bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Communication Genres for Dispersed Real-Time Collaboration (RTC)
Authors: Frößler Frank
Published: July 2010

In this paper, the author examines RTC and its implications on people’s lives. This paper analyzes the production and reproduction of presence and awareness through (RTC-mediated) communication genres. Specifically, the author argues that presence and awareness are two interrelated concepts. Four communication genres are presented, which people intentionally or unintentionally draw on in dispersed settings to create awareness. Furthermore, presence, understood as a person’s sensation of being perceived by others in whatever he or she is doing, is influenced by the information imparted through communication genres. The author argues that the sensation of presence shapes the characteristics of communication genres and that RTC technology modifies existing or enables new communicative practices. Consequently, emerging RTC technologies may affect the sensation of presence in dispersed settings. The line of argument is developed by presenting the working conditions and communication practices of a university professor, working on several projects with both dispersed and co-located colleagues.
Self-Regulation in Instant Messaging (IM)
Authors: Quan-Haase Anabel
Published: July 2010

Despite the advantages of using instant messaging (IM) for collaborative work, concerns about negative consequences associated with its disruptive nature have been raised. In this paper, the author investigates the mediating role of self-regulation, using a mixed methods approach consisting of questionnaires, focus groups, and interviews. The findings show that these concerns are warranted: IM is disruptive, and multitasking can lead to losses in productivity. Despite these negative consequences, users are active participants in IM and employ a wide range of self-regulation strategies (SRS) to control their overuse. The study found three key SRS: ignoring incoming messages, denying access, and digital or physical removal. The study also found two different approaches to self-regulation. The preventive approach, consisting of creating routines and practices around IM use that would help regulation, and the recuperative approach, consisting of changing behaviors after overuse had occurred. Communication via IM helps in the development of social capital by strengthening social ties among users, which can be useful for information exchange and cooperation. These positive effects provide a balance to the potential negative impact on productivity. Implications for theories of self-regulation of technology and for managerial practice are also discussed.
Build it – Will They Come?
Authors: Shrivastava Prateek
Published: July 2010

Globally, only a sixth of the approximately 3 billion impoverished people of working age currently have access to formal financial services, which translates to 17% coverage of the market, leaving 83% under-served. The growth of mobile telephony has been rapid and has extended access well beyond already connected customers in developing countries. This rapid growth offers a new low-cost alternative for financial institutions to make a profit while dealing with small money transfers and payments. Consumers also benefit because they no longer need time and financial resources to travel to distant banks. The successful deployment of financial services via mobile phones has shown willingness from financial service providers to develop and provide such products. However, there are major perceived and real obstacles in the willingness of consumers to adopt these products. Therefore, a need exists to understand customers’ reasons behind adopting these services. In this paper, the author proposes a model that provides a framework to empirically test the attitudes of customers toward mobile financial services via a control group conducted in 2008 using Luarn and Lin’s (2005) mobile banking adoption model.
Marketing-Mix of Online Social Lending Websites
Authors: Assadi Djamchid , Hudson Meredith
Published: July 2010

With the rise of microfinance in developing countries and its evolution to a business model in developed nations, microfinance has fully transitioned to the internet, taking the distinctive form of social lending. However, the marketing trends of emerging peer-to-peer micro-lending websites have been largely unexplored during its rise to recognition due to most studies focusing on financial, economic, political and humanitarian issues in context to microfinance. However, based on a sample of eight popular social lending websites, this paper uses cases to analyze the marketing elements of these sites to better understand how they function and to predict the future.
European Microfinance Institutions and Information and Communication Technologies
Authors: Jawadi Fredj , Jawadi Nabila , Dechamps Virginie
Published: July 2010

The development of microfinance programs in Europe has increased due to the establishment of a large number of small businesses, increase in unemployment, high inflation rates and an impoverished population, which all constitute stimulating conditions of microfinance development. In addition, technological factors consisting of advances in information and communication technologies have contributed to the expansion of microfinance institution (MFI) activities among European citizens. They have facilitated the access to MFI products while also enhancing performance through cost reduction and better services to clients. In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to map state of the art Microfinance Institutions products distribution, its evolution in Europe and exploring how ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) contribute to this evolution while helping European MFI commercialize their products. The authors’ developments are illustrated through examples that include interviews conducted with MFI professionals and clients in France. The interviewees remark on the importance of such products to reduce social differences and foster economic development and the contribution of ICT to facilitate their distribution to reach larger clients.
Decoupling Aspects in Board Game Modeling
Authors: Frapolli Fulvio , Brocco Amos , Malatras Apostolos , Hirsbrunner Béat
Published: July 2010

