bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Globalisation économique et fragmentation de la décision politique : le cas des fonds souverains chinois
Authors: Massot Pascale
Published: January 2012

Résumé La Chine, parce qu’elle est au centre d’un repositionnement sur la scène internationale, tant sur le plan financier que politique, attise les discussions qui portent sur les investissements d’État à l’étranger. Ce qui est particulièrement fascinant dans le cas de la Chine c’est qu’elle a développé plusieurs fonds souverains (FS) et que ces différents FS chinois se comportent de façon substantiellement différente. Ainsi, nous proposons de répondre à la question suivante : Comment expliquer la divergence de profil d’investissement entre les FS chinois? Cet article met de l’avant un modèle exploratoire, qui nous permettra de développer de nouvelles hypothèses concernant les causes de la variation de profil des FS chinois sur la scène internationale. Notre variable explicative consiste en des coalitions politiques hybrides au sein du leadership chinois, qui ont un impact sur la création, le mandat et les stratégies d’investissement des FS chinois.
Los Ayuntamientos de los pueblos indígenas de Chiapas en el siglo XIX y su relación con los asuntos de justicia
Authors: Palomo Infante María Dolores
Published: January 2012

El surgimiento de los Ayuntamientos tras la promulgación de la Constitución gaditana de 1812, las nuevas corrientes ideológicas liberales decimonónicas, los cambios políticos producidos en México después de la Independencia y la necesidad de definir al nuevo Estado-nación, provocaron cambios en el ejercicio de la política y la justicia en los pueblos indígenas de Chiapas. Este artículo analiza de qué forma ejercieron los gobiernos locales sus funciones de impartición de justicia en aquellos pleitos que caían bajo su jurisdicción, y cómo participaron en algunos no como jueces sino como implicados en el proceso. Durante el siglo XIX, los Ayuntamientos de los pueblos indígenas de Chiapas fueron espacios conflictivos, donde se reconfiguraron el poder y la autoridad; espacios que estaban ahora mucho más diversificados desde el punto de visto étnico, con la existencia de un número cada vez mayor de ladinos en ellos, lo que determinó tanto los procesos jurídicos como políticos.
Justicia y relaciones internacionales: las relaciones hispano-mexicanas (1844-1863)
Authors: Delgado Larios Almudena
Published: January 2012

En el siglo XIX una de las condiciones esenciales para obtener el reconocimiento de la soberanía de un Estado por parte de la comunidad internacional era la capacidad para mantener el orden interior y garantizar las vidas y propiedades de los súbditos extranjeros. La justicia, entonces, se convierte en un elemento político de primer orden y el caso de las relaciones hispano-mexicanas resulta especialmente significativo. Para México, se trata de preservar la independencia nacional, de evitar una intervención militar y de integrarse en el sistema internacional. Para España, se busca afirmar su estatuto de gran potencia con capacidad para intervenir en defensa de sus ciudadanos y de obtener las debidas reparaciones. Este trabajo se estructura entonces en torno a tres cuestiones: la deuda y las reclamaciones financieras de los españoles, el castigo de los culpables de los asesinatos de españoles y la negociación de un tratado de extradición de delincuentes y desertores.
Justicia y esclavitud: Cuba, 1800-1820
Authors: Amores Carredano Juan B.
Published: January 2012

Algunos trabajos recientes han reavivado el tema de la esclavitud y la justicia en la América hispánica desde la perspectiva de la historia social y cultural, sin olvidar el necesario aporte de la historia del derecho. En este trabajo analizamos expedientes judiciales de esclavos, tanto civiles como criminales, correspondientes a las dos primeras décadas del siglo XIX. Partiendo del principio de que el esclavo sólo podía interactuar con la justicia porque el sistema jurídico castellano se lo permitía, y en la medida en que tal sistema dependía de un contexto cultural determinado, analizamos la actuación tanto de jueces y fiscales como la del esclavo y sus asistentes legales, para concluir que el primero es sujeto y objeto de la justicia en un grado muy similar al de los libres del común, especialmente en las causas graves.
Cabildo, negociación y vino de cocos: el caso de la villa de Colima en el siglo XVII
Authors: Machuca Chávez Claudia Paulina
Published: January 2012

Después de una intensa producción de cacao durante el siglo XVI, la villa de Colima de la Nueva España sufrió la pérdida de este cultivo por causas climáticas y por el apoyo preferente de la Corona a los sembradíos de cacao en Sudamérica. Para el beneficio de sus habitantes, la llegada de “indios chinos” o asiáticos a la villa de Colima propició el desarrollo de una pequeña industria, la del vino de cocos, que a la postre se convertiría en la principal actividad económica de la villa durante todo el siglo XVII. Aunque en un principio se consideró como una “bebida de la tierra” —y por consiguiente, prohibida—, el Cabildo colimense fue una institución clave en la negociación con los virreyes y la Real Audiencia de México para conseguir licencias que permitieran no sólo su fabricación, sino su eventual distribución en el mercado regional novohispano.
Frágeis fronteiras: relatos testamentais de mulheres das Minas Gerais setecentistas
Authors: Paiva Eduardo França
Published: January 2012

