bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
E-Commerce Penetration in the SADC Region
Authors: Bwalya Kelvin Joseph
Published: May 2011

E-Commerce, and recently mobile commerce (m-Commerce: ePayment, eTickets, eBanking etc.), has shown a lot of potential for development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc given the growth in e-adoption of the region. Partly, this has been attributed to sound policies and initiatives thereby creating an enabling environment for e-Commerce to thrive. However, despite this positive note, there are also challenges that are being faced on an everyday basis concerning e-Commerce business and how this impacts the SME (Small Medium Enterprise) sector. This chapter aims to present these challenges and recommend on what should be done in order to consolidate and move forward the adoption of e-Commerce applications in the SADC region. It looks at exploratory studies of e-Commerce penetration specifically from four SADC member countries: South Africa (arguably currently considered the most economically sound and leader of e-Commerce utilization in Africa), Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Arguably, a look at these four countries is believed to be adequately representative of the SADC bloc. In Africa, other than e-Commerce, there has been a transition (change of business models) where businesses are now done using m-Commerce (distributed dynamic computing where the host and agent keep on changing their locations). This chapter also reviews the growth of this new business model, and further looks at Africa’s infrastructure preparedness to adopt this new business model. It also looks at mobile phone subscription rates in the SADC region, level of trust in these business models, and the general value that this kind of business undertaking brings.
Conservation of Information and e-Business Success and Challenges
Authors: Tung Huilien , Kung Hsiang-Jui , Lawless Désirée S. , Sofge Donald A. , Lawless William F.
Published: May 2011

Guided by the authors’ theory of the (COI), which holds that the transformation pairs of information uncertainty between time and frequency remain constant (or alternately uncertainty for geospatial position and spatial frequency), they describe a case study on an international corporation based in Taiwan to demonstrate COI factors associated with the challenges and successes in the adoptions of e-business by the firm and by small and medium size enterprises in general.
Occurrence and Effects of Leader Delegation in Virtual Software Teams
Authors: Zhang Suling , Tremaine Marilyn , Egan Rich , Milewski Allen , O’Sullivan Patrick , Fjermestad Jerry
Published: May 2011

Virtual teams are an important work structure in software development projects. However, little is known about what constitutes effective virtual software team leadership, in particular, the amount of leader delegation that is appropriate in a virtual software-development environment. This study investigates virtual software team leader delegation and explores the impact of delegation strategies on virtual team performance mediated by team motivation, team flexibility and team satisfaction with the team leader. This research is a report of a pilot study run on student teams carried out to refine and test the research constructs and research model for a larger study run in corporations. The study found that virtual team leaders delegate more to competent virtual teams and that such delegation is positively correlated with team member satisfaction with their leader and with team member motivation. Overall, the work provides important information for software-based organizations interested in developing virtual team leadership skills.
Reference Architecture for Cross-Company Electronic Collaboration
Authors: Schroth Christoph , Schmid Beat
Published: May 2011

Cross-organizational electronic collaboration is about to gain significant momentum and facilitates the emergence of a globally networked information service economy. However, existing solutions for the realization of such business relationships still exhibit weaknesses with respect to both managerial and technological aspects. In this work, we propose a service-oriented reference architecture for electronic business media that overcomes the drawbacks of today’s business-to-business (B2B) software products and services. Based on the St. Gallen media reference model, this reference architecture incorporates the design principle of modularity that proved critical for the success of numerous artifacts in other more mature industries. In particular, we investigate and revisit the principle of modularity with respect to its role in the computer industry and transfer it to the context of organizing and implementing electronic cross-company collaboration. On the basis of a case study in the field of public administration in Switzerland, we show its real-world applicability and its improvement potential.
A Qualitative Study of Web-Based Knowledge Communities
Authors: Lin Hui , Fan Weiguo , Zhang Zhongju
Published: May 2011

Web-based knowledge communities (WKCs) have become prevalent in recent years for individuals with similar interests to collectively engage in knowledge acquisition and exchange in a global context. The growing popularity of WKCs and their fast penetration into almost all aspects of life call for more research on this important area. In this study, we explore and examine success factors of WKCs. To accomplish this research objective, we conducted a qualitative study to uncover a list of success factors that would affect the success of WKCs. Through open and axial data coding techniques using a grounded theory approach, we identified four main success factors: information quality, system quality, community governance, and pro-sharing norms. We further categorized dimensions of information quality, system quality, and community governance. Based on the results, we proposed a conceptual framework to examine WKC success. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Collaborative Design of Business and Information Systems
Authors: Rittgen Peter
Published: May 2011

The collaborative design of business and information systems touches a number of issues that lie within the realm of different research areas. It deals with design as such and in particular with design in and for groups. It is also concerned with socio-technical systems and hence with human-computer interaction as well as IT-mediated human-human interaction. This introduces collaboration issues. The significant complexity of the business and information systems that are in the focus of the design endeavor calls for modeling as an instrument for managing this complexity. This paper maps the terrain of collaborative design of business and information systems by surveying the contributions that are made by related areas of research.
Patient Centered Medicine and Technology Adaptation
Authors: Harnett Brett
Published: May 2011

In many locations throughout the world, the optimal process is non-existent or has broken down; the United States is no exception as explained from a national, (Sarfaty, 2010) as well as an international perspective by Zwar (2010). The situation has become inefficient because of poorly coordinated, acute-focused, episodic care. The solution lies in the most basic role of the healthcare continuum; primary care. However, to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency, adoption of various technologies need to be embraced. While it is referenced by different terms, the concept is often termed patient centered medicine.
An Approach to Participative Personal Health Record System Development
Authors: Koufi Vasso , Malamateniou Flora , Vassilacopoulos George
Published: May 2011

Healthcare delivery is undergoing radical change in an attempt to meet increasing demands in the face of rising costs. Among the most intriguing concepts in this effort is shifting the focus of care management to patients by means of Personal Health Record (PHR) systems which can integrate care delivery across the continuum of services and also coordinate care across all settings. However, a number of organizational and behavioral issues can delay PHR adoption. This chapter presents a general approach to breaking down barriers that exist at the level of individual healthcare professionals and consumers. According to this approach, user participation in PHR system development is considered essential for achieving systems implementation success. Realizing a participative PHR system development, where users are full members of the development team, requires not only choosing an appropriate methodology but also organizing the participation process in a way that is tailored to the particular situation in order to achieve the desired results.
The Greenstone Digital Library Software
Authors: Witten Ian H. , Bainbridge David
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the evolution of the Greenstone digital library project through its first 10 years of development. It provides an overview of the software, which includes both production and research versions, as well as a chronological account of notable events that occurred in this period. The chapter also focuses on the tension that occurs between trying to support two versions of the software, and our strategy for resolving this conflict, that is, of reconciling production values with a research framework.
A Comprehensive and Practical Green ICT Framework
Authors: Philipson Graeme
Published: May 2011

Most user organizations are implementing Green ICT to some extent. Some have adopted a deliberate policy, others are implementing it piecemeal as their ICT systems evolve. But many of them have not properly defined Green ICT, which means they cannot properly identify which areas to address. A comprehensive and practical Green ICT framework helps overcome this problem. Such a Green ICT framework can also provide metrics and measurements to guide its progress and ascertain its success. Measurement is important, because it enables benchmarking and comparisons, by quantifying the degree of implementation of Green ICT. User organizations can then be compared to each other, or to themselves over time, to determine the extent and effectiveness of their Green ICT strategies. A Green ICT framework can also enable different industry sectors and even nations to be compared.This chapter outlines a research-based yet highly practical Green ICT framework. My organization, Envirability has developed this framework in conjunction with RMIT University. It is based on a 4 x 5 matrix with four vertical “pillars”: Lifecycle, End User IT, Enterprise and Data Center IT, and IT as a Low-Carbon Enabler. Each pillar lends itself to a five-level Capability Maturity Model metric which can be based on a detailed survey of the organization’s policies and practices in each area. The five horizontal dimensions, or “actions” are applied across the four pillars: Attitude, Policies, Practices, Technologies and Metrics This chapter presents the framework and also outlines an approach to applying the framework to an organization to measure its Green ICT maturity by benchmarking its Green ICT activities. (Note to editor – abstract contains all terms to be indexed)
A Linear Optimization Approach for Increasing Sustainability in Vegetable Crop Production
Authors: dos Santos Lana , Arenales Marcos , Costa Alysson , Santos Ricardo
Published: May 2011

This chapter is concerned with a set of optimization problems associated to crop rotation scheduling in the context of vegetable crop production according to some ecological criteria: no crop of the same botanic family is planted in sequence, green manure and fallow periods must be present in any schedule. A core mathematical model called the crop rotation scheduling model is proposed to represent these ecological criteria together with specific technical constraints associated to the growing of vegetable crops. Three optimization problems based on crop rotation schedules are written in detail in this chapter. For each problem, the authors present a general modeling framework and a solution methodology based on a technique known as column generation, which iteratively builds crop rotation plans for a number of plots. Some extensions are also presented, with the aim of incorporating additional characteristics found in production field conditions. This chapter ends with a brief discussion on a set of computational experiments and some suggestions for future research.
Brisbane Urban Growth Model
Authors: Au-Yeung Benson , Yigitcanlar Tan , Mayere Severine , Lau Chean-Piau
Published: May 2011

In recent years, local government infrastructure management practices have evolved from conventional land use planning to more wide ranging and integrated urban growth and infrastructure management approaches. The roles and responsibilities of local government are no longer simply to manage daily operational functions of a city and provide basic infrastructure. Local governments are now required to undertake economic planning, manage urban growth; be involved in major infrastructure planning; and even engage in achieving sustainable development objectives. The Brisbane Urban Growth model has proven initially successful to ensure timely and coordinated delivery of urban infrastructure. This model may be the first step for many local governments to move toward an integrated, sustainable and effective infrastructure management.
Traceability Systems for Sustainable Development in Rural Areas
Authors: Díaz Vicente García , Bustelo B. Cristina Pelayo G. , Martínez Oscar Sanjuán , Lovelle Juan Manuel Cueva , Ordóñez de Pablos Patricia
Published: May 2011

In a global world, where a lot of international trade treaties have been signed, we must face new threats such as influenza A (H1N1) or bioterrorism. In this context, to control the origins of food can save lives and big amounts of money. Meanwhile, new regulations in the European Union have arisen. In accordance with the provisions of Article 18 of European Regulation 178/2002, from 1(st) January 2005, all European companies in the food industry must have implemented a traceability system. However, it may sound strange that after all these years with this regulation in force some of the workers in this area don´t even know what traceability is. This document pretends to give some details on food traceability, and it will expose a real case in which cutting-edge technologies have been applied to solve the traceability in rural areas of northern Spain, by improving productivity and allowing small businesses to offer more competitive and safer products, and of higher quality.
Application of a Composite Process Framework for Managing Green ICT Applications Development
Authors: Maharmeh Mohammed , Saeed Zahra
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents the use of Composite Process Framework for Green ICT Applications Development. This framework for software development, as its name suggests, integrates different elements of software development processes such as waterfall, iterative-incremental and agile approaches to software development. The chapter explains and provides details on what comprises a Composite Processes Framework and how it can be applied to develop a Green ICT application.
Assessing Environment-Climate Impacts in the Nile Basin for Decision-making
Authors: El-Daoushy Farid
Published: May 2011

Assessing the environmental and climatic impacts in the Nile Basin is imperative for appropriate decision and policy making on national and regional levels. Tracer techniques provide basic spatio-temporal tools for quantifying ongoing and past, and for predicting future, environmental and climatic impacts in whole Nile Basin. These tools allow the sustainable use of the natural resources through developing appropriate large-scale and long-term management and planning strategies. Radiotracers, for example, have diverse properties, unique sources and cycles in the environment. They provide powerful approaches to understand the behaviour of atmospheric processes, and the role of dry and wet-deposition on transfer of matter from the atmosphere to the earth’s surface. They are, also, useful for assessing the present status and evolution, as well as for quantifying the functioning and metabolism, in complex aquatic and land-water systems through appropriate definition of the spatio-temporal scales forcing their interactions with the environment and climate. They yield rich data on sources, pathways and flow-rates of matter (e.g. nutrients and pollutants) within and between landscape units and at the critical boundaries of the hydrosphere with the lithosphere, ecosphere and the atmosphere. Mitigation and adaptation strategies for coupled environment-climate policies require records and observations supported by model and forecasting infra-structures that can simulate the impacts of coupled environment-climate changes both on local and landscape scales. Impacts of global warming are not straightforward to predict unless reasonable scales can be used to compile and collate the diverse climatic and environmental data. Coordinated studies and observations of complex river-, lake-catchment, land-water and delta-coastal systems can provide a wide-range of information on human and climate impacts through using radiotracers as common time and space indicators for assessing the flow of matter on earth’s surface. In this context, the Nile Basin can serve as a model for coupled environment-climate impact studies in complex aquatic systems where sustainable management policies, e.g. use of natural resources, protection and rehabilitation, are needed.
E-Agriculture Development in South Africa
Authors: Tembo Rachael , Maumbe Blessing M.
Published: May 2011

