Modelling the intention to adopt cloud computing services : a transaction cost theory perspective

This paper uses transaction cost theory to study cloud computing adoption. A model is developed and tested with data from an Australian survey. According to the results, perceived vendor opportunism and perceived legislative uncertainty around cloud computing were significantly associated with perceived cloud computing security risk. There was also a significant negative relationship between perceived cloud computing security risk and the intention to adopt cloud services. This study also reports on adoption rates of cloud computing in terms of applications, as well as the types of services used.

BIM - Implications for government (Case Study No. 5 [2004-032-A + Case study no. 5])

BIM as a suite of technologies has been enabled by the significant improvements in IT infrastructure, the capabilities of computer hardware and software, the increasing adoption of BIM, and the development of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) which facilitate the sharing of information between firms. The report highlights the advantages of BIM, particularly the increased utility and speed, better data quality and enhanced fault finding in all construction phases. Additionally BIM promotes enhanced collaborations and visualisation of data mainly in the design and construction phase. There are a number of barriers to the effective implementation of BIM. These include, somewhat paradoxically, a single detailed model (which precludes scenarios and development of detailed alternative designs); the need for three different interoperability standards for effective implementation; added work for the designer which needs to be recognised and remunerated; the size and complexity of BIM, which requires significant investment in human capital to enable the realisation of its full potential. There are also a number of challenges to implementing BIM. The report has identified these as a range of issues concerning: IP, liability, risks and contracts, and the authenticity of users. Additionally, implementing BIM requires investment in new technology, skills training and development of news ways of collaboration. Finally, there are likely to be Trade Practices concerns as requiring certain technology owned by relatively few firms may limit

MITIE C-Arm - Advanced innovation in education

Aim: In 2013 QUT introduced the Medical Imaging Training Immersive Environment (MITIE) as a virtual reality (VR) platform that allowed students to practice general radiography. The system software has been expanded to now include C-Arm. The aim of this project was to investigate the use of this technology in the pedagogy of undergraduate medical imaging students who have limited to no experience in the use of the C-Arm clinically. Method: The Medical Imaging Training Immersive Environment (MITIE) application provides students with realistic and fully interactive 3D models of C-Arm equipment. As with VR initiatives in other health disciplines (1–2) the software mimics clinical practice as much as possible and uses 3D technology to enhance 3D spatial awareness and realism. The application allows students to set up and expose a virtual patient in a 3D environment as well as creating the resultant “image” for comparison with a gold standard. Automated feedback highlights ways for the student to improve their patient positioning, equipment setup or exposure factors. The students' equipment knowledge was tested using an on line assessment quiz and surveys provided information on the students' pre-clinical confidence scale, with post-clinical data comparisons. Ethical approval for the project was provided by the university ethics panel. Results: This study is currently under way and this paper will present analysis of initial student feedback relating to the perceived value of the application for confidence in a high risk environment (i.e. operating theatre) and related clinical skills development. Further in-depth evaluation is ongoing with full results to be presented. Conclusion: MITIE C-Arm has a development role to play in the pre-clinical skills training for Medical Radiation Science students. It will augment their theoretical understanding prior to their clinical experience. References 1. Bridge P, Appleyard R, Ward J, Phillips R, Beavis A. The development and evaluation of a virtual radiotherapy treatment machine using an immersive visualisation environment. Computers and Education 2007; 49(2): 481–494. 2. Gunn T, Berry C, Bridge P et al. 3D Virtual Radiography: Development and Initial Feedback. Paper presented at the 10th Annual Scientific Meeting of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, March 2013 Hobart, Tasmania.

Genetic algorithms in statistical tolerancing

An important aspect in manufacturing design is the distribution of geometrical tolerances so that an assembly functions with given probability, while minimising the manufacturing cost. This requires a complex search over a multidimensional domain, much of which leads to infeasible solutions and which can have many local minima. As well, Monte-Carlo methods are often required to determine the probability that the assembly functions as designed. This paper describes a genetic algorithm for carrying out this search and successfully applies it to two specific mechanical designs, enabling comparisons of a new statistical tolerancing design method with existing methods. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A framework and tool support for the systematic testing of model-based specifications

Formal specifications can precisely and unambiguously define the required behavior of a software system or component. However, formal specifications are complex artifacts that need to be verified to ensure that they are consistent, complete, and validated against the requirements. Specification testing or animation tools exist to assist with this by allowing the specifier to interpret or execute the specification. However, currently little is known about how to do this effectively. This article presents a framework and tool support for the systematic testing of formal, model-based specifications. Several important generic properties that should be satisfied by model-based specifications are first identified. Following the idea of mutation analysis, we then use variants or mutants of the specification to check that these properties are satisfied. The framework also allows the specifier to test application-specific properties. All properties are tested for a range of states that are defined by the tester in the form of a testgraph, which is a directed graph that partially models the states and transitions of the specification being tested. Tool support is provided for the generation of the mutants, for automatically traversing the testgraph and executing the test cases, and for reporting any errors. The framework is demonstrated on a small specification and its application to three larger specifications is discussed. Experience indicates that the framework can be used effectively to test small to medium-sized specifications and that it can reveal a significant number of problems in these specifications.

