bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Wireless Application Development II
Authors: Chen Lei-da , Skelton Gordon W.
Published: May 2011

In the previous chapter, we created an m-business application using ColdFusion. Besides ColdFusion, many other development tools can be used to develop m-business applications. Visual Studio .NET, an integrated development environment by Microsoft, has become an increasingly popular corporate applicationdevelopment tool due to its ease of use and support for a wide range of programming languages. Besides traditional Windows and Web applications, Visual Studio .NET also allows developers to build mobile and wireless applications with relative ease. The focus of this chapter is to discuss the tools and techniques for developing wireless applications using Visual Studio .NET. Wireless applications are developed using the ASP .NET Mobile Web Application template. The template provides developers with WYSIWYG tools for creating user interfaces for various mobile devices. These tools work seamlessly with ASP.NET, which uses a form-based approach to build server-side applications for processing user requests and interacting with databases. In this chapter, we will develop a business-to-consumter wireless application using Visual Studio .NET.
Procuring Information Technology for Government
Authors: Rocheleau Bruce
Published: May 2011

Over the past 15 years, the nature of procurement of information technology hasundergone radical change in government. These changes are due to the development ofnew technologies such as the Internet, changes in laws and rules concerning procure-ment, and a changed philosophy concerning government purchase of IT. Overall, thechanges have moved purchasing from a slow, legalistic process emphasizing lowest costto a more flexible process emphasizing best value (Rocheleau, 2000). At the Federal level,this change was marked by the replacement of the Brooks Act by the Federal AcquisitionsReform Act of 1996 that pushed streamlining of the procurement process. Similar changeshave been widely implemented in state agencies too (National Association of StatePurchasing Officers, 1996) including the following recommendations: (1) Simplify pro-curement to make it more effective and lower costs of purchasing; (2) Use electroniccommerce to speed the process and improve prices and competition; (3) Emphasize bestvalue rather than lowest cost; (4) Use a problem-oriented bid process to get the vendorcommunity to help use its creativity and discretion to solve problems; and (5) Study andrevise the processes linked to applications in order to make the process less costly andmore effective. In this chapter, I will break our discussion of purchasing into four keyissues that need to be performed well for it to be effective: (1) Needs assessment; (2)Sourcing issues; (3) The contracting process; and (4) Managing the project.
Governments and IT Sharing
Authors: Rocheleau Bruce
Published: May 2011

There are many reasons why today’s computerized information systems can achievemore sharing in government than ever before. Over the last decade, an increasingemphasis has been placed on taking an enterprise-wide view of governments in order toreplace “stovepipe” systems that focus on one department’s needs with integratedsystems that would allow users from any department to access to information they needto achieve their jobs. This ability to share information across departmental boundarieshas become accepted as one of the basic goals of modern information management ingovernment. One of its key precepts is that data should only be input once into a systemand any user (with a valid need) can use that information from anywhere at any time ina variety of forms.
Employment Arrangements, Need Profiles, and Gender
Authors: Ferratt Thomas W. , Enns Harvey G. , Prasad Jayesh
Published: May 2011

Information technology has become increasingly pervasive in the products and services of organizations. Similarly, IT has become increasingly essential in supporting work at all organizational levels. These forces have increased the demand for the work that IT professionals perform. At the same time, managerial initiatives for increased efficiencies have led to increases in outsourcing and downsizing. As a result, the IT human-resource (HR) strategies that organizations employ vary (Agarwal & Ferratt, 1999). Different IT HR strategies are implemented through differences in HR practices, such as differences in employment guarantees, career development, and the flexibility allowed in scheduling one’s work. These differences in IT HR practices result in different employment arrangements for IT professionals. According to fit theory and research (Kristof, 1996; Kristof-Brown, Zimmerman, & Johnson, 2005), the fit between what the organization supplies and what the IT professional needs influences attitudinal and behavioral outcomes, such as satisfaction, turnover, performance, and helping behavior. If an organization has a common set of IT HR practices for all IT professionals, greater fit and the organizationally desired outcomes associated with greater fit will most likely occur if all IT professionals have a common set of needs. A question that arises is whether all IT professionals do have a common set of needs. If subgroups of IT professionals have different needs but an organization has a common set of IT HR practices for all IT professionals, that organization may not appeal to a valuable pool of potential employees. Recent analysis of the composition of the U.S. workforce shows that women are underrepresented in IT (Information Technology Association of America [ITAA], 2003, 2005a, 2005b). The percentage of women in the professional and management ranks of the IT workforce was 24.9% in 2004; the percentage in all IT workforce positions, including lower level administrative job categories, was 32.4%. In comparison, the percentage of women in the overall workforce was 46.5%. One potential explanation for this underrepresentation could be that organizations do not provide employment arrangements that address the needs of women as well as they do the needs of men and, thus, are unable to attract and retain IT professionals equally from these gender subgroups.
Gender and Chat Forums
Authors: Armentor-Cota Janet
Published: May 2011

