Journal of
Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics
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 ISSN: 1690-4524 (Online)    DOI: 10.54808/JSCI



TABLE OF CONTENTS





Security in In-House Developed Information Systems: The Case of Tanzania
Magreth Mushi, Jabiri Bakari
Pages: 1-5
ABSTRACT:
In this 21st century, the world is moving more and more into the information economy; and information held by organization‟s information systems is among the most valuable assets in the organization‟s care and is considered a critical resource, enabling the organizations to achieve their strategic objectives. In-house developed information systems meant to enable organizations to achieve their strategic objectives, are on the increase and security has become a major concern in recent years. Hackers are using new techniques to gain access to sensitive data, disable information systems and administer other malicious activities aimed at the information systems. The need to secure an information system is imperative for use in today‟s world. Until recently, information systems security was an afterthought; developers were typically focused on functionality and features, waiting to implement security at the end of development. This approach to information systems security has proven to be disastrous because vulnerabilities have gone undetected allowing information systems to be attacked and damaged. A survey done in three (3) organizations in Tanzania has proved that most of the information systems developers have drawn their background from traditional systems development without the sense of implementing security in the early stage of information system development. This paper attempts to identify in-house developed information system‟s security deficiencies and related risks to organizations, the paper also attempt to establish technique that can be used to detect those deficiencies. Lastly the paper provide guidance that can be used by organizations to mitigate the risks.


Design and Implement a System of Wastewater Treatment Based on Wetlands
Martha L. Dominínguez-Patiño, Antonio Rodríguez-Martínez, Luis A. Jasso-Castillo
Pages: 6-11
ABSTRACT:
The wetlands are considered as a natural passive cleaning of waste water. Is a process characterizes by its simplicity of operation, low or zero-energy consumption and low waste production. These consist of shallow ponds planted with plants. The processes of decontamination are performed simultaneously by its physical, chemical and biological properties. The objectives of this work are design and implement a system of artificial wetlands as an alternative method for treating waste water produced from the Faculty of Chemistry Science and Engineering that allow to reduce the costs of operation, knowing the degree of water pollution to determine how efficient the wetland and, finally improve the health and environmental conditions of the irrigation water. So the first step was to know the degree of water pollution and quantity to determine the wetland process variables. The second step was to determine the kind of plants that allow reducing the water contaminants. The Manning formula was applied to evaluate the free flow and Darcy’s equation for the surface flow by wetlands. A micro-scale prototype was design and built based on buckets. The absorption capacity of several plants (Bacopa monnieri, Nephrolepis exaltata,Tradescantia zebrine) was determined. Also we use a natural filter consisting of Tezontle (first layer), sand (second layer), gravel (third layer), sand (fourth layer), Tezontle (fifth layer), gravel (sixth layer), sand (seventh layer) and, organic substrate (eighth layer). A wetland decreases more than 60% the cost compared to a water purification plant as everything is based biodegradable materials and not using any energy or sophisticated equipment to water filtration. Wetlands not only help to purify the water, but also help the conservation of flora and fauna that is dependent on wet conditions, as only biodegradable materials are used there is no pollution to the ground, helping the conservation of the environment. Today we are evaluating the wastewater flow because the prototype only allows treating from 0-1 L/min.


Work Process Oriented Learning via Mobile Devices – Theoretical Basics and Examples for a (New) Didactical Approach
Georg Spöttl, Sven Schulte
Pages: 12-17
ABSTRACT:
Two problems can be identified which counteract the need for further training: On the one hand the clientele of skilled workers is not necessarily keen on further training. On the other hand the time and cost pressure within the sector does not offer any room for time-consuming further training measures far away from the workplace. This is why the project “Virtual Learning on the building site – (Vila-b)” was realized in cooperation with the project partners of the University of Bremen (Working group »Digital Media« of the Centre for Information Technology) as well as from the economy (Arbeitskreis ökologischer Holzbau e. V. and Claus Holm, pm|c). The project team has tested a concept which facilitated learning adapted to the occupational reality and supported by the advantages of digital media. The central didactical elements for the development of this further training course are the contextual and methodological orientation to real work processes as well as the use of digital mobile media which facilitate learning directly at the workplace. The present article starts with a description of the theoretical basics for learning within the work process and discusses the didactical elements which are necessary for work process oriented learning with digital and mobile media.


