bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical Path Based Approach for Predicting Temporal Exceptions in Resource Constrained Concurrent Workflows
Authors: Leong Iok-Fai , Si Yain-Whar , Biuk-Aghai Robert P.
Published: February 2011

Departmental workflows within a digital business ecosystem are often executed concurrently and are required to share a limited number of resources. However, unexpected events from the business environment and delays in activities can cause temporal exceptions in these workflows. Predicting temporal exceptions is a complex task, since a workflow can be implemented with various types of control flow patterns. In this paper, the authors describe a critical path based approach for predicting temporal exceptions in concurrent workflows, which are required to share limited resources. This approach allows predicting temporal exceptions in multiple attempts while workflows are being executed.
SPACots
Authors: Alsumait Asmaa , Habib Sami J.
Published: February 2011

This paper presents a software tool for integrating a child-friendly computer system based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The effective selection of COTS components, which meet a child’s requirements and expectations, is a non-trivial and challenging optimization problem. However, many published papers consider the functional requirements while ignoring usability requirements. The functional requirements are concerned with what the computer should be able to do, whereas the usability requirements are concerned with the extent to which the child is able to learn effectively and efficiently throughout the COTS based computer. In this paper, the authors propose an iterative five-task selection and integration of COTS process, including both hardware devices and software modules, to be automated. The core of the automated tool is employing Simulated Annealing (SA) to search the design space to match, select, and integrate COTS components with a maximal satisfaction while neither exceeding a given budget nor violating child and performance constraints. A Monte Carlo simulator was utilized to evaluate the goodness of the COTS based computer design. Computational results based on building a computer for a child handwriting e-learning application show feasibility of SPACots in finding a solution satisfying all constraints while reducing the cost by 58%.
SPCCTDM, a Catalogue for Analysis of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Related Contents in the Drug Prescription Information
Authors: Ulrich Sven , Baumann Pierre , Conca Andreas , Kuss Hans-Joachim , Stieffenhofer Viktoria , Hiemke Christoph
Published: February 2011

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has consistently been shown to be useful for optimization of drug therapy. For the first time, a method has been developed for the text analysis of TDM in SPCs in that a catalogue SPC-ContentTDM (SPCCTDM) provides a codification of the content of TDM in SPCs. It consists of six structure-related items (dose, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, overdose, pregnancy/breast feeding, and pharmacokinetics) according to implicit or explicit references to TDM in paragraphs of the SPC, and four theory-guided items according to the information about ranges of plasma concentrations and a recommendation of TDM in the SPC. The catalogue is regarded as valid for the text analysis of SPCs with respect to TDM. It can be used in the comparison of SPCs, in the comparison with medico-scientific evidence and for the estimation of the perception of TDM in SPCs by the reader. Regarding the approach as a model of text mining, it may be extended for evaluation of other aspects reported in SPCs.
Identification of Distinguishing Motifs
Authors: Feng Wangsen , Wang Lusheng
Published: February 2011

Motif identification for DNA sequences has many important applications in biological studies, including diagnostic probe design, locating binding sites and regulatory signals, and potential drug target identification. There are two versions—the Single Group and Two Groups. Here, the occurrences of the motif in the given sequences have errors. Currently, most of existing programs can only handle the case of single group. However, most of the programs do not allow indels (insertions and deletions) in the occurrences of the motif. In this paper, the authors propose a randomized algorithm for the one group problem that can handle indels in the occurrences of the motif. Finally, an algorithm for the two groups’ problem is given along with extensive simulations evaluating algorithms.
Bioinformatics Methods for Studying MicroRNA and ARE-Mediated Regulation of Post-Transcriptional Gene Expression
Authors: Bindra Richipal Singh , Wang Jason T. L. , Bagga Paramjeet Singh
Published: February 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short single-stranded RNA molecules with 21-22 nucleotides known to regulate post-transcriptional expression of protein-coding genes involved in most of the cellular processes. Prediction of miRNA targets is a challenging bioinformatics problem. AU-rich elements (AREs) are regulatory RNA motifs found in the 3’ untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs, and they play dominant roles in the regulated decay of short-lived human mRNAs via specific interactions with proteins. In this paper, the authors review several miRNA target prediction tools and data sources, as well as computational methods used for the prediction of AREs. The authors discuss the connection between miRNA and ARE-mediated post-transcriptional gene regulation. Finally, a data mining method for identifying the co-occurrences of miRNA target sites in ARE containing genes is presented.
The Role of Organizational Trust in Knowledge Management
Authors: Ribiere Vincent M. , Tuggle Francis D.
Published: February 2011

