Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Anything Can Happen In The Zone: Library And Departmental Change Driven By Migration To A Cloud-Based Library Management System, Josh Petrusa

Josh Petrusa

Butler University Libraries had already made progressive changes in public services areas, but Technical Services remained unchanged and bound to legacy practices from decades past. For us, the best catalyst for change was a system migration to a cloud-based type of management system. This system migration was tied to organizational restructuring and a new strategic plan, each of which intertwined with the details of the migration project and was underpinned by thoughtful analysis of how to help employees through change. Details of the migration are discussed in relation to how they inspired departmental and organizational change through updated technology.

Applications Of Controllable Smart Fluids To Mechanical Systems, Seung-Bok Choi, Norman Wereley, Weihua Li, Miao Yu, Jeong-Hoi Koo

Miao Yu

For this special issue, 20 papers have been received, and three of which have been withdrawn. After strict review processes by the world-wide experts on the smart fluids technology, 10 papers have been accepted and are published here.The published papers cover various application devices and systems, which can be controllable to achieve desired performances by applying the external fields to the smart fluid domains. A brief summary of each application item proposed in the published papers is given as follows.

Reducing Unwarranted Variation In Healthcare Service Delivery Systems: Key Issues, Research Challenges And Potential Solutions, Nagesh Shukla, Senevi Kiridena, Nishikant Mishra

Nagesh Shukla

There is a growing need worldwide to increase the quality and productivity of healthcare services delivery. To this end, analysing and reducing unwarranted variations in healthcare has attracted much attention in recent times. However, current modelling and simulation approaches to reduce unwarranted variations suffer from numerous limitations. Consequently, service improvement efforts have often failed to deliver expected results. This paper discusses the key issues associated with reducing unwarranted variations in hospital service delivery systems, and proposes a research framework that aims at overcoming these issues. In doing so, it highlights the need for: accurately and efficiently modelling complex service delivery …

Power Sharing Among Multiple Solar Photovoltaic (Pv) Systems In A Radial Distribution Feeder, Brian K. Perera, Philip Ciufo

Dr Philip Ciufo

With an increasing penetration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, power distribution grids are becoming more susceptible to network voltage rise. As per applicable standards for grid-integrated PV systems, a PV system must be automatically disconnected from the grid when the terminal voltage of the PV system exceeds a defined maximum voltage. With this directive, in certain situations, PV systems connected at nodes at which the voltage sensitivity is high, may be disconnected from the grid while PV systems connected at less sensitive nodes are continuing to operate. In such a situation, owners whose PV systems are connected at nodes at …

A Comparative Analysis Of Multichannel Data Acquisition Systems For Quality Assurance In External Beam Radiation Therapy, Iolanda Fuduli, Claudiu Porumb, Anthony Espinoza, Abdullah Aldosari, Martin Carolan, Michael Lf Lerch, Peter E. Metcalfe, Anatoly Rosenfeld, Marco Petasecca

Anthony A Espinoza Mr

The paper presents a comparative study performed by the Centre of Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP) on three multichannel Data Acquisition Systems (DAQ) based on different analogue front-ends to suit a wide range of radiotherapy applications. The three front-ends are: a charge-to-frequency converter developed by INFN Torino, an electrometer and a charge-to-digital converter (both commercial devices from Texas Instruments). For the first two (named DAQ A and B), the CMRP has designed the read-out systems whilst the third one (DAQ C) comes with its own evaluation board. For the purpose of the characterization DAQ A and DAQ B have been equipped …

Informing Destination Recommender Systems Design And Evaluation Through Quantitative Research, Ulrike Gretzel, Yeong-Hyeon Hwang, Daniel Fesenmaier

Ulrike Gretzel

Purpose - Destination recommender systems need to become truly human-centric in their design and functionality. This requires a profound understanding of human interactions with technology as well as human behavior related to information search and decision-making in the context of travel and tourism. This paper seeks to review relevant theories that can support the development and evaluation of destination recommender systems and to discuss how quantitative research can inform such theory building and testing. Design/methodology/approach - Based on a review of information search and decision-making literatures, a framework for the development of destination recommender systems is proposed and the implications …

