bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enterprise-wide Strategic Information Systems Planning for Shanghai Bell Corporation
Authors: Long Yuan , Nah Fiona Fuihoon , Zhu Zhanbei
Published: October 2011

In response to increasing competition and technological advancement, Shanghai Bell Corporation, Limited, a leading telecommunications enterprise located in Shanghai, China, carried out a major initiative to develop its next generation Information Technology/ Information Systems (IT/IS) strategic plan. The initiative was prompted by limitations of its current enterprise application systems where the systems were neither able to keep up with the evolving needs due to organizational change nor satisfy the increasing demands for information sharing and data analysis. This case describes the environmental and organizational context of Shanghai Bell Corporation, and the problems and challenges it encountered in developing an enterprise-wide strategic IT/IS plan. The issues covered include alignment of IT strategy with evolving business needs, application of a methodology to develop the strategic IT/IS plan, and evaluation of strategic planning project success.
Implementation of a Personnel Management System "Beaufort"
Authors: Bondarouk Tatyana V.
Published: October 2011

This case study describes experience of a larger general hospital in the Netherlands in the implementation of a personnel management system Beaufort. The case shows clearly that there are variations in users behaviors and acceptance of the new system in the two phases due to differences in technical and human issues. IT implementation processes are described in detail within the context of a decentralized organization.
Public Sector Data Management in a Developing Economy
Authors: Law Wai K.
Published: October 2011

This case discusses a situation where a government agency was tasked with the compilation of important economic data. Confused systems design, poorly trained workers, diminishing budget and obsolete standard operation procedures caused deterioration of data outputs. Questionable quality of the data products and different interpretations of information value threatened the future of the unit.
Outsourcing Systems Management
Authors: Papp Raymond
Published: October 2011

This case highlights focus on business process outsourcing solutions with Acclaris. Due to recent growth, this company is rethinking its own strategy of outsourcing their intranet. They are exploring three options to ensure that their technology strategies will continue to be aligned with their organizational goals. These options include continuing to outsource with Internets.com, purchasing/leasing their own server, or moving toward a portal solution.
Case Study of the St. Paul Companies Virtual Office for the Risk Control Division
Authors: Johnson Nancy J.
Published: October 2011

The St. Paul Companies has successfully implemented a virtual office (VO) working environment for their U.S. distributed construction risk control and commercial risk control employees over the past six years. The program goals of operating more cost effectively, increasing contact of the risk control specialists with their customers, and reducing office space costs for The St. Paul Companies have been met. There are many good practices that have been developed over the six years of offering the program, and more refinements and changes planned. As the communications and computer technologies advance, facilitation of working from remote sites improves. While it is easier for employees to work from remote sites, maintaining the boundaries between work and personal lives is more challenging. Improving the VO employees and corporate employees understanding of the others working conditions is necessary to improve relationships and the acceptance of change. The concept of VO work is well established within the organization, and the demand for it is growing.
Information Systems & Technology Outsourcing
Authors: Rose Jeremy , Hackney Ray
Published: October 2011

This case concerns an information systems and technology (IS/IT) action research intervention into a train operating company in the newly privatized rail industry in the United Kingdom. Having operated for many years as a nationalized industry under government control, but outside the strictly commercial sector, the new company found itself in the position of having many of its important IS/IT systems being run by separate companies it was outsourced without ever having made an outsourcing decision. The project involved information management in the maintenance wing of the company. After the event, analysis of the problem situation revealed the extent of the companys IS/IT management difficulties. Many of these problems were directly attributable to privatization and the outsourcing arrangements imposed upon the new company. The lessons from the case cast serious doubts upon the long-term benefits of outsourcing key systems and are believed to represent a significant learning vehicle relating to IS/IT adoption and exploitation.
Mobile Technology
Authors: Cragg Paul , Chapman Prue
Published: October 2011

Mobile Technology (MT) is a small/medium-sized electronics manufacturer that has been very successful and grown rapidly in recent years. Its innovative products are exported to many parts of the world. The firm relies heavily on information technology and has many staff with very sophisticated computer expertise, yet it has no IS department and has only just appointed an IS manager. The firms IS staff are part of an EDP team that provides IS services to all parts of MT. However, the firm is soon to be restructured into nine separate business units. This case focuses on where the firm should place its IS staff following this restructuring. The main alternatives facing management are for either a centralised or decentralised IS department.
Telemedicine and Business Process Redesign at the Department of Defense
Authors: Rodgers James A. , Pendharkar Parag C.
Published: October 2011