The global development of information and communication technologies (ICT) has created a new agricultural development paradigm that promises to transform the performance of the agricultural sector and improve rural livelihoods in developing countries. Over the past five years, South Africa has witnessed a swift ICT-led transformation of its public service delivery with major innovations in key development sectors. The growth of e-agriculture is seen as an engine to accelerate agriculture and rural development, promote food security, and reduce rural poverty. This chapter examines e-agriculture initiatives in South Africa. It describes ICT applications in improving the quality of on-farm management decisions, agricultural market information system, e-packaging, product traceability, and online marketing to access lucrative global wine markets. The chapter also highlights key constraints, and identifies considerations to enhance the future prospects for e-agriculture. Given the strategic importance of agriculture in supporting the livelihoods of the majority rural population in South Africa, the successful deployment and effective utilization of ICT is pivotal for sustainable agriculture development and raising the standards of living of marginalized communities. The results of the paper demonstrate that South Africa has made significant strides in e-agriculture and tangible benefits have accrued to the agricultural communities.
Green Urban Planning and Design for Smarter Communities
Authors: Ercoskun Ozge Yalciner
Published: May 2011

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) changes the concept of place and social life. Researchers should find some solutions about how to combine ICT with sustainable construction to revitalize an existing neighborhood and to create a new model for growing areas especially in small cities. The objectives of this study are to search for new ways to create sustainable communities with the sustainable use of ICTs, to discuss the advantages and disadvantages and the use of ICTs in cities, to put a new approach as ‘eco-tech’ city, and to explore the potential ways of creating sustainability in practice. The study summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the use of ICTs in cities and describes smart city and eco-tech city concepts. The following part, which is consisted of a discussion of urban planning and design, incorporating ICT for the construction of sustainable communities, explores the prospect that dehumanized communication can be ameliorated through progressive, innovative and green urban planning and design strategies.
Adopting Green ICT in Business
Authors: Chitra Subramanian
Published: May 2011

Information Communication Technology (ICT) is playing an increasingly important role in professional and private lives worldwide and is thus also increasingly becoming a significant energy consumer and CO2 emitter. Green IT benefits the environment by improving energy efficiency, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, using less harmful materials, and encouraging reuse and recycling. The explosion of information and communication technology (ICT), including personal computers, servers and data centers, handheld and telephonic devices, and printers, over the past few decades has led to a particular focus on ICT’s environmental impact. Green computing refers to the practice of using computing resources more efficiently while maintaining or increasing overall performance. IT services require the integration of green computing practices such as power management, virtualization, improving cooling technology, recycling, electronic waste disposal, and optimization of the IT infrastructure to meet sustainability requirements.
Extending and Applying Business Intelligence and Customer Strategies for Green ICT
Authors: Unhelkar Bhuvan , Tiwary Amit
Published: May 2011

This chapter extends and applies the concepts of Business Intelligence (BI) within business to help improve its environmental performance. When BI is used to improve customer service and optimize business performance, the result can also be used to reduce the carbon footprint of the organization. Various ways to improve customer service as well as cross-selling and up-selling to customers are discussed in the context of the carbon footprint – and with suggestions to improve that footprint. This is a strategic approach to the use of BI in environmental performance – resulting in what is called Environmental Intelligence. The suggestion is to use Business intelligence to improve the overall resources usage (by reducing energy and paper usage) of the organizations without compromising on customer services. For example if the customers are serviced on first contact, the follow on activities involving multiple contacts with customers and marketing paper material could be reduced. This will provide the organizations with better customer satisfaction and also reduce the extra energy usage in developing heavy duty BI infrastructure and paper used for the marketing purpose to woo back the customers.
Green ICT Organizational Implementations and Workplace Relationships
Authors: Jain Heemanshu
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses a Green IT implementation in an IT services company. Starting with a literature review on the current state of Green IT, this chapter develops the motivators for implementing a Green IT environment in an organization that is focused on services (as against products). While the data collection and analysis related to Green IT is limited in this research at its current stage, still the material discussed here follows a research approach. This discussion also contains invaluable suggestions on creation of green policies and procedures, their impact on people and processes and strategies for implementing them successfully.
How can Information Technology be Adopted by Micro-Enterprises
Authors: Kamal Mehruz , Qureshi Sajda , Wolcott Peter
Published: May 2011

