bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opportunistic Software Deployment in Disconnected Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Guidec Frédéric , Le Sommer Nicolas , Mahéo Yves
Published: March 2012

This paper presents a middleware platform allowing the dissemination of software components on handheld devices forming a disconnected MANET. It is based on a model that exploits peer-to-peer and opportunistic interactions between neighboring devices to deploy component-based applications, without relying on any kind of infrastructure network. Each device runs a deployment manager, which strive to fill a local component repository with software components so as to be able to satisfy the deployment requests expressed by the user. To do so the deployment manager interacts with peer managers located on neighboring devices, providing its neighbors with copies of software components it owns locally, while obtaining itself from these neighbors copies of components it lacks. The platform also provides communication facilities adapted to disconnected MANETs that notably allow efficient multi-hop exchanges.
The Impact of Zoning Concept on Data-Flow Management within LBS System Components
Authors: Almasri Suleiman , Hunaiti Ziad
Published: March 2012

Typical Location Based Services (LBS) system is compound of a mobile device with positioning capability connected to a LBS service provider via wireless network. Thus, the efficiency of LBS System depends on each sub-element composing its architecture. One of the most important factors affecting LBS efficiency is the volume of data streamed from the server to the client. This problem has emerged as a consequence of customer demands for richer services such as videos and high-quality pictures. Therefore this paper discusses the impacts of transmitting huge size of information and services on: the mobile devices, wireless networks and the data server. In addition, it introduces a mechanism to improve the data flow based on the zoning concept in which data is organised in individual databases and then streamed gradually according to the end user’s new location. The outcome of the evaluation of this mechanism has shown better utilisation of the mobile device resources (memory and battery) as well as reducing the network and server consumption time.
A Personal Handheld Device to Support People with Life-Threatening Anaphylactic Allergies (PervaLaxis)
Authors: Munoz Luis U. Hernandez , Woolley Sandra I.
Published: March 2012

This paper presents PervaLaxis, a personal mobile health device designed to help anaphylactic people manage their life-threatening allergies. PervaLaxis was designed to support allergic patients both in everyday life and in emergency scenarios where an injection of adrenaline may be vital. PervaLaxis is implemented on a Smartphone platform and communicates wirelessly with adrenaline injectors. In emergency scenarios, PervaLaxis can detect an injection of adrenaline and send a message automatically to emergency services; in normal life PervaLaxis can support adrenaline injector training, for example with video demonstrations and can support medication management, for instance, managing adrenaline expiration dates. In this paper we present user requirements and evaluation results for PervaLaxis, furthermore we explore the issues associated with the patient-oriented focus of the device (as opposed to health devices designed for expert use) and how this could benefit personal health management. We evaluate usability performance and propose directions for future work based on user feedback.
Enterprise Network Packet Filtering for Mobile Cryptographic Identities
Authors: Lindqvist Janne , Vehmersalo Essi , Komu Miika , Manner Jukka
Published: March 2012

Firewalls are an essential component of the Internet and enterprise network security policy enforcement today. The configurations of enterprise firewalls are typically rather static. Even if client’s IP addresses can be dynamically added to the packet filtering rules, the services allowed through the firewall are commonly still fixed. In this paper, we present a transparent firewall configuration solution based on mobile cryptographic identifiers of Host Identity Protocol (HIP). HIP allows a client to protect the data transfer with IPsec ESP, and supports dynamic address changes for mobile clients. The HIP-based firewall learns the identity of a client when it communicates with the server over HIP. The firewall configures the necessary rules based on HIP control messages passing through the firewall. The solution is secure and flexible, and introduces only minimal latency to the initial HIP connection establishment.
Mobile Multimedia Streaming Using Secure Multipath in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Chen Lei , Lee Chung-Wei
Published: March 2012

Supporting reliable and secure multimedia streaming service is a challenging task in the environment of wireless Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) where radio signals are prone to security attacks and the quality of media streaming is degraded by signal strength loss and interference. The mobility of mobile devices makes streaming even more difficult as communication links are often broken when the devices move out of the transmission range of their neighbors. This paper proposes a stable multipath routing algorithm and an intelligent secure data distribution scheme for multimedia streaming in MANETs. The multipath Neighbor Stability Routing is able to find more stable and long-lasting paths than traditional ad hoc routing algorithms. The secure data distribution takes historical data-path distribution into consideration and maximally disperses new multimedia data to reduce the possibility of information leakage to unauthorized parties. The authors’ simulation and analysis indicate that the combination of these two mechanisms can provide high quality paths to achieve secure multimedia streaming.
Exploring Personal Mobile Phones and Digital Display Systems to Support Indoor Navigation by Formative Study Methods
Authors: Taher Faisal , Cheverst Keith , Harding Mike
Published: March 2012

