Interoperability of DRM Systems

The study deals with the cutting-edge subject of electronic contracts which have the potential to automatically process and control the access rights for (electronic) goods. It shows the design and the implementation of a rights expression exchange framework. The framework allows DRM systems to exchange electronic contracts, formulated in a standardized rights expression language, and thus provides DRM system interoperability. The work introduces a methodology for the standardized composition, exchange and processing of electronic contracts or rights expressions

Overcoming information asymmetry in the plastics value chain with digital product passports : how decentralised identifiers and verifiable credentials can enable a circular economy for plastics

This paper analyses the potential of digital information technology to enable the reliable provision of product information along the plastics supply chain. The authors investigate the possible contribution of a product passport equipped with decentralised identifiers and verifiable credentials to overcome information deficits and information asymmetry in the circular plastics economy. Through this, high-quality plastics recycling could be enabled on a larger scale than currently possible

The contribution of tsunami evacuation analysis to evacuation planning in Chile: Applying a multi-perspective research design

Research on evacuation behavior in natural disasters provides a valuable contribution in the development of effective short- and long-term strategies in disaster risk management (DRM). Many studies address evacuation simulation utilizing mathematical modeling approaches or GIS-based simulation. In this contribution, we perform a detailed analysis of an entire evacuation process from the decision to evacuate right up to the arrival at a safe zone. We apply a progressive research design in the community of Talcahuano, Chile by means of linking a social science approach, deploying standardized questionnaires for the tsunami affected population, and a GIS-based simulation. The questionnaire analyzes evacuation behavior in both an event-based historical scenario and a hypothetical future scenario. Results reveal three critical issues: evacuation time, distance to the evacuation zone, and method of transportation. In particular, the excessive use of cars has resulted in congestion of street sections in past evacuations, and will most probably also pose a problem in a future evacuation event. As evacuation by foot is generally recommended by DRM, the results are extended by a GIS-based modeling simulating evacuation by foot. Combining the findings of both approaches allows for added value, providing more comprehensive insights into evacuation planning. Future research may take advantage of this multi-perspective research design, and integrate social science findings in a more detailed manner. Making use of invaluable local knowledge and past experience of the affected population in evacuation planning is likely to help decrease the magnitude of a disaster, and, ultimately, save lives

Innovative models for collaboration and student mobility in Europe

This report is based on new developments in higher education and international collaboration as collected by EADTU's Task Force and Peer Learning Activity on Virtual Mobility. The result is a report on three types of collaboration mobility: physical, blended and online. Main parameters for innovative education and mobility formats are defined as well as basic principles of international course and curriculum design. Examples illustrate the complete opportunity space between fully face to face and fully online collaboration. They relate to mobility within single courses, exchange mobility (classical Erasmus), networked programmes and mobility windows and joint programmes with embedded mobility. Mobility offers opportunities to institutions to strengthen their programmes and to students to enrich their study. They benefit from an international learning experience or following courses not provided by their own institution. The report shows concrete mobility schemes used in the membership (and beyond). It underpins policies for international networking and delivers tools to organise innovative education and mobility formats

Interoperability of Digital Rights Management Systems via the Exchange of XML-based Rights Expressions

The dissertation deals with the cutting-edge subject of electronic contracts, which have the potential to automatically process and control the access rights for (electronic) goods. The dissertation shows the design and the implementation of a rights expression exchange framework. The framework enables digital rights management systems to exchange electronic contracts with each other and thus, provides DRM system compatibility. The electronic contracts, which are formulated in a standardized rights expression language, serve as exchange format between different DRM systems. The dissertation introduces a methodology for the standardized composition, exchange and processing of electronic contracts respectively rights expressions. (author´s abstract

Electronic Rights Enforcement for Learning Media

In this paper we present a possible approach to the application of digital rights languages in the field of learning media, and indicate how it facilitates the establishment of new learning media services (specifically rights enforcement). Digital rights languages are used to specify usage rights to learning resources (LR) in electronic contracts. Important issues for rights enforcement are to identify those parts of contracts which can reliably be enforced electronically, as well as suitable means of translating the enforceable parts into concrete access control information. We addressed these two problems by identifying criteria for the enforceability of electronic contracts, and by designing a flexible strategy for translating the expression of rights into access control information