The problem of scientific fraud has been used to indict the whole system of science. The response of the scientific community has been understandably heated but insufficient. The discussion seems to have reached an impasse as both parties in the dispute share mistaken views. A switch is needed to a framework in which the democratic foundation of the scientific society and the free spirit of sci...

As part of an extensive research programme to combine the benefits of method engineering and existing object-oriented frameworks (notably the OPF) to create a highly supportive methodological environment for the construction of agent-oriented information systems, we have analysed-hess; contributions to the OPF repository of process components from the Prornertrcus ··agent-mienred methodology. W...

The objective of this chapter is to provide an insight preview into various agent oriented methodologies by using an enhanced comparison framework based on criteria like process related criteria, steps and techniques related criteria, steps and usability criteria, model related or “concepts” related criteria, comparison regarding model related criteria and comparison regarding supportive relate...

Although agent technology is gaining world wide popularity, a hindrance to its uptake is the lack of proper testing mechanisms for agent based systems. While many traditional software testing methods can be generalized to agent systems, there are many aspects that are different and which require an understanding of the underlying agent paradigm. In this paper we present certain aspects of a tes...

Extracorporeal liver support by cell-free detoxification systems, such as the molecular adsorbents recirculating system (MARS) and fractionated plasma separation and adsorption (FPSA, Prometheus), has gained widespread interest during the last decade. Both devices effectively eliminate bilirubin, bile acids, and other albumin-bound substances accumulating in liver failure. However, it is less c...

In addition to supporting immediate instructional objectives, online learning environments can enable participants to gain value from a network of scholars and resources. This potential value in a technology-mediated network has been termed socio-technical capital. Our software, Prometheus, is being used to support online university level education and teacher professional development under an ...