bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Lattice-Based Framework for Interactively and Incrementally Mining Web Traversal Patterns
Authors: Lee Yue-Shi , Yen Show-Jane
Published: May 2011

Web mining is one of the mining technologies, which applies data mining techniques in large amount of web data to improve the web services. Web traversal pattern mining discovers most of the users’ access patterns from web logs. This information can provide the navigation suggestions for web users such that appropriate actions can be adopted. However, the web data will grow rapidly in the short time, and some of the web data may be antiquated. The user behaviors may be changed when the new web data is inserted into and the old web data is deleted from web logs. Besides, it is considerably difficult to select a perfect minimum support threshold during the mining process to find the interesting rules. Even though the experienced experts, they also cannot determine the appropriate minimum support. Thus, we must constantly adjust the minimum support until the satisfactory mining results can be found. The essences of incremental or interactive data mining are that we can use the previous mining results to reduce the unnecessary processes when the minimum support is changed or web logs are updated. In this paper, we propose efficient incremental and interactive data mining algorithms to discover web traversal patterns and make the mining results to satisfy the users’ requirements. The experimental results show that our algorithms are more efficient than the other approaches.
K-means Clustering Adopting rbf-Kernel
Authors: Ali ABM Shawkat
Published: May 2011

Clustering technique in data mining has received a significant amount of attention from machine learning community in the last few years as one of the fundamental research area. Among the vast range of clustering algorithm, K-means is one of the most popular clustering algorithm. In this research we extend K-means algorithm by adding well known radial basis function (rbf) kernel and find better performance than classical K-means algorithm. It is a critical issue for rbf kernel, how can we select a unique parameter for optimum clustering task. This present chapter will provide a statistical based solution on this issue. The best parameter selection is considered on the basis of prior information of the data by Maximum Likelihood (ML) method and Nelder-Mead (N-M) simplex method. A rule based meta-learning approach is then proposed for automatic rbf kernel parameter selection.We consider 112 supervised data set and measure the statistical data characteristics using basic statistics, central tendency measure and entropy based approach. We split this data characteristics using well known decision tree approach to generate the rules. Finally we use the generated rules to select the unique parameter value for rbf kernel and then adopt in K-means algorithm. The experiment has been demonstrated with 112 problems and 10 fold cross validation methods. Finally the proposed algorithm can solve any clustering task very quickly with optimum performance.
Model Free Data Mining
Authors: Yang Can , Meng Jun , Zhu Shanan , Dai Mingwei
Published: May 2011

Input selection is a crucial step for nonlinear regression modeling problem, which contributes to build an interpretable model with less computation. Most of the available methods are model-based, and few of them are model-free. Model-based methods often make use of prediction error or sensitivity analysis for input selection and Model-free methods exploit consistency. In this paper, we show the underlying relationship between sensitivity analysis and consistency analysis for input selection, and then derive an efficient model-free method from our common sense, and then formulate this common sense by fuzzy logic, thus it can be called Fuzzy Consistency Analysis (FCA). In contrast to available methods, FCA has the following desirable properties: 1) it is a model-free method so that it will not be biased on a specific model, exploiting “what the data say” rather than “what the model say”, which is the essential point of data mining – input selection should not be biased on a specific model. 2) it is implemented as efficiently as classical model-free methods, but more flexible than them. 3) it can be directly applied to a data set with mix continuous and discrete inputs without doing rotation. Four benchmark problems study indicates that the proposed method works effectively for nonlinear problems. With the input selection procedure, the underlying reasons which effect the prediction are work out, which helps to gain an insight into a specific problem and servers the purpose of data mining very well.
Insights into the Impact of Social Networks on Evolutionary Games
Authors: Sycara Katia , Scerri Paul , Chechetka Anton
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we explore the use of evolutionary game theory (EGT) (Weibull, 1995; Taylor & Jonker, 1978; Nowak & May, 1993) to model the dynamics of adaptive opponent strategies for large population of players. In particular, we explore effects of information propagation through social networks in Evolutionary Games. The key underlying phenomenon that the information diffusion aims to capture is that reasoning about the experiences of acquaintances can dramatically impact the dynamics of a society. We present experimental results from agent-based simulations that show the impact of diffusion through social networks on the player strategies of an evolutionary game and the sensitivity of the dynamics to features of the social network.
On the Design and Application of an Online Web Course for Distance Learning
Authors: Zhang Y.J.
Published: May 2011

