2023
Contribution to conference
Open Access
Digitalisation of agriculture: development and evaluation of a model-based requirements engineering process
Mannari C., Spagnolo G. O., Bacco M., Malizia A.
[Context and Motivation] The requirements elicitation process for socio-technical systems requires the involvement of diverse stakeholders with different backgrounds and skills. In these contexts, ef- fective communication between business analysts and stakeholders can be supported by model-based requirements engineering (MoDRE) strategies, which leverage diagrammatic notations as a means for information exchange. [Question/Problem] Several diagrams and approaches exist to facilitate MoDRE. However, empirical evidence on their applicability to real-world contexts with a relevant social com- ponent, and going through a process of digitalisation, is limited. Furthermore, existing approaches do not evaluate the impact that the deployment of a novel digital system has on the process and its actors. [Principal idea/Results] The research outlined in this paper aims to evaluate the joint usage of typical requirements engineer notations, namely i*, class diagrams, and business process models in the elicitation of requirements for socially-intensive systems that are going through a transformative digitalisation process. We apply these notations to represent the system-as-is, and the system-to-be, with the goal of also evaluating the impact of digitalisation. We focus on living labs (LL, i.e., networks of stakeholders participating in a socio-technical system) belonging to the agriculture domain, and provide a preliminary application on a farm that is introducing an AI-based irrigation system. [Contribution] The results show that effective communication with non-technical stakeholders is feasible with the envisioned approach. Although multiple iterations are required, agronomists and farmers are able to provide constructive feedback on the basis of the models. Furthermore, impacts in terms of additional/removed tasks and actors can be effectively characterised through business process models. As part of our overall project, we will refine the method, and then apply it in 20 living labs in the EU.Source: REFSQ 2023 - 29th International Working Conference on Requirement Engineering: Foundation for Software Quality: Posters and Tools, Barcelona, Spain, 17-20/04/2023
Mannari C., Spagnolo G. O., Bacco M., Malizia A.
[Context and Motivation] The requirements elicitation process for socio-technical systems requires the involvement of diverse stakeholders with different backgrounds and skills. In these contexts, ef- fective communication between business analysts and stakeholders can be supported by model-based requirements engineering (MoDRE) strategies, which leverage diagrammatic notations as a means for information exchange. [Question/Problem] Several diagrams and approaches exist to facilitate MoDRE. However, empirical evidence on their applicability to real-world contexts with a relevant social com- ponent, and going through a process of digitalisation, is limited. Furthermore, existing approaches do not evaluate the impact that the deployment of a novel digital system has on the process and its actors. [Principal idea/Results] The research outlined in this paper aims to evaluate the joint usage of typical requirements engineer notations, namely i*, class diagrams, and business process models in the elicitation of requirements for socially-intensive systems that are going through a transformative digitalisation process. We apply these notations to represent the system-as-is, and the system-to-be, with the goal of also evaluating the impact of digitalisation. We focus on living labs (LL, i.e., networks of stakeholders participating in a socio-technical system) belonging to the agriculture domain, and provide a preliminary application on a farm that is introducing an AI-based irrigation system. [Contribution] The results show that effective communication with non-technical stakeholders is feasible with the envisioned approach. Although multiple iterations are required, agronomists and farmers are able to provide constructive feedback on the basis of the models. Furthermore, impacts in terms of additional/removed tasks and actors can be effectively characterised through business process models. As part of our overall project, we will refine the method, and then apply it in 20 living labs in the EU.Source: REFSQ 2023 - 29th International Working Conference on Requirement Engineering: Foundation for Software Quality: Posters and Tools, Barcelona, Spain, 17-20/04/2023
See at:
ceur-ws.org 
| ISTI Repository | ISTI Repository | ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2023
Conference article
Open Access
Remote sensing and machine learning for riparian vegetation detection and classification
Fiorentini N., Bacco M., Ferrari A., Rovai M., Brunori G.
Precise and reliable identification of riparian vegetation along rivers is of paramount importance for managing bodies, enabling them to accurately plan key duties, such as the design of river maintenance interventions. Nonetheless, manual mapping is significantly expensive in terms of time and human costs, especially when authorities have to manage extensive river networks. Accordingly, in the present paper, we propose a methodology for classifying and automatically mapping the riparian vegetation of urban rivers. Specifically, the calibration of an unsupervised (Isodata Clustering) and a supervised (Random Forest) machine learning algorithm (MLA) is carried out for the classification of the riparian vegetation detected in high-resolution (1m) aerial orthoimages. Riparian vegetation is classified using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) features. In the framework of this research, the Isodata Clustering slightly outperforms the Random Forest, achieving a higher level of predictive performance and reliability throughout all the computed performance metrics. Moreover, being unsupervised, it does not require ground truth information, which makes it particularly competitive in terms of annotation costs when compared with supervised algorithms, and definitely appropriate in case of limited resources. We encourage river authorities to use MLA-based tools, such as the ones we propose in this work, for mapping riparian vegetation, since they can bring relevant benefits, such as limited implementation costs, easy calibration, fast training, and adequate reliability.Source: MetroAgriFor 2023 - IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Agriculture and Forestry, Pisa, Italy, 6-8/11/2023
Project(s): DESIRA
Fiorentini N., Bacco M., Ferrari A., Rovai M., Brunori G.
