General Conceptual Model Research Articles

Deciding how to decide: A conceptual model for consensually fostering urban infrastructure maintenance

Infrastructure owners face challenges in effective maintenance decision-making due to the process's multidisciplinary nature, spanning mathematics to cognitive science. This study delves into enhancing maintenance for complex infrastructure systems, specifically in scenarios where a single primary owner must consider the preferences and requisites of multiple stakeholders. In such unstructured problems characterised by diverse perspectives and potentially conflicting interests in uncertain environments, systematic decision analysis is paramount. In response, this paper proposes a generic conceptual model to outline the primary critical consideration of decision-making through a holistic scheme of the decision problem; it facilitates discovering shared views when defining the decision problem, eliciting objectives early in the decision-making process, and ensuring that selected agendas align with desired outcomes and core values. It provides valuable guidance for decision-modellers in infrastructure rehabilitation. These claims are reinforced with the application of the proposed model to case studies, illustrating its practicality in real-world settings.

Towards a generic agent-based vector-host model: effects of carrying capacity and host mobility

The aim of our work is to develop a generic conceptual agent-based model to formalize the interaction of vector and host given climate change. The model consists in creating a hypothetical example of a vector-host system. It simulates the vector’s life cycle while considering interactions with hosts and the temperature. It is presented following the ODD protocol and based on parameters and processes to conceptualize the vector-host complexity. It could accommodate a broad spectrum of vector species and different biogeographic regions. Our model can be extended to more ecologically complex systems with multiple species and real-world landscape complexity to test different host and / or vector-targeted control strategies and identify practical approaches to managing vector population and movement patterns.

Embracing Craton Complexity at Depth

Variations within individual cratons, as well as across different cratons, are readily apparent at the Earth’s surface, providing indirect insight into the processes governing the formation and evolution of the underlying regions. However, our views at depth are more limited. As such, there is a risk of interpreting the cratonic lithosphere as a monolith. Recent modeling and advances in seismological imaging have enhanced our perspective of vertical variations within the cratonic lithosphere, which has helped build a general conceptual model. While lateral variations also are increasingly identified, their significance still presents unanswered questions. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge of cratonic lithospheric structure and demonstrate the importance of lateral heterogeneity in craton evolution and stability.

Design of the new structure and capabilities of LADM edition II including 3D aspects

The decision to refine the existing content and to extend the scope of Edition I of the ISO 19152:2012 Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) is a response to requests from the international Land Administration (LA) community. This response has to be formally organised in accordance with ISO guidelines. This begins with gathering feedback from ISO/TC 211 Member States on the need for updated and enhanced capabilities of the LADM. In addition, several proposals have been made to extend the scope of the LADM Edition I. After analysing the feedback received, it was proposed to develop the LADM Edition II as a multi-part standard: Part 1 — Generic conceptual model, Part 2 — Land registration, Part 3 — Marine georegulation, Part 4 — Valuation information, Part 5 — Spatial plan information and Part 6 — Implementation aspects. In other words, Edition I focuses on land tenure, while the design and development of Edition II is based on the inclusion of rights, restrictions and responsibilities (RRRs) concerning marine georegulation, valuation information, spatial plan information as well as LADM implementation. 3D representations are relevant for all parts.This paper focuses on the design of the new structure of the second edition of the LADM and on the (operational) capabilities of this new edition in relation to the LA issues in Parts (standards addressing a specific part of the scope) and Packages (groups of conceptually close classes), with a particular attention to the requirements and design related decisions taken in the revision process. The parts 1, 2, 4 and 5 are the parts in which the authors are currently involved. Part 1 will be a high-level umbrella standard; Part 2 is largely based on LADM Edition I and focuses on land registration, with an enhanced support on the surveying functionality, including new subclasses of spatial unit, and extended 3D spatial profiles. Part 3 harmonises the description of RRRs and aligns land concepts with marine aspects from the marine domain based on the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) S121 Maritime Limits and Boundaries Product Specification. Part 4 deals with valuation information used and produced in the context of land administration, while Part 5 deals with spatial planning information and includes the planned use of the land (zoning), resulting in RRRs. Lastly, Part 6 is planned to be about implementation of the LADM and will be developed in close collaboration with the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC).

