English Internet Research Articles

Exploring local search in winner determination problem

In Combinatorial Auctions, multiple goods (items) are available for auction simultaneously, and bidders bid for combinations of goods called bundles. In the single unit combinatorial auction problem, there is only single unit of each item present and the items are considered to be indivisible. This forms the supply side constraint resulting in a need by the seller to decide on which bundles to allocate for maximizing the revenue. Determining these winning bundles is an NP-complete problem and is known by the name of Winner Determination Problem (WDP) in literature. Combinatorial auction mechanism has a wide range of practical applications such as allocation of railroads, auction of adjacent pieces of real estate, auction of airport landing slots, distributed job shop scheduling etc. The optimal heuristic search algorithms like CASS and CABOB proposed for solving the WDP take a lot of CPU time for solving large problem instances. Though these algorithms give optimal solutions, they would be useful only in scenarios where time is not at all a constraint, and the bidding is a one time affair. This poses a limitation in conducting combinatorial auctions with multiple rounds of bidding and hence hinders the widespread use of combinatorial auctions on the patterns of traditional English auction and internet auctions. Thus faster solution of WDP holds the key to widespread use and popularity of combinatorial auctions. This paper attempts to address the above issue, and proposes a simple local search technique LSWDP (Local Search for Winner Determination Problem) that runs very fast and provides solutions quite close to optimal for a number of applications. It also outputs optimal solutions in many instances taking only a fraction of the CPU time taken by CASS. In addition LSWDP was found to outperform the anytime algorithm CASS given a time cutoff. This paper also presents an enhancement called LSCN (Local Search using Complimentary Neighborhood) that provides still better solutions in terms of close to optimal behavior and achieves a much better strike rate in hitting optimal solutions. LSCN runs slower than LSWDP but still takes only a fraction of the CPU time taken by CASS thus encouraging the use of local search for combinatorial auctions. Finally, an extension to multi-partition search has been proposed and analyzed.

International Comparisons of Manpower in Gastroenterology

Health-care systems vary among countries and we were interested in how this might impact on gastroenterology manpower. We assessed the number of gastroenterologists in Canada and compared this with four countries where data were available over the Internet in either French or English. The number of gastroenterologists per 100,000 of the population was 3.9 in the United States, 3.48 in France, 2.1 in Australia, 1.83 in Canada, and 1.41 in the U.K. This variation in number of gastroenterologists was not reflected in the overall number of specialists per 100,000, which was similar in all five countries. Furthermore, the difference in gastroenterology manpower did not correlate with the amount of gross domestic product spent on health care. Countries with a low number of gastroenterologists per 100,000 all had a strong primary-care gatekeeper system, although this observation may be coincidental, as only five countries were studied. Canada had the most equitable distribution of gastroenterologists across the country with only modest differences among provinces. The United States had the most variation in the number of gastroenterologists per 100,000 of the population among states.

Technology-enhanced language learning: A case study

Abstract This study explores participant views regarding the integration of Internet tools in language learning activities. The descriptive study has illustrated the perceptions of a class of senior high school students regarding language learning in a technology environment. The subjects were 44 10th-grade male students and their teacher who together joined a technology-enhanced language learning (TELL) project in Taiwan known as “Advanced Joint English Teaching” (AJET). The students participated in six Internet-based teaching activities; group e-mailing, a Web-based course, an e-mail writing program, English homepage design, video-conferencing and chat room discussion. This study found that the AJET project provided the students with an opportunity to experience new technologies; learners experienced the pleasure of learning and thus increased their learning possibilities. The students liked and approved of learning English using the Internet, but had differing opinions about its benefits. The study demonstrated that learners bring different perspectives to TELL, and that learners who are passively oriented towards Internet English learning require careful guidance from pedagogical applications to this approach. Making students aware that learning English through multimedia technology demands new learning strategies and self-directed learning is a crucial first step. Some pedagogical suggestions are provided for effectively using computer networking in second- and foreign language classrooms.

