Leveraging Secure Multiparty Computation in the Internet of Things

Centralized systems in the Internet of Things---be it local middleware or cloud-based services---fail to fundamentally address privacy of the collected data. We propose an architecture featuring secure multiparty computation at its core in order to realize data processing systems which already incorporate support for privacy protection in the architecture

The deep optical ZoA galaxy catalogue in Vela first indications of previously hidden large-scale structures

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.This thesis presents a deep optical galaxy catalogue of the Vela region in the Zone of Avoidance (I b < 10°.245 < I < 280. This region was searched for galaxy candidates by optical inspection of IIIaJ (3950 A to 5400 A) film copies of the ESO/SRC sky survey as part of an effort to reduce the ZoA

Marketable Wealth in a Poor African Country

The study uses an asset index of consumer durables to track changes in household wealth in Ghana during the recent period of strong growth. Using the Ghana Living Standards Survey of 1998 that contains both wealth data and consumer durable data, the authors demonstrate that the asset index approximate marketable wealth adequately. Although asset index estimates of wealth cannot match the precision of wealth surveys,this approach can provide useful information on marketable wealth in countries where more appropriate sources are not available. The asset index analysis with the three demographic and health surveys for 1993, 1998 and 2003 suggests that the solid economic growth seen over this period has been accompanied by a strong rise in the average asset index scores.wealth, Ghana, asset index

Business model framework for education technology entrepreneurs in South Africa

Education technology (EdTech) has been proven to make a positive impact on education outcomes in developed economies. There is a vastly untapped opportunity to introduce more EdTech into the South African basic education ecosystem to help with the education crisis in South Africa. In 2004 the South African Government issued a clear e-Education policy white paper, but not enough progress has been made to improve education. The EdTech entrepreneur is the entity in the education ecosystem with the highest level of agility to take on such an opportunity, if properly positioned and supported. The objective of this study was to develop a framework to identify key considerations for EdTech entrepreneurs to create sustainable ventures, and in so doing make a larger contribution to improving the quality of basic education in South Africa. The research approach was exploratory. A conceptual model was developed from the literature review. Propositions were set based on the conceptual model. A multi-case study approach was chosen for primary data collection. Qualitative analysis compared empirically based results as identified themes with three predicted propositions. The literature review suggests the following possible considerations when developing a business model for EdTech entrepreneurship, i.e. innovation to develop a unique value proposition, delivery to a broad customer base, open models to encourage collaboration with various stakeholders, impact measurement, diverse funding sources, as well as simple and focused revenue streams. Little to no literature exists with empirical findings on these considerations in the EdTech industry. Existing literature builds frameworks, components and specifications for consideration without any empirical testing. Part of the challenge is that companies keep the details of their business models secret, especially small companies with a niche value proposition. No literature could be found for EdTech entrepreneurship in South Africa, or any emerging economy. Four themes emerged from the results: mature product, complex support network, multiple infrastructure considerations, and multiple sources of revenue. The findings confirmed teacher distrust as having the greatest impact on value creation, mobile networks as only one of the key impacts on value delivery, and both private and public sectors providing value capture opportunities. An archetypal business model framework for EdTech was developed, which concludes: EdTech entrepreneurs should develop mature products that teachers can endorse; build a support network, which would include an advisory board and low-cost infrastructure providers; and source multiple revenue streams from the private and public sectors. Incubation support does help, even if just to provide introductions to a wider support network. Better government policy and procurement implementation would also enhance the provision of simpler and predictable revenue streams to EdTech providers.Dissertation (MEng (Technology Management))--University of Pretoria, 2021.Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM)MEng (Technology Management)Unrestricte

Marketable Wealth in a Poor African Country: Using an index of consumer durables to investigate wealth accumulation by households in Ghana

wealth, Ghana, asset index

Implementing learning style flexibility for change of facilitation strategies in higher education

