bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Computational Agent Model of Flood Management Strategies
Authors: Brouwers Lisa , Boman Magnus
Published: April 2012

A geographically explicit flood simulation model was designed and implemented as a tool for policy making support, illustrated here with two simple flood management strategies pertaining to the Upper Tisza area in Hungary. The model integrates aspects of the geographical, hydrological, economical, land use, and social context. The perspectives of different stakeholders are represented as agents that make decisions on whether or not to buy flood insurance. The authors demonstrate that agent-based models can be important for policy issues in general, and for sustainable development policy issues in particular, by aiding stakeholder communication and learning, thereby increasing the chances of reaching robust decisions. The agent-based approach enables the highlighting and communication of distributional effects of policy changes at the micro-level, as illustrated by several graphical representations of outputs from the model.
The Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center System
Authors: Blackwell P. R. , McDonald Darrel
Published: April 2012

During the past 20 years, the role of geospatial technology in society has increased dramatically. However, the impact of these technologies in rural areas remains minimal. In Texas, a federally funded project called the Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center System (the System) has emerged as a model for bringing the benefits of geospatial technology to all portions of society. The model involves distributed, academically based Centers, each with regional specializations, linked together into a unified system for addressing critical needs in emergency response, economic development, and natural resource management. The Centers operate on three focus areas, i.e., data, applications, and training. The Columbia Center has been in operation for five years and has demonstrated the practical strength of the System through numerous local and statewide projects, responses to natural disasters, and other geospatial activities.
A National ICT-in-Education Initiative
Authors: Hosman Laura
Published: April 2012

This chapter presents a unique national initiative: Macedonia Connects, a multi-partner, scaled ICT-for-education project wherein every school across Macedonia was equipped with both computers and wireless Internet connections and through which the Internet was made available to citizens across the entire country. A number of best practices may be identified, including the pre-deployment training of teachers in IT adoption, the equality of provision to promote positive inter-ethnic relations, and the long-term focus on the part of all stakeholders in terms of outcomes. The goals of this project target both educational and socio-economic development. There are many aspects of this case that may be applicable to future ICT-for-development endeavors, and some of Macedonia’s neighboring states have already indicated interest in following this model.
Sustainable Management of Agricultural Resources and the Need for Stakeholder Participation for the Developing of Appropriate Sustainability Indicators
Authors: Baginetas Konstantinos N.
Published: April 2012

The past 20 years have seen the rapid expansion of one development theory, that of sustainable development. This theory provided the opportunity for all stakeholders to be able to be involved in development projects. However, regarding issues of sustainable development, there is a historical tendency for these issues to be driven by top-down and technocratic agendas. Nevertheless, it is argued that the various stakeholders should be brought together and allowed to express their perspectives and perceptions, and that they should actively be involved in any developmental process. Within this context, this chapter argues that the adoption of a participatory, inter-disciplinary approach by the scientists/researchers in the development of sustainability indicators (with a focus on soil quality sustainability indicators) for use in agricultural ecosystems, can lead to the development of appropriate assessment tools that are meaningful to farmers and related to their understandings.
Application of a Participatory Ex Ante Assessment Model for Environmental Governance and Visualizing Sustainable Redevelopment in Gorj County, Romania
Authors: Ehlinger Timothy , Tofan Lucica , Bucur Mirela , Enz Jill , Carlson Jason , Shaker Richard
Published: April 2012

This chapter presents an approach for the development of a decision-support process for sustainable development planning. The Indicator Scoring System (ISS) incorporates the ex ante assessment of environmental, infrastructure, economic, and social impacts of proposed projects, and links these assessments with a geospatial model of sustainable development potential. The overall process is designed to encourage public participation, provide unbiased quantitative and qualitative evaluation, integrate agency database compilation, and provide data analysis tools/techniques and viewing applications. The ultimate goal is to facilitate a process under which local authorities, governments, and international organizations, are able to visualize sustainable development initiatives as well as coordinate and evaluate their own independent activities. Sustainable development tools that are well integrated with decision-making processes and valued by decision-makers will contribute to the implementation of the objectives of sustainable development.
ICT-Supported Education for Sustainable Development of South Korean Rural Communities
Authors: Joo K. P.
Published: April 2012