Exchange Flow Rate Measurement Technique in Density Different Gases
Motoo Fumizawa, Shuhei Ohkawa, Isaku Buma, Suguru Tanaka
Pages: 18-23
ABSTRACT:
Buoyancy-driven exchange flows of helium-air through inclined a narrow tube was investigated. Exchange flows may occur following the opening of a window for ventilation, as well as when a pipe ruptures in a high temperature gas-cooled reactor. The experiment in this paper was carried out in a test chamber filled with helium and the flow was visualized using the smoke wire method. A high-speed camera recorded the flow behavior. The image of the flow was transferred to digital data, and the slow flow velocity, i.e. micro flow rate was measured by PIV software. Numerical simulation was carried out by the code of moving particle method with Lagrange method.


Acquiring Knowledge in Learning Concepts from Electrical Circuits: The Use of Multiple Representations in Technology-Based Learning Environments
Abdeljalil Métioui, Louis Trudel
Pages: 24-35
ABSTRACT:
The constructivists approach on the conception of relative software of modelling to training and teaching of the concepts of current and voltage requires appraisal of several disciplinary fields in order to provide to the learners a training adapted to their representations. Thus, this approach requires the researchers to have adequate knowledge or skills in data processing, didactics and science content. In this regard, several researches underline that the acquisition of basic concepts that span a field of a given knowledge, must take into account the student and the scientific representations. The present research appears in this perspective, and aims to present the interactive computer environments that take into account the students (secondary and college) and scientific representations related to simple electric circuits. These computer environments will help the students to analyze the functions of the electric circuits adequately.


The Properties of Intelligent Human-Machine Interface
Alexander Alfimtsev, Vladimir Devyatkov
Pages: 36-39
ABSTRACT:
Intelligent human-machine interfaces based on multimodal interaction are developed separately in different application areas. No unified opinion exists about the issue of what properties should these interfaces have to provide an intuitive and natural interaction. Having carried out an analytical survey of the papers that deal with intelligent interfaces a set of properties are presented, which are necessary for intelligent interface between an information system and a human: absolute response, justification, training, personification, adaptiveness, collectivity, security, hidden persistence, portability, filtering.


A Web Service Monitoring System for the Enterprise
Coimbatore S. Chandersekaran, William R. Simpson
Pages: 40-51
ABSTRACT:
An enterprise that uses web services for the conduct of business can benefit from computer-based monitoring for its normal course of business. Services that are unavailable, delayed, inadequate, and/or provide poor or delayed information flow, all hinder or prevent the normal course of business. In extreme cases they may prevent business from being conducted. The proper performance of the service-oriented approach, the communication flow and the services themselves directly equate to the health and vitality of the enterprise. By health we mean, availability, performance, integrity, and reliability of web services. This paper reviews an agent based approach for web service monitoring in an enterprise environment. The agents create and collect information about the services. The paper also provides a definition of events that need to be monitored and the elements that should be recorded. Some information about critical events is time critical and should be sent as alerts to monitoring personnel for review and possible action. These processes are currently being implemented in a major defense enterprise.


Realtime Automation Networks in moVing industrial Environments
Rafael Leidinger, Thomas Noisten, Joerg F. Wollert
Pages: 52-56
ABSTRACT:
The radio-based wireless data communication has made the realization of new technical solutions possible in many fields of the automation technology (AT). For about ten years, a constant disproportionate growth of wireless technologies can be observed in the automation technology. However, it shows that especially for the AT, conven-tional technologies of office automation are unsuitable and/or not manageable. The employment of mobile ser-vices in the industrial automation technology has the potential of significant cost and time savings. This leads to an increased productivity in various fields of the AT, for example in the factory and process automation or in production logistics. In this paper technologies and solu-tions for an automation-suited supply of mobile wireless services will be introduced under the criteria of real time suitability, IT-security and service orientation. Emphasis will be put on the investigation and develop-ment of wireless convergence layers for different radio technologies, on the central provision of support services for an easy-to-use, central, backup enabled management of combined wired / wireless networks and on the study on integrability in a Profinet real-time Ethernet network [1].


