bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Shrinking Pipeline in Israeli High Schools
Authors: Eidelman Larisa , Hazzan Orit
Published: May 2011

Worldwide surveys indicate that the number of women studying undergraduate-level computer science (CS) has been constantly decreasing in the last 20 years (Camp, 1997, 2002; Camp, Miller, & Davies, 1999; National Center for Education Statistics, 2004). According to Galpin (2002), the low participation of women in the computing studies is recognized worldwide. As it turns out, the situation is similar among high-school students as well (Davies, Klawe, Nyhus, Sullivan, & Ng, 2000). However, while many studies are carried out at the university level and programs are implemented in order to change the situation, high-school students do not attract such attention. In Israel too, as far as we know, no research has ever been performed that focused on female high-school students studying CS. This article presents such a study. Specifically, it focuses on high-school female students studying advanced-level CS. Based on data collected in Israel, significant differences were found in the percentages of female high-school students studying advanced-level CS among different sectors. More specifically, while the percentage of female high-school students studying advanced-level CS is about 50% for the Arab minority sector, the percentage of female students studying CS at the same level among the Jewish majority sector is only about 25%. Different studies around the world identified various factors that discourage women from studying CS and from persisting in the field. By focusing on the Israeli high-school female students studying CS at the highest level and coming from two sectors, we suggest that the research presented in this article may partially explain the above-mentioned phenomenon. Further findings are presented in Eidelman and Hazzan (2005).
The Social Impact of Gender and Games
Authors: Stockard Jr. Russell
Published: May 2011

An increasingly important area of gender and information technology is that of Internet, computer, and video games. Besides women increasingly playing conventional entertainment-oriented or role-playing games, there are a number of pertinent developments in gaming. They are adver-games, casual games, games for change or “serious” games, and games aimed at women and/or developed by women. Computer and video games are a significant area of interest for a number of reasons. In the United States, games generate substantially more annual revenue than motion picture exhibition, totalling over $11 billion for three consecutive years from 2002 to 2004 (Hollywood Game Daemon, 2004; Traiman, 2005). Research by the Entertainment Software Association indicates that: half of all Americans play computer and video games, with women making up the second largest (demographic) group of gamers. Games are steadily becoming a dominant way that people spend their leisure time, often stealing time away from traditional media, like television. (Games for change mentioned at NYC Council Hearing, 2005) In addition, games often reinforce traditional gender roles (Cassells & Jenkins, 2000) and reproduce negative racial and ethnic stereotypes, even as male players comfortably assume female identities (Baker, 2002). As greater numbers of consumers spend time gaming, the advertising industry has taken notice and is following the population into the game world with advertising. The game enthusiasts comprise a desirable target, freely spending on games and other products. Gamers spend an estimated $700 a year per capita on games (Gamers are spending 700 dollars a year, 2005).
Techno-Femenist View on the Open Source Software Development
Authors: Lin Yuwei
Published: May 2011

Current debate on women in free/libre open source software (FLOSS) tends to fall into the gender stereotype of men and women when coming across to the gender issue. This article stays away from a reductionism that simplifies the gender issue in the FLOSS community to the level of a fight between men and women. Instead of splitting women from men in the FLOSS development, this analysis helps motivate both men and women to work together, reduce the gender gap and improve the disadvantaged statuses of women and a wider users’ community in the FLOSS development. More importantly, it addresses not only the inequality that women face in computing, but also other inequalities that other users face, mainly emerging from the power relationships between expert and lay person (namely, developer and user) in software design. In so doing, the issue at stake is not only to create a welcome environment for women to join the FLOSS development, but also to come up with a better way of encouraging both sexes to collaborate with each other. This article starts from how FLOSS can make a difference for today’s information society, and present some successful stories of implementing FLOSS in developing countries and rural areas to empower women and the minority. Consequently, it discusses the problem of including more women and the minority in the FLOSS development through deconstructing the myth of the programming skill.
Unintended Consequences of Definitions of IT Professionals
Authors: Cukier Wendy
Published: May 2011

