bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flying under the Radar
Authors: Kirkup Gill
Published: May 2011

This chapter argues that e-learning innovation is best done in an environment that allows for small scale experimentation and development and that this can be made more difficult in an environment that prioritises large scale e-learning systems (i.e., virtual learning environments and content management systems). These larger systems tend to function more as systems for the control and regulation of knowledge production and management, as well as being very resource hungry. The chapter discusses e-learning activities in the Open University (UK), in particular those of the MA in Online and Distance Education programme in the Institute of Educational Technology. This is a case study of e-learning innovation in what has been described as an industrial production model of university education.
Two Approaches of Workflow Scheduling with QoS in the Grid
Authors: Dong Fangpeng , Akl Selim G.
Published: May 2011

Over the past decade, Grid Computing has earned its reputation by facilitating resource sharing in larger communities and providing non-trivial services. However, for Grid users, Grid resources are not usually dedicated, which results in fluctuations of available performance. This situation raises concerns about the quality of services (QoS). The meaning of QoS varies with different concerns of different users. Objective functions that drive job schedulers in the Grid may be different from each other as well. Some are system-oriented, which means they make schedules to favor system metrics such as throughput,load-balance, resource revenue and so on. To narrow the scope of the problem to be discussed in this chapter and to make the discussion substantial, the scheduling objective function considered is minimizing the total completion time of all tasks in a workflow (also known as the makespan). Correspondingly, the meaning of QoS is restricted to the ability that scheduling algorithms can shorten the makespan of a workflow in an environment where resource performance is vibrant. This chapter introduces two approaches that can provide QoS features at the workflow scheduling algorithm level in the Grid. One approach is based on a workflow rescheduling technique, which can reallocate resources for tasks when a resource performance change is observed. The other copes with the stochastic performance change using pre-acquired probability mass functions (PMF) and produces a probability distribution of the final schedule length, which will then be used to handle the different QoS concerns of the users.
Karma2
Authors: Simmhan Yogesh L. , Plale Beth , Gannon Dennis
Published: May 2011

The increasing ability for the sciences to sense the world around us is resulting in a growing need for datadriven e-Science applications that are under the control of workflows composed of services on the Grid. The focus of our work is on provenance collection for these workflows that are necessary to validate the work-flow and to determine quality of generated data products. The challenge we address is to record uniform and usable provenance metadata that meets the domain needs while minimizing the modification burden on the service authors and the performance overhead on the workflow engine and the services. The framework is based on generating discrete provenance activities during the lifecycle of a workflow execution that can be aggregated to form complex data and process provenance graphs that can span across workflows. The implementation uses a loosely coupled publish-subscribe architecture for propagating these activities, and the capabilities of the system satisfy the needs of detailed provenance collection. A performance evaluation of a prototype finds a minimal performance overhead (in the range of 1% for an eight-service workflow using 271 data products).
Provenance Tracking and End-User Oriented Query Construction
Authors: Balis Bartosz , Bubak Marian , Pelczar Michal , Wach Jakub
Published: May 2011

Provenance tracking is an indispensable element of each e-Science infrastructure for conducting in silico experiments. However, enabling end-users who are non-IT experts to query provenance and experiment data in a meaningful way is equally important. The authors propose an ontology-based provenance model which captures the execution of in silico experiments, as well as domain-specific semantics of data and computations used in those experiments. They demonstrate how ontologies can serve as inter-lingua for end-users, provenance tracking system, and query tools. Query Translation Tools (QUaTRO), enabling end-user oriented, ontology-guided visual querying over provenance records and experiment data, are also presented. In those tools, they also show how the ontology models enable semantic information integration of provenance metadata and experiment data, enabling queries capable of exploring the structure of provenance and associated experiment data. Their approach is demonstrated on a Drug Resistance application deployed in the ViroLab Project.
Functional Genomics Applications in GRID
Authors: Milanesi Luciano , Merelli Ivan , Trombetti Gabriele
Published: May 2011

