bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Web-Based Decision Support for Knowledge Sharing and Management in Intelligent Buildings Assessment
Authors: Chen Zhen , Hong Ju , Li Heng , Xu Qian
Published: May 2011

This article presents the knowledge-oriented information visualization (KIV) approach to facilitating the utilization of building rating systems at post-assessment stage. The KIV approach is introduced by using a Web-based decision support model. The model consists of several toolkits, including a case base of intelligent buildings to support the application of sustainable technologies, a Web-oriented information visualization toolkit for intelligent buildings assessment, and a geographical information system (GIS) toolkit for knowledge reuse in buildings variations. A case study is used to demonstrate how the KIV approach can be applied to support decision making at the post-assessment stage of intelligent buildings.
On the Stability of Peer-to-Peer Networks in Real-World Environments
Authors: Czirkos Zoltán , Hosszú Gábor
Published: May 2011

Communication in computer networks can be organized in two different ways, according to the client/ server model and the peer-to-peer model (Spinellis & Androutsellis-Theotokis, 2004). In the client/server model, the network is centralized. There is one host on the network, the server, which provides services to its clients. Its network address is usually well-known. On the other hand, in the peer-to-peer model, there is no central point in the network. Hosts participating are sometimes called “servents” (Gnutella, 2006), as they act both as servers and as clients at the same time: they provide services to other servents, while they also use the services of others. Nodes in unstructured peer-to-peer networks usually communicate via message flooding. For example, a search request for a given file in the Gnutella network is sent to all neighboring servents. However, this solution is not scalable, and it generates a lot of unnecessary network traffic.
Artificial NeuroGlial Networks
Authors: Porto Pazos Ana Belén , Alvarellos González Alberto , Montañés Pazos Félix
Published: May 2011

More than 50 years ago connectionist systems (CSs) were created with the purpose to process information in the computers like the human brain (McCulloch & Pitts, 1943). Since that time these systems have advanced considerably and nowadays they allow us to resolve complex problems in many disciplines (classification, clustering, regression, etc.). But this advance is not enough. There are still a lot of limitations when these systems are used (Dorado, 1999). Mostly the improvements were obtained following two different ways. Many researchers have preferred the construction of artificial neural networks (ANNs) based in mathematic models with diverse equations which lead its functioning (Cortes & Vapnik, 1995; Haykin, 1999). Otherwise other researchers have pretended the most possibly to make alike these systems to human brain (Rabuñal, 1999; Porto, 2004). The systems included in this article have emerged following the second way of investigation. CSs which pretend to imitate the neuroglial nets of the brain are introduced. These systems are named Artificial NeuroGlial Networks (ANGNs) (Porto, 2004). These CSs are not only made of neuron, but also from elements which imitate glial neurons named astrocytes (Araque, 1999). These systems, which have hybrid training, have demonstrated efficacy when resolving classification problems with totally connected feed-forward multilayer networks, without backpropagation and lateral connections.
Bioinspired Associative Memories
Authors: Vazquez Roberto A. , Sossa Humberto
Published: May 2011

An associative memory AM is a special kind of neural network that allows recalling one output pattern given an input pattern as a key that might be altered by some kind of noise (additive, subtractive or mixed). Most of these models have several constraints that limit their applicability in complex problems such as face recognition (FR) and 3D object recognition (3DOR). Despite of the power of these approaches, they cannot reach their full power without applying new mechanisms based on current and future study of biological neural networks. In this direction, we would like to present a brief summary concerning a new associative model based on some neurobiological aspects of human brain. In addition, we would like to describe how this dynamic associative memory (DAM), combined with some aspects of infant vision system, could be applied to solve some of the most important problems of pattern recognition: FR and 3DOR.
Independent Subspaces
Authors: Xu Lei
Published: May 2011

Several unsupervised learning topics have been extensively studied with wide applications for decades in the literatures of statistics, signal processing, and machine learning. The topics are mutually related and certain connections have been discussed partly, but still in need of a systematical overview. The article provides a unified perspective via a general framework of independent subspaces, with different topics featured by differences in choosing and combining three ingredients. Moreover, an overview is made via three streams of studies. One consists of those on the widely studied principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis (FA), featured by the second order independence. The second consists of studies on a higher order independence featured independent component analysis (ICA), binary FA, and nonGaussian FA. The third is called mixture based learning that combines individual jobs to fulfill a complicated task. Extensive literatures make it impossible to provide a complete review. Instead, we aim at sketching a roadmap for each stream with attentions on those topics missing in the existing surveys and textbooks, and limited to the authors’ knowledge.
Multilayer Optimization Approach for Fuzzy Systems
Authors: Silva Ivan N. , Flauzino Rogerio A.
Published: May 2011