Web course design and implementation are very important in effective distance learning. Such a work is related to a number of issues and needs considerable attentions. In this paper, a feasible framework for developing Web courses and some of our experimental results along the design and application of a particular online course are discussed. It first addresses several major designing considerations to match the expected features with different factors in developing online Web courses for distance learning, takeing into consideration various distinctions between online courses and traditional courses; it then introduces the structure and components more suitable for self-learning. In addition, the tools for developing online Web courses play a significant role and have important influences over the developed courses. Based on some analytical discussions and real experimental results, different developing tools are compared in speed of loading, the file size generated, as well as security and flexibility. The comparison results are not only employed in the present development for improving the flexibility of the new Web course, but also usable for developing other courses. Finally, the principles proposed and the tools selected have been concretely integrated in the implementation of a particular Web course, which has been conducted with satisfactory results.
Teaching Information Security in a Hybrid Distance Learning Setting
Authors: Whitman Michael E. , Mattord Herbert J.
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides a case study of current practices and lessons learned in the provision of distance learning (DL)-based instruction in the field of information security. The primary objective of this case study was to identify implementations of distance learning techniques and technologies that were successful in supporting the unique requirements of an information security program that could be generalized to other programs and institutions. Thus the focus of this study was to provide an exemplar for institutions considering the implementation of distance learning technology to support information security education. The study found that the use of lecture recording technologies currently available can easily be used to record in-class lectures which can then be posted for student use. VPN technologies can also be used to support hands-on laboratory exercises. Limitations of this study focus on the lack of empirical evidence collected to substantiate the anecdotal findings.
Delivering Online Asynchronous IT Courses to High School Students
Authors: Woszczynski Amy B.
Published: May 2011

As high schools begin to offer more distance learning courses, universities have an opportunity to establish partnerships to deliver online IT courses. Delivering online courses at the high school level, however, means overcoming obstacles that may not be faced at the university level. In particular, establishing partnerships with high schools requires politically savvy navigations of bureaucratic roadblocks while ensuring the integrity of course content and delivery. This chapter provides a primer on establishing relationships with high schools to deliver college-level IT curriculum to high school students in an asynchronous learning environment. We describe the curriculum introduced and discuss some of the challenges faced and the lessons learned.
Economies of Scale in Distance Learning (DL)
Authors: Char Sudhanva V.
Published: May 2011

As per conventional wisdom, the larger the size of the distance learning (DL) educational facility in terms of student enrollments, lower also would be the unit capital and unit operating costs. Looking at empirical evidence, the correlation between the two variables of enrollments and average total costs is unmistakable, even if not significant. In this chapter the nature and strength of such relationship is of more interest. This work discusses ramifications of scale-related economies for public policy, such as a mega or open university and so forth, for cost effectiveness of tax dollars, if any, spent on a DL unit. However, the scope of the chapter is limited to scale-related economies and it does not encompass the nitty-gritty of social cost benefit analysis. Subsequently, DL costs of a mega university are looked into to identify and quantify scale-related economies. The last part suggests what would make it possible to achieve minimum efficient scale (MES) size so that scale-related economies are achieved or diseconomies of scale are surmounted.
Ways to View the World
Authors: Abdoullaev Azamat
Published: May 2011

As a general science of the universe dealing with the most universal truths about all existence, an account of what there is in the world and the study of reality with its content, ontology has long had a critical import only for a small set of professionals. For the majority of researchers, not mentioning the non-committed people, it has been the realm of the occult, an esoteric domain of discourse, the region of most abstract reasoning, or the sphere of philosophical opinion. Today the field is rapidly increasing its audience and practical value. Maybe only a few people will call into question the importance of world models for such advanced knowledge domains as information sciences and computing technology. Increasingly, the universal science is identified with the life and soul of knowledge technologies and intelligent systems. The search for the world description standard as an exhaustive theoretical account and model of generic entities is becoming a research activity promising unprecedented advancements in the new cross area of science and technology. Particularly, this is important for creating knowledge systems of extraordinary performance, such as the emerging Semantic Web, implying the entire gamut of novel applications: knowledge management, intelligent databases, conceptual/semantic search and retrieval, software agents, speech and natural language understanding, e-commerce, and ubiquitous computing (Semantic Web Topic Hierarchy, 2007; Semantic Web Technology, 2007). Considering these design purposes, there are several technical requirements for building an ontology standard: expressivity, efficiency, scalability, compatibility, extensibility, and relative simplicity. But the most significant prerequisite appears to be its consistency with existent commonsense models of the world and scientific learning.
Ontologies for Model-Driven Service Engineering
Authors: Karakostas Bill , Zorgios Yannis
Published: May 2011