A common ongoing task for Functional Genomics is to compare full organisms’ genome with those of related species, to search in huge database for functional annotation of novel sequences and to identify specific patterns of them, such as ESTs, genes, and microRNA. The prediction of these patterns has a relevant computational cost, while public genome archives exceed one billion sequence traces from over 1,000 organisms and this number is increasing rapidly as costs decline, but powerful solution must be enabled in order to perform efficient searches. This means that Functional Genomics applications require significant computational infrastructures, where reusable tools and resources can be accessed. In particular, grid computing seems to fulfill both the computational and data management requirements, even if porting applications on this infrastructure can be difficult. The implementation of a suitable environment for the management of distributed computations can provide reliable advantage, reducing the gap between the requirements of the functional genomic domain and the potential of this technology.
PheGeeatHome
Authors: Schmidt Bertil , Chen Chen , Liu Weiguo , Mitchell Wayne
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we present PheGeeatHome, a grid-based comparative genomics tool that nominates candidate genes responsible for a given phenotype. A phenotype is the physical manifestation of the interplay of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Our tool is designed to facilitate the discovery and prioritization of candidate genes controlling or contributing to the genetically determined portion of a specified phenotype. However, in order to make reliable nominations of candidate genes from sequence data, several genome-size sequence datasets are required. This makes the approach impractical on traditional computer architectures leading to prohibitively long runtimes. Therefore, we use a computational architecture based on a desktop grid environment and commodity graphics hardware to significantly accelerate PheGee. We validate this approach by showing the deployment and evaluation on a grid testbed for the comparison of microbial genomes.
Data Mining in Proteomics Using Grid Computing
Authors: Psomopoulos Fotis , Mitkas Pericles
Published: May 2011

The scope of this chapter is the presentation of Data Mining techniques for knowledge extraction in proteomics, taking into account both the particular features of most proteomics issues (such as data retrieval and system complexity), and the opportunities and constraints found in a Grid environment. The chapter discusses the way new and potentially useful knowledge can be extracted from proteomics data, utilizing Grid resources in a transparent way. Protein classification is introduced as a current research issue in proteomics, which also demonstrates most of the domain – specific traits. An overview of common and custom-made Data Mining algorithms is provided, with emphasis on the specific needs of protein classification problems. A unified methodology is presented for complex Data Mining processes on the Grid, highlighting the different application types and the benefits and drawbacks in each case. Finally, the methodology is validated through real-world case studies, deployed over the EGEE grid environment.
Virtual Laboratory for Collaborative Applications
Authors: Bubak Marian , Malawski Maciej , Gubala Tomasz , Kasztelnik Marek , Nowakowski Piotr , Harezlak Daniel
Published: May 2011

Advanced research in life sciences calls for new information technology solutions to support complex, collaborative computer simulations and result analysis. This chapter presents the ViroLab virtual laboratory, which is an integrated system of dedicated tools and services, providing a common space for planning, building, improving and performing in-silico experiments by different groups of users. Within the virtual laboratory collaborative applications are built as experiment plans, using a notation based on the Ruby scripting language. During experiment execution, provenance data is created and stored. The virtual laboratory enables access to distributed, heterogeneous data resources, computational resources in Grid systems, clusters and standalone computers. The process of application development as well as the architecture and functionality of the virtual laboratory are demonstrated using a real-life example from the HIV treatment domain.
Improving Access to Government Information with Open Standards for Document Formats
Authors: Shah Rajiv C. , Kesan Jay P.
Published: May 2011

An important element of transformational government is improving the access and use of government information. Effective use of government information requires government to move beyond traditional proprietary document formats because these formats limit access and use of information stored digitally. In this chapter, we show how document formats based on open standards and the Extensible Markup Language (XML) can revitalize citizens’ access and use of government information. We also offer an improved definition of open standards to assist governments in selecting which document formats to adopt. A critical part of this new definition is an emphasis on multiple implementations of an open standard, which is also known as running code.
Interorganizational Communications in Disaster Management
Authors: Yang Jing , Lee JinKyu , Rao Ashwin , Touqan Nasrat
Published: May 2011

In response to the lessons and criticisms over the recent large-scale disasters and relief activities during the disasters, many government organizations around the world have recently launched initiatives to improve their disaster management capabilities. While a revision of disaster management capability may entail transformation of organizational structures, business processes, and technical infrastructure across multiple organizations, the field of disaster management suffers from lack of theoretical foundation. With a special emphasis on information and communication technologies (ICTs), the chapter provides a review on various issues examined in the recent disaster management literature and develops a conceptual framework of the relationships between technological properties of ICTs and multiagency collaboration in disaster management. This chapter contributes to the theoretical foundation of the field by identifying major research issues in the disaster management communications and their relationships with relevant entities and environmental factors. Discussions on future research directions are also presented.
The Call for Transformational Governance in the Knowledge Economy
Authors: Yeo Benjamin , Trauth Eileen
Published: May 2011