Attention to women’s low participation in information technology is framed in Canada and elsewhere in terms of concern over availability of well-qualified human resources (ITAC & IDC, 2002) as well as equity issues (Applewhite, 2002; Ramsey & McCorduck, 2005). In most of these discussions, IT Professional is equated with Computer Scientist or Engineer in spite of the evidence that the profession is more diverse. This article suggests that while those directions are worthwhile, the very definition of “information technology professional” framed in the discourse may have unintended consequences which tend to exclude women. Framed by the literatures on gender and institutionalization of professions, this article applies critical discourse analysis to a variety of “texts” concerning the IT profession in Canada as well as available empirical data. Critical discourse analysis focuses on surfacing the political structures which underlie taken for granted assumptions (Fairclough, 1995). We maintain that while it is critically important to continue to attract females to study computer science and engineering, it is equally important to ensure that multiple paths are available and respected and that narrow definitions are not systemic barriers to the participation of women in the IT profession. In addition, more inclusive definitions which broaden the perspective on information technology (and match the reality of the industry) will promote good technology practices.
Women Returners in the UK IT Industry
Authors: Panteli Niki , Cochliou Despina , Baralou Evangelia
Published: May 2011

IT is a sector that incorporates the newest industries, consisting mainly of young firms and relatively freshly constituted forms of working practices. Despite this, several studies exist to-date that show that opportunities are limited for those women who aspire to have a career in IT. Recent research in the UK has revealed that between 1999 and 2003 the proportion of women in the UK IT workforce fell by almost 50%, from 21% to 12.5%, following steady growth (Platman & Taylor, 2004). The focus of the article is to examine a specific group of female IT staff: women returners. The work presented here explores the factors that often constrain women returners to the IT industry and discusses the findings in relation to the characteristics of the industry; it is part of a bigger study that looks at advancing women in high-tech industries1. If women are not found in positions of influence in the IT industry, one of the most growing industries, then what image is being given to prospective students, their parents and careers advisers? What influence will women have on the future developments within the discipline, hence on the industry itself?
Information Management in Mobile Environments Using a Location-Aware Intelligent Agent System
Authors: Vyas Amrish , Yoon Victoria
Published: May 2011

Recent rise in the level of comfort and demand to access various types of information using mobile devices can be attributed to the advancements in wireless as well as Internet technologies. This demand leads us to the new era of mobile computing. Location-based services (LBS) are engendering new passion in mobile services utilizing users’ location information. Such spatio-temporal information processing entails the need for a dynamic middleware that accurately identifies changing user location and attaches dependent content in real-time without putting extra burden on users. Our work focuses on creating a distributed infrastructure suitable to support such scalable content dissemination. As a result this chapter offers a conceptual framework, location-aware intelligent agent system (LIA) in integration with publish/subscribe middleware to comprehensively address dynamic content dissemination and related issues. We discuss the operational form of our framework in terms of PUSH and PULL strategies.
Relevance of Mobile Computing in the Field of Medicine
Authors: Martins Henrique M.G. , Jones Matthew R.
Published: May 2011

Mobile information and communication technologies (MICTs) are widely promoted as increasing the efficiency of work practices in many business sectors, including healthcare. There are numerous types of mobile computing devices available that provide users with capabilities that can be applied in a wide range of different work settings. Case studies of the use of different MICT devices by doctors in different hospital settings indicate that while some doctors easily adopt MICT devices and find them a helpful tool, others encounter problems with their usage and, in fact, a majority do not use MICTs at all. This chapter deals with identification of five factors influencing the uptake of MICTs in clinical work practices and proposes a framework for analysing their interactions with the aim of increasing its uptake in medicine.
Mobility in Healthcare for Remote Intensive Care Unit Clinical Management
Authors: McGregor Carolyn
Published: May 2011

This chapter reviews current research directions in healthcare mobility and assesses its impact on the provision of remote intensive care unit (ICU) clinical management. Intensive care units boast a range of state of the art medical monitoring devices to monitor a patient’s physiological parameters. They also have devices such as ventilators to offer mechanical life support. Computing and IT support within ICUs has focused on monitoring the patients and delivering corresponding alarms to care providers. However many intensive care unit admissions are via intra and inter health care facility transfer, requiring receiving care providers to have access to patient information prior to the patient’s arrival. This indicates that opportunities exist for mobile gadgets, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) to substantially increase the efficiency and effectiveness of processes surrounding healthcare in the ICUs. The challenge is to transcend the use of these mobile devices beyond the current usage for personal information management and static medical applications; also to overcome the challenges of screen size and memory limitations. Finally, the deployment of mobile-enabled solutions within the healthcare domain is hindered by privacy, cost and security considerations and a lack of standards. These are some of the significant topics discussed in this chapter.
The Evaluation of Wireless Devices Used by Staff at Westmead Hospital, Sydney
Authors: Lazarus Sandra Synthia
Published: May 2011