The rural communities in South Korea have faced serious challenges as the country has gradually opened the agricultural market and extended the conclusion of Free Trade Agreement with more and more countries. Moreover, due to the national socio-economic and political structures, South Korea has been undergoing the technological imbalance between rural and urban areas. In order to cope with these vital social challenges, the South Korean government has exerted considerable investment and effort in establishing ICT knowledge and skills as well as infrastructure in rural areas. Thus, conceptualizing ICT in the context of adult education, this chapter addresses three ICT-supported adult education programs oriented toward developing ICT skills and competencies of people in agricultural areas of South Korea. The South Korean cases of agricultural ICT education represent the vast and concentrated national efforts in integrating ICT across rural areas in this fast changing global situation.
Innovation Policy, Competitiveness, and Growth
Authors: Kokkinou Aikaterini
Published: April 2012

This chapter focuses on the actors of knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship, as comparative advantages towards regional sustainable development. The chapter describes the analytical framework in which technical change, innovation and entrepreneurship activities are considered as among the most important factors influencing sustainable economic development, both in national and regional level. Within this analytical framework, the chapter aims to provide a clear understudying of the main related questions summarized in the following: To which extent economic development depends on the presence of a network favorable to knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship, based on the endogenous development capabilities? How could the level of regional innovation activities be enhanced? How could the effect of innovation activities on regional development be estimated? What is the relative position of a region as far as development and innovation competitiveness are concerned?
The Evaluation of the Implementation of Sustainability Norms
Authors: Pülzl Helga , Wydra Doris
Published: April 2012

Since the Brundtland report the world is still struggling to solve the riddle of sustainability. If there is no “blueprint” for implementing sustainable development, the practical meaning has to emerge out of an interactive process of social dialogue and reflection. Sustainability therefore goes through a constant process of redefinition and interpretation. This question of values and different approaches to implementation becomes particularly important when decision-making and the evaluation of the implementation is taking place in different fora. According to the dominant paradigm the policy process is a linear exercise of problem solving, i.e., the problem is identified, data for the problem analysis is collected and according advice is given to the policy-maker to enable his decision, which is then implemented. The implementation is evaluated by experts who determine the merit, worth or value of the result of this process, thus deciding upon its effectiveness. Against this dominant view, the authors hold that the purpose of evaluation and policy analysis is more than simply “client-oriented” advice, but should be rather about democratic dialogue and critique. Building on the methods of practical deliberation a model for evaluating sustainable development is built using the example of forest policy.
ICT Policies in Developing Countries
Authors: Ogbah Enovwor Laura
Published: April 2012

This chapter focuses on the objectives, issues and influencing factors of national ICT policies in developing countries. It points out how policy has become the driving force for ICT growth; how it can empower a nation and transform its social and economic life thereby improving on the quality of life of its citizens. It further discusses the objectives and issues of ICT policy. It later examines the factors that affect ICT policy Examples of some developing countries in Africa and Asia with national ICT policies were also given. The chapter concludes that unless a strong national policy institution with dedicated policy decision makers charged with the responsibility of monitoring ICT policy implementation are in place, ICT policies will not be effective in developing countries.
Gender and ICT Policy for Development and Empowerment
Authors: Wakunuma-Zojer Kutoma Jacqueline
Published: April 2012

This chapter pays attention to the role that ICT policy and gender play in the drive for development and empowerment. Particular focus is on Zambia and its National ICT Policy. The chapter analyses how notions of ‘gender’, development and empowerment are routinely incorporated into the ICT policy rhetoric and the strategies put in place. It assesses whether the goals of the National ICT Policy encourage social and economic development as well as empowerment for women. The chapter makes the case that as much as ICT policies are being developed and adopted in order to be incorporated into the development agendas of countries like Zambia, mere adoption without adequately addressing gender concerns within the policies themselves may not necessarily achieve the desired development and empowerment. The analysis subsequently brings to the fore some short comings within the policy that have not been addressed with the adequacy they deserve and which as a result, can potentially impact negatively on women’s overall development and subsequent empowerment. The chapter particularly focuses on Government claims which suggest that women are important actors in ICT use for sustainable development without whom the successful diffusion and use of ICTs in the country cannot be a reality.
Chinese Manufacturing
Authors: Zhu Valerie , Sun Linyan
Published: April 2012

In the past three decades, Chinese economy has been arresting the worldwide attention for its double-digit growth rate. Playing a leading part in general economic development, Chinese manufacturing has been contributing a substantial portion in the total GDP growth. However, a national key project, the Research of China National Manufacturing Strategy, has found in the last several years that Chinese manufacturing has already lost its competitiveness due to the void of cheap labor force (New Labor Law in China), the rising costs of raw materials and energies, and the more rigid requirements for environmental protection. Chinese manufacturing has met its Waterloo and calls for an urgent business transformation if it wants to survive and sustain its development. Based on fundamental research, authors of this paper propose a new business conceptual model, SERVICE-MANUFACTURING, which focuses on the seamless marriage of service and manufacturing and how this new model can be implemented in real business practices.
Integrating ICT into Sustainable Local Policies
Authors: Caperna Antonio
Published: April 2012

