Inverse software configuration management

Software systems are playing an increasingly important role in almost every aspect of today’s society such that they impact on our businesses, industry, leisure, health and safety. Many of these systems are extremely large and complex and depend upon the correct interaction of many hundreds or even thousands of heterogeneous components. Commensurate with this increased reliance on software is the need for high quality products that meet customer expectations, perform reliably and which can be cost-effectively and safely maintained. Techniques such as software configuration management have proved to be invaluable during the development process to ensure that this is the case. However, there are a very large number of legacy systems which were not developed under controlled conditions, but which still, need to be maintained due to the heavy investment incorporated within them. Such systems are characterised by extremely high program comprehension overheads and the probability that new errors will be introduced during the maintenance process often with serious consequences. To address the issues concerning maintenance of legacy systems this thesis has defined and developed a new process and associated maintenance model, Inverse Software Configuration Management (ISCM). This model centres on a layered approach to the program comprehension process through the definition of a number of software configuration abstractions. This information together with the set of rules for reclaiming the information is stored within an Extensible System Information Base (ESIB) via, die definition of a Programming-in-the- Environment (PITE) language, the Inverse Configuration Description Language (ICDL). In order to assist the application of the ISCM process across a wide range of software applications and system architectures, die PISCES (Proforma Identification Scheme for Configurations of Existing Systems) method has been developed as a series of defined procedures and guidelines. To underpin the method and to offer a user-friendly interface to the process a series of templates, the Proforma Increasing Complexity Series (PICS) has been developed. To enable the useful employment of these techniques on large-scale systems, the subject of automation has been addressed through the development of a flexible meta-CASE environment, the PISCES M4 (MultiMedia Maintenance Manager) system. Of particular interest within this environment is the provision of a multimedia user interface (MUI) to die maintenance process. As a means of evaluating the PISCES method and to provide feedback into die ISCM process a number of practical applications have been modelled. In summary, this research has considered a number of concepts some of which are innovative in themselves, others of which are used in an innovative manner. In combination these concepts may be considered to considerably advance the knowledge and understanding of die comprehension process during the maintenance of legacy software systems. A number of publications have already resulted from the research and several more are in preparation. Additionally a number of areas for further study have been identified some of which are already underway as funded research and development projects

CloudEx: a novel cloud-based task execution framework

In recent years cloud computing has seen steady adoption due to its unique features such as computing resource elasticity, fault-tolerance and utility billing. Cloud computing Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) enables unique architectures that can dynamically scale and configure computing resources from a catalogue of available features. In addition to provisioning long running homogeneous clusters of Virtual Machines (VMs), it can also be feasible to provision ephemeral and heterogeneous per-job VMs. This is made possible due to the reduced VM startup time and per- minute billing for cloud VMs. In this paper we design and implement CloudEx, a generic and novel framework for executing jobs on public clouds by leveraging the Google Cloud Platform. CloudEx enables users to split jobs into a sequence of smaller tasks that can be distributed using Bin Packing or user-defined algorithm. Additionally, users can specify the VM specification per job or per task, CloudEx then provisions the required VMs, coordinates the job execution and terminates these VMs once the job is completed

Efficient dictionary compression for processing RDF big data using Google BigQuery

The Resource Description Framework (RDF) data model, is used on the Web to express billions of structured statements in a wide range of topics, including government, publications, life sciences, etc. Consequently, processing and storing this data requires the provision of high specification systems, both in terms of storage and computational capabilities. On the other hand, cloud-based big data services such as Google BigQuery can be used to store and query this data without any upfront investment. Google BigQuery pricing is based on the size of the data being stored or queried, but given that RDF statements contain long Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs), the cost of query and storage of RDF big data can increase rapidly. In this paper we present and evaluate a novel and efficient dictionary compression algorithm which is faster, generates small dictionaries that can fit in memory and results in better compression rate when compared with other large scale RDF dictionary compression. Consequently, our algorithm also reduces the BigQuery storage and query cos

A novel cloud based elastic framework for big data preprocessing

A number of analytical big data services based on the cloud computing paradigm such as Amazon Redshift and Google Bigquery have recently emerged. These services are based on columnar databases rather than traditional Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) and are able to analyse massive datasets in mere seconds. This has led many organisations to retain and analyse their massive logs, sensory or marketing datasets, which were previously discarded due to the inability to either store or analyse them. Although these big data services have addressed the issue of big data analysis, the ability to efficiently de-normalise and prepare this data to a format that can be imported into these services remains a challenge. This paper describes and implements a novel, generic and scalable cloud based elastic framework for Big Data Preprocessing (BDP). Since the approach described by this paper is entirely based on cloud computing it is also possible to measure the overall cost incurred by these preprocessing activities

Visual impairment simulator for auditing and design

Individuals within the visually impaired community often have difficulty navigating environments due to the different ways in which they view the world, with even apparently simplistic locations frequently being challenging to traverse. It is therefore important when designing architecture or environments, to consider the differing perspectives of people with visual impairments in order to ensure that design outcomes are inclusive and accessible for all. Although there is documentation regarding guidance and procedures for design of inclusive spaces; architects, designers, and accessibility auditors often find it hard to empathize with visually impaired people. This project aims to make the process of inclusive design easier through the development of a mobile app, VISAD (Visual Impairment Simulator for Auditing and Design), which enables users to capture images or import CAD designs and apply image distortion techniques in order to replicate different visual impairments

