bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disaster Impact and Country Logistics Performance
Authors: Haavisto Ira
Published: October 2011

The study in this chapter seeks to answer the question whether a country’s logistics performance has a correlation with the impacts of a disaster; impact being measured in average amount of affected, the average amount of deaths, the average amount of injured in a disaster or the average amount of economic damage. This is a quantitative study where the EM-DATs disaster data is analyzed through correlation analysis against the World Bank’s logistics performance index (LPI). The findings do not show a significant relationship between countries LPI and the average number of deaths or injured persons in a disaster. A positive correlation between the variable LPI and the variable economic damage can be found. A negative correlation between the LPI and the average amount of affected can be found for countries with an average ranking LPI. Countries with low LPI and high disaster occurrence are further identified. Findings encourage the identified countries to take into consideration their logistics performance when planning and carrying out humanitarian response operations. Results also encourage humanitarian organizations to pay attention to the receiving countries’ logistics performance in planning and carrying out humanitarian response operations.
Programming Interfaces for Realtime and Cloud-Based Computing
Authors: Katsaros Gregory , Cucinotta Tommaso
Published: October 2011

The appearance of different business roles according to this classification, potentially with differing interests, introduces new challenges with regard to the tools and mechanisms put in place in order to enable the efficient provisioning of services. Security, Quality of Service (QoS) assurance, and real-time capabilities are just a few issues that the providers are trying to tackle and integrate within the new products and services that they offer. In this chapter, we make an overview of the approaches that aim to APIs for real-time computing. In the first part of this chapter, several Real-Time Application Interfaces will be presented and compared. After that, we will document the state-of-the-art regarding the Cloud APIs available and analyze the architecture and the technologies that they support.
Securing Real-Time Interactive Applications in Federated Clouds
Authors: Boniface Michael , Nasser Bassem , Surridge Mike , Oliveros Eduardo
Published: October 2011

Enterprise adoption of cloud computing for real-time interactive applications processes is limited by their ability to meet inter-enterprise security requirements. Although some clouds’ offerings comply with security standards, no solution today allows businesses to assess security compliance of applications at the business level and dynamically link to security countermeasures on-demand. In this chapter we examine cloud security, privacy, and trust issues from three levels: business, jurisdiction, and technical. Firstly, we look at the business level to identify issues arising from the motivations and concerns of business stakeholders. Secondly, we explore jurisdictional level to identify risks that arise from legislation, gaps in legislation, or conflicts between legislation in different jurisdictions related to a cloud deployment, given the concerns of stakeholders. Finally, we examine the technical level to identify issues that arise from technical causes such as ICT vulnerabilities, and/or require technical solutions, such as data confidentiality and integrity protection.
Web Service Specifications Relevant for Service Oriented Infrastructures
Authors: Oliveros Eduardo , Movilla Jesús , Menychtas Andreas , Kuebert Roland , Braitmaier Michael , Middleton Stuart , Phillips Stephen C. , Boniface Michael , Nasser Bassem
Published: October 2011

Service Oriented Infrastructures (SOIs) have recently seen increased use, mainly thanks to technologies for data centre virtualization and the emergence and increasing commercial offering of Cloud solutions. Web Services have been seen as a tool to implement SOI solutions thanks to their versatility and interoperability, but at the same time, Web Services have been considered not suitable for providing interactive real-time solutions. In this chapter the state of the art of the Web service technology will be analysed, and their different communication mechanisms and the existing implementations will be compared. Firstly, the different standardisation bodies working on Web service specifications relevant to SOI will be introduced. The various approaches to implement Web services will be described followed by the Web service specifications and the middleware that make use of those specifications, including the description of the commercial interfaces and development tools to create services for the cloud. In the last part of the chapter, the interoperability problems present on the different frameworks and the existing solutions to minimize those interoperability problems will be explained.
Network Management in Virtualized Infrastructures
Authors: Stein Manuel , Oberle Karsten , Voith Thomas , Lamp Dominik , Berger Sören
Published: October 2011

This chapter provides an overview on related state of the art technologies regarding topics such as QoS provisioning, virtualization, and network resource management. This background is enriched with latest research results on future trends and advances in state of the art in network management.
Real-Time Attributes in Operating Systems
Authors: Cucinotta Tommaso , Gogouvitis Spyridon V.
Published: October 2011

