bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the New Public Management (NPM)-Based Reforms in the Public Sector Accounting
Authors: Lokuwaduge Chitra Sriyani De Silva
Published: January 2016

This Chapter aims to explore the process of adopting International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) as a New Public Management (NPM) based reform in Sri Lanka as a developing country. Based on institutional theory and resource dependence theory, framework was developed to highlight the importance of reforms and of changes in the area of public sector accounting specifically during the last three decades. It shows the extent to which Sri Lankan public sector has adopted IPSAS based accounting reforms and the limitations of adopting these standards in developing countries. This chapter argues that adopting reforms in developing countries is problematic due to limited resources and concludes that, significant changes towards adoption of IPSAS and implementing some of the reform ideas has taken place during the last decade. Relatively little is known about the NPM-based reforms in public sector accounting practices in developing countries. This is an attempt to fill this gap.
Commercialization of Local Public Services
Authors: Cuadrado-Ballesteros Beatriz , García-Sánchez Isabel María , Martínez-Ferrero Jennifer
Published: January 2016

The most important reason to decentralise the public services delivery is to make the citizens' needs better known by the local governments, so it follows to act more efficiently to their satisfaction. Nonetheless it has been found an opportunistic use of these agencies to avoid legal limits on indebtedness imposed on sub-national administrations, generating fiscal illusion. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to analyse the effect of the functional decentralisation processes on public revenues and financing. The results show that the use of decentralisation process, especially companies are created by left-wing political parties in order to raise more income from commercialization of public services. It was also found that these practices are strongly linked to the municipality's fiscal pressure.
A Literature Review on Quality Models for Online E-Government Services
Authors: Sá Filipe , Rocha Álvaro , Pérez-Cota Manuel
Published: January 2016

The study presented in this chapter will serve as a basis for the development of a suitable methodology whose purpose is to evaluate the quality of Local e-Government online services. Citizens expect quality public services, and their online dimension is no exception. The quality of these services should be analysed and accounted for, in order to maximize and develop strategies that improve the offered services, increasing the levels of satisfaction of their recipients. In this sense, this first study puts forth a systematization of the relevant bibliography, focusing on the quality of two types of services: traditional and e-Government. Each methodology was analysed in order to identify the main quality dimensions used. Up to the present moment, the identification of a service quality evaluation method particularly focused on local online e-Government wasn't achieved, and this justifies the development of an investigation project whose main purpose is to create such methodology in this field.
The Importance of Accountability Practices in the Public Sector
Authors: Couto Maria Cristina Ribeiro da Silva , Ferreira Augusta da Conceição Santos
Published: January 2016

The New Public Management reflects a paradigm and orientation shift regarding the cornerstone of management in the public sector. With this new type of management emphasis was given to accountability in order to, on the one hand instill the need to render accounts when talking about the way decisions are taken (responsibility) and the way public resources are used (clarity) and on the other hand the citizens having the possibility of getting information which will allow them to make the public officials responsible. Considering the importance of accountability, this chapter was an attempt to carry out a bibliographic review, as a way of getting to know the different approaches to the concept, as well as getting to know the mechanisms that have been created in order to give explanations whether for the performance or accomplishment of a responsibility and if this is inherent to the responsibilities of the public officials.
The Determinants of Sustainability Reporting of the Portuguese Public Sector Entities
Authors: Tavares Maria da Conceição C. , Rodrigues Lúcia Lima
Published: January 2016

Based on legitimacy and on stakeholder theories, this study analyses the level of disclosure of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the sustainability reports of the Portuguese public sector entities for the years 2008 and 2012, prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The authors also aim to determine the factors that influence this level of disclosure. Using content analysis, an index of CSR disclosure was constructed based on the sustainability reports of 58 public sector entities. It was concluded that the level of sustainability disclosure is related to the organisation's size, industry, awards and certifications received, and visibility measured in terms of consumer proximity. This study offers new empirical evidence of a different context – public sector entities in Portugal, providing valuable insights into the factors that explain CSR disclosures in public sector entities.
Local Authorities and the Disclosure of Financial Information via the Internet
Authors: Mendes Helena Carla Antunes , Santos Carlos , Ferreira Augusta da Conceição Santos , Marques Rui Pedro Figueiredo , Azevedo Graça Maria do Carmo , Oliveira Jonas da Silva
Published: January 2016