This chapter reports on a study to research and evaluate the use of latest generation wireless devices—typically personal digital assistant devices (PDAs)—by clinical staff at the large Westmead Hospital located in the west of Sydney, Australia. Currently, medical reports in this and other hospitals are primarily recorded on paper supported by personal computers at nursing stations. However, there is very little or no access to medical reports and decision-making tools for medical diagnosis at the patient’s bedside—the precise location at which most medical decision-making occurs. Delays in access to essential medical information can result in an increased time taken for accurate diagnosis and commencement of appropriate medical management of patients. This chapter discusses the application of hand held devices into more powerful processing tools connected to a centralised hospital data repository that can support medical applications.
Mobile Comprehensive Emergency System
Authors: El-Masri Samir
Published: May 2011

This chapter is an application of Mobile Web Services into the health sector and specifically to the emergency system where the communication between a number of parties is critical in terms of time, efficiency and errors. The proposed application is to implement a mobile system based on cellular phone network in ambulances. It will equip doctors with mobile devices that have the capability to be connected to the Internet network with a bandwidth that makes it feasible for the doctor and the ambulance to access the health record of a patient from the database and to communicate with hospitals with enough speed. This chapter will illustrate the new proposed Mobile Comprehensive Emergency System (MCES) application that is based on Web services provided by static and mobile servers. The implementation of this new system will enhance the current system communication and make it more reliable, consistent, quick and free of human errors.
Application of Mobile Technologies in Healthcare Diagnostics and Administration
Authors: Vanjara Ketan
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores various advancements in mobile devices and corresponding software applications that enhance diagnostics and administration in the healthcare domain. This chapter further proposes networking and integration of these devices with the existing networks and devices as further development in healthcare.
Information Delivery for Mobile Business
Authors: Yang C. C. , Wang F. L.
Published: May 2011

In this information-centric age, an organization needs to access the most update and accurate information for fast decision making. Mobile access to Internet provides convenient and portable access to a huge information space. However, loading and visualizing large documents on mobile devices is impossible due to their natural shortcomings such as screen size and computing power. In this chapter, we introduce the fractal summarization model, based on fractal theory, for document summarization on mobile devices. This model generates a brief skeleton of summary at the first stage, and the details of the summary on different levels of the document are generated on demands from users. Such interactive summarization reduces the computation load, which is ideal for wireless access. On the other hand, the hierarchical display in fractal summarization is more suitable for navigation of a large document and it is ideal for small area display. The automatic summarization together with the three-tier architecture and the information visualization are potential solutions to the existing problems in information delivery to mobile devices for mobile business.
Mobility Support Resource Management for Mobile Networks
Authors: Islam Mohammad Mahfuzul , Murshed Manzur
Published: May 2011

Limitation of wireless resources is the main obstacle for meeting the widespread demands in the cellular network technology. The crisis of resources is further augmented when reservation is made for supporting the migrating users from the neighbouring cells. Many mobility support advanced technologies and mobile communications protocols have been developed to optimally utilize wireless resources. Some policies support the heterogeneous access technologies for multimedia services in mobile networks. Some other policies exploit the mobility information from the current and neighbouring cells to dynamically adjust the key components of resource management such as resource reservation, resource allocation, and call admission control policy to adapt quickly with network traffic changes. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of various methods to explain the mechanisms for managing these key components of resource management for cellular networks.
Systems, Handheld Devices, and Payment Methods for Mobile Commerce
Authors: Hu Wen-Chen , Wiiggen Tom , Yang Hung-Jen
Published: May 2011

The emergence of wireless and mobile networks has made possible the introduction of electronic commerce to a new application and research subject: mobile commerce. Understanding or constructing a mobile commerce system is an arduous task because the system involves a wide variety of disciplines and technologies. This chapter tries to relieve this problem by giving careful studies of three themes of mobile commerce: (1) mobile commerce systems and transactions of which a system includes six components: (a) mobile commerce applications, (b) mobile handheld devices, (c) mobile middleware, (d) wireless networks, (e) wired networks, and (f) host computers; (2) mobile handheld devices, which are the communication devices between mobile applications and users and also include six major components: (a) a mobile operating system, (b) a mobile central processor unit, (c) a microbrowser, (d) input/output devices, (e) a memory, and (f) batteries; and (3) mobile payment methods, which include macro- and micro- payment methods. Other important issues, such as mobile commerce transactions and mobile security properties, are also discussed.
Introducing Mobile Technology into an Australian City Council
Authors: Curry Joanne Marie
Published: May 2011

In an ongoing bid to provide high quality local government services, Penrith City Council partnered with the University of Western Sydney to derive a mobile strategy for the development of a range of handheld systems for use in the field. Several R&D projects aimed at determining the viability of using mobile technology for the conduct of off-site health, building and development and sewerage inspections and the allocation of parking and waste management infringements were conducted over a two-year period. Some significant issues relating specifically to the implementation of mobile technologies in a large Australian city council were encountered including: release hype vs. the implementation realities of mobile technology, technological options for the introduction of mobility, user acceptance of new technologies, management of client expectations, and local government standards and guidelines and their impact on development directions. The experiences and lessons that were learned from these projects can be of assistance to other local government agencies and similar organisations employing a heterogeneous workforce that is restrained by external legislation and policy.
Principle Component Analysis
Authors: Zhang David , Jing Xiao-Yuan , Yang Jian
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we first describe some basic concepts of PCA, a useful statistical technique that can be used in many fields, such as face patterns and other biometrics. Then, we introduce PCA definitions and related technologies. Following, we discuss non-linear PCA technologies. Finally, some useful conclusions are summarized.
Neural Network Models for Estimation of Balance Control, Detection of Imbalance, and Estimation of Falls Risk
Authors: Hahn Michael E. , Farley Arthur M. , Chou Li-Shan
Published: May 2011

Gait patterns of the elderly are often adjusted to accommodate for reduced function in the balance control system. Recent work has demonstrated the effectiveness of artificial neural network (ANN) modeling in mapping gait measurements onto descriptions of whole body motion during locomotion. Accurate risk assessment is necessary for reducing incidence of falls. Further development of the balance estimation model has been used to test the feasibility of detecting balance impairment using tasks of sample categorization and falls risk estimation. Model design included an ANN and a statistical discrimination method. Sample categorization results reached accuracy of 0.89. Relative risk was frequently assessed at high or very high risk for experiencing falls in a sample of balance impaired older adults. The current model shows potential for detecting balance impairment and estimating falls risk, thereby indicating the need for referral for falls prevention intervention.
Appendix A
Authors: Trajkovski Goran
Published: May 2011

The first part of this appendix presents three approaches in defining the fuzzy version (generalization) of the mathematical graph structure: graphs with fuzzy vertices, graphs with fuzzy edges, and graphs with fuzzy vertices and edges. Their advantages and shortcomings are discussed briefly. Fuzzy graphs are observed in the light of fuzzy relations theory, and as a generalization of the notion of random graph. In the second part, we generalize some fuzzy algebraic structures towards not only [0, 1] valued, but lattice, poset, and relational structured valued structures. It is exciting to see how powerful a modeling tool they are, and also to see how classical results continue to hold as but a special case of the new results.
Enriching Computer Support for Constructionism
Authors: Beynon Meurig , Roe Chris
Published: May 2011

The dominant emphasis in current e-learning practice is instructionist in character. This is surprising when we consider that the benefits of constructionism as a learning paradigm are so widely recognised. Moreover, though the constructionist philosophy can be seen as applying to activities that are not necessarily computer based (such as bricolage and concept mapping), its modern application in educational technology has been closely linked with computer use. In particular, Papert’s work on mathematical education through Logo programming has both informed the original concept of constructionism and been a major influence over subsequent computer-based constructionist developments. This chapter questions whether — despite these precedents — traditional computer programming paradigms are well suited for the constructionist educational agenda. It argues that other approaches to computer model building, such as those based on spreadsheet principles, are in fact much better aligned to the objectives of constructionism. Building on this basis, it proposes that more effective computer support for the constructionist perspective can potentially be offered by Empirical Modelling (EM). Adopting this approach demands a reappraisal of the relationship between the formal and the informal with relevance for education, mathematics, and computing.
Collaborative Geographic Information Systems
Authors: Balram Shivanand , Dragicevic Suzana
Published: May 2011

This study describes the origins, boundaries, and structures of collaborative geographic information systems (CGIS). A working definition is proposed, together with a discussion about the subtle collaborative vs. cooperative distinction, and culminating in a philosophical description of the research area. The literatures on planning and policy analysis, decision support systems, and geographic information systems (GIS) and science (GIScience) are used to construct a historical footprint. The conceptual linkages between GIScience, public participation GIS (PPGIS), participatory GIS (PGIS), and CGIS are also outlined. The conclusion is that collaborative GIS is centrally positioned on a participation spectrum that ranges from the individual to the general public, and that an important goal is to use argumentation, deliberation, and maps to clearly structure and reconcile differences between representative interest groups. Hence, collaborative GIS must give consideration to integrating experts with the general public in synchronous and asynchronous space-time interactions. Collaborative GIS provides a theoretical and application foundation to conceptualize a distributive turn to planning, problem solving, and decision making.
Collaborative Mapping and GIS
Authors: Mac Gillavry Edward
Published: May 2011