General-Purpose Operating Systems (GPOSes) are being used more and more extensively to support interactive, real-time, and distributed applications, as found in the multimedia domain. In fact, the wide availability of supported multimedia devices and protocols, together with the wide availability of libraries and tools for handling multimedia contents, make them an almost ideal platform for the development of this kind of complex applications. However, contrarily to Real-Time Operating Systems, General-Purpose ones used to lack some important functionality needed for providing proper scheduling guarantees to application processes. Recently, the increasing use of GPOSes for multimedia applications is gradually pushing OS developers towards enriching the kernel of a GPOS so as to provide more and more real-time functionality, thus enhancing the performance and responsiveness of hosted time-sensitive applications. In this chapter, an overview is performed over the efforts done in the direction of enriching GPOSes with real-time capabilities, with a particular focus on the Linux OS. Due to its open-source nature and wide diffusion and availability, Linux is one of the most widely used OSes for such experimentations.
Culture-Laden Social Engagement
Authors: Choi Sejung Marina , Chu Shu-Chuan , Kim Yoojung
Published: October 2011

In today’s online environment, social networking sites (SNSs) flourish across the globe as an effective venue for social engagement. The objective of this chapter is to conceptually discuss and empirically demonstrate how social interactions within SNSs are still culturally bound and mirror the users’ prevailing cultural orientations. After discussing a conceptual framework for illustrating cultural forces in social relationships within SNSs, the authors present findings from an online survey of SNS users from three cultures: the US, China, and South Korea.
Knowing Through Asynchronous Time and Space
Authors: Yang Ping
Published: October 2011

This chapter reports the results of a study that employed phenomenological and dialectical perspectives to explore cultural differences in computer-mediated communication. An analysis of the dialectic of minimization and amplification manifested in students’ online experiences and the significance of contextual variations, power structures, and other features of online interactions allow us to see the processual, relational, and contradictory nature of cultural differences online. They also provide information that can facilitate more effective intercultural online interactions in the future.
Discursive Manipulation Strategies in Virtual Scams in Global Contexts
Authors: Taiwo Rotimi
Published: October 2011

This chapter examines how online fraudsters explore the experiential, interpersonal, and textual language metafunctions in the crafting of their emails for global audiences. A critical study of international virtual scam emails over a period of time shows that these scammers tend to improve on how they construct their messages as they rely on experiential knowledge of what they believe will appeal to their audience. Recent scam emails use fewer pressure tactics, and writers present their identity as that of a non-confident, naïve, vulnerable, and ignorant persons, thereby increasing the discursive power of their addressees in the interaction. Scammers also use different forms of politeness strategies to bait their victims.
Studying Online Communication Features on International and Cross-Cultural Web Pages Using Websphere Analysis Methodology
Authors: Stam Kathryn , Guzman Indira R. , Thoryk Dennis
Published: October 2011

Some websites, and the specific Web pages within them, are designed specifically to facilitate online communication across countries and cultures. For this reason, these sites often contain a variety of features for international interaction. Such features include language choices, instant messaging, or use of a translation tool. The purpose of this chapter is to identify current practices and opportunities for online communication between people from different countries or speakers of different languages. To examine this topic, the authors used the Websphere analysis methodology (Schneider & Foot, 2004) to conduct an analysis of 160 archived international and cross-cultural Web pages in order to identify their communication features.
Information Sharing Across Languages
Authors: Schäler Reinhard
Published: October 2011

Access to information and knowledge in one’s native language is a fundamental human right. It is a right deeply rooted in the legal systems of many Western nations where it is considered to be as important as access to healthcare or to other potentially life-saving services. While individuals often claim these rights for themselves, they do not always afford such rights to others, for there is often a cost involved in the realization of this right. This chapter highlights how denying this service, particularly as it relates to the translation and the localization of online materials, results in human costs including life threatening information poverty. This situation, in turn, requires urgent and coordinated relief efforts by industry, government, and civil societies on a global scale.
Linguistic Minorities on the Internet
Authors: Sheyholislami Jaffer
Published: October 2011

This chapter presents the results of an empirical study (done using online ethnography and discourse analysis) of how the Kurds use the Internet. In examining this situation, the author provides suggestions related to the fact that, as much as we need to be concerned with the dominance of a few major languages on the Internet, we also need to map the online presence of linguistic minorities. Such mapping is essential in order to understand the paradoxical nature of a medium that simultaneously homogenizes and fragments linguistic communities and identities.
The Emerging Hispanic Use of Online Health Information in the United States
Authors: Germaine-McDaniel Nicole St.
Published: October 2011

As health-information websites become more popular, healthcare corporations have worked quickly to create Spanish-language sites to reach the Spanish-speaking population. However, changes have to be made in order to effectively adapt to the Spanish-speaking audience. In order to be successful, site designers must create a sense of community by having interactive elements and by advertising these sites through radio or television with well-known celebrities or known figures in the healthcare realm. Further, care must be taken to ensure that the information in these sites is culturally appropriate for this audience. The successful health information website can be a strong tool for educating both Spanish and English speakers alike about preventative care, as well as treatment options, which in turn can improve health outcomes.
Cultural Considerations of Online Pedagogy
Authors: Martin Judith N. , Cheong Pauline Hope
Published: October 2011

This chapter provides readers with foundational knowledge of how cultural factors mediate online learning and instruction in global education-based on a review of contemporary scholarship. The authors first describe three approaches--social scientific, interpretive, and critical-- to theorizing the role of culture in online pedagogy. Then, for each approach, the authors review the existing literature and discuss how that theory applies to online pedagogy, specifically identifying the assumptions, the contributions, and the limitations of each theory. The objective of such a review is to highlight pressing issues and theoretical gaps related to cultural factors in the context of online learning. Finally, the authors present practical suggestions that provide readers with the knowledge needed to create effective online materials for students from other countries and cultures.
Using the Cultural Challenges of Virtual Team Projects to Prepare Students for Global Citizenship
Authors: Flammia Madelyn
Published: October 2011

Global citizens are those individuals who understand the complex and interdependent nature of the world and who take action to address global issues at a local level. Many faculty members recognize the need to prepare students for the demands of global work and citizenship. In this chapter, the author demonstrates how virtual team projects are an ideal means to help students develop global competency and offers suggestions for faculty seeking to structure projects geared to civic engagement.
Studying Locally, Interacting Globally
Authors: Ragusa Angela T. , Steinke Emma
Published: October 2011

The general trend towards freely circulating capital, goods and services, coupled with changes in the openness of labour markets, has translated into growing demands for an international dimension of education and training. Indeed, as world economies become increasingly inter-connected, international skills have grown in importance for operating on a global scale. Globally oriented firms seek internationally-competent workers versed in foreign languages and having mastered basic inter-cultural skills to successfully interact with international partners. Governments as well as individuals are looking to higher education to play a role in broadening students’ horizons and allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of the world’s languages, cultures and business methods. One way for students to expand their knowledge of other societies and languages, and hence leverage their labour market prospects, is to study in tertiary educational institutions in countries other than their own. Several OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] governments – especially in countries of the European Union (EU) – have set up schemes and policies to promote mobility as a means of fostering intercultural contacts and building social networks for the future. (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009, p. 310)
Immigration Reform
Authors: Heifferon Barbara
Published: October 2011

This chapter focuses on the theoretical preparation of students who design digital media for other cultural groups. Some designers of cross-cultural e-communication assume that the localization of document design is no longer preferable. However, the fact that we have the technical capability to distribute documents universally does not mean we cannot localize content. Universalizing some projects, such as online health care materials to address Spanish-speakers, when audiences with different needs speak Spanish in the U.S., can be less than effective. To address these ideas, this chapter first articulates the theoretical preparation of students to design online materials for different cultural audiences. Secondly, the author also discusses local application and pedagogy related to this process.
Decision Models in the Design of Adaptive Educational Hypermedia Systems
Authors: Sampson Demetrios G , Karampiperis Pythagoras
Published: October 2011

Several efforts have been reported in literature aiming to support the Adaptation Model (AM) design in Adaptive Educational Hypermedia Systems (AEHS) with either guidance for the direct definition of adaptation rules or semi-automated mechanisms that generate the AM through the implicit definition of such rules. The main drawback of the direct definition of adaptation rules is that there can be cases during the run-time execution of AEHS where no adaptation decision can be made, due to insufficiency and/or inconsistency of the pre-defined adaptation rule sets. The goal of the semi-automated, decision-based approaches is to generate a continuous decision function that estimates the desired AEHS response, aiming to overcome the above mentioned problem. However, such approaches still miss a commonly accepted framework for evaluating their performance. In this chapter, we review the design approaches for the definition of the AM in AEHS and discuss a set of performance evaluation metrics proposed by the literature for validating the use of decision-based approaches.
Engineering and Reengineering of Technology Enhanced Learning Scenarios Using Context Awareness Processes
Authors: Peña de Carrillo Clara Inés , Choquet Christophe , Després Christophe , Iksal Sébastien , Jacoboni Pierre , Lekira Aina , Ouraiba El Amine , Thi-Ngoc Diem Pham
Published: October 2011

