Persistent Reusable Java Virtual Machine unter z/OS und Linux

Zusammenfassung Die Nutzung von Java zur Entwicklung von Anwendungen für Hochleistungstransaktionssysteme stellt besondere Anforderungen an die Isolation und das Leistungsverhalten in der transaktionalen Ausführung. In dem vorliegenden Beitrag wird eine neuartige Technologie beschrieben, die verbesserte Isolationseigenschaften und eine erhebliche Leistungssteigerung erm?glicht. Die Persistent Reusable Java Virtual Machine erweitert eine normale Java Virtual Machine um gemeinsam genutzte Klassen und um eine Reset-Funktionalit?t, die eine serielle Wiederverwendbarkeit erm?glicht. In einer Benchmark-Untersuchung unter z/OS wurde hiermit ein Performance-Gewinn um einen Faktor 325 im Vergleich mit einer normalen JVM erreicht. Für das Erstellen von Transaktionsanwendungen unter dem Betriebssystem z/OS sind Enterprise Java Beans damit eine ernstzunehmende Alternative zu bisherigen Programmiermodellen.

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The use of Java for the development of new applications in high-end transaction systems generates special isolation and performance requirements. A new technology offering improved isolation and a significant performance improvement is discussed in this article. The Persistent Reusable Java Virtual Machine extends a regular Java Virtual Machine by adding the facility to share classes and by providing a reset functionality, which permits serial reuse of the JVM. A z/OS benchmark demonstrated a performance improvement by a factor of 325, compared to a regular JVM. Thus the use of Enterprise Java Beans has to be considered as a serious alternative when developing new transactional applications under the z/OS operating system.

     

The Use of Arabized Software Packages in Jordan University Libraries

This study reviews the higher education movement, and the development of Universities in Jordan. Academic libraries use of Arabized software packages (MINISIS and CDS/ISIS), rationale for selection, applications, services, problems, solutions, and future plans are surveyed. Types of hardware, staff, and material entries are discussed. The study samples included 20 libraries. All of 17 (85%) respondent libraries are computerized. Six (35·3%) use MINISIS, nine (52·9%) use CDS/ISIS, and two (11·8%) use customized packages. Systems are mostly employed in technical processing, reference services, bibliographies, and acquisitions. Adaptability to Arab libraries functions, handling of bi-lingual documents, and networking ability are the prime priority, inter alia , reasons for packages selection. Insufficient funds and equipment, and unskilled staff are the major hindrances which obstruct the full use of packages. This study stresses the need to develop packages conducive to meet particular Arab libraries demands, plans for manpower academic training, and the necessity for libraries linkage to networks.     

Knowledge marketing: How can strategic customers be utilised for knowledge marketing in knowledge-intensive SMEs?

This study aims to analyse the use of various forms of “knowledge utilisation” to integrate strategic customer knowledge in order to be one step ahead of the market and competitors. For this purpose, premises, processes, and factors are highlighted, which are essential to incorporate the knowledge of strategic customers into the knowledge base of knowledge-intensive small- to medium-sized enterprises (SME) and therefore contribute to the commercialisation of knowledge-intensive products as well as services. Here a knowledge marketing strategy may support the commercial exploitation of these products and services. Since research and literature in the field of knowledge marketing (especially in knowledge-intensive SMEs) is still scarce, the authors regard a qualitative research approach as appropriate. In the analysed cases, three necessary processes have been identified: (1) Developing knowledge networks, (2) solving customer problems, and (3) possessing the absorptive capacity to understand and integrate customer knowledge.     

Participative planning of environmental education activities: experiences from tree planting project at a teacher training college in Tanzania

Engaging local actors in Environmental Education activities seems to be an important condition for environmental sustainability. Lack of common purpose among local and external researchers constrains the engagement. Following these insights, we implemented a participatory action research project related to tree planting as part of creating an Environmental Education programme at Ilonga Teacher Training College, surrounding primary schools and villages. The purpose of the initial phase of the project was to contextualize an action plan as a strategy to engage local actors in the change process from the beginning of the project. The research questions were: How can we engage local actors in participatory action research addressing resource constraints for EE; and what are the results of the participatory planning process? To answer these questions, we mapped environmental resources and challenges in the chosen area. Thereafter, we organized an empowerment process through Focus Group Discussions and a workshop discussing the challenges and opportunities available for successful implementation of the project. These discussions formed the foundation for creating a plan for implementing the EE project. In this paper, we present the results of the planning strategies, and discuss factors contributing to the success of the initial phase of the project. We found that stakeholders’ trust and sense of project coherence were key motivating factors for the development of a collaborative planning process and learning through initial actions.     

Children in nature: sensory engagement and the experience of biodiversity

Given concerns for a severely diminished childhood experience of nature, coupled with alarm for a rapidly diminishing global biodiversity, this article considers the potential for childhood nature experience to be an important part of biodiversity understanding. Findings from two studies are integrated and presented as windows into childhood nature experience to illuminate important aspects of sensory rich learning. In one study from Sweden, semi-structured interviews with adults were conducted and analyzed to explore an understanding of the sensory experience of childhood collecting in nature via participant memories. In the second study, direct observations of children’s play and exploration in an outdoor kindergarten in Norway were conducted and analyzed. Bringing these two studies together for shared analysis is useful for investigating biodiversity experience and understanding. Analysis supports the idea that the experience of biodiversity, actual childhood interaction with variation and diversity with living and nonliving items from nature allows children important learning opportunities, inclusive of biodiversity understanding. The results support practical implications for sensory rich environmental education and underscores the practical importance of childhood access to nature.