The discipline of knowledge management (KM) is no longer emerging, but some organizations are still struggling to find the right approach that will allow them to fully take advantage of their intellectual assets. Having the proper organizational culture remains an important barrier to knowledge management success. This empirical research project, conducted with data from 97 organizations involved in KM, explores relationships between the level of organizational trust and the use of KM methodologies, in particular the use of codification KM methodologies and personalization KM methodologies. The presence of trust can also be used as an indicator of KM initiative success. The contribution of this research may help organizations seeking to launch or adapt a KM initiative to choose which KM tools and technologies to deploy in order to maximize their chance of success. Finally, a rank-ordered list of KM methodologies in descending order of usefulness is reported.
Knowledge Management at Americas Conference on Information Systems
Authors: Kulkarni Uday , Raghu T.S.
Published: February 2011

The Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) has consistently encouraged dissemination of research on Knowledge Management (KM) over the past several years. The research presentations in the AMCIS mini-track on KM have showcased recent developments in Frameworks & Theory, Systems & Methods, Case Studies, and Evaluation & Assessment aspects of KM. We briefly describe some of the noteworthy papers presented at AMCIS 2004 in each of the above aspects. Contribution and acceptance data from the past three years clearly indicate that both the scope and the depth of issues researched in KM continue to grow in the Information Systems discipline.
Knowledge Management and the Leading Information Systems Journals
Authors: Peachey Todd , Hall Dianne J. , Cegielski Casey
Published: February 2011

Knowledge management (KM) is maturing as a research topic, although there is still debate among researchers over what constructs form its basis. Because the topic has received increasing attention in academic journals, it is important for researchers to be aware of the research streams associated with KM. Accordingly, this paper reviews KM literature published in top-tier journals from 2000 to 2004. These articles are then classified into five constructs from two knowledge management frameworks. The results indicate that the majority of KM research has examined the construct of knowledge transfer. This conclusion holds whether examining academic or practitioner journals. Trends of published KM research, gaps, and imbalances in the examined literature and areas of potential research are presented.
Enhancing Performance Through Knowledge Management
Authors: Mussey Anne P. , Ramesh V. , Montoya-Weiss Mitzi M.
Published: February 2011

Knowledge management (KM) has gained increasing attention since the mid-1990s. A KM strategy involves consciously helping people share and put knowledge into action. However, before an organization can realize the promise of KM, a fundamental question needs to be asked: What performance goal(s) is the organization trying to achieve? In this paper, we develop and offer a framework that provides a holistic view of the performance environment surrounding organizational knowledge work. We illustrate the KM framework using two organizational case studies. Then, based on the KM framework and further insights drawn from our case studies, we offer a series of steps that may guide and assist organizations and practitioners as they undertake KM initiatives. We further demonstrate the applicability of these steps by examining KM initiatives within a global software development company. We conclude with a discussion of implications for organizational practice and directions for future research.
Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Burstein Frada , Linger Henry
Published: February 2011

Organisations were always keen to capture and manage what they know. However, the cost and effort was often deemed overwhelming compared to anticipated benefits. In today’s environment, when organisational settings are more fluid and complex, formal mechanisms for identifying and utilising knowledge become an absolute imperative in order to support effective operation. The field of knowledge management (KM) emerged in response to these organisational imperatives. Theories, tools and techniques from a range of reference disciplines, which traditionally focused on organisational issues, was called upon to deal with the cognitive, social and technical needs required to manage the knowledge life cycle. KM is therefore a truly multidisciplinary area of research that requires rigour and relevance to address the organisational imperatives
System Support for Knowledge Work
Authors: Stenmark Dick , Lindgren Rikard
Published: February 2011

Many researchers argue that information systems (IS) can play an important role in supporting organizational knowledge application. However, recent IS research indicates that knowledge management systems (KMS) often fail when implemented in the knowledge work practice of contemporary organizations. While KMS maintenance has been recognized as an important IS research area, imbalance between the desire for accurate content and the workload required to achieve this still appears to be a critical issue, resulting in systems of little use for organizations in their knowledge application processes. Driven by the ambition to contribute recommendations for how to integrate KMS with everyday knowledge work, we use general lessons learned from development of groupware applications as a theoretical lens to analyze empirical experiences from three implemented and evaluated KMS. Targeting the KMS maintenance challenge, our recommendations extend earlier IS research on the implementation and use of knowledge work support systems. On a practical level, our recommendations assist KMS developers in attempts to bridge the knowing-doing gap in organizations where individual members do not know or know of each other and the organization as a whole does not know what it knows.
Effects of Knowledge Management Implementation in Hospitals
Authors: Jih Wen-Jang ("Kenny") , Chen Cheng-Hsui , Chen Ying-Hsiou
Published: February 2011

