bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Review of Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) Based Energy-Efficient Routing Protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Nayyar Anand , Singh Rajeshwar
Published: September 2015

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have always been a hot area of researchers for finding more solutions towards making WSN network more energy efficient and reliable. Energy efficient routing is always a key challenging task to enhance the network lifetime and balance energy among the sensor nodes. Various solutions have been proposed in terms of energy efficient routing via protocol development, various techniques have also been incorporated like Genetic Algorithm, Swarm Intelligence etc. The main aim of this research paper to study all the routing protocols which are energy efficient and are based on Ant Colony Optimization (ACO). This paper also highlights the pros and cons of each of routing protocol which has been developed on lines of Energy Efficiency and has also been compared among one another to find which protocol outwits one another. Further, we conclude that Swarm Intelligence being a novel and bio-inspired field has contributed as well as contributing much in the area of improving routing issues of sensor networks.
Mobile Cloud Resource Management
Authors: Katzis Konstantinos
Published: September 2015

Providing mobile cloud services requires seamless integration between various platforms to offer mobile users optimum performance. To achieve this, many fundamental problems such as bandwidth availability and reliability, resource scarceness, and finite energy must be addressed before rolling out such services. This chapter aims to explore technological challenges for mobile cloud computing in the area of resource management focusing on both parts of the infrastructure: mobile devices and cloud networks. Starting with introducing mobile cloud computing, it then stresses the importance of resource management in the operation of mobile cloud services presenting various types of resources available for cloud computing. Furthermore, it examines the various types of resource management techniques available for mobile clouds. Finally, future directions in the field of resource management for mobile cloud computing environment are presented.
Online Virtual Learning Environments
Authors: Adamo-Villani Nicoletta , Dib Hazar
Published: September 2015

This article is an overview of online virtual learning environments for discovery learning. The paper defines Virtual Learning Environments and discusses literature findings on the benefits of using web-based VEs for self-directed learning. It gives an overview of the latest technologies/platforms used to develop online VEs, discusses development and delivery challenges posed by complex, information-rich web-based 3D environments, and describes possible solutions that can be adopted to overcome current limitations. The paper also presents and discusses two 3D web-deliverable virtual learning environments that were recently developed by the authors: the “Virtual Tour of the Muscatatuck State Hospital Historic District (MSHHD)” and the “VELS: Virtual Environment for Learning Surveying”. The “Interactive 3D Tour of MSHHD” is a web-based digital heritage application that uses Virtual Reality as a tool to document and preserve historic sites and educate the public about them; the “VELS” is an online virtual learning environment whose objective is to help undergraduate students learn surveying concepts and practices.
Assessing Spatial Design in Virtual Environments
Authors: Cram Andrew , Lowe Russell , Lumkin Katy
Published: September 2015

There is growing interest in adopting three-dimensional virtual environments within spatial design courses to use digital modelling techniques to support students' learning. One pedagogical issue that has received little attention so far is the question of how 3D virtual environments can be used to implement assessment techniques that support students' learning of spatial design expertise. This chapter seeks to assist spatial design educators who are considering digital modelling by presenting two case studies that highlight assessment practices within spatial design courses using virtual environments. Rubrics and student work samples are included. These courses both involve students creating architectural designs within virtual environments, yet contrast in several ways: learning outcomes, 3D modelling technologies, and student cohorts. The cases examine how the affordances of virtual environments for iterative, immersive, and collaborative design can enable formative and summative assessment, with both design process and the final artefact playing important roles.
Design Issues of 4G-Network Mobility Management
Authors: Manjaiah D. H. , Payaswini P.
Published: September 2015

Fourth Generation wireless networking (4G network) is expected to provide global roaming across different types of wireless and mobile networks. In this environment, roaming is seamless and users are always connected to the best network. Moreover, 4G networks will be packet switched systems entirely based on the IPv6 protocol. The essentiality of Quality of Service (QoS) and the heterogeneous nature of 4G pose high demands onto the mobility management technology. Due to this, one of the most challenging research areas for the 4G network is the design of intelligent mobility management techniques that take advantage of IP-based technologies to achieve global roaming among various access technologies. In order to address the issue of heterogeneity of the networks, IEEE 802.21 working group proposed Media Independent Handover (MIH). The scope of the IEEE 802.21 MIH standard is to develop a specification that provides link layer intelligence and other related network information to upper layers to optimize handovers between heterogeneous media. The IEEE 802.21 group defines the media independent handover function that will help mobile devices to roam across heterogeneous networks and stationary devices to switch over to any of the available heterogeneous networks around it.
Social Networking for Educational Purposes
Authors: Eteokleous-Grigoriou Nikleia , Ktoridou Despo
Published: September 2015