In Chapter II we discussed the fundamental properties and concepts of a service. Concepts like interface, contract, service provider and service consumer are universal (i.e., they apply to all types of services). However, in as much as they are intuitive and universal, service concepts such as the aforementioned lack widely agreed upon semantics. The term semantics is used by disciplines such as philosophy, mathematics, and computer science to refer to “the meaning of things.” Meaning is usually attributed to a concept via its association with other concepts. In everyday speech, defining, for example, a “car” to be a kind of a “vehicle” is an attempt to attribute meaning to “car” by associating it with another, more abstract concept called “vehicle.” If the recipient of this definition already understands the concept of a vehicle, then he/she can also understand the concept of car via its association with the more abstract/generic concept vehicle.
Service Deployment Execution and Management
Authors: Karakostas Bill , Zorgios Yannis
Published: May 2011

This chapter is concerned with concepts, technologies, and standards for deploying, executing, and managing services. In previous chapters, we have argued that the design of the service must strive for a balance between offering to customers what they want and creating potential for developing additional revenue generating services. We have already established that, although not all possible types of services can be delivered to the consumers in an electronic form, information needed for the coordination and mobilization of the core service resources can be digitized and offered as a support service. In Chapter II, we explained that support services which attach to a core business service are information-based in the sense that they help the consumer locate, evaluate, and access the offered service. Effectively, such services add value to the main business service.
A Platform for Model-Driven Service Engineering
Authors: Karakostas Bill , Zorgios Yannis
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces a service.engineering.platform (CLMS) that caters for all the phases of the service engineering life cycle. Although complete coverage of the service life cycle is important, currently, few software environments and platforms manage it, with the majority of such environments dealing with just service execution (delivery). It is nevertheless important to have a single environment/platform that handles the whole service life cycle with seamless transition between phases (CBDI Forum, 2005). To deal with these requirements, the CLMS platform adopts a model-driven approach (see Chapter VI). More specifically, the platform seamlessly links business service specification models to realizable services and manages the delivery of the latter in an environment that monitors services execution. Moreover, this approach ensures that alternative service deployment techniques (e.g., proactive as well as reactive service delivery systems) and service execution environments can be accommodated. This is of particular importance today, with service engineering still evolving and with new service paradigms and competing technologies appearing all the time.
An Overview and Summary
Authors: Karakostas Bill , Zorgios Yannis
Published: May 2011

This book has introduced a model-driven approach for identifying, designing, deploying, and managing business services in software. The concept of e-service is an extension of conventional business services, made possible thanks to the rapid explosion in popularity of the Internet and the World Wide Web (Rust & Kannan, 2003). The first generation of e-commerce was based largely on retailing commodity goods, such as books and CDs, and used mass media advertising to contact consumers. The premise of first generation e-commerce was that operational efficiencies (i.e., minimizing the need and therefore the expense to keep physical stores) would reduce the costs of selling. Unfortunately, selling commodities has low profit margins due to competition. An alternative is required, that allows companies to built sustainable competitive advantage, based on their capability to deliver more individualized and hence more profitable e-services.
A Topic-Case Driven Methodology for Web Course Design
Authors: Hiltunen Leena , Kärkkäinen Tommi
Published: May 2011

A topic-case driven methodology for a web course design and realization process is based on software engineering metaphors for capturing the necessary steps in creating web courses by means of a content-based development method. The methodology combines instructional issues to design phases that guide teachers and instructors to design and implement online courses. The methodology has been used by students of computer science, teacher education as well as professional university educators from different educational fields. The results from these experiences have been reported as case studies. In this chapter, the methodology is introduced with the summarized results from three case studies.
To be Lost and to be a Loser Through the Web
Authors: Limberg Louise , Alexandersson Mikael , Lantz-Andersson Annika
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to present and discuss findings from a study of students’ information seeking and use for a learning assignment. The overall interest is to describe the coherence between differences in the quality of students’ information seeking and the quality of their learning outcomes and to relate this to issues of information literacy in the Knowledge Society. The study was framed within a sociocultural perspective of learning and adopted an ethnographic approach. Analysis of data resulted in the identification of two major categories of competences related to information seeking and knowledge formation, one of which involves serious shortcomings in meaningful learning through information seeking. There is little evidence that ICT conclusively supports the development of new knowledge in terms of seeing the world differently. Conclusions are that the school system tends to produce ‘information illiterates’ which may entail unwanted consequences for both individuals and for maintaining a democratic Knowledge Society.
Mobile Learning in a Social, Ethical, and Legal Environment
Authors: Traxler John
Published: May 2011