Satellite Hacking: A Guide For The Perplexed, Jason Fritz

Jason Fritz

Extract: A significant disruption to satellite services would have damaging effects on society. However, news headlines of satellites being hacked, such as those stemming from the 2011 Report to Congress of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, degrade discussion in international relations by oversimplifying the topic. Limiting the information given might be due to security concerns or a lack of attention span on the part of its intended audience; however oversimplification gives the impression that an individual hacker sitting at their computer can access satellites with a few simple keystrokes. Conversely, it might lead others to dismiss the topic …

Dynamic Channel Allocation For Mobile Cellular Systems Using A Control Theoretical Approach, Yaya Wei, Chuang Lin, Raad Raad, Fengyuan Ren

Dr Raad Raad

The guard channel scheme in wireless mobile networks has attracted and is still drawing research interest owing to easy implementation and flexible control. Dynamic guard channel schemes have already been proposed in the literature to adapt to varying traffic load. This paper presents a novel control-theoretic approach to dynamically reserve guard channels called PI-Guard Channel (PI-GC) controller that maintains the handoff blocking probability (HBP) to a predefined value; while it still improves the channel resource utilization.

Very High Data Rate Mb-Ofdm Uwb Systems With Transmit Diversity Techniques, Ngoc Phuc Le, Le Chung Tran, Farzad Safaei

Professor Farzad Safaei

In this paper, the application of space time block codes in a very high data rate multiband-OFDM ultra-wideband (VHDR MB-OFDM UWB) system, where the Modified Dual Carrier Modulation (MDCM) scheme and Low Density Parity Check codes are deployed, is investigated. First, we present a new table-based mapping approach and derive soft-demapping expressions for the MDCM scheme. We then propose a space-time-frequency coded VHDR MB-OFDM UWB system by incorporating space time block codes into the conventional VHDR MB-OFDM UWB system. Numerical simulations of the system supporting a data rate of 1Gbps over the IEEE 802.15.3a channel models are implemented. The simulation …

Double Space-Time Transmit Diversity For Very High Data Rate Mb-Ofdm Uwb Systems, Ngoc P. Le, Le C. Tran, Farzad Safaei

Professor Farzad Safaei

In this paper, we investigate a multiband-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing ultra-wideband (MB-OFDM UWB) system with very high data rates (VHDR) of several gigabits per second (Gbps). We propose a DSTTD-based VHDR MB-OFDM UWB system by incorporating a double space-time transmit diversity (DSTTD) scheme into the conventional MB-OFDM UWB system. At the receiver, an efficient soft-demapper that takes into consideration the noise enhancement due to a zero-forcing equalization is developed. Numerical simulations of the proposed system at a very high data rate of 2.Gbps over the IEEE 802.15.3a channel models are implemented. The simulation results show that this system could achieve …

Eliciting And Specifying Requirements For Highly Interactive Systems Using Activity Theory, Robert B. K. Brown, Peter Hyland, Ian C. Piper

Dr Ian Piper

The processes of eliciting user requirements and formalising these into specifications are critical for the success of highly interactive systems. These processes are still poorly understood, partly because current methods are usually ad hoc and lack any theoretical basis. A number of researchers have used Activity Theory (AT) to refine these processes and have met with some success. To date, this approach has been more useful explaining the processes post hoc. This positional paper proposes an AT method for requirement elicitation and specification definition. The method is sufficiently prescriptive and well formed that it does not require any detailed understanding …

Analysis United Kingdom And United States Healthcare, Joyce K. Kutin

Joyce K Kutin RN, MSN, MOL

United Kingdom and the United States are two dissimilar health systems each having uniquely differing focuses, where the primary differences are a parliamentary verses a republic government application toward the socioeconomic requirements of the populace. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service interprets health care as a public service rather than the commodity. The United States healthcare system is riddled with disparities regarding quality, access and cost. The socioeconomic poor and or homeless are less likely to utilize the healthcare system when compared to others who are more fortunate. Health care systems are facing the same challenges around the world with …

Usability Testing Of Public Health Web-Based Information Systems, Sumayya Banna, Kholoud Alkayid, Helen M. Hasan, Joseph A. Meloche

Sumayya a Banna

While the Internet provides many opportunities for increased levels of care and access to information services in the area of public health, many web designers are not yet taking full advantage of its potential. This study looks at Intensive Care and Palliative Care, as important instances where health informatics could improve public web-based services, in meeting the particular information needs of family members of critically and chronically ill patients. This study is significant in adopting an approach to the usability testing of websites based on concepts from Activity Theory. This takes a realistic and practical approach, which identifies the purpose …

Application Of Human Reasoning In Question Answering Systems, Farhad Oroumchian, E. Darudi, M. Rahgozar, B. Ofogi

Farhad Oroumchian

No abstract provided.

