bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Customer Preference for Online Versus Offline Air Travel Booking
Authors: Lee Zu-Hsu , Cheng Kuangnen
Published: May 2010

Airlines increasingly use their own websites to sell products directly to customers. Because Internet-based distribution is low cost, this means lower prices for the consumer. To compete with such sales channels, global distribution systems (GDS) firms have made ready-made online booking tools available for conventional walk-in travel agencies. This presents such agencies with a choice—to use online or more traditional offline methods in dealing with their customers. This study has two goals: to identify a small set of predictive factors that effectively forecast customer preferences, and to demonstrate the utility of such factors for predicting customer choices. We began by designing and executing a detailed questionnaire fielding some 300 respondents, then applied hypothesis testing to extract important factors from the data, and finally, used the logistic regression methods applied with these factors to efficiently predict customer choices. The findings indicate that the majority of customers believe that online booking is cheaper and faster than offline. However, booking choice is strongly influenced by whether cost or service is the paramount emphasis. If customers want lower prices, they will typically book online. If they want service—such as help making special travel arrangements—they will usually choose offline.
Relationship characteristics and performance in fresh produce supply chains: the case of the Mexican avocado industry
Authors: Coronado Jose Jaime Arana , Bijman Jos , Omta Onno , Lansink Alfons Oude
Published: May 2010

Inter-organisational relations research has shown that relationship characteristics can influence performance in seller-buyer transactions. Using a transaction cost economics approach, this research shows that relational elements such as expectation of continuity reduce the transaction risks related to behavioural uncertainty or asset specificity. However, transaction costs are not only caused by transaction risks but also by the need to coordinate the individual activities of the buyer and the seller. Inter-organisational coordination is important in transactions with perishable products and products with credence attributes, such as in fresh produce supply chains. To study the impact of different relationship characteristics on the efficiency of transactions in a fresh produce supply chain, we collected and analyzed data from 122 avocado producers in Mexico. We found that information exchange and producer expectation of continuity of the relationship positively affect performance in the seller-buyer transaction. While expectation of continuity leads to lower transaction costs associated with behavioural uncertainty, information exchange facilitates the efficient alignment of interdependent activities.
Strategies for coping with uncertainty: the adaptation of food chains to volatile markets
Authors: Heyder M. , Theuvsen L. , Davier Z. Von
Published: May 2010

The objective of this paper is to identify the strategies and instruments that agribusiness companies currently use to cope with the volatility of agricultural markets. This aim is achieved by means of presenting the empirical results of an online survey that was undertaken between April and August 2009 with the participation of 140 German agribusiness firms. The majority of respondents expect increasing volatilities and higher prices for agricultural produce. For managing this uncertainty, comparatively simple instruments such as long-term contracts with suppliers or customers are most widely used. But more elaborated instruments to hedge price risks will probably affect the food chain as a whole and will lead to food chain adaptations to volatile markets.
The moderating role of competitive strategy in relating firm performance to quality management and government support
Authors: Han Jiqin , Omta S.W.F. (Onno) , Trienekens Jacques , Kemp Ron
Published: May 2010

One of the main concerns in companies is quality management and its relationship to firm performance. Recently a growing interest in research is the important role of the business environment in the competitive strategy choices of companies. By proposing a conceptual framework for a general model that explains the quality management practices-firm performance link and the business environment-firm performance link, we test the moderating role of competitive strategy in the two links empirically. A survey was conducted of 229 pork-processing firms in the emerging economy of China. We find that specific quality management practices contributing to higher performance include in-company quality management, supplier quality management, employee involvement in quality management and process management, while quality design and customer quality management are not included. Findings also indicate that the business environment (government support in our research) has a positive relationship to firm performance. Competitive strategy only strengthens the relationship between firm performance and quality design, process management, supplier quality management and customer quality management.
The influence of power in supply chain innovation: a case study of the Dutch wheat chain
Authors: Pol Hanneke , Visscher Klaasjan
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this article is to clarify the relationship between the power structure of a supply chain and the possibilities to realise supply chain innovations. In an in-depth case study of the faltering start of an innovation trajectory in the Dutch wheat supply chain, we show that supply chain innovations should be in line with the interests of the powerful actors in the chain. The direct interests of the actors in the innovation are naturally relevant, but the less visible, indirect effects of the innovation on the power structure of the chain are also especially important. We show that if a chain innovation is expected to decrease the value of a resource on which the current power position of an actor in the chain is based, this actor is likely to resist it. Furthermore, an actor that derives power from the flexibility to choose among suppliers is likely to resist an innovation that requires collaboration and increased mutual commitment. This article also proposes strategies to overcome the resistance of powerful actors to such innovations.
'And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, …': an essay on the diabolics of network failure
Authors: Teubner Gunther
Published: May 2010