Precise and reliable identification of riparian vegetation along rivers is of paramount importance for managing bodies, enabling them to accurately plan key duties, such as the design of river maintenance interventions. Nonetheless, manual mapping is significantly expensive in terms of time and human costs, especially when authorities have to manage extensive river networks. Accordingly, in the present paper, we propose a methodology for classifying and automatically mapping the riparian vegetation of urban rivers. Specifically, the calibration of an unsupervised (Isodata Clustering) and a supervised (Random Forest) machine learning algorithm (MLA) is carried out for the classification of the riparian vegetation detected in high-resolution (1m) aerial orthoimages. Riparian vegetation is classified using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) features. In the framework of this research, the Isodata Clustering slightly outperforms the Random Forest, achieving a higher level of predictive performance and reliability throughout all the computed performance metrics. Moreover, being unsupervised, it does not require ground truth information, which makes it particularly competitive in terms of annotation costs when compared with supervised algorithms, and definitely appropriate in case of limited resources. We encourage river authorities to use MLA-based tools, such as the ones we propose in this work, for mapping riparian vegetation, since they can bring relevant benefits, such as limited implementation costs, easy calibration, fast training, and adequate reliability.Source: MetroAgriFor 2023 - IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Agriculture and Forestry, Pisa, Italy, 6-8/11/2023
Project(s): DESIRA
See at:
ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2023
Conference article
Unknown
Digitalising agriculture: design and development of a modelling web environment for end-users
Mannari C., Anichini E., Malizia A., Turchi T., Ferrari A., Bacco M.
Modern digital technologies have a promising potential in the development of sustainable agriculture. For example, cloud computers powered by 5G IoT components allow the development of sophisticated applications -- e.g., for food traceability, pest detection, automatic irrigation -- also making use of different AI-based techniques. At the same time, digitalisation in agriculture is considered a socio-technical process to be evaluated by different stakeholders through collaborative approaches. Model-based requirements engineering strategies, which leverage diagrammatic notations, can support information exchange between different domains. Based on the evaluation of different solutions, we found a lack of tools for designing and modelling systems accessible to end-users. Most professional tools are desktop applications based on complex interactions, limited user experience, or generalist web platforms needing more formal components. In our study, we developed a prototype of a web environment for modelling systems based on a visual language that can be exported into standard code. We aim to involve end-users in modelling their digital ecosystems as a preliminary task for developing further applications. The prototype was evaluated in a workshop with experts following the cognitive walkthrough methodology for usability inspection. The evaluation highlighted the UI requirements to support easy-to-understand visual elements and maximise the understanding of actions while limiting user errors.Source: VL/HCC 2023 - IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, Washington, DC, USA, 2-6/10/2023
Mannari C., Anichini E., Malizia A., Turchi T., Ferrari A., Bacco M.
Modern digital technologies have a promising potential in the development of sustainable agriculture. For example, cloud computers powered by 5G IoT components allow the development of sophisticated applications -- e.g., for food traceability, pest detection, automatic irrigation -- also making use of different AI-based techniques. At the same time, digitalisation in agriculture is considered a socio-technical process to be evaluated by different stakeholders through collaborative approaches. Model-based requirements engineering strategies, which leverage diagrammatic notations, can support information exchange between different domains. Based on the evaluation of different solutions, we found a lack of tools for designing and modelling systems accessible to end-users. Most professional tools are desktop applications based on complex interactions, limited user experience, or generalist web platforms needing more formal components. In our study, we developed a prototype of a web environment for modelling systems based on a visual language that can be exported into standard code. We aim to involve end-users in modelling their digital ecosystems as a preliminary task for developing further applications. The prototype was evaluated in a workshop with experts following the cognitive walkthrough methodology for usability inspection. The evaluation highlighted the UI requirements to support easy-to-understand visual elements and maximise the understanding of actions while limiting user errors.Source: VL/HCC 2023 - IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, Washington, DC, USA, 2-6/10/2023
See at: CNR ExploRA
2023
Report
Open Access
DESIRA - D3.4 Showcase technologies
Toli E., Koltsida P., Marinos-Kouris C., Hardy C., Townsend L., Bacco F. M.
This report presents how to integrate critical values of the digitisation process and apply these values during the various phases of digital solutions development, testing, and adoption. It showcases this in a practical way, by presenting two proof-of-concept solutions delivered by DESIRA. The report presents thoroughly the DigiCroft virtual farm and the Chatbot technologies and displays their technical features, design perspectives and their wider social and economic impacts, perceived as system disruptors, aiming to juxtapose the technology design characteristics with integrated digitisation practices, as defined from DESIRA's standpoint.Source: ISTI Project Report, DESIRA, D3.4, 2023
Project(s): DESIRA
Toli E., Koltsida P., Marinos-Kouris C., Hardy C., Townsend L., Bacco F. M.
