Abstract: Semantic Web services will enable the semiautomatic
and automatic annotation, advertisement, discovery,
selection, composition, and execution of inter-organization business
logic, making the Internet become a common global platform where
organizations and individuals communicate with each other to carry
out various commercial activities and to provide value-added
services. There is a growing consensus that Web services alone will
not be sufficient to develop valuable solutions due the degree of
heterogeneity, autonomy, and distribution of the Web. This paper
deals with two of the hottest R&D and technology areas currently
associated with the Web – Web services and the Semantic Web. It
presents the synergies that can be created between Web Services and
Semantic Web technologies to provide a new generation of eservices.
Abstract: This study explored the correlates of forgiving
historical racial offenses and the relationship between daily
experiences of racism and forgiving historical racial offenses. 147
African Americans participated to the study. Results indicated that
guilt attribution, distrust, need of reparations, religion, and perception
of apology relate to forgiving past racial offenses. In addition the
more individuals experience racism related events, the less likely
they forgive the past mistreatments of African Americans.
Abstract: This paper explores gender related barriers to interagency collaboration in statutory children safeguard partnerships against a theoretical framework that considers individuals, professions and organisations interacting as part of a complex adaptive system. We argue that gender-framed obstacles to effective communication between culturally discrepant agencies can ultimately impact on the effectiveness of policy delivery,. We focused our research on three partnership structures in Sefton Metropolitan Borough in order to observe how interactions occur, whether the agencies involved perceive their occupational environment as being gender affected and whether they believe this can hinder effective collaboration with other biased organisations. Our principal empirical findings indicate that there is a general awareness amongst professionals of the role that gender plays in each of the agencies reviewed, that gender may well constitute a barrier to effective communication, but there is a sense in which there is little scope for change in the short term. We aim to signal here, however, the need to change against the risk of service failure.
Abstract: Sharing motivations of viral advertisements by
consumers and the impacts of these advertisements on the
perceptions for brand will be questioned in this study. Three
fundamental questions are answered in the study. These are
advertisement watching and sharing motivations of individuals,
criteria of liking viral advertisement and the impact of individual
attitudes for viral advertisement on brand perception respectively.
This study will be carried out via a viral advertisement which was
practiced in Turkey. The data will be collected by survey method and
the sample of the study consists of individuals who experienced the
practice of sample advertisement. Data will be collected by online
survey method and will be analyzed by using SPSS statistical
package program.
Recently traditional advertisement mind have been changing. New
advertising approaches which have significant impacts on consumers
have been argued. Viral advertising is a modernist advertisement
mind which offers significant advantages to brands apart from
traditional advertising channels such as television, radio and
magazines. Viral advertising also known as Electronic Word-of-
Mouth (eWOM) consists of free spread of convincing messages sent
by brands among interpersonal communication. When compared to
the traditional advertising, a more provocative thematic approach is
argued.
The foundation of this approach is to create advertisements that
are worth sharing with others by consumers. When that fact is taken
into consideration, in a manner of speaking it can also be stated that
viral advertising is media engineering.
The content worth sharing makes people being a volunteer
spokesman of a brand and strengthens the emotional bonds among
brand and consumer. Especially for some sectors in countries which
are having traditional advertising channel limitations, viral
advertising creates vital advantages.
Abstract: The paper attempts a synthesis of problems relating to
municipal waste management in Nigeria and proposes a conceptual
knowledge management approach for tackling municipal waste
problems in cities across Nigeria. The application of knowledge
management approach and strategy is crucial for inculcating a change
of attitude towards improving the management of waste. The paper is
a review of existing literatures, information, policies and data on
municipal waste management in Nigeria. The inefficient management
of waste by individuals, households, consumers and waste
management companies can be attributed to inadequate information
on waste management benefits, lack of producers- involvement in
waste management as well as poor implementation of government
policies. The paper presents an alternative approach providing
solutions promoting efficient municipal waste management.
Abstract: The paper presents a part of the results obtained in a
complex research project on Romanian Grey Steppe breed, owner of
some remarkable qualities such as hardiness, longevity, adaptability,
special resistance to ban weather and diseases and included in the
genetic fund (G.D. no. 822/2008.) from Romania.