This chapter examines and evaluates the role, usefulness, and value of social networking as perceived by higher education students. It examines the educational role of social networking by developing Special Interest Groups (SIGs) within a social networking site (Facebook). It also tries to examine the development of socio-cultural skills through the SIGs created within the social networking site. Specifically, this chapter describes and presents an evaluation of the use of three Facebook SIGs by faculty and students of five Universities in Cyprus in three discipline areas: 1) MIS – Management Information Systems; 2) Computer Science; and 3) Engineering. A mixed method approach was employed, collecting quantitative data (through questionnaires) and qualitative data (through focus groups and Facebook SIGs' observations). The results highlight the promising and important role as well as the value of such online groups in both social and academic life. Additionally, the development of socio-cultural skills through the use of Facebook and specifically the SIGs is discussed. Finally, the chapter discusses the “best practice” policies for Facebook integration for educational purposes.
Service-Oriented Development of Workflow-Based Semantic Reasoning Applications
Authors: Cheptsov Alexey , Wesner Stefan , Koller Bastian
Published: September 2015

The modern Semantic Web scenarios require reasoning algorithms to be flexible, modular, and highly-configurable. A solid approach, followed in the design of the most currently existing reasoners, is not sufficient when dealing with today's challenges of data analysis across multiple sources of heterogeneous data or when the data amount grows to the “Big Data” sizes. The “reasoning as a workflow” concept has attracted a lot of attention in the design of new-generation Semantic Web applications, offering a lot of opportunities to improve both flexibility and scalability of the reasoning process. Considering a single workflow component as a service offers a lot of opportunities for a reasoning algorithm to target a much wider range of potentially enabled Semantic Web use cases by taking benefits of a service-oriented and component-based implementation. We introduce a technique for developing service-oriented Semantic Reasoning applications based on the workflow concept. We also present the Large Knowledge Collider - a software platform for developing workflow-based Semantic Web applications, taking advantages of on-demand high performance computing and cloud infrastructures.
The Use and Uptake of Information and Communication Technology
Authors: Kırkgöz Yasemin
Published: September 2015

In common with many countries, teacher education in Turkey has been facing a period of rapidly changing demands with respect to the use of information and communication technology. This chapter presents a case study of an initial teacher education department in Turkey. The study focuses on prospective English language teachers' views concerning various types of information and communication technology deployed by their teacher educators, their views of the information and communication technology-related course, their subsequent engagement of the information and communication technology, its emerging challenges, and their expectations to utilize information and communication technology in their future teaching. Data were collected using a questionnaire, interviews, and portraits of three teacher candidates. The results of the study reveal that the majority of the teacher candidates have positive perceptions towards integration of technology in their courses; however, they are aware of the lack of the pedagogical use of information and communication technology within their courses, and see the need for more use of such tools in their preservice teacher education programs.
Social Media Tools in Initial Teacher Education
Authors: Mâţă Liliana
Published: September 2015

This chapter investigates the current context of integrating and exploiting social media tools in initial teacher education. The theoretical part highlights the latest approaches of social media on an international level from the perspective of the following elements: a) the concept of social media, b) the categories of tools, c) the implications of integrating social media technologies in the field of teacher education, and d) the configuration of innovative model of social media in the context of teacher training. The methodological part presents the results of a content analysis research of the way in which new social media tools may be used in initial teacher training. The research results contribute to establishing the main issues in this field as well as new solutions and directions for improving initial training programmes for teachers by means of social media tools.
Sporting Safe in the Liminal Sphere
Authors: Khadka Santosh
Published: September 2015

Facebook, like any other social networking site, troubles the traditional categories of private and public spheres. As it complicates (and transcends) the distinction, it can be called a different space, or a liminal space, which falls somewhere in-between private and public spheres. The author argues that this recognition of Facebook as a liminal sphere has important implications to the (re) definition of public and private spheres and to the ways rhetoric should work or be used in the Web 2.0 sites like Facebook. The author also proposes that Michael de Certeau's notions of “strategy” and “tactics” can be powerful rhetorical tools to deal with Facebook's liminality and to enhance the rhetorical performance of self in Facebook and other similar new media forums.
Augmented Reality Advertisements in Tourism Marketing
Authors: Çeltek Evrim
Published: September 2015