Increasingly, regions are developing initiatives towards building a knowledge economy. This change is also bringing about a transition from more static forms of information technology (IT) work to more dynamic forms of knowledge work. It follows that knowledge industries will involve more multifaceted forms of collaboration among workers and organizations using IT. In view of the complexities in knowledge work, this chapter develops an argument for a transformational approach to governance, whereby policymakers create mechanisms to continuously evaluate local social contexts so as to continuously adapt policies to unique local conditions. This argument is based on the results of three markedly different case studies of knowledge economies: San Joaquin Valley, California; Ennis, Ireland; and Singapore. These data are used to show how local and unique social conditions influence the sustainability of a knowledge economy. Given the unique characteristics of local contexts, a transformational approach represents one useful approach to governance.
Developing an Interdisciplinary Approach to the Evaluation of E-Government Implementation
Authors: Sorrentino Maddalena , De Marco Marco
Published: May 2011

Can we assess the results of an e-government program in terms of its capacity to provide solutions to problems of public import? While interest in the evaluation of public IT investments is growing worldwide, there is also a widespread perception of the inadequacy of the knowledge that informs concrete practices. This chapter adopts a perspective that centers mainly on conceptual arguments; it considers the evaluation as a social research field requiring interdisciplinary inputs capable of shedding light not only on the results, but also on the implementation process of the public services. The proposed interpretive key, which draws on contributions from organization theory, augments the significance of evaluation research. The reflections offered here have the goal of both providing further insights for the academic e-government community as a whole and helping to better inform public management praxis.
Evaluating IT-Enabled Transformation in Public Services
Authors: Ozkan Sevgi , Cakir Murat
Published: May 2011

While the paradigm for organizations evolves into an information perspective and information systems’ (IS) role shifts from efficiency to effectiveness, among the top issues of IS management is measuring and improving IS effectiveness. This chapter offers an IS effectiveness evaluation methodology applied on a government organization in Turkey. IS maturity is taken as a reference for determining independent variables of the research. The chapter supports that “IS effectiveness” is a relative term conceptualized by organizational features. The case study suggests future research areas. A number of findings and propositions have been presented, including the alignment of technology and business process, integrating stakeholders’ trust and commitment, the significance of top management support, top-down vs. bottom-up approaches, which can enhance the adoption and institutionalization of information systems implementations within a government organization.
E-Government Implementation in Transition Countries
Authors: Ramaswamy Mysore
Published: May 2011

The implementation of e-government is a challenging task in any developed political context, but all the more uniquely so in the postcommunist transitioning countries. These factors surpass the indubitabl benefits of automation as an output and information technology as a tool, and take into account elements of context and capacity that should not be overlooked. The degree of resistance to change due to organizational, structural, and social factors varies depending upon differences in each of these critical dimensions. In postcommunist countries such as Armenia, e-transformation is considered in some quarters as a second disruption, the first being the fall of the Soviet rule. In this chapter, we develop a comprehensive framework which is needed for successful implementation of e-government initiatives. This framework combines not only the critical dimensions of e-government interactions but also the various sociotechnical aspects that are particularly relevant to the special challenges of transitioning countries.
Individual Differences in Adaptive Educational Hypermedia
Authors: Tsianos Nikos , Germanakos Panagiotis , Lekkas Zacharias , Mourlas Costas
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to experimentally explore the effect of individual differences in an adaptive educational hypermedia application. To that direction, the constructs of cognitive style (Cognitive Style Analysis) and visual working memory (visuo-spatial subsystem of Baddeley’s model) were employed as personalization parameters, thus rendering possible the provision of personalized learning environments according to users’ intrinsic characteristics. Two distinct experiments were conducted, with a total sample of 347 university students, seeking out to ground the hypothesis that matching the instructional style to learners’ preferences would increase their performance. Both experiments demonstrated that users in the personalized condition generally outperformed those that were instructed in a condition mismatched to their cognitive style or visual working memory ability.
The DEKOR System
Authors: Gütl Christian , García-Barrios Victor Manuel
Published: May 2011

Due to the wide diversity of learning styles and learner characteristics, delivering learning material from modern ICT-based learning must also be conducted in a diverse manner rather than with a “one-fitsall” approach. By focusing on content aspects, the majority of adaptive Web-based educational systems are only able to deal with closed repositories and therefore only pre-defined content alternatives for limited learner characteristics are manageable. One possible solution is to enable and technologically support students’ freedom to select appropriate learning content of their own choice. The WWW as an extensive repository of diverse content has gained considerable interest as an open-ended learning environment, but most students cannot cope well with such open accessibility. To overcome this, the authors have started research towards a system of personalized access to open repositories. In this book chapter, they introduce the evolution of their linked approaches and discuss the findings in the context of learner characteristics.
Introduction to Wireless Sensor Network Localization
Authors: Mao Guoqiang , Fidan Baris
Published: May 2011