Durante o período colonial, nas Minas Gerais, as mulheres forras, seguidas pelas livres (brancas e mestiças) legaram ao futuro uma quantidade nada desprezível de testamentos. Nesses documentos, aparecem registrados relatos feitos oralmente por elas e transcritos por algum escrivão, bem como impressões, gostos, declarações de toda natureza e, ainda, informações preciosas, intencionais ou não, sobre família, mestiçagens, ascensão e distinções sociais, sociabilidades, mobilidade física, social e cultural. Os discursos dessas mulheres sobre o viver naquele universo colonial, incluindo o que, por vezes, se pôde captar nas entrelinhas dos testamentos, constituem o objeto central do texto e são o ponto de partida do diálogo estabelecido com esses personagens setecentistas.
Dora Mayer, los indígenas y la nación peruana a inicios del siglo XX
Authors: Zegarra Flórez Margarita
Published: January 2012

En el artículo se abordan los planteamientos que la periodista Dora Mayer hiciera sobre la “cuestión indígena” y la nación peruana, en una etapa de profundos conflictos sociales surgidos en un entorno de modernización económica sustentada sobre relaciones laborales premodernas y opresión indígena. Reconstruimos su visión sobre cómo debía ser la relación entre los componentes de la nación peruana, sus críticas a la exclusión indígena y sus advertencias sobre las repercusiones disociadoras que ésta última tenía. El propósito central es reflexionar sobre el impacto de la doble labor de formación de conciencia crítica de la opinión pública y de educación cívica de los indígenas, que llevó a cabo Dora Mayer desde El Deber Pro-Indígena (1912-1917).
La Unión Europea y Colombia. Historia y desafío
Authors: Lillo González Margarita , Santamaría García Antonio
Published: January 2012

Este artículo revisa la historia y situación actual de las relaciones Unión Europea- Colombia en sus dimensiones política y económica. Analiza el modo en que la posición de la UE se ha mantenido constante en cuanto a su consideración de que los conflictos en el país andino se deben a las desigualdades y la pobreza, a pesar de las presiones de Estados Unidos, que ha defendido posturas más unilateralistas y militares al respecto, e incluso de que algunos socios comunitarios se hayan alineado con ellas. Frente a estudios anteriores se aboga explícitamente por un balance que haga hincapié en los aspectos positivos y constructivos, coherentes con los de un escenario en proceso de creación y ampliación como es el europeo, aunque sin renunciar a valorarlo con una perspectiva crítica.
Interactive Demonstration of a Remote Reconfigurable Logic Laboratory for Basic Digital Design
Authors: Lobo Jorge
Published: January 2012

In this interactive demonstration we show the usage of a remote reconfigurable logic laboratory for digital design students, presented in a full paper submitted to the conference. A very simple web based approach is used to enable the remote access to a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) development and educational board. The board switches and keys are virtualised with an online web form, and a webcam is used to provide feedback to the user.
Haptic Positioning Environment for the Hip Resurfacing Surgery
Authors: Pires Pedro Santos , Teodoro Pedro , Martins Jorge , Sá da Costa José
Published: January 2012

The development of new robotic surgical instruments has brought significant improvements to the execution and outcome of surgical procedures. They allow shorter intraoperative interventions with higher precision of the surgical gesture, which has clear benefits for the patients, surgeons and hospitals. Perhaps the main retardant of the widespread of these new tools is the ability of getting the surgeonâ??s hands-on with the new systems, for both initial evaluation and later on to overcome the initial learning curve. To accelerate this stage, and keep costs to a minimum, simulation tools have been introduced which allow physical surgeon-patient interaction through haptic devices. In this work, we focus on the Hip Resurfacing Surgical Procedure, and develop an interactive virtual environment for the insertion of the hip resurfacing guide wire with high precision and accuracy. The surgical tool used is a robotic arm that allows geometric accuracy and repeatability while the surgeon keeps control over the force exerted on the patient.
Virtual Reality and Haptics for Product Assembly
Authors: Xia Pingjun , Lopes Antonio M , Restivo Maria Teresa
Published: January 2012

Haptics can significantly enhance the user's sense of immersion and interactivity. An industrial application of virtual reality and haptics for product assembly is described in this paper, which provides a new and low-cost approach for product assembly design, assembly task planning and assembly operation training. A demonstration of the system with haptics device interaction was available at the session of exp.at'11.
Remote Laboratories: Bridging University to Secondary Schools
Authors: Fernandes Horácio
Published: January 2012

e-lab is a remote laboratory infrastructure powered by a software framework that allows the operation and data retrieve from a remote apparatus. In this demonstration we will present the e-lab interface properties and its modus operandi, giving as well some topics of complimentary software use for data interpretation and analysis.
Virtual Reality Applied to Dental Implant Surgery â?? A Computer Guided Protocol â??
Authors: Pinheiro Torres J.
Published: January 2012