Following a first euphoric phase about the advantages of commercial networks, there is now a host of reports attesting to their confusing over-complexity. Network failures are manifold: overwhelming environment information, coordination blockades, severe interface problems, permanent decision conflicts, a-symmetric power relations, opportunistic behaviour of nodes and centre, as well as negative externalities of net activities. In order to overcome network failure this article pursues an institutional analysis of networks: Where can the 'opportunity structure' be found, the social potential for an increasingly non-hierarchical coordination within the net? Is there a 'conceptual readiness' of the law which would enable it to set this potential free? The article suggests to develop organisational forms and responsibility rules for the law of networks that will hold on to the advantages of the decentralised organisation of nodes while decisively strengthening their mutual coordination. This will drastically reduce the privity principle for all those contracts connected by the network. Furthermore, it will introduce different legal rules for multilateral contracts with regard to their formation, their validity, their defaults, and their termination. In addition, it will facilitate quasi-corporate governance structures in multilateral contracts identifying the legal conditions under which contractual networks will have to be treated as collective actors. Finally, it will increase individual and collective liability for faulty coordination vis-à-vis suppliers and buyers.
Governance in Dutch hospitals
Authors: van der Pennen R.M.A. (Ron) , Berden H.J.J.M. (Bart) , Castelijns E.C.A. (Eveline) , Vreeman W.L. (Wouter) , Camps Th.W.A. (Theo)
Published: May 2010

In this article we have characterised Dutch hospitals as organizational networks. They operate in a blurred context, which is the interference of principles from market and hierarchy. Based on these principles we questioned the optimal way governance can be organised. The context for governance is explained along two pathways: First, specific issues of the Dutch healthcare system and current trends in society force hospitals to react and respond in a certain way. Second, the typical organisational position of physicians in Dutch healthcare makes governance a challenge. In this context one can look at governance twofold: control or learn. We argue that each type of risk should be countered with the best applicable instrument. This means, that control or learn never can be the only convenient governance instrument. The board's choice for the proper action therefore is always ambivalent. However, the profound role of control and the neglected role of learning principles is obvious. Notwithstanding the effectiveness of control in certain situations, we recommend more attention for the possibilities and value of a learning governance view. Furthermore, we denote that such a learning environment comes from a trust-built relationship. Network participants should open up more, en should be encouraged to give each other feedback. In the hospital setting this means physicians and board members should have personal qualities in terms of empathy and sensitivity.
Aspergillus carbonarius growth and ochratoxin A production on irradiated dried grapes under different water activity and temperature conditions
Authors: Astoreca A. , Barberis C. , Magnoli C. , Dalcero A.
Published: May 2010

Grapes have different destinations. The most important in the national and international market is wine production,
but another is dehydration to produce raisins. Dried vine fruits are at greater risk of ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination
than wine grapes because the ratio of Aspergillus carbonarius to Aspergillus niger aggregate increases during drying.
The growth of these species, and consequently OTA production, can be influenced by different environmental
factors, the two most important being water activity (a
W) and temperature. The objective of the present work was to
evaluate the lag phase, growth rate and OTA production by two A. carbonarius isolates on irradiated dried grapes at
different a
W (0.910, 0.928, 0.955, 0.973 and 0.995), temperatures (15, 25 and 30 °C) and incubation times (7, 14 and
21 days). Growth was observed at all a
W and temperature ranges assayed. No significant differences between the
growth rates reached at 25 °C and 30 °C by both isolates were observed. At the assayed conditions, OTA production
occurred over the whole range of temperatures (15-30 °C), with the maximum at 25 and 30 °C depending on the a
W.
In general, OTA concentration increased as a
W increased with no statistically significant differences at the tested
incubation times. This work provides information that can be used by companies for the purpose of preventing
A. carbonarius and OTA contamination during storage on this and other substrates (e.g. dried prunes, figs and
apricots) destined for human consumption.
Transformation of zearalenone to zearalenone-sulfate by Aspergillus spp.
Authors: Jard G. , Liboz T. , Mathieu F. , Guyonvarc'h A. , André F. , Delaforge M. , Lebrihi A.
Published: May 2010

