Thiam Kian Chiew

Review: Interoperability evaluation models: A systematic review

Interoperability is defined as the ability for two (or more) systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged. There is increasing demand for interoperability between individual software systems. Developing an interoperability evaluation model between software and information systems is difficult, and becoming an important challenge. An interoperability evaluation model allows knowing the degree of interoperability, and lead to the improvement of interoperability. This paper describes the existing interoperability evaluation models, and performs a comparative analysis among their findings to determine the similarities and differences in their philosophy and implementation. This analysis yields a set of recommendations for any party that is open to the idea of creating or improving an interoperability evaluation model.

A semantic interoperability framework for software as a service systems in cloud computing environments

Abstract In cloud computing environments in software as a service (SaaS) level, interoperability refers to the ability of SaaS systems on one cloud provider to communicate with SaaS systems on another cloud provider. One of the most important barriers to the adoption of SaaS systems in cloud computing environments is interoperability. A common tactic for enabling interoperability is the use of an interoperability framework or model. During the past few years, in cloud SaaS level, various interoperability frameworks and models have been developed to provide interoperability between systems. The syntactic interoperability of SaaS systems have already been intensively researched. However, not enough consideration has been given to semantic interoperability issues. Achieving semantic interoperability is a challenge within the world of SaaS in cloud computing environments. Therefore, a semantic interoperability framework for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments is needed. We develop a semantic interoperability framework for cloud SaaS systems. The capabilities and value of service oriented architecture for semantic interoperability within cloud SaaS systems have been studied and demonstrated. This paper is accomplished through a number of steps (research methodology). It begins with a study on related works in the literature. Then, problem statement and research objectives are explained. In the next step, semantic interoperability requirements for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments that are needed to support are analyzed. The details of the proposed semantic interoperability framework for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments are presented. It includes the design of the proposed semantic interoperability framework. Finally, the evaluation methods of the semantic interoperability framework are elaborated. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed semantic interoperability framework for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments, extensive experimentation and statistical analysis have been performed. The experiments and statistical analysis specify that the proposed semantic interoperability framework for cloud SaaS systems is able to establish semantic interoperability between cloud SaaS systems in a more efficient way. It is concluded that using the proposed framework, there is a significant improvement in the effectiveness of semantic interoperability of SaaS systems in cloud computing environments.

A review on E-business Interoperability Frameworks

Abstract Interoperability frameworks present a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitute a method of dealing with interoperability issues in the electronic business (e-business) context. Achieving interoperability in the e-business generates numerous benefits. Thus, interoperability frameworks are the main component of e-business activities. This paper describes the existing interoperability frameworks for e-business, and performs a comparative analysis among their findings to determine the similarities and differences in their philosophy and implementation. This analysis yields a set of recommendations for any party that is open to the idea of creating or improving an E-business Interoperability Framework.

An interoperability model for ultra large scale systems

Ultra large scale systems are a new generation of distributed software system that are composed of various changing, inconsistent or even conflicting components that are distributed in a wide domain. Some important characteristics of these systems include their very large size, global geographical distribution, operational and managerial independence of their member systems. The main function of these systems arises from the interoperability between their components. Nowadays one of the most important challenges facing ultra large scale systems is the interoperability of their component systems. Interoperability is the ability by which system elements can exchange and understand the information required with each other. This paper aims to solve the mentioned challenge, which is divided into two main parts. In the first part, this paper presents a maturity model for the interoperability of ultra large scale systems, by using the interoperability level of the component system of one ultra large scale system its maturity level can be determined. In the second part, by proposing a framework we try to increase the interoperability of the component systems in ultra large scale systems based on the interoperability maturity levels determined in the first part. Consequently their interoperability is improved.

A review of interoperability assessment models

Interoperability is the ability of systems to provide services to and accept services from other systems, and to use the services exchanged so as to operate together in a more effective manner. The fact that interoperability can be improved means that the metrics for measuring interoperability can be defined. For the purpose of measuring the interoperability between systems, an interoperability assessment model is required. This paper deals with the existing interoperability assessment models. A comparative analysis among these models is provided to evaluate the similarities and differences in their philosophy and implementation. The analysis yields a set of recommendations for any party that is open to the idea of creating or improving an interoperability assessment model.