The design of fuzzy inference systems comes along with several decisions taken by the designers since is necessary to determine, in a coherent way, the number of membership functions for the inputs and outputs, and also the specification of the fuzzy rules set of the system, besides defining the strategies of rules aggregation and defuzzification of output sets. The need to develop systematic procedures to assist the designers has been wide because the trial and error technique is the unique often available (Figueiredo & Gomide, 1997). In general terms, for applications involving system identification and fuzzy modeling, it is convenient to use energy functions that express the error between the desired results and those provided by the fuzzy system. An example is the use of the mean squared error or normalized mean squared error as energy functions. In the context of systems identification, besides the mean squared error, data regularization indicators can be added to the energy function in order to improve the system response in presence of noises (from training data) (Guillaume, 2001). In the absence of a tuning set, such as happens in parameters adjustment of a process controller, the energy function can be defined by functions that consider the desired requirements of a particular design (Wan, Hirasawa, Hu & Murata, 2001), i.e., maximum overshoot signal, setting time, rise time, undamped natural frequency, etc. From this point of view, this article presents a new methodology based on error backpropagation for the adjustment of fuzzy inference systems, which can be then designed as a three layers model. Each one of these layers represents the tasks performed by the fuzzy inference system such as fuzzification, fuzzy rules inference and defuzzification. The adjustment procedure proposed in this article is performed through the adaptation of its free parameters, from each one of these layers, in order to minimize the energy function previously specified. In principle, the adjustment can be made layer by layer separately. The operational differences associated with each layer, where the parameters adjustment of a layer does not influence the performance of other, allow single adjustment of each layer. Thus, the routine of fuzzy inference system tuning acquires a larger flexibility when compared to the training process used in artificial neural networks. This methodology is interesting, not only for the results presented and obtained through computer simulations, but also for its generality concerning to the kind of fuzzy inference system used. Therefore, such methodology is expandable either to the Mandani architecture or also to that suggested by Takagi-Sugeno.
Workflow Management Based on Mobile Agent Technology
Authors: Flores-Badillo Marina , López-Mellado Ernesto
Published: May 2011

Nowadays Information Systems (IS) are designed for individual task execution control allowing coordinating, monitoring, and supporting the logistical aspects of a business process, in other words, the IS has to manage the flow of work through the organization. The WorkFlow Management represents a critical issue for achieving enterprise competitiveness among organizations. Many companies have realized that the business processes (BP) within their organizations, and between the companies and their partners have not been clearly described and there are not enough techniques and methods to automate the processes. The Workflow Management Coalition (WFMC) states that workflow (WF) is concerned with the automation of procedures where documents, information, or tasks are passed to the participants according to a defined set of rules to achieve, or contribute to, an overall business goal (WfMC, 1999). Another definition of WF can be found in (Rusinkiewicz & Seth, 1994) where workflows are activities involving the coordinated execution of multiple tasks performed by different processing entities (persons or machines). A task or process involves a piece of work and a process entity which executes the work. Workflow Management (WFM) is a fast evolving technology which is increasingly being exploited by businesses in a variety of industries. Its primary characteristic is the automation of processes involving combinations of human and machine-based activities (Aalst & Hee, 2002), (Aalst, 1998). A Workflow Management System (WFMS) provides procedural automation of a business process by management of the sequence of work activities and the invocation of appropriate human and/or IT resources associated with the various activity steps. Although the most prevalent use of WFMS is within the office environment in staff intensive operations such as insurance, banking, legal and general administrations, etc, it is also applicable to some classes of industrial and manufacturing applications (WfMC, 1995). WFMS needs to integrate other technologies such that agent technology, which provides flexible, distributed, and intelligent solutions for business process management. This work presents a methodology for mobile agentbased WFMS development. The proposed methodology consists of a modular and gradual specification of the system where a mobile agent guides the process through organizational units and executes different tasks. Several mobile agents evolve through the system executing concurrently their assigned task.
Broadband Adoption and Diffusion (BAD)
Authors: Dwivedi Yogesh K. , Papazafeiropoulou Anastasia
Published: May 2011