The growth of micro-enterprises is a key driver of economic development. The ability of micro-enterprises to adopt IT can potentially increase their growth by 3.4% according to a World Bank expert. However these gains do not always take place as the challenges are many. Current theoretical models on IT adoption focus on the intent to adopt IT in large organizations where employees’ attitudes and perceptions are measured in terms of their objectives within the structures of accountability. Micro-enterprises are unique in that the intention to adopt is an individual decision made by the micro-entrepreneur. It is often the innovative ways in which IT is used that enable the gains to be realized by micro-entrepreneurs. This chapter describes a process that can be used to enable micro-entrepreneurs faced with limited resources to adopt IT to grow their businesses. This process of IT therapy involves diagnosis, interventions and an assessment of IT for development outcomes. Examples and guidelines are provided to enable this process to be used by practitioners. This chapter concludes with alternatives for sustainable development and guidelines for achieving these improvements in micro-enterprises.
Tools for Corporate Assessment of Sustainable Development
Authors: Mark-Herbert Cecilia , Rorarius Jonas
Published: May 2011

Corporate needs to assess, evaluate and communicate sustainability efforts are evident in the increasing use of management tools. A selected set of commonly used sustainability management tools are compared in this study with a key question in mind: how well does each of them provide grounds for assessing and communicating corporate sustainability ambitions? Each of the tools reflects different aspects of responsible conduct; expressed in economic, environmental, social and temporal & spatial terms. They represent a partial foundation for ex ante assessment and ex post evaluation and, as such, grounds for providing information and communicating. Selecting suitable tools for making sustainability management assessments presupposes an awareness of a need to integrate the perspectives on sustainability as well as finding a suitable marketing tool mix.
Exploratory Analysis of Fossil-Fuel CO2 Emissions Time Series Using Independent Component Analysis
Authors: Parmar Sargam , Unhelkar Bhuvan
Published: May 2011

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most important gases in the atmosphere, and is necessary for sustaining life on Earth. However, it is also a major greenhouse gas out of the six that contribute to global warming and climate change. During the last decade technologists, economists and sociologists are taking substantial interest in studying the impact of greenhouse phenomenon. Scientists are trying to find solutions to reduce CO2 emissions by changes in structure of energy production and consumption. Every attempt is being made to use new models and methods to estimate measure and monitor greenhouse gases in the future. Independent Component Analysis (ICA) is a method for automatically identifying a set of underlying factors in a given data set. This chapter describes the use of the ICA algorithm in Environmentally Intelligent (EI) applications. EI applications have a wide ranging responsibilities including collection, analysis and reporting of environmental data related to the organization. ICA algorithm opens up the opportunity to improve the quality of data being analyzed by these EI applications. ICA finds application in several fields of interest and it is a tempting alternative to try ICA on multivariate time series such as a CO2 emission from fossil fuel for the period 1950 to 2006. This chapter describes the linear mapping of the observed multivariate time series into a new space of statistically independent components (ICs) that might reveal driving mechanisms for CO2 emissions that may otherwise remain hidden.
Contesting ‘Sustainability‘ in Infrastructure Planning
Authors: Shibata Kuniko , Sanders Paul
Published: May 2011

Sustainable infrastructure demands that declared principles of sustainability are enacted in the processes of its implementation. However, a problem arises if the concept of sustainability is not thoroughly scrutinized in the planning process. The public interest could be undermined when the rhetoric of sustainability is used to substantiate a proposed plan. This chapter analyses the manifestation of sustainable development in the Boggo Road Busway Plan in Brisbane, Australia against the sustainability agenda set in the South East Queensland Regional and Transport Plans. Although the construction of the Busway was intended to improve public transport access in the region, its implementation drew significant environmental concerns. Local community groups contested the ‘sustainability’ concept deployed in Queensland’s infrastructure planning. Their challenges resulted in important concessions in the delivery of the Busway plan. This case demonstrates that principles of sustainable infrastructure should be measurable and that local communities be better informed in order to fulfill the public interest in regional planning.
The Influences of Savings and Investments on Sustainable Development and the Role of Information Technology
Authors: Baggiani Leonardo
Published: May 2011