The rapid growth in the use of smart phones and respective mobile applications has created new ways for the tourism industry to market the services to customers. The growing use of smart phones is driving the mobile applications market to be one of the fastest growing media outlets in the history of consumer technology. Augmented reality, or AR, has become one of the new advertising and marketing tool. Many brands use AR to attract customers and to increase customer engagement. AR allows smart phone and tablet computer users to point their phone or tablet cameras at certain objects—be they print advertisement or even coffee cups—that trigger a 3D video. Augmented reality gives businesses opportunity to unexpectedly integrate the digital world with the real world. This chapter presents the profile of AR applications and AR advertisements in the tourism industry.
Mobile Devices
Authors: Dawson Maurice , Wright Jorja , Omar Marwan
Published: September 2015

Mobile devices are becoming a method to provide an efficient and convenient way to access, find and share information; however, the availability of this information has caused an increase in cyber attacks. Currently, cyber threats range from Trojans and viruses to botnets and toolkits. Presently, 96% of mobile devices do not have pre-installed security software while approximately 65% of the vulnerabilities are found within the application layer. This lack in security and policy driven systems is an opportunity for malicious cyber attackers to hack into the various popular devices. Traditional security software found in desktop computing platforms, such as firewalls, antivirus, and encryption, is widely used by the general public in mobile devices. Moreover, mobile devices are even more vulnerable than personal desktop computers because more people are using mobile devices to do personal tasks. This review attempts to display the importance of developing a national security policy created for mobile devices in order to protect sensitive and confidential data.
The Use of Web 2.0 Technologies in Formal and Informal Learning Settings
Authors: Best Lisa A. , Buhay Diane N. , McGuire Katherine , Gurholt Signe , Foley Shari
Published: September 2015

It is often assumed that because the current generation of students is more technologically competent than previous generations, they would prefer to use technology for both formal and informal learning. The results of a series of empirical studies indicated that students in formal settings preferred face-to-face contact with their instructors and used Web 2.0 tools for communication and to complete specific class assignments; in their personal lives, these technologies were used for communication, music and video downloads, and online gaming. Although students did not use social networking in their classes, the use of these tools may provide educators with an alternative to course management systems. Results from a community sample indicated a preference towards using the Internet for information gathering, and even though respondents reported that the incorporation of social networking sites in informal education settings would be nice, it was not expected. Overall, both student and community participants utilized technology that was familiar to them. Thus, assuming technological competence in our students and implementing various technological applications in the classroom may be counterproductive if guidance and training are not provided.
Visibility of the Airport Sector
Authors: Haro de Rosario Arturo , Pérez Carmen Caba , Cañadas María del Mar Sánchez
Published: September 2015

The aim of this chapter is to analyse the use of social communication media and Web 2.0 tools at airports to determine whether these technologies are being used as a means of raising the airports' visibility, enhancing their level of e-participation and improving corporate dialogue. In addition, the authors seek to determine which variables influence the use and development of these tools. The results obtained reveal a moderate use of Web 2.0 tools by airports, with the most noteworthy finding being their presence in social networks and the use of the latter as channels through which to increase e-participation.
Reliability Evaluation Methods for Resilient Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ansari M. Saeed , Mahani Ali
Published: September 2015

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are deployed for various applications such as military applications, environmental monitoring, security and surveillance, health care applications and so on. In most of these applications, reliable data transport is of great importance and also a facet of quality of service (QoS). This chapter discusses reliable data transport approaches and protocols. The presented protocols should be energy efficient besides they guarantee reliability in data transmission. The authors review protocols mostly based on packet and event reliability taking advantage of retransmission and redundancy mechanisms. In addition, network component failures and fault tolerant techniques should be also considered in reliable WSN designs. Since different reliability evaluation modeling approaches is presented. Finally the authors highlight the challenges to WSNs reliability enhancement and some future research directions are addressed in particular.
How Web 2.0 Shapes Patient Knowledge Sharing
Authors: Libreri Chiara , Graffigna Guendalina
Published: September 2015

Web 2.0 has totally changed the health communication world. In particular, it has reconfigured peer exchanges about health. These exchanges are important because they allow knowledge sharing and construction between patients, in particular chronic patients. Although their importance is well established, this field of study brings together a variety of theories not uniformly shared or understood. It is not clear how patients use Web for knowledge processes: what kind of knowledge processes happen in Web 2.0 between patients? How does Web 2.0 sustain or impede these processes? The aim of this research is to map virtual exchanges about diabetes in Italy by developing a systematic exploration of Web using the main search engines (Google, Yahoo) and analyzing the site that hosts posts and exchanges about diabetes. According to a psychosocial perspective, findings highlight the main features of online knowledge processes among patients.
The Influence of Social Networking and Library 2.0 as a Gateway for Information Access and Knowledge Sharing in Africa
Authors: Kamba Manir Abdullahi
Published: September 2015

The chapter tries to highlight the influence of social networking and library 2.0 in providing access to information and knowledge sharing in Africa. It further discusses the panorama at which the information environment is changing from traditional to electronic, where access to information and knowledge stands to benefit all. The chapter, however, exhibits that in most developing worlds today the electronic information environment is gradually spreading and obviously will take time to be fully integrated into the systems, especially in Africa. The chapter provides a highlight on the value, usefulness, access to information, and knowledge sharing, which has become a necessary component for human existence and development. The premise is that librarians' role is to facilitate this effective management and promote access to information and knowledge sharing through the influence of social networking and library 2.0; this in turn will strengthen and empower the African people to be among global players in the knowledge-based economy. The emergence of Web 2.0 principles and technologies that has given rise to social networking and library 2.0 offer libraries and information centers many opportunities for sharing information and knowledge among people regardless of distance or geographical areas. This reaches out beyond the walls of the library and Websites of any library or institutions. These developments make it possible for people to share knowledge and information online, borrow locally, and buy or sell on a global scale as appropriate to their needs and circumstances.
Discovering Complex Relationships of Drugs over Distributed Knowledgebases
Authors: Li Juan , Sharma Ranjana , Bai Yan
Published: September 2015

Drug discovery is a lengthy, expensive and difficult process. Indentifying and understanding the hidden relationships among drugs, genes, proteins, and diseases will expedite the process of drug discovery. In this paper, we propose an effective methodology to discover drug-related semantic relationships over large-scale distributed web data in medicine, pharmacology and biotechnology. By utilizing semantic web and distributed system technologies, we developed a novel hierarchical knowledge abstraction and an efficient relation discovery protocol. Our approach effectively facilitates the realization of the full potential of harnessing the collective power and utilization of the drug-related knowledge scattered over the Internet.
Web 2.0 and Its Implications on Globally Competitive Business Model
Authors: Joshi Sudhanshu
Published: September 2015

Considering the impact of using social media, both internal and external implications for company operations are required to be explored. The chapter explores how social media is used to enable innovation practices in company internal operations as well as external stakeholders. In addition, the objective of the study is to evaluate the need and scope of Web 2.0 behind the restructuring of the business model, with major emphasis on implementing a user-centric business model. The research questions include: (a) What are the Critical Success Factors (CSF) responsible for attracting and engaging users in Web 2.0-oriented business processes and practices?; (b) Identifying the scope of effective Web 2.0-based strategies to overcome internal resistance at operational as well firm level during deployment of new business model. The chapter also discusses the influence of Web 2.0 concepts in the Web-strategy formulation for organizations with differing requirements, characteristics, and objectives. Considering four types of Web-based business models (Wirtz, 2010), namely (a) content-oriented business model, (b) commerce-oriented business model, (c) context-oriented business model, and (d) connection-oriented business model. The chapter defines the implementation of Web 2.0-based technological strategies in evolving the business model of the firm.
Analyzing Online Reviews to Measure Augmented Reality Acceptance at the Point of Sale
Authors: Baier Daniel , Rese Alexandra , Schreiber Stefanie
Published: September 2015

Increasingly, brick and mortar retailers compete with their counterparts by enriching the point of sale through technological innovations that make use of customer-owned mobile devices. So, for example, IKEA, the world's largest furniture retailer, has introduced an interactive mobile app that provides the customer with additional insights in a personalized and convenient way: by scanning quick response codes in the printed catalogue, 3D objects, pictures, text, or videos are provided on the customer's smartphone or tablet. They inform about a furniture's interior or its potential usage, give planning aids, or visualize the furniture in alternative surroundings. In this chapter, the perceived usefulness, ease of use, and attitude towards such new technology-based innovations are discussed. Customers' perceptions are measured by applying a modified technology acceptance model. Traditional customer surveys as well as online customer reviews are analyzed. The results are encouraging: the mobile app is seen as an enrichment of the shopping experience but can be improved. Both data collection formats lead to similar results.
Marketing Strategies in the Age of Web 3.0
Authors: Ferrari Sonia
Published: September 2015

The Web has become one of the most effective means of communication, and electronic marketing is rapidly transforming the way organizations communicate and operate in many areas. This chapter describes the Internet evolution; in fact, it is no longer just an information tool but has become a new dimension, allowing firms to learn more about their customers, communicate more effectively, promote and market products, services, companies, and brands. The evolution of the Internet, from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0, has resulted in a radical change in marketing strategies and tools in many businesses.
Volunteer Computing on Mobile Devices
Authors: Tapparello Cristiano , Funai Colin , Hijazi Shurouq , Aquino Abner , Karaoglu Bora , Ba He , Shi Jiye , Heinzelman Wendi
Published: September 2015

Different forms of parallel computing have been proposed to address the high computational requirements of many applications. Building on advances in parallel computing, volunteer computing has been shown to be an efficient way to exploit the computational resources of under utilized devices that are available around the world. The idea of including mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, in existing volunteer computing systems has recently been investigated. In this chapter, we present the current state of the art in the mobile volunteer computing research field, where personal mobile devices are the elements that perform the computation. Starting from the motivations and challenges behind the adoption of personal mobile devices as computational resources, we then provide a literature review of the different architectures that have been proposed to support parallel computing on mobile devices. Finally, we present some open issues that need to be investigated in order to extend user participation and improve the overall system performance for mobile volunteer computing.
Implementing Advanced Characteristics of X3D Collaborative Virtual Environments for Supporting e-Learning
Authors: Bouras Christos , Triglianos Vasileios , Tsiatsos Thrasyvoulos
Published: September 2015

Three dimensional Collaborative Virtual Environments are a powerful form of collaborative telecommunication applications, enabling the users to share a common three-dimensional space and interact with each other as well as with the environment surrounding them, in order to collaboratively solve problems or aid learning processes. Such an environment is “EVE Training Area tool” which is supported by “EVE platform”. This tool is a three-dimensional space where participants, represented by three-dimensional humanoid avatars, can use a variety of e-collaboration tools. This paper presents advanced functionality that has been integrated on “EVE Training Area tool” in order to support: (a) multiple collaborative learning techniques (b) Spatial audio conferencing, which is targeted to support principle 3 (augmenting user's representation and awareness). Furthermore the paper presents technological and implementation issues concerning the evolution of “EVE platform” in order to support this functionality.
Ideas on the Future of Intelligent Web-Based E-Learning
Authors: Kose Utku
Published: September 2015

With the outstanding improvements in technology, the number of e-learning applications has increased greatly. This increment is associated with awareness levels of educational institutions on the related improvements and the power of communication and computer technologies to ensure effective and efficient teaching and learning experiences for teachers and students. Consequently, there is a technological flow that changes the standards of e-learning processes and provides better ways to obtain desired educational objectives. When we consider today's widely used technological factors, Web-based e-learning approaches have a special role in directing the educational standards. Improvements among m-learning applications and the popularity of the Artificial Intelligence usage for educational works have given great momentum to this orientation. In this sense, this chapter provides some ideas on the future of intelligent Web-based e-learning applications by thinking on the current status of the literature. As it is known, current trends in developing Artificial Intelligence-supported e-learning tools continue to shape the future of e-learning. Therefore, it is an important approach to focus on the future. The author thinks that the chapter will be a brief but effective enough reference for similar works, which focus on the future of Artificial Intelligence-supported distance education and e-learning.
Using Advanced Approaches in Urban Design Researches
Authors: Shakibamanesh Amir , Ghorbanian Mahshid
Published: September 2015

A lot of scientific studies have investigated virtual reality, the technological phenomenon of the modern world. However, there is no comprehensive study about the practical use of this technology in the urban design field. The aim of this chapter is to investigate this subject. The first step is to outline the 3D digital models discussed as a context for the formation of virtual reality. Then summarizing experts view in the field of virtual reality technology; the study presents components, conditions and requirements necessary to create a virtual environment in its real scientific sense. Since the chapter aims at utilizing virtual reality in the context of urban design studies, it focuses on virtual reality applications in urban design projects, and advantages and limitations of this technique in this area. Finally, at the end of this chapter most common devices needed for equipping a VR Lab and experiencing the sense of presence in virtual environment have been studied in three main categories including non-immersive, immersive, and full-immersive.
Taking Action from Awareness
Authors: Stevenson Carolyn N.
Published: September 2015

Increasing awareness of climate change issues is a critical issue for all individuals in today's society. Environmental education is important to not only creating awareness of these issues, but taking action towards fostering positive change. Pre-university students have a strong voice on environmental issues that needs to be heard. Environmental education programs such as SeaTrust Institute's AWARE (Action Within a Resilient Environment) assist teens in learning about issues that directly impact their communities. AWARE combines environmental education with hands-on experiential learning projects in their communities. This program also connects high school students with other high school and college students enrolled in SeaTrust Institute's Global Internship.
Dynamic Disaster Coordination System with Web based Html5 API
Authors: Çinal Hamdi , Taşkan Şeyma , Baybaş Fulya
Published: September 2015

Estimation of the damage before and after an earthquake requires data collection and its analysis, as well. There have been many studies that performed that kind of analysis. However, the previous studies only represent a particular period of time. There is not a good infrastructure that can perform dynamic risk analysis based on the new data collected and changing circumstances. To this end, this project aims to build an infrastructure that can enable to perform a long-term up to date analysis. In the project, it was established updateable and shareable infrastructure risk analysis for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Center, Disaster and Emergency Plan, with ELER (Earthquake Loss Estimation Routine) using web-based GIS tools. ELER software that performs the loss of life and damage distribution analysis enables the implementation of disaster plans according to the pre-earthquake scenarios and post-earthquake damage distribution and amplitude results. For this purpose, web-based data entry interface of the desktop software ELER is prepared and the required update of the data set is provided. Relational database between Marmara Sea Bathymetry, 3 D terrain elevation data and geology, building data was created. Web services were given the opportunity to be updated to these data online. End products will be bringing into service to users / administrators with web-based mapping software. As a result of this project; after an earthquake in Istanbul, life loss, injuries and the quantity of the damaged buildings were quantified as soon as possible. Five-level (full, heavy, medium, light, undamaged) structural damage analyzes were done, number of people who needs post-earthquake emergency shelter was identified, and the amount of economic loss was calculated. Therefore, under the coordination of IBB units, post-earthquake intervention regions, size of the damage, etc. holistic contribution were provided, rapid damage assessment after the earthquake was made with the established system and vulnerability risk of earthquakes in the quantitative environment has become interrogable.
Production of Landslide Susceptibility Map using Bayesian Probability Model
Authors: Akıncı Halil , Özalp Ayşe Yavuz , Özalp Mehmet , Kılıçer Sebahat Temuçin , Kılıçoğlu Cem , Everan Emre
Published: September 2015

Artvin is one of the provinces in Turkey where landslides occur most frequently. There have been numerous landslides characterized as natural disaster recorded across the province. The areas sensitive to landslides across the province should be identified in order to ensure people's safety, to take the necessary measures for reducing any devastating effects of landslides and to make the right decisions in respect to land use planning. In this study, the landslide susceptibility map of the Central district of Artvin was produced by using Bayesian probability model. Parameters including lithology, altitude, slope, aspect, plan and profile curvatures, soil depth, topographic wetness index, land cover, and proximity to the road and stream were used in landslide susceptibility analysis. The landslide susceptibility map produced in this study was validated using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) based on area under curve (AUC) analysis. In addition, control landslide locations were used to validate the results of the landslide susceptibility map and the validation analysis resulted in 94.30% accuracy, a reliable outcome for this map that can be useful for general land use planning in Artvin.
Detection of Urban Expansion by using DMSP-OLS, Landsat Data and Linear Spectral Unmixing Method
Authors: Uysal Cihan , Maktav Derya
Published: September 2015

Urbanization has been increasingly continuing in Turkey and in the world for the last 30 years. Especially for the developing countries, urbanization is a necessary fact for the sustainability of the urban growth. Yet, this growth should be controlled and planned; otherwise, many environmental problems might occur. Therefore, the urban areas having dynamic structure should be monitored periodically. Monitoring the changes in urban environment can be provided with land cover land use (LCLU) maps produced by the pixel based classification methods using ‘maximum likelihood' and ‘isodata' techniques. However, these thematic maps might bring about inaccurate classification results in heterogeneous areas especially where low spatial resolution satellite data is used since, in these approaches, each pixel is represented with only one class value. In this study, considering the spectral mixture analysis (SMA) each pixel is represented by endmember fractions. The earth is represented more accurately using 'substrate (S)', ‘green vegetation (V)' and ‘dark surfaces (D)' spectral endmember reflectances with this analysis based on linear mixture model. Here, the surrounding of Izmit Gulf, one of the most industrialized areas of Turkey, has been chosen as the study area. SMA has been applied to LANDSAT images of the years of 1984, 1999 and 2009. In addition, DMSP-OLS data of 1992, 1999 and 2009 has been used to detect urban areas. According to the results, the changes in LCLU and especially the urban growth areas have been detected accurately using the SMA method.
Challenges of Semantic 3D City Models
Authors: Billen Roland , Cutting-Decelle Anne-Françoise , Métral Claudine , Falquet Gilles , Zlatanova Sisi , Marina Ognen
Published: September 2015

This technical paper is a contribution to the identification of current challenges of semantic 3D city models. They are presented in four parts, namely 3D enriched city models and their connection with urban information models and smartcities, urban models integration, urban analyses and data. This work is an output of the COST Action TU0801 “Semantic Enrichment of 3D city models for sustainable urban development”.
Multi-Criteria Evaluation Approach of Mobile Text Entry Methods
Authors: Ocampo Lanndon
Published: September 2015