The primary goal of this research was to assess the biotransformation of zearalenone (ZEA), an oestrogenic mycotoxin,
into ZEA-sulfate by some Aspergillus section Nigri isolates. A. niger isolates were shown to be able to convert ZEA
after 72 h of incubation at different ZEA concentrations (5 to 150 µg/ml). The product formula corresponding to
ZEA-sulfate was determined by accurate mass measurement. This conjugate was shown to be less oestrogenic than
ZEA using a MCF-7 proliferation assay. This study demonstrated that A. niger has the ability to transform ZEA over
a broad range of ZEA concentrations (5 to 150 µg/ml) and that sulfonation could lead to a less toxic compound.
These results are significant as little is known about the ability of fungi, and especially A. niger, to detoxify ZEA by
sulfonation. This study could lead to a way of detoxifying feed naturally contaminated with mycotoxins.
Aflatoxin B1 and its toxic effects on immune response of teleost fishes: a review
Authors: Rodríguez-Cervantes C. , Girón-Pérez M. , Robledo-Marenco M. , Marín S. , Velázquez-Fernández J. , Medina-Díaz I. , Rojas-García A. , Ramos A.
Published: May 2010

Aflatoxins represent, among all known mycotoxins, the best characterised and most investigated foodborne contaminants at present. This importance led to early research on acute and chronic toxicity. Further research showed that chronic toxicity due to aflatoxins could cause silent damages, causing the more evident carcinomas, being immunotoxicity one of the first toxicological effects studied on both mammals and aquatic farmed species, such as fishes. Although many of the aflatoxin immunotoxicity scientific information has been generated a quarter of century ago, the recent role of innate immune system on aquatic species still demands for up-to-date results, and expresses that the research on immunotoxicity caused by aflatoxins is yet to be completed. Based on these considerations, the aims of this review are to collect existing data on toxic effects on immune response of teleost fishes due to aflatoxins that could give us a perspective for the follow up research, and to gain new insights on the importance caused by the consumption of aflatoxin contaminated fish through the trophic chain.
Determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in maize-based baby food products by HPLC with fluorimetric detection after immunoaffinity column clean-up
Authors: De Girolamo A. , Fauw D. Pereboom-de , Sizoo E. , van Egmond H. , Gambacorta L. , Bouten K. , Stroka J. , Visconti A. , Solfrizzo M.
Published: May 2010

A method for the determination of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) in different commercial maize-based products
for infants and young children was developed and tested in a limited validation study involving 3 laboratories. The
method used extraction at 55 °C with an acidic mixture of methanol-acetonitrile-phosphate/citrate buffer, clean-up
through immunoaffinity column and fumonisin determination by high performance liquid chromatography with
automated pre-column derivatisation with o-phthaldialdehyde. Recovery experiments were performed at five spiking
levels in the ranges of 80-800 µg/kg FB1 and 20-200 µg/kg FB2. Mean recoveries ranged from 83 to 97% for FB1 and
from 61 to 78% for FB2. Relative standard deviations for within-laboratory repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 5 to
12% for FB1 and from 8 to 13% for FB2, whereas relative standard deviation for between-laboratory reproducibility
(RSDR) ranged from 6 to 10% for FB1 and from 9 to 16% for FB2. The limit of quantification of the method (signal
to noise ratio of 6) was 2.8 µg/kg for FB1 and 2.2 µg/kg for FB2. Fumonisins were found in 6 out of 19 maize-based
baby foods obtained from the Italian retail market at levels up to 53 µg/kg.
Spatial Data Infrastructures
Authors: Granell Carlos , Gould Michael , Manso Miguel Ángel , Bernabé Miguel Ángel
Published: May 2010

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are data-centric applications that rely on the input and constant maintenance of large quantities of basic and thematic spatial data in order to be useful tools for decision- making. This chapter presents the institutional collaboration framework and the major technology components to facilitate discovery and sharing of spatial data: Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI). We review the essential software components –metadata editors and associated catalogue services, spatial data content repositories, client applications, and middleware or intermediate geospatial services– that define SDIs as heterogeneous distributed information systems. Finally we highlight future research needs in the areas of semantic interoperability of SDI services and in improved institutional collaboration.
Web Map Servers Data Formats
Authors: Núñez-Rodríguez Yurai
Published: May 2010

Web map services, such as Google Maps and MapQuest, are among the most popular sites on the Internet. One can easily access these services through a Web browser on a personal computer or mobile device. The high accessibility and efficiency offered by these sites is possible, in part, by the use of standard image formats. The present review is a description of the most common image formats available from web map servers nowadays, as well as other formats with great possibilities for the future. We describe raster and vector formats and highlight advantages and disadvantages in each case. We also refer to protocols and image formats supported by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards.
About the Point Location Problem
Authors: Poveda José , Gould Michael
Published: May 2010

