Reliable Information Exchange Research Articles

Informational and media failures and potential successes

There are numerous situations in which people depend upon reliable reportage and information exchange. In many of the instances media and informational sources fail to inform—to give shape to—opinion and belief. The panelists present some of the ways those failures occur and they urge the audience to join in the quest for alternatives that can lead to successful informing that can contribute to democracy and the public good.

Digital Pathology: How Far Are We from Automated Tissue-Based Diagnosis?

Basically, TBD investigates the function and structures of biological meaningful individual units, such as macromolecules, genes, nuclei, cells, vessels, and organs. All functions are bound to structures that ensure reliable and effective information and energy exchange. Disturbance of structures induces less effective or complete loss of functions. The complex interactions at molecular biological level (macromolecules) and their continuous reproduction require extensive computations in addition to the sophisticated biochemical analysis systems. Nearly all assessable information is of visual nature or can be visualized. Thus, image content analysis applied in a sophisticated manner might be one key procedure to assist human image interpretation or to even replace it. Image content information includes information that can be derived from predefined functional units (objects), their spatial arrangement (structure), pixel derived features prior of after image transformations (texture), and syntactic compositions of objects or of pixel based primitives (syntactic structure analysis). Statistically significant clusters can represent either new biological significant units (e.g., tubular arrangement of specific (endothelial) cells forming a vessel, spatial composition of cells of different nature (cellular sociology) forming a bronchus with assumed participation of endogenous lectins [1]) or other new items such as entropy flow charts and diffusion densities. All these parameters form a powerful set of image information features. They can be considered to be independent from each other and calculated independently for their specific clinical significance (disease association).

Multiple‐source multiple‐destinations relay channels with network coding

The essential broadcasting feature of radio propagation channels provides an opportunity for multiple nodes to exchange information and work cooperatively, where each node, for example, mobile sensor or robot, plays both the role of transmitter and receiver. Especially in such machine-to-machine communication scenarios, the network performance and redundancy of information from different providers highly affect the work efficiency of each individual node and the whole system. To address these problems, a relay assisted centralised network model with physical layer network coding implemented in the relay is proposed in this study. This structure has the advantage of flexible data exchange and the capability to reduce redundancy in information. Its theoretical performance is analysed by the diversity multiplexing tradeoff, which proves the proposed model is versatile in reliable and high spectral-efficiency information exchange. Experiments of multiple nodes in a machine-to-machine scenario - unmanned aerial vehicles, further reveal its potential in improving efficiency of communication and cooperation.

SERVICE ORIENTED CLOUD ARCHITECTURE FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE OF SMART GRID APPLICATIONS

An effective and flexible computational platform is needed for the data coordination and processing as sociated with real time operational and application services in smart grid. A server environment where multiple applications a re hosted by a common pool of virtualized server resources demands an open source structure for ensuring operational flexibility. In this paper, open source architecture is proposed for real time services whi ch involve data coordination and processing. The ar chitecture enables secure and reliable exchange of information and transactions w ith users over the internet to support various serv ices. Prioritizing the applications based on complexity enhances efficienc y of resource allocation in such situations. A prio rity based scheduling algorithm is proposed in the work for application level perfo rmance management in the structure. Analytical mode l based on queuing theory is developed for evaluating the performance of the tes t bed. The implementation is done using open stack cloud and the test results show a significant gain of 8% with the algorithm.