Specifications for an internet based clean technology information support system for SMEs

To address the increasingly pressing issue of environmental degradation, much effort have been dedicated to promote the use of cleaner technologies in the European Union (EU) Member States. Thus, efforts to produce information systems designed to attend companies with their technology acquisition process have been made. However, due to their restricted resources, the existing Technology Intelligence (TI) systems do not correspond to SME-specific needs. To fill this gap, the objective of this paper is to identify Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises' (SMEs) information needs in the field of clean technologies with the aim of making recommendations for the conception of an Internet based clean technology database destined for the use of European SMEs. Also, in order to evaluate to what extent these type of information systems are useful to SMEs when it comes to their technology acquisition process, four clean technology-related databases available on the Internet in English corresponding to one or more of the specifications previously identified in the first section have been selected and analysed. In conclusion, it was established that these information systems were found to be a sound first step for SMEs wishing to obtain concise first-hand knowledge on clean technologies. On the other hand, the time constraints of SMEs and the extent of the information available in such databases make them unfitting to serve as a suitable decision making tool. Incidentally, it might be interesting to consider the development of specialized information systems designed to help SME support actors attend SMEs with their clean technology acquisition process.

Native language and Internet usage

This article explores the relationship between native language and use of the Internet. I study this issue empirically using a unique data set on Internet use at the individual level in Quebec. The results suggest that most Quebecois are using the web intensively in English. Furthermore, the difference between native French and native English speakers in the use of the Internet in English is relatively small for the younger generation. To the extent that the younger generation drives the dynamics of the Internet, the results provide support for the hypothesis that English will retain its first mover advantage of a large installed base of English language websites.

입말 표기를 이용한 영어 단어 검색

Users of searching Internet English dictionary sometimes do not know the correct spelling of the word in mind, but remember only its pronunciation. In order to help these users, we propose a method to retrieve English words effectively with a spoken word transliteration that is a Korean transliteration of English word pronunciation. We develop KONIX codes and transform a spoken word transliteration and English words into them. We then calculate the phonetic similarity between KONIX codes using edit distance and 2-gram methods. Experimental results show that the proposed method is very effective for retrieving English words with a spoken word transliteration.

Simulating internet auctions online: effects of learning and experience

This is an empirical study of the effects of learning and experience on bidding behaviour in repeated simulated internet English and Dutch auctions. First, we introduce a simulation framework for the learning and research of behaviour in internet auctions. In this online simulation framework, human participants play against simulated bidders. Later we describe the characteristics, abilities and limitations of this framework. In the second part of the article we report on a study, conducted using the same environment, of the effects of learning and experience on bidding behaviour in repeated English and Dutch auctions. We found evidence for a strategy change over time and compared the difference in learning between the two auction models.

A compilation of resources on knowledge cities and knowledge‐based development

The purpose of this article is to provide organized, synthesized information related to initiatives throughout the world based on knowledge‐based development (KBD) such as knowledge cities (KCs), knowledge regions, and knowledge countries. A first search was conducted using the Internet and specialized databases under the keywords “knowledge cities”. The information compiled led to other related keywords which branched out the search. All resulting information was then collated and integrated into a number of categories all unified under the field of knowledge‐based development. A compilation of information on the topic “knowledge cities” and other topics related to knowledge‐based development. The information is presented in eight sections: a glossary of KC‐related terms, a list of knowledge‐based development initiatives, a list of associations and organizations related to the topic, a list of urban KBD‐related value dimensions and their indicators, a list of international rankings, a list of special editions on KCs, a bibliography, and a directory of related sites on the Internet. This effort resulted in a public service available at the World Wide Web. The information included in this compilation is limited mainly to public domain information available throughout Internet in both English and Spanish, as well as in selected databases.

