Autonomous migration of vertual machines for maximizing resource utilization

Virtualization of computing resources enables multiple virtual machines to run on a physical machine. When many virtual machines are deployed on a cluster of PCs, some physical machines will inevitably experience overload while others are under-utilized over time due to varying computational demands. This computational imbalance across the cluster undermines the very purpose of maximizing resource utilization through virtualization. To solve this imbalance problem, virtual machine migration has been introduced, where a virtual machine on a heavily loaded physical machine is selected and moved to a lightly loaded physical machine. The selection of the source virtual machine and the destination physical machine is based on a single fixed threshold value. Key to such threshold-based VM migration is to determine when to move which VM to what physical machine, since wrong or inadequate decisions can cause unnecessary migrations that would adversely affect the overall performance. The fixed threshold may not necessarily work for different computing infrastructures. Finding the optimal threshold is critical. In this research, a virtual machine migration framework is presented that autonomously finds and adjusts variable thresholds at runtime for different computing requirements to improve and maximize the utilization of computing resources. Central to this approach is the previous history of migrations and their effects before and after each migration in terms of standard deviation of utilization. To broaden this research, a proactive learning methodology is introduced that not only accumulates the past history of computing patterns and resulting migration decisions but more importantly searches all possibilities for the most suitable decisions. This research demonstrates through experimental results that the learning approach autonomously finds thresholds close to the optimal ones for different computing scenarios and that such varying thresholds yield an optimal number of VM migrations for maximizing resource utilization. The proposed framework is set up on a cluster of 8 and 16 PCs, each of which has multiple User-Mode Linux (UML)-based virtual machines. An extensive set of benchmark programs is deployed to closely resemble a real-world computing environment. Experimental results indicate that the proposed framework indeed autonomously finds thresholds close to the optimal ones for different computing scenarios, balances the load across the cluster through autonomous VM migration, and improves the overall performance of the dynamically changing computing environment

Semantic discovery and reuse of business process patterns

Patterns currently play an important role in modern information systems (IS) development and their use has mainly been restricted to the design and implementation phases of the development lifecycle. Given the increasing significance of business modelling in IS development, patterns have the potential of providing a viable solution for promoting reusability of recurrent generalized models in the very early stages of development. As a statement of research-in-progress this paper focuses on business process patterns and proposes an initial methodological framework for the discovery and reuse of business process patterns within the IS development lifecycle. The framework borrows ideas from the domain engineering literature and proposes the use of semantics to drive both the discovery of patterns as well as their reuse

Young people, identity and the media: a study of conceptions of self identity among youth in Southern England.

This thesis seeksto investigate young people's perceptions of their own identities and how the media is used to shapetheir conceptions of self, with specific focus on the understandingsheld by young people themselves. The relationship between media and identity is explored through an examination of previous work on ethnic minority representation in the media, and considered in relation to how representations impact upon audience members' formulations of identities and their social worlds. Conceptualisations of the audience, and approaches employed within audience researchare critically evaluated, with particular reference to individuals' media consumption in the context of lived experience. A discussion of creative and visual methods within social research introduces the methodology undertaken as part of this study. Young people aged 13 to 14, of contrasting class and ethnic backgrounds, drawn from schools across Dorset, Hampshire and London were invited to create identity collages using media materials that expressed'how I see myself' and 'how I think other people seeme', and provided their own interpretations of this work within unstructured interviews. The III identity collages produced and accompanying reflective commentaries formed a body of data upon which the findings of this thesis are based. The analysis reveals that young people view their identities as complex, contradictory and diverse, and demonstrate a reflexive awarenessof their own sense of self as a phenomenon which is personally constructed, continually revised and displayed to others. The study highlights the importance of role models, and how individuals understand their own identities, more strongly than previous studies of young people and the media. It suggeststhat the media functions as a resource young people use to conceptualise and formulate their present identities, as well as articulate possible future selves

Developing an augmented reality business model for cultural heritage tourism: the case of Geevor Museum