Existing research on computer enhanced board games is mainly focused on user interaction issues and look-and-feel, however, this overlooks the flexibility of traditional board games when it comes to game rule handling. In this respect, the authors argue that successful game designs need to exploit the advantages of the digital world as well as retaining such flexibility. To achieve this goal, both the rules of the game and the graphical representation should be simple to define at the design stage, and easy to change before or even during a game session. For that reason, the authors propose a framework allowing the implementation of all aspects of a board game in a fully flexible and decoupled way. This paper will describe the Flexiblerules approach, which combines both a model driven and an aspect oriented design of computer enhanced board games. The benefits of this approach are discussed and illustrated in the case of three different board games.
The Design of Virtual Space
Authors: Guynup Steve
Published: July 2010

Videogames are the starting point for the general understanding of virtual space. (Grove & Williams, 1998). Academics use videogames to describe virtual space (Murray, 1997; Nitsche, 2009). Others argue that there is no understanding of virtual space, only a loose collection of articles connected by the issue of realism in rendering or behavior (Manovich, 2001). These statements point to a lack of understanding of virtual space on its own terms and set the stage for this document. This is a design document, written by a designer of virtual spaces. Its purpose is to provocatively explore user experience and task completion as forces that influence the design of virtual space. This is not a conventional research paper. The complex relationships of narrative, realism, motivation, usability, and human computer interaction (HCI) are unpacked in the videogame World of Warcraft through a detailed examination of travel. It is proposed that the exploration of travel in a videogame can provide a toolkit of ideas for the application of narrative, realism, motivation, and usability in virtual space. Travel can inform designers on issues of user experience and task completion in virtual spaces
Do Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Trade Openness Explain the Disparity in ICT Diffusion between Asia-Pacific and the Islamic Middle Eastern Countries?
Authors: Shirazi Farid , Gholami Roya , Higón Dolores Añón
Published: July 2010

This study investigates the impact of FDI and trade openness on ICT diffusion in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions from 1996-2005. The results indicate that while dissimilarities exist between the economies included in this study in terms of their level of socio-economic and political development, education and the growth of GDP have had a positive impact on ICT diffusion in both regions. However, while FDI has generally had a positive and significant impact on ICT diffusion in Asia-Pacific economies, its impact on Middle Eastern economies has been detrimental. The results of this study also show that trade-openness has had, in general, a positive and significant impact on ICT diffusion.
Incremental Load in a Data Warehousing Environment
Authors: Rahman Nayem
Published: July 2010

Incremental load is an important factor for successful data warehousing. Lack of standardized incremental refresh methodologies can lead to poor analytical results, which can be unacceptable to an organization’s analytical community. Successful data warehouse implementation depends on consistent metadata as well as incremental data load techniques. If consistent load timestamps are maintained and efficient transformation algorithms are used, it is possible to refresh databases with complete accuracy and with little or no manual checking. This paper proposes an Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) metadata model that archives load observation timestamps and other useful load parameters. The author also recommends algorithms and techniques for incremental refreshes that enable table loading while ensuring data consistency, integrity, and improving load performance. In addition to significantly improving quality in incremental load techniques, these methods will save a substantial amount of data warehouse systems resources.
Comparison of the Hybrid Credit Scoring Models Based on Various Classifiers
Authors: Chen Fei-Long , Li Feng-Chia
Published: July 2010

Credit scoring is an important topic for businesses and socio-economic establishments collecting huge amounts of data, with the intention of making the wrong decision obsolete. In this paper, the authors propose four approaches that combine four well-known classifiers, such as K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Back-Propagation Network (BPN) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM). These classifiers are used to find a suitable hybrid classifier combination featuring selection that retains sufficient information for classification purposes. In this regard, different credit scoring combinations are constructed by selecting features with four approaches and classifiers than would otherwise be chosen. Two credit data sets from the University of California, Irvine (UCI), are chosen to evaluate the accuracy of the various hybrid features selection models. In this paper, the procedures that are part of the proposed approaches are described and then evaluated for their performances.
A Normative Enterprise Architecture for Guiding End-to-End Emergency Response Decision Support
Authors: Marich Michael J. , Schooley Benjamin L. , Horan Thomas A.
Published: July 2010