The increasing diversity, availability and functionality of mobile and wireless technologies over the last four or five years has accelerated the proliferation of pilots and trials in mobile learning. But the evaluation of these has been methodologically and ethically flawed and consequently substantial and sustained mobile learning has not happened. These technologies are also transforming many aspects of society including ideas of communication, discourse, community, culture and ethics. Mobile learning is uniquely aligned to contribute to this transformed society but only once evaluators understand the ethical challenges. This chapter is important because it addresses the issue of the ethical evaluation of mobile learning.
The Methodology of Search Log Analysis
Authors: Jansen Bernard J.
Published: May 2011

Exploiting the data stored in search logs of Web search engines, Intranets, and Websites can provide important insights into understanding the information searching tactics of online searchers. This understanding can inform information system design, interface development, and information architecture construction for content collections. This chapter presents a review of and foundation for conducting Web search transaction log analysis. A search log analysis methodology is outlined consisting of three stages (i.e., collection, preparation, and analysis). The three stages of the methodology are presented in detail with discussions of the goals, metrics, and processes at each stage. The critical terms in transaction log analysis for Web searching are defined. Suggestions are provided on ways to leverage the strengths and addressing the limitations of transaction log analysis for Web searching research.
Uses, Limitations, and Trends in Web Analytics
Authors: Ferrini Anthony , Mohr Jakki J.
Published: May 2011

As the Web’s popularity continues to grow and as new uses of the Web are developed, the importance of measuring the performance of a given Website as accurately as possible also increases. In this chapter, we discuss the various uses of Web analytics (how Web log files are used to measure a Website’s performance), as well as the limitations of these analytics. We discuss options for overcoming these limitations, new trends in Web analytics—including the integration of technology and marketing techniques— and challenges posed by new Web 2.0 technologies. After reading this chapter, readers should have a nuanced understanding of the “how-to’s” of Web analytics.
Modality Conversion
Authors: Thang Truong Cong , Ro Yong Man
Published: May 2011

Content adaptation currently appears to be the key solution to support the quality of service (QoS) for multimedia services over heterogeneous environments. In this chapter, we study modality conversion as an important adaptation method. We point out two main challenging issues of the problem of modality conversion: (1) the quantification of the content value (quality) when contents are drastically scaled and/or converted to other modalities and (2) the method to accurately decide the modality and content value for each object given that quantification. Accordingly, we will present in detail the solutions as well as the open questions to these two issues. Moreover, we discuss the benefits and obstacles as well as future trends of modality conversion in realizing the goal of universal multimedia access.
Transcoding vs. Scalability in Video Streaming for Heterogeneous Networks/Clients
Authors: Conci Nicola , De Natale Francesco G.B.
Published: May 2011

Transcoding provides ad hoc solutions for every user’s category by decompressing a video sequence and recompressing it into a different format where the frame size, colour representation, frame rate, quality, and other characteristics may change. Scalable coding allows implementing most of these operations in an easier and cheapest way, substituting decoding and re-encoding with simple selection and combination operations. In this case, the video is encoded once for all, but different users can access different instances of it according to their specific requirements, capabilities, and compatibilities. The aim of this chapter is to highlight the pros and cons of both techniques, presenting solutions based on layered coding and multiple description coding as a valuable alternative to transcoding, especially in those cases where network losses are not negligible.
An H.264/AVC Error Detection Algorithm Based on Syntax Analysis
Authors: Superiori Luca , Nemethova Olivia , Rupp Markus
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we present the possibility of detecting errors in H.264/AVC encoded video streams. Standard methods usually discard the damaged received packet. Since they can still contain valid information, the localization of the corrupted information elements prevents discarding of the error-free data. The proposed error detection method exploits the set of entropy coded words as well as range and significance of the H.264/AVC information elements. The performance evaluation of the presented technique is performed for various bit error probabilities. The results are compared to the typical packet discard approach. Particular focus is given on low-rate video sequences.
Online Science
Authors: Downing Kevin F. , Holtz Jennifer K.
Published: May 2011

Distance learning modalities in the natural sciences range from simple notes and discussion online (e.g., PowerPoint and asynchronous discussion threads), to remarkably sophisticated multimedia applications that enable students to explore complex systems such as the human body (e.g. The Visible Human Project, National Library of Medicine). In medical and engineering fields, the vanguard for testing the feasibility of learning technologies in online science, students both with time constraints or those far from educational institutions all benefit from sharing resources such as remote laboratories and virtual fieldtrips, resources that are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Assessing Science Competence Achieved at a Distance
Authors: Downing Kevin F. , Holtz Jennifer K.
Published: May 2011