From the knowledge management point of view, the fundamental mission of hospital management is the delivery of quality medical services, utilizing highly specialized knowledge to solve healthcare problems within various resource constraints. Similar to other knowledge-intensive industries operating in highly challenging business environments, hospitals of all sizes must view the creation, organization, distribution, and application of knowledge as a critical aspect of their management activities. Knowledge management represents a viable strategy as hospitals strive simultaneously to provide quality medical services, improve operational efficiency, and conform to the government’s documentation and reporting regulations. This study examines the correlation as well as the causal relationships among knowledge characteristics, knowledge acquisition strategy, implementation measures, and performance of knowledge management implementations in the context of hospital management. Using primary data collected in Taiwan, our analyses show that the characteristics of knowledge affect the ways in which knowledge management is implemented, and the implementation measures, in turn, have a significant impact on the results of knowledge management implementations.
Improving KMS Acceptance
Authors: Vitari Claudio , Moro Jennifer , Ravarini Aurelio , Bourdon I.
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this article is to contribute to the improvement of the acceptance of information systems (IS) devoted to the codification and sharing of knowledge (a type of knowledge manage-ment systems [KMS]). A research model was developed through a multi-staged, multi-method research process and its test supports the hypotheses that the acceptance of KMS is determined, in addition to the classical constructs of the technology acceptance model (TAM), by a few or-ganizational factors, and by the influence exerted on the user by individuals close to her/him.
Tacit Knowledge
Authors: Taylor Hazel
Published: February 2011

This study reviews the use of the term “tacit knowledge” in the knowledge management and broader management literature and argues that it is frequently used with an inadequate definition as a catch-all phrase for any knowledge that is not formally recorded. A framework of categories of knowledge is developed to clarify different authors’ conceptualizations of the tacit dimension of knowledge. This framework distinguishes between how different types of knowledge are acquired, manifested, and transferred. These are key distinctions for researchers aiming to investigate aspects of tacit knowledge. Two operationalizations of the tacit knowledge concept that have been applied in the business domain are discussed.
Mix, Match, Rediscover
Authors: Meza Justin , Zhu Qin
Published: February 2011

Knowledge is the fact or knowing something from experience or via association. Knowledge organization is the systematic management and organization of knowledge (Hodge, 2000). With the advent of Web 2.0, Mashups have become a hot new thing on the Web. A mashup is a Web site or a Web application that combines content from more than one source and delivers it in an integrated way (Fichter, 2006). In this article, we will first explore the concept of mashups and look at the components of a mashup. We will provide an overview of various mashups on the Internet. We will look at literature about knowledge and the knowledge organization. Then, we will elaborate on our experiment of a mashup in an enterprise environment. We will describe how we mixed the content from two sets of sources and created a new source: a novel way of organizing and displaying HP Labs Technical Reports. The findings from our project will be included and some best practices for creating enterprise mashups will be given. The future of enterprise mashups will be discussed as well.
Work Unit's Knowledge Processing Style
Authors: Song Seokwoo
Published: February 2011

Intraorganizational units play a critical role in KM processes of acquiring, creating, exchanging, and utilizing knowledge assets. While much attention has been directed to effective knowledge strategies for supporting organizational KM processes, there is a lack of insightful research on knowledge strategy and its implementation at the work-unit level. This study examines two types of work unit knowledge processing styles (i.e., codification and personalization) and explores the relationship between critical determinants (i.e., task, organizational culture, and technology) and knowledge processing styles. The results showed that task variety and task analyzability were strongly associated with both knowledge processing styles. Interestingly, task interdependence and autonomy were significantly related only to personalization, whereas IT support was strongly associated with codification. The findings from this study suggest that the unit’s organizational variables should harmonize appropriately with its knowledge processing styles.
Applying Sense-Making Methodology to Design Knowledge Management Practices
Authors: Cheuk Bonnie Wai-yi
Published: February 2011

This article introduces readers to Dervin’s sense-making methodology and demonstrates how it has been applied to design knowledge management projects for the public sector. The projects described in this article were implemented between November 2005 and June 2006 when the author was the head of knowledge management for the improvement service for the Scottish Government, a company limited by guarantee with a budget provided by the Scottish Executive, whose aim is to improve the efficiency, quality and accountability of public services in Scotland through learning, sharing knowledge and delivering improvement solutions. Sense-Making is based on a set of assumptions which challenge some fundamental knowledge management thinking. The sense-making assumptions imply the need for alternative procedures to be implemented to promote knowledge sharing. Four primary applications are discussed: (a) conducting interviews to understand user needs; (b) designing web-based KM solutions; (c) building communities of practice; and (d) measuring benefits. This article aims at stimulating further thinking and debate in adopting theoretically informed approaches to implement knowledge management practices.
A Model of Interrelationships Among Individual Level Knowledge Management Success Measures
Authors: Muhammed Shahnaqaz , Doll William J. , Deng Xiaodong
Published: February 2011

