational at the group level, but that lead to inefficiencies at the hospital level. The authors recommend management improvements in both materials and staff utilization to address the stove-pipe effect, estimate the resultant cost-saving, and report the results of an experiment conducted in the hospital to validate the approach. Results indicate that the major gains in health information systems use will accompany new information gathering capabilities, as these capabilities result in collections of data that can be used to greatly improve patient safety, hospital operations, and medical decision support.
Would You Share?
Authors: Di Gangi Paul M. , Wasko Molly M. , Tang Xinlin
Published: January 2012

Advances in computer-mediated communication technologies have increased the variety of choices individuals have when sharing knowledge both within and across organizational boundaries. This paper extends prior research by comparing face-to-face and computer-mediated communication channels (email, online communities, and knowledge repositories/wikis) for different knowledge types (computer program and expertise) in intra- and inter-organizational knowledge sharing contexts. Using vignettes, this study determines whether individuals adjust their knowledge sharing behaviors based on the different knowledge types, communication channels, and boundary conditions. Results suggest individuals are more likely to share expertise intra-organizationally via face-to-face and share a computer program intra-organizationally via knowledge repositories/wikis. Also, results suggest individuals are more likely to share expertise or a computer program inter-organizationally via face-to-face.
Six Scenarios of Exploiting an Ontology Based, Mobilized Learning Environment
Authors: Kismihók Gábor , Szabó Ildikó , Vas Réka
Published: January 2012

In this article, six different exploitation possibilities of an educational ontology based, mobilized learning management system are presented. The focal point of this system is the educational ontology model. The first version of this educational ontology model serves as a foundation for curriculum development and adaptive knowledge testing. The extended educational ontology model is the foundation of a personnel selection and training system, developed by the OntoHR project. This system reveals the candidates’ competence gap and the missing learning outcomes of their qualifications in the light of a particular job role (Information System Analyst). Within the frame of the Contsens project, the educational ontology model supports a context sensitive and location based learning content delivery. The results of these projects can be combined in an educational ontology based, mobilized selection and learning management system, built on transparent content and location dependent curricula.
Intra-Family Mediated Awareness
Authors: Khan Vassilis-Javed , Markopoulos Panos
Published: January 2012

The research presented examines how pervasive technology can support intra-family communication, supporting existing practices and complimenting them by addressing communication needs currently unmet by current communication media like mobile phones, social networking systems, and so forth. Specifically the investigation focused on busy families, understood here to be families with two working parents and at least one child sharing the same roof. The class of technologies the authors consider are awareness systems, defined as communication systems that support individuals to maintain, with low effort, a peripheral awareness of each other’s activities and whereabouts. This research combined a variety of research methods including interviews, web surveys, experience sampling, and field testing of functional prototypes of mobile awareness systems. It also involved the development of several applications, which were either seen as research tools in support of the methods applied or as prototypes of awareness systems that embody some of the envisioned characteristics of this emerging class of technologies. The contribution of this research is along two main dimensions. First in identifying intra-family communication needs that drive the adoption of awareness systems and second in providing directions for the design of such systems.
Landscapes, Long Tails and Digital Materialities
Authors: Wiberg Mikael
Published: January 2012

Mobile HCI is changing. From being about, for example, UI design for small devices, interaction via limited input modalities, and design for small screens, these important aspects of mobile HCI are now heavily interwoven in complex arrangements of computational devices, platforms and services. With a point of departure taken in these processes of current development, this paper sets out to describe and envision a research agenda for mobile HCI carefully crafted out in relation to three specific and recent developments in this field. More specifically, these strands of developments include the formation of new interaction landscapes, the long tail of interaction, and digital materialities. This paper presents the background of each followed by examples illustrating how these three manifest themselves in practice. With a point of departure taken in these three cornerstones a research agenda is presented followed by a discussion on the implications of this agenda for mobile HCI research.
Technology-Mediated Collaboration, Shared Mental Model and Task Performance
Authors: Andres Hayward P.
Published: January 2012

This study takes a direct observation research approach to examine how the impact of collaboration mode on team productivity and process satisfaction is mediated by shared mental model. Team cognition and social impact theories are integrated to provide a framework for explaining how technology-mediated collaboration constrains or enhances team shared mental model development and its subsequent impact on task outcomes. Partial least squares analysis revealed that technology-mediated collaboration impacts shared mental model development. The results also demonstrate that timely and accurate development of shared mental model facilitates increases in both productivity and team process satisfaction. Direct observation of team process behaviors suggests that collaboration modes differ not only in their impact on communication facilitation but efficacy-based, motivational, and social influence factors (e.g., self-efficacy and team-efficacy, perceived salience and credibility of contributions, social influence on action, etc.) as well. Shared mental model development requires quality communication among team members that are motivated to participate by a positive team climate that promotes idea convergence.
Exploring Choice as an Antecedent to Behavior
Authors: Aguirre-Urreta Miguel I. , Marakas George M.
Published: January 2012

In this paper, the authors conduct a study to explore the evaluation and choice between candidate software applications. Using business professionals, technology adoption is investigated by presenting participants with an alternative choice set using software applications relevant to the professional domain of the subjects. Results from this study, focusing on models of intentions, provide evidence to suggest the underlying process by which choice behaviors are determined and demonstrate the value of incorporating choice into models of technology adoption, particularly in situations where selection is made from a set of candidate technologies, such as in an organizational adoption decision. In addition, theoretically derived models of comparison processes are examined to develop further understanding into how individuals arrive at a specific choice behavior. A second study is conducted to further validate the obtained results. Implications for future research into the processes leading to adoption of information technologies are also presented.
Retailer’s Pricing and Lot Sizing Policy for Non Deteriorating Items with Constant Demand Rate Under the Condition of Permissible Delay in Payments
Authors: Tripathi R. P. , Misra S. S.
Published: January 2012

This study develops an EOQ model for retailer’s price and lot size simultaneously when the supplier permits delay in payments for an order of a product whose demand rate is a constant price elastic function for non-deteriorating items. In this study, mathematical models have been discussed under two different situations, i.e., case I: The credit period is less than or equal to cycle time for setting the account; and case II: The credit period is greater than the cycle time for setting the account. Expressions for an inventory system’s net profit are derived for these two cases. The authors develop algorithm for a retailer to determine its optimal price and lot size simultaneously, when supplier offers a permissible in payments.
Are Developers Fixing Their Own Bugs?
Authors: Izquierdo-Cortazar Daniel , Capiluppi Andrea , Gonzalez-Barahona Jesus M..
Published: January 2012

The process of fixing software bugs plays a key role in the maintenance activities of a software project. Ideally, code ownership and responsibility should be enforced among developers working on the same artifacts, so that those introducing buggy code could also contribute to its fix. However, especially in FLOSS projects, this mechanism is not clearly understood: in particular, it is not known whether those contributors fixing a bug are the same introducing and seeding it in the first place. This paper analyzes the comm-central FLOSS project, which hosts part of the Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, Lightning extensions and Sunbird projects from the Mozilla community. The analysis is focused at the level of lines of code and it uses the information stored in the source code management system. The results of this study show that in 80% of the cases, the bug-fixing activity involves source code modified by at most two developers. It also emerges that the developers fixing the bug are only responsible for 3.5% of the previous modifications to the lines affected; this implies that the other developers making changes to those lines could have made that fix. In most of the cases the bug fixing process in comm-central is not carried out by the same developers than those who seeded the buggy code.
Strategic Environmental Assessment as a Tool to Develop Power in Transboundary Water Basin Settings
Authors: Granit Jakob J. , King R. Michael , Noël Raymond
Published: January 2012

This paper proposes a generic consultative process for undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) in a transboundary river basin context to bring up front environmental and social issues of major development programs into the transboundary planning, project development and investment finance processes. The paper demonstrates through an analysis of two case studies from the Nile Basin in East and North Africa how an SEA approach with a focus on hydropower development is a transparent pre-investment tool that allows for consensus building in support of transboundary and regional strategic decision making and integration. Further, it demonstrates how an SEA can guide public and private sector investors seeking to develop the power sector in general and hydropower options in particular by allowing for a first level understanding of challenges and opportunities of power development and the development scenarios preferred by riparian governments.
The Best Desalination Technology for the Persian Gulf
Authors: Adibfar Akbar
Published: January 2012

One in six people worldwide do not have access to safe freshwater. The world has been divided into 3 areas: Scarce, Stressed and Sufficiently available potable water by World Health Organization (WHO). The countries around Persian Gulf in the Middle East are in Scarcity area. Desalination solution has been proved as the primary response to water scarcity. This region ranks among the world’s top ten desalinating countries, namely, in descending order: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar. There are some key parameters in selecting different technologies for desalination, including temperature. The temperature can be quite low in some countries such as Australia, while it is rather high in Persian Gulf. Total dissolved Solid (TDS) which is representative of salinity is a critical factor, similar to temperature, in selecting the desalination technology. The value encountered in Persian Gulf is extremely high as compared to the normal range of sea water salinity. The three principal desalination technologies used all over the world are multi-stage flash (MSF), reverse osmosis (RO), and multi-effect distillation (MED). This study looks at the different aspects of development such as costs, capabilities and state-of-the-art technologies. A comparative analysis of these technologies is presented and the best technology from financial and technical point of view is introduced and discussed.
Public Information Service for the Disadvantaged in China's Towns
Authors: Zhang Jianbin
Published: January 2012

This study uses the methods of questionnaire and group discussion to conduct field research in A and B towns, which are located in the eastern developed region and the western undeveloped region of China, respectively. According to comparative study on the status of providing public information service for the disadvantaged between A and B towns, the author finds that the public in A town are superior to the ones in B in terms of information literacy, public information service expenditure, and satisfaction rate of public information service. Similarities exist in terms of differences in accessing public information service between town and village, among social groups, and the causes resulting in imbalance of public information service and features of the information-poor’s group distribution. The author discusses the differences in development policies between city and village, as well as differences in financial investment of public information service, education, and individual’s income level between A and B towns.
The Role of a Collaborative Research Network (CRN) in Improving the Arabian Gulf Countries' Performance in Research and Innovation
Authors: Al-Soufi Ali , Al-Ammary Jaflah
Published: January 2012

Research and development is considered a main source of knowledge and innovation in the Gulf countries and Arab region. Therefore, building a Collaborative Research Network (CRN) in the Gulf is necessary for high quality and sustainable research. In this paper, the authors examine the role of CRN in improving Gulf countries’ performance in research and innovation. Four objectives have been set: investigate the current situation regarding scientific research and CRN in the Gulf countries, identify factors that influence the building of a CRN, identify the impact and contribution of CRN in improving the Gulf countries’ performance, and develop a model. To achieve these objectives, a quantitative method was adopted. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to 100 participants. The current paper presents the first stage of research that investigates the role of building CRN in improving the Gulf countries’ performance in research and innovation. The next stage will examine the model of building CRN.
Semantic Search Engine and Object Database Guidelines for Service Oriented Architecture Models
Authors: Shehab Omar , Hussein Saleh Zolait Ali
Published: January 2012

In this paper, the authors propose a Semantic Search Engine, which retrieves software components precisely and uses techniques to store these components in a database, such as ontology technology. The engine uses semantic query language to retrieve these components semantically. The authors use an exploratory study where the proposed method is mapped between object-oriented concepts and web ontology language. A qualitative survey and interview techniques were used to collect data. The findings after implementing this research are a set of guidelines, a model, and a prototype to describe the semantic search engine system. The guidelines provided help software developers and companies reduce the cost, time, and risks of software development.
Structural and Technology-Mediated Violence
Authors: Magnani Lorenzo
Published: January 2012

A kind of common prejudice is the one that tends to assign the attribute “violent” only to physical and possibly bloody acts – homicides, for example – or physical injuries; but linguistic, structural, and other various aspects of violence – also embedded in artifacts – have to be taken into account. The paper will deal with the so-called “technology-mediated violence” taking advantage of the illustration of the case of profiling. If production of knowledge is important and central, this is not always welcome and so people have to acknowledge that the motto introduced in the book Morality in a Technological World (Magnani, 2007) knowledge as a duty has various limitations. Indeed, a warning has to be formulated regarding the problem of identity and cyberprivacy. The author contends that when too much knowledge about people is incorporated in external artificial things, human beings’ “visibility” can become excessive and dangerous. Two aims are in front of people to counteract this kind of technological violence, which also jeopardizes Rechtsstaat and constitutional democracies: preserving people against the various forms of circulation of knowledge about them and building new suitable “technoknowledge” (also to originate new “embodied” legal institutions) to reach this protective result.
Infosphere to Ethosphere
Authors: White Jeffrey Benjamin
Published: January 2012