This chapter investigates how the combination of savings and investments affects economic development and sustainability. This discussion aims to help to understand the role of savings as a support to growth, and how biasing individual decisions on consumption and debt via monetary policies can be a source of economic growth un-sustainability. Information technology helps to optimise the use of resources, but it even makes dangerous policies easier to implement. Section 1 shows theoretical insights into the contribution of savings to growth, and the concept of sustainability; section 2 focuses on the theories that better deal with the sustainability concern and investigates the role of information technology in monetary policy; section 3 shows the growing, positive contribution of e-money to growth and sustainability, and it suggests a new role for the government as advisor within an information-enhanced economy where information technology can play a prominent role; section 4 concludes.
Infrastructure Sharing & Renewable Energy Use In Telecommunication Industry for Sustainable Development
Authors: Ranatunga Dilupa , Withanage Rasika , Arunatileka Dinesh
Published: May 2011

An important factor in green ICT challenges is to reduce the creation and emission of green house gases by all means. This chapter is concentrating on how telecommunication network operators could operate in a very much more environment friendly way by co-existing with their fellow operators by way of sharing infrastructure such as towers and power generators which will reduce the emission of green house gases. The chapter has described the impact and the magnitude of telecom infrastructure on the environment and the ways that can be practised in order to reduce the emission of green house gases.
The Idealization of an Integrated BIM, Lean, and Green Model (BLG)
Authors: Fernández-Solís José L. , Mutis Iván
Published: May 2011

Idealization, “a very high level view,” is defined here as looking at the possibilities of integrating Green socially responsible requirements with Lean principles of construction practices with well-developed Unifying Models, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM, Lean, and Green (BLG) will allow a rapid prototyping of design and construction, the integration of drawings, specifications, and manufacturing in a Green best practice ambient that employs benchmarked Lean principles. This chapter explains our propositions on Green as a concept that gives direction on what to do right (effectiveness), on Lean that captures how to do it right (efficiently), and on BIM as an enabling platform that will facilitate the implementation of this effort. The integration of this concept addresses the quest for economically viable construction projects with the purpose of finding the best optimum performance. We consider the design as a theory, the project as an experiment, and the resulting products as a test that validates the theory. BLG allows for multiple executions of a theory to find the best option, and then test it against the final product. This chapter contributes to the body of knowledge but does not cover all aspects of the subject.
Practical Approaches to the Many-Answer Problem
Authors: Bechchi Mounir , Raschia Guillaume , Mouaddib Noureddine
Published: May 2011

Database systems are increasingly used for interactive and exploratory data retrieval. In such retrievals, users’ queries often result in too many answers, so users waste significant time and efforts sifting and sorting through these answers to find the relevant ones. This chapter first reviews and discusses several research efforts that have attempted to provide users with effective and efficient ways to access databases. Then, it focuses on a simple but useful strategy for retrieving relevant answers accurately and quickly without being distracted by irrelevant ones. Generally speaking, the chapter presents a very recent but promising approach to quickly provide users with structured and approximate representations of their query results, a must have for decision support systems. The underlying algorithm operates on pre-computed knowledge-based summaries of the queried data, instead of raw data themselves. Thus, this first-citizen data structure is also presented in this chapter.
Evaluating Top-k Skyline Queries Efficiently
Authors: Goncalves Marlene , Vidal María Esther
Published: May 2011

Criteria that induce a Skyline naturally represent user’s preference conditions useful to discard irrelevant data in large datasets. However, in the presence of high-dimensional Skyline spaces, the size of the Skyline can still be very large. To identify the best k points among the Skyline, the Top-k Skyline approach has been proposed. This chapter describes existing solutions and proposes to use the TKSI algorithm for the Top-k Skyline problem. TKSI reduces the search space by computing only a subset of the Skyline that is required to produce the top-k objects. In addition, the Skyline Frequency Metric is implemented to discriminate among the Skyline objects those that best meet the multidimensional criteria. This chapter’s authors have empirically studied the quality of TKSI, and their experimental results show the TKSI may be able to speed up the computation of the Top-k Skyline in at least 50% percent with regard to the state-of-the-art solutions.
Making Query Coding in SQL Easier by Implementing the SQL Divide Keyword
Authors: Draken Eric , Gao Shang , Alhajj Reda
Published: May 2011