Extant literature has mostly focused on defining knowledge management success at an organizational or project level. The literature lacks a framework for measuring knowledge management success at the individual level. Individual knowledge innovation and performance make organizations more productive. This research proposes a model of the interrelationships among individual level knowledge management success measures (outcomes) including conceptual, contextual and operational knowledge, innovation, and performance. The model is tested using a sample of 252 individuals engaged in managerial and professional knowledge work. The results suggest that conceptual knowledge enhances operational and contextual knowledge. Contextual knowledge also improves operational knowledge. Contextual knowledge is the key predictor of innovations that, along with operational knowledge, enhance work performance. The results provide a model for defining and measuring knowledge management success at the individual level.
Knowledge Strategy and Its Role in the Organization
Authors: Kasten Joseph E.
Published: February 2011

Knowledge strategy is defined as the set of guidelines and philosophies that guide an organization’s knowledge-based activities, such as knowledge gathering, development, storage, and utilization. Much of the early literature describing knowledge strategy suggests that its role in the organization is to drive, and be driven by, organizational structure and the human resources and technology strategies. The present research utilizes semi-structured interview data to determine that knowledge strategy is less of a formal structure and more of a lens through which knowledge-based decisions are viewed and focused, resulting in organizational actions that align with the knowledge strategy of the organization.
Online Knowledge Sharing Among Chinese and American Employees
Authors: Li Wei
Published: February 2011

This study investigates what are the national cultural factors that influence employees’ cross-cultural knowledge sharing in online environments and in what way. The article draws on findings from 41 in-depth interviewees conducted with 20 Chinese and 21 American employees who worked for a large multinational corporation. The rich interview data identified three national cultural differences that impacted Chinese and American participants’ knowledge sharing through an online system, namely, language, differences grounded in collectivism/individualism, and different levels of uncertainty avoidance. English created a barrier for Chinese users to post their ideas, but it did not seem to stop them from consuming knowledge. Differences grounded in collectivist/individualist values were mainly reflected in these two cultural groups’ different logic regarding the relationship between different working contexts and the necessity to share. Chinese also showed a higher level of uncertainty avoidance than Americans. Together these cultural differences could explain why Chinese shared knowledge less frequently than their American peers. Despite these reported cultural differences, findings from this research suggest that the actual cultural differences were smaller than what literature would predict. Possible explanations for fewer cultural differences are explored. Practical implications for knowledge management practitioners are also provided.
A Knowledge Framework for Development
Authors: Sharma Ravi S. , Chandrasekar Ganesh , Vaitheeswaran Bharathkumar
Published: February 2011

In this article, the authors investigate the diverse dimensions of a knowledge society. First, the relevant literature on post industrial societies is reviewed to identify the key constituents of successful growth and development. The authors then propose a 10-dimension framework within political, economic, social and technological parameters that describe the state of evolution of a given knowledge society. Knowledge assessment scores, human development indices, technology readiness scores and competitiveness scores are selected as composite indicators of knowledge societies. Proxy indicators are assigned for the dimensions, and secondary data was gathered from reputed international sources. Partial Pearson Correlation Analysis was done between the proxy indicators and the composite scales to determine the direction and strength of relationships. Hygiene factors and competitive factors of a knowledge society are distilled from the empirical results and recommendations are suggested to address some areas of concern when pursuing policies for knowledge based development.
Exploring the Extent and Impediments of Knowledge Sharing in Chinese Business Enterprise
Authors: Su Wen Bing , Li Xin , Chow Chee W.
Published: February 2011

This study explores the extent and impediments of knowledge sharing in Chinese firms because they are becoming dominant entities in the global economy, yet limited research exists on this important aspect of their operations. Survey data are obtained from experienced managers of 164 Chinese firms from a wide range of industries, sizes, and ownership types. The responses indicate that knowledge sharing is not open and complete in Chinese firms. Similar to findings from developed economies in the West, a large number of factors impede knowledge sharing in Chinese firms. These range from Chinese cultural values—which had been identified as being important by prior China-based studies—to attributes of the firm (e.g., incentive system, communication channels, organizational culture), as well as those of knowledge holders and potential recipients (e.g., judgment ability, organizational commitment). Implications of these findings for practice and research are discussed.
Situated Learning and Activity Theory-based Approach to Designing Integrated Knowledge and Learning Management Systems
Authors: Yoon Seung Won , Ardichvili Alexandre
Published: February 2011