In the context of New Public Management, Public Administration must be alert to the efficient management systems in order to rationalize the financial resources and disseminate transparent, accurate and consistent economic and financial information to further assess the performance of managers and organizations. The technological advances have influenced the way financial information is disseminated, including the use of the Internet, allowing it to be quickly accessed. This work is based on the assumptions of agency, public choice and signaling theories, and aims to assess the level of disclosure of financial information on the websites of local authorities in Portugal and to identify factors that may influence it. Given the results, not all local authorities disseminate all the financial information required by law on the websites. Among the factors tested, the size and political competition are the ones that seem to influence the level of disclosure of financial information on the websites.
Performance Measurement Perceptions in Romanian Higher Education
Authors: Coste Andreea Ioana , Tiron-Tudor Adriana
Published: January 2016

Performance measurement in Romanian higher education is of high interest. On one hand, this topic would be significant because public funding depends on the performance of the universities. On the other hand, when measuring performance, the objectives have to be drafted in order to have a comparison basis with what universities achieved. Starting from these two issues, this chapter provides information regarding performance measurement in Romanian higher education. Thus, the main objective of the chapter consists in finding the perceptions of performance measurement at both top and middle management levels. This study is based on a qualitative case study approach and the authors used interviews as a data collection method. The authors used an interpretive research approach to obtain a deeper understanding of the process. Even if performance is hard to define, the results show that depending on the primary purpose of the universities performance receives a definition. Universities use various types of indicators when are measuring performance.
The Role of Management Accounting Systems in Public Hospitals and the Construction of Budgets
Authors: Pereira de Campos Carla Marina , Rodrigues Lúcia Lima , Jorge Susana Margarida Faustino
Published: January 2016

The role of management accounting systems (MAS) in the construction of budgets in the public health sector has been one of the least studied topics in the international literature. Furthermore, several studies have confirmed the loss of relevance of traditional approaches to budgeting due to the need to implement techniques that are more performance-oriented. Since public hospitals are organisations that depend significantly on public funds, with substantial impacts on governments' budgets, the pressure for reducing expenditures is strong, causing increased difficulties in hospital management. In order to analyse the role of MAS in the preparation of hospital budgets, this chapter presents a literature review on this topic. This review allows to understand the loss of relevance of traditional budgeting techniques and to present alternative approaches. In this process, the implementation of different kinds of budgeting is heavily influenced by governments and professionals. Nevertheless, the research on this topic is still very scarce, evidencing the need to continue studying it.
Virtual Reality and Education
Authors: Sala Nicoletta Melida
Published: January 2016

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology which combines hardware and software solutions. It permits to create three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds and virtual objects. This chapter describes how VR technologies find positive application fields in educational environments. VR, combined with multimedia technologies and in support of different learning styles, offers potential help in teaching and in learning paths. This chapter shows a set of examples in the applications of VR at different age levels schools, and in different countries (USA, Italy, Morocco, Romania, and Switzerland). VR, and their applications, are also described here.
Pedagogical Agents for Learning
Authors: Schroeder Noah L.
Published: January 2016

Throughout the past two decades, researchers have seen rapid innovations in the field of learning technologies. Virtual reality, video games, and online learning are becoming quite common in educational contexts. Pedagogical agents are often present in a variety of these virtual environments. Pedagogical agents are virtual characters with an on-screen presence that are designed to facilitate learning in multimedia environments. In this chapter the author examines the theoretical rationale for incorporating a pedagogical agent into a learning environment, critically examines their effectiveness for learning, and discusses how they have been implemented in research studies to date. Suggestions for future research in virtual reality environments are highlighted.
Cloud Computing as a Catalyst for Change in STEM Education
Authors: Sahlin John P. , Lobera Kim
Published: January 2016

Cloud computing drives value to profit-centric businesses by establishing a utility computing model, allowing companies to focus on their core business function rather than concern themselves with the “plumbing” associated with technology infrastructure. How then, can this profit-centric model be applied to improve the delivery of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education? Studies indicate that students perform far better in the workplace if their education in technical fields is relevant, current, and based on real-world scenarios (Pryor, 2014). If businesses are operating in the cloud, STEM education must follow suit. While cloud computing is traditionally associated with profit-centric organizations, this model has demonstrated benefits to non-profit and government organizations as well in terms of reduction of enterprise costs and time to delivery of new products and services. Even when a profit motive is non-existent (or at least not central to the mission of the organization), cloud computing can be a catalyst to transformative improvements in the academic community. As organizations adopt cloud computing, they must face changes in core business practices in order to take advantage of the on-demand service, rapid elasticity, and broad network access associated with cloud computing (Mell & Grance, 2011). Businesses must transform their business architecture in order to adopt this new technology architecture effectively. In the same vein, educators must consider how their business processes (i.e., pedagogy) must change in order to adopt this technology. This chapter considers cloud computing as a technology enabler for STEM education, and how it requires dramatic changes in pedagogy in order to ensure that STEM education is relevant, useful, and effective in the digital world.
The Emergence of Cloud Portfolio in Higher Education
Authors: Gupta Pooja
Published: January 2016

