bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Study on the Migration to OpenOffice.org in a Public Administration
Authors: Rossi B. , Scotto M. , Sillitti A. , Succi G.
Published: February 2011

The aim of the article is to report the results of a migration to Open Source Software (OSS) in one public administration. The migration focuses on the office automation field and, in particular, on the OpenOffice.org suite. We have analysed the transition to OSS considering qualitative and quantitative data collected with the aid of different tools. All the data have been always considered from the point of view of the different stakeholders involved, IT managers, IT technicians, and users. The results of the project have been largely satisfactory. However the results cannot be generalised due to some constraints, like the environment considered and the parallel use of the old solution. Nevertheless, we think that the data collected can be of valuable aid to managers wishing to evaluate a possible transition to OSS.
Open Source in Web-Based Applications
Authors: Agostino Ardagna Claudio , Frati Fulvio , Gianini Gabriele
Published: February 2011

Business and recreational activities on the global communication infrastructure are increasingly based on the use of remote resources and services, and on the interaction between different, remotely located parties. In such a context, Single Sign-On technologies simplify the log-on process allowing automatic access to secondary domains through a unique log-on operation to the primary domain. In this article, we evaluate different Single Sign-On implementations focusing on the central role of Open Source in the development of Web-based systems. We outline requirements for Single Sign-On systems and evaluate four existing Open Source implementations in terms of degree of fulfilment of those requirements. Finally we compare those Open Source systems with respect to some specific Open Source community patterns.
Text Summarization Based on Conceptual Data Classification
Authors: ALJa’am Jihad M. , Jaoua Ali M. , Hasnah Ahmad M. , Hassan F. , Mohamed H. , Mosaid T. , Saleh H. , Abdullah F. , Cherif H.
Published: February 2011

In this article, we present an original approach for text summarization using conceptual data classification. We show how a given text can be summarized without losing meaningful knowledge and without using any semantic or grammatical concepts. In fact, concept date classification is used to extract the most interacting sentences from the main text and ignoring the other meaningless sentences in order to generate the text summary. The approach is tested on Arabic and English texts with different sizes and different topics and the obtained results are satisfactory. The system may be incorporated with the indexers of search engines over the Internet in order to find key words and other pertinent information of the new deployed Web pages that would be stored in databases for quick search.
A Deterministic Approach to XML Query Processing with Efficient Support for Pure and Negated Containments
Authors: Che Dunren
Published: February 2011

This article reports the result of the author’s recent work on XML query processing/optimization, which is a very important issue in XML data management. In this work, in order to more effectively and efficiently handle XML queries involving pure and/or negated containments, a previously proposed deterministic optimization approach is largely adapted. This approach resorts to heuristic-based deterministic transformations on algebraic query expressions in order to achieve the best possible optimization efficiency. Specialized transformation rules are thus developed, and efficient implementation algorithms for pure and negated containments are presented as well. Experimental study confirms the validity and effectiveness of the presented approach and algorithms in processing of XML queries involving pure and/or negated containments.
Hierarchical Scheduling in Heterogeneous Grid Systems
Authors: Al-Zoubi Khaldoon
Published: February 2011

This article proposes hierarchal scheduling schemes for grid systems: A self-discovery scheme for the resource discovery stage and an adaptive child scheduling method for the resource selection stage. In addition, we propose three rescheduling algorithms: (1) The butterfly algorithm, which reschedules jobs when better resources become available, (2) the fallback algorithm, which reschedules jobs that had their resources taken away from the grid, before the actual resource allocation, and (3) the load-balance algorithm, which balances the load among resources. We also propose a hybrid system to combine the proposed hierarchal schemes with the well-known peer-to-peer (P2P) principle. We compare the performance of the proposed schemes against the P2P-based grid systems through simulation with respect to a set of predefined metrics.
On a Modified Backoff Algorithm for MAC Protocol in MANETs
Authors: Manaseer Saher S. , Ould-Khaoua Mohamed , Mackenzie Lewis M.
Published: February 2011