Current evaluations on mobile text entry methods focus only on speed and accuracy performance but fail to consider subjective preferences of users. Such evaluation is ill-defined and does not constitute a systems approach since it requires a complex multi-criteria decision process that must encompass both objective and subjective criteria. Thus, this paper proposes the use of Analytic Network Process (ANP) in the evaluation of five mobile text entry methods in Android smartphones. A hierarchical network decision problem is developed from a focus group discussion of keen smartphone users. Using ANP, new insights in research and design of text entry methods are proposed. Results show that QWERTY method is the most preferred text entry method and is influenced by criteria on perceived text entry speed and number of keys. A survey is conducted to validate the results of the evaluation process using ANP. The main contribution of this work is in introducing a multi-criteria evaluation approach for mobile text entry research that holistically addresses speed-accuracy performance along with relevant subjective criteria that may potentially influence decision-making.
Performance Prediction of an Automotive Assembly Line Based on ARMA-ANN Modeling
Authors: Pandian Annamalai , Ali Ahad
Published: September 2015

This research paper aims to predict the automotive Body-In-White (BIW) robotic welding assembly line performance. A combinational prediction model based on the Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) is developed. Classical methods are often used to predict the assembly line throughput, but not ideal. A combinational prediction model is applied for comprehensive analysis and prediction of the assembly line throughput. The various case studies presented in this paper indicate that the precision of the model is better than the other models. This research has significant practical value to the assembly plant because, based on the prediction, plant can make commitment to achieve the production to meet the market demand. Unpredictable performance of the assembly line in the plant leads to more overtime, less time for maintenance and eventually hurting the company bottom line.
EEG Synchronization and Brain Networks
Authors: Sengupta Anwesha , Datta Subhadeep , Kar Sibsambhu , Routray Aurobinda
Published: September 2015

Synchronization measures between Electro-encephalograph (EEG) signals from different regions of the brain are often employed to characterize the interaction of brain areas during mental and physical activity. The present work examines the variation of alertness of human subjects due to fatigue in a simulated driving task induced by loss of sleep using a Horizontal Visibility Graph (HVG)-based EEG synchronization measure. A brain network is formed at each stage of the experiment using synchronization values and network parameter values from various brain regions are compared to study the variation in connectivity between brain regions along successive stages of the experiment.
Neural Network Based Automated System for Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer
Authors: Singh Seema , Tejaswini V. , Murthy Rishya P. , Mutgi Amit
Published: September 2015

Cervical Cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. Few concerns have arisen such as the shortage of skilled pathologists leading to increase in burden on them. This requires a need for efficient and accurate method that diagnoses cervical cancer without human intervention. In this paper, an automated system is developed for diagnosis of cervical cancer using image processing techniques and neural networks. The system is developed using Cytology images taken from Bangalore based cancer pathologist. MATLAB image processing toolbox is used to extract features from cytology images that are used for discriminating various stages of cervical cancer. The dominant features used for diagnosis are Nucleus to cytoplasm ratio, shape, and color intensity along with nucleus area, perimeter and eccentricity. These features are used to train the neural network using Back-propagation algorithm of supervised training method. The cytology cells were then successfully classified as non-cancerous, low- grade and high-grade cancer cells.
Secure Knowledge Management
Authors: Tamaddon Sohail , Ahmad Atif , Bosua Rachelle
Published: September 2015

Human knowledge-sharing networks generate Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets that provide private enterprise with competitive advantages. Although considerable research has focused on increasing the knowledge-sharing outcomes of such networks, there has been comparatively less emphasis on examining the possibility of competitive erosion through knowledge leakage. This paper considers how to mitigate knowledge leakage by influencing the development of human knowledge sharing networks. The authors review the literatures of human knowledge sharing networks as well as information security management in organizations. Based on the literature reviews we identify 12 key factors that influence network development and a security paradigm and associated mechanisms that mitigate knowledge leakage. The authors then identify a range of knowledge protection strategies by applying the security paradigm to the human network development factors. The paper concludes with a discussion on controllability, the extent to which organizations can use each factor to mitigate knowledge leakage.
The Double Edge of the Information Sword
Authors: Huhtinen Aki-Mauri
Published: September 2015