Mechanical alloying of MoSi2 with ternary alloying elements. Part 2 - computer simulation

A computer model of the mechanical alloying process has been developed to simulate phase formation during the mechanical alloying of Mo and Si elemental powders with a ternary addition of Al, Mg, Ti or Zr. Using the Arhennius equation, the model balances the formation rates of the competing reactions that are observed during milling. These reactions include the formation of tetragonal C11(b) MOSi2 (t-MoSi2) by combustion, the formation of the hexagonal C40 MoSi2 polymorph (h-MoSi2), the transformation of the tetragonal to the hexagonal form, and the recovery of t-MoSi2 from h-MoSi2 and deformed t-MoSi2. The addition of the ternary additions changes the free energy of formation of the associated MoSi2 alloys, i.e. Mo(Si, Al)(2), Mo(Mg, Al)(2), (Mo, Ti)Si-2 (Mo, Zr)Si-2 and (Mo, Fe)Si-2, respectively. Variation of the energy of formation alone is sufficient for the simulation to accurately model the observed phase formation. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Computational properties of min/max autocorrelation factors

Minimum/maximum autocorrelation factor (MAF) is a suitable algorithm for orthogonalization of a vector random field. Orthogonalization avoids the use of multivariate geostatistics during joint stochastic modeling of geological attributes. This manuscript demonstrates in a practical way that computation of MAF is the same as discriminant analysis of the nested structures. Mathematica software is used to illustrate MAF calculations from a linear model of coregionalization (LMC) model. The limitation of two nested structures in the LMC for MAF is also discussed and linked to the effects of anisotropy and support. The analysis elucidates the matrix properties behind the approach and clarifies relationships that may be useful for model-based approaches. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A victory for copyright owners: Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer Entertainment v Stevens

Casenote and comment on Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer Entertainment v Stevens in which the High Court found in favour of copyright owners - ruling that the definition of technological protection measures in s 10 of the Copyright Act includes not only those measures that physically prevent copying but also those measures that merely deter or discourage copying.

Applying ontologies to business and systems modelling techniques and perspectives: Lessons learned

For many years in the area of business systems analysis and design, practitioners and researchers alike have been searching for some comprehensive basis on which to evaluate, compare, and engineer techniques that are promoted for use in the modelling of systems' requirements. To date, while many frameworks, factors, and facets have been forthcoming, none appear to be based on a sound theory. In light of this dilemma, over the last 10 years, attention has been devoted by researchers to the use of ontology to provide some theoretical basis for the advancement of the business systems modelling discipline. This paper outlines how we have used a particular ontology for this purpose over the last five years. In particular we have learned that the understandability and the applicability of the selected ontology must be clear for IS professionals, the results of any ontological evaluation must be tempered by economic efficiency considerations of the stakeholders involved, and ontologies may have to be focused for the business purpose and type of user involved in the modelling situation.

Ex ante evaluations of alternate data structures for end user queries: Theory and experimental test

The data structure of an information system can significantly impact the ability of end users to efficiently and effectively retrieve the information they need. This research develops a methodology for evaluating, ex ante, the relative desirability of alternative data structures for end user queries. This research theorizes that the data structure that yields the lowest weighted average complexity for a representative sample of information requests is the most desirable data structure for end user queries. The theory was tested in an experiment that compared queries from two different relational database schemas. As theorized, end users querying the data structure associated with the less complex queries performed better Complexity was measured using three different Halstead metrics. Each of the three metrics provided excellent predictions of end user performance. This research supplies strong evidence that organizations can use complexity metrics to evaluate, ex ante, the desirability of alternate data structures. Organizations can use these evaluations to enhance the efficient and effective retrieval of information by creating data structures that minimize end user query complexity.

Experience as a moderator of the media equation: the impact of flattery and praise

This study extends previous media equation research, which showed that the effects of flattery from a computer can produce the same general effects as flattery from humans. Specifically, the study explored the potential moderating effect of experience on the impact of flattery from a computer. One hundred and fifty-eight students from the University of Queensland voluntarily participated in the study. Participants interacted with a computer and were exposed to one of three kinds of feedback: praise (sincere praise), flattery (insincere praise), or control (generic feedback). Questionnaire measures assessing participants' affective state. attitudes and opinions were taken. Participants of high experience, but not low experience, displayed a media equation pattern of results, reacting to flattery from a computer in a manner congruent with peoples' reactions to flattery from other humans. High experience participants tended to believe that the computer spoke the truth, experienced more positive affect as a result of flattery, and judged the computer's performance more favourably. These findings are interpreted in light of previous research and the implications for software design in fields such as entertainment and education are considered. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The design and implementation of a repository for the management of spatial data integrity constraints

This paper reviews the key features of an environment to support domain users in spatial information system (SIS) development. It presents a full design and prototype implementation of a repository system for the storage and management of metadata, focusing on a subset of spatial data integrity constraint classes. The system is designed to support spatial system development and customization by users within the domain that the system will operate.

Genetic algorithms with applications in wireless communications

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are known to locate the global optimal solution provided sufficient population and/or generation is used. Practically, a near-optimal satisfactory result can be found by Gas with a limited number of generations. In wireless communications, the exhaustive searching approach is widely applied to many techniques, such as maximum likelihood decoding (MLD) and distance spectrum (DS) techniques. The complexity of the exhaustive searching approach in the MLD or the DS technique is exponential in the number of transmit antennas and the size of the signal constellation for the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems. If a large number of antennas and a large size of signal constellations, e.g. PSK and QAM, are employed in the MIMO systems, the exhaustive searching approach becomes impractical and time consuming. In this paper, the GAs are applied to the MLD and DS techniques to provide a near-optimal performance with a reduced computational complexity for the MIMO systems. Two different GA-based efficient searching approaches are proposed for the MLD and DS techniques, respectively. The first proposed approach is based on a GA with sharing function method, which is employed to locate the multiple solutions of the distance spectrum for the Space-time Trellis Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (STTC-OFDM) systems. The second approach is the GA-based MLD that attempts to find the closest point to the transmitted signal. The proposed approach can return a satisfactory result with a good initial signal vector provided to the GA. Through simulation results, it is shown that the proposed GA-based efficient searching approaches can achieve near-optimal performance, but with a lower searching complexity comparing with the original MLD and DS techniques for the MIMO systems.