This chapter analyses the Information and Communication Technologies (hereafter referred to as ICT) phenomenon, the opportunities it offers, the potential problems, and the relationship with local policies. It moves on the actions needed to develop, within the Agenda 21 process, a framework able to define some fundamental features for a new spatial theory in the information age, which will eventually consider Information and Communication Technology not just a simple tool, but a crucial aspect of a sustainable policy, capable, if well addressed, to mitigate various current or emerging territorial challenges such as literacy and education, public participation in the planning process, social and geographical divide, institutional transparency, etc.. This chapter will illustrate a framework able to assist politicians and planners in planning a sustainable development through ICT.
A New Development Opportunity Confronts Old Paradigms
Authors: Kyem Peter A. Kwaku
Published: April 2012

There is a considerable debate about how the technological gap between rich and poor countries of the world can be bridged or eliminated. Technological optimists argue that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can bring accelerated development to poor countries. Others question the viability of relying on ICT for development in low income countries. The ensuing debate has masked the digital divide problem and prevented a true discussion of how ICT can be deployed for the benefit of low income countries. On the otherhand, confronted with the persistent failures of one-size-fits-all economic development models, low income countries can no longer treat modernization as the pivot towards which all ICT-related development efforts must gravitate. There is a need to drop the singular vision of development which is premised on the experiences of Western developed nations and rather restore local actors and their cultures into the actual roles they play in development processes that occur within localities. Accordingly, this chapter reviews the perspectives that currently shape the ICT for development discourse and offers the multiplicity theory to bridge the gap in development theory and promote a development strategy which incorporates activities of both local and global actors in the development of localities.
Sustainable and Equitable Urbanism
Authors: Spinak Abby , Casalegno Federico
Published: April 2012

This chapter explores how information and communication technology (ICT) can be used in urban sustainability planning to encourage more ecologically friendly habits and improve social equity. We start by asking why current initiatives to teach ecological urban practices are not more aligned with social equity goals. To understand this misalignment, we review the historical relationship between environmental and social concerns within evolving notions of sustainable development. We then define a framework for urban sustainability that more fully incorporates equity concerns. Unpacking the idea that there are no technical solutions to urban poverty, we argue that intelligent applications of ICT in urban services can significantly improve the reach of public transportation, resource distribution, and civic engagement. We encourage future initiatives to design with social goals in mind, ending with a discussion of current challenges and future opportunities for using ICT in urban sustainability planning.
Digital Equity in Schools
Authors: Williamson Jo E.
Published: April 2012

Technology is often touted as a means for providing new opportunities for learning, economic development, and participation in digital-age citizenry—especially for those who have limited access to high-quality learning environments and who have historically been marginalized in decision-making processes. Unfortunately, these opportunities for advancement are inextricably linked to the possibility of continued disenfranchisement and oppression. Lack of access to technology—or an absence of informed guidance regarding its use—can actually magnify the inequities in students’ education and further limit their opportunities. For these reasons, two of the most fundamental issues of cyber ethics in education are eliminating digital divides and promoting digital equity. In order to review the most recent trends in digital equity for elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education, this article analyzes 42 peer reviewed journal articles published in 2009-10 for trends in research and scholarly thought.
The Mirror Meta-Principle
Authors: Knowles Chase Laurelle
Published: April 2012

Since the conclusion of World War II, efforts to develop the so-called Third World have taken a variety of paths. In light of the multiplicity of competing theoretical lenses – modernization, post-structuralism, and dependency, to name just a few theories – the field of development is in a state of confusion. Consequently, it has been difficult for development informatics specialists to understand how best to harness the power of Information Communications Technology (ICT), as there is no clear goal in sight which ICT is supposed to be supporting. The following chapter provides a brief historical overview of the field of development, with a special interest in the role technology has been understood to play in this context. A discussion of relevant scholarship points to the dual notions that the next wave of development informatics work will prize attention to cultural particularities, and as such, will necessitate a degree of participative technology design. By extension, a dynamic relationship between power and knowledge is affirmed, in line with scholars such as Schech (2002). Various strands of thought are ultimately synthesized into what is termed the mirror meta-principle, which stresses that culturally sustainable development informatics requires ICT to be participatively designed so as to support developing societies’ economic and socio-cultural well-being and congruently “mirror” the economic and socio-cultural exigencies and traditions of developing societies. In this paradigm, the economic and socio-cultural patterns embedded into ICT need not be in line, or need to be moved into line, with the traditional Western ideology of modernization. With Heeks (1999), it is asserted that development informatics specialists’ approach to the participatory process must remain grounded in real conditions.
The Unintended Consequence
Authors: Nemati Hamid , Latif Amna
Published: April 2012