Current Knowledge Management (KM) design approaches recognize the importance of integrating codification, personalization, and collaboration strategies. Incorporating various database systems, search functions, managerial support, performance appraisal, personalized widgets, and case summaries into seamless functions are exemplary efforts. However, KM is rarely integrated with organizational learning and development systems. In this article, the authors use concepts from the situated learning literature, Vygotskian cultural-historical theory of cognition, and a holistic learning and performance architecture to signify the integration of KM and organizational learning systems.
A Knowledge Management Tool for the Interconnection of Communities of Practice
Authors: Lavoué Élise , George Sébastien , Prévôt Patrick
Published: February 2011

In their daily practice, practitioners belong to local communities of practice (CoPs) within their organisation. This knowledge is rarely capitalised upon because discussions are mainly verbal. Practitioners can also belong to general CoPs online. Within these general CoPs, discussions are rarely linked to the context in which they appeared, since the members are from different companies or institutions. This paper (1) connects these two levels of CoPs by contacting practitioners belonging to CoPs centred on the same general activity but who are geographically distributed and (2) capitalises on the produced knowledge by contextualising, allowing it to be accessible and reusable by all the members. The authors detail the main results of the research: (1) a model of the interconnection of CoPs (ICP) to support knowledge sharing and dissemination; and (2) a specific knowledge management tool for the ICP knowledge base. The authors apply the model and platform to university tutors by: (1) developing a use case, which links the model and the TE-Cap 2 platform and highlights the new possibilities offered by the knowledge management tool; and (2) conducting a descriptive investigation lasting for five months.
The Project Manager in the Theatre of Consciousness
Authors: Koskinen Kaj U. , Pihlanto Pekka
Published: February 2011

This paper focuses on knowledge management stressing an individual project manager’s point of view. First, the authors outline two knowledge management strategies as well as the notion of project manager. The authors concentrate on the project manager’s knowledge creation and communication using the so-called theatre metaphor for conscious experience. According to this metaphor, the human brain and consciousness work together like a theatre. With the help of the metaphor, the authors describe and attempt to understand important aspects of the project manager’s mental action in the above tasks.
Financial Needs for a Competitive Business Model in the Knowledge Society
Authors: Castillo-Merino David , Plana-Erta Dolors
Published: February 2011

This paper investigates the constraints for companies to innovate in order to be competitive in the knowledge society. Using a large and original data set of Catalan firms, the authors have conducted a micro econometric analysis following Henry et al.’s (1999) investment model and von Kalckreuth (2004) methodology empirically contrasting the relationship between firms’ investment spread over time and their financial structure. Results show that it exits a positive and significant relationship between firms’ investment shift and financial structure, emerging financial constraints for more innovative firms. Furthermore, these constraints are higher for micro companies and firms within the knowledge-advanced services’ industry. Finally, the authors find that advanced ICT uses by more innovative firms allow them to reduce constraints of access to sources of finance.
SEMCL
Authors: Guo Weisen , Kraines Steven B.
Published: February 2011

To promote global knowledge sharing, one should solve the problem that knowledge representation in diverse natural languages restricts knowledge sharing effectively. Traditional knowledge sharing models are based on natural language processing (NLP) technologies. The ambiguity of natural language is a problem for NLP; however, semantic web technologies can circumvent the problem by enabling human authors to specify meaning in a computer-interpretable form. In this paper, the authors propose a cross-language semantic model (SEMCL) for knowledge sharing, which uses semantic web technologies to provide a potential solution to the problem of ambiguity. Also, this model can match knowledge descriptions in diverse languages. First, the methods used to support searches at the semantic predicate level are given, and the authors present a cross-language approach. Finally, an implementation of the model for the general engineering domain is discussed, and a scenario describing how the model implementation handles semantic cross-language knowledge sharing is given.
VPRS-Based Group Decision-Making for Risk Response in Petroleum Investment
Authors: Xie Gang , Yue Wuyi , Wang Shouyang
Published: February 2011

From the perspective of risk response in petroleum project investment, the authors use a group decision-making (GDM) approach based on a variable precision rough set (VPRS) model for risk knowledge discovery, where experts were invited to identify risk indices and evaluate risk exposure (RE) of individual projects. First, the approach of VPRS-based GDM is introduced. Next, while considering multiple risks in petroleum project investment, the authors use multi-objective programming to obtain the optimal selection of project portfolio with minimum RE, where the significance of risk indices is assigned to each of corresponding multi-objective functions as a weight. Then, a numerical example on a Chinese petroleum company’s investments in overseas projects is presented to illustrate the proposed approach, and some important issues are analyzed. Finally, conclusions are drawn and some topics for future work are suggested.
Knowledge Crash and Knowledge Management
Authors: Ermine Jean-Louis
Published: February 2011