USABILITY ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON MY BEST E-LEARNING APPLICATION UNIVERSITY OF BINA SARANA INFORMATIKA

After the Covid-19 pandemic ended, the lecture system at several universities in Indonesia began to gradually improve. The lecture system for several courses is carried out face-to-face. However, there are still several courses that are conducted online using e-learning applications with various considerations for the needs of the university. Bina Sarana Informatics University (UBSI) is a technology-based university where the learning system has implemented internet technology even long before the Covid-19 pandemic occurred. UBSI always strives to continue to improve the quality of the e-learning system that has been implemented. This can be seen from the development of e-learning applications for the lecture process which makes it easier for lecturers and students to access and absorb information related to campus academics. My Best is an e-learning application that is currently used in the KBM process in the UBSI environment and to improve the quality of the application used it is necessary to carry out a usability engineering evaluation. This analysis method consists of several stages, namely platform constraints, general design principles, conceptual model and screen design. The results of the usability analysis on the My Best e-learning application at Bina Sarana Informatika University have complete stage coverage, this means that My Best is an e-learning application in the very good category.

A conceptual model for glacial lake bathymetric distribution

Abstract. The formation and expansion of glacial lakes worldwide due to global warming and glacier retreat have been well documented in the past few decades. Thousands of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) originating from moraine-dammed and ice-dammed lakes were reported, causing devastating impacts on downstream lives and properties. Detailed glacial lake bathymetry surveys are essential for accurate GLOF simulation and risk assessment. However, these bathymetry surveys are still scarce as glacial lakes located in remote and high-altitude environments hamper a comprehensive investigation. We developed a conceptual model for glacial lake bathymetric distribution using a semi-automatic simulation procedure. The basic idea is that the statistical glacial lake volume–area curves conform to a power-law relationship indicating that the idealized geometric shape of the glacial lake basin should be hemispheres or cones. First, by reviewing the evolution of various types of glacial lakes, we identified nine standard conceptual models to describe the shapes of lake basins. Second, we defined a general conceptual model to depict the continuum transitions between different standard conceptual models for those specific glacial lakes that lie between two standard conceptual models. Third, we nested the optimal conceptual model in the actual glacial lake basin to construct the water depth contours and interpolate the glacial lake bathymetric distribution. We applied the conceptual model to simulate six typical glacial lakes in the Third Pole with in situ bathymetric surveys to verify the algorithm's applicability. The results show a high consistency in the point-to-point comparisons of the measured and simulated water depths, with a total volume difference of approximately ±10 %. The conceptual model has significant implications for understanding glacial lake evolution and modeling GLOFs in the future.

E-Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups

An ageing population is a global problem that carries with it significant implications for the economy and society. The older population makes nearly a third of the population. In the last thirty years, public policy has been finding solutions to alleviate the economic and social problems that arise as a result of the aging of nations. A present in which the digitalization of all domains of life is the primary theme for profitability and consistency of economic entities imposes new standards of behaviour and habits of citizens. This particularly affects the elderly population, which is expected to be e-inclusive in the digital society and economy, which often makes it difficult to use digital services, whether public or commercial. The results of the analysis of public policies for the period from 1990 to 2020 show that of all four key constructs of the General Theoretical Conceptual Model for e-inclusion (“Access”, “Usage”, “Empowerment” and “Impact on the quality of life”), the most represented constructs are “Usage” and “Impact on the quality of life”. What is somewhat worrisome is that in the observed period, a very small percentage (19%) of public policies included the connection of all four key constructs, and that public policies were related to vulnerable population groups, such as the elderly population. The results related to the institutions that most encouraged the e-inclusion of especially vulnerable groups in their strategies are the European Commission, the OECD and the European Parliament. It is precisely e-inclusion that is a necessary prerequisite for independence, active involvement in society and for improving the quality of life, especially for vulnerable groups of the population. All stakeholders should be aware of this, because otherwise, if digital transformation is carried out without e-inclusion of all groups, especially vulnerable groups, those who are already empowered are additionally strengthened, and those who could benefit the most from digital transformation benefits, “vulnerable groups” remain somewhere on the sidelines and continue to be underpowered and neglected.