Following the researches effectuated, we identified alleles of six
loci, codifying the six types of major milk proteins: alpha-casein S1
(α S1-cz); beta-casein (β-cz); kappa-casein (K-cz); beta-lactoglobulin
(β-lg); alpha-lactalbumin (α-la) and alpha-casein S2 (α S2-cz). In
system αS1-cz allele αs1-Cn B has the highest frequency (0.700), in
system β-cz allele β-Cn A2 ( 0.550 ), in system K-cz allele k-CnA2 (
0.583 ) and heterozygote genotype AB ( 0.416 ) and BB (0.375), in
system β-lg allele β-lgA1 has the highest frequency (0.542 ) and
heterozygote genotype AB ( 0.500 ), in system α-la there is
monomorphism for allele α-la B and similarly in system αS2-cz for
allele αs2-Cn A.
The milk analysis by the isoelectric focalization technique (I.E.F.)
allowed the identification of a new allele for locus αS1-casein, for two
of the individuals under analysis, namely allele called αS1-casein
IRV. When experiments were repeated, we noticed that this is not a
proteolysis band and it really was a new allele that has not been
registered in the specialized literature so far. We identified two
heterozygote individuals, carriers of this allele, namely: BIRV and
CIRV. This discovery is extremely important if focus is laid on the
national genetic patrimony.
Abstract: We present analysis of spatial patterns of generic
disease spread simulated by a stochastic long-range correlation SIR
model, where individuals can be infected at long distance in a power
law distribution. We integrated various tools, namely perimeter,
circularity, fractal dimension, and aggregation index to characterize
and investigate spatial pattern formations. Our primary goal was to
understand for a given model of interest which tool has an advantage
over the other and to what extent. We found that perimeter and
circularity give information only for a case of strong correlation–
while the fractal dimension and aggregation index exhibit the growth
rule of pattern formation, depending on the degree of the correlation
exponent (β). The aggregation index method used as an alternative
method to describe the degree of pathogenic ratio (α). This study may
provide a useful approach to characterize and analyze the pattern
formation of epidemic spreading
Abstract: In this study, an optimization of supersonic air-to-air ejector is carried out by a recently developed single-objective genetic algorithm based on adaption of sequence of individuals. Adaptation of sequence is based on Shape-based distance of individuals and embedded micro-genetic algorithm. The optimal sequence found defines the succession of CFD-aimed objective calculation within each generation of regular micro-genetic algorithm. A spring-based deformation mutates the computational grid starting the initial individualvia adapted population in the optimized sequence. Selection of a generation initial individual is knowledge-based. A direct comparison of the newly defined and standard micro-genetic algorithm is carried out for supersonic air-to-air ejector. The only objective is to minimize the loose of total stagnation pressure in the ejector. The result is that sequence-adopted micro-genetic algorithm can provide comparative results to standard algorithm but in significantly lower number of overall CFD iteration steps.
Abstract: Network-Centric Air Defense Missile Systems
(NCADMS) represents the superior development of the air defense
missile systems and has been regarded as one of the major research
issues in military domain at present. Due to lack of knowledge and
experience on NCADMS, modeling and simulation becomes an effective
approach to perform operational analysis, compared with
those equation based ones. However, the complex dynamic interactions
among entities and flexible architectures of NCADMS put forward
new requirements and challenges to the simulation framework
and models. ABS (Agent-Based Simulations) explicitly addresses
modeling behaviors of heterogeneous individuals. Agents have capability
to sense and understand things, make decisions, and act on the
environment. They can also cooperate with others dynamically to
perform the tasks assigned to them. ABS proves an effective approach
to explore the new operational characteristics emerging in
NCADMS. In this paper, based on the analysis of network-centric
architecture and new cooperative engagement strategies for
NCADMS, an agent-based simulation framework by expanding the
simulation framework in the so-called System Effectiveness Analysis
Simulation (SEAS) was designed. The simulation framework specifies
components, relationships and interactions between them, the
structure and behavior rules of an agent in NCADMS. Based on scenario
simulations, information and decision superiority and operational
advantages in NCADMS were analyzed; meanwhile some
suggestions were provided for its future development.
Abstract: In this presentation, we discuss the use of information technologies in the area of special education for teaching individuals with learning disabilities. Application software which was developed for this purpose is used to demonstrate the applicability of a database integrated information processing system to alleviate the burden of educators. The software allows the preparation of individualized education programs based on the predefined objectives, goals and behaviors.
Abstract: In most of the popular implementation of Parallel GAs
the whole population is divided into a set of subpopulations, each
subpopulation executes GA independently and some individuals are
migrated at fixed intervals on a ring topology. In these studies,
the migrations usually occur 'synchronously' among subpopulations.
Therefore, CPUs are not used efficiently and the communication
do not occur efficiently either. A few studies tried asynchronous
migration but it is hard to implement and setting proper parameter
values is difficult.