Educating the digitally literate generation is a privilege and a challenge because this generation is exposed to enormous proliferation of affordable computers, Internet and digital education content. With the advancements in technology, there is a definite improvement in learning methods; similarly performance assessment, career preparation and credential documentation should also be driven by technology. An e-portfolio is a tool for teaching, learning and assessment. The purpose of the e-portfolio is to highlight the student's best work. Current e-portfolio systems pose problems of scalability and sustainability, as they provide limited user storage space in a centralized server. With the rapid use of multimedia, there is a drastic increase in storage load imposed by any user on the e-portfolio system. Cloud computing can provide e-portfolio service that can be delivered to a higher education community. An e-portfolio service provided by cloud computing (c-portfolio) can be accessed from a standalone system. The c-portfolio can also be accessed from local servers of an educational institute, or from a third-party service provider that is accessed via the Internet. Such cloud computing services allow users to share their c-portfolios with anyone, anywhere and at anytime. This chapter defines and categorizes c-portfolio, addresses issues and challenges faced by c-portfolio's implementation in higher education.
Strategies and Practice of Cloud-Based Learning Environment Implementation
Authors: Masud Anwar Hossain , Huang Xiaodi
Published: January 2016

The education landscape around the world is in a constant state of flux and evolution, facing significant challenges in adopting new and emerging technologies. This is driven mainly by a new genre of students with learning needs that are vastly different from those of their predecessors. It is increasingly recognized that the use of technology in higher education is essential to providing high quality education and preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century. Advances in technology offer new opportunities in enhancing teaching and learning. The new technologies enable individuals to personalize the environment in which they work or learn a range of tools to meet their interests and needs. In this chapter, we attempt to explore the salient features of the nature and educational potentials of ‘cloud computing' in order to exploit its affordance in teaching and learning in the context of higher education. It is evident that cloud computing plays a significant role in the higher education landscape as both a ubiquitous computing tool and a powerful platform. Although the adoption of cloud computing promises various benefits to an organization, a successful adoption of cloud computing in an organization, particularly in educational institutes, requires an understanding of different dynamics and expertise in diverse domains. This chapter aims at describing an architecture of Cloud Computing for Education (CCE), which includes a number of steps for adopting and implementing cloud computing. To implement this architecture, we have also outlined an open framework that is used as a guidance in any organisations with any cloud computing platforms and infrastructures towards the successful adoption and implementation of cloud computing.
Addressing Transport Layer Issues in Cloud Computing
Authors: Estevez Claudio
Published: January 2016

Due to bandwidth limitations and overflowing in the Internet, connectionless transport-layer protocols are migrating to connection-oriented, mainly because of the flow control it offers. Because of this, many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and network administrators have restricted user traffic to only Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) segments. Optimizing TCP-based protocols will benefit significantly the performance of any centric system, such as the STEM clouds. The challenging scenarios, when using TCP-based systems, are transmitting large files over long distances, as these have a large bandwidth-delay product (BDP) which hinders drastically the performance, even if the network's physical link is broadband (e.g. fiber optics). There are various transport protocols today that address these problems. This chapter aims at explaining the transport layer limitations, an overview of how we arrived at the protocols used today, and some techniques that could be adopted in the future, with a focus on cloud computing systems.
Cloud-Based Social Media as LMS
Authors: Eichler Matthew A. , Caluza Las Johansen Balios
Published: January 2016

Social media, with its ubiquitous characteristics and availability for use throughout the world, may serve as a replacement for many features typically associated with learning management systems (LMS). These systems are generally free to use, rely on robust servers with high speed connections, and are already widely used on mobile phones and other devices, unlike learning management systems, which are typically used for the duration of educational experience and then no longer available to students. Due to low budgets available for IT, universities in developing and newly developed countries may consider alternatives to the LMS, which is both expensive, and relies either on paid services or the provisioning of servers. Educators should consider potential negative aspects and positive aspects of the use of these tools in higher education before adopting for widespread use. STEM learning may be especially enhanced through the use of social networking services (SNS) as LMS.
A Cloud-Based Learning Platform
Authors: Rizzardini Rocael Hernandez , Gütl Christian
Published: January 2016

