Coordination components for collaborative virtual environments

This paper deals with the behavior of virtual environments from the collaboration point-of-view, in which actors (human or virtual beings) interact and collaborate by means of interdependent tasks. In this sense, actors may realize tasks that are dependent on tasks performed by other actors, while the interdependencies between tasks (through resource management and temporal relations) delineate the overall behavior of a virtual environment. Our main goal is to propose an approach for the coordination of those behaviors. Initially a generic study of possible interdependencies between collaborative tasks is presented, followed by the formal modeling (using Petri Nets) of coordination mechanisms for those dependencies. In order to implement such mechanisms, an architecture of reusable and pluggable coordination components is also introduced. These components are used in an implementation of a multi-user videogame. The presented approach is a concrete step to create virtual societies of actors that collaborate to reach common goals without the risk of getting involved in conflicting or repetitive tasks.     

A three-year longitudinal assessment of changes in office activities following the introduction of microcomputers into a multinational bank

A longitudinal assessment of the introduction of new office technologies into a multinational bank was conducted using both task diaries and semi-structured interviews. Task diaries were administered prior to the introduction of microcomputers, several months after the introduction and several years later. Semi-structured interviews were completed after the second task diary. The assessment provides evidence of how offices adapt to changing electronic tookits. The asssessment provides ergonomists with a usable list of taks activities and the effects on task variability of the adoption of microcomputers into the work routine. It shows that when support staff are asked to use a new computer they must choose what other tasks to cut back on, which has consequences for the overall work process. Overtime increased 170% after the introduction of the computer. In a culture where professional staff have high expectations of support staff this has consequences for working relationships in terms of perceptions of the computer's utility. Support staff and professional staff differ in perceptions of control, time-saving and ability to make corrections. The assessment demonstrates the importance of multiple measurement instruments in tracking the effects of technological change on the work process. In conclusion, it is noted that the introduction of new technologies into the office must be considered in the broader office context to avoid the unintended consequences often reported in other case studies.     

Using online collaboration applications for group assignments: The interplay between design and human characteristics

In recent years, educators and students are increasingly employing online collaboration applications such as Google Docs™ and PBWorks™ for group projects and assignments. Yet, the effectiveness of these emerging technologies has not been rigorously examined. Anchoring upon and informed by the existing literature, two design characteristics – sociability and visibility, and two human characteristics – gender and age, are focused on, which are salient in online collaboration applications. A field experiment was conducted to examine the direct and moderating effects of design and human characteristics on learning outcomes. The research found that sociability improved process satisfaction and positive social environment while visibility enhanced academic performance and solution satisfaction of learners. Males had higher solution satisfaction while older learners had higher academic performance. Moderating effects were also found. Both theoretical and practical implications are drawn. In particular, a rubric for online collaboration application selection for academic performance is conceived. This study provides empirical support for online collaboration application effectiveness in education which will augur well for future adoption, use and evolution.     

大学生危机事件研判与管理

本文阐述了大学生危机事件的内涵、特征和类型,并就大学生危机事件的研判工作进行了探讨,同时,对大学生危机事件的管理提出了建议：加强大学生的危机教育;建立组织化、制度化、系统化的预警管理机制;注意加强与周边社区合作和做好威胁评估工作。     

云南大学生体育兴趣及差异调查研究

对云南高校大学生体育兴趣程度及差异现状的调查结果表明：云南大学生体育兴趣总体兴趣程度较好,男女生体育兴趣程度差异明显,少数民族学生与汉族学生、城市生源学生与农村生源学生、独生子女学生与非独生子女学生体育兴趣程度有一定差异,但差异不明显。通过分析和研究大学生体育兴趣及差异的主要表现,提出加强大学生体育兴趣培养的建议。     

基于虚拟实训基地（车间）的工学结合人才培养模式研究

为了寻求适合自身的人才培养模式,分析了当前国内高等职业教育人才培养模式的现状,提出了基于虚拟实训基地（车间）的工学结合人才培养模式;从校内实训基地建设、课程体系与学习领域开发、教学模式和＂双师型＂教师培养等四个方面阐述了该人才培养模式的具体内容和切实可行性。     

国外天基空间目标监视研究现状与特点分析

增强空间监视能力是空间控制以及利用空间实施军事行动的关键，各航天大国非常重视空间目标监视的研究，尤其重视天基空间目标监视的研究。分析了国外天基空间目标监视的研究现状与特点，提出了发展天基空间目标监视系统的几点启示。     

加强研究生学风建设的思考

针对目前我国研究生学风存在的一些问题,对其产生的原因进行了剖析,并提出加强和改进研究生学风建设的一些建议,即:加强研究生德育教育,培养研究生的科学精神;改进和完善研究生教育管理机制;开展学术交流活动,营造浓厚的学术氛围;加强导师对研究生的引导作用。     

我国矿业权评估管理研究

分析了矿业权评估管理体系和我国矿业权评估现状，提出了促进我国矿业权评估发展的建议。     

长短皿浊度仪原理及特性的研究

详细阐述了长短皿浊度仪的原理及特性，该仪器由于采用了长短皿，可减小光窗污染对测量的影响。该仪器用无浊水校正零点，用固定光圈校正终点，可以使分析工作者去配制标准溶液校正仪器的麻烦。