PaaSword: A Data Privacy and Context-aware Security Framework for Developing Secure Cloud Applications - Technical and Scientific Contributions

Most industries worldwide have entered a period of reaping the benefits and opportunities cloud offers. At the same time, many efforts are made to address engineering challenges for the secure development of cloud systems and software.With the majority of software engineering projects today relying on the cloud, the task to structure end-to-end secure-by-design cloud systems becomes challenging but at the same time mandatory. The PaaSword project has been commissioned to address security and data privacy in a holistic way by proposing a context-aware security-by-design framework to support software developers in constructing secure applications for the cloud. This chapter presents an overview of the PaaSword project results, including the scientific achievements as well as the description of the technical solution. The benefits offered by the framework are validated through two pilot implementations and conclusions are drawn based on the future research challenges which are discussed in a research agenda

Study of effect of microsecond pulsed electric fields on threshold area of HeLa Cells

Microsecond pulse electric field (IlSPEF) application development substantially affected the development of research process including controlling cell functions by using pulses of electrical fields to create pores through a cellular membrane causes cell lysis and apoptosis commonly known as electroporation. Here we demonstrate the influence of the IlSPEF on the threshold area (TA) of human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) membrane. The electric field for IlSPEF is 3kV/cm while the pulse interval is lOOms. The pulse length and the number of pulses were fixed at lOllS and 5, respectively. While the cultured skin cells are placed in 9 mm-gap EP electrode chamber for allowing real time observation of membrane permeability changes and cellular physiology. In order to initiate higher cell viability rate, high transfection efficiency, lower sample contamination and smaller Joule heating effect the modification of EP chamber need to be done which can be controlled by pH scale, temperature and humidity. The experiment using high pulse electrical field with simply repetitive pulses shows the threshold area of cell membrane was decreasing gradually to 44.59Ilm, and is settled within hundreds of second. We found that the threshold area of cells membrane was affected when exposed to high voltage pulse electric field. The dependence of the threshold area on the HeLa cell membrane might be associated with the electrical impedance of the plasma membrane that begins to fluctuate after the application of a certain level of IlSPEF

Continuous improvement CSF framework for assessing CI maturity in ISO and non-ISO certified construction contracting organizations

Continuous Improvement (CI) is being recognized as key enabler for productivity improvement within the construction industry especially since it was emphasized in the Egan Report in 1998. However, core business processes within the construction industry have not been able to take advantage of this philosophy. Research and development efforts in this area has been lacking in terms of its applications from a construction industry-specific perspective. Attempts to focus on CI through specific TQM and of recent ISO 9000:2000 efforts seem to have had little impact, especially complicated by the unique features of the temporary nature of construction project organizations. It has been identified that construction suffers from delays, cost overruns, rework, variations, claims, poor contract administration and lax supervision by the client’s representative. Taking into account that construction projects are unique, temporary and embedded in sub-contracting culture, the task of achieving productivity improvement requires addressing the CI of specific processes. Hence, the first objective of this research is to determine the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for Continuous Improvement (CI) as a focused independent management tool in the Planning and Scheduling (P&S) of construction projects. 38 Success Factors of CI for P&S of construction projects from literature review were listed and verified using three rounds of Delphi Method This constituted the CI Maturity Assessment Framework that was used to assess ISO and Non-ISO construction organizations. The finding shows that, ISO certified companies exhibit a comparatively correlation with CI maturity level, however not being significant enough than non-ISO companies. Hypotheses testing used to compare both groups, and it was found that 35 out of 38 of the CSFs did not show any significant difference in CI maturity level. Hence, it cannot be claimed that ISO certified organizations fully practice the principles of CI. Finally, a conceptual framework for implementing CI based on The Kaizen Blitz approach is proposed for construction projects to enable rapid performance improvements over short timescales that is suitable considering the various construction projects peculiarities

Factors affecting building infrmation modelling adoption by Malaysian consultans and contractors

The paradigm shift to Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry has transformed the construction process. BIM adoption requires strategic implementation and collaboration. The inherent benefits of this shift are gradually experienced in Malaysia. However, adoption of BIM in Malaysia is prone to resistance as experienced in construction industries across the globe. Construction professionals are awakened to challenges with the use of a new system which define their adaptability to the BIM push within the construction industry. This research develops a BIM adoption model which builds on people, process and technology factors affecting BIM into a higher order resource of BIM perception and strategic IT implementation (business process re-engineering and computer integrated construction) mediated by collaborative processes. Data was collected from three hundred and fifty two (352) construction professionals (architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and contractors) using questionnaires. Descriptive and multivariate analyses (Structural Equation Modelling) were used to assess the measurement and structural models developed. The model explained the variance in business process re-engineering, computer integrated construction, collaborative processes and BIM adoption. The results revealed an anathematised state of collaboration leading to significant decrease in BIM adoption rate. Seven (7) out of fourteen (14) hypothesised paths were statistically significant. BIM perception exhibited indirect effect on collaborative processes through strategic IT implementation. Business process re-engineering exhibited significant direct effect while computer integrated construction exhibited a significant indirect effect on BIM adoption. This result projects the prevalent factors affecting BIM adoption, highlights grey areas needing improvement and formulating policies to further enhance BIM adoption