In this chapter we present some well-known algorithms for the solution of the point location problem and for the more particular problem of point-in-polygon determination. These previous approaches to the problem are presented in the first sections. In the remainder of the paper, we present a quick location algorithm based on a quaternary partition of the space, as well as its associated computational cost.
Classification in GIS Using Support Vector Machines
Authors: Lazar Alina , Shellito Bradley A.
Published: May 2010

Support Vector Machines (SVM) are powerful tools for classification of data. This article describes the functionality of SVM including their design and operation. SVM have been shown to provide high classification accuracies and have good generalization capabilities. SVM can classify linearly separable data as well as nonlinearly separable data through the use of the kernel function. The advantages of using SVM are discussed along with the standard types of kernel functions. Furthermore, the effectiveness of applying SVM to large, spatial datasets derived from Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is also described. Future trends and applications are also discussed – the described extracted dataset contains seven independent variables related to urban development plus a class label which denotes the urban areas versus the rural areas. This large dataset, with over a million instances really proves the generalization capabilities of the SVM methods. Also, the spatial property allows experts to analyze the error signal.
Spatial Interpolation
Authors: Yang Xiaojun
Published: May 2010

Spatial interpolation is a core component of data processing and analysis in geoinformatics. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the concept and techniques of spatial interpolation. It begins with an overview of the concept and brief history of spatial interpolation. Then, the chapter reviews some commonly used interpolations that are specifically designed for working with point data, including inverse distance weighting, kriging, triangulation, Thiessen polygons, radial basis functions, minimum curvature, and trend surface. This is followed by a discussion on some criteria that are proposed to help select an appropriate interpolator; these criteria include global accuracy, local accuracy, visual pleasantness and faithfulness, sensitivity, and computational intensity. Finally, future research needs and new, emerging applications are presented.
Challenges and Critical Issues for Temporal GIS Research and Technologies
Authors: Yuan May
Published: May 2010

Temporal Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology has been a top research subject since late the 1980s. Langran’s Time in Geographic Information Systems (Langran, 1992) sets the first milestone in research that addresses the integration of temporal information and functions into GIS frameworks. Since then, numerous monographs, books, edited collections, and conference proceedings have been devoted to related subjects. There is no shortage of publications in academic journals or trade magazines on new approaches to temporal data handling in GIS, or on conceptual and technical advances in spatiotemporal representation, reasoning, database management, and modeling. However, there is not yet a full-scale, comprehensive temporal GIS available. Most temporal GIS technologies developed so far are either still in the research phase (e.g., TEMPEST developed by Peuquet and colleagues at Pennsylvania State University in the United States) or with an emphasis on mapping (e.g., STEMgis developed by Discovery Software in the United Kingdom).
Geospatial Image Metadata Catalog Services
Authors: Bai Yuqi , Di Liping , Chen Aijun , Liu Yang , Wei Yaxing
Published: May 2010

Three public geospatial image catalog services, FGDC Clearinghouse, NASA ECHO and GMU CSISS CSW, were reviewed, considering the following aspects: metadata generation, metadata ingestion, catalog service conceptual schema, query protocols and system distribution. This review results show how it is becoming possible to query metadata holdings through public, standard Web-based query interfaces. It also show that the catalog service providers still must define a catalog service schema that meets their particular needs.
Geospatial Semantic Web
Authors: Zhao Peisheng , Di Liping , Yang Wenli , Yu Genong , Yue Peng
Published: May 2010

The Semantic Web technology provides a common interoperable framework in which information is given a well-defined meaning such that data and applications can be used by machines for more effective discovery, automation, integration and reuse. Parallel to the development of the Semantic Web, the Geospatial Semantic Web – a geospatial domain-specific version of the Semantic Web, is initiated recently. Among all the components of the Geospatial Semantic Web, two are especially unique – geospatial ontology and geospatial reasoning. This paper is focused on discussing these two critical issues from representation logic to computational logic.
Multi-Agent Systems for Distributed Geospatial Modeling, Simulation and Computing
Authors: Yu Genong , Di Liping , Yang Wenli , Zhao Peisheng , Yue Peng
Published: May 2010

Multi-agent system is specialized in studying the collective effects of multiple intelligent agents. An intelligent agent is a computer system with autonomous action in an environment. This technology is especially suitable for studying geospatial phenomena since they are complex in nature and call for intertwined actions from different forces. This chapter describes multi-agent systems and their application in geospatial modeling, simulation and computing. Geospatial data integration and mining are discussed.
Towards Automatic Composition of Geospatial Web Services
Authors: Yue Peng , Di Liping , Yang Wenli , Yu Genong , Zhao Peisheng
Published: May 2010