This chapter proposes a context modeling process to help tutors adapt their tutorship actions based on students’ profiles and performance on Technology Enhanced Learning environments (TEL). It attempts also to involve teachers as designers in the engineering process of a TEL system development and to support their activity of auto-regulation regarding the students’ guidance and assistance. This aim leads to improve teaching strategies as well as to enhance the quality of the learning objects and the learning scenario itself. In fact, if the TEL system is already adaptive, by means of this approach, its improvement is fostered. If not, the process will support its iterative transformation from predefined to adaptive. The Model Driven Engineering (MDE) methodology is used since it gives educational designers (teachers for this proposal) and software designers the ability to define, communicate, and test a solution while creating artifacts that become part of the overall solution. The Usage Tracking Language (UTL) has been developed to provide the actors of a TEL system (designers, tutors, learners, and analysts) with a dutiful tool to describe the observed uses of the descriptive pedagogical scenario and their semantics, including the definition of the observation needs and the means required for data acquisition. The structure of tracks and their transformations from raw data allows the calculation of indicators which supports the building of users’ models that will influence users’ decision making. Finally, a case study using the Hop3X environment for learning Java programming to apply this process is presented.
A Knowledge-Based Approach of Modeling an Internet-Based Intelligent Learning Environment for Comprehending Common Fraction Operations
Authors: Kong Siu Cheung
Published: October 2011

The goal of the study in this chapter is to support learners to engage in the active learning of common fraction operations from the constructivists’ perspective. An Internet-based Fraction-learning Intelligent Learning Environment (IFILE) is designed under the knowledge-based approach to model the learning process of the target topic. It is intended to optimize the interaction opportunity of learners by providing pedagogical tools and intelligent features. The two pedagogical tools provided are graphical support and electronic blank sheet. The intelligent feature discussed in this chapter is the Next Step Support for helping learners to break the impasse in fraction operations. The key activity of the construction of the Next Step Support of this knowledge-based application is designing rules as embedded units to sense and react to all facets of the fraction evaluation process. This chapter discusses further how the IFILE is designed for developing learning properties from the constructivists’ standpoint.
A Tool for Adaptive E-Assessment of Project Management Competences
Authors: Bodea Constanta-Nicoleta , Dascalu Maria-Iuliana
Published: October 2011

This chapter proposes an e-assessment method for project management competences, using the computer adaptive testing (CAT) principle. Competences are represented using concept space graphs. The proposed model increases the tests configurability by considering several knowledge constraints when an item is selected. The proposed model is also seen as a self-directed-learning-tool, useful in the preparation process for project management certifications. The model is validated by comparison with an existing e-assessment tool, used for simulation purposes; statistic results are presented and analyzed. Although the initial level of knowledge of each user has a great impact on the final results obtained by that user, preparation with the proposed e-assessment method proved to be more efficient.
Improving User Profiling for a Richer Personalization
Authors: Gasparini Isabela , Eyharabide Victoria , Schiaffino Silvia , Pimenta Marcelo S. , Amandi Analía , de Oliveira José Palazzo M.
Published: October 2011

This chapter presents the context-aware aspects of ADAPTSUR, a personalization approach designed for e-learning environments. The main features of ADAPTSUR are described and illustrated, showing how to use it to model context and culture for personalization in e-learning environments. The authors describe two materializations of the proposed approach, an adaptive e-learning system and an intelligent tutor, which provide personalized assistance to students taking into account their profiles. Finally, the authors discuss the benefits of their proposal.
Context-aware Framework for Supporting Personalisation and Adaptation in Creation of Learning Designs
Authors: Charlton Patricia , Magoulas George D.
Published: October 2011

One of the current interests in the field of learning design is to find ways to support teachers who wish to develop designs that incorporate digital technologies. The focus from a pedagogical point of view is to enable teachers to exploit the constructivist potential of digital technologies for learning: those that support learners in discussing, collaborating, and creating user-generated designs. These general requirements align at the high-level with the Semantic Web vision of resource creation, sharing and re-use. Leveraging the Semantic Web developments and exploiting the observation that ontological models can form the domain grounding for context-aware applications, this chapter provides the design of a framework for supporting next generation learning design tools that provide adaptive and personalised experiences. Included in the chapter are the initial findings from the result of a user study of the framework.
Embodied and Embedded Intelligence
Authors: Heller Bob , Procter Mike
Published: October 2011

In this chapter, it is argued that the scope of simulation pedagogy can be extended beyond the medical health field with the development of actor agents on virtual stages. The literature on animated pedagogical agents is reviewed with a focus on embodied intelligence, and in particular, conversational ability. The embedded intelligence of virtual worlds is also reviewed, including the deployment of computer controlled avatars. The next section presents a review of work involving actor agents in Second Life including the authors’ research. A few of the major challenges are described and a conclusion is presented regarding the opportunities afforded by actor agents and virtual stages.
Mobile Computing and Mixed-Initiative Support for Writing Competence
Authors: Kumar Vive , Chang Maiga , Leacock Tracey L.
Published: October 2011