Knowledge-based Engineering in Product Development Processes - Process, IT and Knowledge Management perspectives

Product development as a field of practice and research has significantly changed due to the general trends of globalization changing the enterprise landscapes in which products are realized. The access to partners and suppliers with high technological specialization has also led to an increased specialization of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Furthermore, the products are becoming increasingly complex with a high functional and technological content and many variants. Combined with shorter lifecycles which require reuse of technologies and solutions, this has resulted in an overall increased knowledge intensity which necessitates a more explicit approach towards knowledge and knowledge management in product development. In parallel, methods and IT tools for managing knowledge have been developed and are more accessible and usable today. One such approach is knowledge-based engineering (KBE), a term that was coined in the mid-1980s as a label for applications which automate the design of rule-driven geometries. In this thesis the term KBE embraces the capture and application of engineering knowledge to automate engineering tasks, regardless of domain of application, and the thesis aims at contributing to a wider utilization of KBE in product development (PD). The thesis focuses on two perspectives of KBE; as a process improvement IT method and as a knowledge management (KM) method. In the first perspective, the lack of explicit regard for the constraints of the product lifecycle management (PLM) architecture, which governs the interaction of processes and IT in PD, has been identified to negatively affect the utilization of KBE in PD processes. In the second perspective, KM theories and models can complement existing methods for identifying potential for KBE applications.Regarding the first perspective, it is concluded that explicit regard for the PLM architecture decreases the need to develop and maintain software code related to hard coded redundant data and functions in the KBE application. The concept of service oriented architecture (SOA) has been found to enable an the explicit regard for the PLM architecture.. Regarding the second perspective, it is concluded that potential for KBE applications is indicated by: 1.) application of certain types of knowledge in PD processes 2.) high maturity and formalization of the applied knowledge 3.) a codification strategy for KM and 4.) an agreement and transparency regarding how the knowledge is applied, captured and transferred. It is also concluded that the formulation of explicit KM strategies in PD should be guided by knowledge application and its relation to strategic objectives focusing on types of knowledge, their role in the PD process and the methods and tools for their application. These, in turn, affect the methods and tools deployed for knowledge capture in order for it to integrate with the processes of knowledge origin. Finally, roles and processes for knowledge transfer have to be transparent to assure the motivation of individuals to engage in the KM strategy

Knowledge-based Engineering in Product Development Processes - Process, IT and Knowledge Management perspectives

Product development as a field of practice and research has significantly changed due to the general trends of globalization changing the enterprise landscapes in which products are realized. The access to partners and suppliers with high technological specialization has also led to an increased specialization of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Furthermore, the products are becoming increasingly complex with a high functional and technological content and many variants. Combined with shorter lifecycles which require reuse of technologies and solutions, this has resulted in an overall increased knowledge intensity which necessitates a more explicit approach towards knowledge and knowledge management in product development. In parallel, methods and IT tools for managing knowledge have been developed and are more accessible and usable today. One such approach is knowledge-based engineering (KBE), a term that was coined in the mid-1980s as a label for applications which automate the design of rule-driven geometries. In this thesis the term KBE embraces the capture and application of engineering knowledge to automate engineering tasks, regardless of domain of application, and the thesis aims at contributing to a wider utilization of KBE in product development (PD). The thesis focuses on two perspectives of KBE; as a process improvement IT method and as a knowledge management (KM) method. In the first perspective, the lack of explicit regard for the constraints of the product lifecycle management (PLM) architecture, which governs the interaction of processes and IT in PD, has been identified to negatively affect the utilization of KBE in PD processes. In the second perspective, KM theories and models can complement existing methods for identifying potential for KBE applications.Regarding the first perspective, it is concluded that explicit regard for the PLM architecture decreases the need to develop and maintain software code related to hard coded redundant data and functions in the KBE application. The concept of service oriented architecture (SOA) has been found to enable an the explicit regard for the PLM architecture.. Regarding the second perspective, it is concluded that potential for KBE applications is indicated by: 1.) application of certain types of knowledge in PD processes 2.) high maturity and formalization of the applied knowledge 3.) a codification strategy for KM and 4.) an agreement and transparency regarding how the knowledge is applied, captured and transferred. It is also concluded that the formulation of explicit KM strategies in PD should be guided by knowledge application and its relation to strategic objectives focusing on types of knowledge, their role in the PD process and the methods and tools for their application. These, in turn, affect the methods and tools deployed for knowledge capture in order for it to integrate with the processes of knowledge origin. Finally, roles and processes for knowledge transfer have to be transparent to assure the motivation of individuals to engage in the KM strategy

