Designing a Social Networking Prototype: An Action Research Approach in Building a User-Centric Web 2.0 System

In this paper we explore the possibility of using Web 2.0 technology to build a social networking tool, where users are the main participants during the design and implementation phases. Although Web 2.0-related research has gained momentum in recent years, much of the research focuses solely on studies where users only use the system instead of playing an integral part in the design process as well. Our study relies on both users’ input and usage patterns to drive each step of the design and implementation cycles. Hence, we employ both Soft System Methodology and Action Research to diagnose, evaluate, and provide guidelines and research instruments to examine various types of Web 2.0 technologies and services. We present a prototype, the purpose of which is to help users accomplish networking within a small group. We also discuss lessons learned from the project’s life cycle from the perspectives of both the system’s users and its designers

MIS2.0: Designing the Next Generation MIS Course Using Social Networking Technology

The major objective of this paper is to explore, via a design science research methodology, the implementation of a social constructivist learning framework for an introductory MIS course. Facebook was used as a learning artifact to build and foster a learning environment, and a series of features and activities using this artifact were conducted to utilize the social interactions amongst the system’s users to foster constructivist learning. Various pedagogic strategies were used to integrate activities occurring both inside and outside of the classroom setting to achieve social learning. All features utilized were evaluated based upon activities and interactions amongst all users. The research findings show great potential for the implemented features, as well as the activities conducted to take advantage of these features, suggest possible features for use in similar future studies based on feedback from this study\u27s sample group

A Taxonomy of Security Threats and Solutions for RFID Systems

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a method of wireless data collection technology that uses RFID tags or transponders to electronically store and retrieve data. RFID tags are quickly replacing barcodes as the “identification system of choice” [1]. Since RFID devices are electronic devices, they can be hacked into by an outsider, and their data can be accessed or modified without the user knowing. New threats to RFID-enabled systems are always on the horizon. A systematic classification should be used to categorize these threats to help reduce confusion. This paper will look at the problem of security threats towards RFID systems, and provide a taxonomy for these threats

System Design for an Online Social Networking App with a Notification and Recommender System to Build Social Capital in a University Setting

Social capital in higher education commuter institutions may be declining because fewer students remain on campus. Social capital is the network of relationships in a group. Higher social capital is derived from broader and more complex networks. Social networks can grow because members who belong to a particular group possess a sense of community. If students spend less time on campus, their sense of community may decrease, because they would be less likely to participate in the community. This puts Higher Ed commuter institutions at a disadvantage in terms of generating and maintaining social capital. We investigate the possibility to counter this disadvantage by actively promoting participating in an Online Social Network (OSN); specifically, with the use of a Notification and Recommender System (NARS) in an OSN via a mobile platform. Our results suggest that introducing a purposefully designed OSN has the potential to facilitate creation of structural and relational social capital, but that it might not have an effect on cognitive social capital

Enhanced Mediawiki For Collaborative Writing In The Web 2.0 Era

The primary goal of this case study research is to investigate users’ perceptions of the efficiency of MediaWiki used in the collaborative writing process for students in graduate classes. MediaWiki version 1.15.1 was used in this study. Two case studies were used to explore situations that were occurring as students used the MediaWiki instance. The results show that MediaWiki needs some additional features, such as chat, advanced text editor, and discussion to facilitate the collaborative writing process