Population ageing is a phenomenon that is quite new and irreversible in the history of mankind. Every country and every organisation is concerned while it is not certain that all the risks and challenges have been clearly identified. Clearly, there is a risk of massive knowledge loss, i.e., “Knowledge Crash”, due to massive retirements, but not exclusively for this reason. This risk is not evaluated at the right level, and in this regard, this article, by including the problem of “Knowledge Crash” in the more general framework of “Knowledge Management”, enlarges the concepts of knowledge, generation, and knowledge transfer. The author proposes a global approach, starting from a strategic analysis of a knowledge capital and ending in the implementation of socio-technical devices for inter-generational knowledge transfer.
Affective Tutoring System for Better Learning
Authors: Sarrafzadeh Abdolhossein , Alexander Samuel T.V. , Shanbehzadeh Jamshid
Published: February 2011

Intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) are still not as effective as one-on-one human tutoring. The next generation of intelligent tutors are expected to be able to take into account the emotional state of students. This paper presents research on the development of an Affective Tutoring System (ATS). The system called “Easy with Eve” adapts to students via a lifelike animated agent who is able to detect student emotion through facial expression analysis, and can display emotion herself. Eve’s adaptations are guided by a case-based method for adapting to student states; this method uses data that was generated by an observational study of human tutors. This paper presents an analysis of facial expressions of students engaged in learning with human tutors and how a facial expression recognition system, a life like agent and a case based system based on this analysis have been integrated to develop an ATS for mathematics.
Ethical Considerations in Implementing Mobile Learning in the Workplace
Authors: Wishart Jocelyn
Published: February 2011

Workplace based personal and professional development is essential for students in the health, social care and teaching professions. In this era of ubiquitous computing recording and reflecting upon learning and reviewing student progress in the workplace is easily enabled via mobile technologies. Yet researchers and student users in these settings continue to find using personal, mobile technologies a challenge; though now it is much less a technical challenge than one requiring institutional and cultural innovation in permissions and behaviors within these settings. This article describes the outcomes of a recent international workshop conducted with experts in the fields of mobile learning and education on prioritizing areas of concern and establishing best practice. In conclusion it presents a framework for consideration by the mobile learning community that can be used to highlight or prioritize ethical considerations before conducting research into the use of mobile devices by students in workplaces and schools.
Improving Energy Efficiency and Throughput in Heterogeneous Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Pillai Manu.J. , Sebastian M. P.
Published: February 2011

The nodes are expected to transmit at different power levels in heterogeneous mobile adhoc networks, thus leading to communication links of different length. Conventional MAC protocols that unconditionally presume that links are bi-directional and with unvarying energy distribution may not succeed or execute badly under such circumstances. Interference and signal loss resulting out of distance and fading diminish the entire throughput attained in heterogeneous networks to a greater extent. This article presents a MAC protocol, which adaptively transmits data frames using either the energy efficient nodes or a list of high data rate assistant nodes. In addition, a cross-layer based energy level on-demand routing protocol that adaptively regulates the transmission rate on basis of congestion is projected as well. Simulation results illustrate that the proposed protocols considerably diminish energy consumption and delay, and attain high throughput in contrast with the Hybrid MAC and traditional IEEE 802.11 protocols.
Mobile Community Networks
Authors: Sugumaran Vijayan , Raghunathan Shriram , Vivekanandan K.
Published: February 2011

The evolution of mobile devices has opened new opportunities for collaboration and communication. Instant connectivity, portability, rapidly reducing costs, etc. are some of the drivers for this change. Mobile devices have lower processing power, memory capabilities, deal with varying network conditions and the available power is less. Notwithstanding the above, mobile communities have emerged as a significant domain of research in their own right akin to the online (virtual) communities. This article traces the factors contributing to the proliferation of mobile communities and places the mobile community networks in a current and future perspective. An architecture for the mobile community network is proposed and the challenges in implementing such a network are also discussed.
Frequency Domain Equalization And Adaptive Ofdm Vs Single Carrier Modulation
Authors: Kaur Inderjeet
Published: February 2011