Within the last decade, the Internet has become one of the fastest growing technologies. According to research conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, nearly 60% of the United States (U.S.) population is now online, with variation based on race, age, education, region and income (Spooner, 2003). Despite the persistent discrepancies in access, Internet usage among the U.S. population is steadily increasing, up by 9% since 2000. Throughout the 1990s, well-educated white men primarily populated the Internet; however, this situation has changed in the last 5 years. As of 2000, women made up 50% of Internet users and “Hispanics [were] just as likely to be online as whites, and African Americans are coming online at accelerating rates” (Horrigan, 2000, p. 2). Overall, the Pew study found that activities such as e-mail (and other online communication forums); online shopping; Web surfing; connectivity with family and friends; hobbies; news; and information are popular online uses. Through the Pew Institute’s many studies, it is clear the Internet is a key aspect of social life in U.S. culture.
Girls and Computing
Authors: Gansmo Helen Jøsok
Published: May 2011

Much research conducted between 1977 and 1990 document the existence of a technological gender gap (Canada & Brusca, 1991) which has been studied extensively throughout the 1990s. This article provides an overview of research related to a specific segment of the digital gender divide: young girls and computing. This background, described as different waves of research, is followed by a discussion regarding the remedial actions aimed at making more young girls computer users, and implicitly also inspiring more women to study computer science. This latter aim is related to the women in computing problem, concerned with the lack of women in computer science, which is often seen as a consequence of the girls and computing problem.
Indigenous Women in Scandinavia and a Potential Role for ICT
Authors: Doria Avri , Uden Maria
Published: May 2011

From a distance, the Sámi Network Connectivity initiative (SNC) does not necessarily appear as anything but another technical research project with certain science-fiction (sci-fi) connotations. It is aimed to create Internet connectivity for communications-challenged terrestrial settings using a protocol currently being developed for communications in space. However, while being a highly technical project, SNC emerged from an unexpected setting: an Indigenous women’s initiative to save their traditional livelihood from threats of social and economic drain and to create better opportunities for women and youth to remain within the traditional community. The first step towards the formation of SNC was taken in June 2001 when a group of women reindeer herders in Sirges Sámi Village in Jokkmokk, Norrbotten County in northern Sweden decided to start a gender equality project, Kvinna i sameby (KIS).1 To the Sámi, reindeer herding serves not only as an economic base but also as a foundation for reproduction of cultural values. Already in the KIS planning stage, Susanne Spik, the project leader, contacted the Division for Gender and Technology at Luleå University of Technology (LTU) to invite scientific assistance from the early stage of the project. LTU is the regional technical university for northern Sweden and is situated in the Norrbotten County capital of Luleå 200 km southeast of Jokkmokk. Promoting women’s possibilities to remain in reindeer herding and the traditional Sámi community, especially social and technical conditions for work and business development, were the focus in the discussions. An associated but separately funded project was subsequently formed by LTU researcher Maria Udén. A solution to the project requirements came from a guest researcher at the computer science department, Avri Doria, an Internet systems architect. In spring 2002, after initial discussions with members of the Interplanetary Networking Research Group (IPNRG) at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, she contributed the proposal that came to be referred to as Sámi Network Connectivity. With a decision to accept this project, the establishment of SNC as both a technical idea and a concrete gender-based project became a prime goal for the cooperation between the women in Sirges and the scholars at LTU, and continued after the KIS project ended in December 2003. The SNC objective is to provide connectivity where other sources are not available, while making the local population part of the development of the technical system. To develop the technical solution space of SNC, the Sámi Network Connectivity proposition gained research funding from the Swedish national agency for innovation systems, Vinnova, for the period 2004 to 2006. This funding is distributed through the Vinnova program “New communication networks.”
Introducing Young Females to Information Technology
Authors: Laws Michaele D. , Price Kellie
Published: May 2011