Improving vehicular safety message delivery through the implementation of a cognitive vehicular network

The Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments (WAVE) protocol stack has been recently defined to enable vehicular communication on the Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) frequencies. Some recent studies have demonstrated that the WAVE technology might not provide sufficient spectrum for reliable exchange of safety information over congested urban scenarios. In this paper, we address this issue, and present a novel cognitive network architecture in order to dynamically extend the Control Channel (CCH) used by vehicles to transmit safety-related information. To this aim, we propose a cooperative spectrum sensing scheme, through which vehicles can detect available spectrum resources on the 5.8GHz ISM band along their path, and forward the data to a fixed infrastructure known as Road Side Units (RSUs). We design a novel Fuzzy-Logic based spectrum allocation algorithm, through which the RSUs infer the actual CCH contention conditions, and dynamically extend the CCH bandwidth in network congestion scenarios, by using the vacant frequencies detected by the sensing module. The simulation results reveal the effectiveness of our architecture in providing dynamic and scalable allocation of spectrum resources, and in increasing the performance of safety-related applications.

Replacing Cryptographic Keys in AMI Mesh Networks with Small Latency

Advanced Metering Infrastructures (AMI) facilitate efficient and reliable exchange of electricity information between the homes and utilities. Their unique characteristics (e.g., connecting millions of smart meters; accessing customers' private information), however, make them a lucrative target for adversaries. For example, an attacker might try to compromise the head-end of an AMI and send "remote disconnect commands" to the smart meters, disconnecting a large number of customers. To implement message authentication and protect message integrity and confidentiality, a number of cryptographic keys are being utilized. A "command key", for example, signs messages that are sent from the head-end to the meters. Such keys, however, introduce their own set of problems if they ever get compromised. A stolen command key would allow an adversary to continuously send malicious commands to the meters. Hence, the compromised keys must be revoked and replaced as quickly as possible. This paper proposes an efficient and reliable key distribution framework for the AMI mesh networks based on the connected dominating set approach. The keys are replaced with minimal latency through our "hexagon-tile coloring scheme", which allows the maximum number of keys to be transmitted in parallel, free of collision.

A novel information exchange method for industrial heterogeneous fieldbuses

The information integration of industrial control systems is the basis for optimising productive process and improving management efficiency, and it requires the reliable and real-time information exchange among heterogeneous industrial fieldbuses. In this paper, a novel information exchange method is proposed, and a multi-protocol gateway with the hardware interfaces of different buses is designed. This method is composed of two parts: the process-level device and the multi-protocol gateway communication managements. It adopts the data mapping mechanism and the command priority queue to realise reading and writing communication. The experiment with an industrial electrostatic precipitator demonstrates that the proposed method can achieve non-conflict and efficient information exchange in the heterogeneous fieldbus system.

Open Science Grid (OSG) Ticket Synchronization: Keeping Your Home Field Advantage In A Distributed Environment

Large distributed computing collaborations, such as the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG), face many issues when it comes to providing a working grid environment for their users. One of these is exchanging tickets between various ticketing systems in use by grid collaborations. Ticket systems such as Footprints, RT, Remedy, and ServiceNow all have different schema that must be addressed in order to provide a reliable exchange of information between support entities and users in different grid environments. To combat this problem, OSG Operations has created a ticket synchronization interface called GOC-TX that relies on web services instead of error-prone email parsing methods of the past. Synchronizing tickets between different ticketing systems allows any user or support entity to work on a ticket in their home environment, thus providing a familiar and comfortable place to provide updates without having to learn another ticketing system. The interface is built in a way that it is generic enough that it can be customized for nearly any ticketing system with a web-service interface with only minor changes. This allows us to be flexible and rapidly bring new ticket synchronization online. Synchronization can be triggered by different methods including mail, web services interface, and active messaging. GOC-TX currently interfaces with Global Grid User Support (GGUS) for WLCG, Remedy at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL), and Request Tracker (RT) at the Virtual Data Toolkit (VDT). Work is progressing on the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) ServiceNow synchronization. This paper will explain the problems faced by OSG and how they led OSG to create and implement this ticket synchronization system along with the technical details that allow synchronization to be preformed at a production level.

Examining the role of information exchange in residential aged care work practices--a survey of residential aged care facilities.