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are an important factor in the socio-economic development of transitioning and developing countries. Given the importance of ICT in global social and economic development, many researchers have examined its development and growth strategies from national and governmental policy perspectives. However, understanding the consequences of information and communication technologies in developing countries is complex and far from certain. Given the ambiguity, complexity, and diversity of what constitutes ICT, Heeks (2002) suggested the existence of incongruencies between what policy makers envision as ICT and the actuality of what is ultimately manifested, proposing the “design-actuality gap” framework to understand this inconsistency. Baqir et al. (2009) extended the design-actuality gap framework to show that the dimensions of design maybe different than those of the actuality, but did not provide an explanation for this gap. In this paper, the authors posit that the gap can only be explained based on the law of “unintended consequence” (Merton, 1936). This phenomenon can best be seen in developing nations where ICT’s impact on socio-economic development is exaggerated. The authors present the case of the Islamic Republic of Iran and show how the law of unintended consequence can explain the major chasm that exists between ICT development and the actuality of use.
Paradigm Shift Required for ICT4D
Authors: Steyn Jacques
Published: April 2012

In this chapter I argue for a shift of paradigm in the field of ICT4D. Since the inception of aid for development in the late 1940s with the introduction of the Marshall Plan, development has been dominated by emphasis on economic development, while development of other human characteristics have been neglected. The standard argument in contemporary ICT4D literature, based on the so-called Washington Concensus, is that economic “upliftment will result in social “upliftment”. It is assumed that economics is the primary cause for social change. I challenge this assumption, and propose that it is instead individual “upliftment” that influences social change that might (or might not) lead to economic change. The more recent Post-Washington Consensus introduced a shift toward socio-economics, by addressing poverty, but is still based on a particular ideological brand of economics. There is a need to move away from such an economically biased approach to development, and from measuring success with economic metrics such as GDP. ICT4D projects are typically deployed within this economic paradigm. The alternative approach suggested here is to deploy ITC4D projects against a social and cognitive paradigm in which social networking and psychological enrichment would take priority over economic development. Within such a paradigm, the principle of least effort would be used for measuring success. This proposed new paradigm is a techno-utilitarian approach. In this regard Development Informatics could pave the way for designing new kinds of ICT systems that are socially relevant to remote communities (whether geographically or socially remote) by making life easier for individuals. It is envisaged that economic development would follow individual and social development. The focus on developing an individual by exposing such an individual to scientific knowledge, will enable that individual to make better choices, which will lead to changing that individual and his or her environment. As the individual changes, the surrounding society changes (which is not the same as progressivism). Social change may lead to a change in the components of society, one of which is economics. ICT is regarded to be a tool to make life easier, and focuses on the enlightenment of an individual within the social context in which such an individual lives, by facilitating the possible development of cognitive and psychological abilities.
A Hybrid Style of E-Learning in MBA Education across Borders
Authors: Benton Caroline , Magnier-Watanabe Rémy , Herrig Harald , Aba Olivier
Published: April 2012

This paper outlines a real-life example of a course taught jointly by the MBA-IB program at the University of Tsukuba in Tokyo, Japan and the Master in Management program (ESC) at the Grenoble Ecole de Management in Grenoble, France using a hybrid style of e-learning that was aimed at increasing communication and collaboration among instructors and students. The qualitative analysis of this experience found that the variables that most significantly affected the development and outcome of the course were the unique goals, resources and student profiles of each university, the blending of synchronous and asynchronous instruction, the exchange of instructors to promote face-to-face instruction, and the use of a didactic and experiential approach to cross-cultural learning. Such cross-cultural course connecting distant groups working together toward the resolution of a common problem can become a stepping stone toward the promotion of sustainable development.
Emerging Technology Transfer, Economic Development and Policy in Africa
Authors: Kisubi Alfred , Anyansi-Archibong Chi , Kamalu Ngozi C. , Kamalu Johnson A. , Adikwu Michael U.
Published: April 2012