This report presents how to integrate critical values of the digitisation process and apply these values during the various phases of digital solutions development, testing, and adoption. It showcases this in a practical way, by presenting two proof-of-concept solutions delivered by DESIRA. The report presents thoroughly the DigiCroft virtual farm and the Chatbot technologies and displays their technical features, design perspectives and their wider social and economic impacts, perceived as system disruptors, aiming to juxtapose the technology design characteristics with integrated digitisation practices, as defined from DESIRA's standpoint.Source: ISTI Project Report, DESIRA, D3.4, 2023
Project(s): DESIRA
See at:
ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2023
Report
Open Access
DESIRA - D3.5 Third set of practice abstracts
Bacco F. M., Ferrari A., Berg M., Schroth C., Rendl C., Marinos-Kouris C., Toli E., Koltsida P., Ortolani L., Lepore F., Townsend L., Hardy C., Fiorentini N., Brunori G.
This document provides DESIRA's third set of practice abstracts (PAs) which is a compilation of seven PAs. Those PAs are based on the experiences, lessons learned, project actions and reporting of the WP3 activities that aimed at the development of scenarios and showcasing of technologies building on the concept of digital game changers. Tasks 3.5 'Use Case development' and 3.6 'Showcase Technologies', are the main contributing project tasks that provided concrete results on which these seven PAs, cited in this report, are based. The first five PAs provide a concise description of five use cases that were developed during the second period of the DESIRA project. An array of conducted activities inside the boundaries of five preselected Living Labs, and with the participation of those LL's stakeholders, were planned so that WP3 could culminate in the development of five technology adoption use cases. The last two PAs of this report, supplement the five aforementioned use case PAs by showcasing two additional promising technology solutions that have the potential to contribute to sustainable digital transition pathways, as those are defined by the DESIRA's theoretical framework and as reflected by the examined agro-rural-forestry settings of this project. For a thorough and detailed analysis of the methodology, activities, and outcomes that contributed to the production of the use cases and showcase technology reports, it is recommended the reading of deliverables D3.3 'Use Cases Report' and D3.4 'Showcase Technology Report' which are the foundation documents on which this deliverable is based on.Source: ISTI Project Report, DESIRA, D3.5, pp.1–19, 2023
Project(s): DESIRA
Bacco F. M., Ferrari A., Berg M., Schroth C., Rendl C., Marinos-Kouris C., Toli E., Koltsida P., Ortolani L., Lepore F., Townsend L., Hardy C., Fiorentini N., Brunori G.
This document provides DESIRA's third set of practice abstracts (PAs) which is a compilation of seven PAs. Those PAs are based on the experiences, lessons learned, project actions and reporting of the WP3 activities that aimed at the development of scenarios and showcasing of technologies building on the concept of digital game changers. Tasks 3.5 'Use Case development' and 3.6 'Showcase Technologies', are the main contributing project tasks that provided concrete results on which these seven PAs, cited in this report, are based. The first five PAs provide a concise description of five use cases that were developed during the second period of the DESIRA project. An array of conducted activities inside the boundaries of five preselected Living Labs, and with the participation of those LL's stakeholders, were planned so that WP3 could culminate in the development of five technology adoption use cases. The last two PAs of this report, supplement the five aforementioned use case PAs by showcasing two additional promising technology solutions that have the potential to contribute to sustainable digital transition pathways, as those are defined by the DESIRA's theoretical framework and as reflected by the examined agro-rural-forestry settings of this project. For a thorough and detailed analysis of the methodology, activities, and outcomes that contributed to the production of the use cases and showcase technology reports, it is recommended the reading of deliverables D3.3 'Use Cases Report' and D3.4 'Showcase Technology Report' which are the foundation documents on which this deliverable is based on.Source: ISTI Project Report, DESIRA, D3.5, pp.1–19, 2023
Project(s): DESIRA
See at:
ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2023
Conference article
Open Access
ModeLLer - a prototype to support requirements elicitation in co-design environments
Mannari C., Anichini E., Bacco M., Ferrari A., Turchi T., Malizia A.
This contribution presents ModeLLer, a prototype of a web tool for system modelling based on a block-based visual editor. The aim of ModeLLer is to enable collaborative environments in requirements elicitation, allowing end-users to create UML class diagrams without any knowledge of the (semi-)formal UML notation.Source: RE 2023 - 31st IEEE International Requirements Engineering Conference, Hannover, Germany, 04-08/09/2023
Mannari C., Anichini E., Bacco M., Ferrari A., Turchi T., Malizia A.
This contribution presents ModeLLer, a prototype of a web tool for system modelling based on a block-based visual editor. The aim of ModeLLer is to enable collaborative environments in requirements elicitation, allowing end-users to create UML class diagrams without any knowledge of the (semi-)formal UML notation.Source: RE 2023 - 31st IEEE International Requirements Engineering Conference, Hannover, Germany, 04-08/09/2023
See at:
ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2022
Journal article
Open Access
Drivers, barriers and impacts of digitalisation in rural areas from the viewpoint of experts
Ferrari A., Bacco M., Gaber K., Jedlitschka A., Hess S., Kaipainen J., Koltsida P., Toli E., Brunori G.
[Context] The domain of rural areas, including rural communities, agriculture, and forestry, is going through a process of deep digital transformation. Digitalisation can have positive impacts on sustainability in terms of greater environmental control, and community prosperity. At the same time, it can also have disruptive effects, with the marginalisation of actors that cannot cope with the change. When developing a novel system for rural areas, requirements engineers should carefully consider the specific socio-economic characteristics of the domain, so that potential positive effects can be maximised, while mitigating negative impacts. [Objective] The goal of this paper is to support requirements engineers with a reference catalogue of drivers, barriers and potential impacts associated to the introduction of novel ICT solutions in rural areas. [Method] To this end, we interview 30 cross-disciplinary experts in digitalisation of rural areas, and we analyse the transcripts to identify common themes. [Results] According to the experts, main drivers are economic, with the possibility of reducing costs, and regulatory, as institutions push for more precise tracing and monitoring of production; barriers are the limited connectivity, but also distrust towards technology and other socio-cultural aspects; positive impacts are socio-economic (e.g., reduction of manual labor, greater productivity), while negative ones include potential dependency from technology, with loss of hands-on expertise, and marginalisation of certain actors (e.g., small farms, subjects with limited education). [Conclusion] This paper contributes to the literature with a domain-specific catalogue that characterises digitalisation in rural areas. The catalogue can be used as a reference baseline for requirements elicitation endeavours in rural areas, to support domain analysis prior to the development of novel solutions, as well as fit-gap analysis for the adaptation of existing technologies.Source: Information and software technology 145 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.infsof.2021.106816
DOI: 10.1016/j.infsof.2021.106816
Project(s): DESIRA
Metrics:
Ferrari A., Bacco M., Gaber K., Jedlitschka A., Hess S., Kaipainen J., Koltsida P., Toli E., Brunori G.
[Context] The domain of rural areas, including rural communities, agriculture, and forestry, is going through a process of deep digital transformation. Digitalisation can have positive impacts on sustainability in terms of greater environmental control, and community prosperity. At the same time, it can also have disruptive effects, with the marginalisation of actors that cannot cope with the change. When developing a novel system for rural areas, requirements engineers should carefully consider the specific socio-economic characteristics of the domain, so that potential positive effects can be maximised, while mitigating negative impacts. [Objective] The goal of this paper is to support requirements engineers with a reference catalogue of drivers, barriers and potential impacts associated to the introduction of novel ICT solutions in rural areas. [Method] To this end, we interview 30 cross-disciplinary experts in digitalisation of rural areas, and we analyse the transcripts to identify common themes. [Results] According to the experts, main drivers are economic, with the possibility of reducing costs, and regulatory, as institutions push for more precise tracing and monitoring of production; barriers are the limited connectivity, but also distrust towards technology and other socio-cultural aspects; positive impacts are socio-economic (e.g., reduction of manual labor, greater productivity), while negative ones include potential dependency from technology, with loss of hands-on expertise, and marginalisation of certain actors (e.g., small farms, subjects with limited education). [Conclusion] This paper contributes to the literature with a domain-specific catalogue that characterises digitalisation in rural areas. The catalogue can be used as a reference baseline for requirements elicitation endeavours in rural areas, to support domain analysis prior to the development of novel solutions, as well as fit-gap analysis for the adaptation of existing technologies.Source: Information and software technology 145 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.infsof.2021.106816
DOI: 10.1016/j.infsof.2021.106816
Project(s): DESIRA
Metrics:
See at:
ISTI Repository | ISTI Repository | ISTI Repository | www.sciencedirect.com | CNR ExploRA
2022
Report
Open Access
The complexity of Artificial Learning - CNR Foresight report
Bacco M., Colantonio S., Lepri S.
Artificial learning will significantly affect human life and science in the next decades. However, its basic principles of functioning are still theoretically not well understood. The aim of the workshop was to examine the relations and perspectives of the interaction between Data and Computer Sciences and Complexity theory on this matter.Source: ISTI Research Report, Foresight, 2022
Bacco M., Colantonio S., Lepri S.
Artificial learning will significantly affect human life and science in the next decades. However, its basic principles of functioning are still theoretically not well understood. The aim of the workshop was to examine the relations and perspectives of the interaction between Data and Computer Sciences and Complexity theory on this matter.Source: ISTI Research Report, Foresight, 2022
See at:
ISTI Repository | www.foresight.cnr.it | CNR ExploRA
2022
Journal article
Open Access
Space-Air-Ground integrated 6G wireless communication networks: a review of antenna technologies and application scenarios
Candia F. A., Fonseca N. J. G., Bacco M., Mugnaini S., Genovesi S.
A review of technological solutions and advances in the framework of a Vertical Hetero-15 geneous Network (VHetNet) integrating satellite, airborne and terrestrial networks is presented. 16 The disruptive features and challenges offered by a fruitful cooperation among these segments 17 within a ubiquitous and seamless wireless connectivity are described. The available technologies 18 and the key research directions for achieving a global wireless coverage by considering all these 19 layers are thoroughly discussed. Emphasis is put on the available antenna systems in satellite, air-20 borne and ground layers by highlighting strengths and weakness as well as by providing some 21 interesting trends in research. A summary of the most suitable applicative scenarios for future 6G 22 wireless communications are finally illustrated.Source: Sensors (Basel) 22 (2022). doi:10.3390/s22093136
DOI: 10.3390/s22093136
Metrics:
Candia F. A., Fonseca N. J. G., Bacco M., Mugnaini S., Genovesi S.
