This study presents the results of an exploratory study investigating the current level of awareness of blockchain technology among IT administrative staff and educators in the context of higher education in Sweden, by employing a qualitative method for data collection. This study has gained useful insight and perspective of participants’ level of understanding of blockchain technology in the context of higher education.The results demonstrate varied awareness levels of participants by highlighting the level of understanding about blockchain technology and their attitude towards acceptance of it. The study also sheds some light on the challenges associated with blockchain from the perspective of the participants. The study has tried to identify viable solutions to improve the acceptance and gradual adoption of blockchain technology in higher education.In conclusion, the results indicate that existing frameworks like the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) could be extended by adding a perception of cost to understand the acceptance and adoption of blockchain technology in the context of higher education. Further research is required to investigate the importance of cost perspective to UTAUT and TAM models and its relevance in the context of blockchain technology in higher education. Furthermore, the study suggests that addressing the knowledge gap by producing and distributing educational resources and programs focused on blockchain technology could raise the awareness level and understanding among various stakeholders in higher education which will help in the gradual adoption of blockchain technology in higher education.

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This study has the purpose to investigate the existing state of adoption of blockchain technology in higher education, exploring the obstacles, and potential associated with its implementation to provide an updated and concise overview of the challenges and assess the feasibility of adopting blockchain in higher education.This research includes a literature review to examine the current status of blockchain in higher education. Additionally, a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews is utilized to gain an in-depth understanding of blockchain adoption, the potential challenges of its adopting, and its prospects within higher education by investigating the perspective of the interviewed academic community.Furthermore, the TOE framework is used to categorize adoption challenges into technical, organizational, and environmental dimensions. Challenges identified include technical complexity, resistance to change, financial constraints, perception of immaturity, lack of awareness, limited interoperability, insufficient skills, inadequate organizational support, regulatory compliance, cultural factors, and ecosystem readiness.Besides, the TAM is utilized to highlight the potential of blockchain based on respondents’views. It also explores how challenges from the TOE framework impact users’ perceptions of blockchain’s ease of use and usefulness in higher education. The overall findings indicate that adopting blockchain in higher education presents challenges such as resistance to change, cost concerns, lack of awareness, cryptocurrency bias, technical complexity, regulatory compliance, and ecosystem readiness.As a consequence, considering the identified level of readiness of universities to embrace new technologies, it is evident that blockchain is still in its early stages of recognition in higher education. However, its potential benefits are suggested such as reducing bureaucracy, enhancing communication and collaboration, improving payment systems, and ensuring secure document storage. It will require time for the full potential of blockchain to be acknowledged and accepted within the field of higher education

[pt] A redução da poluição e das emissões de gases de efeito estufa tem sido o foco de um grande esforço global. Nesse contexto, Certificados de Energia Renovável (RECs) são de grande importância para incentivar mudanças na matriz energética, visando à adoção de práticas sustentáveis. Dado o crescimento deste mercado e as características dos RECs, uma das potenciais ferramentas impulsionadoras da sua adoção é o protocolo de rede blockchain. Nesta pesquisa, analisamos três modelos autônomos de emissão e venda na blockchain de tokens baseados em RECs em condições de incerteza para um gerador de energia renovável. Nos três modelos, o gerador tem a opção de investir agora ou daqui a um ano para ter o direito de emitir RECs e ofertá-los através de leilões de venda trimestrais. No primeiro, assumimos que o preço do token é fixo, seguindo o conceito de uma stable coin. No segundo, consideramos que o preço segue uma função inversa da demanda sujeita a choques estocásticos. Finalmente, no terceiro, a demanda por RECs é incerta e busca-se maximizar o lucro do gerador. Realizamos uma aplicação numérica para verificarmos a validade dos modelos e concluímos, considerando os parâmetros adotados, que o gerador deverá investir no segundo modelo, pois foi o que apresentou maior VPL ( 60.992,70 Reais). Contudo, se a volatilidade da demanda for inferior a 20,00 por cento, o modelo ótimo para o gerador é o primeiro modelo. A principal contribuição deste trabalho é analisar a dinâmica do desempenho de produtos digitais sob incerteza. / [en] Reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions has been the focus of a major global effort. In this context, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are important as they provide incentives for changes in the energy matrix, towards the adoption of sustainable practices. Given the growth of this market and the characteristics of RECs, one of the potential drivers of their adoption is the blockchain network protocol. In this research, we analyze three autonomous models for issuing and selling in the blockchain of REC based tokens for the renewable energy generator. In all three models, the generator has the option to invest now or in one year for the right to issue RECs and offer them through quarterly sales auctions. In the first model, we assume that the token price is fixed following a stable coin concept. In the second model, we consider that the price follows an inverse demand function subject to stochastic shocks. Finally, in the third model, the demand for RECs is uncertain and the purpose is to maximize the generator s profit. Through a numerical application, we verify the validity of the models and conclude, considering the parameters adopted, that the generator should invest in the second model, since it was the one with the highest NPV (60,992.70 real). However, if the demand volatility is less than 20.00 percent, the optimal model for the generator is the first model. The main contribution of this work is to analyze the performance dynamics of digital products under uncertainty.