No nation can succeed economically without a strong and solid scientific educational base particularly in this era of knowledge economy. In many developing nations, the resources to develop both the human capital and infrastructure for education are inadequate. Specifically, in Africa, the intellectual capabilities on nanotechnology and microelectronics research and education are still evolving and some foundation technologies like electricity and ICT needed to drive and support them are not available. Lack of management efficiency and good governance continue to stall progress in the continent. In these matrixed four sub-chapters, these issues are discussed including a new model, Generic and Incremental Value (GIV), proposed for African development.
Dealing with Structure Heterogeneity in Semantic Collaborative Information Systems
Authors: Zangerle Eva , Gassler Wolfgang
Published: April 2012

The creation of content within semistructured, collaborative information systems imposes the problem of having to deal with very heterogeneous schemata. This is due to the fact that the semistructured paradigm does not restrict the user in his choice of nomenclatures for the data he intends to store within the information system. As many users participate in the creation of data, the structure of this data is very heterogeneous. In this chapter the authors discuss two main movements that aim at dealing with heterogeneity. The first approach is concerned with efficiently avoiding structure heterogeneity within collaborative information systems by providing the users with suitable recommendations for an aligned schema during the insertion process. The second approach is mainly focussing on overcoming structure heterogeneity by providing efficient means for querying heterogeneous data.
Collaborative Mediation
Authors: Goodman Brian
Published: April 2012

Individuals are the generators and consumers of content, and in doing so, make up a substantial presence in the literate internet, above and beyond the formal media outlets that make up the minority. Accelerating the explosion of content are Web 2.0 interactions, where participants are encouraged to engage with primary content. These social spaces are a platform, supporting often-overlooked micro-interactions referred to in this chapter as digital fingerprints. In parallel, companies construct web experiences that uniquely deliver Internet inspired experiences. However, the competition that divides popular Internet destinations is absent in well run intranets. Collaboration and cooperation among internal web properties offer a unique opportunity to organize people and information across disparate experiences. An example of such a solution is IBM’s Enterprise Tagging System, a collaborative classification and recommendation service that knits employee identities and destinations together through fingerprints. The benefit of creating such a common service also exhibits the side effect and power of the relative few participants. It introduces the desperate need to consider how actions and relationships affect user experiences. The success of social systems requires a high level of diverse participation. This diversity is what ensures the mediation and influence of co-creation and collaborative filtering is not overly narrow.
A Framework for Digital Competence Assessment
Authors: Cartelli Antonio
Published: April 2012

Today, life is more complex and difficult due to uncertainties in society. Liquid life (Bauman, 2006) is frenetic, rapidly changing and highly influenced from information and communication technologies, and forces subjects to adapt to group behavior avoiding exclusion. Human beings are experimenting with the digital age and the pervasiveness of computers and IT/ICT equipment, which are influencing learning and knowledge construction. This raises questions in regard to a privileged role for digital competences in the knowledge society, whether or not there is a framework for digital competence assessment, and possible hints, suggestions, experiments, protocols, or curricula helping teachers in hitting this target with students. This paper answers these questions, describing the evolution of psycho-pedagogical paradigms and their comparisons. A framework for digital competence assessment is proposed and teaching activities are suggested. A proposal of a teaching-learning process called OTS (Open Teaching Process) is also presented.
Digital Literacy in a Lifelong Learning Programme for Adults
Authors: Jimoyiannis Athanassios , Gravani Maria
Published: April 2012

The study presented explores aspects of adult learning on digital literacy in the context of a lifelong learning programme for social cohesion in Greece. The article outlines the framework of the digital literacy subject and underlines its associated objectives regarding adults’ knowledge and competence in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The exploration draws upon the experiences and perceptions of eight adult ICT educators. The findings reveal that the educators tried to use flexible instructional practices that were adjusted to adult learners’ needs and interests. Common effective instructional practices used were: ICT competence sessions, interdisciplinary and multi-literacy lessons, ICT-based projects, individual instruction sessions. Additionally, the article reveals the difficulties that adults faced in the course of developing ICT literacy skills. The paper ends with implications for the design of adult digital literacy courses in lifelong learning programmes, and for the preparation and development of the ICT educators in the years to come.
Patent Issues in eHealth, Especially of North and South Problems on Telemedicine
Authors: Tomioka Yasumitsu
Published: April 2012

