Building Information Systems Research Articles

Ontological Clarity, Cognitive Engagement, and Conceptual Model Quality Evaluation: An Experimental Investigation

When analysts build information systems, they document their understanding of users’ work domains via conceptual models. Once a model has been developed, analysts should then check it has no defects. The literature provides little guidance about approaches to improve the effectiveness of conceptual model quality evaluation work. In this light, we propose a theory in which two factors have a material impact on the effectiveness of conceptual model quality evaluation work: (a) the ontological clarity of the conceptual models prepared, and (b) the extent to which analysts use a quality evaluation method designed to cognitively engage stakeholders with the semantics of the domain represented by a conceptual model. We tested our theory using an experiment involving forty-eight expert data modeling practitioners. Their task was to find as many defects as possible in a conceptual model. Our results showed that participants who received the conceptual model with greater ontological clarity on average detected more defects. However, participants who were given a quality evaluation method designed to cognitively engage them more with the semantics of the domain did not detect more defects. Nonetheless, during our analysis of participants’ protocols, we found that those who manifested higher levels of cognitive engagement with the model detected more defects. Thus, we believe that our treatment for the level of cognitive engagement evoked by the quality evaluation method did not take effect. Based on our protocol analyses, we argue that cognitive engagement appears to be an important factor that affects the quality of conceptual model evaluation work.

The Building of Mineral Resources Spatial Information System based on ArcGIS

The Building of Mineral Resources Spatial Information System based on ArcGIS

Intelligent Building Energy Information and Control Systems for Low-Energy Operations and Optimal Demand Response

An energy information system that acquires and aggregates information from various sensors within buildings is presented. The role of a building information system in reducing building energy consumption as well as in providing demand response, is explored, and case studies of real use are presented.

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPMENT MODEL USING STAR SCHEMA METHODOLOGY

Nowdays, implemented the information systems that are integrated to business processes in the organization has become a primary necessity. Information systems in the organization are mostly used to assist the implementation of enterprise business process. In the generally, the systems have not been able to provide strategic information and assist management for evaluating of the enterprise’s performance. This problems occurs because the most of the information system is built using the data warehouse concept. This problem occurs also in the information system in most universities in the city of Tangerang as the study sample. The solutions for this problem is build information systems that apply the concepts and ways of working with business intelligence using star schema methodologies that can be presented as an enterprise’s performance measurement tools. Business intelligence can also be used as a basis in conducting surveillance for business intelligence can also provide: 1. early information (alert) if there are deviations between performance with a pre-determined goals, 2. Provided a report was automation (automated-feedback), 3. Memonitoring to key performance index (KPI) in real-time. The system development methodology in this reseach using the star schema. Through this approach created an information system with the concept of business intellegence with star schemas methologies that can produce information that is strategic, as needed, and as tools implement enterprise performance measurement. The end result of research is a business intelligence system with a star schema as enterprise performance measurement tools on Higher Education Raharja as a prototype implementation.

Building Information Systems Flexibility in SAP–LAP Framework: A Case Study Evidence from SME Sector

To accommodate the variation in business and technological changes, the organizational information system (IS) needs to be flexible. Though the importance of flexibility in IS is realized by many studies, the process of building flexibility in IS is not yet well understood. This paper addresses this issue of building flexibility in IS. For this purpose, situation-actor-process and learning-action-performance (SAP–LAP) framework was followed for evolving a conceptual model for building flexibility. As an application of the model, a case study from Denture industry was given in the SAP–LAP framework.

Automatized Checking of Business Rules for Activity Execution Sequence in Workflows

In the present context of high competition, the enterprises are investing in the improvement of the efficiency of their production and management processes. To accomplish such tasks, one viable way is to formalize those processes into business models, so it is possible to evaluate and improve them. As important as the analysis of software engineering artifacts prior to building information systems, also is important the analysis of the definitions existing in the business models, to ensure that they reflect the reality of the process and its demands. This paper aims to develop an approach for the execution of validations of execution rules incorporated to workflows, using model checking to ensure the exactitude of the analysis.