This dissertation discusses a study that I carried out using action research methodology to answer to the research question; to what extent can the Mind Dynamix Profile® inform the practice of reflecting on change in facilitating learning in higher education? The Mind Dynamix Profile® instrument is used as a new and innovative profile instrument that has been developed in South Africa. Although the instrument can be used in a variety of circumstances, this research focuses on its use an instrument to facilitate reflection in the context of lecturers in a Private Higher Education Institution. A total of nine research subjects participated in this research project. As is often the case with action research the process of research was flexible and had to be adapted to the circumstances in which I, as the researcher, found myself. Through the process of doing this research I learned that the Mind Dynamix Profile® is a valuable tool for identifying areas of strength and areas of development among lecturers. Though the lecturers’ profiles varied, there were some common variables in their genetic profiles. However, the most important part of knowledge of the profile lies not in knowing the genetic profile, but rather in lecturers using that baseline knowledge to adapt their style of facilitating learning to the extent where they are able to accommodate the learning styles of all the students in the classroom. With the Mind Dynamix Profile® this flexibility is known as whole brain and whole body learning. The results of this study provide evidence that the Mind Dynamix Profile® is indeed a valuable instrument that assists in developing learning style flexibility and when used correctly, allows for definite change of facilitation strategies in the context of higher education. However, for lecturers to adapt these areas of development effectively a mentoring and coaching process needs to be implemented in conjunction with reflective tools. Although all the lecturers showed some sign of reflection on their style of facilitating learning, only two research subjects embraced the action research process to the point of deep, constructive reflection. Action research does not look only on the processes of the lecturers involved in this study, but more importantly on my own change of practice as a result of this research. My intention was to improve my own professional practice in addition to involving various lecturers in order to enhance their learning experience. Through the process of implementing this research I learned to reflect on my own values, attitudes and relationships with lecturers as they impacted on my practice. I believe that I have achieved reflective competence by demonstrating an ability to integrate and connect my own performance and decision making with understanding, and that I am successfully able to adapt, explain and change my style of facilitating learning and conducting research, when challenged by unforeseen circumstances. CopyrightDissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2009.Curriculum Studiesunrestricte

Biofuel, land-use tradeoffs and livelihoods in Southern Africa

The rapid expansion of biofuel projects in southern Africa creates an opportune issue against which to examine land-use tradeoffs within the areas of customary land tenure. For this an ecosystems services approach is used. Jatropha curcas (L), a perennial oilseed plant which has been the key focus of most of the region’s biofuel expansion to date is used as the focus biofuel crop for which case study data were obtained from Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa. Despite the initial enthusiasm for jatropha, most projects have proven less successful than hoped, and many have collapsed. A few are, however, still showing signs of possible success and it is two of these that form the basis of the case studies. Hugely complex tradeoffs are involved when considering biofuel as a land-use option for communal areas. They range from global impacts such as biodiversity and global climate forcing, through national concerns of rural development, national food security and national fuel security, to local household concerns around improving livelihoods. Land that is converted to biofuel needs to be removed from some previous use, and in the southern African case it is typically woodlands and the multitude of services they provide, that suffer. The nature of the tradeoffs and the people affected change over the scale under consideration. For the local farmer it is only the local issues that are of concern, but national and global forces will change the policy environment and lead to new types of development such as biofuels. Change is inevitable, and in all developments there are likely to be both winners and losers. It is clear that the impacts arising from biofuel are situation dependent, and each community and location has unique social and environmental considerations that need to be taken into account. In the case of jatropha the final realised yield and the economic returns that this can generate, will be of critical importance and remain one of the main uncertainties. There are promising signs that under certain circumstances the balance of benefits from jatropha biofuel may be positive, but if implemented incorrectly or in the wrong place, there is extensive evidence of total project failure. It is clear that evidence-based data and assessment tools are needed to assist communities, developers and government departments to make sound decisions around biofuel (or other land-use based) development. A number of such tools are suggested in the thesis. Both the use of large-scale plantations or small-scale farmer centred projects have their advantages and disadvantages. It is probable that in the correct circumstances either can work. However, large-scale plantations can have huge negative social and environmental consequences if poorly implemented. Small-scale projects, though improving livelihoods, are unlikely to take the farmers out of poverty. Tradeoffs from any land-use change are inevitable. Empirical data on biofuel impacts on the environment and society are needed for the development of sound policy. A favourable policy environment can ensure that positive benefits from biofuel are obtained, whilst minimising negative impacts. To develop this policy means that southern African countries will have to clearly understand what they wish to achieve from biofuel, as well as having a clear understanding of impacts from biofuel implementation. Sound scientific knowledge needs to underpin this process. For instance governments may wish to increase the ratio of small-scale to large-scale plantation to increase the developmental benefits, ensure biofuel is used to promote national fuel security rather than being exported, or develop a medium-scale farming sector which can help move farmers out of poverty and assist in developing a market surplus of agricultural commodities. Analysing impacts from biofuel expansion is a complex and multi-dimensional problem and as such will require multi-criteria analysis tools to develop solutions. Global, national and local tradeoffs must all be considered. In addition a wide range of stakeholders are involved and participatory processes may be needed to capture their inputs. Tools to better analyse impacts, specifically at the local level are needed. These local results need to feed into national level economic assessments. The cost of biofuel introduction should be considered against the costs of not implementing biofuel, realising that doing nothing also has a cost and long-term impact. Third-party certification provides a useful tool for shifting costs of ensuring compliance with social and environmental legislation, from the state to biofuel companies. In addition ongoing monitoring and evaluation of existing projects is needed to learn from successes and failures, to identify unintended consequences, and to increase the resilience of projects, community livelihoods and the national economy. This will have to be supplemented with additional focused and ongoing research