The collection and dissemination of geographic information has long been the prerogative of national mapping agencies. Nowadays, location-aware mobile devices could potentially turn everyone into a mapmaker. Collaborative mapping is an initiative to collectively produce models of real-world locations online that people can then access and use to virtually annotate locations in space. This chapter describes the technical and social developments that underpin this revolution in mapmaking. It presents a framework for an alternative geographic information infrastructure that draws from collaborative mapping initiatives and builds on established Web technologies. Storing geographic information in machine-readable formats and exchanging geographic information through Web services, collaborative mapping may enable the “napsterisation” of geographic information, thus providing complementary and alternative geographic information from the products created by national mapping agencies.
A Recurrent Probabilistic Neural Network for EMG Pattern Recognition
Authors: Tsuji Toshio , Bu Nan , Fukuda Osamu
Published: May 2011

In the field of pattern recognition, probabilistic neural networks (PNNs) have been proven as an important classifier. For pattern recognition of EMG signals, the characteristics usually used are: (1) amplitude, (2) frequency, and (3) space. However, significant temporal characteristic exists in the transient and non-stationary EMG signals, which cannot be considered by traditional PNNs. In this article, a recurrent PNN, called recurrent log-linearized Gaussian mixture network (R-LLGMN), is introduced for EMG pattern recognition, with the emphasis on utilizing temporal characteristics. The structure of R-LLGMN is based on the algorithm of a hidden Markov model (HMM), which is a routinely used technique for modeling stochastic time series. Since R-LLGMN inherits advantages from both HMM and neural computation, it is expected to have higher representation ability and show better performance when dealing with time series like EMG signals. Experimental results show that R-LLGMN can achieve high discriminant accuracy in EMG pattern recognition.
Myoelectric Teleoperation of a Dual-Arm Manipulator Using Neural Networks
Authors: Tsuji Toshio , Tsujimura Kouji , Tanaka Yoshiyuki
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, an advanced intelligent dual-arm manipulator system teleoperated by EMG signals and hand positions is described. This myoelectric teleoperation system employs a probabilistic neural network, so called log-linearized Gaussian mixture network (LLGMN), to gauge the operator’s intended hand motion from EMG patterns measured during tasks. In addition, an event-driven task model using Petri net and a non-contact impedance control method are introduced to allow a human operator to maneuver a couple of robotic manipulators intuitively. A set of experimental results demonstrates the effectiveness of the developed prototype system.
Automated Software Testing
Authors: Donegan Paula , Bandeira Liane , Matos Cristina , da Cunha Paula Luciana , Maia Camilla
Published: May 2011

This chapter approaches paramount aspects related to test automation, introducing the importance of implementation in the software market and essential bases, such as adjustment to the organizational reality and establishment of an efficient strategy. Types of tools and directives for a successful implantation are presented. Test automation has been considered the main measure taken to enhance test efficiency — fundamental in the software-development process. Responsible for verifying and/or validating the quality of the executable product compared to performed documentation and client requirements. Therefore, with the chapter content here provided, we aim to provide the reader with an understanding of test automation and grant relevant orientations to assist implementing it.
Requirements for the Testable Specification and Test Case Derivation in Conformance Testing
Authors: Toroi Tanja , Eerola Anne
Published: May 2011

Interoperability of software systems is a critical, ever-increasing requirement in software industry. Conformance testing is needed to assure conformance of software and interfaces to standards and other specifications. In this chapter we shortly refer to what has been done in conformance testing around the world and in Finland. Also, testability requirements for the specifications utilized in conformance testing are proposed and test-case derivation from different kinds of specifications is examined. Furthermore, we present a conformance-testing environment for the healthcare domain, developed in an OpenTE project, consisting of different service-specific and shared testing services. In our testing environment testing is performed against open interfaces, and test cases can, for example, be in XML (extensible markup language) or CDA R2 (clinical document architecture, Release 2) form.
The STECC Framework - An Architecture for Self-Testable Components
Authors: Beydeda Sami
Published: May 2011