This paper reviews the complex, overlapping ideas of two prominent Italian philosophers, Lorenzo Magnani and Luciano Floridi, with the aim of facilitating the nonviolent transformation of self and world, and with a focus on information technologies in mediating this process. In Floridi’s information ethics, problems of consistency arise between self-poiesis, anagnorisis, entropy, evil, and the narrative structure of the world. Solutions come from Magnani’s work in distributed morality, moral mediators, moral bubbles and moral disengagement. Finally, two examples of information technology, one ancient and one new, a Socratic narrative and an information processing model of moral cognition, are offered as mediators for the nonviolent transformation of self and world respectively, while avoiding the tragic requirements inherent in Floridi’s proposal.
Influence of Age and Genders on the Relationship between Computer Self-Efficacy and Information Privacy Concerns
Authors: Awwal Mohammad A.
Published: January 2012

The Internet and the growth of Information Technology (IT) and their enhanced capabilities to collect personal information have given rise to many privacy issues. This study investigated the differences among different age groups and between genders regarding information privacy concerns and their relationships with computer self-efficacy. The study used a paper-based survey instrument and collected data by using the mall-intercept approach in which individuals were asked to fill out the survey. The target population of this study was the 400 residents of the state of New Jersey, U.S.A. in three age groups: 18-25, 26-50, and 50+. The results show that only male and age group of 26-50 have positive and significant relationship between computer self-efficacy and information privacy concerns. The findings of this study can help corporations to improve e-commerce by targeting privacy policy-making efforts to address the explicit areas of consumer privacy concern.
Toward an Enacted Approach to Understanding OSS Developer’s Motivations
Authors: Meissonierm Régis , Bourdon Isabelle , Amabile Serge , Boudrandi Stéphane
Published: January 2012

A large part of the existing literature on Open Source Software (OSS) projects identifies the motivation factors predicting the participation level of members. However, the effective satisfaction of developers toward their project still remains a managerial and theoretical challenge. So, it is also consistent to assess how the effective participation of developers in OSS projects makes sense of their own motivations. This article uses the enactivist approach and considers that motivations are not simple antecedents to actions but are shaped by actions as well. The empirical analysis delivers the results of a survey administrated to participants of business OSS projects. The results reveal reputation, reciprocity and expected professional opportunities as the most positively influenced variables. However, learning motivations and ideology toward open source beliefs and values are the lesser influenced ones. These results counterbalance prior empirical researches which have observed a strong predicting power of both variables on expected participation level of participants. This study suggests that participation seems to make sense regarding motivations for which developers have some visible indicators of their personal achievement.
A Virtual World Workshop Environment for Learning Agile Software Development Techniques
Authors: Parsons David , Stockdale Rosemary
Published: January 2012

Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) are the subject of increasing interest for educators and trainers. This article reports on a longitudinal project that seeks to establish a virtual agile software development workshop hosted in the Open Wonderland MUVE, designed to help learners to understand the basic principles of some core agile software development techniques. The authors take a design-based research approach that allows for cycles of learning and reflection that has enabled following an iterative path of development through two major iterations. The authors trace the research path followed from the real world workshop to its virtual incarnation, describing the design philosophy and the constructed virtual artefacts. The authors conclude by reflecting on the insights into learner perceptions and practical implementations gained from building and evaluating the virtual workshop.
Supporting Mobile Learners
Authors: Petrova Krassie , Li Chun
Published: January 2012

Mobile learning (mLearning) is a form of technology supported learning that may meet the needs of learners who frequently change their physical location (‘mobile learners’). Ubiquitous mobile data technologies like SMS (Short Text messaging Service) allow designing learning and communications services that support student-centered teaching and learning. This paper presents the results of an action research (AR) project in which an SMS based mLearning service was integrated with classroom teaching in the context of international students studying English before enrolling in regular academic courses with English as the language of instruction. The findings of the two AR cycles suggest that the mLearning approach has added flexibility to the course design and has motivated students to improve academically. The concept and the methodology can be extended to other contexts.
Preimplantation Diagnosis: Efficient Tool for Human Leukocyte Antigen Matched Bone Marrow Transplantation for Thalassemia
Authors: Kuliev Anver , Packalchuk Tatiana , Verlinsky Oleg , Rechitsky Svetlana
Published: January 2012

Thalassemia is among the most frequent indications for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to allow at risk couples reproducing without fear of having an affected child. In addition, those already having the affected child, have also the option to produce an unaffected offspring that may be also a complete human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match to affected child to ensure successful bone marrow transplantation. We present here the results of retrospective analysis of 293 PGD cycles for thalassemia, including 144cases of simultaneous HLA typing, resulting in birth of 70 thalassemia-free children and 12 unaffected HLA matched ones, providing their cord blood and/or bone marrow for transplantation treatment of their affected siblings. The present overall experience includes successful cord blood or bone marrow transplantation in more than three dozens of cases with HLA matched stem cells obtained from children born after PGD, demonstrating that PGD is an efficient approach for improving success of bone marrow transplantation treatment for thalassemia.
Molecular Basis of α-thalassaemia
Authors: Traeger-Synodinos J.
Published: January 2012