The use of Augmented Reality (AR) in cultural heritage tourism has gained increased research attention, and studies identify many ways AR adds value to, and enhances the tourist experience. However, contrary to expectations and opportunities presented, AR adoption has been slower than predicted. It could be argued that the tourism sector is losing out of the benefits presented by AR, despite the fact adopting modern technologies is considered essential for tourist organisations to remain competitive and attractive. Through a comprehensive literature review this study has identified a need to develop a business model to explore the added value and realise ARs full potential. As a result of a review of existing Business Models (BMs), the study adopted the V4 model as a framework to scaffold initial research questions. The case of UNESCO recognised Geevor Tin Mine Museum was used to develop and validate ‘The ARBM’ using a mixed method approach combining interviews and questionnaires. Phase one data collection, involving fifty Geevor stakeholder interviews revealed support for, and recognition of ARs potential to add value to Geevor, as well as confirming the need to develop a clear implementation strategy. Using thematic analysis the ARBM was developed, consisting of five components; resources, AR value, stakeholder benefits, responsibilities and revenue. Each component contained a number of criteria which were ordered into a hierarchy of importance in the second phase of data collection: fifteen stakeholder questionnaires, completed and analysed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). AHP is a multi-criteria decision-making method that organised criteria into a hierarchy based on perceived importance. This validated the ARBM for Geevor, providing strong proof of concept, aggregating stakeholder perceptions to produce a group decision identifying the most preferable ARBM options to purse when implementing AR at Geevor. Theoretically, the study found a number of AR values not previously identified, enriching the existing pool of knowledge. Practically, developing and validating the ARBM, provides tourist organisation managers with a framework to effectively implement AR, turning its potential into actual value adding benefits. Overall, it is clear, investment in, and adoption of innovative technologies is a necessity for tourist organisations that wish to remain sustainable and competitive in the future. This study moves closer toward meaningful implementation of AR

Housing quality and lost (public) space in Croatia

IN ENGLISH: In the post-socialist period and within the current social transition context, urban and rural Croatia has, just like other transition countries, experienced many changes in the social structure and space. One example is the housing quality which is a replica of the situation in the Croatian society and has also undergone some major changes. Socially oriented housing construction co-financed by the state and the cities is in an unfavourable position compared to private housing construction. In the last twenty years the amount of the social housing construction has been only a minor part of the total contruction work in the country. For instance, out of nine newly planned residential housing developments in Zagreb, the capital city, only three have been completed and the work on the rest of them has stopped and is unlikely to continue. Private construction work prevails especially on the edge of the city and is characterised by high density housing. This type of housing construction doesn't benefit the majority of citizens in search of accommodation (price per square meter is too high, low-quality building). There is also a big problem of the community facilities (primary and secondary infrastructure, schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, green areas, sidewalks, public transport etc.). The existing globalisation-transition circumstances of the Croatian society corroborate the fact which experts of various profiles often point out: ignoring the process of (urban) planning will irreparably damage the space. The city transformation shows the absence of comprehensive urban planning which results in an ever increasing number of random buildings which do not fit in the surroundings. This leads up to yet another important issue – the shrinking and, in some cases, disappearance of public space which becomes the “lost space“. In recent years there has been a lot of building in the city core and on the edge which does not quite fit in the existing urban structure, image or the skyline of the city. The current situation in the process of planning can be characterized as a conflict and imbalance between the powerful actors (mostly political and economic) and less powerful actors (mostly professional and civil). The actors who have the political power and influence and the ones who possess the capital are forming an “alliance” between two important layers of the social structure. The lack of civil and professional actors, “lost spatial actors”, and therefore of civic aggregation is also present and that is also the cause of public space “disappearance” and undermined process of public participation. --------------- IN CROATIAN: U postsocijalističkom razdoblju i trenutnom tranzicijskom kontekstu urbana i ruralna Hrvatska su, kao i ostale tranzicijske zemlje, doživjele mnoge promjene u društvenoj strukturi i samom prostoru. Na primjeru kvalitete stanovanja kao replike stanja u hrvatskom društvu mogu se vidjeti značajne promjene. Društveno usmjerena stambena izgradnja sufinancirana od strane države i gradova je stoga rjeđa i u nepovoljnijoj je situaciji prema privatnoj stanogradnji. Zadnjih dvadeset godina udjel socijalne stambene gradnje je zanemariv u ukupnoj izgradnji na razini zemlje. Primjerice, od devet planiranih stambenih naselja izgrađenih po modelu POS-a u Zagrebu samo su tri i završena. Na ostalima je proces gradnje zastao i ne čini se da će se privesti kraju. Privatna je gradnje prisutnija, posebno na rubovima grada, a obilježava je visoka gustoća gradnje. Ovakav tip gradnje ne odgovara većini stanovnika koji su u procesu potražnje stambene nekretnine (visoka cijena kvadratnog metra, a slaba kvaliteta gradnje). Postoji također i problem nedostatne opremljenosti susjedstva (primarna i sekundarna infrastruktura, škole, vrtići, igrališta, zelene površine, pješačke staze, javni transport itd.). Navedene globalizacijsko-tranzicijske okolnosti hrvatskog društva potvrđuju ono što eksperti različitih profila ističu, a to je da će ignoriranje procesa (urbanog) planiranja nepovratno uništiti prostor gradova. Ovakve transformacije pokazuju nedostatak sustavnog urbanog planiranja što rezultira sve većim brojem zgrada koje se ne uklapaju u neposrednu okolinu. To nadalje dovodi do drugog važnog aspekta – smanjivanja i u nekim slučajevima, nestanka javnog prostora koji postaje „izgubljeni prostor“. Posljednjih je godina izgrađen velik broj zgrada, i u središtu i na rubovima grada, koje se ne uklapaju u postojeću urbanu strukturu, izgled ili vizuru grada. Ovakvu situaciju obilježavaju sukob i neravnoteža između moćnijih društvenih aktera (većinom političkih i ekonomskih) i onih manje moćnih (većinom profesionalnih i civilnih). Politički i ekonomski akteri se često povezuju u „savez“ dvaju najjačih u društvenoj strukturi. S druge strane nedostatak utjecaja civilnih i profesionalnih aktera kao „izgubljenih prostornih aktera“ dovodi do „nestanka“ javnih prostora te smanjenja važnosti procesa participacije (sudjelovanja javnosti)