A significant difference exists between wayfinding support services available in outdoor and indoor locations. Users in outdoor locations can access services like Google Maps via a mobile phone and in-car GPS, which allows them to examine unknown locations before arrival as well as receive assistance en-route. In contrast, there is relatively little digital wayfinding support for users in indoor locations, where users are limited to using in-building signage or asking for directions. However, advances in pervasive digital technology allow new possibilities and make this topic increasingly subject to research study. This paper describes three separate formative studies involving 24 participants using personal mobile phones, a situated display deployment and a Person Locator Kiosk. The authors present their findings by gaining feedback and insights from users to develop useful and usable wayfinding support for visitors in an in-building environment.
Commanding the Cloud by Moving a Camera Phone
Authors: Spaanenburg Lambert , Zhang Dalong , Chen Miao , Rossholm Andreas
Published: March 2012

Major innovations are based on novel input devices, for example, the mouse and its role in revolutionizing the PC world. Some innovations are even over-looked, such as the touch screen, until it made quite a trendy return in the shape of the Apple iPhone. All such specialized devices will dwarf into remote handling applications in the cloud by a generalized device, that is, the camera phone. This paper shows that camera movement can be extracted from capture images by a limited block-matching based search. The CPU load is less than 20% and does not increase with image size.
Effect of Personal Innovativeness, Attachment Motivation and Social Norms on the Acceptance of Camera Mobile Phones
Authors: Rouibah Kamel , Abbas Hasan A.
Published: March 2012

This study develops a model to assess the consumer acceptance of Camera Mobile Phone (CMP) technology for social interaction. While there has been considerable research on technology adoption in the workplace, far fewer studies have been done to understand the motives of technology acceptance for social use. To fill in this gap, the authors develop a model that is based on the theory of the technology acceptance model, the theory of reasoned action, the attachment motivation theory, innovation diffusion theory, and the theory of flow. The first research methods used was a qualitative field study that identified the variables that most drive CMP acceptance and build the research model using a sample of 83 consumers. The second method was a quantitative field study, which collected from a sample of 240 consumers in Kuwait in order to test the model. Results reveal the “social use” and “use before shopping” uses, explaining 32.3% and 30% of the variance, respectively. Most importantly, the study reveals that personal innovativeness, attachment motivation, and social norms have an important effect on CMP acceptance.
A Picture and a Thousand Words
Authors: Farrell Robert , Danis Catalina , Erickson Thomas , Ellis Jason , Christensen Jim , Bailey Mark , Kellogg Wendy A.
Published: March 2012

Mobile communication is a key enabler for economic, social, and political change in developing regions of the world. This paper describes IBM Picture Discussions, which is a mobile social computing application framework designed to facilitate local information sharing in regions with sparse Internet connectivity, low literacy rates, and having users with little prior experience with information technology. IBM Picture Discussions runs on today’s internet-enabled smartphones as well as camera phones with multimedia messaging. In this paper, the authors argue that engaging citizens in developing regions in information creation and information sharing leverages peoples’ existing social networks to facilitate transmission of critical information, exchange of ideas, and distributed problem solving. All of these activities can support economic development.
Effective Supply Chain Management Strategy for Food Products
Authors: Krajaysri Witaya
Published: March 2012

This paper explores and extends the supply chain management strategy for food products effectively and efficiently through analysis of insights to linked partnerships within the supply chain due to the possibility of a global food crisis. The required solution is a collaboration of all parties in the supply chain since an effective supply chain management strategy (ESCMS) for food products is through proper insight between linked partnerships, including customer satisfaction through service quality, well-defined requirements and expectations, effective and clear communication, mutual relationship management, and close relationships from partnerships. ESCMS for food products must have the strategy of supply-to-stock and supply-to-order (efficient and responsive), effective collaboration within the supply chain, well-defined expectations and requirements, effective communication and information flow, mutual relationship management, and close relationships as partners. This insight of linked partnership throughout the supply chain would contribute by reducing and solving problems such as over supply, inconsistency of price (high and low), global food supply, and the conflict among partnerships, including an increase in the consistency of farmers’ careers.
A System Dynamics Approach to Changing Perceptions about Thermal Water Quality Trading Markets
Authors: Bier Asmeret
Published: March 2012