Assessment of student learning is integral to design of curricular experiences, a reality which is often purported to be more complex in online learning environments (Wijekumar, Ferguson & Wagoner, 2006) and characteristic of constructivist praxis (Comeaux, 2005-2006; Segall, et al., 2005). However, the framework within which evaluation occurs—with assessment as one form of evaluation, unique to the learning environment—is constant (Williams, 2004). Moreover, learning assessment was a meaningful topic pre-constructivism and assessment literature in online learning is nearly identical to that of assessment in general, especially as computerized assessment methods become more popular for all learners (Holtz & Radner, 2005; Robles & Braathen, 2002). There are differences and specific challenges; however, in practice those challenges need not be onerous. This chapter describes current practices in online learning assessment, notes similarities in on-site and online methods and explores the differences and how those differences are or can be addressed for online science learning.
Adaptive Beamforming Assisted ReceiverAdaptive Beamforming
Authors: Chen Sheng
Published: May 2011

Adaptive beamforming is capable of separating user signals transmitted on the same carrier frequency, and thus provides a practical means of supporting multiusers in a space-division multiple-access scenario. Moreover, for the sake of further improving the achievable bandwidth efficiency, high-throughput quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) schemes have become popular in numerous wireless network standards, notably, in the recent WiMax standard. This contribution focuses on the design of adaptive beamforming assisted detection for the employment in multiple-antenna aided multiuser systems that employ the high-order QAM signalling. Traditionally, the minimum mean square error (MMSE) design is regarded as the state-of-the-art for adaptive beamforming assisted receiver. However, the recent work (Chen et al., 2006) proposed a novel minimum symbol error rate (MSER) design for the beamforming assisted receiver, and it was demonstrated that this MSER design provides significant performance enhancement, in terms of achievable symbol error rate, over the standard MMSE design. This MSER beamforming design is developed fully in this contribution. In particular, an adaptive implementation of the MSER beamforming solution, referred to as the least symbol error rate algorithm, is investigated extensively. The proposed adaptive MSER beamforming scheme is evaluated in simulation, in comparison with the adaptive MMSE beamforming benchmark.
CALL as Action
Authors: Leffa Vilson J.
Published: May 2011

The objective of this chapter is to offer a new approach for research in Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL). It starts with the assumption that CALL has traditionally emphasized unresolved dichotomies such as tutor vs. tool or individualized instruction vs. collaborative learning. It is argued that a unifying theory, capable of incorporating these conflicting views, is needed. For this purpose, Activity Theory, based on Vygotsky’s ideas and developed by Leontiev, is proposed. It is suggested that research in CALL should focus neither on the individual nor on the community, but on the mediating tool that links them in situated context. CALL is seen as a cultural artifact that needs to be naturalized by the language teaching community.
Interactive Whiteboards and the Normalization of CALL
Authors: Schmid Euline Cutrim
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the concept of integrated CALL by drawing upon data collected for a PhD research project that investigated the impact of interactive whiteboard (IWB) technology in the English language classroom. In the first part, the chapter presents and discusses data which indicate that the IWB technology represents a further step towards the integrated phase in the development of CALL envisioned by Bax (2003). According to Bax, this refers to the stage when the computer becomes invisible, embedded in the everyday practices of the educational context in which it is used—that is, the computer becomes normalized. In the second part, the chapter discusses one factor that inhibited the complete normalization of IWB technology in the context investigated. The chapter concludes by making suggestions for further research.
Designing a Constructivist Vocabulary Learning Material
Authors: Daloglu Aysegül , Baturay Meltem , Yildirim Soner
Published: May 2011

This chapter outlines how the constructivist approach can be implemented in Web-based vocabulary teaching, characteristics of effective Web-based vocabulary teaching materials, and a model for effective Web-based vocabulary teaching and recycling. In WEBVOCLE which stands for Web-Based Vocabulary Learning, contextual presentation of the words has been enriched with audible vocabulary and repeated with interactive exercises, games, and puzzles in ‘spaced revisions’ in a constructivist Web-supported environment. The content of the implementation has been additionally supported with pictures. Feedback obtained from the learners demonstrates that they not only developed a positive attitude toward English language learning, but also improved their learning outcomes.
Computers and Independent Study
Authors: Jarvis Huw
Published: May 2011

This chapter reports on a quantitative study that examines how language students make use of an extensive range of computer-based materials (CBMs) in a language resource centre (LRC) and elsewhere for self-study purposes. Students were asked to indicate the extent to which they make use of CBMs in and outside of an LRC and whether such materials help with their language studies. The study suggests that an LRC offers more than the sum of its parts and therefore should not be put under threat on the basis that materials can and are being accessed anywhere and anytime. The data also reveal that many students, particularly Asian students of English as a Second Language (primarily from China), view a wide range of CBMs as helping with their language studies, and it is suggested that the practices and perceptions of these students may offer insights for all language learners and providers.
The Usefulness of Second Life for Language Learning
Authors: Carter Bryan , Elseth Dayton
Published: May 2011