The difficulties in recruiting females into information technology and computer science (CS) have been well documented. Engineering disciplines have faced the same problem for many years. Some of the main underlying issues include unsupportive classroom environments (Hall & Sandler, 1982), gender-related perceptions of performance, a lack of role models, and inadequate peer communities (Zappert & Stansbury, 1984). Other contributing factors are the amount of positive computing experience gained prior to enrollment at the university level (Robers, Kassianidou, & Irani, 2002) and self-confidence. Research provides significant evidence to indicate that, even though females perform at the same levels as their male counterparts, they have less confidence in their abilities (Arnold, 1993; Fisher, Margolis, & Miller, 1997; Sax, 1994; Strenta, Elliot, Matier, Scott, & Adair, 1994). This lack of confidence keeps many females out of the technical classes. Finally, those females that do enter IT or CS courses may come to the discipline with multiple interests and, consequently, feel out of place at times among their more single-minded male counterparts (Widnell, 1988). While it is predicted that 8 of the 10 fastest growing occupations from 2000 to 2010 will be in the IT or CS fields, it is expected that women will not be equally represented within these occupations (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos267.htm; Camp, 1997). The underrepresentation of women in computer science was given priority in the June 2002 special issue of SIGCSE Bulletin dedicated to women and computing, bringing focus to previous and current research regarding this dilemma. One particular factor highlighted in this bulletin is that changing this male-dominant field requires the crucial step of targeting young females in an effort to dispel stereotypical ideations and gender bias associated with computer science, thus attracting more women to the profession (American Association of University Women Educational Foundation, 1999). Girls in Science and Technology (GIST) is a free science and technology camp at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) making efforts to change these trends. The primary goal of the girls-only GIST camp is to introduce females to the fields of information technology, computer science, and math by providing discipline-related activities, enhancing teamwork competency, connecting females with women mentors working in the field, and creating a challenging yet fun atmosphere free from male competition. The hope is that this exposure will instill technical confidence and aptitude in the young females that will last through their college careers, giving them a positive outlook on information technology.
Maturity Rather than Gender is Important for Study Success
Authors: McLennan Theresa
Published: May 2011

For a number of years there has been concern, particularly in the western world, about the low female participation and retention rates in computer science (Bernstein, 1994; Clarke & Chambers, 1989; Clarke & Teague, 1994; Durndell, 1991; Sturm & Moroh, 1994). Studies in New Zealand found similar trends (Brown, Andreae, Biddle, & Tempero, 1996; Ryba & Selby, 1995; Toynbee, 1993). More than ten years after these concerns were first raised, these problems largely still exist (Weston & Barker, 2004) although successful strategies are being reported (Cohoon, 2002; Fisher & Margolis, 2002; and other authors in Women and Computing). To some extent at Lincoln University, New Zealand, the situation has always been different. Computing classes at all levels usually have a reasonable proportion of women (typically 25-40%). Furthermore, success in the first year programming class has been modeled for five cohorts and has been found to have no direct relationship to gender. The most consistent finding in these models is that older students are more likely to be successful than younger students. As well as summarizing the longitudinal study, key findings of interviews with some recent mature aged, female computing graduates are also included.
Pair Programming and Gender
Authors: Werner Linda L. , Hanks Brian , McDowell Charlie
Published: May 2011

Studies of pair programming both in industry and academic settings have found improvements in program quality, test scores, confidence, enjoyment, and retention in computer-related majors. In this article we define pair programming, summarize the results of pair programming research, and show why we believe pair programming will help women and men succeed in IT majors.
Tackling Counterfeiting with a Secure Online Track-and-Trace System
Authors: Claret-Tournier Fred , Lei Pouwan , Chatwin Chris , Young Rupert
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces a secure online track-and-trace system for tackling counterfeiting. According to the Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau (CIB), part of the International Chamber of Commerce, 7% of all world trade is in counterfeit goods and the counterfeit market is worth $350 billion (IACC, 2003). Virtually every country in the world suffers from counterfeiting which results in—lost tax revenue, job losses, health and safety problems and business losses. Furthermore counterfeit goods do not only target famous brand names but anything that will sell such as bottled water. Counterfeiters are increasingly damaging businesses. Businesses need to fight against counterfeiting. Nowadays, there is an explosion of mobile wireless services accessible via mobile phones with a built in camera. The mobile users can access the Internet at any time, from anywhere using ubiquitous inexpensive computing. Mobile camera phones and other handheld devices are becoming indispensable. The aim of this chapter is to show how business can protect their products from counterfeiting by using a secure online track-and-trace system, which will allow their customers to authenticate the products in real time through a Web-enabled mobile camera phone. This will assist business and customers by confirming that the said product is genuine and not counterfeit, which can be accomplished at anytime and any location. Furthermore, the system does not require any significant change to the existing business operational systems.
The Future of Mobile Technologies and Applications in China
Authors: Chen Xiao , Liu Wei
Published: May 2011