In wireless communication environments, backoff is traditionally based on the IEEE binary exponential backoff (BEB). Using BEB results in a high delay in message transmission, collisions, and ultimately wasting the limited available bandwidth. As each node has to obtain medium access before transmitting a message, in dense networks, the collision probability in the medium access control (MAC) layer becomes very high, when a poor backoff algorithm is used. The logarithmic algorithm proposes some improvements to the backoff algorithms that aim to efficiently use the channel and to reduce collisions. The algorithm under study is based on changing the incremental behavior of the backoff value. The BEB is used by the local area networks (LANs) standards, IEEE 802.11, MAC. BEB uses a uniform random distribution to choose the backoff value; this often leads to reducing the effect of a window-sized increment. This paper carries out a deeper study and analysis of the logarithmic backoff algorithm that uses logarithmic increments, instead of an exponential extension of the window size to eliminate the degrading effect of random number distribution. Results from simulation experiments reveal that the algorithm subject under study achieves higher throughput and less packet loss, when in a mobile ad hoc environment.
FSR Evaluation Using the Suboptimal Operational Values
Authors: Khader Osama H.S.
Published: February 2011

In mobile ad-hoc networks, routing protocols are becoming more complicated and problematic. Routing in mobile ad-hoc networks is multihop because of the limited communication range of wireless radios. Since nodes in the network can move freely and randomly, an efficient routing protocol is needed for such networks to be able to perform well in such an environment. In this environment, the routing strategy is applied such that it is flexible enough to handle large populations and mobility and is able to minimize the use of the battery. Also it should be designed to achieve maximum packet delivery ratio. Furthermore, the routing protocol must perform well in terms of fast convergence, low routing delay, and low control overhead traffic. In this article, an improved implementation of the fisheye state routing (FSR) protocols is presented, where a new selection routing criteria that utilizes a minimum number of hops is a selection metric. The results obtained from simulation indicate that the fewer number of hops used, the better and more efficient the output for packet delivery ratio was generated
Engineering Conceptual Data Models from Domain Ontologies
Authors: El-Ghalayini Haya , Odeh Mohammed , McClatchey Richard
Published: February 2011

This article studies the differences and similarities between domain ontologies and conceptual data models and the role that ontologies can play in establishing conceptual data models during the process of developing information systems. A mapping algorithm has been proposed and embedded in a special purpose transformation engine to generate a conceptual data model from a given domain ontology. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been adopted to critically evaluate this new approach. In addition, this article focuses on evaluating the quality of the generated conceptual data model elements using Bunge-Wand-Weber and OntoClean ontologies. The results of this evaluation indicate that the generated conceptual data model provides a high degree of accuracy in identifying the substantial domain entities, along with their relationships being derived from the consensual semantics of domain knowledge. The results are encouraging and support the potential role that this approach can take part in the process of information system development.
Modeling Defects In E-Projects
Authors: Ferguson John D. , Miller James
Published: February 2011

It is now widely accepted that software projects utilizing the Web (e-projects) face many of the same problems and risks experienced with more traditional software projects, only to a greater degree. Further, their characteristics of rapid development cycles combined with high frequency of software releases and adaptations make many of the traditional tools and techniques for modeling defects unsuitable. This article proposes a simple model to explain and quantify the interaction between generic defect injection and removal processes in e-projects. The model is based upon long standing and highly regarded work from the field of quantitative ecological population modeling. This basic modeling approach is then subsequently tailored to fit the software production process within an e-project context.
Web Site Performance Analysis Success Assessment of Information Driven Web Site on User Traces
Authors: Stolz Carsten , Barth Michael
Published: February 2011

Web metrics help to identify improvement potentials for web sites. In contrast to transaction based sites, the success of web sites geared toward information delivery is harder to quantify without direct feedback out of a transaction. We propose a generic success measure for information driven web sites by observing the users in context of the web site semantics. Thus we identify target pages, analyze the web page content and evaluate effectiveness and efficiency of the user actions with respect to the web site’s objectives. The user’s perspective has to be incorporated for a comprehensive success measure. We propose to integrate search queries from referrer information carrying the user’s intentions. Out of an integrated web site meta model we derive formally a new success measure. This approach uses common data mining techniques and text mining algorithms like PLSA and shows its applicability in two case studies and an independent user enquiry.
Building a Semantic-Rich Service-Oriented Manufacturing Environment
Authors: Yang Zhonghua , Zhang Jing Bing , Gay Rober , Zhuang Liquin , Lee Hui Mien
Published: February 2011