A wide range of innovative Web 2.0 tools can be used for STEM education; however, learning orchestration issues arise in terms of management, adaption, and intervention. These issues can be solved through the manipulation of the tools' Web application programming interfaces (APIs) in order to orchestrate the learning experience. In this chapter, the authors present a learning platform that is capable of orchestrating learning activities through Web interoperability with Web 2.0 tools. This interoperability is realized through advanced Semantic Web technologies such as JSON-LD and Hydra, and a specialized architecture to automatically recognize, process, and use the tools' Web APIs. Finally, an evaluation of the architecture in a Massive Open Online Course is presented which reveals satisfactory usability and emotional evaluation results.
Free and Open Source Cloud Computing Technology
Authors: Chao Lee
Published: January 2016

This chapter covers the free and open source cloud computing technology and its application in Web-based IT education. It discusses the difficulties in teaching online IT courses. One of the technologies that can be used to overcome these difficulties is cloud computing. This chapter focuses on cloud based online teaching infrastructure created with free and open source cloud computing. It provides some strategies in developing various cloud based computer labs for hands-on practice required by IT courses. A case study is used to illustrate the use of the free and open source cloud technology in e-learning.
Engaging Students in Conducting Data Analysis
Authors: Vandergon Virginia Oberholzer , Reveles John , Herr Norman , Nguyen-Graf Dorothy , Rivas Mike , d'Alessio Matthew , Foley Brian
Published: January 2016

Computer Supported Collaborative Science (CSCS) is a teaching pedagogy that uses collaborative web-based resources to engage all learners in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of whole-class data sets, and is useful for helping secondary and college students learn to think like scientists and engineers. This chapter presents the justification for utilizing whole-class data analysis as an important aspect of the CSCS pedagogy and demonstrates how it aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The chapter achieves this end in several ways. First, it reviews rationale outlined in the NGSS science and engineering practices for adapting 21st century technologies to teach students 21st century science inquiry skills. Second, it provides a brief overview of the basis for our pedagogical perspective for engaging learners in pooled data analysis and presents five principles of CSCS instruction. Third, we offer several real-world and research-based excerpts as illustrative examples indicating the value and merit of utilizing CSCS whole-class data analysis. Fourth, we postulate recommendations for improving the ways science, as well as other subject matter content areas, will need to be taught as the U.S. grapples with the role-out of new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and NGSS. Taken together, these components of CSCS whole-class data analysis help constitute a pedagogical model for teaching that functionally shifts the focus of science teaching from cookbook data collection to pooled data analysis, resulting in deeper understanding.
Security Issues Related to Cloud Applications in STEM Education
Authors: Chen Yong
Published: January 2016

Learning based on cloud computing, denoted as cloud learning (CL) in short, is a disruptive innovation and a current buzzword in education. It provides a learner-centered platform that benefits learners, instructors, and education providers. However, because it requires the Internet and is built on cloud computing, CL has inherent security issues. By analyzing the benefits and the security threats inherent in CL, this chapter aims to help CL stakeholders in STEM Education (namely cloud service providers, cloud content providers, and cloud users) to better understand the security issues inherent in CL from the perspectives of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The discussions about the risks that CL stakeholders in STEM education incur as a result of prevailing security threats and system vulnerabilities will help those stakeholders to assess the cost effectiveness of security countermeasures.
Cloud-Based Continuous Formative Assessment (CFA)
Authors: Herr Norman , Tippens Marten , Rivas Mike , Vandergon Virginia Oberholzer , d'Alessio Matthew , Reveles John
Published: January 2016

Continuous Formative Assessment (CFA) is a strategy that employs free and accessible collaborative cloud-based technologies to collect, stream, and archive evidence of student knowledge, reasoning, and understanding during STEM lessons, so that instructors and students can make evidence-based decisions for adjusting lessons to optimize learning. Writing samples, diagrams, equations, drawings, photos, and movies are collected from all students and archived in cloud-based databases so that instructors can assess student understanding during instruction, and monitor learning gains over time. This chapter introduces and explains CFA techniques and provides preliminary research pertaining to the effectiveness of CFA instructional strategies in promoting student accountability, metacognition, and engagement in STEM courses, and suggests avenues for future research.
Cloud Services in UK Higher Education
Authors: Chrysikos Alexandros , McDowell James , Ward Rupert
Published: January 2016