Within academia, distance learning as an approach to education has its share of skeptics. Regardless of how some feel about the methodology, it has become a viable alternative to more traditional classroom instruction. In fact, distance learning methods such as learning management systems, video conferencing, and CD-ROM programs can yield success in second or foreign language courses as well. While those other computer-based learning tools have produced positive results, this study attempts to gauge the usefulness of an Internet-based virtual reality environment called Second Life. This virtual world, not initially intended for second or foreign language teaching, contains environments that are similar to those found in the “real world” that can be manipulated by users for educational purposes. The subjects in this study—three students in an introductory German class and students of two semesters of composition—45 in number, all felt that Second Life helped their language progression and/or helped inspire their writing. All wanted to see expanded use of Second Life in their classes.
The Civilization Index
Authors: Targowski Andrew
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to define energy levels of civilizations, particularly in respect to a role of information-communication processes. Rapid changes in the world economy and social structure have brought into question traditional assumptions, prompting some intellectuals to speak of a “clash of civilizations” (Huntington, 1993; 1996) or even “the end of history” (Fukuyama, 1989; 1992). Before one can speculate about a new world order, it is necessary to develop an appropriate set of measurements to compare human societies and a terminology to describe them. The environment described as a “civilization” by Toynbee (1995) and “the world civilization” by Braudel (1993) has changed so drastically that those definitions are no longer sufficient. The spectacular progress in technology and social life that has been achieved at the beginning of the third millennium stimulates an extensive investigation into the human condition and the world status. Questions like the following need to be answered: 1. What is the state of Western and other civilizations at the beginning of the 21st century? 2. How can it be compared to other civilizations in terms of level of development? 3. What criteria and measurements should be applied in evaluating and comparing civilizations? 4. What is the relationship between a given civilization and the world civilization? This study falls into a category of wide-ranging comparisons of large structures and processes, in order to understand how human entities behave in a certain way because of the consequences of the civilization system’s behavior as a whole (Tilly, 1984).
Will Wisdom Save the Human Project?
Authors: Targowski Andrew
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate whether we humans are wise enough to save our civilization from threats of internal conflicts and natural (even cosmic) disasters. Humans have gained wisdom through life experience and philosophical investigations for the last 2,600 years. In this investigation, we would like to find out whether philosophy can be helpful in finding the wisest strategic solution, which would sustain civilization forever. If the current state of philosophy cannot do it, it will be necessary to offer a new philosophy which could undertake this task, particularly in these times when other social sciences are aware of our civilization crisis and have influenced the formation of many research foundations and centers which aim at the more harmonious development of civilization.
Information Laws
Authors: Targowski Andrew
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to define information laws which control the development of the global and universal civilizations as well as individual autonomous civilizations. Mankind progresses in proportion to its wisdom, which has roots in practice, acquired skills, available data, and information, concepts and knowledge. To be wise, humankind needs to be both informed and knowledgeable, otherwise it will not survive its own failures. Progress in knowledge was painfully slow as long as the spatial memory was transmitted only by oral tradition. With the inventions of writing and books, the process of knowledge discovery and dissemination was accelerated. Today, computers and their networks speed up that process far beyond our imagination. In the 21st century, the Information Wave significantly controls the Agricultural and Industrial Waves through millions of computers. IT supports decision-making based on knowledgeoriented systems such as “data mining” that, for example, discover knowledge about customers and organization dynamics to achieve competitive advantage. Information and knowledge have become the strategic resource that engineering science was in the Industrial Wave. However, the discovery of human cognition potential must be guided by knowledge science, which is just emerging. One of the signs of any science is its set of data, universal rules, laws, and systems of rules and laws. Hence, this chapter offers the first attempt to develop main laws of information that should increase our awareness about the Information Wave, the new stage of civilization dynamics that is taking place at the beginning of the third millennium. The chapter also provides the framework for the analysis of human capital from an information perspective. These considerations reflect a still emerging approach which I call macro-information ecology.
Action Rules Mining
Authors: Ras Zbigniew W. , Wyrzykowska Elzbieta , Tsay Li-Shiang
Published: May 2011