Localization is an important aspect in the field of wireless sensor networks that has attracted significant research interest recently. The interest in wireless sensor network localization is expected to grow further with the advances in the wireless communication techniques and the sensing techniques, and the consequent proliferation of wireless sensor network applications. This chapter provides an overview of various aspects involved in the design and implementation of wireless sensor network localization systems. These can be broadly classified into three categories: the measurement techniques in sensor network localization, sensor network localization theory and algorithms, and experimental study and applications of sensor network localization techniques. This chapter also gives a brief introduction to the other chapters in the book with a focus on explaining how these chapters are related to each other and how topics covered in each chapter fit into the architecture of this book and the big picture of wireless sensor network localization.
Localization Algorithms and Strategies for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Akgul Ferit Ozan , Heidari Mohammad , Alsindi Nayef , Pahlavan Kaveh
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses localization in WSNs specifically focusing on the physical limitations imposed by the wireless channel. Location awareness and different methods for localization are discussed. Particular attention is given to indoor TOA based ranging and positioning systems. Various aspects of WSN localization are addressed and performance results for cooperative schemes are presented.
Graph Theoretic Techniques in the Analysis of Uniquely Localizable Sensor Networks
Authors: Jackson Bill , Jordán Tibor
Published: May 2011

In the network localization problem the goal is to determine the location of all nodes by using only partial information on the pairwise distances (and by computing the exact location of some nodes, called anchors). The network is said to be uniquely localizable if there is a unique set of locations consistent with the given data. Recent results from graph theory and combinatorial rigidity made it possible to characterize uniquely localizable networks in two dimensions. Based on these developments, extensions, related optimization problems, algorithms, and constructions also became tractable. This chapter gives a detailed survey of these new results from the graph theorist’s viewpoint.
Discovering Network Motifs in Protein Interaction Networks
Authors: Wan Raymond , Mamitsuka Hiroshi
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines some of the available techniques for analyzing a protein interaction network (PIN) when depicted as an undirected graph. Within this graph, algorithms have been developed which identify “notable” smaller building blocks called network motifs. The authors examine these algorithms by dividing them into two broad categories based on two de?nitions of “notable”: (a) statistically-based methods and (b) frequency-based methods. They describe how these two classes of algorithms differ not only in terms of ef?ciency, but also in terms of the type of results that they report. Some publicly-available programs are demonstrated as part of their comparison. While most of the techniques are generic and were originally proposed for other types of networks, the focus of this chapter is on the application of these methods and software tools to PINs.
Evolutionary Analyses of Protein Interaction Networks
Authors: Makino Takashi , McLysaght Aoife
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces evolutionary analyses of protein interaction networks and of proteins as components of the networks. The authors show relationships between proteins in the networks and their evolutionary rates. For understanding protein-protein interaction (PPI) divergence, duplicated genes are often compared because they are derived from a common ancestral gene. In order to reveal evolutionary mechanisms acting on the interactome it is necessary to compare PPIs across species. Investigation of co-localization of interacting genes in a genome shows that PPIs have an important role in the maintenance of a physical link between neighboring genes. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce methodologies for analyzing PPI data and to describe molecular evolution and comparative genomics insights gained from such studies.
Graphical Analysis and Visualization Tools for Protein Interaction Networks
Authors: Gollapudi Sirisha , Marshall Alex , Zadik Daniel , Hodgman Charlie
Published: May 2011

Software for the visualization and analysis of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks can enable general exploration, as well as providing graph-theoretic algorithms for specific tasks. Analyses can include reduction of complexity or the scope of the network in order to make it more manageable, or increase in complexity by integration with other datasets, to represent biology more accurately. Two software approaches are outlined in this chapter: desktop applications and web services. Desktop applications have attractive user interfaces with a wide range of analysis tools, and often capabilities for integration of other bio-molecular data. Web services provide a newer approach to network analysis. They have the advantages of a broader range of potential functionalities and a more extensible framework than standalone desktop tools. However, their relative infancy means that they are not as well developed. This chapter provides an evaluation of some common desktop applications, compared to and contrasted with several examples of web services.
The Progression Towards Project Management Competence
Authors: Skulmoski Gregory J. , Hartman Francis T.
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this research was to investigate the soft competencies by project phase that IT project managers, hybrid and technical team members require for project success. The authors conducted qualitative interviews to collect data from a sample of 22 IT project managers and business leaders located in Calgary, Canada. They identified the key competencies for the three types of job roles. The research participants offered their opinions of what are the most important competencies from the following competence categories: Personal Attributes (e.g. eye for details), Communication (e.g. effective questioning), Leadership (e.g. create an effective project environment), Negotiations (e.g. consensus building), Professionalism (e.g. life long learning), Social Skills (e.g. charisma) and Project Management Competencies (e.g. manage expectations). The authors discuss the progression of competence through these job roles. They identified and discuss the interplay between a change in job role and the required competencies necessary for IT project success from a neuro-science perspective.
Examining Stakeholders' Roles in Influencing IT Project Cancellation Decisions
Authors: Pan Gary
Published: May 2011