Young people, identity and the media : a study of conceptions of self identity among youth in Southern England

This thesis seeksto investigate young people's perceptions of their own identities and how the media is used to shapetheir conceptions of self, with specific focus on the understandingsheld by young people themselves. The relationship between media and identity is explored through an examination of previous work on ethnic minority representation in the media, and considered in relation to how representations impact upon audience members' formulations of identities and their social worlds. Conceptualisations of the audience, and approaches employed within audience researchare critically evaluated, with particular reference to individuals' media consumption in the context of lived experience. A discussion of creative and visual methods within social research introduces the methodology undertaken as part of this study. Young people aged 13 to 14, of contrasting class and ethnic backgrounds, drawn from schools across Dorset, Hampshire and London were invited to create identity collages using media materials that expressed'how I see myself' and 'how I think other people seeme', and provided their own interpretations of this work within unstructured interviews. The III identity collages produced and accompanying reflective commentaries formed a body of data upon which the findings of this thesis are based. The analysis reveals that young people view their identities as complex, contradictory and diverse, and demonstrate a reflexive awarenessof their own sense of self as a phenomenon which is personally constructed, continually revised and displayed to others. The study highlights the importance of role models, and how individuals understand their own identities, more strongly than previous studies of young people and the media. It suggeststhat the media functions as a resource young people use to conceptualise and formulate their present identities, as well as articulate possible future selves.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Transições profissionais na sociedade de informação em Portugal: percursos identitários e ciclos de competências de bibliotecários portugueses (1973-2010)