This case is designed to relate the rationale used by the Department of Defense and the Test and Evaluation (T&E) Integrated Product Team, in order to determine the military utility of the Joint Medical Operations Telemedicine Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (JMO-T ACTD). The paper also develops Critical Operational Issues (COI) and Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) as methodologies for investigating military utility of telemedicine. In order to meet increasing global crises, the U.S. military must find ways to more effectively manage manpower and time. Joint Medical Operations Telemedicine (JMO-T) has been developed by the Department of Defense (DOD) to collect and transmit near-real-time, far-forward medical data and to assess how this improved capability enhances medical management of the battlespace. JMO-T has been successful in resolving uncertain organizational and technological military deficiencies and in improving medical communications and information management. The deployable, mobile Telemedicine Teams are the centerpieces of JMO-T. These teams have the capability of inserting essential networking and communications capabilities into austere theaters and establishing an immediate means for enhancing health protection, collaborative planning, situational awareness, and strategic decision-making.
Military Applications of Natural Language Processing and Software
Authors: Rodger James A. , Trank Tamara V. , Pendharkar Parag C.
Published: October 2011

A preliminary feasibility study aboard U.S. Navy ships utilized voice interactive technology to improve medical readiness. A focus group was surveyed about reporting methods in health and environmental surveillance inspections to develop criteria for designing a lightweight, wearable computing device with voice interactive capability. The voice interactive computing device included automated user prompts, enhanced data analysis, presentation and dissemination tools in support of preventive medicine. The device was capable of storing, processing and forwarding data to a server. The prototype enabled quick, efficient and accurate environmental surveillance. In addition to reducing the time needed to complete inspections, the device supported local reporting requirements and enhanced command-level intelligence. Where possible, existing technologies were utilized in creating the device. Limitations in current voice recognition technologies created challenges for training and user interface.
IT Based Decision Tools for Item Processing Operations Management in Retail Banking
Authors: Malmborg Charles J.
Published: October 2011

Merit Bank is a multi-line financial services company with $75 billion in assets and approximately 1,000 retail branches distributed across 20 geographic divisions in 16 states. In 1999, Merits retail banking operations generated $2.1 billion of revenues and $1 billion in net income. Over the past decade, Merits aggressive acquisition and consolidation strategy in its retail and commercial banking divisions has significantly increased check processing volumes and motivated major investments in automated imaging technology and branch operations reporting systems. When these investments failed to reduce overall check processing costs, a consulting team was formed to define the breakthrough opportunities and best-in-class management practices needed to restructure under performing operations. By using updated scheduling criteria reflecting current business conditions and more fully exploiting imaging and branch reporting software, the consulting team successfully developed and implemented interfacing tools responsible for significant cost savings in check processing operations.
IS Strategy at NZMilk
Authors: Cragg Paul , McQueen Bob
Published: October 2011

NZmilk is a small, fresh milk supplier that is contemplating using IS to a greater extent to become more competitive. Following deregulation of the industry in 1997, supermarkets and home delivery contractors could purchase milk from wherever they chose, rather than a required local manufacturer. This had opened up both competition and expansion opportunities within the industry. NZmilk recognised that they would have to fight hard to retain and increase their share of the market. They had already lost some of their local market to competitors coming in from outside their region, but had also gained a contract to supply Woolworths supermarkets outside their traditional market area. Improvements to production facilities and distribution systems were in place, but NZmilk knew that a fresh look at how they interacted with their customers would be needed. Their general manager was convinced that information systems had a greater role to play at NZmilk beyond just the accounting and order processing that was presently undertaken. A new direction in using information systems to support NZmilks rapid growth and new strategy was needed, but he was unsure of which way to proceed.
Adopting the Process View
Authors: Bryant Anthony , Syan Veena
Published: October 2011

This case study focuses on the operation of an adoption agency in the UK, illustrating the issues involved in a small, not-for-profit organization seeking to respond to the pressures to streamline and automate its routines and procedures. It illustrates the limitations of inadequately planned IT-centered initiatives, and how such strategies can be redeemed by process-oriented methods specifically those derived from a combined BPR and soft systems approach. It also exemplifies the critical importance of organizational issues and the constraints they impose on effective implementation of IT. The methods involved demonstrate the strengths and limitations of a business process orientation, and show how BPR can be applied to an organization where professionals, employees and volunteers work together and coordinate their activities. The overall conclusions to the case point to ways in which the organizations processes can be improved and aligned; placing it in a far better position to take advantage of IT and associated technologies, both within the organization and with regard to its main sources of support and collaboration. As such it is a case study in organizational preparedness for IT rather than a straightforward study of an IT application.
Long-Term Evolution of a Conceptual Schema
Authors: Wedemeijer Lex
Published: October 2011