Challenges of Internet-Based Assessment: Measuring Career Decision-Making Difficulties

Features of users’ responses to the Hebrew (N - 10,000) and English (N = 510) Internet versions of the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (I Gati. M. Krausz. & S, II. Osipow. 1996) were examined The results indicated that in the proper setting. Internet versions produce reliable and valid scores.

The Vocabulary of World English (review)

Reviewed by: The vocabulary of world English by Stephan Gramley Alan S. Kaye The vocabulary of world English. By Stephan Gramley. London: Arnold, 2002. Pp. xiv, 323. ISBN: 0340740728. $27.50. This book is another splendid addition to the series The English language edited by David Britain and Rebecca Clift. It is a fascinating treatise on lexis which is intended to serve as a lexicology textbook. The many topics covered include English in the British Isles, the US, West Africa, and South Asia; English for special/specific purposes; and so-called internet English (IE). Students will appreciate the examples used to explain dialectal differences. Let us consider the British and American usage of ‘college’. For the author, Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Bielefeld, ‘a college is first and foremost a small, private, all-male, denominational liberal arts institution with a distinct regional basis’ (41). For Americans, the word ‘college’ is often synonymous with ‘university’, as in ‘I want to go to college when I finish my stint in the military’, or it may refer to a unit within a university, such as the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the institution where I teach. Further, no American thinks of a college as an all-male institution. A particularly fine illustration of American usage is drawn from its antonomastic terminology: ‘your John Hancock’, ‘an Uncle Tom like him’, ‘he’s a Benedict Arnold’ (36). Interestingly enough, many of these terms are known and used outside the US and may be considered borrowings. A bit awkward and certainly confusing for me, the term ‘American English’ (298) is used to cover Canadian English as well (i.e. North American); however, the author also makes specific reference to Canadian English (300). One of the work’s strengths is the delightful discussion of English vocabulary from around the world. Let us consider some Pakistani English numerals that are not well-known internationally (57): lakh is 100,000; arab is 1 billion; kharab is 10,000 crore (crore = ten million < Hindi krōr), and so on. Familiarity with West African English would include next tomorrow ‘day after tomorrow’ (a calque from Yoruba [136]) and with Indian English, black money ‘illegal gains’ or change-room ‘dressing room’ (137). Singapore English is shown to have, not surprisingly, many borrowings from Malay and varieties of Chinese and Indian languages (138). Mention of IE is scattered throughout the volume. Many of the eighteen abbreviations cited for IE are becoming more and more common although some of these can be traced back to pre-internet days (277), for example, AFAIK ‘as far as I know’, GIGO ‘garbage in, garbage out’ (going back to the early days of software). One term, TTFN (‘ta-ta for now’) originated in a BBC radio program during World War II called ITMA (‘It’s That Man Again’), featuring comedian Tommy Handley. Perhaps better examples of IE acronyms include H and K ‘hug and kiss’ and LOL ‘laughing out loud’. Finally, the author mentions data from what he terms ‘Southern Hemisphere English’. One example from Australian English, Abo (clipping of Aborigine), is said to be ‘often derogatory’ (258). From my experience, the word ‘often’ may be excised. As far as I know, like the term boong which also designates an indigenous Australian, it is always derogatory. According to the Cambridge international dictionary of English (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995, p. 3), ‘the word is generally considered offensive’. I think the word ‘generally’ may be omitted. This is a delightful book and word nerds will particularly enjoy perusing it. Alan S. Kaye California State University, Fullerton Copyright © 2003 Linguistic Society of America

TRAINING CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPETITIVE MASTERS ROWERS