This article examines the underlying architecture guiding the development and use of enterprise decision support systems that maintain the delivery of time critical public services. A normative architecture, developed from comparative cases involving San Mateo County and Mayo Clinic Emergency Medical Services systems, provides a collection of characteristics meant to guide an emergency response system toward a high level of performance and enable optimal decision-making. At a national symposium, academics and practitioners involved in promoting effective emergency response information systems provided validation for the architecture and next steps for enhancing emergency response information systems. Normative architecture characteristics and expert perspectives from the symposium are integrated into a framework that offers an enterprise approach for delivering time-critical emergency response services. This article provides recommendations for navigating toward a more incremental approach in developing enterprise-oriented emergency information services and examines future trends involving the application of normative architectural concepts to real-world emergency medical settings.
Lessons of Disaster Recovery Learned for Information Systems Management in US Higher Education
Authors: Xing Ruben , Wang Zhongxian , Yao James , Zhang Yanli
Published: July 2010

Most U.S. universities planned and prepared their disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity strategies for their Information Systems after the September 11th attack on the United States. The devastating hurricanes and the most recent catastrophic earthquakes caused unprecedented damage for many campuses within a decade. Some of their plans worked and some of them failed; however, with these lessons learned, Information Systems Management for U.S. higher education must be reexamined, re-planned and redesigned, including DR strategies and procedures. It is equally important that the curriculum of Management Information Systems be updated along with updated DR concerns for all educators in U.S. universities.
The Relationship between IT Director Values and Extent of IT Disaster Recovery Planning in the Banking Industry
Authors: Shropshire Jordan , Kadlec Christopher
Published: July 2010

Information technology plays a pivotal role in defining the success of organizations. Given its importance, one might assume that modern organizations take steps to ensure the recovery of IT services following disasters. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. To understand the variation in degree of IT disaster recovery planning, this research focused on those responsible for managing IT resources and IT directors. For the study, a survey was mailed to 337 financial service institutions in the southeastern United States. Over 150 IT directors completed self-assessments for measuring the extent to which their organization engages in IT disaster recovery planning. In addition, they responded to a number of questions regarding their work-related values, and over 63% of the variance in degree of IT disaster recovery planning was explained by two predictors: uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation. Results show that firms with IT professionals who prefer to avoid uncertainty and who have long-term outlooks have more developed IT disaster recovery plans.
An Analysis of Traffic and Throughput for UMTS Packet Core Networks
Authors: Ouyang Ye , Fallah M. Hosein
Published: July 2010

Mobile packet services are penetrating mobile markets rapidly. The mobile industry relies heavily on data services to replace traditional voice services. Designing a reliable packet service network is critical to the mobile operators’ ability to maintain their core competence in a data service market. The current literature provides many practical tools and theoretical methods to design, plan and dimension Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio networks but overlooks the algorithms of network plan and dimensioning for the core networks. This paper introduces the algorithms to dimension the throughput for packet switched domain of a UMTS network. The analysis is based on the traffic and data throughput generated and absorbed in the interfaces of network entities in UMTS PS network. A case study is provided to verify the algorithms created for UMTS PS network. This paper provides UMTS PS network operators an optimum network size and network structure to deliver an optimum quality of service for users.
A Pattern Language for Knowledge Discovery in a Semantic Web context
Authors: Adda Mehdi
Published: July 2010

Ontologies are used to represent data and share knowledge of a specific domain, and in recent years they tend to be used in many applications such as database integration, peer-to-peer systems, e-commerce, semantic web services, bioinformatics, or social networks. Feeding ontological domain knowledge into those applications has proven to increase flexibility and inter-operability and interpretability of data and knowledge. As more data is gathered/generated by those applications, it becomes important to analyze and transform it to meaningful information. One possibility is to use data mining techniques to extract patterns from those large amounts of data. One challenging general problem in mining ontological data is taking into account not only domain concepts, properties and instances, but also hierarchical structures of those concepts and properties. In this paper, the authors research the specific problem of extracting ontology-based sequential patterns.
Open Access to Control on Quality of Service in Convergent Networks
Authors: Pencheva Evelina , Atanasov Ivaylo
Published: July 2010

This paper investigates the capabilities for open access to quality of service management in convergent networks. Based on the analysis of requirements for policy and charging control in Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), functions for quality of service (QoS) management and charging that are available for third party applications are identified. The functionality of Open Service Access (OSA) and Parlay X interfaces is evaluated for support of dynamic QoS control, while an approach to development of OSA compliant application programming interfaces for QoS management in IMS networks is presented. The interface’s methods are mapped onto the messages of network control protocols such as Diameter and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Finally, aspects of interface implementation are discussed including behavior equivalence of state machines.
Wave-SOM
Authors: Blanchard Andrew , Wolter Christopher , McNabb David S. , Gross Eitan
Published: July 2010