α-thalassaemia is an autosomal recessive disorder, in which there is impaired production of the a-globin chains of haemoglobin. It is associated with microcytic hypochromic anaemia, and a clinical phenotype varying from almost asymptomatic to a lethal haemolytic anaemia. It is probably the most common single gene disorder worldwide, and is especially frequent in populations originating from the Mediterranean region, SE Asia, Africa, Middle East and Indian subcontinent.
Pulmonary Hypertension: An Emerging Risk in Hemoglobin Disorders
Authors: Farmakis D. , Aessopos A.
Published: January 2012

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is one of the main cardiovascular complications in haemoglobinopathies and is considerably implicated in patients’ morbidity and mortality. In thalassemia intermedia, PH is found in about 60% of traditionally managed patients and represents the main cause of heart failure. In sickle cell anemia, PH is encountered in one third of patients and has been found to be a strong and independent predictor of mortality, while in sickle thalassemia, PH is generally less frequent and severe. The pathophysiology of PH in haemoglobinopathies is multifactorial and several mechanisms seem to be implicated, including a complex vasculopathy, hypercoagulability and elastic tissue defects, all associated with chronic hemolysis, high output state due to chronic anemia, as well as left heart dysfunction, pulmonary disorders and thromboembolic complications. Echocardiography is the most useful tool for patients’ screening on a regular basis, while the diagnosis of PH should always be confirmed by right cardiac catheterization. The proper management of the disease itself with haematological modalities such as blood transfusions combined with iron chelation or hydroxyurea, is the most effective approach for the prevention and treatment of haemoglobinopathy-associated PH. Antithrombotic agents should also be considered while the value of novel agents used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, including endothelin antagonists or phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, is not yet established in patients with haemoglobinopathies.
Endocrine Effects on Heart Function
Authors: Gamberini M.R. , Meloni A. , Caruso V. , Capra M. , Cianciulli P. , Chiodi E. , Lombardi M. , Pepe A.
Published: January 2012

Among the factors associated with thalassemic heart disease, endocrine disturbance is also a contributing factor. We present a retrospective, cross sectional study, which aims to establish the prevalence of cardiac complications in thalassaemia major (TM) patients with endocrine complications and to evaluate the influence of endocrine disease on cardiac complications. Endocrinological and cardiological parameters were considered on 957 TM patients who are enrolled in the Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia (MIOT) network in 68 sites in Italy. Patients with pubertal hypogonadism (163 males and 175 females), hypothyroidism (192), diabetes mellitus (87) and hypoparathyroidism (61), were compared according to cardiac complications: global heart T2*, cardiac dysfunction, heart failure, arrythmias, pulmonary hypertension and myocardial fibrosis. Control groups were made up according to the age range of patients with the corresponding endocrinopathy. The prevalence of cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias and heart failure was significantly increased in patients with endocrinopathies. Cardiac complications tended to increase according to the number of endocrinologies affecting the patient. Aim of our retrospective and cross sectional study was to establish the prevalence of cardiac complications in thalassemia major (TM) patients with endocrine diseases and to evaluate the influence of endocrine diseases on cardiac complications.
Overview of Current and Emerging Issues in Endocrinological Complications of Thalassaemia
Authors: de Sanctis Vincenzo
Published: January 2012

Clinical advances in the treatment of thalassaemia major (TM) patients have helped to increase substantially the life expectancy of patients. The TM patients today represent the first generation of adult thalassemics. As patients enter puberty, they begin to experience a variety of endocrine abnormalities, presumably the results of chronic anaemia and tissue iron deposition from the chronic transfusion therapy. In patients with TM, the anterior pituitary gland is particularly sensitive to free radical stresses. Recent reports have documented a frequency of severe growth hormone deficiency in 13–32% of adult patients with TM. The prevalence of impaired adrenal function in TM patients has been reported from 0 to 33%, depends on the age of the population studied, although clinical adrenal insufficiency (AI) is rare. Thyroid dysfunction has been observed in 13–60% of patients, but its severity is variable in different series. Acquired central hypothyroidism (CH) is a rare complication.