Enterprises need data resources that are stable and at the same time flexible to support current and new ways of doing business. However, there is a lack of understanding how flexibility of a Conceptual Schema design is demonstrated in its evolution over time. This case study outlines the evolution of a highly integrated Conceptual Schema in its business environment. A gradual decline in schema quality is observed: size and complexity of the schema increase, understandability and consistency decrease. Contrary to popular belief, it is found that changes arent driven only by accepted causes like new legislation or product innovation. Other change drivers are identified like error correction, changing perceptions of what the information need of the business is and elimination of derived data. The case shows that a real Conceptual Schema is the result of objective design practices as well as the product of negotiation and compromise with the user community.
A Case on Communication Management
Authors: Robra-Bissantz Susanne
Published: October 2011

When Bissantz & Company GmbH, a small software-producing company, experienced a rapid growth in 1997, the need for a strategic concept for communication activities with external partners arose. By that time a research project at the university of Erlangen-Nuremberg, that dealt with structures and strategies of external business communication, had reached a point, where strategic concepts for corporate communication had been developed. Bissantz & Company GmbH and the project team of the university decided to co-operate in a case in order to transfer the theoretical results to a practical situation. The whole concept of corporate communication, that includes, e.g., the definition of communication goals and strategies for all communication forms, proposals for the contents of messages and media selection, was applied to the company. As a result Bissantz & Company GmbH gained valuable insights into its communication processes. The strategic orientation of communication with all stakeholders is still visible and now the basis of e.g., the structure and contents of the companys Web site. A proposal for the use of innovative media for customer care and customer consultation was accepted and initiated the implementation of a database-supported system for all communication activities, especially those with customers.
Prudential Chamberlain Stiehl
Authors: Borchers Andy , Mills Bob
Published: October 2011

This case describes the evolution of an IT architecture for Prudential Chamberlain Stiehl Realtors (PCSR), a 14-office, 250 sales agent real estate firm located in Southeast Michigan. Initially, the CIO of the firm concentrated on providing basic connectivity to sales agents and a simple World Wide Web (WWW) presence. Although this was accepted by users and moved the firm forward technically, management questioned the value of this technology. In the next phase of development, PCSR worked to build a rich set of applications that enhance the firms relationships with clients and agents. At the end of the case, the CIO ponders future moves in technology and their impact on the firms strategy.
Design and Implementation of a Wide Area Network
Authors: Rampal Rohit
Published: October 2011

This case deals with the experience of a school district in the design and implementation of a wide area network. The problems faced by the school district that made the WAN a necessity are enumerated. The choice of hardware and the software is explained within the context of the needs of the school district. Finally the benefits accruing to the school district are identified, and the cost of the overall system is determined.
Leveraging IT and Business Network by a Small Medical Practice
Authors: Poon Simpson , May Daniel
Published: October 2011

Although many medical information technologies require significant financial investment and are often out of reach of small medical practices, it is possible through careful alignment of IT and customer strategy, together with a network of strategic alliances to exploit IT effectively. In this case we present a small cardiology consultancy that has engaged in strategic planning in its attempt to leverage IT expertise to attain competitive advantage. We propose that through a network of alliances, a relatively small medical enterprise can benefit from its limited IT investment. The case study indicates the importance of a team of champions with both IT and medical knowledge and the notion of mutual benefit. We also discuss some of the issues faced by all participants in this alliance relationship. The objectives of this case are to provide readers the opportunity to: 1. Discuss how a small medical practice can leverage skills, expertise and opportunities within a strategic alliance to enhance its competitive advantage without heavy up-front financial investments. 2. Explore how small businesses in the professional and knowledge-based industry can gain strategic advantage through IT. 3. Understand the pros and cons of strategic alliances and potential issues related to building trust, consolidating relationships among members and risk management of such alliances on an ongoing basis. 4. Think about the plausibility of business transformation by moving from one industry (specialised cardiology services) to another (medical informatics).
An Approach to Mobile Grid Platforms for the Development and Support of Complex Ubiquitous Applications
Authors: Bertolli Carlo , Buono Daniele , Mencagli Gabriele , Vanneschi Marco
Published: October 2011