In this paper, the authors present a wavelet-based algorithm (Wave-SOM) to help visualize and cluster oscillatory time-series data in two-dimensional gene expression micro-arrays. Using various wavelet transformations, raw data are first de-noised by decomposing the time-series into low and high frequency wavelet coefficients. Following thresholding, the coefficients are fed as an input vector into a two-dimensional Self-Organizing-Map clustering algorithm. Transformed data are then clustered by minimizing the Euclidean (L2) distance between their corresponding fluctuation patterns. A multi-resolution analysis by Wave-SOM of expression data from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, exposed to oxidative stress and glucose-limited growth, identified 29 genes with correlated expression patterns that were mapped into 5 different nodes. The ordered clustering of yeast genes by Wave-SOM illustrates that the same set of genes (encoding ribosomal proteins) can be regulated by two different environmental stresses, oxidative stress and starvation. The algorithm provides heuristic information regarding the similarity of different genes. Using previously studied expression patterns of yeast cell-cycle and functional genes as test data sets, the authors’ algorithm outperformed five other competing programs.
Foot-Printing E-Learners’ Activity
Authors: Ollagnier-Beldame Magali
Published: July 2010

Information and communication technologies have invaded the field of training, though their performances have been judged by companies to be insufficient. Among the origins of this state of affairs, the author considers that the lack of knowledge of what happens in a “real use situation” plays an important role. Indeed, understanding what is involved in learners-system interactions is fundamental to improve the system appropriation and its efficient usage. This appropriation is a dual necessity for learners as they must take over the offered possibilities of interactions and acquire the necessary knowledge. As appropriation is made through offered interactions, the author considers computer interactions traces as potential appropriation facilitators. This conceptual article presents bibliographical research concerning the use of computer interactions traces and proposes a classification of ‘tracing systems’. Additionally, the links between these works and the process of appropriation in an instrumented training situation is provided, while the author also presents an experimental study conducted on the role of traces of interactions in a collaborative mediated task by using a numerical environment.
A Conceptual Framework for Effective Knowledge Management Using Information and Communication Technologies
Authors: Deng Hepu
Published: July 2010

This paper investigates the role of information and communication technologies in enabling and facilitating the conversion of knowledge objects in knowledge management and explores how these roles might be affected in an organization. Such an investigation is based on a critical analysis of the relationships between data, information and knowledge, leading to the development of a transformation model between data, information and knowledge. Using a multi-method approach, in this paper, the author presents a conceptual framework for effective knowledge management in an organization. The author discusses the implications of the proposed framework for designing and developing knowledge management systems in an organization.
The Significance of the Reflective Practitioner in Blended Learning
Authors: Heinze Aleksej , Procter Chris
Published: July 2010

This paper examines the introduction of blended learning on a part-time higher education programme for mature students. The interpretive work draws on four action research cycles conducted over two years with two student cohorts. Discussion is based on observations, staff and student focus groups and interviews examining the students’ expectations and experiences. The initial focus of the action research was on the introduction of technology into the teaching and learning experience. However, the advantage of an interpretive approach is allowing the findings to determine the course of the research. During the first action research cycles, the focus of the research changed from the use of technology in blended learning to the role of the practitioners involved. The authors advocate the key role of reflective practitioners in facilitating blended learning and suggest that action research is a useful framework.
Cross-Institutional Blended Learning in Teacher Education
Authors: Fuchs Carolin
Published: July 2010

This paper presents findings from an exploratory case study, with the purpose of illustrating how student teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) in the United States and student teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Germany evaluated a blended learning course that focused on jointly creating Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) units via the Internet. This project enabled participants to share perspectives about teaching contexts and practices in other countries and learn about TBLT through model learning (Willis, 2001). Consequently, student teachers not only became more proficient users of technology, but also grew from the unique opportunity of collaborating with their future colleagues abroad. The author presents the German and American student teachers’ perspectives with regard to what both groups gained by participating in this project. Finally, the author makes suggestions for language teacher training.
The Influence of Perceived Source Credibility on End User Attitudes and Intentions to Comply with Recommended IT Actions
Authors: Johnston Allen C. , Warkentin Merrill
Published: July 2010

Through persuasive communications, information technology (IT) executives hope to align the actions of end users with the expectations of senior management and of the firm regarding technology usage. One highly influential factor of persuasive effectiveness is the source of the persuasive message. This study presents a conceptual model for explaining the influence of source credibility on end user attitudes and behavioral intentions to comply with organizationally motivated, recommended IT actions within a decentralized, autonomous environment. The results of this study suggest that the elements of source competency, trustworthiness, and dynamism are significant determinants of attitudes and behavioral intentions to engage in recommended IT actions. These findings reveal the importance of these elements of effective communication in persuading end users to follow recommended IT activities and advance IT acceptance and adoption research through the application of persuasive communication theory to the domain.
A Model of System Re-Configurability and Pedagogical Usability in an E-Learning Context
Authors: Wang Jianfeng , Doll William J. , Deng Xiaodong
Published: July 2010

