IT Management Using a Heavyweight CIM Ontology

This paper presents an approach for ontology-based IT management based on a heavyweight (formal) ontology using the Web Ontology Language (OWL). The ontology comprises a complete OWL representation of the Common Information Model (CIM) and management rules defined in the Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL). The ontology not only models the managed system types, but a runtime system dynamically updates model instances in the ontology that reflect values of managed system entities. This allows the evalution of rules that take into account both model and model instances. A reaction module uses the CIM interface of the managed system to invoke CIM methods according to rule evaluation results, thus resulting in automated management. In order to ensure the consistency of the ontology when changes are performed, belief change theory is employed

A probabilistic approach to user mobility prediction for wireless services.

Mobile and wireless networks have long exploited mobility predictions, focused on predicting the future location of given users, to perform more efficient network resource management. In this paper, we present a new approach in which we provide predictions as a probability distribution of the likelihood of moving to a set of future locations. This approach provides wireless services a greater amount of knowledge and enables them to perform more effectively. We present a framework for the evaluation of this new type of predictor, and develop 2 new predictors, HEM and G-Stat. We evaluate our predictors accuracy in predicting future cells for mobile users, using two large geolocation data sets, from MDC [11], [12] and Crawdad [13]. We show that our predictors can successfully predict with as low as an average 2.2% inaccuracy in certain scenarios

Neuropathic pain in low back-related leg pain patients: What is the evidence of prevalence, characteristics, and prognosis in primary care? A systematic review of the literature.

This systematic review synthesizes literature describing prevalence, characteristics and prognosis of low back-related leg pain (LBLP) patients with neuropathic pain in primary care and/or similar settings. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed and used by independent reviewers to screen citations for eligibility. The initial search yielded 24,948 citations; after screening 12 studies were included. Neuropathic pain was identified by case ascertainment tools (n=5), by clinical history with examination (n=4), and by LBLP samples assumed neuropathic (n=3). Neuropathic pain prevalence varied from 19% to 80%. There was consistent evidence for higher back-related disability (n=3), poorer health-related quality of life (n=2) and some evidence for more severe depression (n=2), anxiety (n=3) and pain intensity (n=4) in patients with neuropathic pain. Results were less consistent when cases were identified through clinical history plus examination than those identified using case ascertainment tools. Prognosis (n=1) of LBLP patients with neuropathic pain was worse compared to those without, in all outcomes (leg pain intensity, leg and back-related disability, self-reported general health) except back pain intensity. No studies described prognostic factors. This systematic review highlights the evidence gap in neuropathic pain in LBLP in primary care, especially with respect to prognosis. PERSPECTIVE: Patients with low back-related leg pain may have neuropathic pain. This systematic review emphasises the paucity of evidence describing the characteristics and prognosis of neuropathic pain in this patient population. Future research investigating prognosis of these patients with neuropathic pain is likely to contribute to better understanding and management

Reflection-on-action in qualitative research processes: deconstructing research and developing an honest critical self-appraisal rubric.

In this paper, four critical friends meet to discuss qualitative research practices. Together they put one of their own case studies under the knife and deconstruct it to investigate the possibilities that knowledge work is complicated not only by the dynamics of socially constructed enterprises and the actors involved therein, but by the positioning of the researcher. The case describes an evaluative study of a university programme where students engaged in directed experiential learning in group integrated learning settings. The researcher was also the course lead-tutor and this gave rise to some concern, on later reflection and in discussions among critical friends, when issues of researcher positioning were considered. Together, through questioning the topic, the literature, the research experience and the role of the researcher, we developed a reflection-on-action rubric. In a research arena where subjective, interpretative and messy examples abound, as they should, this paper offers an example of our own work, an honest self-appraisal, a rubric for readers’ consideration and a discussion that adds to the perpetual flux of knowledge work