Masters rowing is the fastest growing segment of competitive rowing, and representative of the growth of masters sport in general. However, little is known about the background and training habits of these older athletes. PURPOSE To survey the athletic background of competitive masters rowers and quantify their training load. METHODS A comprehensive electronic survey was developed in cooperation with the FISA Masters Commission and published on the Internet in English, German, and French for a period of ∼ 8 months. The survey was promoted at two major international masters regattas, in addition to the website of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) and other rowing websites. RESULTS 709 men (47 ± 10, 27–83 yrs) and 305 women (43 ± 9, 27–68 yrs), primarily from Europe (46 %), North America (31 %), and Oceania (20 %) completed the survey. Of all respondents, 73 % had competed in national or international masters competitions, with the remainder competing at the local or regional level. Among males and females respectively, 55 and 35 % had competed successfully at the national level prior to reaching masters age, including 12 and 11 % who were former international finalists. Only 14 % of males reported first competing at the masters level, compared to 41 % of females. Females reported training slightly more frequently (95 % CI for mean = 4.6–4.8 vs 4.9–5.3 sessions/wk respectively) and more hours per week (95 % CI for mean = 8.4–9.1 vs 9.3–10.5 hrs/wk) than males. Mean training frequency remained between 4 and 5 days per week across age groups. However, total weekly training hours declined by about 25 % between age 30–39 and 60–69 (95 % CI = 9.3–10.5 vs 6.9–8.2 hrs/wk respectively). CONCLUSION Men's masters rowing is dominated by former high-level rowers, while the women's side is growing at a faster rate due to new recruitment. Training loads reported by competitive masters rowers are similar to that of good junior athletes and declines surprisingly little with age. Supported by the International Rowing Federation (FISA).

Internet-Based Versus Paper-and-Pencil Assessment: Measuring Career Decision-Making Difficulties

The present study compared English and Hebrew paper-and- pencil and Internet versions of the Career Decision-making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ). First, the response pattern of 417 clients who filled out the Hebrew paper-and-pencil version was compared with the response pattern found for a matched sample of 837 individuals who visited a career-related Internet site and filled out the Hebrew Internet version of the CDDQ. The internal consistency reliability of the Internet version was similar to that of the paper-and-pencil version (.87 and .88, respectively). The structures derived from the 10 categories of difficulties were also highly similar in the two groups (Spearman rank-order correlation of .87), and both structures resembled the theoretical one proposed by Gati, Krausz, and Osipow. However, the response pattern of 24% of the Internet users could be characterized as "questionable," indicating that these users' difficulties should be interpreted and the users should be offered feedback with reservations. A similar comparison of the English paper-and-pencil questionnaire (n = 403) and the English Internet CDDQ (n = 182) also revealed a high correspondence between the versions, in both their structure and their pattern of scale reliabilities.

English and American Literature Internet Resources

Humanities scholars have generally been reluctant to incorporate the Web into their research and teaching. Because humanists have placed such a high value on printed texts, have worked independently, and have been less dependent on current research data, their reliance on the Web is less urgent than for colleagues in other disciplines. Most primary and secondary literature is still published exclusively in print, and those literary texts that are available on the Web are often in popular rather than scholarly editions. Although the predominance of printed texts will continue to exist, probably for several decades, a shift is underway to enhance the authority and uniqueness of information available on the Web. Particularly instrumental in the shift is the emergence of hypermedia and hyperliterature, which are producing new modes for creating, experiencing, and analyzing texts. This essay discusses the effect these changes are having for scholars and librarians and identifies some of the most important Web resources in the area of English and American literature.

User Interfaces for a Virtual Learning Environment: Two Study Cases

A recent powerful idea in the design of Webhbased learning environments is the usage of virtual places. The employment of interface metaphors is one of the approaches enabling inexperienced users to feel comfortable in such virtual environments. We have designed a Virtual Environment for Distance Education and Training (VEDET), which provides basic virtual spaces, resources, and services. In this paper we discuss the user interface of two Webhbased distance learning courses Business on the Internet and Business English, developed on the basis of VEDET. A webhbased learning environment has been implemented to support the delivery of these courses. Two examples of interface metaphors have been developed and adopted, each presenting a coherent image of the environment. © IFIP, published by Kluwer Academic Publishers