[pt] Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de implementação de uma blockchain privada gerenciada por agentes de software para armazenar dados de sáude. A tecnologia blockchain está mudando a maneira com que dados privados são armazenados. Agora é possível compartilhar informações sem revelar quem é o dono da informação. Este trabalho apresenta um sistema que permite que usuários armazenagem dados de saúde em uma blockchain gerenciada por agentes de software. Pesquisas revelaram que dados de saúde devem ser armazenado em blockchains privadas, pois são privadas e não devem ser acessíveis para qualquer pessoa como em blockchains públicas. Técnicas de engenharia de software foram utilizadas para desenvolver a arquitetura proposta. O resultado é uma blockchain privada capaz de manipular dados no padrão HL7 e armazena-los de forma anônima e privada. Agentes de software foram utilizados para realizar todo o processo de recebimento, validação e inserção de dados no blockchain. / [en] This paper presents an implementation approach for a private blockchain that is managed by software agents for healthcare data storage. Blockchain technology is changing the way we store private information. Now, it is possible to share private information while not revealing its owner s identity. This paper presents a solution, which enables users to store medical data by using blockchains along with software agents. Further research work has shown that healthcare data, as sensitive information, should be stored in private blockchains through the use of appropriate methods. Software engineering techniques have been used to achieve the proposed solution. The result is a private blockchain that is suitable for manipulating HL7 data, ensuring anonymity and privacy. This can be achieved through software agents that act as regulatory controls for the private blockchains.

[pt] Blockchain e Tangle são estruturas de dados usadas para criar um registro público imutável de dados segurados por uma rede de participantes peer-to-peer que mantém um conjunto de registros de dados em constante crescimento conhecidos como ledgers. As tecnologias Blockchain e Tangle são uma solução descentralizada que garante a troca de grandes quantidades de mensagens confiáveis, entre bilhões de dispositivos de IoT conectados, os quais são muito valiosos, desde que sejam válidos e completos. Esse mecanismo de mensagens peer-to-peer altamente criptografado e seguro é adotado neste projeto para gerenciar o processamento de transações de IoT e a coordenação entre os dispositivos que interagem com o processo. Para manter as transações privadas e seguras, os algoritmos de consenso distribuídos são responsáveis por validar e escolher as transações e registrá-las no ledger global. Os resultados mostraram que a velocidade dos algoritmos de consenso pode afetar a criação em tempo real de histórias confiáveis que rastreiam os eventos das redes IoT. Após incorporar o Processamento de Eventos Complexos, que permite selecionar apenas os eventos de alto nível, é possível obter uma melhoria em muitas situações. O resultado é um sistema Middleware que fornece framework para a construção de aplicativos de larga escala onde podem usar Processamento de Eventos Complexos e diferentes ledgers descentralizados, como o blockchain da Ethereum ou IOTA Tangle, para armazenamento seguro de dados. / [en] Blockchain and Tangle are data structures and protocols used to create an immutable public record of data ensured by a network of peer-to-peer participants that maintain a monotonic constantly growing set of data records known as ledgers. Both technologies provide a decentralized solution that guarantees the exchange, among billions of IoT devices, of large amounts of trusted messages, which are very valuable as long as they are valid and complete. This highly encrypted and secure peer-to-peer messaging mechanism is adopted in this project to manage the processing of IoT transactions. To maintain transactions private, and secured consensus algorithms are responsible for validating and choosing transactions and recording them in the global ledger. The results showed that the speed of the consensus algorithms can affect the creation in real-time of reliable stories that track the events of the IoT networks. After incorporating Complex Event Processing that allows selecting only those high-level events, it is possible to obtain an improvement in many situations. The result is a Middleware system that provides a framework for the construction of large-scale computer applications that use Complex Events Processing and different decentralized ledgers such as the blockchain of Ethereum or IOTA Tangle, for secure data storage.

Blockchain technology emerged as a potent tool for revolutionizing energy systems, offering secure transactions and efficient resource management. Blockchain offers transparency by enabling decentralized transactions. Despite adopting blockchainbased solutions, some cybersecurity issues persist in Decentralized Renewable Energy Marketplaces (DREMs). Specifically, data privacy, security, and verifiability remain a concern for prosumers and grid operators. To address such issues, several blockchainbased solutions utilize technologies such as Self-Sovereign Identities (SSIs), Digital Machine Identities (DMIs), and Zero-knowledge Proofs (ZKPs). In this work, we first review the literature to gain insight into cybersecurity issues within DREMs addressed using blockchain technology. Based on our review, we conceptualize a framework that leverages SSIs, DMIs, and ZKPs to address these issues. This work-in-progress shows the potential of these technologies to enhance security, privacy, and trust in decentralized energy transactions, paving the way for more resilient and efficient energy systems.