Writing is a core skill that learners are expected to develop in their early school years and use effectively throughout their later school years. Historically, writing has been considered the purview of grade school education, yet there is evidence that learners seem to lack basic writing skills even at the university level. Unfortunately, the challenges posed by the volume of data created when students write have hampered writing researchers’ attempts to study the impacts of grade school writing initiatives in depth. This chapter introduces two novel approaches to academic writing activities that hold the potential to enhance writing competence and make it easier for researchers to understand the impact of writing interventions. The first uses mobile devices in a situated learning context, and the second uses a mixed-initiative writing system in the classroom.
A Qualitative Study of E-Governance in Coimbatore Revenue Administration with Special Reference to “Tamil Nilam” and “Star” Projects in Tamilnadu, India
Authors: Priya P. Senthil , Mathiyalagan N.
Published: October 2011

The study reveals that though the revenue earned by the projects grow every year, the awareness level of the projects remain relatively low. Findings also suggest that the land record data available in the website are obsolete, and to bring in more efficiency, the portal has to be constantly updated. Also, since there is no integration and interoperability between the revenue and registration department of the state, there is only sub-optimal utilization of the established infrastructure at present. The study recommends immediate integration of the projects to make it more effective.
Extension of E-Government
Authors: Shareef Mahmud Akhter , Archer Norm
Published: October 2011

The emergence of mobile technologies has not only revolutionalized business procedures, but it has also resulted in transformation and reengineering of public service adoption mechanisms in more traditional e-government (EG) systems. Mobile-government or m-government (MG) is a subset of EG where interactions with government services can be conducted through mobile devices. In this chapter, we identify the development of the fundamental capabilities needed to adopt and manage information and communications technologies and to successfully implement citizen-focused MG systems. To accomplish this, we address the feasibility of adopting MG and the fundamental capabilities needed by a government to establish MG.
XBRL
Authors: Oxner Mary M. , MacAulay Ken , Trites Gerald
Published: October 2011

XBRL is a language that allows for the electronic communication of business information. In XBRL, tags are attached to items of information allowing that information to be exchanged and processed electronically. The architecture of XBRL facilitates more efficient electronic dissemination of information than does the traditional Web-based or PDF formats. The result is the potential for improved availability and accessibility of financial information and increased transparency. In effect, XBRL has the potential to improve electronic governance. For that potential to be realized, several challenges must be addressed. Concerns exist regarding data integrity, the costs of implementation, the training of employees, and the updating of XBRL taxonomies. Given both its potential and the limited number of studies on XBRL, more research is needed on XBRL implementation and use.
Decimalization of Stock Exchanges
Authors: Chang Bin
Published: October 2011

Technological innovation is propelling the move in financial markets away from fractional trading and towards decimal trading, as in the example of The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) tick size changed from $1/16 to $0.01 on January 29, 2001. This chapter examines the impact of that trend as it relates to market quality and trading behaviour, and draws on comparisons between NYSE and NASDAQ, as well as evidence from other markets and market-traded securities, in demonstrating how decimalization leads to a decrease in the bid-ask spread and depth and an improvement in the probability of information-based trading, while having seemingly no effect on the frequency of limit orders. Our examination also demonstrates how the 1996 decimalization of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX, formerly TSE) has had little impact on its giant competitor, NYSE.
Internet Banking and Online Trading
Authors: Chang Bin , Dutta Shantanu
Published: October 2011

In the recent past, online or Internet based banking has become quite common. Banks have also realized the potential of Internet banking and have recognized that it is necessary to integrate the customers’ new lifestyle and Web based activity preferences with their business models. Most of the empirical studies have reported positive impact of Internet banking on bank performance. Adoption of Internet banking leads to cost reduction and hence likely to increase banks’ profitability. Introduction on internet banking has brought unprecedented speed in banking system and has been playing a major role in the globalization of banking system. As Internet banking makes inroads to banking business, market participants have also started to use Internet for security trading activities. Online trading has led to an upward trend in trading frequency, trading volume, and turnover ratio.
Survey of Citizens’ Perceptions in the Adoption of National Governmental Portals
Authors: Stamati Teta , Karantjias Athanasios , Martakos Drakoulis
Published: October 2011