Improvement of construction process by adopting lean construction principles: a construction model development

Lessons learned from the construction industry have shown that adopting lean principles within construction processes can significantly enhance the overall success of a construction project. However, currently the potential benefits of such an approach are still not being fully realised in a uniform way. The application of lean principles in construction projects has an underlying aim to increase the value of projects and to eliminate construction waste, in order to achieve project targets of time, cost, and quality while reducing damage to the environment consistent with the underlying principles of sustainable development. This research project presents a newly developed framework that contains a set of lean methods and techniques to support the application of lean principles to construction project practice. In so doing the method helps those within the construction industry to more consistently achieve the full benefits that lean construction approaches can offer. The aim of this research project is to investigate the lean construction techniques currently used in the industry and the principles of lean construction applications, particularly, the problems and challenges, and develop a new construction process model in which lean methods/tools can be integrated. This will provide an effective and efficient way for managing construction projects in the construction industry. A parallel aim is to improve the construction process to better manage construction waste, time and cost and to improve the levels of quality and sustainability achieved. The adaptation of lean principles with identified enablers has been assessed where a combination of different lean principles and techniques were considered as the main enablers to develop a framework for the construction process. The RIBA Plan of Work was used to integrate and incorporate several lean construction principles and techniques to develop a standardised model where both the construction stages and the associated activities of the construction process in projects can be described. The underlying philosophy of the developed framework is to increase the efficiency of transformation activities (known as value-adding activities – processing). The innovative construction process models presented in this research are developed based on the core enablers that can be used to identify and eliminate waste in the construction process. These include set-based concurrent engineering (SBCE) integrated with the Last Planner® System (LPS) and lean thinking (LT) within traditional construction process activities. A number of measurement and control methods and guidelines for implementation of the framework are presented. In addition, case study materials have been collected from the industry in order to test and validate the framework. The results provide useful information and guidance to the construction industry as a whole. The novelty and contribution to knowledge of the research includes: improvement of construction process and performance through the development and implementation of an integrated lean-enabled pull flow construction process framework (i.e. pull flow control embedded within lean construction management) integrated with measurement and control methods within the RIBA Plan of Works. The research concludes by suggesting that the most effective way to implement lean methods and techniques in construction activities is to use the framework proposed and developed in this research which is integrated with the RIBA Plan of Work

Affordable identification and modelling of uncertain design specifications when introducing new technologies in space applications

When introducing new technologies in space products, both the uncertainties regarding technology feasibility and the way in which the technology affects the product development process hinder the early establishment of appropriate engineering specifications. Failing to establish product specifications during conceptual stages leads to problems discovered during later phases of the product development process, when design and process changes are the most expensive.This thesis proposes a digital holistic design platform and a method of constraints replacement for a cost- and time-efficient identification of specification uncertainties when designing space products with new technologies. The digital platform and methods have been developed and tested through industrial case studies featuring the introduction of new technologies for on-orbit applications. Most of these studies were performed in the context of, but are not limited to, the introduction of additive manufacturing.The platform and proposed constraints replacement method are based on function modeling strategies (for modeling product architecture and requirements during conceptual design phases), coupled with activity modeling strategies (for modeling the impact of product architecture on product development schedules and costs). The platform and method enable the identification and assessment of unknown uncertainties, thereby reducing the likelihood of expensive redesign processes during later development phases.Moreover, they enable the inclusion of multidisciplinary design trade-offs during conceptual stages and encourage the establishment of a culture of uncertainty seeking and effective data documentation and transfer

Curriculum renewal for interprofessional education in health

In this preface we comment on four matters that we think bode well for the future of interprofessional education in Australia. First, there is a growing articulation, nationally and globally, as to the importance of interprofessional education and its contribution to the development of interprofessional and collaborative health practices. These practices are increasingly recognised as central to delivering effective, efficient, safe and sustainable health services. Second, there is a rapidly growing interest and institutional engagement with interprofessional education as part of pre-registration health professional education. This has changed substantially in recent years. Whilst beyond the scope of our current studies, the need for similar developments in continuing professional development (CPD) for health professionals was a consistent topic in our stakeholder consultations. Third, we observe what might be termed a threshold effect occurring in the area of interprofessional education. Projects that address matters relating to IPE are now far more numerous, visible and discussed in terms of their aggregate outcomes. The impact of this momentum is visible across the higher education sector. Finally, we believe that effective collaboration is a critical mediating process through which the rich resources of disciplinary knowledge and capability are joined to add value to existing health service provision. We trust the conceptual and practical contributions and resources presented and discussed in this report contribute to these developments.Office of Learning and Teaching Australi