An outflow in the Seyfert ESO 362-G18 revealed by Gemini-GMOS/IFU observations

We present two-dimensional stellar and gaseous kinematics of the inner 0.7 × 1.2 kpc2 of the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy ESO 362-G18, derived from optical (4092–7338 Å) spectra obtained with the GMOS integral field spectrograph on the Gemini South telescope at a spatial resolution of ≈170 pc and spectral resolution of 36 km s-¹. ESO 362-G18 is a strongly perturbed galaxy of morphological type Sa or S0/a, with a minor merger approaching along the NE direction. Previous studies have shown that the [O III] emission shows a fan-shaped extension of ≈10′′ to the SE. We detect the [O III] doublet, [N II] and Hα emission lines throughout our field of view. The stellar kinematics is dominated by circular motions in the galaxy plane, with a kinematic position angle of ≈137° and is centred approximately on the continuum peak. The gas kinematics is also dominated by rotation, with kinematic position angles ranging from 122° to 139°, projected velocity amplitudes of the order of 100 km s-¹, and a mean velocity dispersion of 100 km s-¹. A double-Gaussian fit to the [O III]λ5007 and Hα lines, which have the highest signal to noise ratios of the emission lines, reveal two kinematic components: (1) a component at lower radial velocities which we interpret as gas rotating in the galactic disk; and (2) a component with line of sight velocities 100–250 km s-¹ higher than the systemic velocity, interpreted as originating in the outflowing gas within the AGN ionization cone. We estimate a mass outflow rate of 7.4 × 10-² M⊙yr-¹ in the SE ionization cone (this rate doubles if we assume a biconical configuration), and a mass accretion rate on the supermassive black hole (SMBH) of 2.2 × 10−2 M⊙ yr−1. The total ionized gas mass within ~84 pc of the nucleus is 3.3 × 105 M⊙; infall velocities of ~34 km s−1 in this gas would be required to feed both the outflow and SMBH accretion

Dependency of magnetocardiographically determined fetal cardiac time intervals on gestational age, gender and postnatal biometrics in healthy pregnancies

BACKGROUND: Magnetocardiography enables the precise determination of fetal cardiac time intervals (CTI) as early as the second trimester of pregnancy. It has been shown that fetal CTI change in course of gestation. The aim of this work was to investigate the dependency of fetal CTI on gestational age, gender and postnatal biometric data in a substantial sample of subjects during normal pregnancy. METHODS: A total of 230 fetal magnetocardiograms were obtained in 47 healthy fetuses between the 15(th )and 42(nd )week of gestation. In each recording, after subtraction of the maternal cardiac artifact and the identification of fetal beats, fetal PQRST courses were signal averaged. On the basis of therein detected wave onsets and ends, the following CTI were determined: P wave, PR interval, PQ interval, QRS complex, ST segment, T wave, QT and QTc interval. Using regression analysis, the dependency of the CTI were examined with respect to gestational age, gender and postnatal biometric data. RESULTS: Atrioventricular conduction and ventricular depolarization times could be determined dependably whereas the T wave was often difficult to detect. Linear and nonlinear regression analysis established strong dependency on age for the P wave and QRS complex (r(2 )= 0.67, p < 0.001 and r(2 )= 0.66, p < 0.001) as well as an identifiable trend for the PR and PQ intervals (r(2 )= 0.21, p < 0.001 and r(2 )= 0.13, p < 0.001). Gender differences were found only for the QRS complex from the 31(st )week onward (p < 0.05). The influence on the P wave or QRS complex of biometric data, collected in a subgroup in whom recordings were available within 1 week of birth, did not display statistical significance. CONCLUSION: We conclude that 1) from approximately the 18(th )week to term, fetal CTI which quantify depolarization times can be reliably determined using magnetocardiography, 2) the P wave and QRS complex duration show a high dependency on age which to a large part reflects fetal growth and 3) fetal gender plays a role in QRS complex duration in the third trimester. Fetal development is thus in part reflected in the CTI and may be useful in the identification of intrauterine growth retardation

A colour-excess extinction map of the southern Galactic disc from the VVV and GLIMPSE surveys

Published versionAn improved high-resolution and deep AKs foreground dust extinction map is presented for the Galactic disc area within 295&deg; ≲ l ≲ 350&deg;, &minus;1.0&deg; ≲ b ≲ +1.0&deg;. At some longitudes the map reaches up to |b| &sim; 2.25&deg;, for a total of &sim;148&thinsp;deg2. The map was constructed via the Rayleigh&ndash;Jeans colour excess (RJCE) technique based on deep near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) photometry. The new extinction map features a maximum bin size of 1', and relies on NIR observations from the Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) and new data from ESO&rsquo;s Vista Variables in the V&iacute;a L&aacute;ctea (VVV) survey, in concert with MIR observations from the Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire. The VVV photometry penetrates &sim;4&thinsp;mag fainter than 2MASS, and provides enhanced sampling of the underlying stellar populations in this heavily obscured region. Consequently, the new results supersede existing RJCE maps tied solely to brighter photometry, revealing a systematic underestimation of extinction in prior work that was based on shallower data. The new high-resolution and large-scale extinction map presented here is readily available to the community through a web query interface

Design concepts for the Cherenkov Telescope Array CTA: an advanced facility for ground-based high-energy gamma-ray astronomy

Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA