bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sociological Perspectives on Improving Medical Diagnosis Emphasizing CAD
Authors: Fisher Joel
Published: June 2017

Health care costs worldwide are increasing because of new medicines, new techniques, and more expensive and extensive research on diseases. It is essential that health care delivery systems be implemented which take advantage of these advances in a cost effective economic manner. One critical aspect of the health care delivery system is the improvement in diagnosis of disease. This paper emphasizes diagnosis and the need to collect key patient information “pivotal information” at the earliest possible point in the patient's disease process, and put such pivotal information in physicians' hands. There is a potential for huge benefits in cost savings and greater effectiveness of treatment from these actions, but challenges must be overcome to realize their full benefits. The major problems include (1) market incentives in the current health care system which fails to encourage collecting pivotal medical information as early as possible (2) physician resistance to some of these ideas and (3) technical and ethical problems that remain to be solved.
Multimodal Literacy
Authors: Tobin Maryann Tatum
Published: June 2017

Millennial readers are learning to navigate an increasingly robust system of symbols and patterns in order to become literate. This phenomenon, known as multimodal literacy, is providing for new and rich ways of teaching reading to address the complex thinking patterns of young students. However, the rapid pace of technological growth has created a confluence of basic literacy skills and the reading requirements of a multimodal world. Literacy educators must adapt their instruction to this new reality to prepare today's students for the challenges of this century and beyond.
Reflection as a Process From Theory to Practice
Authors: Bharwani Sonia , Musunuri Durgamohan
Published: June 2017

Over the years, the education system in India has been following a surface approach to learning which is characterised by lecture-based classroom teaching and rote learning. However, there is a growing clamour for intersection of theory and practice in the field of management education. A shift in focus from a teacher-centric approach to a student-centric, learning-focused approach is required. There are many learning models which enable students to develop their cognitive abilities and to learn from experience. Several of these models are based on the practice of reflection. Reflection as a process is meant to facilitate self-awareness in the context of practice. This research paper aims at understanding the significance of reflection. It also proposes to throw light on the practice of reflection as understood by students and the role of the instructor in creating a learning environment in which reflective learning is facilitated.
Customer Lifetime Value
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: June 2017

This article indicates the prospect of Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) and the importance of CLV in global marketing. CLV is the total of the financial profit, calculated from the existing period to the future. CLV develops the optimal strategies for customer engagement, promotes the understanding of potential value of a customer, and enables the workforce to effectively improve customer relationships. CLV can be a crucial perspective for costs to be associated with the promotions and communications to attract the new customers and retain the existing customers. CLV can help individuals estimate a customer's monetary worth to a business after factoring in the value of the relationship with a customer over time. The article argues that promoting CLV has the potential to enhance marketing performance and reach strategic goals in global marketing.
Facilitating Customer Relationship Management in Modern Business
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: June 2017

This article explains the overview of CRM; CRM and technological utilization; and the facilitation of CRM in modern business. CRM is a significant strategy to learn more about customers' needs and behaviors in order to develop the stronger relationships with them. CRM is the most efficient approach in maintaining and creating the relationships with customers in modern business. CRM helps business gain the insight into the behavior of their customers and modify their business operations to ensure that customers are served in the best possible way. CRM also helps business recognize the value of its customers and to capitalize on the improved customer relations. The article argues that facilitating CRM has the potential to enhance organizational performance and gain sustainable competitive advantage in modern business.
Data Mining to Identify Project Management Strategies in Learning Environments
Authors: González-Marcos Ana , Ordieres-Meré Joaquín , Alba-Elías Fernando
Published: June 2017

Projects have become a key strategic working form. It is agreed that project performance must achieve its objective and be aligned with criteria that the project stakeholders establish. The usual metrics that are considered are cost, schedule and quality. Configuration for the management of projects is a matter of decision that influences the project's evolution. There also are factors like virtual teamwork and team building processes that are relevant to that evolution. Effectiveness in managing projects depends on these factors and is investigated in this work by means of Educational Data Mining as they can help to build more effective learning and operating procedures. The conclusions from this study can help higher education course designers as well as teachers and students, by making apparent the influence of smarter strategies in the learning process. In fact, the same benefits will help practitioners too, as they can improve their continuous learning procedures and adjust their project management policies and strategies.
Twitter Data Mining for Situational Awareness
Authors: Vernier Marco , Farinosi Manuela , Foresti Gian Luca
Published: June 2017

The most recent catastrophic events, from the 2010 Haiti earthquake to the devastating 2013 Colorado floods, have shown a strong adoption of social media platforms by ordinary people. The data and meta-data produced by the users during and after the extra-ordinary situations could have enormous potentialities if integrated with the traditional systems for emergency management and used for hyperlocal situational awareness. The great majority of the current literature is focused on Twitter for several reasons strictly linked to the architectures and practices of use of the platform itself. It is possible to classify the existing systems based on the analysis of Twitter data at least in three different categories: 1) semantic systems; 2) meta-data systems; and 3) smart self-learning systems. In this contribution, a review of the most significant and important tools used to analyze Twitter data will be presented and an innovative and smart solution will be proposed for future development.
A Maturity Model for Digital Literacies and Sustainable Development
Authors: Sharma Ravi S. , Malone Lin G. , Guan Chong , Dattakumar Ambica
Published: June 2017

As the world becomes increasingly digitised, a key aspect of digitisation is the notion of “digital inclusion”; the empowerment of individuals through digital participation, as enabled through the functional, socio-economic and transformational dimensions of digital literacies. This chapter recounts the role of digital literacies in supporting participative, and therefore sustainable, development. Taking a historical, development perspective, this article describes a Digital Literacies Maturity Model (DLMM) to examine the relationship between knowledge societies, digital inclusion and digital literacies. This model combines the World Bank's four knowledge policy pillars with the four stages of digital development, to link digital policies with socio-economic wellbeing, and serves as a framework for the creation of sustainable knowledge societies.
Nigerian Undergraduate Students' Computer Competencies and Use of Information Technology Tools and Resources for Study Skills and Habits' Enhancement
Authors: Otunla Adekunle Olusola , Amuda Caleb Okoro
Published: June 2017

Information technology (IT) policy implementation by higher educational institutions is geared towards innovative teaching and learning delivery. This study, investigates undergraduate students' computer and IT tools and resources competences and use in enhancing study skills and habits. The study adopted Ex-post facto research design and involved a total of four hundred and fifty undergraduate students from three universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Five research questions were answered using three duly validated instruments and data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that undergraduate students in Rivers State, Nigeria were technologically-capable and are competent in the use of IT tools and resource. The study also establishes the fact that undergraduate students perceived themselves to possess information literacy skills. It was suggested that undergraduate students should use IT tools towards their studies and research.
Adaptive Hypermedia in Education
Authors: Turel Vehbi
Published: June 2017

The aim of this article is: (a) to give the definition of adaptive hypermedia (AH) and state what AH means, and (b) to explore the role of AH in education at this digital age, in which the majority of learners are generally digitally fluent and competitive (Turel 2015b, Gros et al., 2012, pp. 190-210) although some claims otherwise (Bullen, Morgan & Qayyum, 2011, pp. 1-24). Pedagogically and epistemologically, educational institutions (i.e. nursery, primary, secondary and high schools, colleges, vocational schools and colleges, life-long learning centres, adult education centres, and universities) should respond to such learning demands and differences to accommodate the digital-literate, wise and efficient learning style preferences of today's learners by providing AH learning materials for them. More frankly, educational institutions have to use and provide AH learning materials for their learners in order to be competitive in this digital age (Turel, 2014a; Türel, 2013; Duncan-Howell, 2012).
Challenges in Developing Adaptive Educational Hypermedia Systems
Authors: O'Donnell Eileen , O'Donnell Liam
Published: June 2017

The purpose of Adaptive Educational Hypermedia Systems (AEHS) is to provide each learner with learning experiences which have been specially tailored to their specific learning requirements. While the concept of AEHS appears promising; AEHS are very complex systems to design and develop. This article reviews a few of the challenges encountered in the design and development of these complex systems and some of the challenges encountered by educators who propose to use AEHS with their students. A number of the skills required by educators to develop positive learning experiences are discussed. In order to successfully use AEHS educators must decide on what student characteristics to base the adaptive elements of the course. Educators may feel challenged to show the impact that AEHS can have on the learning experience. Educators may have a dilemma in deciding to allow or not to allow (1) students access to their user model and (2) students to edit their user model. Further research is required to explore why AEHS have not yet impacted education as initially expected.
Do Usability Design Features of a Mobile Game Influence Learning?
Authors: Bringula Rex Perez , Cabrera Edison , Calmerin Princess B. , Lao Eduardo A. , Sembrano Christian Gerard , Guia Angelita D. , Lazaro Joan P. , Rubio Alexis John M. , Catacutan Annaliza E. , Jamis Marilou N. , Abad Lalaine P.
Published: June 2017

This one-group pretest-posttest experimental design study presented the effects of mobile game on students' disaster response learning. It also determined which of the usability features of the game might influence learning of students. Ninety-eight students utilized the game for three consecutive days (i.e., the intervention period). It was shown students learn significantly in terms of responding to fire, flood, tsunami, and volcanic eruption but not on storm and earthquake situations. The game did not contribute significantly to the knowledge of the students on storms since students are already attuned to storms. Students did not achieve a significant learning gains in earthquake test items because earthquake drills were conducted in local, institutional, and national levels before the study was initiated. Aesthetics was the only usability design factor that can influence learning. Thus, the null hypothesis stating that the usability design factors do not influence students learning was partially rejected. Recommendations were also offered.
Employing Educational Robotics for the Development of Problem-Based Learning Skills
Authors: Eteokleous Nikleia
Published: June 2017

Robotics activities are related to addressing a problem, and usually problems in authentic, real situations. The students are given a driving question and are requested to solve a “problem”. Having noticed this connection, the current study evaluates the integration of robotics as a tool where the problem based learning (PBL) method and the interdisciplinary approach are intertwined. Specifically, the pre-programmable floor robots, the BeeBots, were used as cognitive-learning tools in order to examine students' development of problem based learning skills: creativity-innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration. A case study approach was employed, collecting quantitative (pre- and post-questionnaires) and qualitative data (focus groups). The results revealed positive student experiences and reactions, and enhancement of the critical thinking and creativity-innovation skills.
From Digital Exclusion to Digital Inclusion for Adult Online Learners
Authors: Garland Virginia E.
Published: June 2017

There is an alarming attrition rate of adult students in distance education programs because of socio-economic, gender and technology factors. In the United States, digitally excluded online adult learners include the poor, mostly women, who have minimal technology skills. This chapter provides some solution strategies for ICT directors, higher education administrators, online instructors, and the older students they serve. With technology training and financial assistance, adult online learners can be motivated to succeed.
ICT Eases Inclusion in Education
Authors: Gašpar Dražena
Published: June 2017

This chapter explores the importance of using ICT in education, focusing on the strong potential of ICT's ability to ease the process of inclusion. Namely, ICT could be a particularly valuable tool for people with disabilities; these tools can improve these individuals' quality of life, reduce social exclusion, and increase social participation. Inclusive education involves focusing on the individual needs of learners, helping them to overcome any barriers that may prevent them from reaching their potential. Through the extensive use of ICT in education, it becomes possible to meet the specific needs of different groups of students, including students with special needs. This chapter presents brief analyses of different supportive technologies, such as hardware and software solutions, Web 2.0 technologies, virtual learning environments (VLEs), virtual worlds, and other similar technologies. The chapter will also stress some open issues, including limitations in interactions, communication, and learning.
Enterprise Interoperability
Authors: Kajan Ejub
Published: June 2017

Many interoperable frameworks have been suggested, developed and implemented in the past. Most of them are based on XML, Web services and Semantic Web technologies. In the meantime, globalization, and the further development of Internet and Web have raised new challenges and opportunities. New form of networked organizations, known as virtual enterprises, seeks for knowledge sharing around common goals. The raise of social and ubiquitous world, where everything is going to be connected gives a lot of technical opportunities for electronic business, but at same time makes new barriers due to increasing heterogeneity issues. This article gives an overview of main challenges, obstacles, approaches, recent research efforts, and forecasts in order to overcome recent interoperability problems.
Reputational Mechanisms in Consumer-to-Consumer Online Commerce
Authors: Melnik Mikhail I.
Published: June 2017

The emergence of the Internet is similar to the industrial revolution since it fundamentally changed the costs of transmitting information. However, low costs of transmitting information do not address the issue of the quality of information. One area of online commerce where quality of information became a crucial factor to the development and growth of the market place was the consumer-to-consumer commerce. Asymmetry of information emerged as a detrimental threat to the growth and development of consumer-to-consumer commerce and yet the market found an intuitive and creative way of addressing the issue: feedback and rating mechanisms. Perhaps the greatest example of this is the story of success of the largest consumer-to-consumer platform: eBay.
Business Intelligence Impacts on Design of Enterprise Systems
Authors: Rouhani Saeed , Lecic Dusanka Milorad
Published: June 2017

The approach to decision support as an individual system has been replaced by a new viewpoint of intelligent software and systems. Based on this new approach, enterprise systems are designed to have Business Intelligence (BI) as an umbrella concept which covers various enabler tools and capabilities in the form of non-functional requirements. The current state-of-the-art in decision support takes the intelligence requirements of enterprise systems as important quality aspects into consideration, along with their functional and non-functional needs, but the literature lacks studies on the evaluation of these intelligence requirements. In this book chapter, business intelligence and enterprise systems literature are reviewed. Also based on the latest researches, the position of BI on these systems is discussed. In the following, through the study of BI capabilities and proposing them as non-functional, the BI Impacts on the design of enterprise systems and software would be described along the direction for future research and insights for information systems development.
Deployment of Enterprise Architecture From the Activity Theory Perspective
Authors: Iyamu Tiko , Shaanika Irja Naambo
Published: June 2017

Enterprise Architecture (EA) is employed primarily to resolve and address factors and challenges, such as complexities, inconsistencies and disparities in information systems (IS) and technologies. This includes collaborations, implementations and integrations of systems and technologies, and the all overall governance of the computing environment of an organisation including governments' administrations. However, the challenges persist even with the emergence and deployment of EA in organisations. Some of the challenges have cost and affected many organisations in their zeal and goal to compete, realise their investment and efforts to bridge the gap between the IT and Business units. Thus, the deployment of EA to addressing the challenges as stated above needs to be strategically relooked or reengineered. We therefore employ the activity theory (AT) as a lens to assess the deployment of EA in an organisation. Based on the analysis and assessment, a model which identities the key influencing factors in the deployment of EA was developed.
Socio-Technical Change Perspective for ERP Implementation in Large Scale Organizations
Authors: Nair Jessy , Reddy D. Bhanusree , Samuel Anand A.
Published: June 2017

Organizations require to enhance their firm level resources to compete in turbulent business environment. Strategic application systems, such as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System is one such resource technology that centralizes the database of the organization to enable a seamless view of the organization. However, implementation of ERP systems in organizations has not been a success story for many. ERP systems implementation brings about large scale organizational change and hence it becomes essential for stakeholders to have a reference framework for planning for various dimensions of the organization. Hence this chapter applies a General Morphological Analysis(GMA) to identify the most suitable theory to analyse ERP implementation. Socio technical theory with Leavitt's diamond model was analysed as most appropriate since they are based on the of premises organizational change at firm level. Socio technical organizational change model will enable stakeholders to analyse resources required for core dimensions of the organization for ERP implementation.
E-Waste, Chemical Toxicity, and Legislation in India
Authors: Mehta Prashant
Published: June 2017

In present digital age, we constantly upgrade or replace our numerous electronic devices due to continuous technological advances, and short product life-cycles. With increasing “market penetration” in developing countries, “replacement market” in developed countries, and “high obsolescence rate”, a large pile of e-waste is generated either internally or it is generated in developed countries and often ends up for recycling in developing countries. The current practices of e-waste management and poor awareness in India is posing a huge challenge to the environment regulators, governments, and policy makers as much work needs to be done at ground level to achieve sustainable results This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of India's current e-waste scenario, analyze hazardous metals and consider environmental and health risks posed by them, understand existing legal framework and strategic interventions, and immediate technical solution to manage and minimize its impact on all.
Potential Benefits and Current Limits in the Development of Demand Response
Authors: Bruno Clementina
Published: June 2017

This chapter, after defining Demand Response (DR) and its potential benefits, illustrates a set of challenges to DR development. A brief review of recent contributions on DR is provided, illustrating that such challenges can come from different sources. Regulatory, technical or socio-economic challenges are considered and discussed. Finally, inter-disciplinary research is suggested as solution to overcome challenges, and some examples of future research directions with respect to economics and social science are provided.
Young People, Civic Participation, and the Internet
Authors: Hirzalla Fadi , Banaji Shakuntala
Published: June 2017

This article discusses the socio-political and theoretical background of the literature on the question as to whether the internet promotes young people's internet-based civic participation; which main strands of empirical research on that issue have emerged over the years; and in what ways and for what reasons different forms of knowledge that have been produced by extant research seem to be intrinsically incompatible. The suggested directions for future research should alleviate those tensions between the divergent forms of knowledge, and alter the standardized narratives in the literature about youth's online civic participation, which, as a partial artifact of the differences in scholars' research focus and methods, have all too often been constructed either as an elitist exercise that normalizes offline business as usual, or as a panacea for old socio-political inequalities. More nuanced narratives may lie somewhere in the middle, and are yet to be fully developed by this young but lively field of literature.
Internet of Things Applications for Healthcare
Authors: Diković Ljubica
Published: June 2017

This paper refers to the paradigm of the “Internet of Things” (IoT) applied for various purposes in the healthcare domain. The functioning of this concept has enabled the collection of a number of technologies in the field of telecommunications, information technology, electronics and social sciences. MHealth as a part of eHealth could be defined as synergistic solution of mobile computing, medical sensor, and communications technologies for health-care, whose common goal is wirelessly monitoring the psycho-physical state of health or remote patient monitoring. This concept represents the evolution of e-health systems to wireless and mobile configurations. This paper aims to provide comprehensive review of recent solutions as well as possible future implementations from the m-Health perspective. Further developments in wireless communications and configurations will have a huge impact on future health-care delivery systems.
Existential Aspects of the Development E-Culture
Authors: Baeva Liudmila Vladimirovna
Published: June 2017

This paper is devoted to the study of a new information age phenomenon - the electronic culture. The author introduces the philosophical analysis of electronic culture, its definition, characteristic features and functions within the society. The purpose of the article is justification theory electronic culture as a special “third nature” generated by human creativity and information technology. The article described existential aspects of the formation of e-culture. E-culture gives human beings new ways to solve existential problems (death, desolation, not liberty, relations with strange ones, and ethical choice), forming in this regard new dependences and risks for person. First of all, Internet-dependence refers to such risks. It enhances “existential vacuum”, axiological disorientation in real sphere; deformation of interpersonal communication essence with the virtualization of its sensual and emotional aspects; appearance of new freedom forms of personality ethical choice, generated by virtual interaction.
Indicators of Information and Communication Technology
Authors: Abdrakhmanova Gulnara , Gokhberg Leonid , Sokolov Alexander
Published: June 2017

Information and communication technology (ICT) has become a major driver of changes in economic, social, public and private life, leading to emergence of the Information Society and Digital Economy. Identification of key trends and analysis of transformation processes can only be made on the basis of reliable statistical data. Development of relevant international statistics play a leading role here hence, via establishing and updating relevant standards, it allows to measure development of the Information Society in a global scale, and benchmark positions of individual countries in the worldwide economic environment. ICT indicators are based on general (definitions and classifications, similar data collection methodologies) and specialised statistical standards, whereas harmonised methodology provides highly compatible indicators for different countries. The objective of this paper is to present a systemic overview of internationally accepted definitions of main ICT indicators based on accumulated methodological standards and practical experience.
A Paradoxical World and the Role of Technology in Thana-Capitalism
Authors: Korstanje Maximiliano Emanuel
Published: June 2017

In this chapter, we hold the thesis that, although technology introduced a plenty of liberties and rights for humankind, which are protected by democracy, it resulted in a much deeper disciplinary mechanism that leads to censorship. To put this in other terms, in Medieval Times, writers, thinkers whose text defied the authority of King or Catholic Church were jailed, tortured and condemned to the stake. The power of coaction emanating from Prince exerted violence as an efficient instrument of dissuasion, circumscribing the Leviathan's whims. The dissemination of books was limited to those authors who were conducive to status quo.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Authors: Iguisi Osarumwense , Igbinomwanhia Osaro Rawlings
Published: June 2017

This conceptual paper draws attention to the relevance of cultures to management philosophy with the purpose of contributing to a culturally viable practice of management in Africa. It has been shown that the different management theories in the form that they have been developed in the West may not fit culturally in Africa. However, in developing theories and building models of management theories in Africa, it is unlikely to pay Africans to throw away all that the West has to offer. Rather, the process of appropriate management theorizing should be to reflect on the assumptions of Western management theories, compare Western assumptions about social and cultural values with African cultural values and rebuild the theories or models through experimentation. The use of anthropological and philosophical concepts in this context will help in development of appropriate management practice.
The Relationship Between Online Formative Assessment and State Test Scores Using Multilevel Modeling
Authors: Karpinski Aryn C. , D'Agostino Jerome V. , Williams Anne-Evan K. , Highland Sue Ann , Mellott Jennifer A.
Published: June 2017

The relationship between one online formative assessment program in reading and state test scores in reading was examined using existing data (N=208) in four cohorts across elementary, middle, and high school from 2004/2005 to 2009/2010. The following research question was addressed: (1) What is the relationship between online formative assessment score growth and state test score growth? Two-Level Time-Varying Covariate Growth Models were used. The results indicated that gains in online formative assessment scores over time covaried significantly and positively with state test score gains. Although causal inference is limited, the demonstrated relationship can provide teachers/administrators with evidence of the benefits of technology-based formative assessment practices. This relationship is reassuring given the number of educators who are using technology-based and/or online teaching tools in the classroom, and the number of administrators who are seeking to increase the use of technology as a learning tool in their schools.
Barcodes vs. RFID and Its Continued Success in Manufacturing and Services
Authors: Smith-Ditizio Amber A. , Smith Alan D.
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this chapter is to study barcodes and their implementation. Barcodes have been around since 1949 and have made strides in supply chains across the world. Barcodes are cost effective and one of the most efficient means of tracking to date. Specifically, 2 companies were chosen to be reviewed, Wal-Mart and Stone, Rudolph & Henry, PLC, by their use of barcodes in their perspective industries, for use by governments, manufacturing, and service industries for identification and error reduction.
Lean Logistics of the Transportation of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) in the Palm Oil Industry
Authors: Teik Cheah Cheng , Fernando Yudi
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficiency, effectiveness and performance of logistics in transportation of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) in Malaysian estates which are the growing logistics hubs in plantation management. It also identifies various factors that significantly affect the efficiency, effectiveness and performance of the Malaysian estate logistics and proposes ways to improve their competitiveness. This study shall empirically explore the causal relationships between Lean Logistics and Triple Bottom Line on Sustainable Logistics Performance in transportation of FFB in the Palm Oil Industry. The objective is to examine the current state of sustainability efforts within the field of value chain, more specifically logistics performance, and to identify opportunities and provide recommendations for the palm oil industry to follow sustainable performance. This study also aims to stimulate further research within the area of sustainable logistics performance.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Personal Assistants on Marketing
Authors: McDowell Marinchak Christina L. , Forrest Edward , Hoanca Bogdan
Published: June 2017

This entry will review the state of the art in AI, with a particular focus on applications in marketing. Based on the current capabilities of AI in marketing, the author's explore the new rules of engagement. Rather than simply targeting consumers, the marketing effort will also be directed at the algorithms controlling the consumers' virtual personal assistants (VPAs). Rather than exploiting human desires and weakness, marketing will need to focus on meeting the user's actual needs. The level of customer satisfaction will be even more critical as marketing will need to focus on establishing and maintaining a reputation in competition with those of similar offerings in the marketplace. This entry concludes with thoughts on the long-term implications, exploring the role of customer trust in the adoption of AI agents, the security requirements for agents and the ethical implications of access to such agents.
Personalized Medicine
Authors: Bisui Sandip , Misra Subhas Chandra
Published: June 2017

This article discusses the issues and concerns related to the adoption of Personalized Medicine in modern healthcare system. In this chapter the authors have elaborated the critical challenges while adopting this new medicare system. The changes required for this adoption have also been discussed by the authors. They have also give a glimpse of the critical success factors and consumer trust concerns along with the privacy and security threats for the successful adoption of Personalized Medicine system.
Virtual Reality as Distraction Technique for Pain Management in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Atzori Barbara , Hoffman Hunter G. , Vagnoli Laura , Messeri Andrea , Grotto Rosapia Lauro
Published: June 2017

For a growing number of medical procedures, patients remain awake during the procedure, they feel pain during the medical procedure, and they remember the pain after the procedure is over. Inadequately controlled pain during medical procedures using pain medications alone for pain control, is a worldwide medical problem. Having patients conscious and feeling pain during medical procedures is especially problematic in children who need repeated medical procedures, such as pediatric patients with large severe burn injuries. Because pain has a strong psychological component, a number of unhelpful psychological factors can unintentionally amplify how much pain, fear and anxiety children experience during painful medical procedures. Fortunately, psychological treatments can be used to help reduce pain and anxiety. Virtual Reality is one promising adjunctive analgesic. There is a growing literature showing the potential of immersive virtual reality as a psychological pain control technique that can be used in addition to traditional pain medications the patient is already receiving. The current chapter reviews a number of studies on virtual reality analgesia in pediatric patients, towards the goal of helping reduce excessive pain in children during medical procedures. The current chapter evaluates the effectiveness of VR during several painful procedures in pediatric and adolescent patients, its applicability, and the potential for wider dissemination of VR analgesia in clinical settings. The current review considers factors involved in the effectiveness of VR analgesia, such as the quality of the VR system used.
Human Psychomotor Performance Under the Exposure to Mobile Phones-Like Electromagnetic Fields
Authors: Curcio Giuseppe
Published: June 2017

The first studies on humans addressing cognitive functioning changes as a consequence of radiofrequency (RF) EMFs exposure, date back to almost 20 years ago. The effects on human behaviour showed in those pioneering works indicated a somewhat improvement of performance under the exposure to the signal, compared with sham exposure. These first and striking results were not fully replicated by subsequent studies that were characterized by a more methodological robustness and attention to exposure aspects. In accordance with this view, latest reviews and metanalyses have confirmed the paucity of evidence and the lack of reliability of psychomotor and cognitive effects of acute RF EMF exposure on human volunteers, particularly when assessed in well controlled laboratory settings. Thus, despite the public opinion about potential biologic effects of acute RF EMFs irradiation, it can be concluded that to date there is substantial lack of evidence about a negative influence of non-ionizing radiations on cognitive functioning in humans.
Wireless Implant Communications Using the Human Body
Authors: Teshome Assefa K. , Kibret Behailu , Lai Daniel T. H.
Published: June 2017

This chapter first examines a new analytical electromagnetic model that uses galvanically coupled intrabody communication (IBC). Frequencies ranging from hundreds of kHz up to a few MHz are considered under quasi static assumptions. The model is unified in the sense that it can be applied to any part of the body (i.e., head, torso, limbs etc.). It also describes influences of tissue property and geometry of the body part. The security and low power consumption of IBC are also apparent in this model. The path loss characterisation of IBC implants shows lower values compared to their MICS counterparts. In addition, the chapter also elaborates on the use of human body as antenna. A scenario where an RF current is fed by a tiny toriodal inductor clamped around tissues in the ankle is studied. The frequency range of 1-70 MHz is considered. Theoretical results show that the system has a maximum gain of - 25 dB between 20 to 40 MHz, assuming an isotropic radiation from human body. For improved performance, mitigation techniques for losses are also discussed.
Adaptive Hypermedia Systems
Authors: Klock Ana Carolina Tomé , Gasparini Isabela , Pimenta Marcelo Soares , de Oliveira José Palazzo M.
Published: June 2017

Adaptive Hypermedia Systems are systems that modify the different visible aspects based on the user profile. To provide this adaptation, the system is modeled according to a user model, which stores the information about each user. This information can include knowledge, interests, goals and tasks, background and skills, behavior, interaction preferences, individual traits and context of the user. This chapter goal is to introduce Adaptive Hypermedia Systems fundamentals and trends. In this context this chapter identifies some methods and techniques used to adapt the content, the presentation and the navigation of the system. In the end, some applications (ELM-ART, Interbook, AHA!, AdaptWeb®) and trends (standardization, data mining, social web, device adaptation and gamification) are exposed. As a result, this chapter highlights the importance of the improvement and the use of adaptive systems.
Interoperability Frameworks for Distributed Systems
Authors: Delgado José Carlos Martins
Published: June 2017

One of the fundamental problems to tackle when interconnecting distributed systems is to entail the minimum coupling possible while ensuring the minimum interoperability requirements. This article presents a solution to the coupling problem based on the concepts of compliance and conformance, in which compatibility between interacting services does not rely on a shared schema, but rather on the features that are actually used. To help systematizing the various aspects relevant to interoperability, this article proposes a multidimensional interoperability framework, which includes the following dimensions: Lifecycle (with typical development stages), Interoperability (based on compliance and conformance, with various layers of abstraction), and Concerns (to deal with non-functional aspects such as security, quality of service and social and legal issues).
Neural Networks and Their Accelerated Evolution From an Economic Analysis Perspective
Authors: Stancu Stelian , Bodea Constanţa-Nicoleta , Popescu(Predescu) Oana Mădălina , Neamţu(Idoraşi) Alina
Published: June 2017

Since 1943, the neuropshychologist Warren McCulloch and the mathematician Walter Pitts published the paper “A Logical Calculus of the Ideas Immanent in Nervous Activity” establishing the foundation of the neural networks. The transition from the biological neuron to the artificial one, from the perceptron to the multi-layer perceptron, from Hopfield networks to Kohonen networks, from bi-directional associative memories to Boltzmann machines, from basic radial functions to Hamming networks, all of these represent a strong proof of the long journey in the study of the neural networks. Using the characteristics of a neural network, an overview of the works in the neural computing are included in the paperwork, namely a taxonomy of the neural networks based on a number of criteria. The paperwork includes the conclusion of the research. at the end, possible further research directions are highlighted.
Effective Cultural Communication via Information and Communication Technologies and Social Media Use
Authors: Kavoura Androniki , Sylaiou Stella
Published: June 2017