[pt] O objetivo da dissertação é contribuir para o avanço do conhecimento sobre análise de investimentos com opções reais na implementação da tecnologia blockchain em serventias extrajudiciais, segundo o ordenamento jurídico brasileiro. Para tal, desenvolveu-se um modelo teórico baseado na Teoria das Opções Reais (TOR) para analisar investimentos na tecnologia blockchain, considerando diferentes níveis de adoção dessas tecnologias em serviços notariais e registrais e tipos de opções reais. A metodologia adotada compreende: (i) pesquisa bibliográfica e documental sobre o tema central da dissertação; (ii) análise de conteúdo para mapear as espécies de serventias extrajudiciais existentes no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, associando-as aos níveis de adoção da tecnologia blockchain reportados na literatura; (iii) desenvolvimento do modelo teórico para análise de investimentos com opções reais na implementação da tecnologia blockchain no referido contexto; (iv) demonstração da aplicabilidade do modelo proposto, a partir de dados primários coletados em uma serventia extrajudicial localizada no Estado do Paraná; e (v) análise reflexiva sobre os potenciais benefícios econômicos e não econômicos da adoção da tecnologia blockchain nas operações de serviços notariais e registrais no Brasil. Destacam-se como resultados principais um modelo de análise de investimentos com opções reais na implementação da tecnologia blockchain em serviços notariais e registrais no Brasil e a avaliação de seus impactos econômicos e não econômicos para os oficiais titulares, usuários dos serviços e a sociedade em geral. / [en] This dissertation aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge on the analysis of investments with real options in the implementation of blockchain technology in notary offices under the Brazilian legal framework. To achieve this, a theoretical model was developed based on the Real Options Theory (ROT) to analyze investments in blockchain technology, considering varying levels of adoption of this technology in notarial and registry services, as well as types of real options. The adopted methodology encompasses: (i) bibliographic and documentary research on the central themes of the dissertation; (ii) content analysis to map the types of notarial and registry offices existing in the Brazilian legal framework, associating them with the reported levels of adoption of blockchain technology reported in the literature; (iii) development of a theoretical model for the analysis of investments with real options in the aforementioned context; (iv) of the applicability of the proposed model, based on primary data collected from an extrajudicial office located in the state of Paraná; and (v) reflective analysis of the potential economic and non-economic benefits of adopting blockchain technology in notarial and registry services in Brazil. The main results include a model for the analysis of investments with real options in the implementation of blockchain technology in notarial and registry services in Brazil, along with an assessment of its economic and noneconomic impacts on titular officials, service users, and society in general.

<p>In service-oriented architecture, services can communicate and share data among themselves. This thesis presents a solution that allows detecting several types of data leakages made by authorized insiders to unauthorized services. My solution provides role-based and attribute-based access control for data so that each service can access only those data subsets for which the service is authorized, considering a context and service’s attributes such as security level of the web browser and trust level of service. My approach provides data protection in transit and at rest for both centralized and peer-to-peer service architectures. The methodology ensures confidentiality and integrity of data, including data stored in untrusted cloud. In addition to protecting data against malicious or curious cloud or database administrators, the capability of running a search through encrypted data, using SQL queries, and building analytics over encrypted data is supported. My solution is implemented in the “WAXEDPRUNE” (Web-based Access to Encrypted Data Processing in Untrusted Environments) project, funded by Northrop Grumman Cybersecurity Research Consortium. WAXEDPRUNE methodology is illustrated in this thesis for two use cases, including a Hospital Information System with secure storage and exchange of Electronic Health Records and a Vehicle-to-Everything communication system with secure exchange of vehicle’s and drivers’ data, as well as data on road events and road hazards. </p><p>To help with investigating data leakage incidents in service-oriented architecture, integrity of provenance data needs to be guaranteed. For that purpose, I integrate WAXEDPRUNE with IBM Hyperledger Fabric blockchain network, so that every data access, transfer or update is recorded in a public blockchain ledger, is non-repudiatable and can be verified at any time in the future. The work on this project, called “Blockhub,” is in progress.</p>

The Swedish central bank has in 2018 launched an investigation into what a digital e-currency in Sweden would look like. Tendermint is being investigated for a potential implementation. Tendermint is a blockchain building environment which has its own consensus-algorithm, and its own solution to the Byzantine general's problem. The most relevant part is the scalability and reliability of Tendermint. To do this we tested out the software by sending transactions between our computers, and recorded its performance in the case of one node and two nodes. After a series of simulations, we then come to the conclusion that indeed Tendermint is a suitable software for a potential e-krona.