Traditional computing concepts are maturing into a new generation of cloud computing systems with wide-spread global applications. However, even as these systems continue to expand, they are accompanied by overall performance degradation and wasted resources. Emerging Research in Cloud Distributed Computing Systems covers the latest innovations in resource management, control and monitoring applications, and security of cloud technology. Compiling and analyzing current trends, technological concepts, and future directions of computing systems, this publication is a timely resource for practicing engineers, technologists, researchers, and advanced students interested in the domain of cloud computing.

Recent innovations have created significant developments in data storage and management. These new technologies now allow for greater security in databases and other applications. Decentralized Computing Using Blockchain Technologies and Smart Contracts: Emerging Research and Opportunities is a concise and informative source of academic research on the latest developments in block chain innovation and their application in contractual agreements. Highlighting pivotal discussions on topics such as cryptography, programming techniques, and decentralized computing, this book is an ideal publication for researchers, academics, professionals, students, and practitioners seeking content on utilizing block chains with smart contracts.

The overall functions of a government impact a wide range of sectors in society. It is imperative for governments to work at full capacity and potential in order to ensure quality progress for its citizens. Driving Efficiency in Local Government Using a Collaborative Enterprise Architecture Framework: Emerging Research and Opportunities is an essential scholarly publication for the latest research on methods for smart government initiatives and implementations, and addresses prevalent internal and external security risks. Featuring extensive coverage on a broad range of topics such as technology funds, mobile technology, and cloud computing, this book is ideally designed for professionals, academicians, researchers, and students seeking current research on the ways in which governments can advance and prosper.

Text analysis tools aid in extracting meaning from digital content. As digital text becomes more and more complex, new techniques are needed to understand conceptual structure. Concept Parsing Algorithms (CPA) for Textual Analysis and Discovery: Emerging Research and Opportunities provides an innovative perspective on the application of algorithmic tools to study unstructured digital content. Highlighting pertinent topics such as semantic tools, semiotic systems, and pattern detection, this book is ideally designed for researchers, academics, students, professionals, and practitioners interested in developing a better understanding of digital text analysis.

Data analysis forms the basis of many modes of research ranging from scientific discoveries to governmental findings. With the advent of machine intelligence and neural networks, extracting and modeling, approaching data has been unimpeachably altered. These changes, seemingly small, affect the way societies organize themselves, deliver services, or interact with each other. Predictive Analysis on Large Data for Actionable Knowledge: Emerging Research and Opportunities provides emerging information on extraction and prediction patterns in data mining along with knowledge discovery. While highlighting the current issues in data extraction, readers will learn new methodologies comprising of different algorithms that automate the multidimensional schema that remove the manual processes. This book is a vital resource for researchers, academics, and those seeking new information on data mining techniques and trends.

This book constitutes, together with LNCS 6987 and LNCS 6988, the refereed proceedings of the International Conference on Web Information Systems and Mining, WISM 2011, held in Taiyuan, China, in September 2011. The 112 revised full papers presented in the three volumes were carefully reviewed and selected from 472 submissions. The 61 papers presented in this volume are organized in topical sections on applications of artificial intelligence; applications of computational intelligence; automated problem solving; brain models/cognitive science; data mining and knowledge discovering; expert and decision support systems; fuzzy logic and soft computing; intelligent agents and systems; intelligent control; intelligent image processing; intelligent scheduling; intelligent signal processing; natural language processing; nature computation; neural computation; pattern recognition; rough set theory.

Agile is a relatively recent methodology used in the development process of a project. Therefore, it is important to share new emerging knowledge with researchers and professionals interested in adopting an agile mindset. Emerging Innovations in Agile Software Development focuses on the use of agile methodologies to manage, design, develop, test and maintain software projects. Emphasizing research-based solutions for contemporary software development, this publication is designed for use by software developers, researchers, and graduate-level students in software engineering and project management programs.

Advancements in medical and healthcare technologies pave the way to improving treatments and diagnoses while also streamlining processes to ensure the highest quality care is given to patients. In the last few decades, revolutionary technology has radically progressed the healthcare industry by increasing life expectancy and reducing human error. Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Medicine and Healthcare provides emerging research on bioinformatics, medical ethics, and clinical science in modern applications and settings. While highlighting the challenges medical practitioners and healthcare professionals face when treating patients and striving to optimize their processes, the book shows how revolutionary technologies and methods are vastly improving how healthcare is implemented globally. This book is an important resource for medical researchers, healthcare administrators, doctors, nurses, biomedical engineers, and students looking for comprehensive research on the advancements in healthcare technologies.

Engineering education methods and standards are important features of engineering programs that should be carefully designed both to provide students and stakeholders with valuable, active, integrated learning experiences, and to provide a vehicle for assessing program outcomes. With the driving force of the globalization of the engineering profession, standards should be developed for mutual recognition of engineering education across the world, but it is proving difficult to achieve. The Handbook of Research on Engineering Education in a Global Context provides innovative insights into the importance of quality training and preparation for engineering students. It explores the common and current problems encountered in areas such as quality and standards, management information systems, innovation and enhanced learning technologies in education, as well as the challenges of employability, entrepreneurship, and diversity. This publication is vital reference source for science and engineering educators, engineering professionals, and educational administrators interested in topics centered on the education of students in the field of engineering.

In recent years, our world has experienced a profound shift and progression in available computing and knowledge sharing innovations. These emerging advancements have developed at a rapid pace, disseminating into and affecting numerous aspects of contemporary society. This has created a pivotal need for an innovative compendium encompassing the latest trends, concepts, and issues surrounding this relevant discipline area. During the past 15 years, the Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology has become recognized as one of the landmark sources of the latest knowledge and discoveries in this discipline. The Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Fourth Edition is a 10-volume set which includes 705 original and previously unpublished research articles covering a full range of perspectives, applications, and techniques contributed by thousands of experts and researchers from around the globe. This authoritative encyclopedia is an all-encompassing, well-established reference source that is ideally designed to disseminate the most forward-thinking and diverse research findings. With critical perspectives on the impact of information science management and new technologies in modern settings, including but not limited to computer science, education, healthcare, government, engineering, business, and natural and physical sciences, it is a pivotal and relevant source of knowledge that will benefit every professional within the field of information science and technology and is an invaluable addition to every academic and corporate library.