This chapter deals with the future of mobile technologies and applications in China. The effect of emerging technologies, especially mobile technologies, on the massive market of China cannot be ignored in the global context. This chapter gives the reader an insight into China’s mobile telecommunication industry today. The authors firstly relate statistics about China’s mobile business market including user and device analysis that helps in providing an understanding of mobile business in China. This analysis is followed by a description of the major mobile technologies employed in China and a brief view of the Chinese market’s status, followed by an insight into some newly rising industries which are potentially successful mobile sectors in China. Finally, a real life example is examined—that of M-Government Project in Gunagzhou, capital city of Guangdong Province.
On IETAL, Algebraically
Authors: Trajkovski Goran
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we formalize the Interactivist-Expectative Theory of Agency and Learning (IETAL) agent in an algebraic framework and focus on issues of learnability based on context.
Appendix B
Authors: Trajkovski Goran
Published: May 2011

What motivates people? Why do they behave as they do? For that matter, why do people do anything at all? Questions like these have persisted over 100 years of psychology despite decades upon decades of research to answer them. Waves of academic thinking have addressed these issues, with each new school of thought providing different answers, at least in form if not in function. In our brief overview of motivation theory, we will emphasize commonalities in theory rather than their differences. We will then discuss evolutionary theory as an overarching, modern model of motivation — specifically, the motivations to promote one’s survival and to be reproductively fit in a Darwinian sense. This discussion of evolutionary theory will be applied to human motivation and to the many ways in which people — such as ourselves — adapt in a complex world.
Hypervideo and Cognition
Authors: Chambel Teresa , Zahn Carmen , Finke Matthias
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses how advanced digital video technologies, such as hypervideo, can be used to broaden the spectrum of meaningful learning activities. Hypervideo is conceptualized as the true integration of video into nonlinear information structures by means of spatio-temporal links. Based on cognitive-psychological perspectives, the discussion focuses on the way cognitive and socio-cognitive processes relate to the specific characteristics of hyperlinked videos, and how they inform their design. Then, with regard to technology, two approaches are introduced, providing tools for knowledge building and interaction with nonlinear information structures based on dynamic video information. Case studies and research findings are presented and prospects for future research are outlined.
Beyond the Public Meeting
Authors: Hawthorne Timothy L. , Dougherty Michael , Elmes Gregory , Fletcher Christopher , McCusker Brent , Pinto Marta , Weiner Daniel
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes how community-based qualitative information about local land use is being incorporated into a Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) for the Cheat Lake Planning District of Monongalia County, West Virginia. The research demonstrates how PGIS can be an effective methodology for promoting community input into land use planning and for augmenting spatial decision-making for “smart growth.” The Cheat Lake PGIS is field-based and provides residents with an opportunity to discuss and map their priority land use issues and to identify land use hotspots in a way that is not typically possible in a general public meeting. This project also provides a useful example of the integration of academic PGIS research with an emerging county planning infrastructure and related set of regulations. This is achieved through multimedia representation of local knowledge with formal spatial information; for example, traditional GIS raster and vector data, community narratives, mental maps, GPS transect walks, geo-referenced photos, and sound. The Cheat Lake PGIS pilot project also offers important lessons for participatory land use planning.
A Collaborative Virtual Geographic Environment
Authors: Gong Jianhua , Lin Hui
Published: May 2011

A collaborative virtual geographic environment (CVGE) is a 3-D, distributed, and graphical world representing and simulating geographic phenomena and processes to enable geographically distributed users to explore geoproblems and theories and generate hypotheses, and to support geomodel building and validation and collaborative ecological planning. This chapter reports an approach to establishing a CVGE across the Internet, and its application to the collaborative planning of silt dam systems in watersheds through the integration of distributed virtual environments, geographical information systems (GIS), planning models of dam systems, and geocollaboration. The chapter addresses the conceptual and system frameworks of the distributed CVGE, and the 3-D modeling of virtual geographic environments and virtual collaborative studios in addition to the mediated tools for collaboration, such as streaming media based communication, shared whiteboards for text input and graphics drawing, and text-based dialogue. In a case study of the Qiu-Yuan-Gou watershed, Suide County, Shanxi Province, China, a prototype system is designed and developed with Java, Java3D, and VRML. The complete dam systems in the Qiu-Yuan-Gou watershed represent a typical example model of a massive silt dam construction project on the Loess Plateau. The study employs the example model of the watershed to explore the methodologies of collaborative spatial planning of silt dam systems. Using the prototype system, participants can implement communication with each other via media tools, mainly in the virtual collaborative studio, and 3-D editing of shared dams, calculation of topographic properties, and ideal spatial distribution of dam systems in virtual geographic environment.
Discrete Event Simulation Process Validation, Verification, and Testing
Authors: Abu-Taieh Evon M. O. , Rahman El Sheikh Asim Abdel
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces validation, verification, and testing tools and techniques pertaining to discrete event simulation. The chapter distinguishes between validation and verification within the context of discrete event simulation. Then, we will show the importance of such topic by revealing the amount research done in simulation validation and verification. The chapter subsequently discusses the reasons why simulation projects fail and the sources of simulation inaccuracies. Next, the chapter gives different taxonomies for validation, verification, and testing techniques (VV&T) for both types of simulation systems: object-oriented-based and algorithmic-based. Therefore, the chapter will present a translation of thirteen software-engineering practices suggested for simulation projects. Notwithstanding the significance of providing an objective assessment platform, as such, the chapter will shed light on the independence of VV&T pertaining to simulation systems.
Feature-Based Multimedia Semantics
Authors: May Michael
Published: May 2011