The current chapter reports an investigation of Information Technology (I.T.) enablement for a Higher Education Institution (HEI), with focus on the feasibility of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) using Cloud Computing technology. A pragmatist - mixed-methods research approach was followed to establish the Feasibility Study, which included the potential IaaS risks and benefits for a HEI such as the Computing & Library Services of a UK university. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages, as well as a legal, social, operational and Service Level Agreement (SLA) discussion are provided. Furthermore, the authors outline the potential impact on the institution's employment. Finally, based on the Feasibility Study, the authors recommend a list of selection criteria and evaluation methods that could be regarded as the basis for a future IaaS Cloud decision model for HEIs. The findings of the current investigation contribute to the body of knowledge for both academics and I.T. managers.
A Media Interpretation of the Negative Impact of Cloud Technologies
Authors: Tang Michael S. , Karunanithi Arunprakash T.
Published: January 2016

This chapter presents a media studies interpretation of the impact of Cloud communication technologies on traditional academic achievement. According to social media critics following the “medium is the message” theory of Marshall McLuhan, the hidden “message” in the new Cloud communication education technologies conflicts with the old message of the printed textbook, the traditional medium of communication in education since the printing press in the 16th and 17th centuries. The chapter begins with a brief history of media technologies in education to gain understanding into the nature of this conflict and follows with a review of research and studies that document the conflict's cause and consequences with the conclusion that a major factor in the proliferation of any new media communication technology is its commercial value. Moreover, because new technologies in education are driven by commercial interests, its pedagogical value becomes secondary resulting in what social media and other critics view as the dumbing down of the American student. These social media critics contend that not only have American students been declining intellectually, computer technologies, including the Cloud Internet communication technologies are the direct cause of this decline, raising the question, “is education technology an oxymoron?” Given this analysis of media communication technologies' impact on education, the authors then offer a possible way out of the current situation by proposing a more human factors approach towards Cloud technologies based on constructivist educational and cognitive styles theory.
Cooperative Parallel Metaheuristics based Penguin Optimization Search for Solving the Vehicle Routing Problem
Authors: Ammi Meryem , Chikhi Salim
Published: January 2016

In this work the authors present a new approach based on the cooperation of many variants of metaheuristics in order to solve the large existing benchmark instances of the capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP). The proposed method follows the parallel pattern of the generalized island model (GIM). Consequently, the used metaheuristics, namely genetic algorithm (GA), the ant colony optimization (ACO), and the first application of the penguin optimization search (PEO) have been used to handle the large size of the CVRP. These optimization processes have been put over numerous islands that communicate via the process of exchanging solutions. Comparative studies as well as tests over the existing benchmark instances have been reported to prove the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Using Hybrid Classifiers to Conduct Intangible Assets Evaluation
Authors: Lu Yu-Hsin , Lin Yu-Cheng
Published: January 2016

Traditional financial reporting usually ignores intangible assets, even though these assets play an increasingly important role in today's knowledge-based economy. As such, the valuation of intangible assets, while typically overlooked in traditional reporting, has nonetheless garnered widespread interest. This paper uses data-mining technologies to identify important valuation factors and to determine an optimal valuation model. In the feature selection process, the paper focus on three methods, namely, decision trees, association rules, and genetic algorithms in data mining, to identify important valuation factors. The results show that decision trees have approximately 75% prediction accuracy and select seven critical variables. In the prediction process, the paper constructs and compares many kinds of evaluation and prediction models. The results show that hybrid classifiers (i.e., k-means + k-NN) perform best in terms of prediction accuracy (91.52%), Type I and II errors (11.17% and 7.15%, respectively), and area under ROC curve (0.908).
Error Optimization of Machine Vision based Tool Movement using a Hybrid CLONALG and PSO Algorithm
Authors: Mahapatra Prasant Kumar , Garg Anu , Kumar Amod
Published: January 2016

A machine vision system with single monochrome CCD camera and backlight was developed for tool positioning and verification. While evaluating the performance of the developed vision system, the experiments showed that the output of machine vision system was not comparable to the output of sensors embedded in motion stages. Inherent factors like Imaging setup, camera calibration, environmental effects etc. are responsible for the error. These errors must be minimized to achieve maximum efficiency of developed vision system. In this paper, a novel hybrid algorithm is proposed to optimize the tool position error. The proposed algorithm comprises of CLONALG (one of the techniques of Artificial Immune System) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) (a global optimization algorithm). Hybrid algorithm is tested on tool movement ranging from 0.020 mm to 7 mm. Performance of proposed algorithm is evaluated and also compared with CLONALG and PSO algorithms individually.
Testing Software Services in Cloud Ecosystems
Authors: Kiran Mariam , Simons Anthony
Published: January 2016