BackgroundThe provision of residential aged care is underpinned by information, and is reliant upon systems that adequately capture and effectively utilise and communicate this information. The aim of this study was to explicate and quantify the volume and method by which information is collected, exchanged within facilities and with external providers, and retrieved from facility information systems and hospitals.MethodsA survey of staff (n = 119), including managers, health informatics officers (HIOs), quality improvement staff, registered nurses (RNs), enrolled nurses (ENs)/endorsed enrolled nurses (EENs) and assistants in nursing (AINs) was carried out in four residential aged care facilities in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. Sites varied in size and displayed a range of information technology (IT) capabilities. The survey investigated how and by whom information is collected, retrieved and exchanged, and the frequency and amount of time devoted to these tasks. Descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS, and open responses to questions were coded into key themes.ResultsStaff completed a median of six forms each, taking a median of 30 min per shift. 68.8% of staff reported transferring information from paper to a computer system, which took a median of 30 min per shift. Handover and face-to-face communication was the most frequently used form of information exchange within facilities. There was a large amount of faxing and telephone communication between facility staff and General Practitioners and community pharmacists, with staff reporting sending a median of 2 faxes to pharmacy and 1.5 faxes to General Practitioners, and initiating 2 telephone calls to pharmacies and 1.5 calls to General Practitioners per shift. Only 38.5% of respondents reported that they always had information available at the point-of-care and only 35.4% of respondents reported that they always had access to hospital stay information of residents after hospital discharge.ConclusionsThis survey identified a high volume of information exchange activities, as well as inefficient procedures, such as the transfer of information from paper to computer systems and the reliance upon faxes for communication with external providers. These findings contribute to evidence for the need for interoperable IT systems to allow more efficient and reliable information exchange between facilities and external providers.

Health Information Technology and Nursing

Health information technology (HIT) is a central aspect of current U.S. government efforts to reduce costs and improve the efficiency and safety of the health care system. A federal push to implement and enhance electronic health records (EHRs) has been supported by billions of dollars earmarked in the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, passed as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The goal has been to lay the groundwork for a HIT system that enables a more reliable exchange of information among practitioners and patients and significant improvements in the way care is delivered.But what does this really mean for nurses? This article is the first in a series on HIT and nursing and will examine the federal policies behind efforts to expand the use of this technology as well as the implications for nurses. Subsequent articles will take a closer look at the use of EHRs to improve patient safety and quality of care, and the important role nurses are playing-and could play-in this system-wide initiative.

A multi-broadcast communication system for high dynamic vehicular ad-hoc networks

The implementation of safety-of-life services in transportation systems, e.g. for applications like collision avoidance of vehicles, requires reliable and instantaneous information exchange. In this paper, we present the design of an infrastructure-less ad-hoc inter-vehicle communication system that fulfils these requirements with respect to the boundary conditions in the railway environment, where a limited communication range and relatively high speeds of nodes cause the network to be highly dynamic. Moreover, in areas with high user densities the common media access is a challenge due to limited bandwidth and interference from other wireless systems.

INFELT STEP: An integrated and interoperable platform for collaborative CAD/CAPP/CAM/CNC machining systems based on STEP standard