Thermal water quality trading markets give point source thermal polluters the option to comply with effluent restrictions by paying nearby landowners to plant shade trees. The shade trees cool the water, offsetting thermal pollution emitted by the point source. Thermal trading has the potential to create greater environmental benefits at a lower cost than traditional regulation, however; only one such program has been implemented to date in the United States. In this regard, a shift in potential stakeholders’ perceptions of these markets could be useful in allowing the markets to spread. This paper explains why system dynamics modeling is a useful tool for creating such a shift in perception, and describes a method of teaching participants about thermal trading. The method begins with a classroom simulation exercise, uses lessons from that exercise to create a model of a thermal trading market, and uses that model to conduct policy design and uncertainty analyses.
National Game Management Database of Hungary
Authors: Csányi Sándor , Lehoczki Róbert , Sonkoly Krisztina
Published: March 2012

Advances in ecological science and increasing public environmental awareness have resulted in changes in the management of renewable natural resources. To achieve sustainable use of wildlife, managers need reliable data on populations, habitats, and the complexities of ecological interactions. The National Game Management Database (NGMD) was first mandated by the Hungarian Game Management and Hunting Law in 1996. In this paper, the authors summarize the origins, characteristics, development, and results leading to the final establishment of and uses for the NGMD. Goals of the NGMD are to store data on game populations and game management, provide input to spatial analyses and mapping, and to facilitate decision-making and planning efforts of game management administration. It contains information on the populations of game species, data from annual game management reports, trophy-scoring data, maximum allowed and minimum huntable population size, and maps and long-term game management plans for each GMU and the 24 game management regions. In Hungary, the NGMD was the first operating database in wildlife management and nature conservation providing full GIS capabilities, supporting geographical analyses.
Multi-Criteria Spatial Decision Support System DECERNS
Authors: Yatsalo B. , Didenko V. , Tkachuk A. , Gritsyuk S. , Mirzeabasov O. , Slipenkaya V. , Babutski A. , Pichugina I. , Sullivan T. , Linkov I.
Published: March 2012

Land-use planning and environmental management often requires an implementation of both geo- spatial information analysis and value-driven criteria within the decision-making process. DECERNS (Decision Evaluation in Complex Risk Network Systems) is a web-based distributed decision support system for multi-criteria analysis of a wide range of spatially-explicit land management alternatives. It integrates mainly basic and some advanced GIS functions and implements several Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods and tools. DECERNS can also be integrated with a model server containing generic and site specific models for in-depth analysis of project and environmental risks as well as other decision criteria under consideration. This paper provides an overview of the modeling approaches as well as methods and tools used in DECERNS. Application of the DECERNS WebSDSS (Web-based Spatial Decision Support System) for a housing site selection case study is presented.
Irrigation Water Valuation Using Spatial Hedonic Models in GIS Environment
Authors: Mallios Zisis
Published: March 2012

Hedonic pricing is an indirect valuation method that applies to heterogeneous goods investigating the relationship between the prices of tradable goods and their attributes. It can be used to measure the value of irrigation water through the estimation of the model that describes the relation between the market value of the land parcels and its characteristics. Because many of the land parcels included in a hedonic pricing model are spatial in nature, the conventional regression analysis fails to incorporate all the available information. Spatial regression models can achieve more efficient estimates because they are designed to deal with the spatial dependence of the data. In this paper, the authors present the results of an application of the hedonic pricing method on irrigation water valuation obtained using a software tool that is developed for the ArcGIS environment. This tool incorporates, in the GIS application, the estimation of two different spatial regression models, the spatial lag model and the spatial error model. It also has the option for different specifications of the spatial weights matrix, giving the researcher the opportunity to examine how it affects the overall performance of the model.
Designing and Developing a Student Response System for Mobile Internet Devices
Authors: Nielsen Kjetil L. , Stav John B. , Hansen-Nygård Gabrielle , Thorseth Trond M.
Published: March 2012

The authors present a Student Response System for modern Internet-capable mobile devices, which was developed in a European R&D project, co-funded by the European Commission. The goal was to make a system that is designed for speed, ease of use, and flexibility for use in lectures. The authors have tried to make a time efficient and intuitive system that does not compromise flexibility and that enables the teacher to use any lecture format he/she sees fit. The only requirement is a computer with an Internet connection; the teacher is not bound to specific presentation software. The system is Web-based, enabling students to use their own mobile device or computer. The cost for both educational institutions and students is kept at a minimum, lowering the threshold for using the system in education. As of today, the program is free of charge and can be found at histproject.no.
A Middleware for Distributing XML Data between Mobile Application Servers
Authors: Rabadi Yousef E. , Lu Joan
Published: March 2012

This research introduces architecture of new approach of distributing XML data files between different mobile application servers. The main objective and goal of this study is to transmit XML data files between different Mobile Application Server (MAS) using internet cloud infrastructure in a secured manner coupled with reliability and quality of communication. Taking into consideration that the system architecture attribute is to be independent, scalable, and flexible of using cloud computing. Furthermore, this architecture is designed to minimize the risk of any alteration, data loss, data abuse, and data misuse of XML critical business data information. As cloud computing, using existing cloud network infrastructure to get advantage of the scalability, operational efficiency, and control of data flow are a big consideration in this architecture. A test has been made to measure the performance of the Real-time Interactive Data Exchange system (RIDX), one by using standard TCP protocol, and one by using RIDX UDP protocol. As a result, RIDX architecture performance showed good results; conversely the study showed that using RIDX UDP protocol as a transport protocol gives better performance than standard TCP. Moreover, using RIDX UDP transport protocol assures the reliability and lossless of data transmission to all nodes.
The Approach and Research of Localization for Student Response System
Authors: Lu Gehao , Wang Lan , Lu Joan , Guo Wei , Li Jinyan
Published: March 2012

This paper introduces a multilingual Student Response System (SRS) that is designed to handle anonymously on-the-fly questions for local and distance lectures between teachers and students and is deemed necessary to be utilized in Europe after being tested in classroom for over two years. SRS consists of two friendly and interactive interfaces: a control interface (SRS-CI) on the teacher side and a response interface (SRS-RI) on the student side. The technologies in Flex builder and JavaServer Pages (JSP) are applied to develop multilingual support for SRS-CI and SRS-RI, respectively, based on the method of resource bundles. The localization design and implementation of SRS are carried out in this research as a case study to illustrate and investigate the Flex and JSP-based localization issues for response system. This paper performs linguistic testing against the functionalities provided in SRS, discusses the generated test results and highlights the problems in localization and cross-culture design. Finally, multilingual SRS could make an additional contribution to pedagogical communities to engage trainers and learners whose native languages are other European languages.
The ‘Pleasure Principle’ in Blended Learning Approaches
Authors: Peachey Paul
Published: March 2012

Online technologies were met with initial enthusiasm in the UK following the publication of the Dearing Report (1997). However, this excitement soon became subdued due to disappointing outcomes and unfulfilled expectations regarding the online programmes. Considering the importance that the online component has on a blended learning programme, this chapter argues that the challenge in higher education is to get learners to want to engage as opposed to have to engage and therefore a sense of enjoyment should be added to the blend along with a sound pedagogy and an efficient technology. This chapter endeavours to discern some underlying grounded theory based on classic psychology that might underpin the efficient design of a blended learning programme and offers pragmatic considerations that might help to achieve it.
Generic Engineering Competencies Required by Engineers Graduating in Australia
Authors: Male Sally A.
Published: March 2012

Continuous improvement of engineering education is achieved through curriculum development, program evaluation, and program accreditation processes. This chapter is based on the view that one of the criteria for design of these should be alignment with the competencies required by engineers in the workplace. The chapter provides an 11-factor competency model developed in Australia to help achieve this alignment. The model describes the generic engineering competencies required by engineers graduating in Australia. The competencies embed inter-related technical and non-technical components. An advantage of this model over others is the concise and relatively distinct nature of the 11 factors due to the statistical rather than conceptual method of grouping the competencies. The chapter outlines the theoretical framework, the model, and its development. The research methods employed to develop the model include a literature review, a panel session, two large-scale surveys of engineers, and a focus group. Implications for curriculum design, accreditation, and program evaluation are discussed.
Humanities in Engineering Education
Authors: Russo Maria Teresa
Published: March 2012

The difficulty in defining who the engineer is, in our times, is due to the increasing complexity of technical progress, which seems endless. The engineer’s professionalism nowadays requires not only technical skills, but also a deep sense of responsibility towards human society and the environment. It is necessary to answer more adequately to this complexity by providing the engineer a more comprehensive education. The inclusion of Humanities in the curriculum of the Engineering Faculties—specifically that of Anthropology, Ethics, Literature, and History of Technology—is indispensable for regaining the human factor in technological questions and for educating responsible and competent professionals.
Teleworkers’ Boundary Management
Authors: Fonner Kathryn L. , Stache Lara C.
Published: March 2012

Building on boundary theory, this chapter analyzes the open-ended responses of home-based teleworkers (N = 146) to identify the temporal and spatial strategies used by teleworkers to manage the boundary between work and home domains, and the expectation-setting strategies teleworkers use to uphold this boundary with family and work contacts. Teleworkers used temporal routines and physical space to segment work from home domains, but also maintained a degree of permeability between work and home domains in order to preserve the flexible benefits of their work arrangement. Teleworkers employed direct and indirect strategies with their families and colleagues to manage the work-home boundary. Relationships between boundary management choices, demographic variables, work-life conflict, and life-work conflict are also examined.
Virtual Vines
Authors: LeGreco Marianne , Leonard Dawn , Ferrier Michelle
Published: March 2012

This chapter focuses on the somewhat unexpected relationship between participatory research methods, virtual work, and community-based practices. More specifically, the authors’ contribution outlines different conceptual foundations and methodological approaches related to participatory and community-based research. Embedded within this review, they address two key connections between participatory methods and virtual work. First, participatory and community-based methodologies provide a useful set of concepts and practices that can be applied in virtual contexts. Second, virtual work can facilitate participatory initiatives and achieve community-based goals. The chapter also offers two short case studies that illustrate how community-based groups often rely on virtual work to move their local initiatives forward.
Virtual Matters
Authors: Nelson-Marsh Natalie
Published: March 2012

Recent research highlights the complexity of virtual work and calls on researchers to examine virtual work as more than simply doing a job, but as negotiating a state of being virtual (Leonardi, Jackson, & Marsh, 2004; Long, 2010). A similar call has been made by virtual ethnographers to move away from cataloguing the differences between virtual ethnographic practices and co-located ethnographic practices and instead reflexively reconsider how and why to conduct a virtual ethnography (Hine, 2005). This chapter responds to both calls by exploring how virtual workers communicatively construct distance not as geographical absence, but as presence (Leonardi, et al., 2004; Broadfoot, Munshi, & Nelson-Marsh, 2010). Based on this knowledge, the chapter then develops a heuristic methodological framework that embraces reflexivity as a starting point and privileges communication as the mode through which virtual work is constituted and through which academics arrive at a deeper understanding of both virtual work and virtual ethnography.
Considering Phenomenology in Virtual Work Research
Authors: Long Shawn D. , Glenn Cerise L.
Published: March 2012

Phenomenology provides a framework for understanding the dynamic, complex processes of everyday lived experiences. We suggest that the virtual work environment is fertile ground to utilize a phenomenological approach. Centralizing the lived experiences of organizational members frames the utility of this method throughout this chapter. A historical discussion of the roots of phenomenology, its application to the virtual work environment, a potential research study, and recommended uses and limitations of this approach are offered in this chapter.
The Politics of Image
Authors: Ibrahim Yasmin
Published: March 2012

This paper explores the politicization of the image in social media and how image can be attributed different values in the online environment. Facebook’s decision to invoke its obscenity clause to bar users from posting pictures of breastfeeding ignited a controversy. Members protested against the ban both offline and online. The controversy raised various issues between lived offline experiences and the rules of engagement in social networking sites. Image economies on the Internet present new problems and challenges. Whilst they are crucial in the construction of profiles and identities in social networking sites and may therefore function as a referent of social values and norms, there may be disparities in the ways they are gazed at and interpreted as published content online. This paper examines the salient issues which emerged in the breastfeeding controversy with relevance to the image economy in social networking sites. In particular, it discusses the politicisation of the image, users’ notions and construction of public and private spaces in social networking sites, and the use of the image as symbol of dissent and activism in such online communities.
When the Virtual and the Real Clash
Authors: Livermore Celia Romm
Published: March 2012

This paper focuses on two related aspects–the politics of social networking communities and the impact that clashes between the real and the virtual spheres have on relationships in social networking communities. The starting point for this paper is a series of events that took place in a social networking community involving a dominant member of the community attempting to overpower others, leading to several of the most active members, including the dominant member himself, leaving the community. Following a review of the literature on social networking and politics, the Virtuality/Reality Conflict (VRC) model is presented. The model is used in this paper as a basis for explaining the events in the case and for discussing the implications from this study to research on politics in virtual communities.
Enabling User Participation in Civic Engagement Web Sites
Authors: Thomas Dominic
Published: March 2012

Despite high hopes and large investments, existing efforts at designing and implementing Internet Web pages and systems for civic engagement have met only marginal success, suggesting a need for careful thought and application of research on how to get people to interact using technology. This paper develops and presents a theory for designing effective online civic engagement systems. The theory draws from several decades of work in the group support systems literature as well as the historical context of civic engagement in the United States to identify seven key dynamics (the kernel) to address and include when designing such systems. These seven dynamics include five focusing on promoting individual-level interaction: authentication, authorization, masking, interests, and expertise. Two focus on group-level interaction: local access and timeliness. The author analyzes existing systems in light of these seven dynamics and identifies two additional design accommodations that would specifically promote youth engagement.
Islam, Revolution and Radicalism
Authors: Khan M. A. Muqtedar , Smith Reid T. , Tanay Onur
Published: March 2012

New forms of information technologies are revolutionizing politics in the Muslim World. This article presents political analysis of the complex global and historical socio-cultural impact of new media specifically social media by exploring two cases, i.e., the green movement during the Iranian presidential elections during 2009 and al-Qaeda’s radicalism in the virtual world. The analysis finds that Islam and Muslim societies are compatible with new forms of information technologies and that the difference between real and virtual is blurring in the modern Muslim World.
Neonatal Monitoring
Authors: Oetomo Sidarto Bambang , Chen Wei , Feijs Loe
Published: March 2012

This chapter describes the current practice of monitoring vital health parameters in critically ill newborn infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). These infants are extremely tiny and vulnerable, so that special requirements are needed. After the first decades following the start of modern neonatology the focus shifted from management to keep the baby alive to strategies to improve the quality of life. In this respect monitoring of brain function became important. In addition there is gradually growing awareness that procedural pain, discomfort and excessive sensory stimuli are detrimental for the developing preterm infants. Therefore, the authors describe non-obtrusive monitoring technologies that meet their specific demands. The authors describe how neonatal monitoring has become a multidisciplinary area which involves a unique integration of knowledge from medical science, design, technology and social study
Heart Rate Characteristics Monitoring in the NICU
Authors: Fairchild Karen D. , Moorman J. Randall
Published: March 2012

Heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of autonomic nervous system function, is depressed in sepsis and other acute and chronic diseases. Preterm neonates with sepsis have been shown to have both depressed HRV and repetitive transient heart rate decelerations. These abnormal heart rate characteristics (HRC) of depressed variability and decelerations may precede other clinical signs and symptoms of sepsis and usually are not apparent to clinicians using conventional vital signs monitoring. In order to quantitate these changes associated with sepsis, a heart rate characteristics monitor was developed which continuously calculates an HRC index from the conventional electrocardiogram waveform tracing. This HRC index is the fold-increase in risk that a baby will experience a clinical deterioration consistent with proven or clinical sepsis in the next 24 hours. This HRC or HeRO™ (Heart Rate Observation) Monitor can alert clinicians to carefully evaluate a patient and consider antibiotic therapy or other interventions. The impact of continuous HRC monitoring on outcomes of preterm infants was the subject of a multicenter randomized clinical trial of 3003 very low birth weight infants, completed in 2010, which showed a significant reduction in mortality in neonates whose HRC index, or “HeRO Score” was displayed to clinicians in the NICU. Continuous HRC monitoring is an important new tool for both clinical care and research in the NICU.
Automated Neonatal Brain Monitoring
Authors: De Vos M. , Cherian P. J. , Deburchgraeve W. , Swarte R. M. , Govaert P. , Van Huffel S. , Visser G. H.
Published: March 2012

Monitoring the electroencephalogram (EEG) in sick newborn babies in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) gives important information about brain function. Seizures are frequently seen in the EEG of the sick neonate, and usually denote serious underlying brain dysfunction. Current clinical practice assumes that neonatal seizures have to be treated to prevent further injury to the brain. Recording of amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG) or the full EEG supports treatment decisions as well as prognostication has become standard practice in many NICUs. aEEG has become popular in recent years due to its user friendliness. A full EEG offers a more reliable window to study the ongoing activity in the newborn brain with high temporal and relatively good spatial resolution. However, the expertise required to register and interpret EEG is not available around the clock in the NICUs. For this purpose, automated monitoring devices have been developed, to assist neonatologists at the bedside and neurophysiologists in reviewing large amounts of monitoring data. The main topic of this chapter is automated detection of neonatal seizures and its possible impact in clinical practice. Three different detection approaches are reviewed: model-based, heuristic and classifier-based. Also a futuristic view on automated EEG analysis systems will be given.
Clinical Decision Support Systems for ‘Making It Easy to Do It Right’
Authors: Scheepers-Hoeks Anne-Marie , Klijn Floor , van der Linden Carolien , Grouls Rene , Ackerman Eric , Minderman Niels , Bergmans Jan , Korsten Erik
Published: March 2012

Medical guidelines and best practises are used in medicine to increase the quality of the health-care delivery system. To support implementation and application of these guidelines, clinical decision support systems (CDSS) have been developed. These systems are defined as ‘Computer-based information systems used to integrate clinical and patient information and provide support for decision-making in patient care’ (MeSH) These are integrated with so-called Electronic Health Records (EHR), which have been developed by companies and National Governmental Institutes, and are used to register and present the patient medical data. The integration of an EHR with CDSS modules will revolutionize the way medicine will be practiced. In pediatrics, as well as geriatrics, such systems might prove to be even more needed. The development, use, and maintenance of CDSS in a hospital are complex and far from trivial. This chapter focuses on several aspects and challenges of EHR’s and CDSS-modules in daily clinical practice in the hospital.
Experiencing the Unexpected
Authors: Marti Patrizia
Published: March 2012

This chapter discusses a fundamental concern deriving from the need to increase the focus on the social, emotional and intimate aspects in the design of healthcare technologies. The development of such technologies is in fact often afflicted by conflicting perspectives. While technical perspectives demand rational methods, social perspectives ask for non-rationalistic, phenomenology inspired approaches (Jacucci, 2007). The issue is addressed from the standpoint of a particular socio-technical setting, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In particular, the chapter describes the human-centred and participatory design process, from problem analysis to concept generation, prototype development and testing of a new incubator system employing different technologies. All these technologies aim to provide unobtrusive monitoring, improving the baby’s comfort as well as parent-child bonding by lowering the emotional barrier created by the current incubator setup. The specificity and the delicateness of the NICU setting offers an opportunity to reflect on how different stakeholders perceive, interpret, and take part in the premature baby’s care, and on the role that design can play in envisaging technologies that respect and harmonise different views and needs making the unlucky event of a premature birth a more sustainable experience.
Politics Hinders Open Standards in the Public Sector
Authors: Dedeke Adenekan
Published: March 2012

In 2003, Eric Kriss, of the Executive Office of the Governor of Massachusetts, advised all employees that the Executive Branch would begin a transition of its information technology resources into open standards. The intent of the plan was the standardization of the IT infrastructure and the improvement of interoperability across agencies. The Executive Office later extended the open standards policy to electronic documents. In the quest to make documents accessible across agencies, Open Document Format (ODF) was declared to be the preferred format for storing data. This decision provoked a serious conflict between Microsoft and the Executive Branch after it became clear that proprietary open document formats, such as the one that was being offered by Microsoft, were declared to be unacceptable. This case explores the decisions that the champions made, the role that politics played in the process and the impact of these decisions on the ODF implementation.
The Egyptian National Post Organization Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Kamel Sherif
Published: March 2012

Over the last 20 years, the international postal sector has changed drastically due to several forces, including globalization, changing technology, greater demands for efficient services, and market liberalization. For Egypt, keeping up with the changing atmosphere in the global market meant investing in information and communication technology. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (ICT), as part of its efforts to transforming government performance using ICT, chose the Egyptian National Post Organization (ENPO) as a model for ICT integrated government portal. The selection was due to ENPO’s extensive network, and the public’s confidence and trust in the organization. The case of ENPO, capitalizing on public-private partnership models, proved successful when reflecting ICT deployment for organizational transformation within the context of an emerging economy. In addition to its importance in providing eGovernment services to citizens, ENPO is evolving as a critical medium for effectively developing Egypt’s eCommerce. This case study takes an in-depth look at how ICT has improved the quality and range of services offered by ENPO, while asserting the magnitude of its impact on the country’s emergence as a competitor in today’s global postal market.
The Characteristics, Responsibilities, and Future of Chief Information Officers in the Public Sector
Authors: Lawry Rachel , Waddell Dianne , Singh Mohini
Published: March 2012

This chapter presents a model that depicts the critical factors and assists in understanding the demands and effectiveness of Chief Information Officers (CIO) in public sector organisations. The chapter explores the literature on public sector CIO addressing personal and professional characteristics. It also reviews the literature pertaining to the responsibilities, career advancement, and future directions in government departments. The authors adopt a qualitative methodology, by which semi-structured interviews are conducted with CIO representatives from a State Government in Australia. From collation of the interview results, utilising a mind mapping strategy, the chapter identifies a model that adequately reflects the critical factors required for a public sector CIO. The chapter concludes that there are certain unique characteristics and responsibilities that a public sector CIO must possess yet a private sector CIO does not require. The chapter also acknowledges the importance of outlining a future direction of the role, something that is neglected by the literature.
E-ZPass and the Ohio Turnpike
Authors: Rich Eliot
Published: March 2012

“Stop Stopping, Get Going.” The commonwealth of Virginia’s Web site slogan (2005) tells much of the E-ZPass story.1 E-ZPass uses computer technology to automate vehicle toll collection and payments across most of the northeastern and eastern sections of the United States. E-ZPass participants have radio frequency identification (RFID) tags installed in their cars to signal their trip through a tollbooth. Each entry and exit is recorded in a database and charged against an account on file. Bills for tolls may be paid automatically through a credit card charge or from deposits in a cash account. Electronic toll collection reduces delays at tolls, eliminates fumbling for change, trims air pollution from idling vehicles, and accelerates travel. By most accounts, E-ZPass has been a resounding success. Within the northeastern and midwestern United States, over 9 million account holders subscribe to the program, recording over 2 billion transactions each year for road, bridge, and tunnel use in 2006. Customer satisfaction is high, and program enrollments continue to grow. E-ZPass represents a state-of-the-art practice in electronic toll collection as well as a significant success in the use of RFID technology for consumers (U.S. Federal Trade Commission, 2005).
Exploring IT Opportunities
Authors: Batenburg Ronald , Versendaal Johan , Breedveld Elly
Published: March 2012

There is a growing belief that IT can improve public management in general. The Dutch policy and services with regard to the elderly are no exception. Obviously, IT opportunities in the healthcare domain play a central role in this, since the main objective of policies is to sustain the independent functioning of the elderly in everyday social life. In this research four IT opportunities for elderly policy in The Netherlands are explored through discussion meetings with elderly, and consultation of experts in the field of elderly policy and services. The IT opportunities are designed to align the different levels of motivation and skills of elderly to use IT. Four IT pilot projects are defined, which take into account the costs and benefits of these opportunities to improve the elderly policy chain in The Netherlands.
Free Wireless Internet Park Services
Authors: Al-Shafi Shafi
Published: March 2012

This chapter examines the adoption of free wireless Internet parks (iPark) by Qatari citizens as a means of accessing electronic services from public parks. The Qatar government has launched the iPark concept with a view of providing free internet access for all citizens while enjoying the outdoors. This concept is enabled by an ICT infrastructure and broadband facilities, which is considered as regional good practice. By offering free wireless Internet access, the Qatari government encourages its citizens to actively participate in the global information society with a view of bridging the digital divide. Using a survey based study this research set out to examine the Qatari citizens’ perceptions of the iPark initiative. Results of the survey showed that there is a positive level of relation between the independent variables, usefulness, ease of use, Internet safety, and Internet speed/response time and one dependent variable, intention to use the iPark in Qatar. The chapter provides a discussion on the key findings, research implications, limitations, and future directions for the iPark initiative in Qatar.
Bachelor Farmers in France
Authors: Facchini François , Berton Raul Magni
Published: March 2012

This article uses some evolutionary psychological micro hypotheses to explain the high number of bachelor farmers in France. The authors argue that three factors are responsible for farmers remaining single: their low average income, the migration of females away from rural areas and a steady rise in the divorce rate. According to the theory of sexual selection, the authors can expect females for whom wealth is a criterion in their choice of partner to migrate where the average income is higher. Growth in the number of divorces further increases the scarcity of younger females. The authors then show that when the divorce rate is high, young farmers are even more affected by the phenomenon of bachelorhood.
Technology in Marketing Channels
Authors: Musso Fabio
Published: March 2012

The paper analyses the contribution of technological innovations to improve the relations and interactions among all members of marketing channels and those with the end consumer. The analysis focuses on marketing channel as a whole, aiming at providing a conceptual framework for future investigations and insights that can be conducted to capture the extent and effects of the changes in technology. The technological perspective of innovation is analyzed by taking into account all types of channels, not just those at the retail distribution level. This perspective can be divided into an area of innovation in vertical relationships between channel members and an area of innovation in relationships with final demand. The main fronts of innovation in vertical relations between firms are: logistics, the joint management of supplying activities, and those joint activities with a high level of integration among partners, such as Vendor Managed Category Management. As regard to relationships with final demand main innovation fields are: checkout technologies, electronic and mobile payments, distance and on-line selling, and self-service technologies.
Smart Grid Implementation of Demand Side Management and Micro-Generation
Authors: Djokic Sasa Z. , Papic Igor
Published: March 2012

This paper analyses the influence and effects of demand side management (DSM) and micro-generation (MG) on the operation of future “smart grids.” Using the residential load sector with PV and wind-based MG as an example, the paper introduces a general methodology allowing to identify demand-manageable portion of the load in the aggregate demand, as well as to fully correlate variable power outputs of MG with the changes in load demands, including specific DSM actions and schemes. The presented analysis is illustrated using a detailed model of a typical UK LV/MV residential network.