In a service-oriented environment, an individual geospatial Web service is not sufficient to solve a complex real-world geospatial problem. Service composition, the process of chaining multiple services together, is required. Manual composition of Web services is laborious and requires much work of domain experts. Automatic service composition, if successful, will eventually widen the geospatial users market. This chapter reviews current efforts related to automatic service composition in both general information technology domain and geospatial domain. Key considerations in the geospatial domain are discussed and possible solutions are provided.
Cognitively Ergonomic Route Directions
Authors: Klippel Alexander , Richter Kai-Florian , Hansen Stefan
Published: May 2010

This contribution provides an overview of elements of cognitively ergonomic route directions. Cognitive ergonomics, in general, seeks to identify characteristics of cognitive information processing and to formalize these characteristics such that they can be used to improve information systems. For route directions, an increasing number of behavioral studies have, for example, pointed to the following characteristics: the use of landmarks, changing levels of granularity, the qualitative description of spatial relations. The authors detail these aspects and additionally introduce formal approaches that incorporate them to automatically provide route directions that adhere to principles of cognitive ergonomics.
Location Privacy
Authors: Duckham Matt
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, the author raises a number of issues surrounding the ever-growing capabilities of geoinformatics. Location privacy can be defined as the claim of individuals to determine for themselves when, how, and to what extent information about their geographic location is communicated to others. Location privacy has become an especially important issue in geoinformatics because of the emergence of location-aware computing. This implication of the interaction between these technology and personal rights is explored in this chapter.
Location-Based Performance Tuning in Mobile Sensor Networks
Authors: Zadorozhny Vladimir I.
Published: May 2010

The author of this chapter considers the location-based approach for performance tuning that significantly facilitates the challenge of utilizing Mobile Sensor Networks. The authors introduce mobile nodes that can be deployed in conjunction with stationary sensor nodes to perform mission critical surveillance and monitoring tasks. It details the past advances in this field and discusses other approaches to this challenge.
Location-Based Services
Authors: Hanke Henrik , Neumann Alf
Published: May 2010

The provisioning of Location-Based Services (LBS) follows the chain of determination of a position, mapping this information onto a natural language-based description of this position and performing the service itself. The evolution of technologies regarding applications and infrastructure, standards and contents has brought up various streams that have influenced the development of this chain over the past years (Zeimpekis et al., 2003). On the one hand, emerging theoretical concepts have been showing the way for many commercial and non-commercial services. On the other hand, the conceptual evolution has been accompanied by significant investments of mobile technology companies and service providers to the further development of practical solutions (Gessler and Jesse, 2001).
Map Matching Algorithms for Intelligent Transport Systems
Authors: Quddus Mohammed A.
Published: May 2010

Map matching algorithms integrate positioning data with spatial road network data to support the navigation modules of intelligent transport systems requiring location and navigation data. Research on the development of map matching algorithms has significantly advanced over the last few years. This article looks at different methods that have been adopted in map matching algorithms and highlights future trends in map matching and navigation research.
Virtual Environments for Geospatial Applications
Authors: Chandramouli Magesh , Huang Bo
Published: May 2010

This article explores the application of virtual environments to 3D geospatial visualization and exploration. VR worlds provide powerful functionalities for model generation and animation and are indeed a valuable tool for geospatial visualization. Subsequently, related issues such as the constraints in progressive terrain rendering, geographic data modeling, photo-realism in virtual worlds, and the system performance with relatively larger files are discussed. Nevertheless, to accomplish the desired results and to attain a higher level of functionality, a good level of experience in VR programming and the jurisprudence to choose the appropriate tool are necessary. Although a standalone VR application is not capable of a higher level of interaction, using the SCRIPT nodes and the External Authoring Interface additional functionalities can be integrated. Intended for use over the internet with a VR browser, such virtual environments serve not only as a visualization tool, but also a powerful medium for geospatial data exploration.
Managing Uncertainty in Geospatial Predictive Models
Authors: Sikder Iftikhar U.
Published: May 2010

Geospatial predictive models often require mapping of predefined concepts or categories with various conditioning factors in a given space. This chapter discusses various aspects of uncertainty in predictive modeling by characterizing different typologies of classification uncertainty. It argues that understanding uncertainty semantics is a perquisite for efficient handling and management of predictive models.
Geographic Visual Query Languages and Ambiguities Treatment
Authors: D’Ulizia Arianna , Ferri Fernando , Grifoni Patrizia
Published: May 2010

The main issues of spatial databases and Geographic Information System (GIS), concern the representation, the management and the manipulation of a large and complex number of spatial objects and spatial relationships. In these systems many concepts are spatial and, therefore they are intrinsically related with a visual representation, which makes also easier to formulate queries by non-expert users. The main problems in visual query languages for spatial databases concern imprecision, spatial integrity and ambiguities in query formulation. Our concern in this chapter is with the ambiguity of visual geographical queries. In particular, a review of existing visual query languages for spatial databases and their classification on the grounds of the methodology adopted to resolve the ambiguity problem are provided.
GeoCache
Authors: Savary Lionel , Gardarin Georges , Zeitouni Karine
Published: May 2010

GML is a promising model for integrating geodata within data warehouses. The resulting databases are generally large and require spatial operators to be handled. Depending on the size of the target geographical data and the number and complexity of operators in a query, the processing time may quickly become prohibitive. To optimize spatial queries over GML encoded data, this chapter introduces a novel cache-based architecture. A new cache replacement policy is then proposed. It takes into account the containment properties of geographical data and predicates, and allows evicting the most irrelevant values from the cache. Experiences with the GeoCache prototype show the effectiveness of the proposed architecture with the associated replacement policy, compared to existing works.
Cognitive Mapping and GIS for Community-Based Resource Identification
Authors: Kathlene Lyn
Published: May 2010

This chapter describes and analyzes the effectiveness of two methodological techniques, cognitive mapping and geographical information systems (GIS), for identifying social service resources. It also examines the processes used to integrate hand-drawn map information into geocoded data points and provides recommendations for improving efficiency and precision. As a first step to integrate Jefferson County social service delivery into community-based child welfare “systems of care” (SOC), both formal and informal services had to be identified. Cognitive mapping, a process by which participants draw visual representations of geographical areas, was conducted with 247 participants in Jefferson County, Colorado. Over 3,500 resources were identified and entered into a GIS to analyze the availability, capacity, and distribution of social services in the county and within communities. Identification of community resources via cognitive mapping and GIS analysis provide: (1) a comprehensive database of existing services; (2) a basis to build communication networks and cooperation among government and community providers; (3) the ability to create an efficient system that avoids duplication of efforts; (4) an understanding of the geographical distribution of resources; (5) the identification of resources lacking in the county and specific communities; and (6) knowledge differences among diverse participant groups.
Semantic Interoperability of Geospatial Services
Authors: Sikder Iftikhar U. , Misra Santosh K.
Published: May 2010

This article proposes a multi-agent based framework that allows multiple data sources and models to be semantically integrated for spatial modeling in business processing. The paper reviews the feasibility of ontology-based spatial resource integration options to combine the core spatial reasoning with domainspecific application models. We propose an ontology-based framework for semantic level communication of spatial objects and application models. We then introduce a multi-agent system, ontology-based spatial information and resource integration services (OSIRIS), to semantically interoperate complex spatial services and integrate them in a meaningful composition. The advantage of using multi-agent collaboration in OSIRIS is that it obviates the need for end-user analysts to be able to decompose a problem domain to subproblems or to map different models according to what they actually mean. We also illustrate a multi-agent interaction scenario for collaborative modeling of spatial applications using the proposed custom feature of OSIRIS.
Biometric Authentication in Broadband Networks for Location-Based Services
Authors: Kakaletris George , Varoutas Dimitris , Katsianis Dimitris , Sphicopoulos Thomas
Published: May 2010

Broadband communication networks have begun to spread rapidly over fixed networks, with wireless networks following at close distance. The excess capacity allows the offering of broadband services at competitive rates. Location-based services (LBS) over wireless broadband networks are becoming mainstream in an emerging ambient intelligence society. For LBS over broadband and, in particular, pier-to-pier networks, such as ad hoc networks, unambiguous user authentication is of paramount importance to user trust and safety, thus ultimately to the success of such service. Biometric authentication is an approach to providing irrefutable identity verification of a user, thus providing the highest level of security. This chapter addresses some of the issues associated with the use of biometric ID for user and apparatus authentication over broadband wireless networks (e.g., GPRS, UMTS, WiFi, LANs) and narrow band local networks (e.g., bluetooth, Zigbee, PANs, BANs).
ISO 27000 Information Security Management System
Authors: Tong Carrison K.S. , Wong Eric T.T.
Published: May 2010

The protection of information for a healthcare organization, in any form, while in storage, processing, or transport, from being available to any organization or person that is neither authorized by its owner to have it nor for patient caring, is the objective of information security management in healthcare. There are many standards on information security management. The international standard for information security management is ISO 27000. The objective of this chapter is to provide an introduction of ISO 27000 and its application in PACS.
Implementation of Filmless Hospital
Authors: Tong Carrison K.S. , Wong Eric T.T.
Published: May 2010

A PACS has tremendous benefits (Bryan, Weatherburn, Watkins, Buxton, 1999) and values outside of radiology as well as internally. The biggest benefit derived from a PACS is breaking the physical as well as time barrier for information exchange. The other benefit from PACS implementation is not the decreased operating cost in Radiology. The radiology cost benefit, while significant, does not compare with the system wide benefits of networking images throughout the hospital and physician offices. All PACS implementations should start with a business plan. This is the summation of many small plans and also summarizes the global goal. The plan should be segmented into smaller separate plans for cost justification, risk assessment, capacity planning, and the last consisting of an implementation plan.
PACS Quality Dimensions
Authors: Tong Carrison K.S. , Wong Eric T.T.
Published: May 2010

A large number of studies have attempted to identify the factors that contribute to good PACS quality, such as that shown by Reiner et al (2003). Results from these studies (Bauman, 2000; Ralston, 2000) reveal that the success of PACS requires healthcare organizations and managers to adequately address various types of challenges: technological (e.g., integration with other information systems), managerial (e.g., project management), organizational (e.g., availability of resources), behavioural (e.g., change management), and political (e.g., alignment among key participants). Most investigations have considered a single, or at best, a small number of factors contributing to a fragmented view of PACS success. Broadly, these studies may be classified into those that consider the impact of PACS on radiologists’ workload and productivity (Gale, 1999), those that consider its clinical implications (Hertzberg, 2000) and those associated with performance of the radiology department (Hayt, 2001). Rather than measuring the quality of the PACS performance, other researchers have preferred to focus on the quality of the information, that the system produces, primarily in the form of images and reports. For instance, Lou et al. (1997) considered the data integrity and completeness of acquired images. Quality of images in terms of timeliness, accuracy, completeness, and so forth, was also considered to be a key success factor in several evaluative studies (Cox, 2002; Pavlicek, 1999; Pilling, 2003; Blado, 2002). Indeed, Cox’s work was part of a wider evaluation exercise undertaken to assess the impact of the introduction of a PACS on the adult intensive care unit (AICU) at the Royal Brompton NHS Trust in London. The objectives of the research were to evaluate the perceptions of PACS of the medical and ancillary staff working within AICU as well as to undertake a preliminary assessment of its impact on the workload of radiographers. Questionnaires, interviews and a process analysis were undertaken. The research findings indicate that the overall perception of staff towards the introduction of the PACS was positive. The impact of the system on the workload of radiographers was significant, reducing the time taken to obtain an image from 90 to 60 minutes. However, lessons to be learned for future PACS implementations include the need to ensure compatibility with existing IT systems and adequate IT support. In short, once this expanded, but rather fragmented view of PACS success is recognized, it is not surprising to find that there are so many different measures of PACS quality in the literature depending upon which aspect of PACS the researcher focused his or her attention.
Customer Oriented PACS
Authors: Tong Carrison K.S. , Wong Eric T.T.
Published: May 2010

During the early development phase of PACS, its implementation was mainly a matter of the radiology department. This is changing rapidly, and PACS planning is increasingly seen in the context of a hospital-wide or regional approach. With increased networking among healthcare institutions and the growing relevance of teleradiology scenarios, PACS strategies must take not only local but also regional and global factors into consideration. For hospitals and healthcare institutions, quality function deployment (QFD) is a helpful tool for developing new systems or services. QFD was originally developed by Yoji Akao in 1966 when the author combined his work in quality assurance and quality control points with function deployment used in Value Engineering. QFD has been described as “a method to transform user demands into design quality, to deploy the functions forming quality, and to deploy methods for achieving the design quality into subsystems and component parts, and ultimately to specific elements of the manufacturing process” (Mizuno & Akao, 1994). QFD is designed to help planners focus on characteristics of a new or existing product or service from the viewpoints of market segments, company, or technology-development needs. The technique yields graphs and matrices. It is widely accepted that benefits of using QFD in the healthcare industry include: • Increased customer satisfaction • Improved quality • Time efficiency • Multidiscilplinary teamwork orientation • Documentation orientation The QFD method has been successfully applied to many industrial and manufacturing processes in order to ensure that quality is built into products at the outset rather than tested for after their production. However, this method has rarely been applied in the healthcare industry.
Design for PACS Reliability
Authors: Tong Carrison K.S. , Wong Eric T.T.
Published: May 2010

Nowadays it is hard to think of any applications in modern society in which electronic systems do not play a significant role. In aerospace and aviation, defence, telecommunication and healthcare, to name a few, computers have already assumed the most life-critical tasks. Unlike most human beings, computers seem to do their job pretty well, at most times and under all environmental conditions. Sometimes, however, for some reason, the fresh water supply in a city stops, the mainframe computer of an international security exchange centre malfunctions, or the satellite television goes out abruptly. Possible sources for such dissatisfactory performances are physical deterioration or design faults in hardware components. Fortunately in the 1950s and 1960s quite a number of reliability models were developed for hardware. Another major source for malfunctioning of computer systems is the presence of bugs in the software that controls the system. The modelling of software reliability was only begun in the early 1970s. This chapter presents a comprehensive approach to the development of a reliable PACS, which are capable of meeting the high-quality level required of mission-critical medical devices. To develop a preliminary design, the PACS team would begin with a system description and reliability evaluation of a baseline system, includ ing implementation of hardware redundancy, software provisions, and acceptance test. Through detailed system analyses and electrical, electronic and mechanical reliability studies, a final preliminary design can be derived. In this chapter the essential mathematical and statistical aspects of hardware and software reliability predictions are first presented, followed by a spreadsheet-based approach to model hardware and software reliabilities. A method of designing higher system reliability through parallel and cross-linked configurations is then given. Finally a brief case on the acceptance test of a PACS software is illustrated.
PACS Failure Mode and Effects
Authors: Tong Carrison K.S. , Wong Eric T.T.
Published: May 2010

There are some medical errors for which preventability is rarely questioned. These include medical errors such as wrong site surgery, wrong procedure, wrong patient operations (Seiden & Barach, 2006; Michaels et al., 2007; Lee et al., 2007), wrong drug/dose/duration (Pugh et al., 2005) or incompatible organ transplantation (Cook et al., 2007). Less preventable medical errors include judgment type errors such as case studies reported in journals, where one or more experts review the treatment decisions of a clinician and conclude that the clinician’s judgment was incorrect (Lukela et al., 2005). Many healthcare managers first heard about Failure Mode and Effects Analysis FMEA when Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) released its Leadership Standards and Elements of Performance Guidelines in July 2002 (JCAHO, 2002). The purpose of performing an FMEA for JCAHO was to identify where and when possible system failures could occur and to prevent those problems before they happen. If a particular, failure could not be prevented, then the goal would be to prevent the issue from affecting healthcare organizations in the accreditation process. FMEA is a tool that when performed adequately, can reduce the risk of preventable medical errors. Hospitals in the United States that are accredited by JCAHO are required to perform at least one FMEA each year. The main output of FMEA is a series of mitigations, each of which is some process change implemented to reduce the risk of error. Because resources are limited, implementing all mitigations is not possible so the challenge is to find the set of mitigations that provides the highest reduction in risk for the least cost. Hence, preventability may be viewed in terms of the cost and effectiveness of mitigation. A low-cost and effective mitigation is associated with a highly preventable medical error, whereas a high-cost and or less effective mitigation is associated with a less preventable medical error. Currently AAPM TG 100 (2007) is reviewing reports from previous task groups and from several professional organizations. This group is also reviewing ISO guidelines in an effort develop a suitable general QA approach that “balances patient safety and quality versus resources commonly available and strikes a good balance between prescriptiveness and flexibility.” The TG 100 initiative identifies three industrial engineering–based tools as potential components of a QA management system in radiation therapy and FMEA is one of them.
Human Factors and Culture
Authors: Tong Carrison K.S. , Wong Eric T.T.
Published: May 2010

Human factors engineering (HFE) is the science of designing systems to fit human capabilities and limitations. These include limitations in perception, cognition, and physical performance. HFE involves the application of specific methods and tools in the design of systems. Human information processing is influenced by multiple factors: • Attention: May be limited in duration or focus, especially if attention to several things is necessary. • Memory constraints: Working memory is limited, especially when active processing of information is required. • Automaticity: Consistent, over learned responses may become automatic, and completed without conscious thought. • Situation awareness: A person’s perception of elements in the environment may affect their processing of information. Humans have certain tendencies and biases that can predispose them to error. These heuristics are usually very useful and successful, but at times can get us into trouble. The objectives of this chapter are to provide practical Human Factors guidance to professionals concerned with PACS operation and management and to introduce the non-specialist to Human Factors issues in PACS operation and management. It is intended to show how human capabilities and limitations can influence field performance and quality within the PACS environment. This chapter also discusses the quality improvement likely to result from the provision of a proper work environment. First the importance of communications and information exchange among PACS users, maintenance staff, manufacturers, suppliers, and so forth, is discussed. The need to introduce self-paced computer-based PACS training for hospital staff is stressed. Then a comparison of the western and eastern cultural dimensions is illustrated through a case study. Finally a feasible PACS HF model is suggested. Obviously, a PACS environment that works for one hospital does not necessarily work for another; hence it is imperative that the organizational culture must be considered when a PACS project is being planned.