In the present article an attempt is made to compare multi-carrier and single carrier modulation schemes for wireless communication systems with the utilization of fast Fourier transform (FFT) and its inverse in both cases. With the assumption that in OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing), the inverse FFT transforms the complex amplitudes of the individual sub-carriers at the transmitter into time domain, the inverse operation is carried out at the receiver. In case of single carrier modulation, the FFT and its inverse are used at the input and output of the frequency domain equalizer in the receiver. Different single carrier and multi-carrier transmission systems are simulated with time-variant transfer functions measured with a wideband channel sounder. In case of OFDM, the individual sub-carriers are modulated with fixed and adaptive signal alphabets. Furthermore, a frequency-independent as well as the optimum power distribution are used. Single carrier modulation uses a single carrier, instead of the hundreds or thousands typically used in OFDM, so the peak-to-average transmitted power ratio for single carrier modulated signals is smaller. This in turn means that a SC system requires a smaller linear range to support a given average power. This enables the use of cheaper power amplifier as compared to OFDM system.
Realization of Route Reconstructing Scheme for Mobile Ad hoc Network
Authors: Danyang Qin , Lin Ma , Xuejun Sha , Yubin Xu
Published: February 2011

Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) is a centerless packet radio network without fixed infrastructure. In recent years tremendous attentions have been received because of capabilities of self-configuration and self-maintenance. However, attenuation and interference caused by node mobility and wireless channels sharing weaken the stability of communication links especially in ubiquitous MANET. A mathematical exploring model for next-hop node has been established. The negative impact of wireless routes discontinuity on pervasive communication is alleviated by a novel route reconstructed scheme proposed in this article based on restricting the route requirement zone into a pie slice region on intermediate nodes according the solution of the exploring equation. The scheme is an effective approach to increase survivability and reduce average end-to-end delay during route maintenance as well as allowing continuous packet forwarding for fault resilience so as to support mobile multimedia communication. The ns-2 based simulation results show remarkable packets successful delivery rate and end-to-end delay improvements of source-initiated routing protocol with route reconstructing scheme, and especially in the case of high dynamic environments with heavy traffic loads, more robust and scalable performance will be obtained.
Building Wireless Sensor Network Applications with LooCI
Authors: Hughes Daniel , Thoelen Klaas , Horré Wouter , Matthys Nelson , Del Cid Javier , Michiels Sam , Huygens Christophe , Joosen Wouter , Ueyama Jo
Published: February 2011

Considerable research has been performed in applying run-time reconfigurable component models to the domain of wireless sensor networks. The ability to dynamically deploy and reconfigure software components has clear advantages in sensor networks, which are typically large in scale and expected to operate for long periods in the face of node mobility, dynamic environmental conditions, and changing application requirements. LooCI is a component and binding model that is optimized for use in resource-constrained environments such as Wireless Sensor Networks. LooCI components use a novel event-based binding model that allows developers to model rich component interactions, while providing support for run-time reconfiguration, reflection, and policy-based management. This paper reports on the design of LooCI and describes a prototype implementation for the Sun SPOT. This platform is then evaluated in context of a real-world river monitoring and warning scenario in the city of São Carlos, Brazil.
Memorizing Algorithm
Authors: Truong Quynh Chi , Truong Anh Tuan , Dang Tran Khanh
Published: February 2011

The rapid development of location-based services, which make use of the location information of the user, presents both opportunities and challenges. Users can benefit from these services; however, they must often disclose their location information, which may lead to privacy problems. In this regard, the authors propose a solution with a memorizing algorithm, using trusted middleware that organizes space in an adaptive grid where it cloaks the user’s location information in an anonymization area before sending it to the service providers. This newly introduced memorizing algorithm calculates on the spatial grid to decrease the overlapped areas as much as possible, which helps conceal users’ locations. This solution protects the user’s privacy while using the service, but also against data mining techniques with respect to their history location data. Experimental results with a user activities map establishes this theoretical analyses as well as the practical value of the proposed solution.
Board Game Supporting Learning Prim’s Algorithm and Dijkstra’s Algorithm
Authors: Chang Wen-Chih , Wang Te-Hua , Chiu Yan-Da
Published: February 2011

The concept of minimum spanning tree algorithms in data structure is difficult for students to learn and to imagine without practice. Usually, learners need to diagram the spanning trees with pen to realize how the minimum spanning tree algorithm works. In this paper, the authors introduce a competitive board game to motivate students to learn the concept of minimum spanning tree algorithms. They discuss the reasons why it is beneficial to combine graph theories and board game for the Dijkstra and Prim minimum spanning tree theories. In the experimental results, this paper demonstrates the board game and examines the learning feedback for the mentioned two graph theories. Advantages summarizing the benefits of combining the graph theories with board game are discussed.
Instrumented Usability Analysis for Mobile Devices
Authors: Crossan Andrew , Murray-Smith Roderick , Brewster Stephen , Musizza Bojan
Published: February 2011