Extracting biological information with computational analysis of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) biospectroscopy datasets: current practices to future perspectives

Applying Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (or related technologies such as Raman spectroscopy) to biological questions (defined as biospectroscopy) is relatively novel. Potential fields of application include cytological, histological and microbial studies. This potentially provides a rapid and non-destructive approach to clinical diagnosis. Its increase in application is primarily a consequence of developing instrumentation along with computational techniques. In the coming decades, biospectroscopy is likely to become a common tool in the screening or diagnostic laboratory, or even in the general practitioner's clinic. Despite many advances in the biological application of FTIR spectroscopy, there remain challenges in sample preparation, instrumentation and data handling. We focus on the latter, where we identify in the reviewed literature, the existence of four main study goals: Pattern Finding; Biomarker Identification; Imaging; and, Diagnosis. These can be grouped into two frameworks: Exploratory; and, Diagnostic. Existing techniques in Quality Control, Pre-processing, Feature Extraction, Clustering, and Classification are critically reviewed. An aspect that is often visited is that of method choice. Based on the state-of-art, we claim that in the near future research should be focused on the challenges of dataset standardization; building information systems; development and validation of data analysis tools; and, technology transfer. A diagnostic case study using a real-world dataset is presented as an illustration. Many of the methods presented in this review are Machine Learning and Statistical techniques that are extendable to other forms of computer-based biomedical analysis, including mass spectrometry and magnetic resonance.

ENGLISH

The paper briefly describes the history and development of agricultural research information system(AGRIS), its network, documentation tools, products/services, HRD and capacity building programme. Anattempt has been made to showcase the contribution of India in AGRIS development. Limitations and problemsfaced during AGRIS input preparation have been discussed in detail and an action plan is suggested for furtherprogress and success of AGRIS programme in India. doi: 10.14429/djlit.32.2.1401

Software Architecture- Evolution and Evaluation

The growth of various software architectural frameworks and models provides a standard governing structure for different types of organizations. Selection of a suitable framework for a particular environment needs much more detailed information in various aspects and a reference guide of features should be provided. This paper brings out the history of software architecture with a new evolution tree. It also technically analyses well known frameworks used in industries and other governmental organizations and lists out the supportive tools for them. This paper presents the comparative chart that can be used as a reference guide to understand top level frameworks and to further research to enable and promote the utilization of these frameworks in various environments. The basic principles of 'software architecture' have been applied since the mid 1980's and it crossed various stages from algorithm's era by borrowing the concepts from others to get a shaped form. In 1928, An Algorithm was formulated to solve the problem by the finite sequence of instructions. Von Neumann developed 'Flow Chart' that has a visual representation of the instruction flow, to plan computer programs in 1947 by inheriting the idea from the flow process chart(1921) and multi flow chart(1944)which were used mostly in the area of electrical engineering. But, there is a gap to point out the flow of control. So, 'Control Flow Diagram' (CFD) was developed in the late 1950's to describe the control flow of a business process and program. This was not enough to view the complex systems. The high level view of the work and immediate access of particular points can't be represented using this diagram. So, to reveal the entire system by dividing into blocks, 'Block Diagram' was developed in late 1950's. A specific function for each block and the connection between blocks will be shown in a diagram. The introduction of abstraction concept became a booster in the field of software architecture. It made a revolution and tremendous growth to that area. By that way, data structures that have similar behaviour, data structures that have similar behaviour, certain data types and modules of one or more programming languages that have similar semantics are grouped in the late 1960's.This was happened by the introduction of Abstract data types. It again leads to 'Modular Programming' that introduces the concept of separate parts called modules in software in 1968. Separation of concerns with the logical boundaries between components is called as modules. In 1977, 'Three Schema Approach' that adopts layered architecture based on the modular programming was developed. It is used to build information systems using three different views in systems development. Here an application will be broken into tiers and developers have to modify a

LAND INFORMATION SYSTEM ACROSS CENTURY

This paper reviews the study and building of national and global land information system during 20 century. With the establishment of digital earth and digitizing country, it also prospect for the development of land information system of our country in 21 century.

The impact of management practices on mechanical construction productivity

Over recent decades, sporadic advancements in machinery and construction materials have to some extent increased construction productivity in the United States. However, there is evidence that additional productivity improvement opportunities exist. One way to improve direct work rates and likewise the potential to increase construction craft productivity is through better planning and management. Utilizing a dataset from the Construction Industry Institute Benchmarking and Metrics programme with 41 sampled projects, the relationship between the level of implementation of different management programmes and mechanical craft productivity is examined. The implementation of several management programmes, including pre‐project planning, team building, automation and integration of information systems and safety had a positive correlation with improved mechanical productivity. In fact, the statistical results show that projects with advanced implementation of the selected management programmes experienced significant mechanical productivity advantages over projects with weak implementation.