Development of a software system from existing components can surely have various benefits, but can also entail a series of problems. One type of problem is caused by a limited exchange of information between the developer and user of a component. A limited exchange and thereby a lack of information can have various consequences, among them the requirement to test a component prior to its integration into a software system. A lack of information cannot only make testing prior to integration necessary; it can also complicate this task. However, difficulties in testing can be avoided if certain provisions to increase testability are taken beforehand. This article briefly describes a new form of improving testability of, particularly commercial, components, the self-testing COTS components (STECC) strategy and explains in detail the STECC framework, which implements the necessary technical architecture to augment Java components with self-testability.
Efficient Software Quality Assurance Approaches Oriented to UML Models in Real Life
Authors: Fernandez Luis , Lara Pedro J. , Cuadrado Juan José
Published: May 2011

UML is accepted as the standard notation for object-oriented (OO) development. UML models have a widespread use in today’s software practices. Any initiative to improve software quality assurance (SQA) should assume that a high percentage of deliverables to be controlled are currently based on the use of UML notation. However, real life projects are strongly influenced by the need of reaching tangible productivity and efficiency goals. SQA techniques should be customized to meet the balance between quality and budget supported by risk analysis. In this chapter, different strategies and techniques devised to follow the above philosophy of efficiency are presented, especially centred in automatic testing generation from specifications. Our proposal is mainly based on a recommended course of action as well as on integrated tool support for Eclipse environments.
Safecharts Model Checking for the Verfication of Safety-Critical Systems
Authors: Hsiung Pao-Ann. , Lin Yen-Hung , Chen Yean-Ru
Published: May 2011

Unintentional design faults in safety-critical systems might result in injury or even death to human beings. However, the safety verification of such systems is getting very difficult because designs are becoming very complex. To cope with high design complexity, model-driven architecture (MDA) design is becoming a well-accepted trend. However, conventional methods of code testing and hazard analysis do not fit very well with MDA. To bridge this gap, we propose a safecharts model-based formal verification technique for safety-critical systems. The safety constraints in safecharts are mapped to semantic equivalents in timed automata. The theory for safety verification is proved and implemented in the SGM model checker. Prioritized and urgent transitions are implemented in SGM to model the safe chart risk semantics. Finally, it is shown that priority-based approach to mutual exclusion of resource usage in safecharts is unsafe and solutions are proposed. Application examples show the benefits of the proposed model-driven verification method.
Making Real Progress with the Requirements Defects Problem
Authors: Dromey R. Geoff
Published: May 2011

Requirements defects remain a significant problem in the development of all software intensive systems including information systems. Progress with this fundamental problem is possible once we recognize that individual functional requirements represent fragments of behavior, while a design that satisfies a set of functional requirements represents integrated behavior. This perspective admits the prospect of constructing a design out of its requirements. A formal representation for individual functional requirements, called behavior trees makes this possible. Behavior trees of individual functional requirements may be composed, one at a time, to create an integrated design behavior tree (DBT). Different classes of defects are detected at each stage of the development process. Defects may be found at the translation to behavior trees, and then at the integration of behavior trees and when individual component behavior trees are projected from the DBT. Other defects may be found by inspection and model-checking of the DBT.
User Participation in the Quality Assurance of Requirements Specifications
Authors: Knoell Heinz D.
Published: May 2011

Improper specification of systems requirements has thwarted many splendid efforts to deliver high-quality information systems. Scholars have linked this problem to, between others, poor communication among systems developers and users at this stage of systems development. Some believe that specifying requirements is the most important and the most difficult activity in systems development. However, limitations in human information processing capabilities and the inadequacy of the structures available for communicating specifications and obtaining feedback and validation help to exacerbate the difficulty. This chapter presents an overview of both longstanding and newer requirements specification models and evaluates their capability to advance user participation in this process and incorporate stated quality attributes. It also reports on preliminary evaluations of animated system engineering (ASE), the author’s preferred (newer) technique, which indicate that it has the capability to improve the specification effectiveness.
Expert-Novice Differences and Adaptive Multimedia
Authors: Kalyuga Slava
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides an overview of theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence for the design of adaptive multimedia that is tailored to individual levels of user expertise to optimize cognitive resources available for learning. Recent studies indicate that multimedia design principles that benefit low-knowledge users may disadvantage more experienced ones due to increase in cognitive load required for integration of presented information with available knowledge base. The major implication for multimedia design is the need to tailor instructional formats to individual levels of expertise. The suggested adaptive procedure is based on empirically-established interactions between levels of user proficiency and formats of multimedia presentations (the expertise reversal effect), and on real-time monitoring of users’ expertise using rapid cognitive diagnostic methods.
Business Model Typology for Mobile Commerce
Authors: Derballa Volker , Pousttchi Key , Turowski Klaus
Published: May 2011