The aim of this chapter is to outline various factors reported in the 49 chapters of this handbook of research. The aim is also to organize identified factors in a meaningful manner in order to propose a framework of broadband adoption and diffusion. This chapter illustrates the fact that research on the adoption, diffusion, usage, and impact of broadband is clearly a global issue which requires a multidisciplinary approach. The proposed framework includes three levels of factors—macro factors, individual micro factors, and SME-level micro factors. These three levels of factors are relevant at different levels of development, deployment, and diffusion of broadband which persist in various developed and developing countries. The chapter concludes by suggesting that the proposed framework is based on a comprehensive set of factors observed in various countries, and future studies may use this framework to identify gaps and then bridge those gaps by conducting new studies.
Diffusion Forecasting and Price Evolution of Broadband Services in Europe
Authors: Varoutas Dimitris , Michalakelis Christos , Vavoulas Alexander , Deligiorgi Konstantina
Published: May 2011

This chapter is concerned with the methodologies for the study of the diffusion patterns and demand estimation, as well the pricing schemas for broadband telecommunication services in Europe. Along with the introduction of diffusion models and price indexes which can represent broadband convergence and diversity, a description of the theoretical models and methodologies are given and application of these models in European telecommunication market is performed. Evidence from Europe outlines telecom market behavior and contributes to better understanding of broadband diffusion worldwide. To this direction, a price index is constructed regarding the ADSL technology.
How to Achieve Fuzzy Relational Databases Managing Fuzzy Data and Metadata
Authors: Hassine Mohamed Ali Ben , Touzi Amel Grissa , Galindo José , Ounelli Habib
Published: May 2011

Fuzzy relational databases have been introduced to deal with uncertain or incomplete information demonstrating the efficiency of processing fuzzy queries. For these reasons, many organizations aim to integrate flexible querying to handle imprecise data or to use fuzzy data mining tools, minimizing the transformation costs. The best solution is to offer a smooth migration towards this technology. This chapter presents a migration approach from relational databases towards fuzzy relational databases. This migration is divided into three strategies. The first one, named “partial migration,” is useful basically to include fuzzy queries in classic databases without changing existing data. It needs some definitions (fuzzy metaknowledge) in order to treat fuzzy queries written in FSQL language (Fuzzy SQL). The second one, named “total migration,” offers in addition to the flexible querying, a real fuzzy database, with the possibility to store imprecise data. This strategy requires a modification of schemas, data, and eventually programs. The third strategy is a mixture of the previous strategies, generally as a temporary step, easier and faster than the total migration.
E-Commerce
Authors: Park Joon S.
Published: May 2011

E-commerce has grown immensely with the increase in activity on the Internet, and this increase in activity, while immeasurable, has also presented several different security risks. As with any other means of business, it cannot be assumed that all players will abide by a code of moral conduct. This essentially means that all users of e-commerce, whether they are on the consumer or supplier side, must be wary of the problems that this technology can present. Both the legal and illegal services present a unique set of security risks that can present immense problems to anyone who is affected by them. In order to combat these problems, the user must first understand them. Only then will they be able to take proper action, so as to protect themselves from the risks presented by online music files. To build this foundation of understanding, this chapter is going to first focus on not only the benefits of e-commerce, but also the security threats and risks that it presents, along with the main problems organizations and individuals face as a result. Lastly, the discussion will go on to argue some of the proposals that have been established that have the goal of making e-commerce more secure.
Firewalls as Continuing Solutions for Network Security
Authors: Luse Andy
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes various firewall conventions, and how these technologies operate when deployed on a corporate network. Terms associated with firewalls, as well as related concepts, are also discussed. Highly neglected internal security mechanisms utilizing firewall technologies are presented, including host-based firewalls and the more novel distributed firewall implementation. Finally, a section on how to perform a cost-benefit analysis when deciding which firewall technologies to implement is included. The chapter is designed as an introductory tutorial to the underlying concepts of firewall technologies. This understanding should provide a starting point for both systems support specialists implementing network security and researchers who are interested in firewall technologies.
Information Availability
Authors: Khazanchi Deepak
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the concept of information availability (IAV) which is considered an important element of information security. IAV is defined as the ability to make information and related resources accessible as needed, when they are needed, where they are needed. In the view of the authors, this notion encompasses more than just making sure that the information technology (IT) infrastructure is technically adequate and continuously available, but it also emphasizes other often-ignored attributes of IAV, such as appropriate policies and procedures, an effective security policy, and the establishment of a workable business continuity plan. Thus, the goal of the chapter is to define IAV in the context of information security and elaborate on each of these first and second order determinants of information availability.
Research Ethics in E-Public Administration
Authors: Silva Carlos Nunes
Published: May 2011

