Distributed and Interactive Simulations Operating at Large Scale for Transcontinental Experimentation

This paper addresses the use of emerging technologies to respond to the increasing needs for larger and more sophisticated agent-based simulations of urban areas. The U.S. Joint Forces Command has found it useful to seek out and apply technologies largely developed for academic research in the physical sciences. The use of these techniques in transcontinentally distributed, interactive experimentation has been shown to be effective and stable and the analyses of the data find parallels in the behavioral sciences. The authors relate their decade and a half experience in implementing high performance computing hardware, software and user inter-face architectures. These have enabled heretofore unachievable results. They focus on three advances: the use of general purpose graphics processing units as computing accelerators, the efficiencies derived from implementing interest managed routers in distributed systems, and the benefits of effective data management for the voluminous information

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ADOPTION OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN IRAQI HIGHER EDUCATION: EVIDENCE FROM SALAHADDIN UNIVERSITY (10)

This paper investigates the use of e-learning systems in universities in Iraq as part of the UNESCO Avicenna Virtual Campus Project. In addition, it identifies the factors that can affect Iraqi students’ acceptance and use of e-learning. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the management of Salahaddin Avicenna E- Learning Centre. In addition, a questionnaire was developed based on extending the Technology Acceptance Model. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed to students. Partial Least Squares (PLS) was used to analyse the data. The findings indicated that e-learning has a potential in being used successfully in Iraqi universities. However, the training on the use of the system needs to be improved. In addition, the findings indicated that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms and self efficacy have significant effects on behaviour intention and behaviour intention, experience, information quality and technical support have significant direct effects on actual use of the e-learning system

Digital Transformation Challenges for Government Sector

Digital transformation in Egypt became government trend supporting by political leader starting in services places like civil registry, real estate center, traffic department and many ministries do their best to apply digital transformation. In the public sector, digital transformation refers to the digitization of government activities, such as delivering a better and easier customer experience, enacting regulations that allow for a distributed workforce, and upgrading and optimizing processes to save money and resources. Employee behavior is a basic element that can affect positively or negatively, positive effect will lead to fasting transformation and increasing services so the upper management can achieve their plans. At the opposite direction if negative impact where employee become obstacle and problem for this transformation the plans will take more time, and this will harm all the systems and prevent integrity between them. Some factors will affect employee behavior education, skills, work culture, leadership, job responsibility and effective communication. Also, we cannot ignore training, and finance. No one denies the impact of digital transformation on the economy of countries, and that is why the obstacles that face digital transformation need to more explored and manipulated in different techniques according to the material and moral needs to achieve complete digital transformation.The study utilized a quantitative approach by administering a self-administered questionnaire to government officials in the public sector of Egypt. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS. The results of the analysis confirmed the relationship between various factors and the implementation of digital transformation in the Egyptian public sector. These factors include financial capabilities, availability of infrastructure and communication systems, organizational culture, cooperation between government, business, higher education, and civil society, employee experience and skillset, selection of senior leaders, employee-centered organization, and diversity management.

A Holistic Usability Framework For Distributed Simulation Systems

This dissertation develops a holistic usability framework for distributed simulation systems (DSSs). The framework is developed considering relevant research in human-computer interaction, computer science, technical writing, engineering, management, and psychology. The methodology used consists of three steps: (1) framework development, (2) surveys of users to validate and refine the framework, and to determine attribute weights, and (3) application of the framework to two real-world systems. The concept of a holistic usability framework for DSSs arose during a project to improve the usability of the Virtual Test Bed, a prototypical DSS, and the framework is partly a result of that project. In addition, DSSs at Ames Research Center were studied for additional insights. The framework has six dimensions: end user needs, end user interface(s), programming, installation, training, and documentation. The categories of participants in this study include managers, researchers, programmers, end users, trainers, and trainees. The first survey was used to obtain qualitative and quantitative data to validate and refine the framework. Attributes that failed the validation test were dropped from the framework. A second survey was used to obtain attribute weights. The refined framework was used to evaluate two existing DSSs, measuring their holistic usabilities. Ensuring that the needs of the variety of types of users who interact with the system during design, development, and use are met is important to launch a successful system. Adequate consideration of system usability along the several dimensions in the framework will not only ensure system success but also increase productivity, lower life cycle costs, and result in a more pleasurable working experience for people who work with the system

Synthesis of FMSP Experience and Lessons Learned for Fisheries Co-Management, Final Technical Report

In November 2012, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) set the terms of reference for a commissioned assessment of fisheries and aquaculture science. The task was to complete a "scoping review", consisting of an in-depth assessment of the existing evidence related to fisheries and aquaculture activities in developing countries and their contribution to economic growth, food security and nutrition. For this the assessment was expected to identify the existing evidence and 'evidence in the pipeline' (i.e. to be published imminently) from the existing literature, compile it, and provide an assessment of the strength (in the sense, scientific rigor) of that evidence, and identify knowledge or evidence gaps. In addition the assessment was to be complemented by a mapping of existing relevant interventions in fisheries and aquaculture. In order to conduct this assessment, the team of consultants adopted a six step methodological protocol that allowed them to assess in a consistent manner the scientific quality of the documents included in the assessment, based on quality, size and consistency of the evidence. After scanning, 202 documents were retained. The main evidences from these 202 documents were organised under two main threads: (i) Developmental outcomes, including food security; nutrition; health; economic growth and (ii) Mediating factors focusing on governance; and gender

Flexible Global Software Development (GSD): Antecedents of Success in Requirements Analysis

Globalization of software development has resulted in a rapid shift away from the traditional collocated, on-site development model, to the offshoring model. Emerging trends indicate an increasing interest in offshoring even in early phases like requirements analysis. Additionally, the flexibility offered by the agile development approach makes it attractive for adaptation in globally distributed software work. A question of significance then is what impacts the success of offshoring earlier phases, like requirements analysis, in a flexible and globally distributed environment? This article incorporates the stance of control theory to posit a research model that examines antecedent factors such as requirements change, facilitation by vendor and client site-coordinators, control, and computer-mediated communication. The impact of these factors on success of requirements analysis projects in a “flexible” global setting is tested using two quasi-experiments involving students from Management Development Institute, India and Marquette University, USA. Results indicate that formal modes of control significantly influence project success during requirements analysis. Further, facilitation by both client and vendor site coordinators positively impacts requirements analysis success