Service orientation has emerged as a new promising paradigm for enterprise integration in the manufacturing sector. In this article, we focus on the approach and technologies for constructing a service oriented manufacturing environment. The service orientation is achieved via virtualization in which everything, including machines, equipments, devices, various data sources, applications, and processes are virtualized as standard-based Web services. The virtualization approach is based on the emerging Web Services Resource Framework (WS-RF). A case study of virtualizing an AGV system using WS-RF is described. The use of Semantic Web Services technologies to enhance manufacturing Web services for a semantic-rich environment is discussed, focusing on OWL-S for semantic markup of manufacturing Web services and OWL for the development of ontologies in the manufacturing domain. An enterprise integration architecture enabled by Semantic Web service composition is also discussed.
Tool Support for Model-driven Development of Web Applications
Authors: Gomez Jaime , Bia Alejandro , Parraga Antonio
Published: February 2011

This article describes the engineering foundations of VisualWADE, a CASE tool to automate the production of Web applications. VisualWADE follows a model-driven approach focusing on requirements analysis, high level design, and rapid prototyping. In this way, an application evolves smoothly from the first prototype to the final product, and its maintenance is a natural consequence of development. The article also discusses the lessons learned in the development of the tool and its application to several case studies in the industrial context.
Context-Aware Service Provisioning in Next-Generation Networks
Authors: Podobnik Vedran , Trzec Krunoslav , Jezic Gordan
Published: February 2011

This article presents an application of a multi-agent system in ubiquitous computing scenarios characteristic of next-generation networks. Next-generation networks will create environments populated with a vast number of consumers, which will possess diverse types of context-aware devices. In such environments, the consumer should be able to access all the available services anytime, from any place, and by using any of its communication-enabled devices. Consequently, next-generation networks will require efficient mechanisms which can match consumers’ demands (requested services) to network-operators’ supplies (available services). The authors propose an agent approach for enabling autonomous coordination between all the entities across the telecom value chain, thus enabling automated context-aware service provisioning for the consumers. Furthermore, the authors hope that the proposed service discovery model will not only be interesting from a scientific point of view, but also amenable to real-world applications.
A Mobile Intelligent Agent-Based Architecture for E-Business
Authors: Weng Zhiyong , Tran Thomas
Published: February 2011

This article proposes a mobile intelligent agent-based e-business architecture that allows buyers and sellers to perform business at remote locations. An e-business participant can generate a mobile, intelligent agent via some mobile devices (such as a personal digital assistant or mobile phone) and dispatch the agent to the Internet to do business on his/her behalf. This proposed architecture promises a number of benefits: First, it provides great convenience for traders as business can be conducted anytime and anywhere. Second, since the task of finding and negotiating with appropriate traders is handled by a mobile, intelligent agent, the user is freed from this time-consuming task. Third, this architecture addresses the problem of limited and expensive connection time for mobile devices: A trader can disconnect a mobile device from its server after generating and launching a mobile intelligent agent. Later on, the trader can reconnect and call back the agent for results, therefore minimizing the connection time. Finally, by complying with the standardization body FIPA, this flexible architecture increases the interoperability between agent systems and provides high scalability design for swiftly moving across the network.
Voice Driven Emotion Recognizer Mobile Phone
Authors: Razak Aishah A. , Abidin Mohamad I.Z. , Komiya Ryoichi.
Published: February 2011

This article proposes an application of emotion recognizer system in telecommunications entitled voice driven emotion recognizer mobile phone (VDERM). The design implements a voice-to-image conversion scheme through a voice-to-image converter that extracts emotion features in the voice, recognizes them, and selects the corresponding facial expression images from image bank. Since it only requires audio transmission, it can support video communication at a much lower bit rate than the conventional videophone. The first prototype of VDERM system has been implemented into a personal computer. The coder, voice-to-image converter, image database, and system interface are preinstalled in the personal computer. In this article, we present and discuss some evaluations that have been conducted in supporting this proposed prototype. The results have shown that both voice and image are important for people to correctly recognize emotion in telecommunications and the proposed solution can provide an alternative to videophone systems. The future works list some modifications that can be done to the proposed prototype in order to make it more practical for mobile applications.
A Graphical User Interface (GUI) Testing Methodology
Authors: Singhera Zafar , Horowitz Ellis , Shah Abad
Published: February 2011

Software testing in general and graphical user interface (GUI) testing in particular is one of the major challenges in the lifecycle of any software system. GUI testing is inherently more difficult than the traditional and command-line interface testing. Some of the factors that make GUI testing different from the traditional software testing and significantly more difficult are: a large number of objects, different look and feel of objects, many parameters associated with each object, progressive disclosure, complex inputs from multiple sources, and graphical outputs. The existing testing techniques for the creation and management of test suites need to be adapted/enhanced for GUIs, and new testing techniques are desired to make the creation and management of test suites more efficient and effective. In this article, a methodology is proposed to create test suites for a GUI. The proposed methodology organizes the testing activity into various levels. The tests created at a particular level can be reused at higher levels. This methodology extends the notion of modularity and reusability to the testing phase. The organization and management of the created test suites resembles closely to the structure of the GUI under test.
Class Level Test Case Generation in Object Oriented Software Testing
Authors: Gupta N. , Saini D. , Saini H.
Published: February 2011