Several complex and time-critical applications require the existence of novel distributed, heterogeneous and dynamic platforms composed of a variety of fixed and mobile processing nodes and networks. Such platforms, that can be called Pervasive Mobile Grids, aim to merge the features of Pervasive Computing and Highperformance Grid Computing onto a new emerging paradigm. In this Chapter we study a methodology for the design and the development of high-performance, adaptive and context-aware applications. We describe a programming model approach, and we compare it with other existing research works in the field of Pervasive Mobile Computing, discussing the rationales of the requirements and the features of a novel programming model for the target platforms and applications. In order to exemplify the proposed methodology we introduce our programming framework ASSISTANT, and we provide some interesting future directions in this research field.
Service-Oriented Architectures for Pervasive Computing
Authors: Manolakos Elias S. , Galatopoullos Demetris G.
Published: October 2011

The vision of pervasive computing is to create and manage computational spaces where large numbers of heterogeneous devices collaborate transparently to serve the user tasks all the time, anywhere. The original utility of a computer is now changing from a stand-alone tool that runs software applications to an environmentaware, context-aware tool that can enhance the user experience by executing services and carrying out his/ her tasks in an efficient manner. However, the heterogeneity of devices and the user’s mobility are among the many issues that make developing pervasive computing applications a very challenging task. A solution to the programmability of pervasive spaces is adopting the service-oriented architecture (SOA) paradigm. In the SOA model, device capabilities are exposed as software services thus providing the programmer with a convenient abstraction level that can help to deal with the dynamicity of pervasive spaces. In this chapter the authors review the state of the art in SOA-based pervasive computing, identify existing open problems, and contribute ideas for future research.
Digital Equity in Schools
Authors: Williamson Jo E.
Published: October 2011

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 Tension Between Human and Cyborg Ethics
Authors: Gerdes Anne
Published: October 2011

This article makes no argument against progress but stresses the importance of making it with foresight. The connection between biotechnology, treatment, and enhancement is discussed, stating the need for regulation. Next, the ideas of transhumanism are presented as a framework for an examination of our human condition and it is illustrated that cyborgs will possibly develop other values than Homo sapiens. Thus, the second part of the article discusses what it means to be an ethical being from the perspective of Francis Fukuyama’s ideas of the importance of human nature to our humanity, and further elaborated on by bringing attention to the significance of the vulnerability to moral reasoning. Furthermore, the article suggests a near connection between embodiment and morality. In the light of this assumption, one can ask about ethical values and democratic cohesion in a world with sub-cultures of cyborgs. Thus, John Rawls’ theory of justice is introduced as a framework for reflections about inter-human costs of a posthuman condition. It is concluded that science need democratic regulation, in order to avoid technocratic decision processes, and guidelines for a regulatory body is given.
Cheating in Exams with Technology
Authors: Curran Kevin , Middleton Gary , Doherty Ciaran
Published: October 2011

Traditional methods of detection may no longer be wholly successful in fully preventing cheating in examinations. New strategies need to be considered and employed to better manage the advancement of technology use for illegitimate purposes. This paper investigates technology used to cheat in examinations, how such cheats are carried out, and how to prevent such methods of cheating. To show the full extent of the progression of cheating over the years, this report also documents some of the traditional methods of cheating. The devices which are used to cheat are investigated to see how they can provide an advantage to those who are taking examinations.
Stiffness Modeling and Analysis of Passive Four-Bar Parallelogram in Fully Compliant Parallel Positioning Stage
Authors: Jia X. , Tian Y. , Zhang D. , Liu J.
Published: October 2011

In order to investigate the influence of the stiffness of the compliant prismatic pair, a planar four-bar parallelogram, in a fully compliant parallel mechanism, the stiffness model of the passive compliant prismatic pair in a compliant parallel positioning stage is established using the compliant matrix method and matrix transformation. The influences of the constraints and the compliance of the connecting rods on the flexibility characteristics of the prismatic pair are studied based on the developed model. The relative geometric parameters are changed to show the rules of the stiffness variation and to obtain the demands for simplification in the stiffness modeling of the prismatic pair. Furthermore, the finite element analysis has been conducted to validate the analytical model.
Random Weighting Estimation of One-sided Confidence Intervals in Discrete Distributions
Authors: Jiao Yalin , Zhong Yongmin , Gao Shesheng , Shirinzadeh Bijan
Published: October 2011

This paper presents a new random weighting method for estimation of one-sided confidence intervals in discrete distributions. It establishes random weighting estimations for the Wald and Score intervals. Based on this, a theorem of coverage probability is rigorously proved by using the Edgeworth expansion for random weighting estimation of the Wald interval. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed random weighting method can effectively estimate one-sided confidence intervals, and the estimation accuracy is much higher than that of the bootstrap method.
Research Note
Authors: Habibi Majid , Novinzadeh Alireza B.
Published: October 2011