This paper intends to specifically verify what patent issues may be encountered in telemedicine, using 2007, 2008, and 2009 International Property Rights Index (IPRI), which is the first international comparative study that measures the significance of both physical and intellectual property rights and their protection for economic well-being. Patent issues acts as a hindrance factor against spreading and promoting telemedicine, and to solve this hindrance factor, i.e., patent issues, and for the purpose of spreading and promoting telemedicine so that the benefit of medicine may reach everybody, including people living in developing countries, it seems extremely important to recognize the presence of “patent issues” in the field of “telemedicine”.
Cancer Cell Image Analysis and Visualization
Authors: Kim Tae-Yun , Hwang Hae-Gil , Choi Heung-Kook
Published: April 2012

We review computerized cancer cell image analysis and visualization research over the past 30 years. Image acquisition, feature extraction, classification, and visualization from two-dimensional to three-dimensional image algorithms are introduced with case studies of bladder, prostate, breast, and renal carcinomas.
Phase Unwrapping Using Energy Minimization Methods for MRI Phase Image
Authors: Adi Kusworo , Mengko Tati L. R. , Suksmono Andriyan B. , Gunawan H.
Published: April 2012

Phase Unwrapping (PU) is reconstruction of absolute phase data from its wrapped phase. The absolute phase cannot be extracted from the wrapped phase data directly. Without phase noise, singularity, and aliasing problems, the phase information can be unwrapped easily. However, the phase data are always contaminated by noise and discontinuities, making the PU process more complicated. Therefore, a suitable PU algorithm is required to address the problems properly. In this method, the energy difference between neighborhood pixels in level 3 is counted, followed by getting the probability value to obtain its total fringes. The capability of the proposed method to unwrap simulated and actual MRI phase images is also demonstrated. In actual MRI phase image, PU can be implemented for water and fat separation.
Embedded Networks in Mobile Devices
Authors: Balandin Sergey , Gillet Michel
Published: April 2012

The concept of a mobile phone has recently transformed into a new concept of mobile multimedia devices capable of performing multiple complex tasks and integrating multiple functionalities. It has resulted in a significant increase of device integration costs and complicated deployment of new technologies. Device integrator companies favor modularity everywhere possible, which results in a new trend toward networked architectures for the mobile devices. However, comparing to the best-known embedded network solutions, e.g., SoC and NoC, these architectures have unique constraints and requirements, which also are significantly different from the wide area networks. The main constraints are power consumption and having a modular architecture to allow reuse of the components. Transition to the new architectures for mobile devices is a time consuming task that requires the analysis of many solutions applied in other contexts, especially for embedded protocols, QoS and resource management. This article reviews the state of the art in embedded networks research and the key assumptions, restrictions and limitations faced by designers of embedded networks architectures for mobile devices.
Service-Oriented Development of Fault Tolerant Communicating Systems
Authors: Laibinis Linas , Troubitsyna Elena , Leppänen Sari
Published: April 2012

Telecommunication systems must have a high degree of availability, that is, a high probability of correct and timely provision of requested services. To achieve this, correctness of software for such systems should be ensured. Application of formal methods helps increase confidence in building correct software. However, to be used in practice, formal methods should be well integrated into existing development process. In this paper, the authors propose a formal model-driven approach to development of communicating systems. The authors formalize and extend the Lyra approach—a top-down service-oriented method for development of communicating systems. Lyra is based on transformation and decomposition of models expressed in UML2. The authors formalize Lyra in the B Method by proposing a set of formal specification and refinement patterns reflecting the essential models and transformations of the Lyra phases. Moreover, this paper extends Lyra to integrate reasoning about fault tolerance in the entire development flow.
Knowledge in Universities and Research Centres
Authors: Ordóñez de Pablos Patricia
Published: April 2012

The knowledge economy and society is based on the creation, use, and dissemination of knowledge. There is no doubt universities and research centres play a vital role in the knowledge creation, application, and transfer processes. Against an economic backdrop such as the current one, namely a financial crisis of international proportions, cuts in university and research and development programme funding and the implementation of the Bologna Process, this strategic resource must be suitably managed. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to measure existing knowledge-based resources (intellectual capital) and draw up knowledge maps. This chapter proposes a conceptual framework for analysing relational capital in universities and research centres and presents indicators for measuring each of its components.
Overview of Cloud Computing and its Application in E-Learning
Authors: Chao Lee
Published: April 2012

As an introduction, the goal of this chapter is to provide an overview of this book. This book is designed to provide a comprehensive coverage of cloud computing and its application in e-learning. This chapter first provides some technical background about e-learning. It reviews the progress of e-learning along with the improvement of information technology before introducing the history and recent developments in cloud computing. Following the introduction of cloud computing, this chapter describes how e-learning can benefit from cloud computing. Next, the chapter reviews open source products in cloud computing, research areas in cloud computing as well as the recent development in cloud based e-learning. Finally, there is a discussion about the future trend in the cloud computing, followed by conclusions.
Conducting Research in the Cloud
Authors: Arinze Bay , Sylla Cheickna
Published: April 2012

