Craig Chapman

Smart care spaces: needs for intelligent at-home care

Pressures on the availability of healthcare spaces, the high costs of institutional care, and the desires of those being cared for, cause a current move toward care either at home or within low-supervision environments. This brings about an important question: how can smart care spaces be created that intelligently link the home care environment to the needs of the cared-for? To a significant degree this involves development of sensored spaces connected to intelligent computer-systems. However, that intelligence requires an understanding of how sensors can provide more than just environmental variables, instead making systems aware of symptoms, comfort and potential needs for intervention. Therefore, this paper discusses the current need for development of smart care spaces, provides an introduction to some of the cost-effective sensors available, and reviews links between sensor data and medical conditions. It will conclude that there is a growing need for smart care spaces that allow effective monitorin...

E-Education 3.0: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future of iCampuses

In our exciting world of pervasive computing and always-available mobile internet, meeting the educational needs of students has seen a growing trend toward collaborative electronic and mobile learning systems that build on the vision of Web 2.0. However, other trends relevant to modern students must not be ignored, including data freedom, brokerage and interconnectivity. Such factors are associated with the Internet of Things and the vision for Web 3.0, and so include the needs for greater consideration of data context and educational personalization so important to the future of campus-based, distance and vocational study. Therefore, future education can be expected to require a deeper technological connection between students and learning environments, in a manner requiring significant use of sensors, mobile devices, cloud computing and rich-media visualization. This paper considers the challenges associated with adopting such a futuristic concept as a means of enriching learning materials and environments within a university context. It will be concluded that much of the technology required to embrace the vision of Web 3.0 in education already exists, but that further research in key areas is required for the concept to achieve its full potential.

Conceptual Modeling Semantics for the Physical-Informatical Essence Duality Problem

Physical-Informatical Essence Duality (PIED) is the parallel existence of an entity as both an independent, mostly physical object, and its informatical representation. System models tend to neglect or ignore this dual representation and the two parallel manifestations of model entities. This may result in erroneous modeling and realization, as representations can be partial and mistaken. Agent perception or capturing of an entity of interest is fundamental to the way it affects or interacts with the entity. The problem intensifies in models of complex systems and systems of systems, which must account for original embodiments and their multiple representations by various agents. This paper proposes a formal model-based approach and theory for detecting, capturing, representing, and controlling this physical-informatical duality in system models. We illustrate the proposed semantics via formal object-oriented epistemic logic semantics and via Object-Process Methodology (OPM), the emerging ISO 19450 standard for Model-based Systems Engineering.

Ontology-Based Pathways Generation for Biomass to Bioenergy Conversion

Bio energy is a renewable energy and a solution to the depleting fossil fuels. Bio energy such as heat, power and bio fuel is generated by conversion technologies using biomass for example domestic waste, root crops, forest residue and animal slurry. Pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion and combined heat and power engine are some examples of the technologies. Depending on the nature of a biomass, it can be treated with various technologies giving out some products, which can be further treated with other technologies and eventually converted into the final products as bio energy. The pathway followed by the biomass, technologies, intermediate products and bio energy in the conversion process is referred to as bio energy pathway. Identification of appropriate pathways optimizes the conversion process. Although there are various approaches to create or generate the pathways, there is still a need for a semantic approach to generate the pathways, which allow checking the consistency of the knowledge, and to share and extend the knowledge efficiently. This paper presents an ontology-based approach to automatic generation of the pathways for biomass to bio energy conversion, which exploits the definition and hierarchical structure of the biomass and technologies, their relationship and associated properties, and infers appropriate pathways. A case study has been carried out in a real-life scenario, the bio energy project for the North West of Europe (Bioen NW), which showed promising results.

Ontology-based economic models for bioenergy and biofuel projects

Bioenergy is a renewable energy generated from biomass, while biofuel is a hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from biomass. Recently, bioenergy and biofuel projects are encouraged and supported by many governments and organizations in various ways such as providing incentives, technical supports, information, and decision support tools. Economic model is one of the decision support tools, which helps to estimate the costs and earnings involved in a project. It is constructed with various elements such as concepts, relations, logics, constants and equations. In current economic models, all the elements are hard coded into some programming code, which makes the model less reusable and extendable. To address the issue, we present an ontology-based economic model in this paper. In particular, we have leveraged the Semantic Web technologies to represent the knowledge about the bioenergy and biofuel economics and inferred the equations and other values required for economic calculations. The case study has been carried out in two of the INTERREG Projects and found promising results.