Aging, Inflammation, and Comorbidity in Cancers-A General In Silico Study Exemplified by Myeloproliferative Malignancies.

(1) Background: We consider dormant, pre-cancerous states prevented from developing into cancer by the immune system. Inflammatory morbidity may compromise the immune system and cause the pre-cancer to escape into an actual cancerous development. The immune deficiency described is general, but the results may vary across specific cancers due to different variances (2) Methods: We formulate a general conceptual model to perform rigorous in silico consequence analysis. Relevant existing data for myeloproliferative malignancies from the literature are used to calibrate the in silico computations. (3) Results and conclusions: The hypothesis suggests a common physiological origin for many clinical and epidemiological observations in relation to cancers in general. Examples are the observed age-dependent prevalence for hematopoietic cancers, a general mechanism-based explanation for why the risk of cancer increases with age, and how somatic mutations in general, and specifically seen in screenings of citizens, sometimes are non-increased or even decrease when followed over time. The conceptual model is used to characterize different groups of citizens and patients, describing different treatment responses and development scenarios.

A Sociological Perspective on Meaningful Work: Community versus Autonomy

In this article, I present a sociological approach to the problem of meaningful work that dwells on its broad social and cultural sources, as opposed to the focus on subjective and organizational factors currently prevailing in the field. Specifically, I consider two sociological perspectives, those of community and autonomy, as important conceptual tools for understanding the ambivalent character of modern culture in providing individuals with a sense of meaningfulness of their activities. I also review some of the existing research on meaningful work and interpret it through this conceptual distinction, both to show the latter’s relevance for the field and to identify the gaps it might help fill. As a result, based on the sociological perspectives, I propose a general conceptual model and discuss five directions to further advance the theoretical comprehension of meaningful work, and I suggest some implications of these perspectives for normative business ethics.

Packaging innovation scorecard

AbstractInnovation literature shows that the characteristics of a company's innovation processes determine their performance in different areas. In this study, we adopt a general conceptual model from innovation theory and apply it to packaging innovation. This helps identify and describe subprocesses in packaging innovation and how to measure their performance. It also links the packaging innovation process to the cost and climate performance of packaging. Based on the modified model for packaging innovation, the purpose of this paper is to develop and apply a scorecard for assessing the packaging innovation process.The first step in the methodology was the conceptual development of a model describing the packaging innovation process and a scorecard for assessing this process. The second step was to demonstrate and validate the scorecard in a case study covering packaging innovation at a major retail company. Data were captured from six semi‐structured interviews and two workshops, as well as observations and site visits.The conceptual model defines packaging innovation using seven interrelated subprocesses and their impacts on cost and climate performance. The scorecard that was developed in the research study describes how to measure the subprocesses and their output. The quality of each of the seven processes is measured on two to four dimensions. Each dimension can reach a score of one to four, where each score is clearly defined.The case study showed that the scorecard seems to be an effective way of measuring the complex packaging innovation process and identifying concrete ways to improve packaging innovation. The case study validated the scorecard and demonstrated how it can be applied. The application also showed how the case company performs in packaging innovation compared to best practice in each subprocess. The validation showed that the scorecard is sufficiently functional and useful, although it requires input from multiple sources. The usability could only be partly assessed—it showed promising value as a basis for formulating action plans—but future studies should validate the scorecard's long‐term usefulness in creating action plans and assess their impact.The theoretically‐based scorecard is novel in terms of assessing packaging innovation and its impact on packaging performance in supply chains. It links the packaging innovation process to performance and helps companies identify improvement possibilities. The paper shows how the scorecard helps address packaging issues strategically by measuring the activities conducted in the packaging innovation process. One limitation of the study is that the long‐term usefulness of the scorecard could not be validated, as the validation would take longer than the time available for this study.