Virtual reality is already an important complement in treatment planning. Dental implants can be placed in a virtual model optimizing its position, avoiding important structures and maximizing mecanical properties. With CAD/CAM technology a surgical guide can be made to transfer implant planned position to a real person, in a blind process, and tooth prostheses can be made to be positioned on dental implants after surgery.
Digital Image Processing and Machine Learning Techniques for the Detection of Architectural Distortion in Prior Mammograms
Authors: Banik Shantanu , Rangayyan Rangaraj M. , Desautels J. E. Leo
Published: January 2012

Architectural distortion is a subtle but important early sign of breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to develop methods for the detection of sites of architectural distortion in prior mammograms of interval-cancer cases. Screening mammograms obtained prior to the detection of cancer could contain subtle signs of early stages of breast cancer, in particular architectural distortion. The methods for the detection of architectural distortion are based upon Gabor filters, phase portrait analysis, a novel method for the analysis of the angular spread of power, fractal analysis via Fractal Dimension (FD), structural analysis of texture via Laws’ texture energy measures derived from geometrically transformed regions of interest (ROIs), and statistical analysis of texture using Haralick’s 14 texture features. The application of Gabor filters and linear phase portrait modeling was used to detect initial candidates of sites of architectural distortion; 4,224 ROIs, including 301 true-positive ROIs related to architectural distortion, were automatically obtained from 106 prior mammograms of 56 interval-cancer cases and from 52 mammograms of 13 normal cases. For each ROI, the FD, three measures of angular spread of power, 10 Laws’ measures, and 14 Haralick’s features were computed. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves obtained using the features selected by stepwise logistic regression and the leave-one-ROI-out method are 0.76 with the Bayesian classifier, 0.75 with Fisher linear discriminate analysis, and 0.78 with a single-layer feed forward neural network. Free-response receiver operating characteristics indicated sensitivities of 0.80 and 0.90 at 5.8 and 8.1 false positives per image, respectively, with the Bayesian classifier and the leave-one-image-out method. The methods have shown good potential in detecting architectural distortion in mammograms of interval-cancer cases.
Relevance Feedback as New Tool for Computer-Aided Diagnosis in Image Databases
Authors: El Naqa Issam , Oh Jung Hun , Yang Yongyi
Published: January 2012

With the ever-growing volume of images used in medicine, the capability to retrieve relevant images from large databases is becoming increasingly important. Despite the recent progress made in the field, its applications in Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) thus far have been limited by the ability to determine the intrinsic mapping between high-level user perception and the underlying low-level image features. Relevance Feedback (RFB) is a post-query process to refine the search by using positive and/or negative indications from the user about the relevance of retrieved images, which has been applied successfully in traditional text-retrieval systems for improving the results of a retrieval strategy. In this chapter, the authors review some recent advances in RFB technology, and discuss its expanding role in content-based image retrieval from medical archives. They provide working examples, based on their experience, for developing machine-learning methods for RFB in mammography and highlight the potential opportunities in this field for CAD applications and clinical decision-making.
Advanced Fuzzy Methods for Mammography Image Analysis
Authors: Sahba Farhang , Venetsanopoulos Anastasios , Schaefer Gerald
Published: January 2012

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer worldwide and one of the most common causes of cancer deaths. Worryingly, breast cancer incidence rates have increased over recent years. Computer Aided Diagnosis (CADx) systems are designed to help radiologists identify cancerous signs earlier, and hence to reduce the death rate. These systems involve at least two main stages: feature extraction to derive useful information from the images, and diagnosis which is typically handled as a machine learning/pattern classification problem. For breast cancer diagnosis, x-ray mammography is the main modality of diagnosis. The inherent fuzziness in the nature of mammography images makes fuzzy set theory a useful technique for handling these images. It is used as a well-suited tool to extract meaningful information from inexact data and generate appropriate solutions. In this chapter, the authors present a fast overview of some fuzzy-based methods for computer-aided detection and computer aided diagnosis of breast cancer using mammography images. Their focus is on fuzzy logic-based methods developed for mammogram enhancement, microcalcification (MC) detection, and detection and classification of masses.
Clinical Machine Learning in Action
Authors: Masutani Yoshitaka , Nemoto Mitsutaka , Nomura Yukihiro , Hayashi Naoto
Published: January 2012