Testing in the Cloud is far more challenging than testing individual software services. A multitude of factors affect testing, including variations across platforms and infrastructure. Architectural issues include differences between private, public Clouds, multi-Clouds and Cloud-bursting. Platform issues include cross-vendor incompatibility, and diverse locales of service deployment and consumption. Software issues include integration with third-party services, the desire to validate competing service offerings to similar standards and need to re-validate services at different stages of service lifecycle. A complete approach to testing whole Cloud ecosystems should involve all relevant stakeholders, such as service provider, consumer and broker. When testing Clouds, the methodologies used should not hinder the advantages Cloud usage brings to the users or programmers and more importantly be simple and cost effective. However, these testing methodologies differ according to the various kinds of Cloud ecosystems and the different user perspectives of the actors involved such as the end-user, the infrastructures, or the different software (i.e. web services). This paper also studies the state-of-the-art in Cloud testing where most research focuses predominantly on web services, functional testing and quality-of-service, usually being considered separately. The authors suggest a framework, Quality-as-a-Service (QaaS) which integrates quality issues such as functional behaviour and performance monitoring with lifecycle governance and security of the service. This paper maps out the themes in the contemporary research literature and links them with the service lifecycle process for validating future Cloud services. Along the way, the authors identify important research questions that the future Cloud service testing agenda should seek to address.
Chronic Wound Characterization using Bayesian Classifier under Telemedicine Framework
Authors: Chakraborty Chinmay , Gupta Bharat , Ghosh Soumya K.
Published: January 2016

Chronic wound (CW) treatment by large is a burden for the government and society due to its high cost and time consuming treatment. It becomes more serious for the old age patient with the lack of moving flexibility. Proper wound recovery management is needed to resolve this problem. Careful and accurate documentation is required for identifying the patient's improvement and or deterioration timely for early diagnostic purposes. This paper discusses the comprehensive wound diagnostic method using three important modules, viz. Wounds Data Acquisition (WDA) module, Tele-Wound Technology Network (TWTN) module and Wound Screening and Diagnostic (WSD) module. Here the wound image characterization and diagnosis tool has been proposed under telemedicine to classify the percentage wise wound tissue based on the color variation over regular intervals for providing a prognostic treatment with better degree of accuracy. The Bayesian classifier based wound characterization (BWC) technique is proposed that able to identify wounded tissue and correctly predict the wound status with a good degree of accuracy. Results show that BWC technique provides very good accuracy, i.e. 87.40%, whereas the individual tissue wise accuracy for granulation tissue is 89.44%, slough tissue is 81.87% and for necrotic tissue is 90.91%.
Computational Thinking in Constructionist Video Games
Authors: Weintrop David , Holbert Nathan , Horn Michael S. , Wilensky Uri
Published: January 2016

Video games offer an exciting opportunity for learners to engage in computational thinking in informal contexts. This paper describes a genre of learning environments called constructionist video games that are especially well suited for developing learners' computational thinking skills. These games blend features of conventional video games with learning and design theory from the constructionist tradition, making the construction of in-game artifacts the core activity of gameplay. Along with defining the constructionist video game, the authors present three design principles central to thier conception of the genre: the construction of personally meaningful computational artifacts, the centrality of powerful ideas, and the opportunity for learner-directed exploration. Using studies conducted with two constructionist video games, the authors show how players used in-game construction tools to design complex artifacts as part of game play, and highlight the computational thinking strategies they engaged in to overcome game challenges.
Mobile Learning
Authors: Duvall Matthew , Matranga Anthony , Foster Aroutis , Silverman Jason
Published: January 2016

This study reports on the effects of a mobile game designed in conjunction with an art museum to develop children's understanding of line, shape, and color. Four researchers (two graduate students and two professors at a private university in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States) examined 8 children, ages 6 to 13, for conceptual change in their understanding of art. Grounded theory and thematic analysis were used to examine children's conceptions of line, shape, and color through gameplay and to answer the research question, “How does a mobile application impact students' conceptual understanding of line, shape and color?” The researchers found that the mobile learning experience was effectively mediating participants' school and personal experiences to support conceptual change.
Designing and Deploying 3D Collaborative Games in Education
Authors: Mavridis Apostolos , Tsiatsos Thrasyvoulos , Terzidou Theodouli
Published: January 2016

This paper focuses on methodologies of serious games deployment and evaluation. Particularly, this study will present a specific category of serious games that are based on Collaborative Virtual Environments and they aim to support Collaborative Learning. We call these serious games Collaborative Virtual Educational Games (CVEG). The paper aims to analyze the deployment and evaluation process, through the study of relevant bibliography, and by doing so to reveal the existing research gap, which fails to evaluate the threefold nature – game, collaboration, and software - of CVEG. The proposed framework aims to support the design, deployment, and evaluation of a CVEG, by incorporating two consecutive and recurrent cycles, each consisting of distinct phases. Furthermore, each phase is designed to address specific goals. Finally, the paper presents four case studies, applying the proposed theoretical methodology for designing, deploying and evaluating a pragmatic CVEG.
How Can Wii Learn From Video Games?
Authors: Downs Edward , Oliver Mary Beth
Published: January 2016