Public administration includes many professions and occupations, each with its own set of ethical guidelines. In addition, they have to follow the code of professional ethics for public sector workers. These professionals, including those whose main occupation is to do scientific research, face complex ethical problems. These problems relate, for example, to social responsibility and public interest; public participation; professional competence, honesty; conflicts of interest; respect of citizens rights, dignity and diversity; information security; long-range consequences of public administration decisions; respect of other species and the natural environment; informed consent, human dignity and other issues.
Structure Theory and Government IT
Authors: Gil-Garcia J. Ramon , Hassan Shahidul
Published: May 2011

The relationship between information technologies (IT) and organizational (structural) change has been a topic of interest for public administration and policy scholars for a long time (Dawes, Gregg, & Agouris, 2004; Fountain, 2001; Garson, 2004; Heeks, 1999; Heintze & Bretschneider, 2000; Kling & Lamb, 2000; Kling & Schacchi, 1982; Kraemer & King, 2003; Kraemer, King, Dunkle, & Lane, 1989; Rocheleau, 2000). Initially, most studies were somewhat deterministic in nature, arguing that either IT had the power to transform organizational structures, or that organizational and institutional factors largely determined the characteristics and effects of IT. Current research in information systems (W. Orlikowski, 2000; W. J. Orlikowski, 1992; W. J. Orlikowski & Robey, 1991), organizational studies (Barley, 1990; De- Sanctis & Poole, 1994), and public administration and policy (Fountain, 2001), however, indicate that the relationships between IT and organizational structures are not so simple. In fact, they are recursive, complex, and somewhat unpredictable. Employing what has been called the ensemble view of technology (W. J. Orlikowski & Iacono, 2001), these studies argue that research on IT in organizations should focus not only on the technological artifacts themselves, but also on the social relationships around their adoption, development, and use. Thus, they use, and encourage others to use, theoretical approaches that call attention to the social and complex nature of IT in organizations. Structuration theory (Giddens, 1984) is one such theoretical approach that has proved to be useful in studying the dynamic relationship between IT and organizational structure.
Representing Models of Practice
Authors: Falconer Isobel , Littlejohn Allison
Published: May 2011

Practice models are generic approaches to the structuring and orchestration of learning activities for pedagogic purposes, intended to promote sharing of effective e-learning practice. This chapter surveys the background to the idea of practice models, and then examines the issues surrounding their representation that emerged from the UK Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC)-funded Mod4L project. These issues are ones of purpose, design as a process, granularity, community, and characterisation. It analyses the purpose and the metaphor for design, coupled with consideration of the audience for practice models, suggesting that while generic models are useful for technical developers, they may not be an effective way of sharing teaching practice. The possibility that a rich domain map coupled with community building activities and richly contextualised exemplars might be more effective is briefly discussed. The complex interactions of characteristics of a design representation underpin the necessity for different representations to fulfil different user needs.
Sense of Virtual Community
Authors: Blanchard Anita
Published: May 2011

Sense of virtual community is an important component of successful virtual communities. Defined as members’ feelings of belonging, identity, and attachment with each other in computer-mediated communication, sense of virtual community distinguishes virtual communities from mere virtual groups. Sense of virtual community is believed to come from members’ exchange of social support as well as creating their own identity and learning the identity of others members. It is believed to lead to positive outcomes such as increased satisfaction and communication with the virtual community as well as to greater trust and social capital in the larger face-to-face community or organization. Future research will be able to further develop the theoretical and empirical contributions of sense of virtual community in computer-medication communication research.
Moderating Discussion Groups Using Computer Mediated Communication
Authors: Collins Mauri , Berge Zane
Published: May 2011

In this chapter online discussion groups will be situated as contemporary examples within the historical tradition of voluntary, informal, learning networks used by adults for topical discussion, fellowship, and learning. Just as the online discussion group is a voluntary, informal learning group in the historic tradition, so the monitor or reviewer of the online discussion group fulfills many of the roles, tasks, and responsibilities of an informal adult educator in their roles as discussion leaders and facilitators. This places the moderators of online discussion groups within the realm of interest to adult education and educators. This chapter will provide the foundations for understanding the complex, dynamic, and multi-textural environment in which online discussion group moderators function.
E-Mentoring
Authors: Rísquez Angélica
Published: May 2011

This chapter integrates existing literature and developments on electronic mentoring to build a constructive view of this modality of mentoring as a qualitatively different concept from its traditional face-to-face version. The concept of e-mentoring is introduced by looking first into the evasive notion of mentoring. Next, some salient e-mentoring experiences are identified. The chapter goes on to note the differences between electronic and face-to-face mentoring, and how the relationship between mentor and mentee is modified by technology in unique and definitive ways. Readers are also presented with a collection of best practices on design, implementation, and evaluation of e-mentoring programs. Finally, some practice and research trends are proposed. In conclusion, the author draws an elemental distinction between both modalities of mentoring, which defines e-mentoring as more than the defective alternative to face-to-face contact.
Constructivism, Technology, and Meaningful Learning
Authors: Keengwe Jared , Onchwari Grace
Published: May 2011