This chapter first discusses the database problems in CAD development comprehensively. Then, it introduces the authors’ integrated platform, called the Clinical Infrastructure for Radiologic Computation of United Solutions (CIRCUS), for in-hospital research, development, use, and evaluation of clinical image processing. Based on the authors’ clinical experience and the data collected through the CIRCUS system, they present research results on the improvement of CAD performance as well as simulated studies for additional learning. Finally, the authors’ future plans, including radiologist-CAD collaboration beyond machine learning, are also discussed.
Computer-Aided Detection of Polyps in CT Colonography by Means of Feature Selection and Massive-Training Support Vector Regression
Authors: Xu Jian-Wu , Suzuki Kenji
Published: January 2012

One of the major challenges in current Computer-Aided Detection (CADe) of polyps in CT Colonography (CTC) is to improve the specificity without sacrificing the sensitivity. If a large number of False Positive (FP) detections of polyps are produced by the scheme, radiologists might lose their confidence in the use of CADe. In this chapter, the authors used a nonlinear regression model operating on image voxels and a nonlinear classification model with extracted image features based on Support Vector Machines (SVMs). They investigated the feasibility of a Support Vector Regression (SVR) in the massive-training framework, and the authors developed a Massive-Training SVR (MTSVR) in order to reduce the long training time associated with the Massive-Training Artificial Neural Network (MTANN) for reduction of FPs in CADe of polyps in CTC. In addition, the authors proposed a feature selection method directly coupled with an SVM classifier to maximize the CADe system performance. They compared the proposed feature selection method with the conventional stepwise feature selection based on Wilks’ lambda with a linear discriminant analysis classifier. The FP reduction system based on the proposed feature selection method was able to achieve a 96.0% by-polyp sensitivity with an FP rate of 4.1 per patient. The performance is better than that of the stepwise feature selection based on Wilks’ lambda (which yielded the same sensitivity with 18.0 FPs/patient). To test the performance of the proposed MTSVR, the authors compared it with the original MTANN in the distinction between actual polyps and various types of FPs in terms of the training time reduction and FP reduction performance. The authors’ CTC database consisted of 240 CTC datasets obtained from 120 patients in the supine and prone positions. With MTSVR, they reduced the training time by a factor of 190, while achieving a performance (by-polyp sensitivity of 94.7% with 2.5 FPs/patient) comparable to that of the original MTANN (which has the same sensitivity with 2.6 FPs/patient).
Content-Based Image Retrieval for Medical Image Analysis
Authors: Yao Jianhua , Summers Ronald M.
Published: January 2012

The growing repositories of clinical imaging data generate a need for effective image management and access that demands more than simple text-based queries. Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) is an active research field and has drawn attention in recent years. It is a technique to organize and search image archives by their visual content. It is a multi-discipline field that integrates technologies from computer vision, machine learning, information retrieval, human-machine interaction, database systems, and data mining. CBIR consists of four main components: database and indexing, feature extraction, query formation and interface, and similarity measures. The applications of CBIR to the medical field include PACS integration, image annotation/codification, computer-aided diagnosis, case-based reasoning, and teaching tools. This chapter intends to disseminate the CBIR techniques to their applications to medical image management and analysis and to attract greater interest from various research communities to advance research in this field.
Computer-Aided Image Analysis and Detection of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Peng Yahui , Jiang Yulei , Yang Ximing J.
Published: January 2012

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an adjunct tool for clinical histologic diagnosis of diseases. A common IHC technique for prostate cancer diagnosis is a triple-antibody cocktail with Alpha-Methylacyl-CoA Racemase (AMACR), p63, and High-Molecular-Weight Cytokeratin (HMWCK), which stains certain types of cells into two distinct colors. The authors have developed an automated computer technique that detects prostate cancer in prostate tissue sections processed with the triple-antibody cocktail. Test and validation of the authors’ technique on digital images obtained from conventional microscopes (region of interest images) showed that the computer technique can recognize prostatic adenocarcinoma with both high sensitivity and high specificity. The authors also used this computer technique to analyze whole-slide images of prostate biopsy and the initial results are promising. With further development and refinement, this computer technique could become a useful tool for pathologists to detect prostate cancer foci in histologic sections of tissue processed with the triple-antibody cocktail.
Autism Diagnostics by 3D Shape Analysis of the Corpus Callosum
Authors: Elnakib Ahmed , Casanova Manuel F. , Gimel’farb Georgy , El-Baz Ayman
Published: January 2012

The importance of accurate diagnostics of autism that severely affects personal behavior and communication skills cannot be overstated. Neuropathological studies have revealed an abnormal anatomy of the Corpus Callosum (CC) in autistic brains. This chapter proposes a new approach to quantitative analyses of three-dimensional (3D) Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) of the brain that ensures a more accurate quantification of the anatomical differences between the CC of autistic and normal subjects. It consists of three main processing steps: (1) segmenting the CC from a given 3D MRI using the learned CC shape and visual appearance; (2) extracting a centerline of the CC; and (3) cylindrical mapping of the CC surface for its comparative analysis. The authors’ experiments revealed significant differences (at the 95% confidence level) between 17 normal and 17 autistic subjects in four anatomical divisions (i.e. splenium, rostrum, genu, and body of their CCs). Moreover, the initial classification results suggest that the proposed centerline-based shape analysis of the CC is a promising supplement to the current techniques for diagnosing autism.
Learning Manifolds
Authors: Mateus Diana , Wachinger Christian , Atasoy Selen , Schwarz Loren , Navab Nassir
Published: January 2012