Motion controlling technology allows game players to interact with video games using kinesthetic body motions that replicate real-world activities. A 2x2 fully crossed, between-subjects experiment, plus control group was designed to empirically test how the type of controller (motion controller vs. symbolic controller) and avatar customization (customized vs. not customized) contributed to affective and behavioral responses when playing the Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game. Findings indicated that using the motion controller led to better video game performance, in addition to better performance in a real-world putting task. Further, use of the motion controller led to greater perceptions of golf efficacy (indirectly through presence), and was positively correlated with liking of the video game, which in turn led to greater perceptions of liking of the game of golf. Theoretical and practical implications for these findings are discussed.
Narrative and Conceptual Expertise in Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games
Authors: Corredor Javier Alejandro , Benavides Leonardo Rojas
Published: January 2016

This article aims at investigating the differences among three groups having distinct levels of experience in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), when solving a character design task in the videogame World of Warcraft (WoW), and when planning how to use the character during gameplay. These groups consisted of inexperienced players, general experts in MMORPGs and specialized WoW domain experts. The evaluation showed that MMORPG experience developed character design abilities that could be applied to other videogames (e.g., general expertise skills). Such skills were related to the ability to identify deep features related to particular types of characters (e.g., Rogue). The results also showed that there are domain expertise specific abilities, which only experts in WoW have. Such abilities were related to building game descriptions that could be considered narrative in the cognitive sense of the term, because they include time, intention and interaction, and also to identifying WoW-specific variables.
Cyber-Physical Platform Development for Multivariable Artificial Pancreas Systems
Authors: Lazaro Caterina , Oruklu Erdal , Cinar Ali
Published: January 2016

This paper describes a distributed sensor platform for a new breed of artificial pancreas devices. In recent work, a multi-variable adaptive algorithm has been proposed which incorporates physical activity of the patients for accurate prediction and control of glucose levels. In order to facilitate this algorithm, the authors integrate a smartphone and multiple sensors including activity trackers and a glucose monitor into a distributed system. The proposed sensor platform provides real-time data access for the artificial pancreas control algorithm hosted on a remote device.
Networked Wireless Sensors, Active RFID, and Handheld Devices for Modern Car Park Management
Authors: Djenouri Djamel , Karbab ElMouatezbillah , Boulkaboul Sahar , Bagula Antoine
Published: January 2016

Networked wireless sensors, actuators, RFID, and mobile computing technologies are explored in this paper on the quest for modern car park management systems with sophisticated services over the emerging internet of things (IoT), where things such as ubiquitous handheld computers, smart ubiquitous sensors, RFID readers and tags are expected to be interconnected to virtually form networks that enable a variety of services. After an overview of the literature, the authors propose a scalable and lowcost car parking framework (CPF) based on the integration of aforementioned technologies. A preliminary prototype implementation has been performed, as well as experimentation of some modules of the proposed CPF. The results demonstrate proof of concept, and particularly reveal that the proposed approach for WSN deployment considerably reduces the cost and energy consumption compared to existing solutions.
Simulation and Analysis of Mass Casualty Mission Tactics
Authors: Sautter Johannes , Havlik Denis , Böspflug Lars , Max Matthias , Rannat Kalev , Erlich Marc , Engelbach Wolf
Published: January 2016

Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) cannot be managed with existing resources from operational area. The key to MCI management therefore is the efficient use of the few own resources as well as resources from neighboring administrative units by local medical mission commanders. This paper suggests a computer-based modeling and simulation system with a user- and context-adequate interface for testing local MCI mission tactics with realistic spatial and temporal availabilities of rescue units and hospitals in the vicinity of an accident site. From an organizational point of view, the tool could contribute to a holistic quality management approach for improving MCI management by facilitating site-specific resource deployment, mission structure, and patient evacuation planning. This paper describes the interaction concept of a resource planning application and envisions its usage in training courses, in breaks of leading personnel and for elaborating local preparedness plans.
Towards Efficient Security
Authors: Reuter Christian
Published: January 2016