Information System Analysis and Building for Integrated Real Estate Business Management in Real Estate Market

Problem statement: This study discusses the problem of registration and following-up the real estate rental procedures of all kinds, always what we need is integrated information systems to meet our daily needs in the area of our business. Approach: Proposed information systems includes all of these processes necessary to manage and follow up real estate rental procedures of all different sizes and spaced locations. Results: It is taken into account when building real estate information systems that to be easy to use, quick in performance, serve all interests, serve all officials and help in having and supporting decisions. Such real estate information systems can be used in producing numerous daily, monthly and annual reports, which describes and shows the movement and workflow. Conclusion/Recommendations: The proposed real estate system is built by using oracle databases, it has been taken into account when building these systems the need to be linked to the international information network "the internet" due to what is offered of the unlimited number of electronic services, which facilitate the movement of transferring and exchanging real estate information for all users of these systems.

Why situational method engineering is useful to information systems development

Effective methods and methodologies for building information systems (IS) remain crucial to building successful IS. This paper investigates the use of situational method engineering for IS development (ISD) projects in a professional bureaucracy. This specialist organization methodology (SOM) is built starting with the philosophy of ISD moving through to flexible, amethodical implementation methods, a proposed instance of situational method engineering that is targeted towards professional bureaucracies. An in-depth philosophical discussion of the ontological, epistemological, research methodological and ethical underpinnings of SOM are outlined, in addition to its limitations, to develop the building blocks of a methodology to implement within a professional bureaucracy organization ISD scenario. Amethodical ISD will be introduced as the appropriate way to implement this developed methodology to build a successful IS. The contribution of this paper is to detail how to develop a philosophically consistent methodology for a specific organizational environment (in this case, using the specific organizational example of a professional bureaucracy) that, when combined with developers and tools, can create a method to be applied to build an IS that has a greater possibility of successful organizational adoption than an IS built using a method devised using more common IS method engineering approaches.

Towards evolvable software architectures based on systems theoretic stability

SUMMARYIn today's increasingly volatile environments, evolvability is quickly becoming the most desirable characteristic of information systems. Current information systems still struggle to provide these high levels of evolvability. Based on the concept of stability from systems theory, we require that information systems should be stable with respect to a set of anticipated changes in order to exhibit high evolvability. This requires that information systems should be free from so‐called combinatorial effects. Combinatorial effects occur when the impact of a change is dependent on the size of the information system. To eliminate these combinatorial effects, we propose four theorems that are constraints on the modular structure of software architectures. The theorems are prescriptive and ensure that stable information systems are built, thereby guaranteeing high evolvability. We further present five higher level modular structures called elements. These elements provide the core functionality of information systems and comply fully with the stringent constraints implied by the four theorems. The internal structure of these elements is described by design patterns which are eligible for automatic code generation. These design patterns offer a constructive proof that it is possible to build information systems in practice by applying this set of theorems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Trend of Tobacco Use and Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Among Students Aged 13-15 Years in India and Selected Countries of the South-East Asia Region

Trend of Tobacco Use and Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Among Students Aged 13-15 Years in India and Selected Countries of the South-East Asia Region

Basin resource management frameworks: 4D geoscience information, modelling and knowledge systems to allow the informed assessment and management of earth resources

Abstract In the 21st century, sedimentary basins are moving rapidly from single-use zones–such as petroleum–to highly complex, vertically and laterally stratified, multiple-use zones. Several independent industry and community sectors, such as petroleum, water, geological carbon storage, coal seam methane and geothermal, will be competing for access to, and the use of, limited pore space and the resources within it. These sectors are often in direct conflict, for example geothermal energy production and geological carbon storage (GCS) are almost mutually exclusive. Geothermal is also in competition with the water sector (agriculture, communities etc) for the right-to-produce fluids. This new environment requires an innovative and proactive response from government, one in which the relative value and benefit of a wide variety of known and potential resources can be quantitatively assessed, and thereby managed, for the benefit of the State. This requires the building of robust and high-resolution geoscience information and knowledge systems which support the informed management of basins as multiple use zones, thus enabling the GCS, geothermal, petroleum and water sectors to co-exist and prosper. These basin resource management frameworks must be constructed at a regional-scale to allow assessments to be made of potential impacts and relative values of all relevant earth resources. As part of the Victorian Government’s geological carbon storage assessment, GeoScience Victoria’s VicGCS initiative has been collating, interpreting and integrating a wide-range of disparate geoscientific data from the onshore and offshore Gippsland Basin, the premier geological carbon storage location in Australia. The data include the distribution and properties of sedimentary horizons and faults (including the construction of basin-scale 3D models), rock property data, fluid compositions (water, hydrocarbons etc) and fluid flow properties, pressure data, reservoir data and extensive investigations of containment, to build highly complex and predictive geoscience models. In addition to providing a quantitative and agreed means of assessing and managing earth resources, the models provide data and ideas which dramatically improve the understanding of the current and undiscovered resource inventory. The basin resource management framework for the Gippsland Basin provides government with the management tool-kit and knowledge necessary to develop an informed strategy to manage the basin’s pore space and other resources, in order to maximize the benefit from each resource and to minimize potential conflicts between competing resource sectors. This knowledge will also facilitate the gazettal of GCS acreage, GCS roll-out, and provide the basis for monitoring the basin through the GCS life-cycle. For example, through sufficient understanding of fluid migration in the basin, it is possible to monitor plumes of injected CO2, as well as the far-field effects of the injected plumes (e.g. formation pressure and the water table) across the entire basin. The regional or basin-scale knowledge required by government complements the focused and much more site-specific studies undertaken by industry.