Computer aided diagnosis is often confronted with processing and analyzing high dimensional data. One alternative to deal with such data is dimensionality reduction. This chapter focuses on manifold learning methods to create low dimensional data representations adapted to a given application. From pairwise non-linear relations between neighboring data-points, manifold learning algorithms first approximate the low dimensional manifold where data lives with a graph; then, they find a non-linear map to embed this graph into a low dimensional space. Since the explicit pairwise relations and the neighborhood system can be designed according to the application, manifold learning methods are very flexible and allow easy incorporation of domain knowledge. The authors describe different assumptions and design elements that are crucial to building successful low dimensional data representations with manifold learning for a variety of applications. In particular, they discuss examples for visualization, clustering, classification, registration, and human-motion modeling.
Transparency Issues in E-Governance and Civic Engagement
Authors: Greenberg Sherri , Newell Angela
Published: January 2012

Today, people regularly debate the meaning of the term transparency relative to government. President Obama has made transparency a prominent issue in the federal government with his directive to use online resources to promote transparency. However, transparency is important at all levels of government, particularly transitioning from e-government to e-governance. This chapter discusses the definition of transparency related to e-governance and the implementation of transparency initiatives. The mission is to set the standards for government transparency and citizen engagement with an online presence. The standards and roadmap for achieving transparency in e-governance involve politics, policy, and technology. This chapter outlines the necessary political, policy, technology, and transparency issues in e-governance. The discussion and recommendations covers issues such as political will, insufficient knowledge, and fear. Also, recommendations address best practices in policy development and implementation. The current applications and data recommendations cover technology developments.
Online Political Participation in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election
Authors: Nam Taewoo , Sayogo Djoko Sigit
Published: January 2012

This chapter investigates how the democratic divide has been established due to socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, by analyzing the data from the Pew Research Center’s survey conducted during the campaign season of the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The study compares five different types of online political activity: communication, mobilization, information consumption, information production, and involvement in social networking websites. Sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, race, education, and income determine the degree of online political involvement. The conventional notion that better-educated and more affluent citizens actively participate in politics is magnified on the Internet for white males more than non-whites or females. The generational divide is salient for adoption of social networking sites, but the websites serve a political function to encourage participation by those disadvantaged in terms of education and economic means.
Power and Identity among Citizens in Networked Societies
Authors: Svensson Jakob
Published: January 2012

A classic question within studies of governance concerns what appears to be a paradox of being free and governed at the same time. In this chapter, the author addresses this question departing from contemporary Western society, a society to which he attaches labels such as digital, late modern, and networked. This is a theoretical chapter addressing political participation, citizenship practices, and power. How do people enter into citizenship through political participation online, and what governs these processes? The contribution to the academic discussion is to highlight the expressive as an increasingly important rationale for political participation in networked and digital late modernity. The author arrives at this conclusion departing from the intersections between technology, society, and culture. In these intersections, expressive processes of identification are keys. Therefore citizenship practices also need to be approached from an axis of individualism, creating even more intersections when combined with technology, society, and culture.
A Systems Theory Approach to Electronic Voting Complexity
Authors: Zissis Dimitrios , Lekkas Dimitrios , Arnellos Argyris
Published: January 2012

Information and Communication Technologies are being evaluated as an efficient and effective way to modernize the electoral process. These initiatives have initially been met with skepticism, as a number of affecting fields operate in concert, to structure what is perceived as the dimensions of electronic voting. This chapter adds to the existing body of knowledge on e-voting, while attempting to exorcise complexity and reevaluate under a perspicacious vision, the conflictual issues, by adopting a methodology with the ability to tackle highly unstructured problem settings. For this, systems theory is employed to provide a framework for perceiving and analyzing highly complex systems in an interdisciplinary method, as well as for designing within and for them. In this context, electronic voting is identified as a ’soft’ ill-structured human activity system, and soft systems thinking is applied to bring about improvement by resolving complex issues and providing a clearer perspective of related interdependencies.
Educational and Democratic Potential of Digital Games in e-Government
Authors: Patokorpi Erkki , Leppimäki Sami , Tétard Franck
Published: January 2012