Business Continuity Management (BCM) is an integral part of civil security in terms of corporate crisis management. According to the ISO 22301 (2014) BCM is defined as a holistic management process which identifies potential threats to an organization and the impacts those threats might have on business operations. Looking at the current situation of studies conducted in this field it seems to be obvious that the use of BCM in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) is underrepresented and that the security level is partially located in an uneconomical range. This paper presents a literature research on the use of BCM in SME and discusses research findings concerning this matter. Based on this a matrix for possible impacts vs. quality of the crisis management for different actors is derived. The article concludes with the presentation of lightweight und easy to handle BCM security solutions in form of Smart Services, as a possible solution for the increasingly IT relaying industry 4.0.
Navigating Complex Systems Design with the PEArL Framework
Authors: Champion Donna
Published: January 2016

The problems and difficulties in complex systems design are more subjective and ambiguous than commonly acknowledged and soft systems tools and frameworks can help to address gaps in knowledge and support judgement throughout the design process. This paper describes the application of the PEArL framework, an intellectual device based on systemic principles, to support a team in a complex product environment manage the ‘soft' challenges in complex systems design. The PEArL framework facilitated the creation and management of inter-disciplinary relationships in a pressurised business environment and provided a structure for validation of the way in which the design process had been undertaken.
Analyzing the IS 2010 Model Curriculum for Evidence of the Systems Approach
Authors: Schell George , Mathieu Richard
Published: January 2016

The systems approach is frequently associated with solving large-scale, complex problems and is regarded as a foundation for systems engineering and decision-making. Components of the systems approach are too frequently missing from information systems programs in business schools. The purpose of this paper is to determine the degree to which the IS 2010: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs contains the systems approach in its learning objectives as well as specific course content. By examining the curriculum guidelines a preliminary judgment can be made concerning evidence of the systems approach having a broad implementation across information systems programs. The paper concludes with a discussion of the importance of the systems approach in the IS curriculum and establishing the systems approach as a theme in the curriculum of IS programs.
Agricultural Growth Accounting and Total Factor Productivity in Jordan
Authors: Akroush Samia Nadeem , Dhehibi Boubaker , Aw-Hassan Aden
Published: January 2016

This article develops new estimates of historical agricultural productivity growth in Jordan. It investigates how public policies such as agricultural research, investment in irrigation capital, and water pricing have contributed to agricultural productivity growth. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) annual time series from 1961 to 2011 of all crops and livestock productions are the primary source for agricultural outputs and inputs used to construct the Törnqvist Index for the case of Jordan. The log-linear form of regression equation was used to examine the relationship between Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth and different factors affecting TFP growth. The results showed that human capital has positive and direct significant impact on TFP implying that people with longer life expectancy has a significant impact on TFP growth. This article concludes that despite some recent improvement, agricultural productivity growth in Jordan continues to lag behind just about every other region of the world.
Reciprocating Friction and Wear Characteristics of Al Particulate Glass Epoxy Composites
Authors: Sarkar Pujan , Modak Nipu , Sahoo Prasanta
Published: January 2016

An experimental study has been carried out to investigate the reciprocating friction and wear characteristics of woven glass epoxy composites filled with Al particulate using a reciprocating friction and wear tester. The fiber weight fraction has been kept constant at 60 wt% and Al wt% is varied as 0, 5, 10, and 15%. The composite is fabricated in hand lay-up technique followed by light compression moulding. Friction and wear behavior under dry reciprocating condition has been presented as function of reciprocating distance keeping reciprocating frequency and normal load constant at 30 Hz and 1.0 Kg respectively. Composites having 5 and 10 wt% Al powder exhibit less friction and wear loss as compared to unfilled glass epoxy composite whereas 15 wt% Al filled glass epoxy composite reports highest friction and wear loss. An attempt has been made to observe the distribution of fiber and Al particles in the composite, and to correlate the wear behavior using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations.
Hydrodynamic Behavior of the Sliding Surface with Semicircular Pores
Authors: Burstein Leonid
Published: January 2016

A mathematical model, theoretical and numerical solutions are represented for non-contacting sliding surfaces with pores having a half-round form. The theoretically based expressions for the hydrodynamic pressure, the maximum positive pressure and the load capacity were obtained for a cell which includes the inside and outside of the pore areas. The cell and pore dimensions were studied in the range 7.5…100 and 5... 20 micron respectively. The obtained expressions were validated with the MATLAB ODE-solver. It is shown that behavior of the sliding surfaces with semicircular pores can be achieved for the pores with pore radii-gap ratio about 0.5 … 2 and the control cell dimensions to pore radii ratios about 3 … 5. The rate of performance improvement becomes small above these values. In general, the optimum pore size decreases at higher pore cell-pore ratios and lower pore-gap ratio values.