Integrated product development is comprised of CAD, process planning and CNC code generation based on an integrated data structure. To make various CAD/CAM software solutions with different internal product data structures interoperable, it is necessary to realise reliable and robust information exchange capability in a manufacturing environment. To enable interoperability amongst integrated product development processes, management of collaboration of diverse CAD/CAM software packages is of outmost importance. In this article, the fundamental requirements for achieving interoperability and collaboration management in an integrated, enterprise-wide, product development process environment are discussed. Based on these requirements, the present prominent integrated, interoperable and collaborative CAD/CAM information system platforms are comparatively reviewed. There are two main paradigms for development of such platforms – viz. neutral-file based and procedure based. The merits and limitations of each paradigm are discussed. To overcome the limitations of the current present platforms, a three-layered integrated and interoperable platform, named INFELT STEP, for collaborative and interoperable product design/development using different and diverse CAD/CAPP/CAM/CNC software is proposed. This platform conjugates the capabilities of both main paradigms to eliminate their limitations. The layered structure of INFELT STEP caters for the requirements of an integrated, interoperable and collaborative computer-based manufacturing and supports the entire range of software packages in the CAD/CAPP/CAM product development chain. In this platform, each software package can send product data based on its own internal data structures to other packages that are linked to and communicate with this platform. Different layers of INFELT STEP convert software packages' processed data to its structured data models, which are based on the STEP standard-and then store them in its database. Conversely, INFELT STEP layers can retrieve structured data stored in its database and convert them to the format acceptable by a specific CAD/CAM/CAPP software package that is cooperating in a production workflow. This proposed platform manages the collaboration of CAD/CAM software packages, maintains the integration of CAD/CAM/CNC operations based on STEP data models, and also enables interoperability of such packages with different local data structures. The capabilities of INFELT STEP are demonstrated by using it in a prototype implementation.

Emergency Response Communications and Associated Security Challenges

The natural or man-made disaster demands an efficient communication and coordination among first responders to save life and other community resources. Normally, the traditional communication infrastructures such as landline or cellular networks are damaged and don’t provide adequate communication services to first responders for exchanging emergency related information. Wireless ad hoc networks such as mobile ad hoc networks, wireless sensor networks and wireless mesh networks are the promising alternatives in such type of situations. The security requirements for emergency response communications include privacy, data integrity, authentication, key management, access control and availability. Various ad hoc communication frameworks have been proposed for emergency response situations. The majority of the proposed frameworks don’t provide adequate security services for reliable and secure information exchange. This paper presents a survey of the proposed emergency response communication frameworks and the potential security services required by them to provide reliable and secure information exchange during emergency situations.

Attribute-based authentication for multi-agent systems with dynamic groups

In a multi-agent system, agents are required to interact in order to exchange information. To achieve a reliable information exchange, a sound security protection must be in place. Unfortunately, security and privacy in multi-agent systems have not drawn adequate attention. They have been actually ignored or mistreated in most proposed multi-agent protocols. We observe that security and privacy issues are indeed not trivial and cannot be resolved with traditional security mechanisms, if agents are not trusted each other and their privacy must be protected. In this paper, we propose a secure multi-agent protocol that captures several most important security properties including agent privacy, data confidentiality, and agent authenticity. Intuitionally, we allow each agent in a group to hold a set of policy attributes. To access a protected data set, an agent must hold a correct policy attribute. In other words, the private information between two agents can be exchanged, if and only if the policy attribute embedded in the transmitted message matches that held by the receiver. In case of mismatching attributes, the private information of the corresponding agent will not be revealed to their counterpart. The proposed scheme is formalized with a sound cryptographic algorithm with a rigorous security proof.

Control of group of mobile autonomous agents via local strategies

This paper considers the formation control problem of multi-agent systems in a distributed fashion. Two cases of the information propagating topologies among multiple agents, characterized by graphics model, are considered. One is fixed topology. The other is switching topology which represents the limited and less reliable information exchange. The local formation control strategies established in this paper are based on a simple modification of the existing consensus control strategies. Moreover, some existing convergence conditions are shown to be a special case of our model even in the continuous-time consensus case. Therefore, the results of this paper extend the existing results about the consensus problem.

Traceable P2P record exchange: a database-oriented approach

In recent years, peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies are used for flexible and scalable information exchange in the Internet, but there exist problems to be solved for reliable information exchange. It is important to trace how data circulates between peers and how data modifications are performed during the circulation before reaching the destination for enhancing the reliability of exchanged information. However, such lineage tracing is not easy in current P2P networks, since data replications and modifications are performed independently by autonomous peers—this creates a lack of reliability among the records exchanged. In this paper, we propose a framework for traceable record exchange in a P2P network. By managing historical information in distributed peers, we make the modification and exchange histories of records traceable. One of the features of our work is that the database technologies are utilized for realizing the framework. Histories are maintained in a relational database in each peer, and tracing queries are written in the datalog query language and executed in a P2P network by cooperating peers. This paper describes the concept of the framework and overviews the approach to query processing.