La reflexión sobre las sociedades contemporáneas implica el estudio de las transformaciones profesionales. Esta investigación se centra en las transiciones profesionales ocurridas en Portugal durante el desarrollo de la sociedad de la información. Tiene como objeto, por una parte, identificar y analizar los principales factores percibidos y vividos por los bibliotecarios portugueses que han determinado las transiciones referidas. Por otra parte, el objeto de la investigación es también estudiar la evolución de la identidad profesional y de los ciclos de competencias a lo largo de las últimas cuatro décadas. Se centra en unaclase concreta de profesionales, los bibliotecarios, y se examinan dos grupos específicos: los que iniciaron su trayectoria profesional en la década de los años 70 y los que lo hicieron en los 80. De esta forma, se analiza la dinámica de la profesión en el periodo comprendido entre 1973 y 2010, a través del estudio de los ciclos de competencias y de las identidades. Los objetivos específicos de la Tesis Doctoral son: 1)Identificar, sistematizar y caracterizar las transiciones habidas en la profesión de bibliotecario, en el marco de la sociedad de la información y de las dinámicas y factores que permiten explicar la diversidad de recorridos identitarios, ciclos de competencias y carreras profesionales 2)Analizar las dinámicas relativas a la identidad, modelos de competencias y transiciones profesionales que se evidencian en diferentes cohortes. 3)Identificar las percepciones individuales relativas a la identidad, competencias y transiciones profesionales desde la perspectiva de las historias de vida. La investigación se estructura en dos niveles de análisis: macro y micro. El nível macro tiene como objetivo determinar las dinámicas sociales ligadas a la Sociedad de la Información y al mercado de trabajo en Portugal durante el período compreendido entre 1973 ? año de la creación de la Associação Profissional de Bibliotecarios, Arquivistas e Documentalistas ? y 2012 ? año de de lanzamiento de la Agenda Digital (2010-2020). El nivel micro incide en las trayectorias profesionales, el papel inter-generacional desempeñado y las transformaciones percibidas por los bibliotecarios portugueses en la construcción de su identidad profesional y su representación social. La metodología empleada se fundamenta en las técnicas de investigación cualitativa utilizadas en la investigación biográfica de las histórias de vida. Se ha optado por una metodología cualitativa que nos permite ahondar en el detalle y en el sentido de la experiencia personal y profesional, a través de la realización de entrevistas en profundidad semi-dirigidas. Se ha entrevistado a doce bibliotecarios que se han seleccionado atendiendo a los criterios de representatividad y suficiencia que implican analizar un número amplio de historias de vida en las que se encuentre información considerada suficiente. La diversidad de las trayectorias profesionales se consideró el principal indicador de suficiencia. El indicador de diversidad profesional se determinó a partir de las siguientes variables: inicio de la actividad profesional, tipología bibliotecaria, formación académica, cualificación profesional y situación profesional. La variable tipo de biblioteca atiende a la representatividad de los distintos tipos de centros: biblioteca universitaria, biblioteca pública, biblioteca especializada y biblioteca escolar. En cuanto a la cualificación, se ha considerado tanto la formación de origen como el grado académico: licenciatura, máster y doctorado. Para el análisis e interpretación de las historias de vida narradas se identificaron categorías y subcategorias surgidas en cada narración, utilizando un método de codificación y mapeado. Esto nos permitió, por una parte, indagar sobre las particularidades de cada una de las historias narradas. Por otra, realizar una comparación sistemática mediante un proceso de codificación abierta, axial y selectiva. Las transiciones identificadas y analizadas se refieren a los ámbitos de las políticas de información, del mercado de trabajo (nivel macro), de las industrias culturales, del mercado laboral de los profesionales de la información (nivel meso), de la profesión, y de los individuos (nivel micro). Los resultados obtenidos reflejan los ritmos y los efectos del desarrollo de la sociedad portuguesa, de las bibliotecas y sus profesionales, lo que permite una nueva aproximación interprofesional, así como constatar la importancia de la gestión de las competencias para la expansión de los límites de los sistemas profesionales: caracterizan las dinámicas de cohesión, especialización y convergencia profesional e inciden en el papel que desempeñan los modelos de competencias adoptados para limitar o expandir las fronteras entre las distintas profesiones. Los resultados permiten identificar los factores que explican la diversidad observada respecto a la evolución de la identidad, los ciclos de competencias individuales y las carreras profesionales. En el reconocimiento de los factores entre en juego la importancia concedida a cuestiones como la cultura profesional, el rendimiento, la estrategia, los valores profesionales, la satisfacción, entre otros

Transições profissionais na sociedade de informação em Portugal: percursos identitários e ciclos de competências de bibliotecários portugueses (1973-2010)