Mobile technology enables enterprises to invent new business models by applying new forms of organization or offering new products and services. In order to assess these new business models, there is a need for a methodology that allows classifying mobile commerce business models according to their typical characteristics. For that purpose a business model typology is introduced. Doing so, building blocks in the form of generic business model types are identified, which can be combined to create concrete business models. The business model typology presented is conceptualized as generic as possible to be generally applicable, even to business models that are not known today.
Security and Trust in Mobile Multimedia
Authors: Weippl Edgar R.
Published: May 2011

While security in general is increasingly well addressed, both mobile security and multimedia security are still areas of research undergoing major changes. Mobile security is characterized by small devices that, for instance, make it difficult to enter long passwords and that cannot perform complex cryptographic operations due to power constraints. Multimedia security has focused on digital rights management and watermarks; as we all know, there are yet no good solutions to prevent illegal copying of audio and video files.
Mobile Multimedia Collaborative Services
Authors: Thanh Do Van , Jorstad Ivar , Dustdar Schahram
Published: May 2011

Mobile communication and Web technologies have paved the way for mobile multimedia collaborative services that allows people, team and organisation to collaborate in dynamic, flexible and efficient manner. Indeed, it should be possible to establish and terminate collaborative services with any partner anytime at anywhere on any network and any device. While severe requirements are imposed on collaborative services, their development and deployment should be simple and less time-consuming. The design, implementation, deployment and operation of collaborative services meet challenging issues that need to be resolved. The chapter starts with a study of collaboration and the different collaboration forms. An overview of existing collaborative services will be given. A generic model of mobile collaborative services is explained together with the basic collaborative services. A service oriented architecture platform supporting mobile multimedia collaborative services is described. To illustrate the development of mobile multimedia collaborative service, an example is given.
Middleware Support for Context-Aware Ubiquitous Multimedia Services
Authors: Yu Zhiwen , Zhang Daqing
Published: May 2011

In order to facilitate the development and proliferation of multimedia services in ubiquitous environment, a context-aware multimedia middleware is indispensable. This chapter discusses the middleware support issues for context-aware multimedia services. The enabling technologies for the middleware such as representation model, context management, and multimedia processing are described in detail. On top of our previous work, the design and implementation of a context-aware multimedia middleware, called CMM, is presented. The infrastructure integrates both functions of context middleware and multimedia middleware. This chapter also aims to give an overview of underlying technologies so that researchers in ubiquitous multimedia domain can understand the key design issues of such a middleware.
Mobility Prediction for Multimedia Services
Authors: Charlet Damien , Lassabe Frédéric , Canalda Philippe , Chatonnay Pascal , Spies François
Published: May 2011

Advances in technology have enabled a proliferation of mobile devices and a broad spectrum of novel and out breaking solutions for new applications and services. In the present, more and more people and companies are demanding mobile access to multimedia services such as real-time rich media. Today, it is necessary to be able to predict adaptation behaviour which concerns and addresses not only the mobile usage or the infrastructure availability, but the service quality especially the continuity of service. Our chapter provides insight to new challenges of mobile multimedia services and applications: Wifi indoor positioning system adapted to heterogeneous building, static and learning mobility prediction, predictive handover policy for multimedia cache management, mobile multimedia guide (such as museum), and network scalability.
Mobile Magazines
Authors: Pfeifer Tom , Downes Barry
Published: May 2011

Mobile magazines will be magazines on a mobile computing and communication platform (in contrast to print magazines about mobile technologies), providing valuable, current multi-media content. However, there is a gap in the value chain between mobile operators and content publishers, hindering established small and medium sized publishers to enter the mobile market despite its commercial potential. A mobile operator publishing and entertainment platform enables the creation of a new category of mobile service called a mobile magazine. An m-Mag (mobile magazine) eco-system is a next generation mobile publishing service that is made available from a mobile operator’s portal, that is integrated with value added mobile data services and that uses the operator’s billing capabilities to charge consumers for access to the magazine. Using Parlay/OSA as an open approach, the m-Mag platform can integrate into an operator’s network using standardised APIs and is portable across different operator networks. A discussion of the commercial potential analyses the route to the market.
Tracing Cyber Crimes with a Privacy-Enabled Forensic Profiling System
Authors: Kahai Pallavi , Namuduri Kamesh , Pense Ravi
Published: May 2011