Bond graphs are suitable tools for modeling many types of dynamical systems and can model these systems consisting of mechanical, electrical, fluidic, and pneumatic sub-systems. The advantage of a bond graph is that it can model non-linear systems and combinational systems. In this paper, the authors utilize bond graphs for modeling mechatronics systems. Mechatronics systems consist of mechanics, electronics, and intelligent software. Many of these systems have digital sections that are constructed by logical circuits (hardware by transistors and now mostly by chips). The authors present a methodology to implement these mechatronics systems by bond graphs.
An Evolutionary Functional Link Neural Fuzzy Model for Financial Time Series Forecasting
Authors: Chakravarty S. , Dash P. K. , Pandi V. Ravikumar , Panigrahi B. K.
Published: October 2011

This paper proposes a hybrid model, evolutionary functional link neural fuzzy model (EFLNF), to forecast financial time series where the parameters are optimized by two most efficient evolutionary algorithms: (a) genetic algorithm (GA) and (b) particle swarm optimization (PSO). When the periodicity is just one day, PSO produces a better result than that of GA. But the gap in the performance between them increases as periodicity increases. The convergence speed is also better in case of PSO for one week and one month a head prediction. To testify the superiority of the EFLNF, a number of comparative studies have been made. First, functional link artificial neural network (FLANN) and functional link neural fuzzy (FLNF) were combined with back propagation (BP) learning algorithm. The result shows that FLNF performs better than FLANN. Again, FLNF is compared with EFLNF where the latter outperforms the former irrespective of the periodicity or the learning algorithms with which it has been combined. All models are used to predict the most chaotic financial time series data; BSE Sensex and S&P CNX Nifty stock indices one day, one week and one month in advance.
Enhanced Reputation Model with Forgiveness for E-Business Agents
Authors: Burete Radu , Badica Amelia , Badica Costin , Moraru Florin
Published: October 2011

Trust is a very important quality attribute of an e-service. In particular, the increasing complexity of the e-business environment requires the development of new computational models of trust and reputation for e-business agents. In this paper, the authors introduce a new reputation model for agents engaged in e-business transactions. The model enhances classic reputation models by the addition of forgiveness factor and the use of new sources of reputation information based on agents groups. The paper proposes an improvement of this model by employing the recent con-resistance concept. Finally, the authors show how the model can be used in an agent-based market environment where trusted buyer and seller agents meet, negotiate, and transact multi-issue e-business contracts. The system was implemented using JADE multi-agent platform and initially evaluated on a sample set of scenarios. The paper introduces the design and implementation of the agent-based system together with the experimental scenarios and results.
Emerging Forms of Covert Surveillance Using GPS-Enabled Devices
Authors: Abbas Roba , Michael Katina , Michael M. G. , Aloudat Anas
Published: October 2011

This case presents the possibility that commercial mobile tracking and monitoring solutions will become widely adopted for the practice of non-traditional covert surveillance within a community setting, resulting in community members engaging in the covert observation of family, friends, or acquaintances. This case investigates five stakeholder relationships using scenarios to demonstrate the potential socio-ethical implications that tracking and monitoring will have on society. The five stakeholder types explored in this case include: (i) husband-wife (partner-partner), (ii) parent-child, (iii) employer-employee, (iv) friend-friend, and (v) stranger-stranger. Mobile technologies like mobile camera phones, global positioning system data loggers, spatial street databases, radio-frequency identification, and other pervasive computing can be used to gather real-time, detailed evidence for or against a given position in a given context. Limited laws and ethical guidelines exist for members of the community to follow when it comes to what is permitted when using unobtrusive technologies to capture multimedia and other data (e.g., longitude and latitude waypoints) that can be electronically chronicled. In this case, the evident risks associated with such practices are presented and explored.
The Other Side of “Big Brother”
Authors: Aspland David
Published: October 2011

A significant shift has occurred in the nature of policing over the past 30 to 40 years across jurisdictions and contexts. The paradigm of policing as a purely government function is under challenge. Policing is becoming more “pluralised” with a range of actors, both public and private. This shift has significant social implications for the general public, together with the public and private organisations that provide policing services. These implications are discussed and highlighted through the use of information technology by private police in two areas—CCTV surveillance and intelligence gathering. This case discusses this shift between public and private sectors in policing. The situation is more complex than a simple public/private divide and plays host to a range of interactions that bring many actors into contact, competition, and alliance in networks and assemblages. Most research and regulation remains focused on public policing even though, numerically, private policing is now a major provider of policing services in an increasingly fragmented, pluralized, and commodified market. This case considers the regulation of private policing as it exists in the Australian context and how it applies to the use of information technology, together with issues for human rights, especially privacy.
Fire, Wind and Water
Authors: Freeman Mark
Published: October 2011