Course management systems (CMSs) enable institutions to engage users efficiently, increase enrollment without major facilities investments, and serve geographically dispersed student markets on an ongoing basis. The full benefits of technology cannot be realized if faculty do not adopt the new technology and use it to achieve their instructional design objectives. From a faculty perspective, pedagogical usability of the software is an important factor affecting technology adoption and effective implementation. Pedagogical usability is measured using Chickering and Gamson’s seven principles of good educational practice. In a distance learning context, this paper provides an initial exploratory study of how faculty perceptions of CMS software characteristics like content re-configurability, interaction re-configurability, and modularity design help faculty implement good pedagogical principles. Additionally, a model is presented that links CMS software design characteristics like content re-configurability, interaction re-configurability, and modularity design with the pedagogical usability assessments of faculty. This model is tested using a sample of 56 faculty members using WebCT at a mid-western university.
A Path Analysis of the Impact of Application-Specific Perceptions of Computer Self-Efficacy and Anxiety on Technology Acceptance
Authors: Hasan Bassam , Ahmed Mesbah U.
Published: July 2010

Perceptions of computer self-efficacy (CSE) and computer anxiety are valuable predictors of various computer-related behaviors, including acceptance and utilization of information systems (IS). Although both factors are purported to have general and application-specific components, little research has focused on the application or system-specific component, especially in IS acceptance contexts. Thus, little is known about the effects of application-specific beliefs on IS acceptance or how such effects compare with the effects of more general CSE and computer anxiety beliefs. Accordingly, a research model comprising application CSE, application anxiety, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention was proposed and tested via path analysis. The results demonstrated that the direct impacts of application CSE and application anxiety on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness were almost equal, but in opposite directions. However, the indirect effect of application CSE on attitude and intention was stronger than that of application anxiety.
Design of Multi-Criteria PI Controller Using Particle Swarm Optimization for Multiple UAVs Close Formation
Authors: Zhang Xiangyin , Duan Haibin , Shao Shan , Wang Yunhui
Published: July 2010

Close formation flight is one of the most complicated problems on multiple Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) coordinated control. This paper proposes a new method to achieve close formation tracking control of multiple UAVs by applying Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based Proportional plus Integral (PI) controller. Due to its simple structure and effectiveness, multi-criteria PI control strategy is employed to design the controller for multiple UAVs formation, while PSO is used to optimize the controller parameters on-line. With the inclusion of overshoot, rise time, and system accumulated absolute error in the multi-criteria performance index, the overall performance of multi-criteria PI controller is optimized to be satisfactory. Simulation results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Taguchi-Particle Swarm Optimization for Numerical Optimization
Authors: Ting T. O. , Ting H. C. , Lee T. S.
Published: July 2010

In this work, a hybrid Taguchi-Particle Swarm Optimization (TPSO) is proposed to solve global numerical optimization problems with continuous and discrete variables. This hybrid algorithm combines the well-known Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm with the established Taguchi method, which has been an important tool for robust design. This paper presents the improvements obtained despite the simplicity of the hybridization process. The Taguchi method is run only once in every PSO iteration and therefore does not give significant impact in terms of computational cost. The method creates a more diversified population, which also contributes to the success of avoiding premature convergence. The proposed method is effectively applied to solve 13 benchmark problems. This study’s results show drastic improvements in comparison with the standard PSO algorithm involving continuous and discrete variables on high dimensional benchmark functions.
Honey Bee Swarm Cognition
Authors: Passino Kevin M.
Published: July 2010

A synthesis of findings from neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral biology has been recently used to show that several key features of cognition in neuron-based brains of vertebrates are also present in bee-based swarms of honey bees. Here, simulation tests are administered to the honey bee swarm cognition system to study its decision-making performance. First, tests are used to evaluate the ability of the swarm to discriminate between choice options and avoid picking inferior “distractor” options. Second, a “Treisman feature search test” from psychology, and tests of irrationality developed for humans, are administered to show that the swarm possesses some features of human decision-making performance. Evolutionary adaptation of swarm decision making is studied by administering swarm choice tests when there are variations on the parameters of the swarm’s decision-making mechanisms. The key result is that in addition to trading off decision-making speed and accuracy, natural selection seems to have settled on parameters that result in individual bee-level assessment noise being effectively filtered out to not adversely affect swarm-level decision-making performance.
Leadership and Processes
Authors: Hunter M. Gordon
Published: July 2010

