-
Research Article
System and Methods in Building a Blockchain-based System for Covert Steganographic Communication
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-7
Received:
4 December 2025
Accepted:
23 December 2025
Published:
19 January 2026
Abstract: The increasing importance of privacy and secure communication in distributed environments has fueled research into innovative solutions that combine data concealment and tamper-resistant recordkeeping. This article presents a logically structured architectural framework for covert steganographic communication, utilizing the Microsoft Azure web3 ecosystem as its foundation. The motivation behind this research stems from the limitations of traditional steganography and blockchain technologies when used independently, particularly in addressing the challenges of operational transparency, scalability, and robust data protection. To bridge these gaps, the proposed system integrates Azure Blockchain Development Kit with other Azure native services to provide a unified architecture. This research article introduces a pioneering architectural framework designed to facilitate covert steganographic communication through blockchain technologies, with a focus on leveraging the Microsoft Azure web3 ecosystem. By integrating Azure Blockchain Development Kit (BDK), Azure Confidential Ledger, Azure Blockchain Services, and Azure Blockchain Workbench with Open Steganography solutions deployed on Azure Virtual Machines (VM), the proposed system aims to achieve secure, confidential, and unobtrusive data exchange. The research methodology encompasses a comprehensive literature review, system design, implementation, and rigorous security analysis, followed by experimental evaluation on cloud infrastructure. By leveraging the strengths of Azure’s blockchain and confidential ledger capabilities alongside advanced steganographic techniques, this study demonstrates a practical approach to achieving secure, confidential, and unobtrusive data exchange. The findings confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed solution, highlighting its potential to facilitate adaptive, scalable, and privacy-preserving covert communication networks. In conclusion, this work charts new directions for integrating blockchain and steganography within cloud-native platforms, offering enhanced privacy and security for sensitive communications in distributed settings.
Abstract: The increasing importance of privacy and secure communication in distributed environments has fueled research into innovative solutions that combine data concealment and tamper-resistant recordkeeping. This article presents a logically structured architectural framework for covert steganographic communication, utilizing the Microsoft Azure web3 eco...
Show More
-
Research Article
Digital Transformation of University-industry Collaborations: An Information Systems Approach in a Developing Country Context
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
8-18
Received:
22 December 2025
Accepted:
6 January 2026
Published:
2 February 2026
Abstract: University–industry collaborations (UICs) are increasingly recognized as essential for fostering innovation, skills development, and knowledge transfer. However, in developing countries, these collaborations are often constrained by weak governance structures, limited resources, and lack of sustainability mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the current state of UICs at Uganda Christian University (UCU) and industries in Mukono Municipality, and design an ICT-enabled model to strengthen UICs in developing countries. The study employed a qualitative approach, and data was collected from 21 participants through interviews with university (senior administrators, faculty heads) and representatives from the industry (service, manufacturing, research, and not-for-profit organizations). Insights from General Systems Theory, Collaborative Control Theory and Rybnicek & Königsgruber model, informed thematic analysis. From the analysis, five themes emerged, which are: Nature of Collaborations; Management Structures and Platforms for UICs; Stakeholder Capacity and Readiness for UICs; Information Exchange & Dissemination; Impact and Sustainability of UICs. The study findings revealed that UICs have weak governance & coordination mechanisms, lack sustainability & digital implementation, are largely informal, under-resourced. Internship was seen to be the dominant form of engagement between universities and the industry. This suggests that; adopting ICT-mechanisms improves UIC effectiveness and sustainability. This study therefore proposes a context-sensitive, systems-oriented JMS Model to enhance UIC management in developing countries which contributes to literature and practice.
Abstract: University–industry collaborations (UICs) are increasingly recognized as essential for fostering innovation, skills development, and knowledge transfer. However, in developing countries, these collaborations are often constrained by weak governance structures, limited resources, and lack of sustainability mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the...
Show More
-
Research Article
Self-explanation Prompts in STEM: Comparing Human and AI Metacognitive Accuracy
Panya Samtani*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
19-29
Received:
6 January 2026
Accepted:
23 January 2026
Published:
6 February 2026
Abstract: This study investigates the efficacy of Self-Explanation Prompts (SEPs) in enhancing problem-solving performance and metacognitive accuracy within STEM education, while simultaneously offering a comparative analysis of human versus artificial cognition. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning (SRL), the research employs a quasi-experimental design with a diverse sample (N= 150, ages 10–50) divided into a SEP intervention group and a control group. Results indicate that structured reflective prompting significantly improves problem-solving accuracy and metacognitive calibration (Gamma correlation). Furthermore, the study contrasts human cognitive responses with those of three leading Large Language Models (ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini). Findings reveal a fundamental divergence: while AI models excel at logical pattern matching, they lack the embodied, emotional, and contextual reasoning such as the intuitive understanding of physics or emotional pragmatics that characterises human thought. The study concludes that SEPs are essential for cultivating the self-aware, "adaptive expertise" that distinguishes human intelligence from algorithmic data processing.
Abstract: This study investigates the efficacy of Self-Explanation Prompts (SEPs) in enhancing problem-solving performance and metacognitive accuracy within STEM education, while simultaneously offering a comparative analysis of human versus artificial cognition. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning (SRL), the r...
Show More
-
Research Article
Zero-Downtime Migration Strategies for Decomposing Monoliths into Microservices in the Healthcare Industry:
A Multivocal Literature Review
Thomas Paul*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
30-38
Received:
19 January 2026
Accepted:
31 January 2026
Published:
9 February 2026
Abstract: Healthcare organizations are modernizing core platforms such as electronic health records (EHRs), order-entry, and billing systems, but decomposing long-lived monoliths into microservices introduces a critical challenge: how to migrate without interrupting mission-critical care operations. Regulated healthcare environments impose strict requirements for availability, patient safety, privacy of protected health information (PHI), auditability, and compliance (e.g., HIPAA and GDPR), which makes conventional migration approaches that rely on downtime or temporary service degradation unsuitable. This study reports a multivocal literature review that synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed research and high-relevance practitioner sources on strategies that enable continuous service during migration in healthcare settings. Across the reviewed studies, recurring patterns include event-driven integration, Change Data Capture (CDC), coordinated dual-write, backward-compatible schema evolution, progressive traffic shifting (canary and blue-green), and resilience controls such as circuit breakers, idempotent consumers, and controlled failover. These patterns are complemented by observability, governance, and security controls (encryption, access control, and immutable audit logs) that preserve compliance during transitional states. A total of 87 records were retrieved from IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and SpringerLink (Scopus and Web of Science returned zero records for the search string). After screening and full-text assessment using predefined criteria, a focused set of studies was selected for detailed synthesis. The findings provide practical guidance for planning and executing live migrations in regulated, data-intensive healthcare systems and highlight areas where additional empirical validation is needed.
Abstract: Healthcare organizations are modernizing core platforms such as electronic health records (EHRs), order-entry, and billing systems, but decomposing long-lived monoliths into microservices introduces a critical challenge: how to migrate without interrupting mission-critical care operations. Regulated healthcare environments impose strict requirement...
Show More