The goal of any product is to be used. In a very real sense, people judge the success or failure of any product by the extent to which it is used by intended users in their daily practice. Understanding a product from the perspective of the end-user is one of the most important and often overlooked keys to the success of any project. Many products suffer from a lack of widespread utilization because developers and managers often have a deterministic view of the relationship between technology and users. This deterministic view leads to an over reliance on technical specifications as the driving force in the end users’ decision to adopt and use a product. However, a wide variety of human, organizational, social, and cultural factors also affect the acceptance and use of any product. Any organization, even those in the most highly technical and advanced fields, is, in reality, a dynamic example of a sociotechnical system in which people and machines interact, negotiate usage, compete for primacy, and generally co-exist. This chapter will provide a broad theoretical overview of the critical role that end-users play in the adoption, implementation, utilization, and institutionalization of any technology. A number of relevant theories will be discussed, including diffusion theory (e.g., Rogers, 1995), technological determinism (e.g., Ellul, 1967), sociotechnical systems (e.g., Volti, 2006), and utopian and dystopian philosophical perspectives (e.g., Rubin, 1996). In addition to a theoretical overview, this chapter will provide practical recommendations for developers and managers who wish to increase the utilization of their products by bringing the user into the development process. The practical recommendations will include a discussion of Ely’s (1999) conditions that facilitate the implementation of innovations. These conditions include developing a sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo, providing sufficient time to become familiar with a new technology, and generating meaningful commitment to the project by upper level managers. Also included in the practical recommendations will be a brief discussion of various organizational components that enable the introduction of innovations (Surry, Ensminger, & Haab, 2005). These components include the development and maintenance of an adequate infrastructure of supporting technologies, an emphasis on shared decision making, and ongoing support systems. Other recommendations to be discussed in this chapter will be derived from rapid prototyping models of development (e.g., Tripp & Bichelmeyer, 1990) and recent surveys of user-centered design methods.
University Task Force Deepens Academic Involvement in ERP System
Authors: Crow Michael
Published: May 2011

Kansas State University has ensured greatly increased academic involvement in the implementation of its new student information system through the use of an Academic Task Force. Consisting of Associate and Assistant Deans, each college of the university is represented on the task force to work directly with project management to review and revise university procedures as well as suggest system enhancements with the goal of melding the new system into the long term objectives of the university. This case study explores the evolution of the task force from its beginnings, springing out of an update session with an academic policy and procedure committee to the point that the task force eventually supplanted the Project Steering Committee as the primary conduit of information exchange between the project team and the academic community.
Visualization to Assist the Generation and Exploration of Association Rules
Authors: Yamamoto Claudio Haruo , Ferreira de Oliveira Maria Cristina , Rezende Solange Oliveira
Published: May 2011

Miners face many challenges when dealing with association rule mining tasks, such as defining proper parameters for the algorithm, handling sets of rules so large that exploration becomes difficult and uncomfortable, and understanding complex rules containing many items. In order to tackle these problems, many researchers have been investigating visual representations and information visualization techniques to assist association rule mining. In this chapter, an overview is presented of the many approaches found in literature. First, the authors introduce a classification of the different approaches that rely on visual representations, based on the role played by the visualization technique in the exploration of rule sets. Current approaches typically focus on model viewing, that is visualizing rule content, namely antecedent and consequent in a rule, and/or different interest measure values associated to it. Nonetheless, other approaches do not restrict themselves to aiding exploration of the final rule set, but propose representations to assist miners along the rule extraction process. One such approach is a methodology the authors have been developing that supports visually assisted selective generation of association rules based on identifying clusters of similar itemsets. They introduce this methodology and a quantitative evaluation of it. Then, they present a case study in which it was employed to extract rules from a real and complex dataset. Finally, they identify some trends and issues for further developments in this area.
Quantitative Assessment of Physical Activity Using Inertial Sensors
Authors: James Daniel A. , Busch Andrew , Ohgi Yuji
Published: May 2011