Object-oriented programming consists of several different levels of abstraction, namely, the algorithmic level, class level, cluster level, and system level. In this article, we discuss a testing technique to generate test cases at class level for object-oriented programs. The formal object oriented class specification is used to develop a test model. This test model is based on finite state machine specification. The class specification and the test model is analyzed to select a set of test data for each method of the class, and finally the test cases can be generated using other testing techniques like finite-state testing or data-flow testing.
A Methodology for Integrating Patterns in Quality-Centric Web Applications
Authors: Kamthan Pankaj
Published: February 2011

The development and evolution of Web applications is viewed from an engineering perspective that relies on and accommodates the knowledge inherent in patterns. A methodology for pattern-oriented Web engineering (POWE) that deploys patterns as means for assuring the quality of Web applications is proposed. POWE consists of a sequence of steps that include the identification of stakeholder types, following a suitable development process model, identification of relevant quality attributes, and selection and use of suitable patterns. To support decision making and to place POWE in context, the feasibility issues involved in each step are highlighted. The use of patterns during macro and micro-architecture design of a Web application is illustrated. Finally, some directions for future research, including extensions to POWE, are discussed.
A Framework for a Scenario Driven Decision Support Systems Generator
Authors: Ahmed M.Daud , Sundaram David
Published: February 2011

Traditional Decision Support Systems (DSS) provide strong data management, modelling and visualisation capabilities for the decision maker but they do not explicitly support scenario management appropriately. Systems that purport to support scenario planning are complex and difficult to use and do not fully support all phases of scenario management. We introduce scenario as a core component of decision making systems and present a life cycle approach for scenario management, which helps the decision maker with idea generation, scenario planning, development, organisation, analysis, execution, evaluation, and decision support. This research designs and develops a domain independent framework and architecture for Scenario-driven Decision Support Systems Generator that aligns the DSS with the scenario management process. We then propose a generalised evaluation process that allows homogeneous and heterogeneous scenario comparisons among multiple instances of similar and dissimilar scenarios respectively. The framework and architecture is implemented and validated through a concrete prototype.
A Framework for the Active Credibility Engineering of Web Applications
Authors: Kamthan Pankaj
Published: February 2011

The issue of credibility is a major concern for the consumers of Web applications in a variety of domains and is crucial for an organization’s reputation. Using a taxonomy of credibility, a systematic approach to one class of credibility, namely the active credibility, of Web applications is considered. To that regard, a viewpoint-oriented framework for the active credibility engineering of Web applications is proposed, and the managerial, societal, and technical viewpoints of it are analyzed in some detail. A few directions for extending the framework are outlined.
The Theory and Implementation of InputValidator
Authors: Miller J. , Zhang L. , Ofuonye E. , Smith M.
Published: February 2011

The construction and testing of Web-based systems has become more complex and challenging because of continual innovations in technology. Security is a major concern, particularly for the deployment of mission critical applications. One of the principal vulnerabilities in Webbased systems revolves around insufficient and inappropriate input validation, a deficiency that can be exploited by attacks that bypass client-side checking. This article describes a partially automated mechanism, the tool InputValidator, which seeks to address this issue by sending test data directly to the server to test the robustness and security of the back-end software. The tool allows a user to construct, execute, and evaluate a number of test cases through a formfilling exercise instead of writing bespoke test code.
Performance Analysis of a Web Server
Authors: Lu Jijun , Gokhale Swapna S.
Published: February 2011

With the rapid development and widespread use of the Internet, Web servers have become a dominant source of information and services. The use of Web servers in business and critical application domains imposes stringent performance requirements on them. These performance requirements cast a direct influence on the choice of the configuration options of the hardware and the software infrastructure on which a Web server is deployed. In addition to the selection of configuration options, for a given level of load and a particular hardware and software configuration, it is necessary to estimate the performance of a Web server prior to deployment
A Framework Towards Semantic Web Service Composition Based on Multi-Agent System
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Mishra R. B.
Published: February 2011