In 1990, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and its clandestine propaganda machine, the West became increasingly confident that globalization supported by an information technology network, the Internet, would increase openness, liberalism, and democracy; the core values of the ‘free world'. Western leaders knew then, just as they know now, a quarter of a century later that the power of the Internet would grow as the technology that controls its use develops. And developed it has. However, no development is all good and the Internet is no exception. It seems that the technology that has enabled us to create a “global village” where people are able to communicate in a way that is open, free and that bypasses the encumbrances of class and ethnicity has also brought with it a very dark underworld, an uncontrolled rhizome or meshwork, where propaganda, trolling and hate speeches are rife.
Development and Testing of New E-Learning Hypermedia System
Authors: Mahnane Lamia , Hafidi Mohamed
Published: September 2015

Adaptive E-learning Hypermedia Systems (AEHS) are an innovative approach to a web learning experience delivery. They try to solve main shortcomings of classical hypermedia e-learning applications: “one-size-fits-all” approach and “lost-in-hyperspace” phenomena by adapting the learning content and its presentation to needs, goals, thinking styles and learning styles of every individual learner. This paper outlines a new approach to automatically detect learner's thinking and learning styles, and taking into account that thinking and learning styles may change during the learning process in an unexpected and unpredictable way. The authors' approach is based on the Felder Learning Styles Model and Hermann thinking styles model.
Is the EU Moving Towards Sustainable Development?
Authors: Radulescu Irina Gabriela , Panait Mirela Clementina , Albu Madalina , Oprea Mihaela Ciopi
Published: September 2015

In accordance with its agenda, the EU wants to include actively every European citizen in society taking into consideration some challenges like poverty, gender inequalities, social exclusion or long-term unemployment. The economic crisis has influenced the indicators of social exclusion such as monetary poverty and living conditions, education and the access to labour market. The index “risk of poverty or social exclusion” is influenced by certain characteristics of the population (education level of parents, country of birth, degree of urbanization, activity, household type, age, tenure status, citizenship, sex etc.) being able to identify the most disadvantaged subgroups of it. This paper analyzes the evolution of this index in the European Union, taken in consideration its determinants.
Chicken STING Mediates Activation of the IFN Gene Independently of the RIG-I Gene
Authors: Cheng Yuqiang , Sun Yingjie , Wang Hengan , Yan Yaxian , Ding Chan , Sun Jianhe
Published: September 2015

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) is an adaptor that functions downstream of retinoic acid–inducible gene I (RIG-I) in mammalian cells; however, RIG-I is absent in chickens. We identified chicken STING (chSTING) as a critical mediator of virus-triggered type I IFN signaling in RIG-I–null chicken cells. Overexpression of chSTING in DF-1 cells inhibited Newcastle disease virus and avian influenza virus (AIV) viral replication and activated IRF-7 and NF-κB to induce expression of type I IFNs. Knockdown of endogenous chSTING abolished virus-triggered activation of IRF-7 and IFN-β and increased viral yield. chSTING was a critical component in the virus-triggered IRF-7 activation pathway and the cellular antiviral response. chSTING predominantly localized to the outer membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum and was also found in the mitochondrial membrane. Furthermore, knockdown of chSTING blocked polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid–, poly(deoxyadenylic-deoxythymidylic) acid–, and melanoma differentiation–associated gene 5 (MDA5)-stimulated induction of IFN-β. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated that chicken MDA5 could interact with chSTING, and this interaction was enhanced by ectopically expressed chicken mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein. Together, these results indicated that chSTING is an important regulator of chicken innate immune signaling and might be involved in the MDA5 signaling pathway in chicken cells. These results help with understanding the biological role of STING in innate immunity during evolution.
Differential Roles of Phospholipase D Proteins in FcεRI-Mediated Signaling and Mast Cell Function
Authors: Zhu Minghua , Zou Jianwei , Li Tieshi , O’Brien Sarah A. , Zhang Yao , Ogden Sarah , Zhang Weiguo
Published: September 2015

Phospholipase D (PLD) proteins are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine to generate an important signaling lipid, phosphatidic acid. Phosphatidic acid is a putative second messenger implicated in the regulation of vesicular trafficking and cytoskeletal reorganization. Previous studies using inhibitors and overexpression of PLD proteins indicate that PLD1 and PLD2 play positive roles in FcεRI-mediated signaling and mast cell function. We used mice deficient in PLD1, PLD2, or both to study the function of these enzymes in mast cells. In contrast to published studies, we found that PLD1 deficiency impaired FcεRI-mediated mast cell degranulation; however, PLD2 deficiency enhanced it. Biochemical analysis showed that PLD deficiency affected activation of the PI3K pathway and RhoA. Furthermore, our data indicated that, although PLD1 deficiency impaired F-actin disassembly, PLD2 deficiency enhanced microtubule formation. Together, our results suggested that PLD1 and PLD2, two proteins that catalyze the same enzymatic reaction, regulate different steps in mast cell degranulation.