Considering pollinators' ecosystem services in the remediation and restoration of contaminated lands: Overview of research and its gaps.

The concept of ecosystem services provides a useful framework for understanding how people are affected by changes to the natural environment, such as when a contaminant is introduced (e.g., oil spills, hazardous substance releases) or, conversely, when contaminated lands are remediated and restored. Pollination is one example of an important ecosystem service; pollinators play a critical role in any functioning terrestrial ecosystem. Other studies have suggested that consideration of pollinators' ecosystem services could lead to better remediation and restoration outcomes. However, the associated relationships can be complex, and evaluation requires synthesis from numerous disciplines. In this article, we discuss the possibilities for considering pollinators and their ecosystem services when planning remediation and restoration of contaminated lands. To inform the discussion, we introduce a general conceptual model of how pollinators and the ecosystem services associated with them could be affected by contamination in the environment. We review the literature on the conceptual model components, including contaminant effects on pollinators and the direct and indirect ecosystem services provided by pollinators, and identify information gaps. Though increased public interest in pollinators likely reflects increasing recognition of their role in providing many important ecosystem services, our review indicates that many gaps in understanding-about relevant natural and social systems-currently impede the rigorous quantification and evaluation of pollinators' ecosystem services required for many applications, such as in the context of natural resource damage assessment. Notable gaps include information on non-honeybee pollinators and on ecosystem services beyond those benefitting the agricultural sector. We then discuss potential research priorities and implications for practitioners. Focused research attention on the areas highlighted in this review holds promise for increasing the possibilities for considering pollinators' ecosystem services in the remediation and restoration of contaminated lands. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:322-336. © 2023 SETAC.

Pollen as the link between floral phenotype and fitness

AbstractPollen plays a key role in plant reproductive biology. Despite the long history of research on pollen and pollination, recent advances in pollen‐tracking methods and statistical approaches to linking plant phenotype, pollination performance, and reproductive fitness yield a steady flow of exciting new insights. In this introduction to the Special Issue “Pollen as the Link Between Phenotype and Fitness,” we start by describing a general conceptual model linking functional classes of floral phenotypic traits to pollination‐related performance metrics and reproductive fitness. We use this model as a framework for synthesizing the relevant literature, highlighting the studies included in the Special Issue, and identifying gaps in our understanding and opportunities for further development of the field. The papers that follow in this Special Issue provide new insights into the relationships between pollen production, presentation, flower morphology, and pollination performance (e.g., pollen deposition onto stigmas), the role of pollinators in pollen transfer, and the consequences of heterospecific pollen deposition. Several of the studies demonstrate exciting experimental and analytical approaches that should pave the way for continued work addressing the intriguing role of pollen in linking plant phenotypes to reproductive fitness.

Qualitative Evaluation of Scaffolded Teaching Materials in Business Analysis Classes: How to Support the Learning Process of Young Entrepreneurs

The purpose of this study is to test the usefulness of the scaffolding materials and to provide practical recommendations for entrepreneurship education. Following the framework of social learning theory and a semi-structured questionnaire that was developed based on the results of a literature review concerning entrepreneurial creativity and competency issues, a thematic analysis was conducted to analyse how the template materials developed alongside the affected motivation and learning outcomes of the author’s learners. The results highlighted the following. The participants recognised that the established model of business analysis taught in lectures is a generic model that discards non-economic factors and real business situations, and that potential entrepreneurs in developing countries should pay more attention to the sociocultural context of which they are potentially or explicitly aware. The participants also appreciated that the scaffolding materials helped them understand the general conceptual model in a familiar and practical context, and that the process and output of filling out the template stimulated class discussion, deepened their understanding, and influenced their own awareness. Furthermore, they greatly appreciated that the process of discussing the template allowed them to share and reflect on their own entrepreneurial activities through storytelling, which enhanced their learning through the propagation of their own awareness. Thus, the development of scaffolding materials that focus on reflection could play an important role in reinforcing the learning outcomes of business analysis and imprinting them in students’ minds by encouraging them to think critically about prominent models in textbooks. The results of this study suggest that social learning theory can serve as an effective guide for the design, review, and improvement of learning support measures.