?he transformational role of e-government can be achieved through engagement of the citizens in the e-government rollout and subsequent adoption. The present study integrates constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusions of Innovation Theory and Trust Models in order to propose a research model to guide future e-government initiatives. The critical acceptance factors, namely: trust, security, and regulation are analyzed for the citizens’ adoption process. The citizen’s perceptions of electronic services adoption are analyzed based on the case study of the National Governmental Portal.
Smartphone Data Protection Using Mobile Usage Pattern Matching
Authors: Hu Wen-Chen , Kaabouch Naima , Mousavinezhad S. Hossein , Yang Hung-Jen
Published: October 2011

Handheld devices like smartphones must include rigorous and convenient handheld data protection in case the devices are lost or stolen. This research proposes a set of novel approaches to protecting handheld data by using mobile usage pattern matching, which compares the current handheld usage pattern to the stored usage patterns. If they are drastic different, a security action such as requiring a password entry is activated. Various algorithms of pattern matching can be used in this research. Two of them are discussed in this chapter: (i) approximate usage string matching and (ii) usage finite automata. The first method uses approximate string matching to check device usage and the second method converts the usage tree into a deterministic finite automaton (DFA). Experimental results show this method is effective and convenient for handheld data protection, but the accuracy may need to be improved.
Evaluation of Contemporary Anomaly Detection Systems (ADSs)
Authors: Ashfaq Ayesha Binte , Khayam Syed Ali
Published: October 2011

Due to the rapidly evolving nature of network attacks, a considerable paradigm shift has taken place with focus now on Network-based Anomaly Detection Systems (NADSs) that can detect zero-day attacks. At this time, it is important to evaluate existing anomaly detectors to determine and learn from their strengths and weaknesses. Thus we aim to evaluate the performance of eight prominent network-based anomaly detectors under malicious portscan attacks. These NADSs are evaluated on three criteria: accuracy (ROC curves), scalability (with respect to varying normal and attack traffic rates, and deployment points) and detection delay. Based on our experiments, we identify promising guidelines to improve the accuracy and scalability of existing and future anomaly detectors. We show that the proposed guidelines provide considerable and consistent accuracy improvements for all evaluated NADSs.
Practical Quantum Key Distribution
Authors: Ali Sellami
Published: October 2011

We have presented a method to estimate parameters of the decoy state protocol based on one decoy state protocol for both BB84 and SARG04. This method can give different lower bound of the fraction of single-photon counts (y1), the fraction of two-photon counts (y2), the upper bound QBER of single-photon pulses (e1), the upper bound QBER of two-photon pulses (e2), and the lower bound of key generation rate for both BB84 and SARG04. The effects of statistical fluctuations on some parameters of our QKD system have been presented. We have also performed the optimization on the choice of intensities and percentages of signal state and decoy states which give out the maximum distance and the optimization of the key generation rate. The numerical simulation has shown that the fiber based QKD and free space QKD systems using the proposed method for BB84 are able to achieve both a higher secret key rate and greater secure distance than that of SARG04. Also, it is shown that bidirectional ground to satellite and inter-satellite communications are possible with our protocol. The experiment of decoy state QKD has been demonstrated using ID-3000 commercial QKD system based on a standard ‘Plug & Play’ set-up. One decoy state QKD has been implemented for both BB84 and SARG04 over different transmission distance of standard telecom fiber.
Fault Tolerant Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) in SCADA Systems
Authors: Misbahuddin Syed , Al-Holou Nizar
Published: October 2011

A Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is composed of number of remote terminal units (RTUs) for collecting field data. These RTUs send the data back to a master station, via a communication link. The master station displays the acquired data and allows the operator to perform remote control tasks. An RTU is a microprocessor based standalone data acquisition control unit. As the RTUs work in harsh environment, the processor inside the RTU is susceptible to random faults. If the processor fails, the equipment or process being monitored will become inaccessible. This chapter proposes a fault tolerant scheme to untangle the RTU’s failure issues. According to the scheme, every RTU will have at least two processing elements. In case of either processor’s failure, the surviving processor will take over the tasks of the failed processor to perform its tasks. With this approach, an RTU can remain functional despite the failure of the processor inside the RTU. Reliability and availability modeling of the proposed fault tolerant scheme have been presented. Moreover, cyber security for SCADA system and recommendations for the mitigation of these issues have been discussed.
Cyber Security in Liquid Petroleum Pipelines
Authors: Henrie Morgan
Published: October 2011

The world’s critical infrastructure includes entities such as the water, waste water, electrical utilities, and the oil and gas industry. In many cases, these rely on pipelines that are controlled by supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. SCADA systems have evolved to highly networked, common platform systems. This evolutionary process creates expanding and changing cyber security risks. The need to address this risk profile is mandated from the highest government level. This chapter discusses the various processes, standards, and industry based best practices that are directed towards minimizing these risks.
The 3-D Innovation Sphere
Authors: Tobies Katrin , Maisch Bettina
Published: October 2011