Instrumented usability analysis involves the use of sensors during a usability study which provide observations from which the evaluator can infer details of the context of use, specific activities or disturbances. This is particularly useful for the evaluation of mobile and wearable devices, which are currently difficult to test realistically without constraining users in unnatural ways. To illustrate the benefits of such an approach, we present a study of touch-screen selection of on-screen targets, whilst walking and sitting, using a PocketPC instrumented with an accelerometer. From the accelerometer data the user’s gait behaviour is inferred, allowing us to link performance to gait phase angle, showing there were phase regions with significantly lower error and variability. The article provides examples of how information acquired via sensors gives us quantitatively measurable information about the detailed interactions taking place when mobile, allowing designers to test and revise design decisions, based on realistic user activity.
Empowering People Rather Than Connecting Them
Authors: Murray-Smith Roderick
Published: February 2011

This article discusses the consequences for the fundamentals of interaction design given the introduction of mobile devices with increased sensing capability. Location-aware systems are discussed as one example of the possibilities. The article provides eight challenges to the mobile HCI research community, and makes suggestions for how the International Journal of Mobile HCI could contribute to the field.
Mobile HCI
Authors: Lindgaard Gitte , Narasimhan Sheila
Published: February 2011

In this position article we argue that it is time for the mobile HCI community to think beyond the traditional screen-keyboard-mouse paradigm and explore the many possibilities that mobility, mobile platforms, and people on the move offer. We present a collection of ideas aiming to encourage HCI researchers to explore how up-and-coming mobile technologies can inspire new interaction models, alternative I/O methods, and data collection methods. The range of possible applications designed to make life easier for specified user populations is limited, we maintain, only by our imagination to understand novel problem spaces, to mix, match and expand on existing methods as well as to invent, test, and validate new methods. We present several case studies in an attempt to demonstrate such possibilities for future mobile HCI.
Adaptability and Homeostasis in the Game of Life interacting with the evolved Cellular Automata
Authors: Suzuki Keisuke , Ikegami Takashi
Published: February 2011

In this paper, the authors study the emergence of homeostasis in a two-layer system of the Game of Life, in which the Game of Life in the first layer couples with another system of cellular automata in the second layer. Homeostasis is defined as a space-time dynamic that regulates the number of cells in state-1 in the Game of Life layer. A genetic algorithm is used to evolve the rules of the second layer to control the pattern of the Game of Life. The authors found that two antagonistic attractors control the numbers of cells in state-1 in the first layer. The homeostasis sustained by these attractors is compared with the homeostatic dynamics observed in Daisy World.
Conspecific Emotional Cooperation Biases Population Dynamics
Authors: Olsen Megan M. , Harrington Kyle I. , Siegelmann Hava T.
Published: February 2011

In this paper, the authors evaluate the benefit of emotions in population dynamics and evolution. The authors enhance cellular automata (CA) simulating the interactions of competing populations with emotionally inspired rules in communication, interpretation, and action. While CAs have been investigated in studies of population dynamics due to their ability to capture spatial interactions, emotion-like interactions have yet to be considered. Our cellular stochastic system describes interacting foxes that feed on rabbits that feed on carrots. Emotions enable foxes and rabbits to improve their decisions and share their experiences with neighboring conspecifics. To improve the system’s biological relevance, it includes inter-species disease transmission, and emotions encode data pertaining to both survival and epidemic reduction. Results indicate that emotions increase adaptability, help control disease, and improve survival for the species that utilizes them. Simulations support the hypothesis that the acquisition of emotion may be an evolutionary result of competitive species interactions.
Response Curves for Cellular Automata in One and Two Dimensions
Authors: Fuks Henryk , Skelton Andrew
Published: February 2011

In this paper, the authors consider the problem of computing a response curve for binary cellular automata, that is, the curve describing the dependence of the density of ones after many iterations of the rule on the initial density of ones. The authors demonstrate how this problem could be approached using rule 130 as an example. For this rule, preimage sets of finite strings exhibit recognizable patterns; therefore, it is possible to compute both cardinalities of preimages of certain finite strings and probabilities of occurrence of these strings in a configuration obtained by iterating a random initial configuration n times. Response curves can be rigorously calculated in both one- and two-dimensional versions of CA rule 130. The authors also discuss a special case of totally disordered initial configurations, that is, random configurations where the density of ones and zeros are equal to 1/2.
On the Reliability of Post-CMOS and SET Systems
Authors: Stanisavljevic Milos , Schmid Alexandre , Leblebici Yusuf
Published: February 2011

The necessity of applying fault-tolerant techniques to increase the reliability of future nano-electronic systems is an undisputed fact, dictated by the high density of faults that will plague these chips. The averaging and thresholding fault-tolerant technique that has proven remarkable efficiency in CMOS is presented for SET-based designs. Computer simulations demonstrate the superiority of this fault-tolerant technique over other methods, which is specifically the case when an adaptable threshold is used.