There are two aspects of interestingness of rules that have been studied in data mining literature, objective and subjective measures (Liu et al., 1997), (Adomavicius & Tuzhilin, 1997), (Silberschatz & Tuzhilin, 1995, 1996). Objective measures are data-driven and domain-independent. Generally, they evaluate the rules based on their quality and similarity between them. Subjective measures, including unexpectedness, novelty and actionability, are user-driven and domaindependent. A rule is actionable if user can do an action to his/her advantage based on this rule (Liu et al., 1997). This definition, in spite of its importance, is too vague and it leaves open door to a number of different interpretations of actionability. In order to narrow it down, a new class of rules (called action rules) constructed from certain pairs of association rules, has been proposed in (Ras & Wieczorkowska, 2000). Interventions introduced in (Greco et al., 2006) and the concept of information changes proposed in (Skowron & Synak, 2006) are conceptually very similar to action rules. Action rules have been investigated further in (Wang at al., 2002), (Tsay & Ras, 2005, 2006), (Tzacheva & Ras, 2005), (He at al., 2005), (Ras & Dardzinska, 2006), (Dardzinska & Ras, 2006), (Ras & Wyrzykowska, 2007). To give an example justifying the need of action rules, let us assume that a number of customers have closed their accounts at one of the banks. We construct, possibly the simplest, description of that group of people and next search for a new description, similar to the one we have, with a goal to identify a new group of customers from which no-one left that bank. If these descriptions have a form of rules, then they can be seen as actionable rules. Now, by comparing these two descriptions, we may find the cause why these accounts have been closed and formulate an action which if undertaken by the bank, may prevent other customers from closing their accounts. Such actions are stimulated by action rules and they are seen as precise hints for actionability of rules. For example, an action rule may say that by inviting people from a certain group of customers for a glass of wine by a bank, it is guaranteed that these customers will not close their accounts and they do not move to another bank. Sending invitations by regular mail to all these customers or inviting them personally by giving them a call are examples of an action associated with that action rule.
Aligning the Warehouse and the Web
Authors: Peter Hadrian
Published: May 2011

Data warehouses have established themselves as necessary components of an effective IT strategy for large businesses. To augment the streams of data being siphoned from transactional/operational databases warehouses must also integrate increasing amounts of external data to assist in decision support. Modern warehouses can be expected to handle up to 100 Terabytes or more of data. (Berson and Smith, 1997; Devlin, 1998; Inmon 2002; Imhoff et al, 2003; Schwartz, 2003; Day 2004; Peter and Greenidge, 2005; Winter and Burns 2006; Ladley, 2007). The arrival of newer generations of tools and database vendor support has smoothed the way for current warehouses to meet the needs of the challenging global business environment ( Kimball and Ross, 2002; Imhoff et al, 2003; Ross, 2006). We cannot ignore the role of the Internet in modern business and the impact on data warehouse strategies. The web represents the richest source of external data known to man ( Zhenyu et al, 2002; Chakrabarti, 2002; Laender et al, 2002) but we must be able to couple raw text or poorly structured data on the web with descriptions, annotations and other forms of summary meta-data (Crescenzi et al, 2001). In recent years the Semantic Web initiative has focussed on the production of “smarter data”. The basic idea is that instead of making programs with near human intelligence, we rather carefully add meta-data to existing stores so that the data becomes “marked up” with all the information necessary to allow not-sointelligent software to perform analysis with minimal human intervention. (Kalfoglou et al, 2004) The Semantic Web builds on established building block technologies such as Unicode, URIs(Uniform Resource Indicators) and XML (Extensible Markup Language) (Dumbill, 2000; Daconta et al, 2003; Decker et al, 2000). The modern data warehouse must embrace these emerging web initiatives. In this paper we propose a model which provides mechanisms for sourcing external data resources for analysts in the warehouse.
Association Rules and Statistics
Authors: Cadot Martine , Maj Jean-Baptiste , Ziadé Tarek
Published: May 2011

A manager would like to have a dashboard of his company without manipulating data. Usually, statistics have solved this challenge, but nowadays, data have changed (Jensen, 1992); their size has increased, and they are badly structured (Han & Kamber, 2001). A recent method—data mining—has been developed to analyze this type of data (Piatetski-Shapiro, 2000). A specific method of data mining, which fits the goal of the manager, is the extraction of association rules (Hand, Mannila & Smyth, 2001). This extraction is a part of attribute-oriented induction (Guyon & Elisseeff, 2003). The aim of this paper is to compare both types of extracted knowledge: association rules and results of statistics.
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Authors: Camps-Valls Gustavo , Morgan Chalk Alistair
Published: May 2011