We are moving toward a future in which computing is becoming more ubiquitous and there is evidence that technology is changing the way instructors conduct their instruction. Even so, few instructors are integrating technology into their instruction in ways that can support meaningful learning. Those who are usually successful in teaching with technology are those who constantly strive to facilitate student-centered learning environments that support and improve the depth and scope of student learning (Cuban 2001; Ertmer, 1999). Further, they are likely to have experienced shifts in their learning paradigms and embraced constructivist teaching styles. This chapter explores the relationship between constructivism, technology, and meaningful learning and provides suggestions to help instructors translate constructivist methodologies into their own realities in teaching. In other words, this chapter seeks to explore constructivist teaching strategies that could benefit student learning in ways that are different from those practiced in traditional, non-technological classrooms.
Impacts of Learning Styles on Hypermedia Projects
Authors: Hu Jun
Published: May 2011

Kolb (1984) defined learning styles as one’s preferred methods for perceiving and processing information. Learning styles have been a high-profiled factor in hypermedia research on how they affect learners’ performances of cognitive tasks in hypermedia environment, yet not much research has been done on how learning styles would affect developers’ preferences in designing and developing hypermedia projects. This qualitative research studied 19 students from a graduate level multimedia design course on their articulations and implementations of hypermedia features, and found that learning styles of the developers did influence their perceptions of the features’ importance and their efforts of implementation of hypermedia features in their projects.
Designing Interactive and Collaborative E-Learning Environments
Authors: So Hyo-Jeong
Published: May 2011

Despite the increasing numbers of online courses, there have been several concerns and criticisms related to teaching and learning in e-Learning. Previous research has suggested that students are often dissatisfied and frustrated with their e-Learning courses. A more important issue is that e-Learning has not led to pedagogical changes. A large percentage of e-Learning courses have been developed to deliver simple factual knowledge through tutorial-based instruction. In seeking a paradigm shift from information delivery-centered to learner-centered e-Learning approaches, this chapter suggests that theoretically and empirically grounded design frameworks are required, and that strategies for interactive and collaborative learning should be considered and incorporated in designing learner-centered environments. To identify instructional design strategies, the author critically reviewed and analyzed relevant case studies. Three design guidelines are presented with specific strategies and examples: 1) meaningful opportunities for online collaboration, 2) minimization of communication barriers and maximization of idea sharing, and 3) increasing perceived levels of social presence.
Challenges Instructors Face in Online Courses
Authors: Song Holim
Published: May 2011

As online course has become a popular course delivery method in American higher education, developing online courses has raised controversial issues and challenges for many instructors. University administrators continually put pressure on them to develop and deliver online courses. Most instructors, however, are not responding as quickly as administrators would like. They faces some issues such as lack of technical support, lack of software/adequate equipment, lack of faculty/administrative support, the amount of preparation time required to create assignments, and student resistance. This chapter describes some issues in online courses using Course Management System (CMS) along with challenges that instructors face in higher education when preparing online courses.
Preparing Students for Ethical Use of Technology
Authors: Gearhart Deb
Published: May 2011

Are our students prepared to use technology ethically? This is a question of concern to this author and addressed in this chapter. Experience as the director of a distance education program with students who are ill-prepared for using technology and who use technology unethically had lead to the research for this chapter. The chapter reviews studies where ethical behaviors are reviewed. The survey responses lead to discussion on how to instill ethical use of technology for institutional distance education programs, through the use of ethical policies and procedures. The chapter concludes with a look at future research directions.
Why "Cultural Sensitivities" and "Localizations" in Global E-Learning?
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines the importance of cultural sensitivity and localization in the delivery of global e-learning. The branding, course ecology, curriculum design, instructional strategies/pedagogical approaches, multimedia builds, information handling, and direct instruction in e-learning need to fit the needs of the diverse learners. Those that offer global e-learning must consider the national, ethnic and racial backgrounds of their learners to offer customized value-added higher education. Cultural sensitivities apply to initial learner outreach and their success in the e-learning; localizations enhance the applied learning and also the transferability of the learning after the global learners graduate. Cultural sensitivities and localizations may make global e-learning more field-independent and effective because of the reliance on each learner’s local resources. A “Cultural Sensitivities and Localizations Course Analysis (CSLCA)” Tool for global e-learning has been included in the appendix.
Open to People, Open with People
Authors: Simpson Ormond
Published: May 2011