Relational Algebra (RA) and structured query language (SQL) are supposed to have a bijective relationship by having the same expressive power. That is, each operation in SQL can be mapped to one RA equivalent and vice versa. Actually, this is an essential fact because in commercial database management systems, every SQL query is translated into equivalent RA expression, which is optimized and executed to produce the required output. However, RA has an explicit relational division symbol (÷), whereas SQL does not have a corresponding explicit division keyword. Division is implemented using a combination of four core operations, namely cross product, difference, selection, and projection. In fact, to implement relational division in SQL requires convoluted queries with multiple nested select statements and set operations. Explicit division in relational algebra is possible when the divisor is static; however, a dynamic divisor forces the coding of the query to follow the explicit expression using the four core operators. On the other hand, SQL does not provide any flexibility for expressing division when the divisor is static. Thus, the work described in this chapter is intended to provide SQL expression equivalent to explicit relational algebra division (with static divisor). In other words, the goal is to implement a SQL query rewriter in Java which takes as input a divide grammar and rewrites it to an efficient query using current SQL keywords. The developed approach could be adapted as front-end or wrapper to existing SQL query system.Users will be able to express explicit division in SQL which will be translated into an equivalent expression that involves only the standard SQL keywords and structure. This will turn SQL into more attractive for specifying queries involving explicit division.
Querying Graph Databases
Authors: Sakr Sherif , Al-Naymat Ghazi
Published: May 2011

Recently, there has been a lot of interest in the application of graphs in different domains. Graphs have been widely used for data modeling in different application domains such as: chemical compounds, protein networks, social networks, and Semantic Web. Given a query graph, the task of retrieving related graphs as a result of the query from a large graph database is a key issue in any graph-based application. This has raised a crucial need for efficient graph indexing and querying techniques. This chapter provides an overview of different techniques for indexing and querying graph databases. An overview of several proposals of graph query language is also given. Finally, the chapter provides a set of guidelines for future research directions.
Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) Potential and Challenges
Authors: Bentum M.J. , Gunst A.W. , Boonstra A.J.
Published: May 2011

The Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) is a large radio telescope based on phased array principles, distributed over several European countries with its central core in the Northern part of the Netherlands. LOFAR is optimized for detecting astronomical signals in the 30-80 MHz and 120-240 MHz frequency window. LOFAR detects the incoming radio signals by using an array of simple omni-directional antennas. The antennas are grouped in so called stations mainly to reduce the amount of data generated. More than forty stations will be built, mainly within a circle of 150 kilometres in diameter. But LOFAR stations will also be built in other European countries. The signals of all the stations are transported to the central processor facility, where all the station signals are correlated with each other, prior to imaging. In this chapter, the signal processing aspects on system level will be presented. Methods to image the sky will be given and the mapping of these concepts to the LOFAR phase array radio telescope will be presented. Challenges will be addressed, and potentials for further research will be presented.
A Multispectral and Multiscale View of the Sun
Authors: Dudok de Wit T.
Published: May 2011

The emergence of a new discipline called space weather, which aims at understanding and predicting the impact of solar activity on the terrestrial environment and on technological systems, has led to a growing need for analysing solar images in real time. The rapidly growing volume of solar images, however, makes it increasingly impractical to process them for scientific purposes. This situation has prompted the development of novel processing techniques for doing feature recognition, image tracking, knowledge extraction, et cetera. This chapter focuses on two particular concepts and lists some of their applications. The first one is Blind Source Separation (BSS), which has great potential for condensing the information that is contained in multispectral images. The second one is multiscale (multiresolution, or wavelet) analysis, which is particularly well suited for capturing scale-invariant structures in solar images.
Parameter Based Multi-Objective Optimization of Video CODECs
Authors: Al-Abri F. , Edirisinghe E.A. , Grecos C.
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a generalised framework for multi-objective optimisation of video CODECs for use in off-line, on-demand applications. In particular, an optimization scheme is proposed to determine the optimum coding parameters for a H.264 AVC video codec in a memory and bandwidth constrained environment, which minimises codec complexity and video distortion. The encoding/decoding parameters that have a significant impact on the performance of the codec are initially obtained through experimental analysis. A mathematical formulation by means of regression is subsequently used to associate these parameters with the relevant objectives and define a Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) problem. Solutions to the optimization problem are reached through a Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II). It is shown that the proposed framework is flexible on the number of objectives that can jointly be optimized. Furthermore, any of the objectives can be included as constraints depending on the requirements of the services to be supported. Practical use of the proposed framework is described using a case study that involves video content transmission to a mobile hand.
Arabic Optical Character Recognition
Authors: Al-Muhtaseb Husni , Qahwaji Rami
Published: May 2011

Arabic text recognition is receiving more attentions from both Arabic and non-Arabic-speaking researchers. This chapter provides a general overview of the state-of-the-art in Arabic Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and the associated text recognition technology. It also investigates the characteristics of the Arabic language with respect to OCR and discusses related research on the different phases of text recognition including: pre-processing and text segmentation, common feature extraction techniques, classification methods and post-processing techniques. Moreover, the chapter discusses the available databases for Arabic OCR research and lists the available commercial Software. Finally, it explores the challenges related to Arabic OCR and discusses possible future trends.
Towards a Technology- Enhanced University Education
Authors: Spiliotopoulos Valia
Published: May 2011