Development of a low-cost smart-card-based secure and reliable information exchange system with tamper-proofing features

In this paper, we present development of a customised smart-card based system to transfer information securely from central server to identified client sites with information tamper protection. One of the primary aims of our system for secure information exchange is to make client reliably robust and inexpensive. We describe key-based generic but customisable encryption system that also incorporates tamper-proofing feature enhancing reliability. In the proposed process, both server and client can check if information has been tampered with and under such circumstances smart card is rendered useless. One area of application of such a system is pre-payment card based metering utilities as used in gas/water/electricity supply. These applications desire high reliability tamper proofing at low cost. To reduce installation cost, such meters need to be inexpensive and reusable. Smart card is used for reliable information exchange to/from client(meter) to server(company). Smart card can transfer information about consumption as well as time-varying tariff rates.

Bilateral information and data exchange in case of nuclear emergencies in the German-Dutch border region

Abstract Communication and exchange of accident information and monitoring data during nuclear emergencies is of crucial importance for a coherent crisis management, especially in cross border regions. In Germany and the Netherlands the need for a reliable information and data exchange for cross border emergency management was recognized and resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding between our countries. A (sub) working group of the Niederländisch-Deutsche Kommission für grenznahe kerntechnische Einrichtungen (NDKK) was formed by NLWKN, BfS and RIVM. The working group reviewed the technical requirements and operational aspects of a coherent data and information exchange between national and federal emergency centers and the state authorities. The data exchange comprises various messages, documents, measurement data and prognostic results from model calculations from the technical decision support centers of NLWKN, BfS and RIVM. Integrated accident information is available on the emergency management websites ELAN (D) and CalWeb (NL). Via regular data exchange programs and exercises special attention is given to ensure long term sustainability of the technical infrastructure and operational data exchange procedures.

Semantic Web-Based Services for Supporting Voluntary Collaboration among Researchers Using an Information Dissemination Platform

Information dissemination platforms for supporting voluntary collaboration among researchers should assure that controllable and verified information is being disseminated. However, previous related studies on this field narrowed their research scopes into information type and information specification. This paper focuses on the verification and the tracing of information using an information dissemination platform and other Semantic Web-based services. Services on our platform include information dissemination services to support reliable information exchange among researchers and knowledge service to provide unrevealed information. The latter is also divided into the two: knowledgization using ontology and inference using a Semantic Web-based inference engine. This paper discusses how this platform supports instant knowledge addition and inference. We demonstrate our approach by constructing an ontology for national R&D reference information using 37,656 RDF triples from about 2,300 KISTI (Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information) outcomes. Three knowledge services including 'Communities of Practice', 'Researcher Tracing,' and 'Research Map' were implemented on our platform using a Jena framework. Our study shows that information dissemination platforms will make a meaningful contribution to the possibility of realizing a practical Semantic Web-based information dissemination platform.

Nigerien second-hand car traders in Cotonou: A sociocultural analysis of economic decision-making

This article discusses the economic decision-making of migrant traders from Niger who operate in large second-hand car markets found in Cotonou (Benin). Like the Cotonou car-trading community at large, these traders continued to import cars despite the fact that local demand dropped in 2002. Case analysis uncovers that Nigerien car traders show a propensity to live up to the expectations of people in authority. Business decisions in geographically separated markets tend not to be based on reliable exchange of information about the conditions of supply and demand. This cultural element that is associated with ethnicity and kinship, in turn, leads to a belief of profitability in the car business that is no longer grounded in observable facts and hence leads to financial losses. © 2006 Oxford University Press.