Proliferation of SDDS Support for Various Platforms and Languages

Since Self-Describing Data Sets (SDDS) were first introduced, the source code has been ported to many different operating systems and various languages. SDDS is now available in C, Tcl, Java, Fortran, and Python. All of these versions are supported on Solaris, Linux, and Windows. The C version of SDDS is also supported on VxWorks. With the recent addition of the Java port, SDDS can now be deployed on virtually any operating system. Due to this proliferation, SDDS files serve to link not only a collection of C programs, but programs and scripts in many languages on different operating systems. The platform independent binary feature of SDDS also facilitates portability among operating systems. This paper presents an overview of various benefits of SDDS platform interoperability.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, submitted to ICALEPCS 200

Scalable Storage for Digital Libraries

I propose a storage system optimised for digital libraries. Its key features are its heterogeneous scalability; its integration and exploitation of rich semantic metadata associated with digital objects; its use of a name space; and its aggressive performance optimisation in the digital library domain

Information Dissemination through Official Websites: A Critique

Website constructions in the world have progressed at a fast pace. However, compared to the pace of development, the issue of benchmarking of the contents of official websites has not yet received adequate attention. The paper argues that with the proliferation of official websites worldwide, data dissemination concepts as developed by the IMF need to be generalised towards information dissemination, with special reference to web-based dissemination. The paper, in this context, attempts to specify some common structural features in the contents of official websites that could act as potential benchmarks. It examines to what extent commonalities and differences prevail with respect to these benchmarks among the websites of a few leading international organizations, as well as a few official websites in the US and India. Analysis reveals that some degree of convergence has taken place among all official websites in (i) structuring the contents, and in (ii) providing a few basic facilities to the users. It is observed that none of the sites are fully compliant with respect to the criteria specified in the paper. Full compliance would, however, require limited effort and would mostly involve one-time uploading of specific materials. A few major limitations, however, appear to be more general. Observations suggest that in future more attention need to be focused on designing the headers and footers of web pages that can act as a general template for all official websites. More attention is also needed on providing information that would lead to more precise identification of web pages for user reference and documentation. The paper suggests some specific improvements in this regard, elaborating with examples. It also suggests a few other policy measures that could lead to more effective web-based information in official websites

Information Dissemination through Official Websites: A Critique

Website constructions in the world have progressed at a fast pace. However, compared to the pace of development, the issue of benchmarking of the contents of official websites has not yet received adequate attention. The paper argues that with the proliferation of official websites worldwide, data dissemination concepts as developed by the IMF need to be generalised towards information dissemination, with special reference to web-based dissemination. The paper, in this context, attempts to specify some common structural features in the contents of official websites that could act as potential benchmarks. It examines to what extent commonalities and differences prevail with respect to these benchmarks among the websites of a few leading international organizations, as well as a few official websites in the US and India. Analysis reveals that some degree of convergence has taken place among all official websites in (i) structuring the contents, and in (ii) providing a few basic facilities to the users. It is observed that none of the sites are fully compliant with respect to the criteria specified in the paper. Full compliance would, however, require limited effort and would mostly involve one-time uploading of specific materials. A few major limitations, however, appear to be more general. Observations suggest that in future more attention need to be focused on designing the headers and footers of web pages that can act as a general template for all official websites. More attention is also needed on providing information that would lead to more precise identification of web pages for user reference and documentation. The paper suggests some specific improvements in this regard, elaborating with examples. It also suggests a few other policy measures that could lead to more effective web-based information in official websites

CHORUS Deliverable 2.1: State of the Art on Multimedia Search Engines

Based on the information provided by European projects and national initiatives related to multimedia search as well as domains experts that participated in the CHORUS Think-thanks and workshops, this document reports on the state of the art related to multimedia content search from, a technical, and socio-economic perspective. The technical perspective includes an up to date view on content based indexing and retrieval technologies, multimedia search in the context of mobile devices and peer-to-peer networks, and an overview of current evaluation and benchmark inititiatives to measure the performance of multimedia search engines. From a socio-economic perspective we inventorize the impact and legal consequences of these technical advances and point out future directions of research