Linked data for potential algal biomass production

In this paper we present an account of the publication of a suite of datasets, LEAPS, that collectively enable the evaluation of potential algal biomass production sites in North West Europe NWE. LEAPS forms the basis of a prototype Web application that enables stakeholders in the algal biomass domain to interactively explore via various facets, potential algal production sites and sources of their consumables across NWE.

Parametric virtual laboratory development: A hydropower case study with student perspectives

In order to take advantage of trends such as genetic-design students need to be familiar, and comfortable, with the concept of parametric computer models and how their parameters relate to physical-forms. Virtual learning software can aid in creating that understanding and help support studies at all undergraduate levels in engineering design disciplines. As an example, hydropower rotors are complex and largely rely on computational analysis of geometries for single rotor types. That problem can be significantly overcome using a parametric algorithm capable of creating an almost-infinite variety of computer models. Therefore, this paper investigates the shared parametric properties of common crossflow hydropower rotor geometries, resulting in a generic model that is then used to illustrate application in real-time interactive virtual learning software capable of producing accurate stereoscopic images and stereolithography files for 3D printing, as well as linking to constructive solid geometry software for slower, but more detailed, analysis. A pilot survey of student attitudes to the virtual learning prototype and resulting geometries is then discussed, illustrating the potential for 3D graphics as an effective addition to virtual learning of parametric design methods, and giving initial direction for future work.

Technological, Organisational and Environmental Drivers for Enterprise Systems Upgrade

Purpose Enterprise systems (ES) upgrade is a complex phenomenon, yet it is possible to reduce the complexity through understanding of the upgrade drivers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the various upgrade drivers, in order to provide a detailed understanding of the factors driving upgrade decisions. Design/methodology/approach This research is grounded in a qualitative survey design. It utilises a web-based survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to collect data from 41 respondents representing 23 large organisations. The data were qualitatively analysed and coded to identify the various drivers and their influence on ES upgrade decisions. Findings The findings suggest that the upgrade decisions are dependent on establishing the need to upgrade, which is influenced by various drivers and stakeholders interests. In addition, the findings suggest that organisations would only opt to upgrade when benefits are aligned with the upgrade and when the decision makes business sense. Research limitations/implications In this paper, the authors propose that there is a relationship between the upgrade drivers and the upgrade strategy. However, qualitative studies can only formulate logical generalisations. Hence, future research could explore these associations through a quantitative study in order to provide probabilistic generalisation that offers either similar or conflicting arguments applicable to ES upgrade phenomenon. Originality/value This paper provides an alternative classification of upgrade drivers, and conceptualises an association between upgrade drivers and the upgrade strategy, which in turn facilitates minimising disruptions and upgrade risks.

Knowledge based educational framework for enhancing practical skills in engineering distance learners

This paper presents a concept of knowledge-based education (KBEd) framework and method in capturing, mapping, reusing and automating the knowledge of on-campus engineering laboratory instructor for imparting and assessing practical skills in engineering distance learners. The concept of distance learning in engineering science subjects like mechanical and automotive is still in its infant stage. As laboratory plays a vital role in engineering curriculum, delivering these programs and evaluating them have been the two major challenges for universities offering distance learning engineering courses. In order to overcome these challenges; an instructional system automated through experts knowledge with more granularity in monitoring the learners transition throughout the learning process is required.

Physical-Informatical Essence-Duality-Aware Generic Modeling of Threat Handling Processes

Systems interact with real world entities, and must hold internal representations of these entities in order to handle them appropriately. Physical-informatical essence duality (PIED) is the parallel existence of the entity as both the original, usually physical source, and its informatical representation, as held by each agent interacting with the entity. The distinction between the original external entity and its representation is critical for correct modeling and realization of complex interactions of cyber-physical systems with the real world. The implications of this distinction must be recognized and accounted for. Conceptual modeling semantics for the PIED problem make this distinction possible, structured, and well-defined in the system model. We review a formalism based on Epistemic Logic semantics, and a model- based framework based on Object Process Methodology, and demonstrate the applicability of our framework for generic modeling of threat handling processes, common to various cyber-physical systems and various types of threats, such as safety hazards, terror attacks, and cyber-attacks.