Bioinformatics is a new, rapidly expanding field that uses computational approaches to answer biological questions (Baxevanis, 2005). These questions are answered by means of analyzing and mining biological data. The field of bioinformatics or computational biology is a multidisciplinary research and development environment, in which a variety of techniques from computer science, applied mathematics, linguistics, physics, and, statistics are used. The terms bioinformatics and computational biology are often used interchangeably (Baldi, 1998; Pevzner, 2000). This new area of research is driven by the wealth of data from high throughput genome projects, such as the human genome sequencing project (International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium, 2001; Venter, 2001). As of early 2006, 180 organisms have been sequenced, with the capacity to sequence constantly increasing. Three major DNA databases collaborate and mirror over 100 billion base pairs in Europe (EMBL), Japan (DDBJ) and the USA (Genbank.) The advent of high throughput methods for monitoring gene expression, such as microarrays (Schena, 1995) detecting the expression level of thousands of genes simultaneously. Such data can be utilized to establish gene function (functional genomics) (DeRisi, 1997). Recent advances in mass spectrometry and proteomics have made these fields high-throughput. Bioinformatics is an essential part of drug discovery, pharmacology, biotechnology, genetic engineering and a wide variety of other biological research areas. In the context of these proceedings, we emphasize that machine learning approaches, such as neural networks, hidden Markov models, or kernel machines, have emerged as good mathematical methods for analyzing (i.e. classifying, ranking, predicting, estimating and finding regularities on) biological datasets (Baldi, 1998). The field of bioinformatics has presented challenging problems to the machine learning community and the algorithms developed have resulted in new biological hypotheses. In summary, with the huge amount of information a mutually beneficial knowledge feedback has developed between theoretical disciplines and the life sciences. As further reading, we recommend the excellent “Bioinformatics: A Machine Learning Approach” (Baldi, 1998), which gives a thorough insight into topics, methods and common problems in Bioinformatics. The next section introduces the most important subfields of bioinformatics and computational biology. We go on to discuss current issues in bioinformatics and what we see are future trends.
Bitmap Join Indexes vs. Data Partitioning
Authors: Bellatreche Ladjel
Published: May 2011

Scientific databases and data warehouses store large amounts of data ith several tables and attributes. For instance, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) astronomical database contains a large number of tables with hundreds of attributes, which can be queried in various combinations (Papadomanolakis & Ailamaki, 2004). These queries involve many tables using binary operations, such as joins. To speed up these queries, many optimization structures were proposed that can be divided into two main categories: redundant structures like materialized views, advanced indexing schemes (bitmap, bitmap join indexes, etc.) (Sanjay, Chaudhuri & Narasayya, 2000) and vertical partitioning (Sanjay, Narasayya & Yang 2004) and non redundant structures like horizontal partitioning (Sanjay, Narasayya & Yang 2004; Bellatreche, Boukhalfa & Mohania, 2007) and parallel processing (Datta, Moon, & Thomas, 2000; Stöhr, Märtens & Rahm, 2000). These optimization techniques are used either in a sequential manner ou combined. These combinations are done intra-structures: materialized views and indexes for redundant and partitioning and data parallel processing for no redundant. Materialized views and indexes compete for the same resource representing storage, and incur maintenance overhead in the presence of updates (Sanjay, Chaudhuri & Narasayya, 2000). None work addresses the problem of selecting combined optimization structures. In this paper, we propose two approaches; one for combining a non redundant structures horizontal partitioning and a redundant structure bitmap indexes in order to reduce the query processing and reduce the maintenance overhead, and another to exploit algorithms for vertical partitioning to generate bitmap join indexes. To facilitate the understanding of our approaches, for review these techniques in details.
Classifying Two-Class Chinese Texts in Two Steps
Authors: Fan Xinghua
Published: May 2011

Text categorization (TC) is a task of assigning one or multiple predefined category labels to natural language texts. To deal with this sophisticated task, a variety of statistical classification methods and machine learning techniques have been exploited intensively (Sebastiani, 2002), including the Naïve Bayesian (NB) classifier (Lewis, 1998), the Vector Space Model (VSM)-based classifier (Salton, 1989), the example-based classifier (Mitchell, 1996), and the Support Vector Machine (Yang & Liu, 1999). Text filtering is a basic type of text categorization (two-class TC). There are many real-life applications (Fan, 2004), a typical one of which is the ill information filtering, such as erotic information and garbage information filtering on the web, in e-mails and in short messages of mobile phones. It is obvious that this sort of information should be carefully controlled. On the other hand, the filtering performance using the existing methodologies is still not satisfactory in general. The reason lies in that there exist a number of documents with high degree of ambiguity, from the TC point of view, in a document collection, that is, there is a fuzzy area across the border of two classes (for the sake of expression, we call the class consisting of the ill information- related texts, or, the negative samples, the category of TARGET, and, the class consisting of the ill information-not-related texts, or, the positive samples, the category of Non-TARGET). Some documents in one category may have great similarities with some other documents in the other category, for example, a lot of words concerning love story and sex are likely appear in both negative samples and positive samples if the filtering target is erotic information.