The People of the PLA 2.0

The 27th annual People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Conference—“The People in the PLA” 2.0—revisited a theme first explored at the 2006 conference but understudied since. This volume examines how the structure, education, training, and recruitment of PLA personnel have changed in the last decade and in the Xi Jinping era. Structural changes in the PLA have centered around two poles: improving the warfighting readiness of the PLA and strengthening Communist Party of China (CPC) control of the PLA. Reforms to the political work system, the evolution of the Second Artillery into the Rocket Force, and expansion of the PLA’s foreign-based force posture all indicate that the PLA is accelerating its drive to become a world-class military. To succeed in future “informatized” wars, the PLA recognizes it must improve its members’ education level. It seeks to leverage better China’s civilian education system while also addressing legacy issues that frustrate professional military education and the care of its veterans. The PLA is also reforming joint education and seeking insight from its exchanges and interactions with other nations’ militaries. The revamping of its academic institutions to support better its most technical and advanced entities for network warfare and other operations is indicative of the PLA’s fast-paced evolution.https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/1940/thumbnail.jp

Black Educational Leaders’ Social Justice Educational Practices and Experiences Within Demographically Changing Inner-Ring Suburban School Contexts

Leadership practices used by Black educational leaders (BEL) to facilitate academic success for many Black students may also benefit rapidly changing demographic student populations within inner-ring suburban school contexts. Operating from a social justice educational leadership framework emanating from the work of Theoharis, an insider perspective by Black educational leaders was explored within demographically changing inner-ring suburban public-school environments. This qualitative study used a phenomenological inquiry approach to uncover the experiential practices of BEL who lead in a northeastern United States inner-ring suburban school located adjacent to a Western New York metropolitan area. Qualitative data was collected from 10 Black educational leaders via individual interviews, demographic profile sheets, and researcher field notes. The results of the study indicate ways Black educational leaders demonstrate social justice educational leadership in demographically changing inner-ring suburban school contexts. Three themes emerging from this study included student advocacy, conceptualizing equity – a one size does not fit all, and providing accessibility to various educational opportunities and experiences. Based on this study’s findings, BEL have a unique sense of social justice educational leadership practices and experiences. The majority of study participants came from the ranks of teachers who eventually entered into administrative positions. It is recommended for stakeholders to recruitment from the Black teacher ranks, in an attempt to garner, locate, and employ potential Black educational leaders who have practices and experiences grounded in social justice educational leadership

Seller Beware: The Futures of Consumer Behaviour

The values of an industrial society are deeply rooted in Consumer Culture. Now, as Industrial Revolution, we are beginning to transition into a post-industrial society. shift in societal values, including our reliance on consumption as a primary means status projection. Recognizing that trends in goods and services consumption are economic, technological, and social fabric that they inhabit, this paper explores the consumer behaviour for senior management and industry consultants interested in the consumer landscape ahead. By examining the history of consumer culture, we the societal function of consumption in the present. By examining the present, we the societal evolutionary shift that is upon us. By exploring the potential futures, opportunities that may arise and make active decisions about the priorities for our with evolving consumers values. Many of the systems that have thrived over the incompatible with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Short-term interests cannot be vision, but long-term vision cannot be realized without short-term survival. By barriers to economic participation that are likely to emerge as we fully transition Industrial Revolution, we can make more conscious choices about how we respond individual organizations and at a societal level

Multiliteracies in the Classroom: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Approach to Teachers\u27 and Students\u27 Perspectives Toward Integration of Technology

An increased number of students graduating from high school lack college and career readiness skills to earn credit in entry-level college courses or begin a career in an entry-level position. Many schools across America have prepared to address students\u27 college and career readiness with the adoption of Common Core State Standards. Twenty-five teachers and 92 students participated in this dissertation study conducted at a high school (grades 10-12) in the southern United States. The purpose of this study was to describe and explain teachers\u27 and students\u27 perspectives toward the integration of technology that enhances multiliteracies in the classroom. An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was used to guide this study. Data were collected from surveys to describe teachers\u27 and students\u27 beliefs, perceived barriers, and technology skill levels associated with multiliteracies enhanced by technology in the classroom. Descriptive statistics and independent t-tests were used for analysis of the quantitative data. Open thematic coding and axial coding were used for analysis of the qualitative data. Teachers\u27 and students\u27 interviews and classroom observations were used to further explain, clarify, and enhance the data collected from the surveys. Data results indicated that teachers and students strongly support the integration of technology in the classroom. Teachers and students indicated a statistically significant difference in technology skills associated with Social literacy and multimedia. Teachers perceived time as the most significant barrier to integrating technology into the classroom; students viewed the school filter as the most significant barrier. Teachers viewed the role of technology as a tool to support students\u27 cognitive development, to obtain and maintain students\u27 attention, to facilitate administrative tasks, and to facilitate and promote students\u27 college and career readiness. Students viewed the role of technology as a tool to gather information from the Internet and to enhance students\u27 cognitive learning processes