Security incidents that threaten the normal functioning of the organization are on the rise. In order to resist network attacks most organizations employ security measures. However, there are two sides of the problem at hand. First, it is important to secure the networks against new vulnerabilities. Second, collection of evidence without intruding on the privacy, in the event of an attack, is also necessary. The lack of robust attribution mechanism precludes the apprehension of cyber criminals. The implementation of security features and forensic analysis should be such that the privacy is preserved. We propose a forensic profiling system which accommodates real-time evidence collection as a network feature and uses a mechanism to keep the privacy intact.
Baseic Steganalysis for the Digital Media Forensics Examiner
Authors: Agaian Sos S. , Rodriguez Benjamin M.
Published: May 2011

This chapter focuses on the development of digital forensic steganalysis tools/methods through analysis and evaluation of the most popular “sample pair” steganalysis techniques—the key concept in cyber crime—for the digital media forensics examiner, specializing in the analysis, identification, and interpretation of concealed digital evidence. Success and proper implementation of a digital forensic steganalysis system is dependent of several necessary steps. The basic steps are to describe and implement a new generation of steganalysis systems applicable for various embedding methods in order to allow efficient, accurate, low-cost, and fast digital forensic analysis; and to make these methods applicable for automatic detection of steganographic information within noisy network environments while striving to provide a satisfactory performance in comparison with present technology. All efforts will allow the final goal to be reached which is the development of a digital forensic steganalysis system to aid law enforcement agencies involved in the field of cyber crime investigation. The presented techniques will be based on the statistics of sample pairs (the basic unit), rather than individual samples, which are very sensitive to least significant bit embedding. Particularly, in this chapter we discuss the process and necessary considerations inherent in the development of steganalysis methods applied for problems of reliable detection, estimation length, and localization of hidden data within various forms/models of digital images.
Development of Outsourcing Theory and Practice
Authors: De Vita Glauco , Wang Catherine L.
Published: May 2011

This chapter tracks the evolution of outsourcing theory and practice in order to develop a taxonomy of outsourcing generations. Our taxonomy identifies three generations, distinguished according to several definitional criteria: key drivers, outsourcing activities, relational features, critical success factors and performance measurement. Case study evidence consistent with the taxonomy proposed provides support to its efficacy as a valuable analytical platform for the study of outsourcing as a dynamic construct.
Strategies of Outsourcing
Authors: Banerjee Parthasarathi
Published: May 2011

This chapter investigates conditions when economic profit can be made from outsourcing. In order to have profit a firm must pursue strategies of cooperation while outsourcing business processes. Strategic interdependence between the client and the provider firms has led us to look into the maneuverability of one structure by the other. The client firm in order to de-risk its business from risks generated by its own structure outsources part of the business. The structure of the outsourced partner, described sometimes as the extended enterprise, together with the structure of its client generate endogenous demand for outsourcing. Structures are the sources of demand here. Boundaries of the two structures become fuzzy, and transactions in intermediate outsourced goods shift the management of coordination between the two firms to a novel platform. Now each firm forms an expectation on what the counterparty expects, and through this the parties evolve norm. Norm based transaction leads to uncertainty and this uncertainty is the source of an entrepreneurial profit. Outsourcing when undertaken strategically thus might lead to a profit solution.
Outsourcing Decision-Making
Authors: Ho Luke , Atkins Anthony S.
Published: May 2011

In recent years, outsourcing deals have increased in number and the strategic importance of the decision-making process has correspondingly increased. This chapter reviews various strategic frameworks that practitioners have attempted to develop for outsourcing decision-making and highlights the differences between proposed theories and current practice. While outsourcing decision-making is multi-faceted in nature, the frameworks reviewed appear to be largely mono-faceted in coverage, which indicates potential inadequacies in existing capabilities. The chapter proposes a framework to address such inadequacies by means of a tri-perspective approach, which extends the decision-making process to take into consideration issues from multiple domains. The proposed framework highlights a wide variety ofissues, ranging from the need to maintain internal expertise, to how national legislations can enforce unique constraints on the outsourcing decision-making process. The framework also attempts to provide a multi-perspective approach, which is required of current outsourcing decision-making practices, to enable both quantitative measurements and qualitative articulations.
Open Source and Outsourcing
Authors: St. Amant Kirk
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines the role of open source software (OSS) in international outsourcing practices that involve the transfer of knowledge work from one nation to another. Included in this examination are discussions of the benefits and the limitations of OSS use in outsourcing. The chapter also presents organization-specific and industry-wide strategies for effective OSS use in outsourcing situations. The chapter then concludes with a discussion of areas of international outsourcing where OSS might have important future applications or effects. The purpose of such an examination is to provide readers with the knowledge and the insights needed to make effective decisions related to the use of OSS in international outsourcing situations.