ARCHITECTURE DEGREE PROJECT: USE OF 3D TECHNOLOGY, MODELS AND AUGMENTED REALITY EXPERIENCE WITH VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS
Isidro Navarro Delgado, David Fonseca
Pages: 57-62
ABSTRACT:
Web 3.0 technologies provide effective tools for interpreting architecture and culture in general. Thus, a project may have an emotional impact on people while also having a more widespread effect in society as a whole. This project defines a methodology for evaluating accessibility of architecture for people with visual disabilities and the application of this to visiting emblematic buildings such as the Basilica of the Holly Family in Barcelona, designed by the architect, Antoni Gaudí.



Global Crisis as Enterprise Software Motivator: from Lifecycle Optimization to Efficient Implementation Series
Sergey V. Zykov
Pages: 63-72
ABSTRACT:
It is generally known that software system development lifecycle (SSDL) should be managed adequately. The global economy crisis and subsequent depression have taught us certain lessons on the subject, which is so vital for enterprises. The paper presents the adaptive methodology of enterprise SSDL, which allows to avoid "local crises" while producing large-scale software. The methodology is based on extracting common ERP module level patterns and applying them to series of heterogeneous implementations. The approach includes a lifecycle model, which extends conventional spiral model by formal data representation/management models and DSL-based "low-level" CASE tools supporting the formalisms. The methodology has been successfully implemented as a series of portal-based ERP systems in ITERA oil-and-gas corporation, and in a number of trading/banking enterprise applications for other enterprises. Semantic network-based airline dispatch system, and a 6D-model-driven nuclear power plant construction support system are currently in progress. Combining various SSDL models is discussed. Terms-and-cost reduction factors are examined. Correcting SSDL according to project size and scope is overviewed. The so-called “human factor errors” resulting from non-systematic SSDL approach, and their influencing crisis and depression, are analyzed. The ways to systematic and efficient SSDL are outlined. Troubleshooting advises are given for the problems concerned.


Modeling, Simulation, and Characterization of Distributed Multi-agent Systems
Reed F. Young, Devendra P. Garg
Pages: 73-80
ABSTRACT:
A strategy is described that utilizes a novel application of a potential-force function that includes the tuning of coefficients to control mobile robots orchestrated as a distributed multiagent system. Control system parameters are manipulated methodically via simulation and hardware experimentation to gain a better understanding of their impact upon mission performance of the multi-agent system as applied to a predetermined task of area exploration and mapping. Also included are descriptions of experiment infrastructure components that afford convenient solutions to research challenges. These consist of a surrogate localization (position and orientation) function utilizing a novel MATLAB executable (MEX) function and a user datagram protocol (UDP)-based communications protocol that facilitates communication among network-based control computers.


Involvement of Student Teachers and Pupils in Designing and Manipulating Virtual Learning Environments Impacts Reading Achievements
Esther Zaretsky
Pages: 81-86
ABSTRACT:
The research is aimed at investigating the involvement of student teachers and pupils in designing and manipulating virtual learning environment and its impact on reading achievements through action research. In order to understand the connection between the real and virtual worlds, the design of such simulations is based on applying the virtual environment to the real world as much as possible. The objects were taken from the pupils’ everyday environment and unique motivation. The researcher taught the method to 30 student teachers. Such procedures were held among different populations. The findings showed that as the student teachers practiced the simulation design through the PowerPoint Software, it became clear to them how the computer can be implemented in their practical work. Consequently, their presentations became highly animated, and applied to the pupils


Making it Real: Faculty Collaboration to Create Video Content
Claudia Jennifer Dold, Gary Dudell
Pages: 87-91
ABSTRACT:
Interest in integrative health care is a growing area of health practice, combining conventional medical treatments with safe and effective complementary and alternative medicine. These modalities relate to both improving physical and psychological well-being, and enhancing conventional talk therapy. In an interdisciplinary collaboration, teaching and library faculty have created a series of sixteen on-line video interviews that introduce practitioner-relevant experiences to students as supplemental course material. These videos are available through the department web-pages to students in other related disciplines as well, including Social Work, Counselor Education, Psychology, and the Colleges of Public Health, Nursing, and Medicine. The video series was undertaken as part of the educational mission of the library, bringing to the classroom new material that is essential to the professional development of future counselors.