УправліннЯ системоЮ менеджментУ внЗ нА основІ інфОрмаційнО-технОлОгічнОгО підходУ

The article shows the methodological approaches to building information systems that cover all universities and educational processes Correlated with the principles of TQM and the requirements of international standards ISO IWA

Semantic data integration to biological relationship among chemicals, diseases, and differential expressed genes

Systems approaches are showing early promise in helping bridge the gap between pathophysiological processes and their molecular determinants. In toxicology, microarray technology leads rapid screening of DEGs (differential expressed gene) from various kinds of chemical exposes. Using toxicogenomics for the risk assessment, various and heterogeneous data are contributed to each step, such as genome sequence, genotype, gene expression, phenotype, disease information, etc. To derive actual roles of the DEGs, it is essentially required to construct interactions among DEGs and to link the known information of diseases. Proper data model is essential and critical component to build information system for risk assessment. Our study suggests a semantic modeling strategy to organize heterogeneous data types and introduces techniques and concepts (such as ontologies, semantic objects, typed relationships, contexts, graphs, and information layers) that are used to represent complex biomedical networks. We depict reconstruction of semantic relationship among chemicals, diseases, and DEGs in public available data. In this work, user’s experiment results can be easily uploaded and bound to the current data network. This feature provides to maintain user’s specific interactions from their interesting DEGs to publicly available disease and chemical data. The program was built upon DjangoWeb framework in Python language and commercial text-mining engine, MedScan, was employed. Example analysis was completed for evaluation of the system and presented in this paper. We are expecting that this work provides rapid way to build custom-driven toxico-knowledgebase by integrating customers internal documents and public data.

Building information systems based on precise indoor positioning

During the last 10 years, many modern IT-based applications have developed inside buildings. Many of those applications would benefit by the ability to locate people and/or objects inside the building (indoor positioning). However, most of today's indoor positioning systems are not able to deliver precise position information (<10 cm) along with quality parameters. Ultra wide band (UWB) is a new radio-based technology that allows the determination of distances in indoor environments with a very high spatial resolution even through building materials. At the Institute of Geodesy of TU Darmstadt, a high-resolution UWB positioning system (UWB-ILPS; ILPS, indoor local positioning systems) based on trilateration principle has been developed to estimate the position of a mobile station precisely. To benefit from knowing the position and orientation, it is necessary to select and merge data linked to the user's location for indoor location services. By this means, the visitor to a public building may benefit from the system as his position is shown on a digital floor plan generated dynamically or by retrieving location-based information inside the building. Mixed reality systems also offer advantages for a mobile building information system. For this purpose, a webcam was replaced by the digital camera in the UWB-ILPS prototype. Knowing the camera's location in space and its view direction, one is able to merge the real world taken by the webcam with the virtual world represented by a 3D CAD model of the building.

Proposing a multi-agency development framework

Systems used in complex, multi-agency environments have a number of inherent problems and challenges that in many cases, lead to systems failure. The area of system failure has been the subject of extensive research in the past. It has been well documented in a number of places that information systems are difficult to build and are prone to failure. This paper examines system failure from a social perspective in the context of building systems in complex environments. Through a case study modelling approach, a framework has been developed to assist in building information systems in such complex multi-agency environments. The paper introduces this framework through a study of a number of challenges confronting the builder of information systems in complex, social, multi-agency environments. We examine the role of task accountability and problems identifying authority as key reasons why systems are rejected by users. We introduce a task accountability model to help understand this problem. We conclude by identifying work still to be carried out within the study.