Digital games have, or can be made to have, certain characteristics that make them suitable for education, communication, and the promotion of civic skills in e-Government: hypertextuality, interactivity, reusability, updateability, object-likeness, reprogrammability, personalizability, multimodality, and so forth. From the citizens’ point of view, the functions of societal games can be divided into learning support and the enhancement of participation in society. Enlightened participation in the civic society requires both. Learning by games should promote the understanding of complex social issues and their mutual relationships. For learning to act as a springboard to informed action, one would also have to understand the consequences of actions and events. Consequently, learning by playing serious games is best understood as reasoned practical action in a virtual world.
Innovative Processes and Managerial Effectiveness of e-Procurement in Healthcare
Authors: Comite Ubaldo
Published: January 2012

Procurement reform, launched in the last few years, offers prospects of consistent and permanent expense saving. The urgency to reduce expenses and achieve a recuperation of efficiency of the public sector suggests the intervention of modernization and reorganization of the acquiring procedures of goods and services of the public administration. This work describes how the new models function, which indicates an important step forward in the reorganization process of the procurement procedure of the public administration, not only in terms of a “new model of management,” but also relative to the “burden,” in terms of contributions towards saving, which is foreseen. The results obtained in terms of savings, the simplification of the procedures of procurement, and initially the levels of service of the State Sector suggest the extension of the new procedure even to other compartments of public expenses, amongst which the healthcare system, whose reform of the policies of acquisition is called upon to combine with both the objectives of public finance and the objectives of re-qualification of the health authority.
European Public E-Procurement
Authors: Previtali Pietro
Published: January 2012

The public procurement of goods and services is a strategic activity for governments for at least three reasons: a) it has a relevant economic impact (15–20% of the GDP of European countries); b) it is relevant for potential improvements in governments’ public services; and c) it affects both the competitiveness of nations and the welfare of citizens. After a description of the European central procurement models for the public sectors, this chapter identifies the specificities of the Italian situation, discussing the role of e-procurement platforms across the whole system from an organisational and an economic point of view. Focusing on the Italian Central Procurement Department, the authors conducted a survey on e-transactions over the past four years. The results show the kinds of goods and services that are more compliant with the use of e-procurement tools, trends in transaction volumes and economic amounts and the relevance of different geographical areas and different public organisation typologies. A major change in e-procurement transactions has occurred because of the compulsoriness enforced by legislative framework.
Civic Engagement and E-Governance in Gauteng
Authors: Abrahams Lucienne , Burke Mark , Elliott Lauri , Hero Warren
Published: January 2012

Gauteng, South Africa’s economic center, has a history of social exclusion by virtue of differentiated access to employment, income, assets, and education. Levels of civic engagement prior to 1994 were limited by the absence of universal political suffrage and a society in which the majority of the population was denied the right to participate in decision-making based on racial discrimination. The achievement of universal suffrage in 1994 created the foundations for greater civic engagement. However, as social interaction and societal governance becomes increasingly electronically mediated (through the Internet, Web 2.0 technologies, and mobile content platforms), a large proportion of the population is excluded from these new forms of on-Net interaction. This chapter argues that policies that push universal household broadband service can contribute to reducing social exclusion through creating the foundation for households to operate as units of production and overcome economic deprivation, thus laying a stronger basis for civic engagement.
Implications of e-Government in Botswana in the Realm of e-Participation
Authors: Mbako Vako , Bwalya Kelvin Joseph , Du Plessis Tanya , Rensleigh Chris
Published: January 2012

Countries the world over have drawn e-Government interventions placing much emphasis on erecting affluent ICT infrastructures, institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks. However, most of these interventions lack carefully-drawn e-Government awareness strategies, which translates into most of these interventions being typically unknown by the general public and causing low e-Participation. This chapter presents the novel interventions that are being authored towards robust e-Government development for Botswana where e-Government development is at the very intial stages. Using exploratory and empirical study of Francistown and surrounding rural areas, the chapter presents a critical analysis of the state of e-Government preparedness and further presents the current status of e-Government adoption in Botswana. This study establishes that whilst many e-Government strategies are being authored in Botswana, the e-Participation component has not been adequately considered in drawing the different e-Government interventions. This is negatively impacting on the overall anticipated value prepositions for e-Government implementation.
Impact of Internet Use on Civic Engagement in Chinese Rural Areas
Authors: Zhang Jian-Chuan , Qin Ying
Published: January 2012

Few prior studies have addressed the political impact of the Internet on civic engagement in rural areas. This preliminary study aims to explore the connection between Internet use and civic engagement of rural Internet users. Based on the surveys implemented by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the authors find that using the Internet does enhance the level of civic engagement among rural Internet users in China. However, better use of the Internet faces some obstacles, too. They are the young age of rural users and the limited Net bandwidth. Implications of these obstacles are discussed. The chapter concludes that, under certain circumstances, there is great potential for Chinese rural Internet users to become more actively engaged in public affairs in the future.
Rural E-Governance through the “Panchayati Raj” Institutions in India
Authors: Subramanian Malathi
Published: January 2012