The aim of our research is to develop a migration method which is
easy to implement, which is easy to set parameter values, and which
reduces communication traffic. In this paper, we propose a traffic
reduction method for the Asynchronous Parallel Distributed GA by
migration of elites only. This is a Server-Client model. Every client
executes GA on a subpopulation and sends an elite information to the
server. The server manages the elite information of each client and
the migrations occur according to the evolution of sub-population in
a client. This facilitates the reduction in communication traffic.
To evaluate our proposed model, we apply it to many function optimization
problems. We confirm that our proposed method performs
as well as current methods, the communication traffic is less, and
setting of the parameters are much easier.
Abstract: The need for multilingual communication in Japan has
increased due to an increase in the number of foreigners in the
country. When people communicate in their nonnative language,
the differences in language prevent mutual understanding among
the communicating individuals. In the medical field, communication
between the hospital staff and patients is a serious problem. Currently,
medical translators accompany patients to medical care facilities, and
the demand for medical translators is increasing. However, medical
translators cannot necessarily provide support, especially in cases in
which round-the-clock support is required or in case of emergencies.
The medical field has high expectations from information technology.
Hence, a system that supports accurate multilingual communication is
required. Despite recent advances in machine translation technology,
it is very difficult to obtain highly accurate translations. We have
developed a support system called M3 for multilingual medical
reception. M3 provides support functions that aid foreign patients in
the following respects: conversation, questionnaires, reception procedures,
and hospital navigation; it also has a Q&A function. Users
can operate M3 using a touch screen and receive text-based support.
In addition, M3 uses accurate translation tools called parallel texts
to facilitate reliable communication through conversations between
the hospital staff and the patients. However, if there is no parallel
text that expresses what users want to communicate, the users cannot
communicate. In this study, we have developed a circulating support
environment for multilingual medical communication using parallel
texts. The proposed environment can circulate necessary parallel texts
through the following procedure: (1) a user provides feedback about
the necessary parallel texts, following which (2) these parallel texts
are created and evaluated.
Abstract: Chest pain is one of the most prevalent complaints
among adults that cause the people to attend to medical centers. The
aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of chest pain
among over 30 years old people in Tehran. In this cross-sectional
study, 787 adults took part from Apr 2005 until Apr 2006. The
sampling method was random cluster sampling and there were 25
clusters. In each cluster, interviews were performed with 32 over 30
years old, people lived in those houses. In cases with chest pain, extra
questions asked. The prevalence of CP was 9% (71 cases). Of them
21 cases (6.5%) were in 41-60 year age ranges and the remainders
were over 61 year old. 19 cases (26.8%) mentioned CP in resting
state and all of the cases had exertion onset CP. The CP duration was
10 minutes or less in all of the cases and in most of them (84.5%), the
location of pain mentioned left anterior part of chest, left anterior part
of sternum and or left arm. There was positive history of myocardial
infarction in 12 cases (17%). There was significant relation between
CP and age, sex and between history of myocardial infarction and
marital state of study people. Our results are similar to other studies-
results in most parts, however it is necessary to perform
supplementary tests and follow up studies to differentiate between
cardiac and non-cardiac CP exactly.
Abstract: The urbanization phenomenon in Yogyakarta Special
Province, Indonesia, encouraged people move to the city for getting
jobs in the informal sectors. They live in some temporary houses in
the three main riverbanks: Gadjahwong, Code, and Winongo.
Triggered by its independent status they use it as the space for
accommodating domestic, social and economy activities because of
the non standardized room size of their houses, where are recognized
as the environmental hazards. This recognition makes the ambivalent
perception when was related to the twelfth point of the philosophy of
community development concept: the empowering individuals and
communities. Its spatial implication have actually described the
territory and the place making phenomena. By analyzing some data
collected the author-s fundamental research funded by The General
Directorate of Higher Education of Indonesia, this paper will discuss
how do the spatial implications of the occupants- behavior and the
numerous perceptions of those phenomena.
Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex
metabolic disorder that characterized by the presence of high glucose
in blood that cause from insulin resistance and insufficiency due to
deterioration β-cell Langerhans functions. T2DM is commonly
caused by the combination of inherited genetic variations as well as
our own lifestyle. Metallothionein (MT) is a known cysteine-rich
protein responsible in helping zinc homeostasis which is important in
insulin signaling and secretion as well as protection our body from
reactive oxygen species (ROS). MT scavenged ROS and free
radicals in our body happen to be one of the reasons of T2DM and its
complications. The objective of this study was to investigate the
association of MT1A and MT2A polymorphisms between T2DM and
control subjects among Malay populations. This study involved 150
T2DM and 120 Healthy individuals of Malay ethnic with mixed
genders. The genomic DNA was extracted from buccal cells and
amplified for MT1A and MT2A loci; the 347bp and 238bp banding
patterns were respectively produced by mean of the Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR). The PCR products were digested with Mlucl
and Tsp451 restriction enzymes respectively and producing
fragments lengths of (158/189/347bp) and (103/135/238bp)
respectively. The ANOVA test was conducted and it shown that there
was a significant difference between diabetic and control subjects for
age, BMI, WHR, SBP, FPG, HBA1C, LDL, TG, TC and family
history with (P0.05). The genotype
frequency for AA, AG and GG of MT1A polymorphisms was 72.7%,
22.7% and 4.7% in cases and 15%, 55% and 30% in control
respectively. As for MT2A, genotype frequency of GG, GC and CC
was 42.7%, 27.3% and 30% in case and 5%, 40% and 55% for
control respectively. Both polymorphisms show significant difference
between two investigated groups with (P=0.000). The Post hoc test
was conducted and shows a significant difference between the
genotypes within each polymorphism (P=0. 000). The MT1A and
MT2A polymorphisms were believed to be the reliable molecular
markers to distinguish the T2DM subjects from healthy individuals in
Malay populations.
Abstract: The paper shows how the perceptions of five organizational virtuousness dimensions (optimism, trust, compassion, integrity, and forgiveness) explain organizational citizenship behaviors (altruism, sportsmanship, courtesy, conscientiousness, and civic virtue). A sample comprising 216 individuals from 14 industrial organizations was collected. Individuals reported their perceptions of organizational virtuousness, their organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) being reported by their supervisors. The main findings are the following: (a) the perceptions of trust predict altruism; (b) the perceptions of integrity predict civic virtue.
Abstract: In the past years a lot of effort has been made in the
field of face detection. The human face contains important features
that can be used by vision-based automated systems in order to
identify and recognize individuals. Face location, the primary step of
the vision-based automated systems, finds the face area in the input
image. An accurate location of the face is still a challenging task.
Viola-Jones framework has been widely used by researchers in order
to detect the location of faces and objects in a given image. Face
detection classifiers are shared by public communities, such as
OpenCV. An evaluation of these classifiers will help researchers to
choose the best classifier for their particular need. This work focuses
of the evaluation of face detection classifiers minding facial
landmarks.
Abstract: With the proliferation of mobile computing technology, mobile learning (m-learning) will play a vital role in the rapidly growing electronic learning market. However, the acceptance of m-learning by individuals is critical to the successful implementation of m-learning systems. Thus, there is a need to research the factors that affect users- intention to use m-learning. Based on an updated information system (IS) success model, data collected from 350 respondents in Taiwan were tested against the research model using the structural equation modeling approach. The data collected by questionnaire were analyzed to check the validity of constructs. Then hypotheses describing the relationships between the identified constructs and users- satisfaction were formulated and tested.
Abstract: Possible advantages of technology in educational
context required the defining boundaries of formal and informal
learning. Increasing opportunity to ubiquitous learning by
technological support has revealed a question of how to discover
the potential of individuals in the spontaneous environments such as
social networks. This seems to be related with the question of what
purposes in social networks have been being used? Social networks
provide various advantages in educational context as collaboration,
knowledge sharing, common interests, active participation and
reflective thinking. As a consequence of these, the purpose of this
study is composed of proposing a new model that could determine
factors which effect adoption of social network applications for usage
in educational context. While developing a model proposal, the
existing adoption and diffusion models have been reviewed and they
are thought to be suitable on handling an original perspective instead
of using completely other diffusion or acceptance models because of
different natures of education from other organizations. In the
proposed model; social factors, perceived ease of use, perceived
usefulness and innovativeness are determined four direct constructs
that effect adoption process. Facilitating conditions, image,
subjective norms and community identity are incorporated to model
as antecedents of these direct four constructs.
Abstract: Based on experimental data using accelerometry technology there was developed an analytical model that approximates human induced ground reaction forces in vertical, longitudinal and lateral directions ascending and descending the stairs. Proposed dynamic loading factors and corresponding phase shifts for the first five harmonics of continuous walking force history in case of stair ascend and descend. Into account is taken imperfectness of individual footfall forcing functions, differences between continuous walking force histories among individuals. There is proposed mean synthetic continuous walking force history that can be used in numerical simulations of human movement on the stairs.