Functional Restoration of Desertified, Water-Limited Ecosystems: The Israel Desert Experience

Ecological restoration has recognized explicitly the recovery of ecosystem functions. The emphasis on ecosystem functions in restoration efforts can be defined as functional restoration. Functional restoration, i.e., rehabilitation of ecosystem functions, is particularly applicable to highly degraded landscapes such as desertified areas, where restoration to the original state is impossible. This review paper produced a general conceptual model of the fundamental processes that regulate ecosystem functions in water-limited ecosystems. The Israeli Negev Desert was used as a case study to test the model results in the field. We developed general guiding principles for functional restoration of degraded landscapes that integrate functional restoration methods and include four successive steps: (1) identifying the fundamental processes that regulate ecosystem functions in alternative states; (2) detecting drivers leading to degraded states; (3) functional restoration: changing the state of the degraded landscape; and (4) monitoring the impact of the restoration effort and assessing its success in terms of ecosystem services. Our case study, the Negev, provided us with insights on how to reverse desertification in water-limited systems by restoring source–sink networks as a subset of functional restoration. The four suggested steps of functional restoration are essential for ecosystem recovery in the Anthropocene.

КЕСИПТИК ОРТО БИЛИМ БЕРҮҮНҮ ЖАӉЫЛАНТУУ ЖАНА АНЫН ОКУУ ПРОЦЕССИН БАШКАРУУСУНУН МАСЕЛЕСИ: ТЕОРИЯЛЫК АНАЛИЗ

The article reviews the current state of professional secondary education in the Kyrgyz Republic, and emphasizes that determining its development opportunities is a very urgent issue. Emphasis is placed on theoretical and methodological research in this direction, and the need to develop the principles and directions of innovations in the professional secondary education system based on theoretical research is noted. Theoretical studies, concepts, ideas conducted around the given problem are considered. The author notes that the effectiveness of comprehensive modernization of vocational secondary educational institutions is closely related to the management of the learning process in vocational secondary educational institutions. It is noted that in order to study ways of creating a general conceptual model of the learning process in a secondary professional educational institution (college, etc.), a theoretical analysis is required and the need for a theoretical-methodological base created on its basis.

Developing appropriate business model for maize shelling technologies in small holder farmers in North West Ethiopian Districts

The aim of this paper is to identify and select an appropriate business model for the utilization of maize shelling technologies in small-scale farming practices. Though a very old practice, agriculture is still the central activity of the entire globe due the reason that it directly or indirectly affects the livelihood of the inhabitants. West Gojjam zone of the Amhara National Regional State (ANRS) in Ethiopia is among the known maize producing zones in Country for both consumption and as a cash crop. But, the problem is the high wastage of production due to post-harvest losses (PHL) due to mechanical shelling practices. Aiming to solve this PHL of maize production, at the shelling stage, assessments and discussion with the maize growing farmers and experts concerned were conducted. This paper tries to present an appropriate business model for enabling local small holder farmers get access to different maize shelling technologies. The research follows a survey-type design which provides both a quantitative and a qualitative description of operational and business variables, attitudes, or opinions of a population in the target area, and overall insight of the technology market. The current data shows that rental maize shelling service is feasible for the fragmented maize production of the West Gojjam zone, in the Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia. Hence, a generic conceptual model has been developed based on the feedbacks of local smallholder farmers, agricultural agents, service providers and suppliers. This model shows how to select and make available appropriate maize shelling technologies that will fit the actual demand at household level. It also shows a rent-to-own approach of maize shelling service that will help the unemployed youth in the localities.