Usability Testing Of Public Health Web-Based Information Systems, Sumayya Banna, Kholoud Alkayid, Helen M. Hasan, Joseph A. Meloche

Helen Hasan

While the Internet provides many opportunities for increased levels of care and access to information services in the area of public health, many web designers are not yet taking full advantage of its potential. This study looks at Intensive Care and Palliative Care, as important instances where health informatics could improve public web-based services, in meeting the particular information needs of family members of critically and chronically ill patients. This study is significant in adopting an approach to the usability testing of websites based on concepts from Activity Theory. This takes a realistic and practical approach, which identifies the purpose …

Socio-Technical Systems: From Individual Transactions To Situated Community Activity, Helen M. Hasan

Helen Hasan

Although basic concepts of Activity Theory were articulated almost a century ago, they have stood the test of time and are proving to be appropriate for research into modem situation involving the use of socio-technical systems. Over the past decades the field of Information Systems has advanced from a focus on routine transaction processing systems to more sophisticated applications that support situated community activity. This chapter will describe how Activity Theory is becoming increasing relevant to these types of systems and can be complemented by other approaches such as Complexity Theory and a particular Knowledge Lens. Research is presented that …

Implementing Systems In Complex Work Organisations, Wannapa Suratmethakul, Helen M. Hasan

Helen Hasan

This paper describes research on a case of the introduction, into a large educational institution, of a complex timetabling system that was already well established in other similar organisations. The research has used a grounded theory approach to reveal details within complex phenomena in an organisation when a substantial new system was implemented. The study revealed three critical issues: Knowledge Transfer, System Capability, and Organisational Context that appeared to be related to the problems of implementing the new information system in the organisation. This research adds to the understanding of a common situation where management have an over simplified view …

Systems Thinking Applied To U.S. Federal Fisheries Management, Chad J. Mcguire, Bradley P. Harris

Chad J McGuire

White Paper: Projected Savings From School Reform, Jeff Abbott

Jeff Abbott

This paper explores possible school district savings from deregulation, de-politicization, and consolidation of school districts in Delaware County, Indiana. The author projected a 4.5 million dollar savings by the Indiana legislature changing the school districts' governance structures in Delaware County, Indiana.

Proceedings Of The Scientific Conference On Energy And It At Alvsjo Fair, Stockholm March 11-12, 2009 In Connection With The “Energitinget 2009, Dr. Erik Dahlquist, Dr. Jenny Palm

Dr. Erik Dahlquist

This book contains the proceedings from the Energy and IT conference at Alvsjo Energy conference "Energitinget" arranged by Swedish Energy Agency, with approximately 2500 visitors. The papers contain both technical and social science papers, relating to both energy efficiency in buildings and in industry.

Proceedings From Scientific Conference On Green Energy And It, Dr. Erik Dahlquist

Dr. Erik Dahlquist

This conference is part of the annual Energitinget, a national arena for energy in Sweden, with some 2500 participants. The focus with this session is to give a forum for researchers to present scientific results, and also to discuss these with other researchers. It contains papers in the area of Energy and IT as well as Green energy generally

The Press For Help Project Concept, Program And Working Paper Of Emmanuel Mario B Santos And His Marc Guerrero Communications Inc., Emmanuel Mario B. Santos Aka Marc Guerrero

Emmanuel Mario B Santos aka Marc Guerrero

FORETHOUGHT. DECLARATION OF IDEAOLOGY AND PRINCIPLES. VISION. MISSION. VALUES. GOALS. BASIC HELP project. EDUCATIONAL HELP project. MEDICAL HELP project. LEGAL HELP project. EMERGENCY HELP project. LIVELIHOOD HELP project. SPIRITUAL and CULTURAL HELP project. ENVIRONMENTAL HELP project. REENGINEERING HELP project. INTERNATIONAL HELP project. QUADRO CREDO Matthew 5.1-12, the Jerusalem Bible. The Universal Filipino Beatitudes. SALIN SA FILIPINO. DESIDERATA. AFTERTHOUGHT.