This case examines the issue of increasing adoption of Social Networking Technologies (SNTs), particularly microblogging, for emergency management practices during natural disasters. It discusses the technologies and how they are an integral part of information transfer for citizens in the geographic region affected by the natural disaster. This case presents the progression of how SNTs have been used during and in the aftermath of natural disasters in Australia between 2009 and 2011; these events are used as ‘organization’ for the paper. Accurate and timely information during natural disasters is essential in providing citizens with details about whether they should stay or leave an area. Traditionally, information was provided through television and radio broadcasts; however, these types of communications were one-way and only allowed for the push of information to citizens. SNTs are being used by the media and emergency organizations to provide information to citizens. These technologies are dynamic in their approach, allowing for knowledge sharing of all parties involved.
The Role of Environmental Innovation Strategy in Reinforcing the Impact of Green Managerial Practices on Competitive Advantages of Fertilizer Companies in Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Al-kerdawy Mostafa Mohamed
Published: October 2011

Little literature and research exists on the impact of Green Managerial Practices (GMP’S) on competitive advantages (CA). This study fills this research gap and is conducted on a sample of 450 workers in 10 fertilizer companies in Egypt. The study identifies the moderating role of environmental innovation strategy (EIS) in reinforcing the impact of green managerial practices on competitive advantages. The empirical results show that three types of green managerial practices – green planning, green managerial concerns, and green entrepreneurship – have positive effects on competitive advantages, which increases in the presence of environmental innovation strategy. Companies that invest resources and efforts in green managerial practices can meet the strict environmental regulations in Egypt and popular environmental consciousness of consumers, as well as obtain corporate competitive advantages. Managerial implications and areas for further research are also discussed.
An Advanced and Secure Symbian-Based Mobile Approach for Body Sensor Networks Interaction
Authors: Pereira Orlando R. E. , Caldeira João M. L. P. , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C.
Published: October 2011

The combination of body sensor networks (BSNs) and mobile devices brings a personalized health monitoring opportunity to patients and medical teams. Mobile devices may be used to process and present data collected by BSN sensors in an easy and meaningful way to users. The mobility of such systems improves patients’ quality of life, enabling continuous unobtrusive health monitoring during regular daily routine tasks. This paper presents a Symbian-powered smartphone based solution for BSN sensors data gathering, monitoring, and presentation. The systems’ sensor platform hardware provides an onboard long-term data storage module, enabling continuous data gathering even in the absence of the mobile device. The mobile device connects wirelessly to the BSN using Bluetooth technology, supporting interaction with multiple sinks. This system aims to help patients that need continuous monitoring of human bio-physiological parameters in a transparent and unobtrusive way. A case study is presented, based on a sensor for women’s core body temperature collection, enabling fertility follow up processing. The system was evaluated successfully, proving its usefulness in a real scenario. As a result, it is ready for regular use.
Development of Audio Sensing Technology for Ambient Assisted Living
Authors: Vacher Michel , Portet François , Fleury Anthony , Noury Norbert
Published: October 2011

One of the greatest challenges in Ambient Assisted Living is to design health smart homes that anticipate the needs of its inhabitant while maintaining their safety and comfort. It is thus essential to ease the interaction with the smart home through systems that naturally react to voice command using microphones rather than tactile interfaces. However, efficient audio analysis in such noisy environment is a challenging task. In this paper, a real-time audio analysis system, the AuditHIS system, devoted to audio analysis in smart home environment is presented. AuditHIS has been tested thought three experiments carried out in a smart home that are detailed. The results show the difficulty of the task and serve as basis to discuss the stakes and the challenges of this promising technology in the domain of AAL.
Affordable System for Rapid Detection and Mitigation of Emerging Diseases
Authors: Waidyanatha Nuwan , Dubrawski Artur , M. Ganesan , Gow Gordon
Published: October 2011