A Semantic Web service composition system can be considered as a multi-agent system, in which each of the component service is considered as an agent capability. The article presents a multi-agent system based Semantic Web service composition approach. The proposed approach deals with some of the untouched issues and uses cognitive parameters and quality of service (QoS) parameters in serviceprovider selection. A new application area for the Semantic Web technology, that is, education planning involving planning the admission-process for higher-education course has been introduced and the proposed approach and models are applied on it.
A Concept for Mobile Ad-Hoc Messaging Networks (AMNet)
Authors: Stieglitz Stefan , Fuchß Christoph , Stöckel Sascha , Lattemann Christoph
Published: February 2011

This article shows an innovative approach for an ad-hoc messaging network (AMNET) which uses simple store-and-forward message passing to spread data asynchronously. This approach primarily focuses on application specific needs that can be covered by simple message passing mechanisms. In this paper we will describe a powerful network by using simple devices and communication protocols on the basis of AMNETs. Simulation results of our AMNET approach provide insights into speeding up the network setup process and enable the use of AMNETs even with few participants by introducing a hybrid infrastructure and mobile nodes.
A Linked Neighboring Leaves N-Tree to Support Distance Range Search
Authors: Najjar Faïza , Slimani Hassenet
Published: February 2011

Mobile query processing is, actually, a very active research field. Range and nearest neighbor queries are common types of queries in spatial databases and location based services (LBS). In this paper, we focus on finding nearest neighbors of a query point within a certain distance range. An example of query, frequently met in LBS, is “Find all the nearest gas stations within 2 miles neighborhood of his/her current location”. We propose two approaches for answering such queries. Both are based on a recent indexing technique called N-tree. The first one is a branch and bound approach, whereas the second, called ‘neighborhoods scanning’, is based on a variant of N-tree, Leaves-Linked N-tree (LLN-tree). LLN-tree is an index tree structure that avoids visiting multiple paths during range search. Both techniques are presented, illustrated and evaluated. Experiments show that the latter approach outperforms the former in response time and disk access as well.
A Location-Aware Access Control Model for Mobile Workflow Systems
Authors: Decker Michael
Published: February 2011

Workflow management systems (WfMS) are a special class of information systems (IS) that support the automated enactment of business processes. Meanwhile there are WfMS which allow the execution of tasks using mobile computers like PDA with the ability of wireless data transmission. However, the employment of workflow systems as well as mobile technologies comes along with special security challenges. One way to tackle these challenges is the employment of so locationaware access control to enforce rules that describe from which locations a user is allowed to perform which activities. The data model behind access control in termed access control model (ACM). There are special ACM for mobile information systems (IS) as well as for WfMS but no one that addresses mobile as well as workflow specific aspects. In the article we therefore discuss the specific constraints such a model should be able to express and introduce an appropriate ACM.
Fault-Tolerant Text Data Compression Algorithms
Authors: Robert L. , Nadarajan R.
Published: February 2011

There has been an unparalleled explosion of textual information flow over the internet through electronic mail, web browsing, digital library and information retrieval systems, etc. Since there is a persistent increase in the amount of data that needs to be transmitted or archived, the importance of data compression is likely to increase in the near future. Virtually, all modern compression methods are adaptive models and generate variable-bit-length codes that must be decoded sequentially from beginning to end. If there is any error during transmission, the entire file cannot be retrieved safely. In this article we propose few fault-tolerant methods of text compression that facilitate decoding to begin with any part of compressed file not necessarily from the beginning. If any sequence of one or more bytes is changed during transmission of compressed file due to various reasons, the remaining data can be retrieved safely. These algorithms also support reversible decompression.
Improving Software Agent Communication with Structural Ontology Alignment Methods
Authors: de Souza Jairo F. , Melo Rubens N. , Oliveira Jonice , de Souza Jano , Siqueira Sean Wolfgand M.
Published: February 2011

To perform tasks on the semantic web, software agents must be able to communicate with other agents using domain ontologies, even when considering different ontologies. In this regard, it is necessary to address semantic interoperability to enable agents to recognize common concepts and misunderstandings. In this paper, the authors propose the use of negotiation concepts in business scenarios for addressing concept compatibilization problems in communication between software agents and present an algorithm developed in the GNoSIS system. A validation of this approach is presented.
A Model for Ranking and Selecting Integrity Tests in a Distributed Database
Authors: Alwan Ali Amer , Ibrahim Hamidah , Udzir Nur Izura
Published: February 2011