A senior management committee sets the direction for the organization by establishing strategic initiatives. A common theme across all strategic initiatives is the requirement to make management decisions and thus the pre-requisite of possessing the necessary data and information. This manuscript discusses two strategic initiatives relating to the recognition of data and information as a valuable resource. One initiative relates to structure and the establishment of a leadership role, in the form of a Chief Information Officer (CIO) position, to facilitate the exploitation of information technology. Another initiative involves the radical improvement of business processes through the implementation of a cross-functional integrated information system, in the form of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Both of these initiatives of leadership and processes, championed by all the members of the senior management committee, are necessary for the future operation of the business and to contribute to establishing and maintaining competitive advantage.
Improving Memory Management Security for C and C++
Authors: Younan Yves , Joosen Wouter , Piessens Frank , Van den Eynden Hans
Published: July 2010

Memory managers are an important part of modern language and are used to dynamically allocate memory. Many managers exist; however, two major types can be identified: manual memory allocators and garbage collectors. In the case of manual memory allocators, the programmer must manually release memory back to the system when it is no longer needed. Problems can occur when a programmer forgets to release it, releases it twice or uses freed memory. These problems are solved in garbage collectors. However, both manual memory allocators and garbage collectors store management information. This paper describes several vulnerabilities for C and C++ and how these could be remedied by modifying the management information of a representative manual memory allocator and garbage collector. Additionally, the authors present an approach that, when applied to memory managers, will protect against these attack vectors.
Adaptable Services for Novelty Mining
Authors: Tsai Flora S. , Kwee Agus T. , Tang Wenyin H. S. , Chan Kap Luk
Published: July 2010

Novelty mining is the process of mining relevant information on a given topic. However, designing adaptable services for real-world novelty mining faces several challenges like real-time processing of incoming documents, computational efficiency, multi-user working environment, diverse system requirements, and integration of domain knowledge from different users. In this paper, the authors bridge the gap between generic data mining methodologies and domain-specific constraints by providing adaptable services for intelligent novelty mining that model user preferences by synthesizing the parameters of novelty scoring, threshold setting, performance monitoring, and contextual information access. The resulting novelty mining system has been tested in a variety of performance situations and user settings. By considering the special issues based on domain knowledge, the authors’ adaptable novelty mining services can be used to support a real-life enterprise.
An Efficient and Generic Algorithm for Matrix Inversion
Authors: Farooq Ahmad , Hamid Khan , Shah Inayat Ali
Published: July 2010

This work presents an improvement on the simple algorithms of matrix inversion (Farooq & Hamid, 2010). This generalized algorithm supports selection of pivot randomly in the matrix thus supporting partial and full pivoting. The freedom in pivot selection can be used in minimizing the numerical error and prioritizing the variable to find the solution first. The algorithm is more suitable for finding inverse and determinant of dense matrices. The algorithm requires a mechanism for selection of pivot (e.g., selection of absolute maximum value) in the available sub-matrix and the mechanism to get the inverse from the final resultant matrix by rearranging the rows and columns. A method for assigning the sign of the determinant is also given. The algorithm is explained through solved examples. The number of arithmetic calculations performed by the algorithm is of O () however. The efficiency and simplicity of coding remains the same as of the original algorithm.
Internet Adoption from Omani Organizations' Perspective
Authors: Al-Gharbi Khamis , AlBulushi Ahlam Abdullah
Published: July 2010

In this paper, to the authors determine the motivations and reservations for Internet/E-business adoption within the organizations in Oman. For this purpose, questionnaires were used to collect the data from the organizations that have adopted Internet and the organizations that have not adopted Internet applications. The results and analysis of the data show that the main reasons for adopting Internet applications in Oman are to simplify process, improve communication with staff, keep up with competitors, and reduce the use of paper. The lack of skill and security problems is the main reservation for not adopting the Internet.
Generalized Evidential Processing in Multiple Simultaneous Threat Detection in UNIX
Authors: Sultan Zafar , Kwan Paul
Published: July 2010

In this paper, a hybrid identity fusion model at decision level is proposed for Simultaneous Threat Detection Systems. The hybrid model is comprised of mathematical and statistical data fusion engines; Dempster Shafer, Extended Dempster and Generalized Evidential Processing (GEP). Simultaneous Threat Detection Systems improve threat detection rate by 39%. In terms of efficiency and performance, the comparison of 3 inference engines of the Simultaneous Threat Detection Systems showed that GEP is the better data fusion model. GEP increased precision of threat detection from 56% to 95%. Furthermore, set cover packing was used as a middle tier data fusion tool to discover the reduced size groups of threat data. Set cover provided significant improvement and reduced threat population from 2272 to 295, which helped in minimizing the processing complexity of evidential processing cost and time in determining the combined probability mass of proposed Multiple Simultaneous Threat Detection System. This technique is particularly relevant to on-line and Internet dependent applications including portals.
Specifying and Composing Web Services with an Environment Ontology-Based Approach
Authors: Wang Puwei , Jin Zhi , Liu Lin , Wu Budan
Published: July 2010