South and South-East Asian countries are currently in the midst of a new epidemic of Dengue Fever. This paper presents disease surveillance systems in Sri Lanka and India, monitoring a handful of communicable diseases termed as notifiable. These systems typically require 15-30 days to communicate field data to the central Epidemiology Units, to be then manually processed (Prashant & Waidyanatha, 2010). Currently used analyses rely on aggregating counts of notifiable disease cases by district, disease, and week. The Real-Time Biosurveillance Program (RTBP), a multi-partner initiative, aims at addressing those challenges by developing affordable paradigm-changing Information Communication Technology (ICT), implementing and field-testing them in India and Sri Lanka. Key components of the proposed solution include real-time digitization of clinical information at hospitals and clinics with the mHealthSurvey mobile phone software (Kannan et al., 2010), detecting anomalies in large multivariate biosurveillance data using the T-Cube Web Interface spatio-temporal statistical analysis tool (Ray et al., 2008), and disseminating critical information pertaining to the adverse events to healthcare workers using the Sahana Alerting Module (Sampath et al., 2010). This paper provides an overview of the applications and discusses utility of the technologies for real-time detection and mitigation of emerging threats to public health.
Computer-Generated Three-Dimensional Training Environments
Authors: Garrett Michael , McMahon Mark
Published: October 2011

Problem-based learning is an instructional strategy that emphasises the accumulation and development of knowledge via an active and experiential based approach to solving problems. This pedagogical framework can be instantiated using gaming technology to provide learners with the ability to control their learning experience within a dynamic, responsive, and visually rich three-dimensional virtual environment. In this regard, a conceptual framework referred to as the Simulation, User, and Problem-based Learning (SUPL) approach has been developed in order to inform the design of 3D simulation environments based on gaming technology within a problem-based learning pedagogy. The SUPL approach identifies a series of design factors relative to the user, the problem-solving task, and the 3D simulation environment that guide the learning process and facilitate the transfer of knowledge. This paper will present a simulation environment design according to this conceptual framework for a problem-solving task within the context of an underground mine emergency evacuation. The problem-solving task will be designed to satisfy learning objectives that relate to the development of knowledge and skills for emergency evacuation of the Dominion Mining’s Challenger mining operation located in South Australia.
Friendship, Closeness and Disclosure in Second Life
Authors: Heider Don , Massanari Adrienne L.
Published: October 2011

3-D virtual realms offer places for people to go interact, play games, and even do business. As these realms themselves become more sophisticated, the number of participants grows and the level and type of social interactions change. Meanwhile, scholars race to try to keep up. There is a growing, but still developing literature about interaction in virtual world. This paper explores communication and social intimacy in one such world, Second Life. In this paper, results of a four year ethnography in Second Life reveal findings that refute earlier research on computer-mediated communications, and support others while offering new findings to contribute to the growing body of knowledge.
Creativity as a Predictor of Business Performance
Authors: Ojo Olu
Published: October 2011

This study investigates the impact of creativity as a predictor of business performance of undergraduate entrepreneurs in Nigerian universities. Survey research design was used. A sample size of 120 respondents was selected while only 100 of them actively participated in the study. Research questions were set with one main hypothesis that was formulated and tested. Descriptive statistics comprising the simple percentage and tables were used for detailed presentation and analysis of data. The Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was adopted to test the hypothesis. The study reveals that there is a positive relationship between creativity and business performance. The researcher concluded by recommending that young entrepreneurs be more creative, attend more business seminars, invest in reading wide, scanning the environment regularly, and identifying society problems as well as customers’ needs and wants. It was also recommended that universities should widen their curricula to include core courses that encourage creativity, lateral-thinking, brainstorming, and problem solving as well as entrepreneurship development. In addition, universities should set up programmes to encourage the commercialisation of student’s business ideas and possibly self employment scheme.
Globalization and Data Privacy
Authors: Totterdale Robert L.
Published: October 2011

Global organizations operate in multiple countries and are subject to both local and federal laws in each of the jurisdictions in which they conduct business. The collection, storage, processing, and transfer of data between countries or operating locations are often subject to a multitude of data privacy laws, regulations, and legal systems that are at times in conflict. Companies struggle to have the proper policies, processes, and technologies in place that will allow them to comply with a myriad of laws which are constantly changing. Using an established privacy management framework, this study provides a summary of major data privacy laws in the U.S., Europe, and India, and their implication for businesses. Additionally, in this paper, relationships between age, residence (country), attitudes and awareness of business rules and data privacy laws are explored for 331 business professionals located in the U.S and India.
An Innovative Educational Project at the University of Granada
Authors: Zamorano M. , Rodríguez M.L. , Ramos-Ridao A. F. , Pasadas M.
Published: October 2011