Web 2.0 research is a term for research that uses Web platforms and tools for collaboration, communication, and knowledge generation by researchers who may be geographically dispersed. The new tools allow additional forms of synergistic collaborations between ad-hoc groups of researchers, crowdsourcing of new ideas, and to represent innovative platforms for sharing knowledge more rapidly. In parallel with these new research developments, cloud computing has emerged as a new way to provision and use IT resources to all types of computer users. With cloud computing, computer services are accessed over the Internet in a scalable fashion, and users are abstracted from the actual hardware and software, paying only for resources they use. This chapter discusses how current and future research will make use of cloud computing and how Web 2.0-based research models are transforming how research is conducted globally. It examines these new IT infrastructure models and explores how they can be deployed by organizations and individuals. It then discusses the benefits of cloud computing to the research enterprise and future directions for cloud computing-based research.
Teaching Clouds
Authors: Gillam Lee , Li Bin , O’Loughlin John
Published: April 2012

In this chapter, the authors discuss the scope, content, and technical challenges offered up in the construction and delivery of a 10 week long Cloud Computing module that combines discussions of the principles and key characteristics of Cloud Computing with a series of practical exercises and an implementation-based coursework. The authors present an overview of the core of this module, which starts from the Software, Platform, and Infrastructure (SPI) model and builds from this around SOAP and REST, Hadoop, related paradigms such as Grids and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) computing, and the all-important Service Level Agreement (SLA). The chapter further describes the practical exercises undertaken in lab-based sessions, and the nature of the assessment. It concludes with a brief discussion of the lessons learned to date through this delivery.
Cloud Computing for On-Demand Virtual Desktops and Labs
Authors: Reich Christoph , Hübner Sandra , Kuijs Hendrik
Published: April 2012

Cloud computing is used to provide users with computer resources on-demand any time over the Internet. At the Hochschule Furtwangen University (HFU) students, lecturers, and researchers can leverage cloud computing to enhance their e-learning experience. This chapter presents how cloud computing provides on-demand virtual desktops for problem solving, on-demand virtual labs for special courses, and on-demand collaboration platforms to support research groups. The focus is how cloud services can be used, how they can be integrated into the existing HFU-IT infrastructure, and how new didactic models could look.
Developing a Private Cloud Based IP Telephony Laboratory and Curriculum
Authors: Yuan Dongqing , Lewandowski Cody , Zhong Jiling
Published: April 2012

Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony and Cloud Computing are the two technologies that have been growing rapidly in the IT industry in recent years. Private cloud computing model offers attractive advantages to higher education such as providing scale on demand through the network, rapid platform deployment, and lower costs. IP Telephony curriculum, on the other hand, is very new to IT education and because of the high cost of laboratory equipment; there are very few universities that offer IP Telephony courses. The documentation on IP Telephony laboratory and curriculum is also under-developed. In this chapter, the authors explore how an IT Telephony laboratory can be built upon the private cloud to serve the class. They also develop 21 IP Telephony labs that allow students to practice hands-on skills.
Mobile Cloud Services as Catalysts for Pedagogical Change
Authors: Cochrane Thomas
Published: April 2012

This chapter explores the potential of mobile cloud services to act as catalysts of pedagogical change in tertiary education. Mobile computing has emerged as a significant platform, with worldwide uptake dwarfing traditional desktop and laptop computing. According to the International Telecommunication Union (Acharya & Teltscher, 2010), at the end of 2010, 76% of the world’s population is now own mobile phones (116% in developed countries [by subscription], and 68% in developing countries), and mobile broadband subscriptions to the Internet (940 million) outnumbered fixed broadband connections (555 million). The advent of the iPhone, the iPad, and Android based smartphones have driven the explosion of mobile application development, numbering over 650,000 mobile apps across four main platforms (GSMArena, 2011; Perez, 2011), with many of these apps providing access and interaction with cloud services. Harnessing the potential of these two new computing behemoths within education is still at early stages of development and research. This chapter provides research-informed examples of the impact of mobile cloud services on teaching practice and learner experiences.
Security Issues in Cloud Computing
Authors: Curran Kevin , Carlin Sean , Adams Mervyn
Published: April 2012