The aim of this chapter is to sketch a semantic taxonomy of representational forms (or “sign types” in the terminology of semiotics) relevant for the compositional analysis, design, and indexing of multimodal multimedia, specifically, in the domain of instructional design of learning objects, and to contribute to current attempts to bridge the “semantic gap” between the technical and spatio-temporal description of media objects and the contextual perception and interpretation by users of their content.q
Modular Implementation of an Ontology-Driven Multimedia Content Delivery Application for Mobile Networks
Authors: Zehetmayer Robert , Klas Wolfgang , King Ross
Published: May 2011

Today, mobile multimedia applications provide customers with only limited means to define what information they wish to receive. However, customers would prefer to receive content that reflects specific personal interests. In this chapter we present a prototype multimedia application that demonstrates personalised content delivery using the multimedia messaging service (MMS) protocol. The development of the application was based on the multimedia middleware framework METIS, which can be easily tailored to specific application needs. The principle application logic was constructed through three indepdent modules, or “plug-ins” that make use of METIS and its underlying event system: the harverster module, which automatically collects multimedia content from configured RSS feeds, the news module, which builds custom content based on user preferences, and the MMS module, which is reponsible for broadcasting the resulting multimedia messages. Our experience with the implementation demonstrated the rapid and modular development made possible by such a flexible middleware framework.
Growth of Outsourced IT-Enabled Services in India
Authors: Sridhar Varadharajan , Bharadwaj Sangeeta S.
Published: May 2011

IT-enabled services (ITES) in India have registered tremendous growth in recent years. Availability of English speaking trained manpower and low wages are some of the factors that have contributed to the growth of ITES sector in India. However, recent political movements against outsourcing, quality concerns of the clients, and data theft have had negative effects retarding the growth of this sector. In this chapter we review all the techno-economic factors that positively and negatively affect the growth of the ITES sector. An exhaustive literature survey is done to elicit these factors. We develop a generic causal model indicating the relationships between the various factors and the growth of ITES revenue. We discuss the factors of advantages and disadvantages India has in this sector. We draw some broad conclusions as to how the stakeholders such as policy making bodies and the industry associations can use this model to study the effects of these factors on the growth of the industry.
Interaction Scenarios for Information Extraction
Authors: Grieser Gunter , Lange Steffen
Published: May 2011

This chapter deals with the question of how the interaction between humans and computers may be designed to enable both partners to bring in their respective strengths. In the context of information extraction from semi-structured documents, several scenarios of interaction are identified and analyzed with respect to their adequacy for cooperative problem solving. The theoretical considerations are illustrated by a particular interaction approach called consistency queries. The chapter aims to initiate a discussion concerning the design and investigation of interaction scenarios which enable humans and machines to collaboratively solve problems.
Assistance and Induction
Authors: Jantke Klaus , Lamonova Nataliya
Published: May 2011

Software systems on their way from tools to assistants have to be equipped with learnability. This does apply in complex problem solving environments, in particular. Planning in complex and dynamic environments is learning. Plans are hypotheses proposed for execution. How is the system’s assistance to the human user related to the system’s ability to understand the user’s needs and desires? Inductive learning is identified as a crucial task of an intelligent computer assistant. In the area of therapy plan generation, inductive learning plays a particularly important role. Therapy actions planned have to be based on reasoning about executability conditions in the future. Estimates of several future parameter values are driving the inductive planning process. The issue of induction is only one among a variety of assistance features. The present approach has to be seen as a contribution to a larger concerted endeavor towards intelligent systems’ assistance.
ePortfolios for Knowledge and Learning
Authors: Hartnell-Young Elizabeth
Published: May 2011