The European Space of Higher Education (ESHE) is a new conceptual formulation of the organization of teaching at the university, largely involving the development of new training models based on the individual student’s work. In this context, the University of Granada has approved two plans of Educational Excellence to promote a culture of quality and stimulate excellence in teaching. The Area of Environmental Technology in the Department of Civil Engineering has developed an innovative project entitled Application of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to the Area of Environmental Technology teaching to create a new communication channel consisting of a Web site that benefits teacher and student (“Environmental Studies Centre”: http://cem.ugr.es). Through this interactive page, teachers can conduct supervised teaching, and students will have the tools necessary for guiding their learning process, according to their capacities and possibilities. However, the material is designed to serve as a complement to the traditional method of attended teaching.
Global Trends in Digital Governance
Authors: Manoharan Aroon , Fudge Marc , Holzer Marc
Published: October 2011

This paper highlights the research findings of a digital governance survey conducted in the fall of 2009. The study replicates previous surveys of large municipalities worldwide in 2007, 2005, and 2003. This longitudinal assessment, focused on the assessment of current practices in municipal e-governance by evaluating their official websites. Specifically, the survey analyzed security, usability, content, the type of online services currently being offered, citizen response, and participation through websites established by city governments worldwide. There were significant changes in the top ranking cities when compared to previous studies. Based on the 2009 evaluation of 87 cities, Seoul, Prague, Hong Kong, New York, and Singapore represent the highest performing cities in digital governance. Moreover, there continues to be a divide in terms of digital governance throughout the world; however, this divide, which increased in 2005, decreased in 2009.
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles for Scientific Applications and Robotics Research: The ROMEO Project
Authors: Caccia M. , Bono R. , Bruzzone G. , Veruggio G.
Published: October 2011

The design, development and exploitation of Romeo, a last generation ROV capable of supporting robotics research on intelligent/autonomous vehicles and to execute scientific missions in very harsh environment, are presented. The system’s mechanical and communication design is
discussed with respect to basic end-user requirements. A three Local Area Networks system architecture is proposed, and the main sub-systems connected to the surface (supervision), on-board and lab Ethernet LANs are described. The vehicle’s exploitation in scientific missions in harsh
environment (Ross Sea in Antarctica), Internet-based mission control demonstrations and the integration with a multidisciplinary scientific and technological payload proved the capabilities of the proposed architecture in matching operational and research requirements.
A Buoyancy and Stability Mechanism for Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Aravindakshan Manikoth
Published: October 2011

This paper describes the design of a simple, inexpensive but effective ‘detach weight’ device that can aid in the stability as well as the recovery of underwater vehicles and unpropelled consoles. If the vehicle attempts to cross the maximum specified sea depth due to water
seepage, poor stability, failure of normal recovery schedule, or inherent negative buoyancy as that of a console, then the proposed mechanism gets activated to achieve terminal buoyancy. Non-reliance on electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic power and sensors distinguish the device from conventional
ballasting methods. Insitu assembly and adjustments of activation depth and weight can add flexibility to the vehicle design parameters such as overall CG, weight, trim, list etc.
Organic Modeling Systems
Authors: Cushman-Roisin Benoit
Published: October 2011

This paper advocates a paradigm shift for the development and management of ocean-model systems, away from integration and toward adaptation. Indeed, oceanographic and related models are becoming increasingly intertwined; yet, the diversity of platforms on which they reside, the autonomy
of their primary objectives and the rapidity with which they are created and modified combine to create a situation wherein centralization and model integration become inefficient and frustrating. The long-term remedy, it is argued, lies in the development of adaptable techniques for the exchange
of information between models. Such approach would mimic ecosystems. Pertinent lessons can also be drawn from the business sector.
Peak-to-Average Power Ratio Reduction for Acoustic Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Systems
Authors: Rojo Guillem , Stojanovic Milica
Published: October 2011

AbstractOrthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is an appealing modulation scheme for high-rate underwater acoustic communications that are challenged by multipath propagation. However, it has a drawback in the large peak-to-average power ratio (PAR). Techniques
for PAR reduction have been extensively studied for radio communication systems. Although these techniques are applicable to acoustic systems, we take a different approach that aims to capitalize on the fundamental differences between the acoustic and the radio systems; namely, the fact that
acoustic transmissions are inherently band limited. We extend the tone reservation technique to the out-of-band carriers and design efficient methods for constructing OFDM signals with lower PAR. Two approaches are investigated, one based on a gradient algorithm and another that uses random
sequences. Simulation results show that our techniques can provide PAR reduction without the loss in data rate.