Precise capability specification is the key for identifying and composing the right Web services. This paper specifies service capabilities in terms of the environment entities from the application domain and the effects imposed by the Web service on these entities. An environment ontology for Web services is adopted to provide formal sharable representations of the domain-specific environment entities. A hierarchical state machine is constructed for each environment entity to describe its behaviors, and the effects imposed by a Web service are described as the state transitions traces of environment entities, which define the capability of the Web service. Web service composition that satisfies a set of requested effects is then conducted by reasoning on the effects of services. The proposed approach emphasizes the external manifestation of Web services and service composition based on the effect reasoning. An example of online travel service illustrates the proposed approach.
Implications for Gene Therapy-Limiting Expression of IL-2Rγc Delineate Differences in Signaling Thresholds Required for Lymphocyte Development and Maintenance
Authors: Orr Selinda J. , Roessler Stephen , Quigley Laura , Chan Tim , Ford Jill W. , O’Connor Geraldine M. , McVicar Daniel W.
Published: July 2010

X-linked SCID patients are deficient in functional IL-2Rγc leading to the loss of IL-2/IL-4/IL-7/IL-9/IL-15/IL-21 signaling and a lack of NK and mature T cells. Patients treated with IL-2Rγc gene therapy have T cells develop; however, their NK cell numbers remain low, suggesting antiviral responses may be compromised. Similarly, IL-2Rγc−/− mice reconstituted with IL-2Rγc developed few NK cells, and reconstituted T cells exhibited defective proliferative responses suggesting incomplete recovery of IL-2Rγc signaling. Given the shift toward self-inactivating long terminal repeats with weaker promoters to control the risk of leukemia, we assessed NK and T cell numbers and function in IL-2Rγc−/− mice reconstituted with limiting amounts of IL-2Rγc. Reconstitution resulted in lower IL-2/-15–mediated STAT5 phosphorylation and proliferation in NK and T cells. However, TCR costimulation restored cytokine-driven T cell proliferation to wild-type levels. Vector modifications that improved IL-2Rγc levels increased cytokine-induced STAT5 phosphorylation in both populations and increased NK cell proliferation demonstrating that IL-2Rγc levels are limiting. In addition, although the half-lives of both NK and T cells expressing intermediate levels of IL-2Rγc are reduced compared with wild-type cells, the reduction in NK cell half-live is much more severe than in T cells. Collectively, these data indicate different IL-2Rγc signaling thresholds for lymphocyte development and proliferation making functional monitoring imperative during gene therapy. Further, our findings suggest that IL-2Rγc reconstituted T cells may persist more efficiently than NK cells due to compensation for suboptimal IL-2Rγc signaling by the TCR.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Enhances HIV-1 Susceptibility by Affecting Langerhans Cell Function
Authors: de Jong Marein A. W. P. , de Witte Lot , Taylor Maureen E. , Geijtenbeek Teunis B. H.
Published: July 2010

Genital herpes is the most prevalent viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide and is mainly caused by HSV type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-2 infection enhances HIV-1 susceptibility, even in the absence of clinical symptoms. In this study, we investigated the effect of HSV-2 on HIV-1 transmission by mucosal Langerhans cells (LCs). LCs are important in heterosexual transmission because they form a barrier against HIV-1 infection; LCs efficiently capture and degrade HIV-1 through the C-type lectin langerin, thereby preventing HIV-1 transmission. Notably, our data showed that HSV-2 enhanced HIV-1 infection of LCs and subsequent HIV-1 transmission to T cells. HSV-2 interfered with HIV-1 capture by langerin, which allowed efficient HIV-1 infection of LCs. HSV-2 inhibited the antiviral function of langerin at two levels; HSV-2 decreased langerin expression and competed with HIV-1 for langerin binding. HSV-2 replication was not required, because both UV-inactivated HSV-2 and TLR-3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid similarly increased HIV-1 transmission by LCs. Therefore, we identified a mechanism by which HSV-2 enhances HIV-1 susceptibility, even in the absence of clinical symptoms. Our data demonstrated that viral coinfections, such as HSV-2, breach the protective function of LCs by abrogating langerin function, which increases HIV-1 susceptibility. These data reinforce the importance of preventing sexually transmitted infections, such as HSV-2, to reduce the transmission of HIV-1.
T Cell Activation Leads to Protein Kinase Cθ-Dependent Inhibition of TGF-β Signaling
Authors: Giroux Martin , Delisle Jean-Sébastien , O’Brien Alan , Hébert Marie-Josée , Perreault Claude
Published: July 2010