In the 21st century, we talk of knowledge as the new currency, and knowledge building as the work to be done in learning organizations. While knowledge building is activity directed outward towards the creation of knowledge itself, learning is a personal consequence of this process, the aspect that is directed to enhancing individual abilities and dispositions. This chapter considers how ePortfolios can support four aspects of lifelong learning in the knowledge economy: engagement with technology, representations of identity, developing critical multiliteracies, and global and local mobility. It argues that the focus should be on lifelong learners’ capacity to create and communicate with digital technologies, rather than on rigid frameworks that reduce ePortfolio development to a series of pre-packaged choices.
Facilitating Reflection Through ePortfolio at Tecnologico de Monterrey
Authors: Mendoza Calderon Marco Antonio , Ramírez Buentello Joaquín
Published: May 2011

The chapter describes the Tecnológico de Monterrey implementation of an original ePortfolio model at the Mexico City campus. This model is grounded on student reflection in three broad areas of students’ lives designed by Jesus Meza, PhD. The implementation was launched in August 2002, with 60 students studying two different majors. By January 2005, the number of student portfolios had grown to 5,000, covering 18 different majors. According to the mission of the Tecnológico de Monterrey for the year 2015, the authors consider that the ePortfolio model will evolve into a comprehensive communication tool reflecting the personal, academic, and professional achievements of the community at the Tecnológico de Monterrey.
A Case Study of Effectively Implemented Inormation Systems Security Policy
Authors: Griffy-Brown Charla , Chun Mark W.S.
Published: May 2011

This chapter demonstrates the importance of a well-formulated and articulated information security policy by integrating best practices with a case analysis of a major Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer and the security lessons it learned in the implementation of its Web-based portal. The relationship between information security and business needs and the conflict that often results between the two are highlighted. The case also explores the complexities of balancing business expedience with long-term strategic technical architecture. The chapter provides insight and offers practical tools for effectively developing and implementing information security policies and procedures in contemporary business practice.
Wireless Security
Authors: Graham Erik , Steinbart Paul John
Published: May 2011

The introduction of wireless networking provides many benefits, but it also creates new security threats and alters the organization’s overall information security risk profile. Although responding to wireless security threats and vulnerabilities often involves implementation of technological solutions, wireless security is primarily a management issue. Effective management of the threats associated with wireless technology requires a sound and thorough assessment of risk given the environment and development of a plan to mitigate identified threats. This chapter presents a framework to help managers understand and assess the various threats associated with the use of wireless technology. We also discuss a number of available measures for countering those threats.
E-Commerce Education in China
Authors: Zhang Xianfeng , Li Qi , Lin Zhangxi
Published: May 2011

With an explosive growth of e-businesses worldwide, e-commerce in China is booming, leading to the development of e-commerce education. This paper is intended to investigate whether the education system in China accords well with the market demand and the status of e-commerce programs in China in order to seek strategies for China to cope with the challenges of global e-commerce empowered by fast updated information technologies. First, we construct a four-layer conceptual model to describe the relevant factors influencing e-commerce and e-commerce education. We then present the status of China’s e-commerce education in different educational categories. Although we find that current problems in China’s e-commerce education can be resorted in quantity and quality aspects, it generally is on the right track. Finally, we propose several main strategies for promoting the development of e-commerce education, in which the education system reformation is top priority and in which the government will play a critical role.
The Trial of an Audience Response System to Facilitate Problem-Based Learning in Legal Education
Authors: Burton Kelley
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides a case study of how a lecturer in the School of Law at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) used an audience response system (ARS) in a lecture for a second-year, core, undergraduate law subject to facilitate problem-based learning. It identifies the positive student response to the use of an ARS, and explores the main benefits, for example, active engagement of students in the learning process, facilitation of formative assessment where the students develop initiative and peer relationships, and the provision of timely and worthwhile feedback. The chapter also identifies some of the problems that the author faced in the trial, and provides some suggested solutions and recommendations. The author hopes to encourage other lecturers to take advantage of an ARS to enhance student learning, and identifies some future ARS research opportunities.
Teachers, Tutors, and Mentors
Authors: Ardizzone Paolo , Rivoltella Pier C.
Published: May 2011

The goal of this chapter is to describe the main transformations of our Information Society and to show how these kinds of transformations are changing teaching roles in schools and universities. Particularly, the focus is on teachers and tutors in on line education: the first ones are gradually passing from the “sage on the stage” to the “guide on the side” (of the learner) and understanding that their job is no longer individual, because their activities are much more staff activities; the second ones are really important because the learner, in an online environment, needs more than in presence to be helped from the cognitive and emotive point of view. The chapter provides a description of the main activities of these professionals: organization, knowledge and experience sharing, and evaluation. In conclusion, we try to indicate some problems whose importance decision makers should consider.
Teaching Team Competancies
Authors: Jewels Tony , Albon Rozz
Published: May 2011

Within institutes of higher education, the incorporation of various types of group work into pedagogies is already widespread, yet many examples fail to embrace a rationale for, or the potential benefits of, multiple contributor environments essential in a knowledge intensive society. We propose that for optimum IT workplace effectiveness, in which principles of knowledge management need to be applied, it is necessary to take into account the competencies of the teams in which individuals work and to explicitly teach team competency skills.
E-Government in Chile
Authors: Gutiérrez Patricio , Etchegaray Alberto
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the incorporation of the concept of e-government in the Chilean government upon the context of the State’s Reform and Modernisation Project. It starts by explaining the role of the Reform and Modernisation Project in the transformation of the Chilean government to later concentrate on how e-government has been developed as a strategic public policy. The document summarizes the basic initiatives, both at technological and institutional levels, that originated the e-government process. Finally, this chapter reviews some successful e-government experiences in Chile.
Parameter Estimation
Authors: Biebler Karl-Ernst
Published: May 2011

Parameters are numbers which characterize random variables. They make possible the summarizing description of the observations, serve as the basis of statistical decisions and are calculated from the data. Point estimations and confidence estimations are introduced. Samples of the observed random variable are a starting point. The maximum-likelihood method for the construction of parameter estimations is introduced here. Examples concern the normal distributions and the binomial distributions. Approximate methods of the parameter estimation also can be too inaccurate at large sample sizes. This is demonstrated in an example from genetics.
Collaborative Environments for the Health Monitoring of Chronically Ill Children
Authors: Caniatsas G. , Starida K. , Fotiadis Dimitrios I.
Published: May 2011

A revolution is taking place in the healthcare field with information technology (IT) playing an increasingly important role in its delivery. Healthcare providers are exploring IT opportunities in reducing the overall costs of healthcare delivery while improving the quality of its provision to citizens. Healthcare services have accumulated great benefits from the application of information technologies, telecommunications and management tools. Internet, wireless, and handheld technologies have the capability to affect healthcare by improving quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of work. Healthcare information systems include a wide range of applications ranging from diagnostic tools to health management applications and from inpatient to outpatient monitoring services. Home-care systems address patients and their families and provide the means to manage their health status related to a specific health problem. Home-care systems include a wide variety of offered services such as: (a) directory services (hospital location, doctor specialties), (b) computer patient records (CPR) along with interfaces for interoperability, (c) certified medical information provision, (d) interfacing to specialized medical monitoring devices, and (e) synchronous and asynchronous collaboration services. All these services are offered, most of the time, through secure and seamless networks.
Three Dimensional Medical Images
Authors: Poravas Efstratios , Giannakakis Nikolaos , Petroudi Dimitra
Published: May 2011

The revolution of technology has lead to a change; from the analogic to the digital function of medical devices. Some of them were produced in the last years to improve the quality of images. Although the procedure of acquiring and using the devices has been very complicated, the analysis of the images is so dependable that a big amount of the annual budget is spent for their acquisition.
Imaging the Human Brain with Functional CT Imaging
Authors: Bisdas Sotirios , Koh Tong San
Published: May 2011

Recent advances in multi-detector computed tomography (CT) have revitalized its role in the clinical routine. In the field of cerebral perfusion, CT provides a rapid, low-cost functional imaging, which by the utilization of a suitable tracer kinetic analysis can provide valuable information in many clinical applications, like acute stroke, cerebrovascular reserve capacity, vasospasm after subarachnoidal hemorrhage, cerebral trauma, tumor imaging, and brain death diagnosis. The limitations of the existing commercially available post processing software are discussed and a new distributed-parameter tracer kinetic model for generating more accurate perfusion parametric maps is introduced.
Comparative Genomics and Structure Prediction in Dental Research
Authors: Daskalaki Andriani , Numata Jorge
Published: May 2011

Since the completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP) in 2003, the 3.2 billion basepairs which make up the human genome have been sequenced. These sequences contain the plan for the mechanisms controlling the behavior of each cell. The small variations in the DNA sequence that lead to different characteristics, such as facial features, or color, are known as polymorphisms, which also can cause oral diseases. Periodontitis is a chronic infective disease of the gums caused by bacteria present in dental plaque. Severaazl techniques have been developed to regenerate4 periodontal tissues including guided tissue regeneration (GTR), and the use of enamel matrix derivative (EMD). EMD is an extract of enamel matrix and contains amelogenins. This is evidence to show that amelogenins are involved not only in enamel formation, but also in the formation of the periodontal attachment during tooth formation. Comparative sequence analysis is an approach for detecting functional regions in genomic and protein sequences. Motifs, conserved domains, secondary structure characteristics, and functional sites of proteins related to oral health may be compared, revealing the degree of sequence conservation during vertebrate evolution. Secondary and tertiary structures are important in understanding the function of a protein. In a comparative sequence analysis, the most well-known bioinformatics tools that are used are: basic local-alignment search tool (BLAST), multiple-sequence alignment software (ClustalW), and PROSITE, a database of proten families and domains. The PROSITE database consists of biologically significant sites, patterns, and profiles that help to reliably identify to which known protein family a sequence belongs. Phylogeny Inference Package (PHYLIP) can be used for building phylogenetic trees and a Python-enhanced molecular graphics program (PyMOL) for 3D visualization of proteins.
Population Symbiotic Evolution in a Model of Industrial Districts
Authors: Merlone U.
Published: May 2011