La reflexión sobre las sociedades contemporáneas implica el estudio de las transformaciones profesionales. Esta investigación se centra en las transiciones profesionales ocurridas en Portugal durante el desarrollo de la sociedad de la información. Tiene como objeto, por una parte, identificar y analizar los principales factores percibidos y vividos por los bibliotecarios portugueses que han determinado las transiciones referidas. Por otra parte, el objeto de la investigación es también estudiar la evolución de la identidad profesional y de los ciclos de competencias a lo largo de las últimas cuatro décadas. Se centra en unaclase concreta de profesionales, los bibliotecarios, y se examinan dos grupos específicos: los que iniciaron su trayectoria profesional en la década de los años 70 y los que lo hicieron en los 80. De esta forma, se analiza la dinámica de la profesión en el periodo comprendido entre 1973 y 2010, a través del estudio de los ciclos de competencias y de las identidades. Los objetivos específicos de la Tesis Doctoral son: 1)Identificar, sistematizar y caracterizar las transiciones habidas en la profesión de bibliotecario, en el marco de la sociedad de la información y de las dinámicas y factores que permiten explicar la diversidad de recorridos identitarios, ciclos de competencias y carreras profesionales 2)Analizar las dinámicas relativas a la identidad, modelos de competencias y transiciones profesionales que se evidencian en diferentes cohortes. 3)Identificar las percepciones individuales relativas a la identidad, competencias y transiciones profesionales desde la perspectiva de las historias de vida. La investigación se estructura en dos niveles de análisis: macro y micro. El nível macro tiene como objetivo determinar las dinámicas sociales ligadas a la Sociedad de la Información y al mercado de trabajo en Portugal durante el período compreendido entre 1973 ? año de la creación de la Associação Profissional de Bibliotecarios, Arquivistas e Documentalistas ? y 2012 ? año de de lanzamiento de la Agenda Digital (2010-2020). El nivel micro incide en las trayectorias profesionales, el papel inter-generacional desempeñado y las transformaciones percibidas por los bibliotecarios portugueses en la construcción de su identidad profesional y su representación social. La metodología empleada se fundamenta en las técnicas de investigación cualitativa utilizadas en la investigación biográfica de las histórias de vida. Se ha optado por una metodología cualitativa que nos permite ahondar en el detalle y en el sentido de la experiencia personal y profesional, a través de la realización de entrevistas en profundidad semi-dirigidas. Se ha entrevistado a doce bibliotecarios que se han seleccionado atendiendo a los criterios de representatividad y suficiencia que implican analizar un número amplio de historias de vida en las que se encuentre información considerada suficiente. La diversidad de las trayectorias profesionales se consideró el principal indicador de suficiencia. El indicador de diversidad profesional se determinó a partir de las siguientes variables: inicio de la actividad profesional, tipología bibliotecaria, formación académica, cualificación profesional y situación profesional. La variable tipo de biblioteca atiende a la representatividad de los distintos tipos de centros: biblioteca universitaria, biblioteca pública, biblioteca especializada y biblioteca escolar. En cuanto a la cualificación, se ha considerado tanto la formación de origen como el grado académico: licenciatura, máster y doctorado. Para el análisis e interpretación de las historias de vida narradas se identificaron categorías y subcategorias surgidas en cada narración, utilizando un método de codificación y mapeado. Esto nos permitió, por una parte, indagar sobre las particularidades de cada una de las historias narradas. Por otra, realizar una comparación sistemática mediante un proceso de codificación abierta, axial y selectiva. Las transiciones identificadas y analizadas se refieren a los ámbitos de las políticas de información, del mercado de trabajo (nivel macro), de las industrias culturales, del mercado laboral de los profesionales de la información (nivel meso), de la profesión, y de los individuos (nivel micro). Los resultados obtenidos reflejan los ritmos y los efectos del desarrollo de la sociedad portuguesa, de las bibliotecas y sus profesionales, lo que permite una nueva aproximación interprofesional, así como constatar la importancia de la gestión de las competencias para la expansión de los límites de los sistemas profesionales: caracterizan las dinámicas de cohesión, especialización y convergencia profesional e inciden en el papel que desempeñan los modelos de competencias adoptados para limitar o expandir las fronteras entre las distintas profesiones. Los resultados permiten identificar los factores que explican la diversidad observada respecto a la evolución de la identidad, los ciclos de competencias individuales y las carreras profesionales. En el reconocimiento de los factores entre en juego la importancia concedida a cuestiones como la cultura profesional, el rendimiento, la estrategia, los valores profesionales, la satisfacción, entre otros