In India, the administrative system, with roots in the colonial past, is largely perceived as unresponsive and insensitive to the citizens’ needs particularly in its vast rural hinterland. The common citizens at the rural village level often find themselves at the receiving end of a cumbersome, iniquitous, and unfair service delivery system with very little involvement or inclusion in governance processes despite the best intentions of the government. It is believed that Information Communication Technology (ICT) enabled e-governance through the local self governing units (Panchayats) at the village level could simplify civic governance, improve the public services delivery system, make government and administration more democratic and inclusive, and more accessible to the citizens at the local village level. In this context, the chapter attempts to examine the challenges to, and dimensions of the task of electronic delivery of government services through the local self-government Institutions called “Panchayati Raj” in India.
E-Engaging India
Authors: Karan Kavita
Published: January 2012

E-Governance, inclusive of e-democracy, e-government, and e-business, has the power to improve processes, connect citizens, and build interactions with civil societies. The infusion of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) by the governments, civil society organizations, and political institutions to engage citizens, have promoted greater participation in the process of governance. E-Democracy encompasses all forms of electronic interaction between the elected government and the electorate. Examples include e-voting, e-consultation, e-representatives, e-campaigning, online deliberative polling, e-petitions, and e-referendums. India is the largest democracy in the world and a frontrunner in the use of ICTs for e-governance and e-democracy. The last few elections witnessed a surge in the use of new technologies inclusive of Internet, social networking, and mobile technologies, alongside the traditional forms of electioneering. This chapter examines the e-governance and e-democracy strategies, and the innovative new media technologies used by political parties, industrial corporations, and other organizations that have e-engaged the citizens.
E-Government Policy Implementation in Brunei
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Habibur , Low Patrick Kim Cheng , Almunawar Mohammad Nabil , Mohiddin Fadzliwati , Ang Sik-Liong
Published: January 2012

Policy reform initiative in e-Government and other public management areas such as good governance has been momentous and visible in many societies in recent years. However, in many countries, reasonably good policies have made somewhat slow progress at the implementation stage. It has to be appreciated that policy implementation occurs in several ways, manifesting multiple challenges. Taking a key interest in Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, this chapter has made an attempt to see how these challenges or critical factors play a key role in making e-Government policy a success. The authors have examined e-Government strategies in Brunei in the light of policy success in Singapore. Based on their empirical research in these two small countries in South-East Asia, this chapter highlights the salient features and success factors that have enabled e-Government policies to be successfully implemented in Singapore. Learning lessons from Singapore, the authors have proposed potential success ingredients for an effective e-Government policy implementation in Brunei.
Citizen Participation through Municipal Websites
Authors: Schatteman Alicia , Mohammed-Spigner Deborah , Poluse George
Published: January 2012

This study is based on a global survey of municipal websites conducted by the E-Governance Institute at Rutgers University New Jersey and the Global E-Policy E-Government Institute at Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea. The survey evaluated municipal websites in five distinct e-governance categories: (1) security and privacy, (2) usability, (3) content, (4) services, and (5) citizen participation. This chapter examines the area of citizen participation in detail and the analysis found that online citizen participation was highly correlated with both the percentage of Internet users and the percentage of mobile users in a country. In the analysis Seoul, Korea achieved the highest score in this category. Unlike previous research the population of a country was not found to be statistically significant. Overall, this research indicates a strong relationship Internet users and education have with online citizen participation. As the percentage rate of Internet users increases across the globe, along with the rising literacy rates, more countries will progress towards adopting and implementing e-democracy strategies.
Stepwise e-Participation
Authors: Molinari Francesco , Kunstelj Mateja , Todorovski Ljupco
Published: January 2012

In this chapter, the authors present and discuss the results of the IDEAL-EU project, in which three European Regions - i.e. Tuscany, Catalonia, and Poitou-Charentes - have involved citizens (and particularly young people) in discussing and deliberating on the priorities of the new climate change agenda of the European Parliament, supported by two distinct ICT instruments: a Social Networking Platform and a pan-European Virtual Town Meeting. The authors describe and assess the technical tasks and the concrete initiatives undertaken from project conception to the end of trials. They introduce a participatory workflow composed of four modules: 1) agenda setting and prior analysis, 2) getting support and topic refinement, 3) discussion and deliberation, and 4) orchestration and evaluation. Finally, the authors address the sustainability of the IDEAL-EU workflow and its corresponding ICT infrastructure in the perspective of future utilization in additional eParticipation experiments.
Open Governance, Civic Engagement, and New Digital Media
Authors: Staiou Eleni-Revekka , Gouscos Dimitris
Published: January 2012