Cloud Computing is a distributed architecture that centralizes server resources on a scalable platform so as to provide on demand computing resources and services. Cloud computing has become a variable platform for companies to build their infrastructures upon. If companies are to consider taking advantage of cloud based systems, they will be faced with the task of seriously re-assessing their current security strategy, as well as the cloud-specific aspects that need to be assessed. The authors outline in this chapter what cloud computing is, the various cloud deployment models, and the main security risks and issues that are currently present within the cloud computing industry.
Cross-Layer Techniques and Applications in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Misra Sudip , Khatua Manas
Published: April 2012

Improvement of wireless and sensing technology enabled the design of a new network technology called Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). However, its applications are greatly limited due to the resource constraint nature of wireless sensor nodes and the lack of flexibility in protocol design. Until recently, almost all the WSN protocols were developed for different layers independently based on traditional OSI layered architecture. Nowadays, researchers are envisioning optimized resource utilization by breaking the barrier of layer abstraction. In this chapter, the authors present basic concepts of layered architecture design and its pros and cons for WSN applications followed by a survey on different applications of Cross-Layer Design (CLD) in WSNs. All the different techniques used for CLD are also discussed in detail. They then highlight some guidelines provided for stable and efficient cross-layer design. Finally, the authors indicate some open issues to show the future direction of research in cross-layer protocol design for WSNs. They conclude the chapter with a great hope that the CLD will have widespread use in next generation WSNs communication.
Protocols and Applications of Cross-Layer in Mobility Management
Authors: Chen Yuh-Shyan , Lin Yun-Wei
Published: April 2012

The design of the mobility management is the key issue in the next-generation mobile networks. It is important to provide seamless service switching for a Mobile Station (MS) or a Mobile Node (MN) with uninterrupted services during an IP-based session between different access networks, where IP convergence has led to the co-existence of several IP-based wireless access technologies and the emergence of next generation technologies. Many recent research results of cross-layer design in mobility aim to minimize the data loss rate and delay time during switching so that users do not experience obvious and unacceptable interruptions during the handoff. The cross-layer design is the important approach for mobility management. This chapter mainly introduces and reviews existing protocols and then discusses the possible interest and useful applications of cross-layer in mobility management.
Design and Analysis of Battery-Less Sensor Networks
Authors: Abedi Ali , Schrader Kale
Published: April 2012

One of the major limiting factors preventing wide use of wireless sensor networks in practical scenarios is power consumption. Battery-less or passive sensors promise to alleviate this issue and enable a wide variety of embedded sensor applications such as structural health and vehicular monitoring, biomedical applications, smart homes, and smart grids. Embedding these sensors in structures without the need for changing batteries, their rugged design to withstand harsh environments, and coded communication with multiple access features makes this technology a desirable candidate for a variety of applications. Design and analysis of these sensors from a cross layer point of view is studied in this book chapter. State of the art in fabrication and test of this new class of wireless sensor systems is also reviewed. Interactions between lower layer with passive sensors and upper layer with active sensors—a different perspective on cross layer—is exploited to achieve significant performance gains in terms of signal to noise and interference ratio, correlation peak to side-lobe ratio, operation range, and data rate.
Graphical Passwords
Authors: Catuogno Luigi , Galdi Clemente
Published: April 2012

Authentication is probably one of the main security processes that almost everybody has at one point used. Currently, the most widespread authentication mechanism is based on textual passwords, a well-established approach that, with the growth of users and services, has increasing and serious drawbacks. With the rise of high quality displays and more ergonomic human computer interaction mechanisms such as mice, touch-pads and touch-screens, graphical passwords are credited as a valuable replacement to old-fashioned passwords. In contrast to alphanumerical passwords, graphical authentication mechanisms promise greater memorability and usability. In this chapter, an overview of the state-of-art of this topic is presented, introducing some of the main schemes proposed in current literature. The issues and concerns related to security and usability, which still challenge the researchers in this area, are also discussed.
A Privacy Service for Comparison of Privacy and Trust Policies within SOA
Authors: Allison David S. , EL Yamany Hany F. , Capretz Miriam A.M.
Published: April 2012

Privacy for Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) is required to gain the trust of those who would use the technology. Through the use of an independent Privacy Service (PS), the privacy policies of a service consumer and provider can be compared to create an agreed upon privacy contract. In this chapter, the authors further define a metamodel for privacy policy creation and comparison. A trust element is developed as an additional criterion for a privacy policy. The authors define the PS, outline what operations it must perform to accomplish its goals, and present how the PS operates in different scenarios. They believe the PS, combined with the enhanced metamodel, provides a strong solution for providing privacy in an SOA environment.