The iTEC Technical Artefacts, Architecture and Educational Cloud

This chapter introduces the technical artefacts of the iTEC project in the context of a cloud architecture. The rationale for the technology developed in the iTEC project follows from its overall aim to re-engineer the uptake of ICT in schools. To that end, iTEC focused (a) on some important barriers for the uptake of ICT such the effort that teachers must make in redesigning their teaching and fi nding the right resources for that, and (b) on enablers for the uptake of ICT, such as providing engaging experiences both for the learner and teacher. The technical innovations are centred around three themes: innovations in the support of learning design, innovations by using a-typical resources, and innovations in the integration and management of learning services and resources. Next this chapter presents the cloud architecture adopted by all technology providers, including a shared user management and control system, the shared data models and interoperability solutions. The technical artefacts and then further elaborated in the ensuing chapters

Understanding the everyday designer in organisations

This paper builds upon the existing concept of an everyday designer as a non-expert designer who carries out design activities using available resources in a given environment. It does so by examining the design activities undertaken by non-expert, informal, designers in organisations who make use of the formal and informal technology already in use in organisations while designing to direct, influence, change or transform the practices of people in the organisation. These people represent a cohort of designers who are given little attention in the literature on information systems, despite their central role in the formation of practice and enactment of technology in organisations. The paper describes the experiences of 18 everyday designers in an academic setting using three concepts: everyday designer in an organisation, empathy through design and experiencing an awareness gap. These concepts were constructed through the analysis of in-depth interviews with the participants. The paper concludes with a call for tool support for everyday designers in organisations to enable them to better understand the audience for whom they are designing and the role technology plays in the organisation

2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Treatment Induces Ketogenesis, Sustains Mitochondrial Function, and Reduces Pathology in Female Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Previously, we demonstrated that mitochondrial bioenergetic deficits preceded Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology in the female triple-transgenic AD (3xTgAD) mouse model. In parallel, 3xTgAD mice exhibited elevated expression of ketogenic markers, indicating a compensatory mechanism for energy production in brain. This compensatory response to generate an alternative fuel source was temporary and diminished with disease progression. To determine whether this compensatory alternative fuel system could be sustained, we investigated the impact of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), a compound known to induce ketogenesis, on bioenergetic function and AD pathology burden in brain. 6-month-old female 3xTgAD mice were fed either a regular diet (AIN-93G) or a diet containing 0.04% 2-DG for 7 weeks. 2-DG diet significantly increased serum ketone body level and brain expression of enzymes required for ketone body metabolism. The 2-DG-induced maintenance of mitochondrial bioenergetics was paralleled by simultaneous reduction in oxidative stress. Further, 2-DG treated mice exhibited a significant reduction of both amyloid precursor protein (APP) and amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers, which was paralleled by significantly increased α-secretase and decreased γ-secretase expression, indicating that 2-DG induced a shift towards a non-amyloidogenic pathway. In addition, 2-DG increased expression of genes involved in Aβ clearance pathways, degradation, sequestering, and transport. Concomitant with increased bioenergetic capacity and reduced β-amyloid burden, 2-DG significantly increased expression of neurotrophic growth factors, BDNF and NGF. Results of these analyses demonstrate that dietary 2-DG treatment increased ketogenesis and ketone metabolism, enhanced mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity, reduced β-amyloid generation and increased mechanisms of β-amyloid clearance. Further, these data link bioenergetic capacity with β-amyloid generation and demonstrate that β-amyloid burden was dynamic and reversible, as 2-DG reduced activation of the amyloidogenic pathway and increased mechanisms of β-amyloid clearance. Collectively, these data provide preclinical evidence for dietary 2-DG as a disease-modifying intervention to delay progression of bioenergetic deficits in brain and associated β-amyloid burden

Computerized decision aid for first-time homebuyers

Technology-mediated assistance in house purchasing decision is evidenced in many developed countries, however, in Malaysia less study was found although the decision challenges faced by first-time homebuyers are undeniable. This study attempts to embed technology assistance in the prominent consumer decision-making process model for the purpose of assisting first time homebuyers to make a house purchasing decision. This study employs mixed method approaches with Klang Valley, Malaysia as case study. 19 housing attributes under Locational, Neighborhood, Structural and Social Cultural group, are surveyed to validate the distinctive nature of the attributes to be part of the decision-making criteria. Factor analysis is performed on 320 data from the potential first-time homebuyers in Klang Valley. Two key factors are confirmed from the analysis; which are needs (i.e. Locational and Structural) and preferences (i.e. Neighborhood and Social Cultural). Both factors are later embedded in the proposed design model of computerized decision aid for homebuyers. The model is then evaluated through expert reviews and data was analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the analysis, which are Suggestion, Concern, Strength, and Limitation. Meaningful discovery on how would the future applications may have an impact is made through analysing themes with negative connotation like Concern and Limitation. The focused themes also reflect actual insights from the industry’s key players, which are useful for improvement of the proposed design model and towards more effective computerized decisionaid for first-time homebuyers

The Structure of DSR Knowledge as Reflected by DESRIST - A Citation Analysis (2009-2015)

International audienceThe design science research (DSR) paradigm is now established and reco gnized within the information systems (IS) community. The members of the DSR community have a common language and shared perceptions. However, it remains to define what constitutes the fundamental issues, theories, applications, and the main findings in this area. In other words, how may the knowledge of the field be characterized? The aim of this paper is to determine and analyze the DSR body of knowledge, based on publications in the DESRIST conference. To this end, we perform a citation and co-citation analysis of the papers published in this conference between 2009 and 2015. The co-citation analysis leads to the identification of several clusters representing what we believe to be a good overview of the structure of the DSR body of knowledge. We contend that our findings will help researchers to identify DSR areas likely to lead to future research

Design Science Research Strengthened: Integrating Co-creation and Co-design

Part 2: Digital Platforms for DevelopmentInternational audienceDesign science research (DSR) is a well-known methodology that uses design as a tool for the development of both practical research resulting in an artefact solution, and theoretical scientific knowledge resulting in improved design processes. In this paper, we advocate strengthening the DSR methodology by including elements of co-creation and co-design in order to produce meaningfully contextualised solutions and to foster a stronger sense of ownership and social acceptance of a developed technological artefact solution within ICT4D. In our work, the inclusion of co-creation and co-design within DSR takes place in all of the stages of the design cycle, influencing also the relevance and rigour cycles as well as the impact of the artefact in the broader socio-technical context. Here we illustrate the practical implementation of these ideas through the involvement of women entrepreneurs from rural Tanzania in the development of a mobile application. This paper contributes to the body of research on the meaningful application of DSR processes to ICT4D