Cultural organizations need to adopt contemporary methods and ways of communication for heritage management. Raising people's interest for cultural heritage may take place via the implementation of innovative communication tools that allow for engagement to take place. Research though has shown that cultural organizations are more reluctant than firms are to implement a two-way communication process with new technologies and social media. Do cultural organizations employ Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and social media in an interactive approach? This chapter aims to illustrate the significance that should be attributed to innovation through the use of technology for communication purposes by cultural organizations. The way communication trends take place in the field of cultural management and communication is presented, along with an overview of the technological outlook that can be invaluable. The use of innovative communication tools that are employed by cultural organizations for their communication strategies has been little researched as a topic. This study aims to add to the literature on the use of social media, mobile devices and ICTs by cultural organizations.
Mapping the Dissemination of the Theory of Social Representations via Academic Social Networks
Authors: Silvana de Rosa Annamaria , Dryjanska Laura , Bocci Elena
Published: June 2017

This chapter examines the role of Academic Social Networks in the dissemination of the Social Representations literature. In particular, it takes into account 9414 entries filed in the specialised SoReCom “A.S. de Rosa” @-library. Each entry was assessed concerning the presence of the publication in the three academic social networks (Academia.edu, ResearchGate and Mendeley), which amounted to 2956 total entries. The publications on social representations found in academic social networks have undergone some of the comparative analyses based on “big data” and “meta-data” filed in the SoReCom “A.S. de Rosa”@-library repositories, concerning authors' countries and institutional affiliations, years of publication by year, type of publication, etc. This allowed presenting the geo-mapping of the wider scientific production in Social Representations and comparative results with different types of publications. Overall, the academic social networks constitute excellent allies in spreading knowledge in spite of their still relatively modest use.
Sport Exergames for Physical Education
Authors: Soltani Pooya , Vilas-Boas João Paulo
Published: June 2017

Sports active video games (exergames) are accessible forms of physical activity which might also be used in physical education (PE) curriculum. The purpose of this book chapter is to firstly, review some of the relevant applications of sports exergames for inclusion in PE and secondly, to characterize one of these games (swimming) from different aspects of biomechanics, physiology, and psychology. We compared movement patterns, muscle activation, energy expenditure, enjoyment, usability, and game experience in participants with different performing levels (real-swimmers vs. non-swimmers, experienced vs. novice) and gender. Understanding these parameters may help in the development of more realistic sports exergames and meaningful gameplay and may give PE teachers a better idea of the inclusion of such games in their practice.
Assessing Computer-Aided Design Skills
Authors: Wong Yi Lin , Siu Kin Wai Michael
Published: June 2017

This chapter discusses the difficulties of CAD assessment through examining and reviewing existing CAD examination questions in Hong Kong. Based on the review, limitations of the current assessment are highlighted. It is argued that the existing method is inconsistent with the problem solving nature of the software and is unable to assess students with high ability and advanced drawing skills. Recommendation and improvement directions are suggested in the chapter to optimize the quality of assessment. Other subjects which also involve assessment of computer skills and design may also benefit from the recommendations.
Understanding User Experience
Authors: Dickson-Deane Camille , Chen Hsin-Liang (Oliver)
Published: June 2017

User experience determines the quality of an interaction being used by an actor in order to achieve a specific outcome. The actor can have varying roles and evolving needs thus reviewing and predicting experiences are important. As an actor uses and gains feedback, the feedback guides individual and group behavior thus becoming pertinent to how interactions occur. This then questions how artefacts are designed to promote such interactions and what processes should be incorporated to ensure successful interpretation, use, [physical] reaction and conation. This chapter discusses the effects of user experiences today based on societal needs and expectations. It shows how the field is delineated into numerous sub-topics all of which can stand on their own yet, still draw from each other. The discussions will include fields such as cognitive science, human computer interaction, learning sciences and even ergonomics to show how design and subsequently interactions can assist in having successful user experiences
What Accounts for the Differences in Internet Diffusion Rates Around the World?
Authors: Nath Ravi , Murthy Vasudeva N.R.
Published: June 2017

Clearly, the Internet and its applications are pivotal in facilitating the economic activities of nations as well as significantly influencing an individual's work and life. However, the fact is, the Internet diffusion rates remain vastly uneven across nations. Why? This paper attempts to identify some of the key economic, political, cultural, technological, and individual factors that influence the diffusion rates of the Internet across the nations of the world. Support for the stated factors is provided by citing existing research studies conducted across many nations. Further, a comprehensive understanding of the factors germane to the diffusion of the Internet is essential in formulating and implementing policies that spur the availability and usage of the Internet.