The objective of this chapter is to highlight and discuss the concepts of e-governance, open governance, and civic engagement enabled by technologies such as Web 2.0, social media, and user-generated content. The focus of discussion is placed on common founding premises and adoption factors that are reproduced at multiple levels, from that of the underlying technology up to end services and interaction patterns. A number of governance initiatives and services are used as working examples, with a view to providing readers with an improved understanding of technological principles and functional capabilities that can attract citizen participation and encourage civic engagement.
TT Connect
Authors: Roach Charlene M. L.
Published: January 2012

The Trinidad and Tobago (TT) Pilot Portal site, also known as TT Connect provides a gateway to access the services of the 22 TT government ministries. This approach signifies a fundamental change in philosophy from a ministry-centered focus that was vertical, linear, and insular to a step to an e-governance paradigm. Using the portal design to enhance service delivery of the ministries to citizens, it is expected that in the future, the site will lead to an increase in civic engagement, transparency, and a new form of participatory governance.
A Glimmer of Hope for Mass Media in a Liberal Democracy
Authors: Mahmutoglu Vildan
Published: January 2012

Media is an electronic circle that can create spaces for deliberation, interaction, or participation. However, media in the global age is also constructed with the effects of liberal economy that create large companies’ hegemony in media. This economic circumstance creates blocks in media and prevents participation and deliberation of people. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that new media technologies can provide solutions for the problems of mass media in terms of creating rooms for active citizen participation, by providing the outlets for public to participate in. Minority groups have taken advantages of new media technology and have created Web pages to promote their interests and agenda. Turkey is an important example of this phenomenon since several minority groups have created such Web pages. One such group is the Turkish Greeks; by analyzing their Web page, istanbulrumazinligi.com, this study aims to understand their online public sphere, e-democracy, and e-deliberation.
Conceptualization of Trust in the e-Government Context
Authors: Alsaghier Hisham M. , Hussain Rahim
Published: January 2012

Although trust aspects have been investigated in e-commerce context, the e-government field is still significantly lacking from empirical studies that explore trust in e-government from the citizen’s perspective. The lack of trust in e-government in developing countries is another persuasive impetus for conducting this study. The few recent studies investigating citizens’ trust in e-government are conducted in developed countries. This study employed a qualitative approach (focus groups) to gain in depth understanding of the citizen’s perception of e-government adoption. E-government initiative in Saudi Arabia is the main focus of this research. Based on the literature review, the key antecedent factors that affect citizen trust in e-government are identified, and a research model is build. Based on the results of the analysis of three focus groups, managerial recommendations are provided.
Self Control and Server-Supervisory Control for Multiple Mobile Robots, and its Applicability to Intelligent DNC System
Authors: Nagata F. , Yamashiro T. , Kitahara N. , Otsuka A. , Watanabe K. , Habib Maki K.
Published: January 2012

Multiple mobile robots with six PSD (Position Sensitive Detector) sensors are designed for experimentally evaluating the performance of two control systems. They are self-control mode and server-supervisory control mode. The control systems are considered to realize swarm behaviors such as Ligia exotica. This is done by using only information of PSD sensors. Experimental results show basic but important behaviors for multiple mobile robots. They are following, avoidance, and schooling behaviors. The collective behaviors such as following, avoidance, and schooling emerge from the local interactions among the robots and/or between the robots and the environment. The objective of the study is to design an actual system for multiple mobile robots, to systematically simulate the behaviors of various creatures who form groups such as a school of fish or a swarm of insect. Further, the applicability of the server-supervisory control scheme to an intelligent DNC (Direct Numerical Control) system is briefly considered for future development. DNC system is an important peripheral apparatus, which can directly control NC machine tools. However, conventional DNC systems can neither deal with various information transmitted from different kinds of sensors through wireless communication nor output suitable G-codes by analyzing the sensors information in real time. The intelligent DNC system proposed at the end of the chapter aims to realize such a novel and flexible function with low cost.
Online Machining Optimization with Continuous Learning
Authors: Chandrasekaran M. , Muralidhar M. , Krishna C. Murali , Dixit U.S.
Published: January 2012

In offline optimization of machining process with traditional or soft computing techniques, the functional relationship between the tool life and the cutting parameters are often assumed. Application of these techniques in shop floor involves a number of constraints and has many limitations in its implementation. The complex machining process gets influenced by multiple process parameters, particularly in a finish turning operation, which often determines the final quality of the parts. In this work, an online optimization methodology with continuous learning is proposed and applied to finish turning process. Surface roughness is predicted using a virtual machine modeled with neural network and empirical equation. Minimization of machining cost is considered as an optimization objective. Optimization is carried out using simplex search or a fuzzy optimization method to determine optimum process parameters. The simulated data obtained from online machining can be stored and used for online learning of machining process. An artificial intelligence (AI) based online learning strategy proposed in this work determines the optimum cutting condition accurately without consuming significant time and resources at the shop floor. The new approach is more suitable and economical for shop floor applications.