Checking the consistency of a database state generally involves the execution of integrity tests on the database, which verify whether the database is satisfying its constraints or not. This paper presents the various types of integrity tests as reported in previous works and discusses how these tests can significantly improve the performance of the constraint checking mechanisms without limiting to a certain type of test. Having these test alternatives and selecting the most suitable test is an issue that needs to be tackled. In this regard, the authors propose a model to rank and select the suitable test to be evaluated given several alternative tests. The model uses the amount of data transferred across the network, the number of sites involved, and the amount of data accessed as the parameters in deciding the suitable test. Several analyses have been performed to evaluate the proposed model, and results show that the model achieves a higher percentage of local processing as compared to the previous selected strategies.
Collaborative Service Clouds
Authors: Ardissono Liliana , Bosio Gianni , Goy Anna , Petrone Giovanna , Segnan Marino , Torretta Fabrizio
Published: February 2011

Thanks to Web 2.0 technologies, many computer-supported activities are provided on-line, which enhances the possibility of sharing information and resources. In particular, the concept of service cloud is emerging as a paradigm for offering Web-based services based on an open distributed architecture. In this paper, the authors propose a framework supporting the management of Collaborative Service Clouds, i.e., open, Web-based environments that enable the integration of heterogeneous services, and provide a user-centered unified management of business and private activities. The management of Collaborative Service Clouds is enabled by an open architecture, which provides services and data synchronization, coupled with a set of core applications supporting essential aspects of the functionality of the environment.
The Role of Physical Affordances in Multifunctional Mobile Device Design
Authors: Matei Sorin Adam , Faiola Anthony , Wheatley David J. , Altom Tim
Published: February 2011

As designers of mobile/media-rich devices continue to incorporate more features/functionality, the evolution of interfaces will become more complex. Meanwhile, users cognitive models must be aligned with new device capabilities and corresponding physical affordances. In this paper, the authors argue that based on HCI design theory, users approach objects by building mental models starting with physical appearance. Findings suggest that users who embrace a device’s multifunctionality are prevented from taking full advantage of an array of features due to an apparent cognitive constraint caused by a lack of physical controls. The authors submit that this problem stems from established mental models and past associated behaviors of both mobile and non-mobile interactive devices. In conclusion, users expressed a preference for immediate access and use of certain physical device controls within a multi-tasking environment, suggesting that as mobile computing becomes more prevalent, physical affordances in multifunctional devices may remain or increase in importance.
Discriminative Subgraph Mining for Protein Classification
Authors: Jin Ning , Young Calvin , Wang Wei
Published: February 2011

Protein classification can be performed by representing 3-D protein structures by graphs and then classifying the corresponding graphs. One effective way to classify such graphs is to use frequent subgraph patterns as features; however, the effectiveness of using subgraph patterns in graph classification is often hampered by the large search space of subgraph patterns. In this paper, the authors present two efficient discriminative subgraph mining algorithms: COM and GAIA. These algorithms directly search for discriminative subgraph patterns rather than frequent subgraph patterns which can be used to generate classification rules. Experimental results show that COM and GAIA can achieve high classification accuracy and runtime efficiency. Additionally, they find substructures that are very close to the proteins’ actual active sites.
Hierarchical Density-Based Clustering of White Matter Tracts in the Human Brain
Authors: Shao Junming , Hahn Klaus , Yang Qinli , Wohlschläeger Afra , Boehm Christian , Myers Nicholas , Plant Claudia
Published: February 2011

Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) provides a promising way of estimating the neural fiber pathways in the human brain non-invasively via white matter tractography. However, it is difficult to analyze the vast number of resulting tracts quantitatively. Automatic tract clustering would be useful for the neuroscience community, as it can contribute to accurate neurosurgical planning, tract-based analysis, or white matter atlas creation. In this paper, the authors propose a new framework for automatic white matter tract clustering using a hierarchical density-based approach. A novel fiber similarity measure based on dynamic time warping allows for an effective and efficient evaluation of fiber similarity. A lower bounding technique is used to further speed up the computation. Then the algorithm OPTICS is applied, to sort the data into a reachability plot, visualizing the clustering structure of the data. Interactive and automatic clustering algorithms are finally introduced to obtain the clusters. Extensive experiments on synthetic data and real data demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our fiber similarity measure and show that the hierarchical density-based clustering method can group these tracts into meaningful bundles on multiple scales as well as eliminating noisy fibers.
Improving Prediction Accuracy via Subspace Modeling in a Statistical Geometry Based Computational Protein Mutagenesis
Authors: Masso Majid
Published: February 2011