Enhanced Simulink Induction Motor Model for Education and Maintenance Training
Manuel Pineda-Sanchez, Vicente Climente-Alarcon, Martin Riera-Guasp, Ruben Puche-Panadero, Joan Pons-Llinares
Pages: 92-97
ABSTRACT:
The training of technicians in maintenance requires the use of signals produced by faulty machines in different operating conditions, which are difficult to obtain either from the industry or through destructive testing. Some tasks in electricity and control courses can also be complemented by an interactive induction machine model having a wider internal parameter configuration. This paper presents a new analytical model of induction machine under fault, which is able to simulate induction machines with rotor asymmetries and eccentricity in different load conditions, both stationary and transient states and yielding magnitudes such as currents, speed and torque. This model is faster computationally than the traditional method of simulating induction machine faults based on the Finite Element Method and also than other analytical models due to the rapid calculation of the inductances. The model is presented in Simulink by Matlab for the comprehension and interactivity with the students or lecturers and also to allow the easy combination of the effect of the fault with external influences, studying their consequences on a determined load or control system. An associated diagnosis tool is also presented.


Controller Design and Experiment for Tracking Mount of Movable SLR, ARGO-M
Cheol Hoon Park, Young Su Son, Sang Yong Ham, Byung In Kim, Sung Whee Lee, Hyung Chul Lim
Pages: 98-101
ABSTRACT:
Controller design procedure for prototype tracking mount of Movable SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging), ARGO-M is presented. Tracking mount of ARGO-M is altitude-azimuth type and it has two axes of elevation and azimuth to control its position. Controller consists of velocity and acceleration feed-forward controller, position controller at outer loop, velocity controller at inner loop. There are two kinds of position control modes. One is the pointing mode to move from one position to the other position as fast as possible and the other one is tracking mode to follow SLR trajectory as precise as possible. Because the requirement of tracking accuracy is less than 5 arcsec and it is very tight error budget, a sophisticated controller needs to be prepared to meet the accuracy. Especially, ARGO-M is using the cross-roller bearing at each axis to increase the mechanical accuracy, which requires add-on controller DOB (Disturbance observer) to suppress friction load and low frequency disturbances. The pointing and tracking performance of the designed controller is simulated and visualized using MATLAB/ Simulink & SimMechanics and the experimental results using test are presented as well.


Effect of Hurricane Katrina on Low Birth Weight and Preterm Deliveries in African American Women in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama
Chau-Kuang Chen, Patricia Matthews-Juarez, Aiping Yang
Pages: 102-107
ABSTRACT:
Using three modeling techniques (GLR, GEP, and GM), the effect of Hurricane Katrina on low birth weight and preterm delivery babies for African American women is examined in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The study results indicate that risk factors associated with low birth weight and preterm delivery for American African women include unemployment and percent of mothers between the ages of 15-19. Among White women, ages 15-19, risk factors included poverty rate, median household income, and total birth rate. The GMs performed accurate predictions with increasing low birth weight and preterm delivery trends for African American women in the Gulf Coast states and other U.S. states, and decreasing low birth weight and preterm delivery trends for their White counterparts in the same state locations. Data presented between 2007-2010 show low birth weight and preterm delivery for White women as a decreasing tendency while adverse birth outcomes for African American women exhibited a monotonically increasing trend. The empirical findings suggest that health disparities will continue to exist in the foreseeable future, if no effective intervention is taken. The models identify risk factors that contribute to adverse birth outcomes and offer some insight into strategies and programs to address and ameliorate these effects.


Modeling Frequency Response of Photoacoustic Cells using FEM for Determination of N-heptane Contamination in Air: Experimental Validation
Lars Duggen, Mihaela Albu, Morten Willatzen, Horst-Günter Rubahn
Pages: 108-110
ABSTRACT:
We briefly present the basic principle of the photoacoustic effect in gases. We present the equations and boundary conditions governing the acoustic field generated by the absorption of a modulated laser beam. We solve these equations using Finite Element Methods and compare the results with experiment. We find that apparently there are effects not taken into account in the classic acoustic theory as we find a larger damping than theory predicts. However, we see that these effects have significant negative influence on the quality factor of the cell and thereby the performance limit.