Although Canadian universities have distinct cultures, research strengths, and teaching philosophies, many also share similar values and goals that respond to an increasingly multicultural, diverse, and technologically advanced society. The aim of this chapter is to demonstrate how learning technologies used in a blended learning environment can help to meet the goals of a contemporary university education. An understanding of blended learning as an effective model for meeting goals not only at the course and program levels, but also at the institutional level, is essential for the widespread, mainstream implementation of this model so that it becomes a part of regular practice by faculty from a variety of disciplines and learning contexts.
The Role of Blended Learning in 21st Century Medical Education
Authors: Payne Geoffrey W.
Published: May 2011

The teaching of medical students is of paramount importance for society as the goal is to have well-educated and competent physicians that can help address the healthcare issues facing today’s society. The pedagogical influences that drive medical education have seen many advances in the past 30 years, but one that is seen as a leader for the future is the use of blended learning. This chapter will highlight that blended learning in medicine allows learners to be flexible in their education, as they are not constrained by time or distance as they move towards developing core competencies needed for their chosen discipline. One of the key drivers of this momentum in medicine is technology, and blended learning is one of the leading pedagogical influences in medical education for the future.
Fundamental Design Elements of Pervasive Games for Blended Learning
Authors: Metcalf David , Graffeo Clarissa , Read Luke
Published: May 2011

Though not widely researched or implemented in the field of blended learning, pervasive game frameworks in the alternate and augmented reality game genres are highly relevant to education, particularly in curricula seeking to use blended principles. Key characteristics of alternate and augmented reality games are identified, along with specific game examples, and their applicability to various learning theories including situated learning, guided experiential learning, and integrated thematic instruction. Several learning projects using these frameworks conducted by the Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Lab are described, and the Moving Knowledge Engine delivery system and game engine for pervasive blended learning solutions is outlined. The chapter concludes by discussing future possibilities for implementing pervasive games in blended learning programs to achieve deep, complex learning and high student engagement.
Blended Learning in Nigeria
Authors: Ololube Nwachukwu Prince
Published: May 2011

Blended learning requirements are increasing, in part because of the population explosion and policies pertaining to the democratization of education. Yet, thousands of students and faculty remain deficient in the use of blended learning to advance technology in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa. This research employed a quantitative assessment design aimed at improving best available practices, processes, and performance in terms of the blended learning offered in a university setting. A six-point Likert-type questionnaire was used to gather data. Multiple statistical procedures were employed in the subsequent analysis—percentage, mean point values, chi-square, and ANOVA. Majority of the respondents to the questionnaire agreed that the teaching of MIS to students is effective and has a positive impact on their academic achievements. This groundbreaking research presents a realistic resource for the practical application of blended learning in university education in Nigeria, as well as a comprehensive view of the benefits and problems of the applicability of blended learning.
“Premierløytnant Bielke”
Authors: Wake Jo Dugstad , Baggetun Rune
Published: May 2011

Developments in mobile phone technology, together with an increased research interest in utilizing computer games to facilitate teaching and learning, are an important catalyst for the emergence of the area of mobile, location-based computer games in schools. This article describes both the design process and an evaluation of Premierløytnant Bielke, a mobile, location-based game for teaching and learning history using mobile phones. We argue that by using the surroundings and milieu that are local to the students in a playful context, we can support the construction of meaning related to the subject of history in a way that is both engaging and worthwhile.
The Genesis and Development of Mobile Learning in Europe
Authors: Kukulska-Hulme Agnes , Sharples Mike , Milrad Marcelo , Arnedillo-Sánchez Inmaculada , Vavoula Giasemi
Published: May 2011

In the past two decades, European researchers have conducted many significant mobile learning projects. The chapter explores how these projects have arisen and what each one has contributed, so as to show the driving forces and outcomes of European innovation in mobile learning. The authors identify context as a central construct in European researchers’ conceptualizations of mobile learning and examine theories of learning for the mobile world, based on physical, technological, conceptual, social and temporal mobility. The authors also examine the impacts of mobile learning research on educational practices and the implications for policy. Finally, they suggest future challenges for researchers, developers and policy makers in shaping the future of mobile learning.