This chapter will explore the 3-D environment Second Life as a communication platform used by industry and science to create, design, develop, and distribute innovation. In order to achieve sustainable economic success in the context of global competition, companies need to optimize their communication activities within their innovation processes. In addition to identifying relevant trends at an early stage and generating marketable ideas, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to sufficiently communicate the usage and the meaning of innovations and to position themselves as consistent innovators. Virtual worlds like the high profile, realistically designed online environment Second Life offer far-reaching possibilities within the innovation management process – from ideating to market introduction. The objective of this chapter is to provide a systematic analysis of the communication paradigms in virtual environments. In particular, the main issues, challenges, opportunities, limits and trends of digital innovation communication will be discussed in the context of the 3-D world Second Life.
The Players’ Dimension
Authors: Nitsche Michael
Published: October 2011

This chapter outlines three positions in the development of game spaces from the ideal of the perfect mindspace to the commercial reality of virtual worlds to the expansion of the game world into the physical environment into a hybrid space. The third position will be investigated further as the argument looks into peculiarities of the evolving hybrid space that result from the combination of changes to the physical through the fictional space. This continues the ongoing dissolution of the magic circle’s boundaries and illustrates how fictional worlds expand into even non-game locations. Building on Popper’s system of the 3 worlds, it is suggested that today’s fictional game worlds have already changed our physical environments. In that, it partially closes the argument back to the earliest dreams of cyberspace but arrives not at a new mindspace to “log in” but instead at a new physical space in need of re-evaluation.
Is there a Virtual Socialization by Acting Virtual Identities?
Authors: Lorentz Pascaline
Published: October 2011

This chapter relies on a sociological doctoral research led in France, in Russia, and in United Arab Emirates. Results of the survey tell us how most gamers of the poll use characters to experiment social life and build identities by confronting their virtual behaviours.
Virtual Simulations and the Second Life Metaverse
Authors: Parsons Thomas D.
Published: October 2011

In neuropsychology’s received paradigm, the “normal science” of assessment and treatment planning appears to be approaching a paradigm shift: first, there are the general developments in other neurosciences that inform the practice of neuropsychological assessment. Second, there is the shift in the purpose of neuropsychological assessment from differential diagnosis of brain pathology to predictions about activities of everyday functioning and treatment planning. Third, there is growing need that neuropsychologists update their outdated technology for ecologically valid assessments. The impending paradigm shift may be well served to include the utility of virtual worlds for ecologically valid neuropsychological assessments. Actualization of the potential of virtual worlds for assessment will require the following: comparisons with well-validated neuropsychological measures, data storage, improved documentation of specific computer hardware and software used in experimental methods, and enhanced methods and result reporting by the researchers publishing studies on virtual worlds.
Active Learning and Mapping
Authors: Baumes Laurent A.
Published: October 2011

The data mining technology increasingly employed into new industrial processes, which require automatic analysis of data and related results in order to quickly proceed to conclusions. However, for some applications, an absolute automation may not be appropriate. Unlike traditional data mining, contexts deal with voluminous amounts of data, some domains are actually characterized by a scarcity of data, owing to the cost and time involved in conducting simulations or setting up experimental apparatus for data collection. In such domains, it is hence prudent to balance speed through automation and the utility of the generated data. The authors review the active learning methodology, and a new one that aims at generating successively new samples in order to reach an improved final estimation of the entire search space investigated according to the knowledge accumulated iteratively through samples selection and corresponding obtained results, is presented. The methodology is shown to be of great interest for applications such as high throughput material science and especially heterogeneous catalysis where the chemists do not have previous knowledge allowing to direct and to guide the exploration.
A QSAR/QSPR Study with Graph-Theoretical Indices based on a New Type of Vertex Degree
Authors: Pogliani Lionello
Published: October 2011