A review of technological solutions and advances in the framework of a Vertical Hetero-15 geneous Network (VHetNet) integrating satellite, airborne and terrestrial networks is presented. 16 The disruptive features and challenges offered by a fruitful cooperation among these segments 17 within a ubiquitous and seamless wireless connectivity are described. The available technologies 18 and the key research directions for achieving a global wireless coverage by considering all these 19 layers are thoroughly discussed. Emphasis is put on the available antenna systems in satellite, air-20 borne and ground layers by highlighting strengths and weakness as well as by providing some 21 interesting trends in research. A summary of the most suitable applicative scenarios for future 6G 22 wireless communications are finally illustrated.Source: Sensors (Basel) 22 (2022). doi:10.3390/s22093136
DOI: 10.3390/s22093136
Metrics:
See at:
ISTI Repository | ISTI Repository | www.mdpi.com | CNR ExploRA
2022
Contribution to book
Open Access
Technology, digitalisation, and AI for sustainability. An assessment of digitalisation for food system transitions
Brunori G., Bacco M., Rolandi S.
This chapter discusses one of the most urgent and significant challenges we must face-- the transition towards sustainable food systems. In this context, we discuss the role digital technologies may play, proposing the use of socio-cyber-physical systems as a paradigm, and extension of its Information and Communications Technology version, the cyber-physical system. Key digital technologies, with the potential of being game changers, are identified, as is their role in supporting a transition towards greater sustainability. Risks are identified and discussed related to the adoption of digital technologies in the food system, as well as policy conditions for digital technologies to operate in societies' interest. Recommendations are provided on the embodiment of socio-economic principles in the digitalisation process, in line with the socio-cyber-physical approach.Source: Routledge Handbook of Sustainable Diets, edited by Kevany K.M., Prosperi P., 2022
DOI: 10.4324/9781003174417
Project(s): DESIRA
Metrics:
Brunori G., Bacco M., Rolandi S.
This chapter discusses one of the most urgent and significant challenges we must face-- the transition towards sustainable food systems. In this context, we discuss the role digital technologies may play, proposing the use of socio-cyber-physical systems as a paradigm, and extension of its Information and Communications Technology version, the cyber-physical system. Key digital technologies, with the potential of being game changers, are identified, as is their role in supporting a transition towards greater sustainability. Risks are identified and discussed related to the adoption of digital technologies in the food system, as well as policy conditions for digital technologies to operate in societies' interest. Recommendations are provided on the embodiment of socio-economic principles in the digitalisation process, in line with the socio-cyber-physical approach.Source: Routledge Handbook of Sustainable Diets, edited by Kevany K.M., Prosperi P., 2022
DOI: 10.4324/9781003174417
Project(s): DESIRA
Metrics:
See at:
ISTI Repository | www.taylorfrancis.com 
| CNR ExploRA
2022
Journal article
Open Access
A path-aware scheduler for Air-to-ground multipath multimedia delivery in real time
Machumilane A., Gotta A., Cassarà P., Bacco M.
The use of multipath techniques in transmission has emerged in the last years thanks to their potential in increasing throughput. They can also be used as a means to counteract errors or losses in transmission, thus increasing reliability. In this work, we focus on the challenging scenario of real-time video streaming from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) via multiple wireless channels. We propose a lightweight scheduler capable of dynamically selecting the paths to be used and of determining the necessary redundancy rate to protect the multimedia flow. Our scheduler, implemented as a module of the GStreamer framework, can be used in real or simulated settings. The results we present show that the proposed scheduler can be used to target a very low loss rate by dynamically adapt to varying channel conditions in terms of losses and experienced delay.Source: IEEE communications magazine (Online) 60 (2022): 54–58. doi:10.1109/MCOM.001.2100904
DOI: 10.1109/mcom.001.2100904
Metrics:
Machumilane A., Gotta A., Cassarà P., Bacco M.
The use of multipath techniques in transmission has emerged in the last years thanks to their potential in increasing throughput. They can also be used as a means to counteract errors or losses in transmission, thus increasing reliability. In this work, we focus on the challenging scenario of real-time video streaming from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) via multiple wireless channels. We propose a lightweight scheduler capable of dynamically selecting the paths to be used and of determining the necessary redundancy rate to protect the multimedia flow. Our scheduler, implemented as a module of the GStreamer framework, can be used in real or simulated settings. The results we present show that the proposed scheduler can be used to target a very low loss rate by dynamically adapt to varying channel conditions in terms of losses and experienced delay.Source: IEEE communications magazine (Online) 60 (2022): 54–58. doi:10.1109/MCOM.001.2100904
DOI: 10.1109/mcom.001.2100904
Metrics:
See at:
ISTI Repository | ieeexplore.ieee.org | CNR ExploRA
2022
Journal article
Open Access
Crop diversification in South Asia: a panel regression approach
Singh P., Adhale P., Guleria A., Bhoi P. B., Bhoi A. K., Bacco M., Barsocchi P.
South Asia's agricultural sector has experienced vigorous growth and structural transformation over the last few decades, albeit differently across the region. This study examines the crop diversification status and various determinants such as socioeconomic (per capita gross domestic product, population, arable land, and cropland), soil/agronomic (root zone moisture), agricultural inputs (fertilizer and pesticide consumption), the productivity of food and non-food crops, international trade, and climate (maximum and minimum temperature and rainfall) factors. The share of cereals has decreased in most countries, but they continue to dominate South Asian agriculture. The area under high-value crops in India has increased significantly, replaced the area under cereal cultivation during the study period. Similar results were seen in the Maldives, where vegetables replaced oilseeds. The Hausman model test suggested a random-effects model for the analysis of the determinants. All the determinants considered in the study explain 69 percent of the variation in the crop diversification index. The crop diversification in south Asia was influenced by per capita GDP, minimum temperature, pesticide consumption, food crop yield index, and non-food crop yield index during the study period. Cropland percentage and population, on the other hand, reduce the crop diversification. The price factor contributed more than half to agricultural growth. It remained the primary source of growth in all South Asian countries, followed by yield, which is identified as the second most crucial factor. The contribution of crop diversification to agricultural growth has been declining over time.Source: Sustainability (Basel) 14 (2022). doi:10.3390/su14159363
DOI: 10.3390/su14159363
Metrics:
Singh P., Adhale P., Guleria A., Bhoi P. B., Bhoi A. K., Bacco M., Barsocchi P.
South Asia's agricultural sector has experienced vigorous growth and structural transformation over the last few decades, albeit differently across the region. This study examines the crop diversification status and various determinants such as socioeconomic (per capita gross domestic product, population, arable land, and cropland), soil/agronomic (root zone moisture), agricultural inputs (fertilizer and pesticide consumption), the productivity of food and non-food crops, international trade, and climate (maximum and minimum temperature and rainfall) factors. The share of cereals has decreased in most countries, but they continue to dominate South Asian agriculture. The area under high-value crops in India has increased significantly, replaced the area under cereal cultivation during the study period. Similar results were seen in the Maldives, where vegetables replaced oilseeds. The Hausman model test suggested a random-effects model for the analysis of the determinants. All the determinants considered in the study explain 69 percent of the variation in the crop diversification index. The crop diversification in south Asia was influenced by per capita GDP, minimum temperature, pesticide consumption, food crop yield index, and non-food crop yield index during the study period. Cropland percentage and population, on the other hand, reduce the crop diversification. The price factor contributed more than half to agricultural growth. It remained the primary source of growth in all South Asian countries, followed by yield, which is identified as the second most crucial factor. The contribution of crop diversification to agricultural growth has been declining over time.Source: Sustainability (Basel) 14 (2022). doi:10.3390/su14159363
DOI: 10.3390/su14159363
Metrics:
See at:
ISTI Repository | ISTI Repository | www.mdpi.com | CNR ExploRA
2022
Journal article
Open Access
Rethinking requirements engineering for sustainability
Ferrari A., Bacco M.
We present a new paradigm of requirements engineering research for sustainability. This study proposes to go beyond stakeholders' goals, and introduces the concepts of drivers, barriers and impacts of technology in a certain domain. We collect information about these constructs in an interview study with 30 experts on digitalisation in forestry, agriculture, and rural areas.Source: ERCIM news online edition 131 (2022): 27–28.
Project(s): DESIRA
Ferrari A., Bacco M.
We present a new paradigm of requirements engineering research for sustainability. This study proposes to go beyond stakeholders' goals, and introduces the concepts of drivers, barriers and impacts of technology in a certain domain. We collect information about these constructs in an interview study with 30 experts on digitalisation in forestry, agriculture, and rural areas.Source: ERCIM news online edition 131 (2022): 27–28.
Project(s): DESIRA
See at:
ercim-news.ercim.eu | ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2022
Contribution to conference
Open Access
Co-design of technological solutions for agriculture and rural areas: methodology and cases for responsible innovation
Bacco F. M., Ferrari A., Brunori G.
The main results of the H2020 DESIRA project will be presented, focusing on the so-called use cases, i.e., the co-design of 5 high-level technological solutions in 21 EU Living Labs to push for sustainable digital tools tailored to the context to be introduced in forestry, agricultural, and rural areas. Both the methodology and the main results will be shown, focusing on the 5 case studies developed in the project.Source: IEEE 8th World Forum on Internet of Things - Vertical Track: Agriculture, Yokohama, Japan, 26/10/2022-11/11/2022
Project(s): DESIRA
Bacco F. M., Ferrari A., Brunori G.
The main results of the H2020 DESIRA project will be presented, focusing on the so-called use cases, i.e., the co-design of 5 high-level technological solutions in 21 EU Living Labs to push for sustainable digital tools tailored to the context to be introduced in forestry, agricultural, and rural areas. Both the methodology and the main results will be shown, focusing on the 5 case studies developed in the project.Source: IEEE 8th World Forum on Internet of Things - Vertical Track: Agriculture, Yokohama, Japan, 26/10/2022-11/11/2022
Project(s): DESIRA
See at:
ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2022
Report
Open Access
DESIRA - D3.3 Use cases report
Bacco F. M., Ferrari A., Mannari C.
In DESIRA, five Living Labs were selected to carry out use case workshops. The objective was to codesign a digital tool in each different context. To do so, the participants agreed on one or more goals to be reached. Building on both the focal question and the scenario question that each Living Lab has developed in previous activities, a use case statement has been co-developed to carry out use case workshops. The use case statement describes the goal(s) of the tool to be co-designed, the involved actors, and the needed ICT components. The used methodology is described in this report, as well as the outputs of the process. The methodology has been adapted to the concept of socio-cyber-physical system that DESIRA developed, opening discussions on impacts, drivers, and barriers as further step in the process, following the high-level design of the digital tool and of its main functionalities. Each Living Lab identified what the participants deemed as needed in their region in terms of a novel digital tool. The presence of various stakeholders in Living Labs has made it easier to consider a wide range of needs since the very beginning, allowing everyone to have a role when it comes to the use of the co-designed digital tool. Such a mechanism, not embedded in the typical use case methodology - which only clarifies the role of those considered as users by ICT designers - has been further strengthened in the workshops, therefore going beyond the traditional approach. In fact, by fostering discussions on impacts, drivers, and barriers, the proposed methodology has allowed the participants to reflect, early on in the process, on the potential impacts of the introduction of digital technologies. Last but not least, it is worth pointing out that the outputs of the use cases, summarised in this document, provide a valuable starting point for software companies willing to design and develop digital tools not only according to users' needs and desires but also tailored to the different rural contexts herein under consideration.Source: ISTI Project Report, DESIRA, D3.3, pp.1–175, 2022
Project(s): DESIRA
Bacco F. M., Ferrari A., Mannari C.
In DESIRA, five Living Labs were selected to carry out use case workshops. The objective was to codesign a digital tool in each different context. To do so, the participants agreed on one or more goals to be reached. Building on both the focal question and the scenario question that each Living Lab has developed in previous activities, a use case statement has been co-developed to carry out use case workshops. The use case statement describes the goal(s) of the tool to be co-designed, the involved actors, and the needed ICT components. The used methodology is described in this report, as well as the outputs of the process. The methodology has been adapted to the concept of socio-cyber-physical system that DESIRA developed, opening discussions on impacts, drivers, and barriers as further step in the process, following the high-level design of the digital tool and of its main functionalities. Each Living Lab identified what the participants deemed as needed in their region in terms of a novel digital tool. The presence of various stakeholders in Living Labs has made it easier to consider a wide range of needs since the very beginning, allowing everyone to have a role when it comes to the use of the co-designed digital tool. Such a mechanism, not embedded in the typical use case methodology - which only clarifies the role of those considered as users by ICT designers - has been further strengthened in the workshops, therefore going beyond the traditional approach. In fact, by fostering discussions on impacts, drivers, and barriers, the proposed methodology has allowed the participants to reflect, early on in the process, on the potential impacts of the introduction of digital technologies. Last but not least, it is worth pointing out that the outputs of the use cases, summarised in this document, provide a valuable starting point for software companies willing to design and develop digital tools not only according to users' needs and desires but also tailored to the different rural contexts herein under consideration.Source: ISTI Project Report, DESIRA, D3.3, pp.1–175, 2022
Project(s): DESIRA
See at:
ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2022
Report
Unknown
ChAALenge - D6.1: Analisi delle peculiarità di salute della popolazione anziana e definizione requisiti tecnici
Miori V., Belli D., Bacco M F., Baronti P., Barsocchi P., Crivello A., Furfari F., Girolami M., La Rosa D., Mavilia F., Palumbo F., Pillitteri L., Potortì F., Russo D.
In questo documento viene posta particolare attenzione alla malattia dello scompenso cardiaco che è una delle maggiori cause di mortalità e disabilità nella popolazione anziana oltre ad essere la prima causa di ricovero. Sono analizzate le soluzioni di monitoraggio domestico attualmente disponibili e i requisiti tecnici da soddisfare per poter raccogliere e analizzare i dati fisiologici nell'ambiente di vita e riconoscere situazioni di insorgenza o peggioramento di patologie nell'anziano.Source: ISTI Project Report, ChAALenge, D6.1, 2022
Miori V., Belli D., Bacco M F., Baronti P., Barsocchi P., Crivello A., Furfari F., Girolami M., La Rosa D., Mavilia F., Palumbo F., Pillitteri L., Potortì F., Russo D.
In questo documento viene posta particolare attenzione alla malattia dello scompenso cardiaco che è una delle maggiori cause di mortalità e disabilità nella popolazione anziana oltre ad essere la prima causa di ricovero. Sono analizzate le soluzioni di monitoraggio domestico attualmente disponibili e i requisiti tecnici da soddisfare per poter raccogliere e analizzare i dati fisiologici nell'ambiente di vita e riconoscere situazioni di insorgenza o peggioramento di patologie nell'anziano.Source: ISTI Project Report, ChAALenge, D6.1, 2022
See at: CNR ExploRA
2022
Report
Unknown
ChAALenge D5.2 - Documento di definizione degli algoritmi di Machine Learning e Deep Learning
Miori V., Belli D., Bacco F. M., Baronti P., Barsocchi P., Crivello A., Furfari F., Girolami M., La Rosa D., Mavilia F., Palumbo F., Pillitteri L., Potortì F., Russo D.
Il deliverable ha come obiettivo la definizione di un percorso intraprendibile per lo sviluppo di un modello predittivo, efficace ed efficiente, basato sul paradigma machine learning, sviluppato in funzione del dominio applicativo in esame e dei dati a disposizione. Una parte verrà dedicata all'introduzione degli aspetti principali legati alle strategie di individuazione di anomalie in serie temporali multi-variate tramite il suddetto modello predittivo.Source: ISTI Project Report, ChAALenge, D5.2, 2022
Miori V., Belli D., Bacco F. M., Baronti P., Barsocchi P., Crivello A., Furfari F., Girolami M., La Rosa D., Mavilia F., Palumbo F., Pillitteri L., Potortì F., Russo D.
Il deliverable ha come obiettivo la definizione di un percorso intraprendibile per lo sviluppo di un modello predittivo, efficace ed efficiente, basato sul paradigma machine learning, sviluppato in funzione del dominio applicativo in esame e dei dati a disposizione. Una parte verrà dedicata all'introduzione degli aspetti principali legati alle strategie di individuazione di anomalie in serie temporali multi-variate tramite il suddetto modello predittivo.Source: ISTI Project Report, ChAALenge, D5.2, 2022
See at: CNR ExploRA
2022
Report
Unknown
ChAALenge - D6.2: Progettazione architettura e definizione delle modalità di integrazione delle macrofunzionalità nel framework (intermedio)
Bacco F. M., Baronti P., Barsocchi P., Crivello A., Furfari F., Girolami M., La Rosa D., Mavilia F., Miori V., Palumbo F., Pillitteri L., Potortì F., Russo D., Belli D.
Questo documento riporta l'analisi relativa alla progettazione del framework di integrazione delle funzionalità, come previsto dal progetto ChAALenge. In particolare, vengono in questa sede analizzate le tecnologie per lo sviluppo del middleware di comunicazione e le modalità di interfacciamento con le soluzioni sensoristiche individuate.Source: ISTI Project Report, ChAALenge, D6.2, 2022
Bacco F. M., Baronti P., Barsocchi P., Crivello A., Furfari F., Girolami M., La Rosa D., Mavilia F., Miori V., Palumbo F., Pillitteri L., Potortì F., Russo D., Belli D.
Questo documento riporta l'analisi relativa alla progettazione del framework di integrazione delle funzionalità, come previsto dal progetto ChAALenge. In particolare, vengono in questa sede analizzate le tecnologie per lo sviluppo del middleware di comunicazione e le modalità di interfacciamento con le soluzioni sensoristiche individuate.Source: ISTI Project Report, ChAALenge, D6.2, 2022
See at: CNR ExploRA
2022
Contribution to conference
Unknown
Data collection and networks - Smart Farming: from sensor to artificial intelligence
Bacco M., Barsocchi P.
Digitalization of agriculture: data collection and networksSource: 1st International Online Conference on Agriculture - Advances in Agricultural Science and Technology, Online conference, 10-25/02/2022
Project(s): DESIRA
Bacco M., Barsocchi P.
Digitalization of agriculture: data collection and networksSource: 1st International Online Conference on Agriculture - Advances in Agricultural Science and Technology, Online conference, 10-25/02/2022
Project(s): DESIRA
See at: CNR ExploRA
2021
Contribution to book
Open Access
Unmanned aerial vehicles for agriculture: an overview of IoT-based scenarios
Bacco M., Barsocchi P., Gotta A., Ruggeri M.
The agricultural sector is experiencing a new revolution, giving birth to the so-called Agriculture 4.0 paradigm. It brings digital technologies in the field to support the farmers' work, enhancing the productivity of farms. In this chapter, the attention is focused on the role that both Internet of Things (IoT) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can play in this regard, whether used in a joint manner or not. We analyse the work being done both in recent research projects and in the literature on those topics, taking into account the role of long-range wireless communications to enable such scenarios, and the potential of 5G and the upcoming Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) technology, especially in rural areas, where the lack of connectivity is still hampering the process of digital transformation.Source: Autonomous Airborne Wireless Networks, edited by Muhammad Ali Imran, Oluwakayode Onireti, Shuja Ansari, Qammer H. Abbasi, pp. 217–235. Hoboken: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2021
DOI: 10.1002/9781119751717.ch11
Metrics:
Bacco M., Barsocchi P., Gotta A., Ruggeri M.
The agricultural sector is experiencing a new revolution, giving birth to the so-called Agriculture 4.0 paradigm. It brings digital technologies in the field to support the farmers' work, enhancing the productivity of farms. In this chapter, the attention is focused on the role that both Internet of Things (IoT) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can play in this regard, whether used in a joint manner or not. We analyse the work being done both in recent research projects and in the literature on those topics, taking into account the role of long-range wireless communications to enable such scenarios, and the potential of 5G and the upcoming Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) technology, especially in rural areas, where the lack of connectivity is still hampering the process of digital transformation.Source: Autonomous Airborne Wireless Networks, edited by Muhammad Ali Imran, Oluwakayode Onireti, Shuja Ansari, Qammer H. Abbasi, pp. 217–235. Hoboken: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2021
DOI: 10.1002/9781119751717.ch11
Metrics:
See at:
ISTI Repository | onlinelibrary.wiley.com | CNR ExploRA