Factors Affecting Academics’ Involvement in TEL Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Reinforcing the level of essentiality of understanding the factors that influence the involvement in TEL-oriented CPD and the challenges to the sustained expansion of their expertise not only for academics, but also professional bodies and educational developer for effective integration of digital technologies in teaching and learning remains is the current emphasis on strategic continuing professional development (CPD) programmes of technology enhanced learning (TEL) within higher education. A naturalistic approach and making use of qualitative method were applied in achieving the inquiry, using semi-structured interviews. The perceptions and views of twelve academics from one college in Qassim University (QU) in Saudi Arabia is going to be explored and discussed during this study; although academics had both internal and external motivations towards the value of involvement into TEL CPD opportunities, the findings indicated that significant challenges existed to the active participation of TEL programmes, including time and workload, relevant and realistic programme content that address needs, opportunities to practise the use of TEL, and accessibility and awareness. Furthermore, the fundamental conclusion of this paper that should be taken into account is that the vast majority of academics would like to involve and also value the importance of TEL CPD when their inhabiting factors are addressed; so as to impact positively on their academics into TEL CPD, the sufficient role of management support and institutional culture within Saudi organisations of higher education are highly recommended. Keywords: Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Technology-enhanced Learning (TEL), Involvement, Lecturers

Enhancing pharmaceutical packaging through a technology ecosystem to facilitate the reuse of medicines and reduce medicinal waste

The idea of reusing dispensed medicines is appealing to the general public provided its benefits are illustrated, its risks minimized, and the logistics resolved. For example, medicine reuse could help reduce medicinal waste, protect the environment and improve public health. However, the associated technologies and legislation facilitating medicine reuse are generally not available. The availability of suitable technologies could arguably help shape stakeholders’ beliefs and in turn, uptake of a future medicine reuse scheme by tackling the risks and facilitating the practicalities. A literature survey is undertaken to lay down the groundwork for implementing technologies on and around pharmaceutical packaging in order to meet stakeholders’ previously expressed misgivings about medicine reuse (’stakeholder requirements’), and propose a novel ecosystem for, in effect, reusing returned medicines. Methods: A structured literature search examining the application of existing technologies on pharmaceutical packaging to enable medicine reuse was conducted and presented as a narrative review. Results: Reviewed technologies are classified according to different stakeholders’ requirements, and a novel ecosystem from a technology perspective is suggested as a solution to reusing medicines. Conclusion: Active sensing technologies applying to pharmaceutical packaging using printed electronics enlist medicines to be part of the Internet of Things network. Validating the quality and safety of returned medicines through this network seems to be the most effective way for reusing medicines and the correct application of technologies may be the key enabler

Auditing technology uses within a global voluntary organisation

WAGGGS, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, is the umbrella organization for Member Organizations from 145 countries around the world. As such one of its remits is to provide programmes that promote leadership development and opportunities for girls and young women to advocate on issues they care about. One of the ways WAGGGS is exploring to do this more widely and efficiently is through the use of digital technologies. This paper presents the results of an audit undertaken of the technologies already used by potential participants in online communities and courses and investigates the challenges faced in using technology to facilitate learning, within this context

Enabling medicine reuse using a digital time temperature humidity sensor in an internet of pharmaceutical things concept

Medicinal waste due to improper handling of unwanted medicines creates health and environmental risks. However, the re-dispensing of unused prescribed medicines from patients seems to be accepted by stakeholders when quality and safety requirements are met. Reusing dispensed medicines may help reduce waste, but a comprehensive validation method is not generally available. The design of a novel digital time temperature and humidity indicator based on an Internet of Pharmaceutical Things concept is proposed to facilitate the validation, and a prototype is presented using smart sensors with cloud connectivity acting as the key technology for verifying and enabling the reuse of returned medicines. Deficiency of existing technologies is evaluated based on the results of this development, and recommendations for future research are suggested

Exploring illustration styles for materials used in visual resources for people with aphasia

Images are often used in cueing therapy and other kinds of rehabilitation activities for people with an acquired brain injury. This paper presents a small-scale pilot study, which explores the appropriateness of different styles of illustration applied to visual resources used in combination with assistive technologies for people with aphasia. The study is part of a larger multidisciplinary project exploring how assistive technologies can be used to facilitate maximal engagement with rehabilitation and to facilitate communication and reengagement with hobbies and leisure activities. The study explored participants’ preferences and impressions of the materials with a view to informing design choices made for resources developed for the larger project. Three participants with aphasia participated in a focus group in which they were shown examples of materials developed as resources for cueing therapy and lifestyle activities. Four sets of illustrations varying in visual complexity – from icons with no context to illustrations with developed backgrounds – were shown at two sizes (A3 and A4). Participants shared their impressions of ease of use and their preferences for different levels of visual complexity in the illustrations, as well as changes in format and layout (combinations of six, nine and 12 images per board). Based on previous research and existing guidelines for good practice, we had anticipated that participants would find the contextualised examples more meaningful. However, our findings highlighted that participants preferred simple, icon-style illustrations rather than those with contextual detail. Participants’ comments suggested that familiarity with this style of illustration – based on their everyday engagement with mobile interfaces – was a likely explanation for this