TGF-β is an ubiquitous cytokine that plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of self-tolerance and prevention of immunopathologies. Under steady-state conditions, TGF-β keeps naive T cells in a resting state and inhibits Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation. Because rapid generation of Th1 and Th2 effector cells is needed in response to pathogen invasion, how do naive T cells escape from the quiescent state maintained by TGF-β? We hypothesized that stimulation by strong TCR agonists might interfere with TGF-β signaling. Using both primary mouse CD4+ T cells and human Jurkat cells, we observed that strong TCR agonists swiftly suppress TGF-β signaling. TCR engagement leads to a rapid increase in SMAD7 levels and decreased SMAD3 phosphorylation. We present evidence that TCR signaling hinders SMAD3 activation by inducing recruitment of TGF-βRs in lipid rafts together with inhibitory SMAD7. This effect is dependent on protein kinase Cθ, a downstream TCR signaling intermediary, as revealed by both pharmacological inhibition and expression of dominant-negative and constitutively active protein kinase Cθ mutants. This work broadens our understanding of the cross-talk occurring between the TCR and TGF-β signaling pathways and reveals that strong TCR agonists can release CD4 T cells from constitutive TGF-β signaling. We propose that this process may be of vital importance upon confrontation with microbial pathogens.
Polymorphic Variants of LIGHT (TNF Superfamily-14) Alter Receptor Avidity and Bioavailability
Authors: Cheung Timothy C. , Coppieters Ken , Sanjo Hideki , Oborne Lisa M. , Norris Paula S. , Coddington Amy , Granger Steven W. , Elewaut Dirk , Ware Carl F.
Published: July 2010

The TNF superfamily member homologous to lymphotoxins, exhibits inducible expression, and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes (LIGHT) [TNF superfamily (SF)-14], is a key cytokine that activates T cells and dendritic cells and is implicated as a mediator of inflammatory, metabolic, and malignant diseases. LIGHT engages the lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR) and HVEM (TNFRSF14), but is competitively limited in activating these receptors by soluble decoy receptor-3 (DcR3; TNFRSF6B). Two variants in the human LIGHT alter the protein at E214K (rs344560) in the receptor-binding domain and S32L (rs2291667) in the cytosolic domain; however, the functional impact of these polymorphisms is unknown. A neutralizing Ab failed to bind the LIGHT-214K variant, indicating this position as a part of the receptor-binding region. Relative to the predominant reference variant S32/E214, the other variants showed altered avidity with LTβR and less with HVEM. Heterotrimers of the LIGHT variants decreased binding avidity to DcR3 and minimized the inhibitory effect of DcR3 toward LTβR-induced activation of NF-κB. In patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, DcR3 protein levels were significantly elevated. Immunohistochemistry revealed synoviocytes as a significant source of DcR3 production, and DcR3 hyperexpression is controlled by posttranscriptional mechanisms. The increased potential for LTβR signaling, coupled with increased bioavailability due to lower DcR3 avidity, provides a mechanism of how polymorphic variants in LIGHT could contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.
Dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum Parasitemia Regarding Combined Treatment Regimens for Acute Uncomplicated Malaria, Antioquia, Colombia
Authors: Álvarez Gonzalo , Tobón Alberto , Piñeros Juan-Gabriel , Ríos Alexandra , Blair Silvia
Published: July 2010

Selecting suitable anti-malarial treatment represents one of the best tools for reducing morbidity and mortality caused by this disease. Sexual and asexual parasite dynamics were thus evaluated in patients involved in antimalarial drug efficacy studies by using combined treatment with and without artemisinin derivatives for treating uncomplicated acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Antioquia, Colombia. All treatment doses were supervised and administered according to patients' weight; sexual and asexual parasitemia were evaluated during 28- or 42-days follow-up in 468 patients. Artemisinin-based combination therapy showed greater parasiticidal ability, showing a mean asexual parasitemia survival rate of one day and mean gametocyte survival rate of 1–2 days. Sexual and asexual parasitemias were eliminated more quickly and effectively in the group receiving artemisinin-based combination therapy. Adding 45 mg of primaquine to treatment with artesunate and mefloquine reduced gametocyte and asexual parasite survival by one day.