A computational mutagenesis is detailed whereby each single residue substitution in a protein chain of primary sequence length N is represented as a sparse N-dimensional feature vector, whose M << N nonzero components locally quantify environmental perturbations occurring at the mutated position and its neighbors in the protein structure. The methodology makes use of both the Delaunay tessellation algorithm for representing protein structures, as well as a four-body, knowledge based, statistical contact potential. Feature vectors for each subset of mutants due to all possible residue substitutions at a particular position cohabit the same M-dimensional subspace, where the value of M and the identities of the M nonzero components are similarly position dependent. The approach is used to characterize a large experimental dataset of single residue substitutions in bacteriophage T4 lysozyme, each categorized as either unaffected or affected based on the measured level of mutant activity relative to that of the native protein. Performance of a single classifier trained with the collective set of mutants in N-space is compared to that of an ensemble of position-specific classifiers trained using disjoint mutant subsets residing in significantly smaller subspaces. Results suggest that significant improvements can be achieved through subspace modeling.
Assessing Knowledge Management System User Acceptance with the Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Money William , Turner Arch
Published: February 2011

This article presents the results of a study investigating the applicability of Davis’ Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to user acceptance of a knowledge management system (KMS) in a modern organizational environment. The study endeavors to expand empirical research of two important and complex research questions: (1) What are the important factors, conditions, and mechanisms that affect people’s acceptance and usage of collaborative and interdependent KMS in the modern organizational environment?, and (2) How applicable is the TAM, and the substantial body of information technology (IT) research around this model, to user acceptance and usage of a KMS in a modern organizational environment where collaboration, knowledge sharing, and role based system usage is necessary for the organization to function competitively? The study provides preliminary evidence suggesting previous TAM research may serve as a foundation for research of KMS user acceptance. Relationships among primary TAM constructs found in this study are in substantive agreement with those of previous research. These findings are significant because they suggest that the considerable body of previous TAM related IT research may be usefully applied to the knowledge management (KM) domain where interdependent social processes that require knowledge creation, storage and retrieval, transfer, and application are required for effective organizational functioning.
Learning about the Organization via Knowledge Management
Authors: Cooper Lynne P. , Nash Rebecca L. , Phan Tu-Anh T. , Bailey Teresa R.
Published: February 2011

This article describes the development and operation of a knowledge system to support learning of organizational knowledge at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a U.S. national research laboratory whose mission is planetary exploration and to “do what no one has done before”. JPL 101 is a Web-accessible database of general organizational knowledge, captured in a series of quizzes. The heart of JPL 101 is the content that is encoded as questions and annotated answers with connections to related information and resources. This article describes the requirements generation process, implementation, and roll-out of the JPL 101 system. Data collected over 19 weeks of operation were used to assess system performance with respect to design considerations, participation, effectiveness of communication mechanisms, and individual-based learning. These results are discussed in the context of organizational learning research and implications for practice.
Knowledge Management Metrics
Authors: Kankanhalli A. , Tan B. C.Y.
Published: February 2011

Metrics are essential for the advancement of research and practice in an area. In knowledge management (KM), the process of measurement and development of metrics is made complex by the intangible nature of the knowledge asset. Further, the lack of standards for KM business metrics and the relative infancy of research on KM metrics points to a need for research in this area. This article reviews KM metrics for research and practice, and identifies areas where there is a gap in our understanding. It classifies existing research based on the units of evaluation such as user of knowledge management systems (KMS), KMS project, KM process, KM initiative, and organization as a whole. The article concludes by suggesting avenues for future research on KM and KMS metrics based on the gaps identified.
Outcomes of Knowledge Management Initiatives
Authors: Anantatmula Vittal S.
Published: February 2011

Establishing criteria for knowledge management (KM) is important because criteria help to establish a basis for assessing the value and evaluating its results. Literature review has revealed that widely accepted criteria and performance measures have not been developed for KM. Delphi Technique and survey-based research, using a questionnaire targeting KM professionals as respondents, were aimed at establishing criteria for assessing KM success for different types of organizations. The results show what organizations consider important outcomes of a KM initiative. Contributions from this research effort should support government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations in making decisions about KM initiatives and measuring KM efforts. Future research efforts can focus on developing these KM outcomes into detailed measures.
Performance Implications of the Knowledge Chain
Authors: Holsapple Clyde W. , Singh Meenu
Published: February 2011