Web Service Response Time Monitoring: Architecture and Validation

Web services are used in many Web applications in order to save time and cost during software development process. To peruse Web service response time, a suitable tool is needed to automate the measurement of the response time. However, not many suitable tools are available for automatic measurement of response time. This research is carried out in the context of quality of Web services in order to measure and visualize Web service response time. The method proposed in this research for accomplishing this goal is based on creating a proxy for connecting to the required Web service, and then calculating the Web services response time via the proxy. A software tool is designed based on the proposed method in order to guide the implementation that is still in progress. The tool can be validated through empirical validation using three test cases for three different Web service access situations.

Creating reusable and interoperable learning objects for developing an e-learning system that supports remediation learning strategy

e‐Learning is getting more important in education to provide new or enhanced services. Learning objects created according to e‐learning standards such as Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) play a major role in order to produce quality contents for e‐learning. A virtual learning environment (VLE) is normally used to support e‐learning by providing online courses and other learning activities. Moodle is one of the most widely used VLEs. However, Moodle still does not support the SCORM 2004 Sequencing and Navigation. This article proposes a new technique to create an e‐tutorial module, one of the main services in e‐learning that supports a certain level of SCORM 2004 Sequencing and Navigation on Moodle version 1.9.2+. This helps to provide learning with more control on the learning sequences and hence supports remediation learning strategy. Besides, study shows that courses built with learning objects complying with the SCORM 2004 standards are interoperable.

Usability and utility evaluation of the web-based "Should I Start Insulin?" patient decision aid for patients with type 2 diabetes among older people.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the usability (ease of use) and utility (impact on user’s decision-making process) of a web-based patient decision aid (PDA) among older-age users. A pragmatic, qualitative research design was used. We recruited patients with type 2 diabetes who were at the point of making a decision about starting insulin from a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia in 2014. Computer screen recording software was used to record the website browsing session and in-depth interviews were conducted while playing back the website recording. The interviews were analyzed using the framework approach to identify usability and utility issues. Three cycles of iteration were conducted until no more major issues emerged. Thirteen patients participated: median age 65 years old, 10 men, and nine had secondary education/diploma, four were graduates/had postgraduate degree. Four usability issues were identified (navigation between pages and sections, a layout with open display, simple language, and equipment preferences). For utility, participants commented that the website influenced their decision about insulin in three ways: it had provided information about insulin, it helped them deliberate choices using the option-attribute matrix, and it allowed them to involve others in their decision making by sharing the PDA summary printout.

Development of a web-based insulin decision aid for the elderly: usability barriers and guidelines

In recent years, researchers have attempted to shift patient decision aids (PDAs) from paper-based to web-based to increase its accessibility. Insulin decision aids help diabetes patients, most of whom are elderly to make an informed decision to start insulin. However, the lack of usability guidelines applicable for such target group causes developers to struggle to answer the challenging question ‘How can such web service be made usable, and, ultimately, acceptable and accessible for elderly patients?’. Hence, the purpose of this study is to identify the common usability requirements that may facilitate good practices to empower elderly diabetes patients in utilizing a web-based insulin decision aid for their benefit. We set out an approach to use prototyping and retrospective think-aloud techniques to explore web usability barriers that elderly patients may encounter when using an insulin decision aid web site and use the feedback for improving the prototype. Usability requirements were captured iteratively through scoping, brainstorming, prototype, testing and evaluating. The study suggests that the insights from experts and users are equally important to assure the validity of the identified usability guidelines; they reflect the accessibility needs of the aging community while complementing the key requirements of an insulin decision aid. The study contributes to recommend web usability guidelines backed by a series of expert and user evaluations which could be a proactive resource to improve usability, acceptability and accessibility of online insulin decision aids for elderly with diabetes.

Classification of Image Processing Software Tools for Cardiovascular Image Analysis

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in the modern world. Cardiac image analysis data is crucial in biomedical modelling and simulation to predict and diagnose CVD. Despite the importance of cardiovascular image analysis (CVIA) software tools for prediction, diagnosis, and therapy of CVD, to the best of our knowledge, there is no comprehensive review and a classification framework for the CVIA tools. In this paper, we review the literature related to the application of software tools for CVIA. In order to determine how image processing software tools are used for the CVIA diagnosis and prediction, this paper reviews the applications and features of these tools, through a survey of literature and the classification of articles, from January 2005 to December 2014. Keyword indices and article abstracts were used to identify 86 articles concerning image processing software tools for the CVIA. In this research, we review and classify 66 identified software tools for CVIA, with respect to the following four areas: (1) supported cardiovascular application, (2) cardiovascular imaging dimensionality, (3) cardiovascular imaging modality, and (4) post-processing ability. The results of our review and classification provide guidelines for utilization of CVIA software tool and future research on them.