The increasing multiculturalism in its society has recently encouraged the study of ethical dimensions in higher education in the UK. Distance and open learning has long had such a dimension, but this chapter will argue that ethical issues need to be reviewed in the light of recent developments. Three examples in distance education are taken: the increasing use of e-learning, dropout rates, and the development of methods of predicting student success. Some evidence suggests that e-learning may harm the openness of open learning given the numbers of educationally disadvantaged potential students which it will exclude. Dropout rates in distance education appear to be markedly higher than in conventional learning, which raises ethical issues of honesty and openness, and finally the use of methods in which a student’s success can be predicted raises ethical issues about if and how that information should be communicated to that student. Considerable work has gone into the development of a discourse of medical ethics in response to modern developments in medicine. But this chapter suggests that medical models are inadequate to judge ethical issues in distance and open learning and it calls for the development of a similar discourse in the ethics of distance and open learning.
Market Forces in Higher Education
Authors: Nagy Judy
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the globalisation of education and the challenges and opportunities arising from technologies that can impact cheating behaviours in higher education students. The chapter, commencing by contextualising cheating, discusses the endemic nature of cheating and presents various reasons for and factors that may encourage students to engage in cheating. To illustrate the potential for favourable outcomes when the particular needs of a student cohort are recognised, the chapter then considers a case study that proactively changed assessment strategies in postgraduate education to forestall cheating. The positive outcomes are then used to support a proposition to offer students more than one learning pathway as a means of recognising that student populations have become increasingly diverse with a corresponding need for diversity in teaching paradigms.
From Ethnography to Interface Design
Authors: Paay Jeni
Published: May 2011

This chapter proposes a way of informing creative design of mobile information systems by acknowledging the value of ethnography in HCI and tackling the challenge of transferring that knowledge to interface design. The proposed approach bridges the gap between ethnography and interface design by introducing the activities of field-data informed design sketching, on a high level of abstraction, followed by iterative development of paper-based mock-ups. The outcomes of these two activities can then be used as a starting point for iterative prototype development—in paper or in code. This is particularly useful in situations where mobile HCI designers are faced with challenges of innovation rather than solving well-defined problems and where design must facilitate future rather than current practice. The use of this approach is illustrated through a design case study of a context-aware mobile information system facilitating people socialising in the city.
Designing Mobile Technologies for Individuals with Disabilities
Authors: Leung Rock , Lumsden Joanna
Published: May 2011

While mobile devices offer many innovative possibilities to help increase the standard of living for individuals with disabilities and other special needs, the process of developing assistive technology, such that it will be effective across a group of individuals with a particular disability, can be extremely challenging. This chapter discusses key issues and trends related to designing and evaluating mobile assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. Following an overview of general design process issues, we argue (based on current research trends) that individuals with disabilities and domain experts be involved throughout the development process. While this, in itself, presents its own set of challenges, many strategies have successfully been used to overcome the difficulties and maximize the contributions of users and experts alike. Guidelines based on these strategies are discussed and are illustrated with real examples from one of our active research projects.
Multilayered Approach to Evaluate Mobile User Interfaces
Authors: de Fátima Queiroz Vieira Turnell Maria , Rangel de Queiroz José Eustáquio , de Sousa Ferreira Danilo
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a method for the evaluation of user interfaces for mobile applications. The method is based upon an approach that combines user opinion, standard conformity assessment, and user performance measurement. It focuses on the evaluation settings and techniques employed in the evaluation process, while offering a comparison between the laboratory evaluation and field evaluation approaches. The method’s presentation and the evaluation comparison will be supported by a discussion of the results obtained from the method’s application to a case study involving a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). This chapter argues that the experience gained from evaluating conventional user interfaces can be applied to the world of mobile technology.
Economic Development
Authors: Merwin Jr. Gerald A. , McDonald J. Scott , Odera Levy C.
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores the interface between information technology (IT) and economic development. The impacts of three IT innovations are assessed in terms of how they contributed to the development of economic development practice: database management systems (DBMS), geographic information systems (GIS), and the evolution of Web sites. With regard to the close relationship between IT and economic development, the chapter primarily focuses on current and future issues in this area. The chapter is organized into the following sections: it begins with an introductory section, a second section delves into the history of economic development and its relationship with IT; a third section introduces the three IT revolutions in economic development; the fourth, fifth and sixth sections each address a key development in economic development/IT relationship: DBMS, GIS, and Web site development, respectively. Section seven provides examples of IT in practice with descriptions of three excellent economic development Web sites. The chapter concludes by providing a glimpse of what might be expected in the future and some recommendations for future research on this topic.
Group Decision Making in Computer-Mediated Communication as Networked Communication
Authors: Olaniran Bolanle A.
Published: May 2011

Networked communication is proliferating our world. The fact that global information communication technologies (ICTs) are becoming increasingly available is facilitating human computer interaction, which permeates the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in various organizations, groups, and interpersonal contexts. As a result, the issue facing today’s organizations is not whether to use global information technologies (GITs) in networked communication, but rather how to use them for effective functioning and as efficient coordination tool; especially how to incorporate GITs into the decision-making process. Consequently, this chapter examines the issues in designing CMC into group interactions and decision-making processes.
User Profiles for Personalizing Digital Libraries
Authors: Semeraro Giovanni , Basile Pierpaolo , de Gemmis Marco , Lops Pasquale
Published: May 2011

Exploring digital collections to find information relevant to a user’s interests is a challenging task. Information preferences vary greatly across users; therefore, filtering systems must be highly personalized to serve the individual interests of the user. Algorithms designed to solve this problem base their relevance computations on user profiles in which representations of the users’ interests are maintained. The main focus of this chapter is the adoption of machine learning to build user profiles that capture user interests from documents. Profiles are used for intelligent document filtering in digital libraries. This work suggests the exploiting of knowledge stored in machine-readable dictionaries to obtain accurate user profiles that describe user interests by referring to concepts in those dictionaries. The main aim of the proposed approach is to show a real-world scenario in which the combination of machine learning techniques and linguistic knowledge is helpful to achieve intelligent document filtering.
Speechfind
Authors: Kim Wooil , Hansen John H.L.
Published: May 2011

This chapter addresses a number of advances in formulating spoken document retrieval for the National Gallery of the Spoken Word (NGSW) and the U.S.-based Collaborative Digitization Program (CDP). After presenting an overview of the audio stream content of the NGSW and CDP audio corpus, an overall system diagram is presented with a discussion of critical tasks associated with effective audio information retrieval that include advanced audio segmentation, speech recognition model adaptation for acoustic background noise and speaker variability, and information retrieval using natural language processing for text query requests that include document and query expansion. Our experimental online system entitled “SpeechFind” is presented which allows for audio retrieval from the NGSW and CDP corpus. Finally, a number of research challenges as well as new directions are discussed in order to address the overall task of robust phrase searching in unrestricted audio corpora.
Semantic Annotation and Retrieval of Images in Digital Libraries
Authors: Osman Taha , Thakker Dhavalkumar , Schaefer Gerald
Published: May 2011

While many digital image libraries allow access to large repositories of images, unfortunately, often the provided free-text search returns unsatisfactory retrieval results. The reason for this is that search techniques typically rely solely on statistical analysis of keyword recurrences in image annotations. In this chapter we show that through the employment of a semantic framework for image annotation, vastly improved retrieval can be accomplished. We present a semantically-enabled annotation and retrieval engine which relies on methodically structured ontologies for image annotation, and demonstrate how it provides more accurate retrieval results as well as a richer set of alternatives matchmaking the original query.
Chat As New Pedagogy
Authors: Peters Gary B.
Published: May 2011

There is a new pedagogy in which college professors use computer information technology as a means to enhance effective collaboration. The World Wide Web, e-mail, discussion boards, chat rooms, and Instant Messaging are services offered on the Internet. As a new medium of communication, this emerging technology offers educators unprecedented opportunities to augment or fully devote courses to innovative formats. Chat provides a venue for communities of learners to communicate in real time. A chat room is a Web application that allows two or more people to type messages to each other at the same time. There are many types of chat rooms used by online learning communities via the Internet.
Data Mining Software
Authors: Wang John , Chen Qiyang , Yao James
Published: May 2011

Many organizations now view information as one of their most valuable assets, and data mining software allows a company to make full use of these information assets. Data mining software analyzes relationships and patterns in stored transaction data based on open-ended user queries. Several types of analytical software are available: statistical, machine learning and neural networks, decision trees, naive-Bayes, K-nearest neighbor, rule induction, clustering, rules based, linear and logistical regression time sequence, and so forth (Wang, 2005). There is never enough time to think of all the important questions; that is why the computer should do this itself. It can provide the winning edge in business by exploring the database and it brings back invaluable information.
Database in Computing Systems
Authors: McKenzie W. Brett
Published: May 2011