The testing and monitoring of elite athletes in their natural training and performance environment is a relatively new area of development that has been facilitated by advancements in microelectronics and other micro technologies. The advantages of monitoring in the natural environment are that they more closely mimic the performance environment and thus can take into account environmental variables; and where used in competition, can monitor the athlete’s performance under competitive stresses. Whilst it is a logical progression to take laboratory equipment and miniaturize it for the training and competition environment, it introduces a number of considerations that need to be addressed. This chapter introduces the use and application of inertial sensors as ideal candidates for the portable environment, describing the technical challenges of making the transition from the lab to the field, using a number of case studies as examples.
Double Play
Authors: Silberman Lauren
Published: May 2011

Just at the moment when gaming has achieved broad cultural acceptance, a new way of using commercial sport video games is emerging, which adds a new perspective on the educational and social value games may offer for learning. This research calls attention to how elite athletes are currently using commercial video games for training purposes and the potential the games may afford for all elite athletes who can play as their “second-self.”
Computational and Robotic Pool
Authors: Dussault Jean-Pierre , Greenspan Michael , Landry Jean-François , Leckie Will , Godard Marc , Lam Joseph
Published: May 2011

We introduce pool and its variants, and describe the challenges of computationally simulating the game to create a robot capable of selecting and executing shots on a real table. A proficient pool player performs accurate shots and recovers good position with reasonable alternatives to play following each shot, which requires planning. The computational and robotic simulation of a high level player requires vision, calibration, and accurate robot positioning, as well as an ability to precisely anticipate the table arrangement through simulation of the planned shots. Such a system also requires strategic planning in order to recreate the human’s ability to clear table after table. Ultimately, the challenges associated with the creation of a pool robot will promote new ways of using existing AI methods and provide, if successful, a training tool for players wanting to improve their game.
Sport Video Game Sponsorships and In-Game Advertising
Authors: Cianfrone Beth A. , Zhang James J.
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces the new and unique sport promotional format of sport video game sponsorships and in-game advertising. Information on the growth of sport video games, unique features of this segment of the sport industry, and financial and technical value of in-game advertising and sponsorships are first introduced. Extensive discussions are made on the advantage of sport video games as a marketing tool and the importance of assessing the effectiveness of in-game advertising and sponsorships. The need to systematically understand consumer motivation and market demand for sport video games is highlighted. This chapter concludes with recognizing contemporary issues and recommended solutions.
The Effect of Arousal on Adolescent's Short-Term Memory of Brand Placements in Sports Advergames
Authors: Hernandez Monica D. , Chapa Sindy
Published: May 2011

The authors’ study examined factors affecting Mexican adolescent’s memory of brand placements contained in advergames. Specifically, two concerns were investigated: (1) the effect of high/moderate arousal on adolescent’s short-term recognition, and (2) the effect of high/moderate arousal on brand confusion. Analyses indicated that high arousal advergames corresponded to both higher hit scores (better recognition) and lower false alarms (less confusion) than moderate arousal advergames. The findings revealed more accurate short-term memory when subjects were exposed to a high arousal condition than to a moderate arousal condition. Advertisers wishing to target adolescents could strengthen the recognition of their products and brands by relying on fast pace or competitive game genres.
A Proposition for Developing Trust and Relational Synergy in International e-Collaborative Groups
Authors: Olaniran Bolanle A.
Published: May 2011

Trust and relational development represents a critical challenge in online collaboration groups. Often the problem is attributed to several factors including physical distances, time differences, cultures, and other contributing factors. The challenge in virtual teams centers on creating a successful cohort that functions as a team and develops a sense of trust and cohesion in the process of accomplishing respective group goals. However, the lack of trust in online groups hinders relational development. The author contends that while online collaboration can be clouded by problems with trust and relational synergy as a whole, the problem is exacerbated in international online or e-Collaborative groups. The development of trust is essential to relational synergy and warmth that fosters successful task and social goal accomplishment. After reviewing related and extant research in online communication, the author offers some practical suggestions for facilitating and sustaining trust and relational synergy in international online collaboration with information communication technologies (ICTs).
Engineering Wireless Mobile Applications
Authors: Mahmoud Qusay H. , Maamar Zakaria
Published: May 2011

Conventional desktop software applications are usually designed, built, and tested on a platform similar to the one on which they will be deployed and run. Wireless mobile application development, on the other hand, is more challenging because applications are developed on one platform (like UNIX or Windows) and deployed on a totally different platform like a cellular phone. While wireless applications can be much smaller than conventional desktop applications, developers should think in the small in terms of the devices on which the applications will run and the environment in which they will operate instead of the amount of code to be written. This paper presents a systematic approach to engineering wireless application and offers practical guidelines for testing them. What is unique about this approach is that it takes into account the special features of the new medium (mobile devices and wireless networks), the operational environment, and the multiplicity of user backgrounds; all of which pose new challenges to wireless application development.
Object Grouping and Replication on a Distributed Web Server System
Authors: Mahmood Amjad , Homeed Taher S.K.
Published: May 2011

Object replication is a well-known technique to improve performance of a distributed Web server system. This paper first presents an algorithm to group correlated Web objects that are most likely to be requested by a given client in a single session so that they can be replicated together, preferably, on the same server. A centralized object replication algorithm is then proposed to replicate the object groups to a cluster of Web-server system in order to minimize the user perceived latency subject to certain constraints. Due to dynamic nature of the Web contents and users’ access patterns, a distributed object replication algorithm is also proposed where each site locally replicates the object groups based on the local access patterns. The performance of the proposed algorithms is compared with three well-known algorithms and the results are reported. The results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithms.
Experience Report
Authors: Blake M. Brian , Singh Lisa , Williams Andrew B. , Norman Wendell , Sliva Amy L.
Published: May 2011

Organizations are beginning to apply data mining and knowledge discovery techniques to their corporate data sets, thereby enabling the identification of trends and the discovery of inductive knowledge. Many times, traditional transactional databases are not optimized for analytical processing and must be transformed. This article proposes the use of modular components to decrease the overall amount of human processing and intervention necessary for the transformation process. Our approach con- figures components to extract data-sets using a set of “extraction hints”. Our framework incorporates decentralized, generic components that are reusable across domains and databases. Finally, we detail an implementation of our component-based framework for an aviation data set.
Agile Development of Secure Web-Based Applications
Authors: Tappenden A. F. , Huynh T. , Miller J. , Geras A. , Smith M.
Published: May 2011

This article outlines a four-point strategy for the development of secure Web-based applications within an agile development framework and introduces strategies to mitigate security risks that are commonly present in Web-based applications. The proposed strategy includes the representation of security requirements as test cases supported by the open source tool FIT, the deployment of a highly testable architecture allowing for security testing of the application at all levels, the outlining of an extensive security testing strategy supported by the open source unit-testing framework HTTPUnit, and the introduction of the novel technique of security refactoring that transforms insecure working code into a functionally-equivalent secure code. Today, many Web-based applications are not secure, and limited literature exists concerning the use of agile methods within this domain. It is the intention of this article to further discussions and research regarding the use of an agile methodology for the development of secure Web-based applications.
Linking Information to Business Strategies and Decision-Making
Authors: Koh S.C. Lenny , Maguire Stuart
Published: May 2011

The ultimate reason why organizations develop information systems is so that their employees can make good decisions. If firms did not make decisions there would be no pressing need to implement systems. We must always make sure that we do not lose sight of this fact. An organization should make it their business to document what decisions are made in the course of their business. It will be very important to prioritise these decisions. Which decisions are crucial to the organization? Do we need up-to-the-minute information before we can make a decision on that issue? What level of accuracy do we need before deciding on that point? i.e. quality assurance.
Developing and Implementing an ICT Strategy
Authors: Koh S.C. Lenny , Maguire Stuart
Published: May 2011

The introduction of new IS can often have a significant effect on the business practices within an organization. It is important that a lack of understanding of cultural & political issues does not have a detrimental effect on the way that information is used within the organization. New IS often resulting in staff receiving information that they have previously been unable to obtain. It is important that staff to have a greater awareness of issues that might work against a team approach to resolving problems in an ever-changing environment. It is hoped that staff is aware of the specific problems and able to weight the importance of understanding the goals and specifically the information that are crucial to the rest of the organization.
Knowledge Management
Authors: Koh S.C. Lenny , Maguire Stuart
Published: May 2011

Knowledge.Management can be defined as the critical issues of organisational adaptation, survival and competence against discontinuous environmental change. Essentially it embodies organisational processes that seek synergistic combination of data and information processing capacity of information technologies, and the creative and innovative capacity of human beings. This definition proposed by Dr Yogesh Malhotra summarises a key issue for e-learning strategies and the way they will impact professional training and companies’ organisation policies.
Competing in the Age of Information Technology in a Developing Economy
Authors: Koh S.C. Lenny , Maguire Stuart
Published: May 2011