Knowledge management (KM) initiatives are undertaken in order to improve organizational performance. The goal of such improvement is to make an organization more competitive in delivering value to its customers, employers, and stakeholders. However, without a plan that links KM activities to organizational performance, the time, effort, and money devoted to a KM initiative may yield little benefit. Thus, understanding this linkage is crucial to competitiveness of knowledge-based organizations. This paper uses the Knowledge Chain model as the theoretical base for an empirical study of the linkage between KM activities and approaches to competitiveness. It finds that every one of the nine knowledge chain activities can be performed in ways that improve organizational competitiveness in any of four ways: enhanced productivity, agility, innovation, and reputation. Aside from offering empirical support for the Knowledge Chain model, the primary finding of this research is that each knowledge chain activity deserves to be considered as a possible means for implementing each of these four approaches to improving organization performance.
Fostering Innovation Through Knowledge-Centered Principles
Authors: Goh Andrew L.S.
Published: February 2011

With the emergence of the knowledge economy, organisations are beginning to see a need to apply knowledge management (KM) practices to their business activities. While knowledge management (KM) has gathered considerable momentum in order to be a vital source of competitive advantage, how its role could harvest knowledge assets for innovation has yet to be established firmly. This paper aims to address this issue by examining how innovation can be fostered through knowledge-centred principles. It first describes the globalisation of economies and the coming of the new knowledge age as the backdrop to Singapore’s vision of transiting into a knowledge economy. Then, it discusses how KM practices can be harnessed better for innovation management and explains why organisations should foster innovation by adopting an evolving set of knowledge-centred principles. Next, based on a case analysis of Singapore Airlines (SIA), it provides a theoretical review of these principles. Finally, it outlines the future challenges of exploiting knowledge for innovation.
Toward a Receiver-Based Theory of Knowledge Sharing
Authors: Lichtenstein Sharman , Hunter Alexia
Published: February 2011

Managers and researchers alike have sought new ways to address the challenges of sharing dispersed knowledge in modern business environments. Careful consideration by sharers of receivers’ knowledge needs and behaviours may improve the effectiveness of knowledge sharing. This research examines how sharers react to their perceptions of receivers’ knowledge needs and behaviours when making choices relating to sharing knowledge. The focus of this article is to propose and empirically explore a theoretical framework for a study of the role of the receiver in knowledge sharing — receiver-based theory. Data collected from two case studies highlight a key role played by perceived receiver knowledge needs and behaviours in shaping sharer choices when explicit knowledge is shared. A set of receiver influences on knowledge sharing is provided that highlights key receiver and sharer issues. The paper concludes that companies should develop better ways to connect potential sharers with receivers’ real knowledge needs. Further, the findings suggest that sharing on a need-to-know basis hinders change in organisational power structures, and prevents the integration of isolated pockets of knowledge that may yield new value.
Conceptualisation of Cultural Dimensions as a Major Influence on Knowledge Sharing
Authors: Usoro Abel , Kuofie Matthew H.S.
Published: February 2011

Information technology has inevitably become a facilitator of knowledge sharing. Often, organisational members are separated not only geographically but also culturally. Earlier studies have posited that culture can significantly facilitate or hinder knowledge sharing in culturally diverse teams. Greater enlightenment on the cultural effect is a useful contribution to understanding the most effective way of managing knowledge sharing in organisations. However, little effort has been put into dimensioning culture in such a way as to enable comparative and large-scale study. This investigation tries to fill this gap by bringing together and examining the few attempts at dimensioning this concept. This review results in the proposing of cultural dimensions, which are grouped into organisational and societal classes. The proposal is in the form of a theoretical model that requires further investigation as explained in the paper.
Center for Army Lessons Learned
Authors: YK Alton Chua , Lam Wing
Published: February 2011

This paper is an instructional case that describes how the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) has developed a unique, institutionalised knowledge application process. The paper highlights several issues related to knowledge application, including the collection, distillation, and dissemination of knowledge, the role of subject experts in the knowledge application process, and how technology facilitates knowledge application. Interested readers can contact the lead author for a list of questions and suggested answers intended for teaching the process of knowledge application to graduate students.
A Model of Knowledge Management Success
Authors: Jennex Murray E. , Olfman Lorne
Published: February 2011

This article describes a knowledge management (KM) success model that is derived from observations generated through a longitudinal study of KM in an engineering organization and KM success factors found in the literature, which were modified by the application of these observations and success factors in various projects. The DeLone and McLean (1992, 2003) IS Success Model was used as a framework for the model, since it was found to fit the observed success criteria and provided an accepted theoretical basis for the proposed model.