“Big ideas” drive the disciplines. In biology, the insights of Darwin generated evolutionary theory. In chemistry, Mendeleev’s vision of the organization of elements predicted subsequent discoveries. In computing, the database and associated database management systems (DBMS) are one of the “big ideas”. The database was conceptually possible prior to the development of the computer, but it was the digital computer that made the database the common tool it is today. The core idea of the database is distinguishing between the data description and the data itself. Among other things, this idea makes the Web possible and has made manageable new fields for discovery, such as modeling the human genome.
Digital Business Portfolios
Authors: Flanigan Eleanor J.
Published: May 2011

Many people are oblivious of the structured paths that lead them from one level of knowledge or one career path to another. Unless they are unusually reflective and deliberately trace their intellectual growth, most people move along and go with the flow of daily living and daily work needs. Whereas professionals keep pace with new requirements placed upon them, students move ahead according to the required collegiate curriculums, taking the prescribed courses as directed. Both groups, however, accumulate valuable experiences along either path.
Net Generation
Authors: Hricko Mary
Published: May 2011

The Net Generation refers to the description given to young Americans born from 1976 to 2001. Although the individuals of the Net Generation (or Net Gens) are the last generation of the 20th century, they are considered the first generation to grow up in an Internet culture and a multimedia driven environment.
Neural Informatics
Authors: Wang Yingxu
Published: May 2011

The development of classical and contemporary informatics, the cross fertilization between computer science, systems science, cybernetics, computer/software engineering, cognitive science, neuropsychology, knowledge engineering, and life science, has led to a new research field known as Cognitive Informatics (Wang, 2002a/2003a/2003b/2004/2006a/2007b; Wang, Johnston, & Smith, 2002; Wang & Kinsner, 2006). An important branch of cognitive informatics is neural informatics (Wang, 2007b), which reduces cognitive informatics theories and the studies on the internal information processing mechanisms of the brain onto the neuron and physiological level.
Scripts for Facilitating Computer Supported Collaborative Learning
Authors: Ertl Bernhard , Mandl Heinz
Published: May 2011

Many distance learning scenarios, for example, virtual seminars, use collaborative arrangements for learning. By applying them, they offer learners the chance to construct knowledge collaboratively. However, learners often do not possess the skills necessary for a beneficial collaboration. It is therefore important that learners are offered support in these learning scenarios. Scripts for collaborative learning can provide support. They can guide learners through their collaboration process (Ertl, Kopp, & Mandl, 2007b) and help them to acquire collaboration skills (Rummel & Spada, 2005). Scripts for collaboration were originally developed in order to support text comprehension. They facilitate two or more learners—who are similar as far as their existing knowledge and learning strategies are concerned— in their efforts to understand contents provided by theory texts. Collaboration scripts split this process into a sequence of smaller steps, assign each learner to a particular role, and offer a number of comprehension strategies, such as questions, feedback, and elaboration. Each one of these learners has a defined role to play, which in turn is associated with certain strategies and varies within the different phases.
Software Engineering Education
Authors: Kamthan Pankaj
Published: May 2011

In this article, we explore the prospects and concerns of integrating information technologies (IT) in software engineering education (SEE), both inside and outside the classroom. By IT we will mean the technologies for various activities related to information (such as acquisition, creation, communication, dissemination, processing, archival, retrieval, transformation, and so on), within the context of the Internet and the Web, unless specified otherwise. The rest of the article is organized as follows. We first provide the background necessary for later discussion. This is followed by the prospects and concerns of systematically integrating IT in SEE and examples of use of IT in SEE, both inside and outside the classroom. Next, challenges and directions for future research are outlined. Finally, concluding remarks are given.
Employee Incentives and Retention for an E-World
Authors: Hall Bettie C. , Inskeep Nancy A.
Published: May 2011

In the modern world with an increasingly independent and mobile workforce, the traditional relationship between an employer and its employees is radically changing. Long-term associations built upon trust, loyalty, and mutually implied promises of support are being replaced with transaction-based relationships that rely on the mutual exchange of services for value-perceived benefits. The labor force is now multi-generational and comprised of complex cultures, with members holding differing and unique value propositions and definitions. An employer can no longer establish “one size fits all” benefit and career management plans and expect to attract and retain top talent. An organization needs a flexible and comprehensive talent management program that recognizes an individual employee’s self-efficacy and self-determination in defining what is and what is not valued as a benefit, reward, and incentive. This article presents an overview of this changing environment and explores innovative alternatives for attracting, retaining, and managing talent in an e-world.