This case describes how banking in India has changed after developments in information technology in the last decade. The new private and foreign banks, which are strong in technology, are giving tough competition to old public sector banks. Private banks have pioneered Internet banking, phone banking, anywhere banking, mobile banking, debit cards, automatic teller machines (ATMs), and retail banking in urban India. This case is about the VN Bank, a public sector bank that has to formulate its strategy in order to compete in this new environment. The case also explores the opportunity and challenges for the bank in rural India and makes readers think about how information technology can help the bank in building a strong position in the rural markets. The findings of the case study also can be generalized across other developing countries, where domestic companies are facing tough competition from foreign and private players.
Applying an Organizational Uncertainty Principle
Authors: Wood Joseph , Tung Hui-Lien , Marshall-Bradley Tina , Sofge Donald A. , Grayson James , Bergman Margo , Lawless W.F.
Published: May 2011

The theory of bistable perceptions in the interaction indicates the existence of an uncertainty principle with effects amplified at the organizational level. Traditional theory of the interaction, organizational theory, and the justification for an organizational uncertainty principle are reviewed. The organizational uncertainty principle predicts counterintuitive effects that can be exploited with the Semantic Web to formulate a set of metrics for organizational performance. As a preliminary test of the principle, metrics derived from it are applied to two case studies, both works in progress, with the first as an ongoing large system-wide application of web-based metrics for organizational performance and the second as a case study of a small college where web-based metrics are being considered and constructed. In preparation for the possibility of machine-based real-time metrics afforded by the Semantic Web, the results demonstrate a successful theory and application in the field of an uncertainty principle for organizations.
Semantic Technologies and Web Services
Authors: Cevenini Claudia , Fioriglio Gianluigi , Laukyte Migle , Rocchi Alessandro , Contissa Giuseppe
Published: May 2011

This chapter adds a further dimension to interdisciplinary research on Semantic Web and Web Services: ICT is undergoing a strong and constant regulatory phenomenon at national, European and international level and needs to be constantly monitored. This makes it possible to develop and use technologies in a law-abiding manner and to be aware of the legal position (rights and duties) of oneself and third parties. This chapter aims at offering an overview of the legal framework that supports people’s access to Web Services, according to the Semantic Web innovations. The basic aspects examined include: delegation, liability, privacy and e-identity. Finally, a specific section dedicated to e-business will give a dynamic approach to the analysis, so as to consent further developments on the other issues that Semantic Web implies.
E-Collaboration
Authors: Torkia Eric , Cassivi Luc
Published: May 2011

Over the last 10 years or so, we have been witnessing a major paradigm shift from the information age to the relationship age (see Table 1). According to Galbreath (2002), the relationship age is truly about the value of the relationships a firm maintains and manages. Customers, employees, suppliers and partners all contribute synergistically to the economic output of the firm. Ashkenas, Ulrich, Todd, and Kerr (1995) put it more formally by saying that many organizations were faced with a rate of change that exceeded their capability to respond, and that they had to attempt to retool their organization in order to meet an entirely new set of criteria for success. Hence, a firm carrying out business in the Relationship Age is essentially focusing on improving one or more of the success factors such as speed of execution, process and product flexibility, knowledge integration, and ability to innovate new and profitable processes, products, or services (Ashkenas et al., 1995).
Designing Interactive and Collaborative E-Learning Environments
Authors: So Hyo-Jeong
Published: May 2011

Despite the increasing numbers of online courses, there have been several concerns and criticisms related to teaching and learning in e-Learning. Previous research has suggested that students are often dissatisfied and frustrated with their e-Learning courses. A more important issue is that e-Learning has not led to pedagogical changes. A large percentage of e-Learning courses have been developed to deliver simple factual knowledge through tutorial-based instruction. In seeking a paradigm shift from information delivery-centered to learner-centered e-Learning approaches, this chapter suggests that theoretically and empirically grounded design frameworks are required, and that strategies for interactive and collaborative learning should be considered and incorporated in designing learner-centered environments. To identify instructional design strategies, the author critically reviewed and analyzed relevant case studies. Three design guidelines are presented with specific strategies and examples: 1) meaningful opportunities for online collaboration, 2) minimization of communication barriers and maximization of idea sharing, and 3) increasing perceived levels of social presence