Valence molecular connectivity indices are indices based on the concept of valence delta, d v, that can be derived from general chemical graphs or chemical pseudographs. A general graph or pseudograph is a graph with multiple edges and loops and it can be used to encode, through the valence delta, chemical entities like the sigma-, pi- and non-bonding n-electrons. Two other graph-theoretical concepts that can also be derived from chemical pseudographs are the intrinsic (I) and the electrotopological state (E) values that are the main tools used to define the valence delta of the pseudoconnectivity indices, ?I,S. Complete graphs can, instead, be used to encode, through a new type of valence delta, the core electrons of any type of atoms in a molecule. The connectivity indices either valence connectivity or pseudoconnectivity indices are the starting point to develop, by the aid of a dual procedure, the dual connectivity indices, i.e., the dual connectivity, valence connectivity and pseudoconnectivity indices. The dual indices show the interesting property that not only some of them can assume negative values but also that they can cover a wide range of numerical values. Graph concepts can also be used to deal with the problem of the hydrogen contribution in hydrogen depleted chemical graphs, which are the normal type of graphs used in chemistry. For this purpose a perturbation parameter can be introduced into the definition of the valence delta that allows to differentiates among compounds with similar hydrogen-suppressed chemical graphs but different number of hydrogen atoms, like CH3F and BH2F. The new definition of the central parameter of the molecular connectivity theory, the valence delta, consent to define of a completely new set of connectivity indices, which can be distinguished by their configuration and that can advantageously be used to model different properties and activities of compounds.
Logistic vs. W-Lambert Information in Modeling Enzyme Kinetics at Quantum Level
Authors: Putz Mihai V. , Putz Ana-Maria
Published: October 2011

The logistic temporal solution of the generalized Michaelis-Menten kinetics is employed to provide a quantum basis for the tunneling time and energy evaluations of Brownian enzymic reactions. The mono-substrate and mixed inhibition cases are treated and the associated quantum diagrams of the reaction mechanisms are depicted in terms of intermediate enzyme complexes. The methodology is suited for practically controlling of the enzymic activity throughout absorption spectroscopy.
Advances in Relevant Descriptor Selection
Authors: Debeljak Željko , Medic-Šaric Marica
Published: October 2011

During the last few decades the number of available molecular descriptors has grown exponentially. A reduced set of descriptors, containing only relevant descriptors, enables better understanding of the interaction between the molecule and some biological entity and in turn, it enables more reliable molecular modeling and chemical database mining. As a consequence, many new off-line and on-line descriptor selection methods have emerged. Overview of the most important feature selection methods, their advantages, disadvantages and applications in SAR and QSAR is given.
Analytical Solution of Cubic Autocatalytic Reaction-Diffusion Equations
Authors: Shanthi D. , Rajendran L.
Published: October 2011

The system is considered here with two chemical species, the reactant a and autocatalyst b. The Gray-Scott model of cubic-autocatalysis with linear decay is coupled with diffusion and considered in a one-dimensional reactor (a reactor-diffusion cell). Steady-state and non steady- state concentration profiles of the reactant and autocatalyst in Gray-Scott model are obtained using He’s Homotopy pertuburation method for small values parameters. A satisfactory agreement with analytical and numerical results are noted.
ERP Implementation Model, Research Findings, and its Applications to Government
Authors: Subramanian Girish H. , Peslak Alan R.
Published: October 2011

An ERP implementation model is developed with the help of a review of relevant literature. This implementation model has four phases: preparation and training, transition, performance and usefulness, and maintenance. Research findings from our study provide empirical support for the ERP implementation model. For the purpose of this chapter, we use content analysis of the structured interviews to come up with solutions and recommendations for ERP implementation in government. We finally present the conclusion and future directions.
How ERP Systems are Centralizing and Standardizing the Accounting Function in Public Organizations for Better and Worse
Authors: Balzli Catherine Equey , Fragnière Emmanuel
Published: October 2011

We have conducted research in an attempt to understand why the accounting function of a Swiss public administration has significantly changed following the implementation of an ERP system. To study this social phenomenon, an ethnography research strategy was followed. This approach is well suited for situations facing deep structural changes such as the transformation of a profession. The sample consisted primarily of accountants, accounting managers, and related professions. We have structured the analysis around the 3 following axes: 1. organizational structure changes, 2. standardization and centralization processes, and 3. centralization’s effect on accounting tasks. Research findings and analyses indicate that the power of each public administration department under review is very strong to the point that it has negatively impacted the necessary standardization imposed by an ERP system implementation. So, the full potential of the ERP is not exploited at all. However, the financial statements can now comply with international standards such as International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Consequently, our case study shows that an ERP implementation project cannot be managed in the same manner as those realized in the private sector.
E-Government Citizen Centric Framework at District Level in India
Authors: Chhabra Susheel , Gupta D. N.
Published: October 2011

This chapter evaluates service quality, and suggests E-Government Citizen Centric Framework for Citizen Service Centers (CSC) of Haryana State in India. Citizen Centric framework is suggested by using responses collected from 300 users of five (5) E-Government citizen service centers. This framework can be used in other similar E-Government citizen service centers to evaluate service quality.