This chapter considers a model of industrial districts where different populations interact symbiotically. The approach consists of the parallel implementation of the model with jESOF and plain C++. We consider a district decomposition where two populations, workers and firms, cooperate while behaving independently. We can find interesting effects both in terms of worker localization consequences and of the dynamic complexity of the model, with policy resistance aspects.By using a multiple implementation strategy, we compare the advantages of the two modeling techniques and highlight the benefits arising when the same model is implemented on radically different simulation environments; furthermore we discuss and examine the results of our simulations in terms of policy-making effects.
How Genetic Algorithms Handle Pareto-Optimality in Design and Manufacturing
Authors: Chakraborti N.
Published: May 2011

An informal analysis is provided for the basic concepts associated with multi-objective optimization and the notion of Pareto-optimality, particularly in the context of genetic algorithms. A number of evolutionary algorithms developed for this purpose are also briefly introduced, and finally, a number of paradigm examples are presented from the materials and manufacturing sectors, where multi-objective genetic algorithms have been successfully utilized in the recent past.
An Introduction of Evolutionary Computation in Auctions
Authors: Mochon A. , Saez Y.
Published: May 2011

The increasing use of auctions as a selling mechanism has led to a growing interest in the subject. Thus both auction theory and experimental examinations of these theories are being developed. A recent method used for carrying out research on auctions has been the design of computational simulations. The aim of this chapter is to give a background about auction theory and to present how evolutionary computation techniques can be applied to auctions. Besides, a complete review to the related literature is also made. Finally, an explained example shows how a genetic algorithm can help automatically find bidders’ optimal strategies for a specific dynamic multi-unit auction—the Ausubel auction—with private values, drop-out information, and with several rationing rules implemented. The method provides the bidding strategy (defined as the action to be taken under different auction conditions) that maximizes the bidder’s payoff. The algorithm is tested under several experimental environments that differ in the elasticity of their demand curves, number of bidders, and quantity of lots auctioned. The results suggest that the approach leads to strategies that outperform sincere bidding when rationing is needed.
Social Anti-Percolation and Negative Word of Mouth
Authors: Erez T. , Moldovan S. , Soloman
Published: May 2011

Many new products fail, despite preliminary market surveys having determined considerable potential market share. This effect is too systematic to be attributed to bad luck. We suggest an explanation by presenting a new percolation theory model for product propagation, where agents interact over a social network. In our model, agents who do not adopt the product spread negative word of mouth to their neighbors, and so their neighborhood becomes less susceptible to the product. The result is a dramatic increase in the percolation threshold. When the effect of negative word of mouth is strong enough, it is shown to block any product from spreading to a significant fraction of the network. So, rather then being rejected by a large fraction of the agents, the product gets blocked by the rejection of a negligible fraction of the potential market. The rest of the potential buyers do not adopt the product because they are never exposed to it: the negative word of mouth spread by initial rejectors suffocates the diffusion by negatively affecting the immediate neighborhood of the propagation front.
Federal Information Security Law
Authors: Chapple Michael J.
Published: May 2011

The American legal system, along with many of its counterparts around the globe, is only beginning to grapple with the legal challenges of the information age. The past decade has witnessed a multitude of new laws and regulations seeking to address these challenges and provide a common framework for the legal and technical professions. Those charged with information security responsibilities face a myriad of complex and often vague requirements. In this article, we establish a four-level taxonomy for federal information security laws and explore the major components of each level.
Taxonomy of Computer and Information Ethics
Authors: Al-Fedaghi Sabah S.
Published: May 2011

Computer ethics, information ethics, personal information ethics, privacy ethics, and many other terms that juxtapose the terms “ethics,” “privacy,” and “information” call for a uniform treatment to understand the topography of these topics. This article presents the taxonomy of the ethical landscape in terms of categories that serve to differentiate among privacy-related discourses in ordinary ethics, information ethics, and personal information ethics. The taxonomy is applied to distinguish between different forms of privacy intrusion on personal information.