A multi‐objective particle swarm optimization for matching domain ontologies

As a generic conceptual model for describing domain knowledge, ontology is able to provide a formal and concrete description on the concepts in different domains. Since different ontology engineers have diverse viewpoints on the world, leading to the heterogeneity issue among different ontologies. To solve this problem, this paper investigates how to make certain the correspondences of entities between different domain ontologies, that is, domain ontology matching problem. When solving this problem, how to effectively aggregate different similarity measures to differentiate entities and obtain high‐quality alignment is the kernel issue. In this paper, we first introduce two statistical metrics for measuring ontology alignment's quality, then, an optimization model is established for the multi‐objective ontology matching problem, and a Multi‐Objective Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (MOPSO) is proposed to optimize the quality of domain ontology alignment. The experimental results illustrate that it outperforms OAEI's participants with respect to both recall and precision.

Evaluation methodology in HR-management

The article provides a theoretical understanding of the methodological approach to evaluating the work of HR-services, on the basis of which a conceptual model of research in HR-management was built. According to the defined model, the evaluation methodology in HR-management consists of a set of elements: the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of human resources management; evaluation principles, methods and tools, as well as the evaluation procedure itself, which are described in the article. Attention is focused on the primary goals of HR-management and the criteria for their determination and achievement. Among the main principles of evaluation of human resources management the principles of optimality, reachability, transparency, periodicity, comprehensiveness and systematicity were singled out. It is noted that standard scientific methods are used in the assessment of HR-management, such as the systematic approach, logical, factor analysis, statistical, graphic, interview, questionnaires, testing, point method, and a number of the latest methods implemented in Ukrainian practice were also highlighted: management by objectives, circular assessment, assessment by competences or skills, knowledge, skills, experience and suitability for the position, assessment center, independent judges, KPI, integral indicator, etc. When describing the evaluation tools, metrics were selected in the direction of evaluating the effectiveness of HR-services and evaluating the enterprise’s personnel. In addition to directions, all metrics were grouped by business processes in HR-management to ensure the possibility of evaluating a specific process of recruiting, training, involvement, motivation, etc. A number of comparative characteristics of metrics and KPI are presented. By describing the evaluation procedure, possible evaluation objects and evaluation subjects, the order and place of the evaluation are determined. Possible digital tools for ensuring effective communications in HR management are outlined. The proposed methodological approach contributes to highlighting the general conceptual model of evaluation in HR-management and avoiding problems related to setting key goals, choosing methods and objects of research, and organizing the HR process evaluation procedure itself.

Assessing the resource potential of countries in the context of the formation of the knowledge economy

Subject. Taking into account the existing world experience in the development of the knowledge economy in modern conditions, there is a need to study the current state and further development of the knowledge economy throughout developed and developing countries. Objectives. The study aims to assess the resource potential of countries from the perspective of the knowledge economy formation. Methods. We employ general scientific and special methods, i.e. monographic, abstract-logical, and methods of comparative analysis. The applied part of the article is implemented using the modern tools of economic research. Results. To assess phases of the knowledge economy development in different countries, we specified a list of indices (human development index, digital competitiveness index, global innovation index) that characterize the current state of the knowledge economy development, and studied their dynamics for 2016–2020. Based on the data obtained, we classified international indices, assessed key aspects of the knowledge economy by calculating an integrated indicator of the knowledge economy. In the consolidated ranking of countries we identified Russia's position and determined the main factors hindering its progress towards the knowledge economy. Conclusions. To reduce the gap between Russia and other countries, we offer a set of measures to stir up the process of promoting intellectual and digital technologies as the main strategic resource. If implemented, these measures can act as a basis for the development of a general conceptual model of the knowledge economy.

ON THE QUESTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTS FOR THE REVIVAL OF THE CITIES OF UKRAINE IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD

The work deals with the development of an urban planning concept for the revival of Ukrainian cities in the post-war period. The importance of the work is determined by the urgent need for the country to quickly overcome the devastating consequences of Russian aggression and further development. An algorithm of actions for updating the master plan of a city that has suffered destruction in conditions of uncertainty is presented. The content of research procedures to achieve the goal of the work, which are based on the "design-thinking" methodology, is disclosed.
 Thus, it is possible to obtain a general urban planning conceptual model of the city's revival after the end of the war, worthy of discussion, and also capable of changing its parameters depending on new refined data. Such a model will help to clearly demonstrate the consequences of changing the parameters of its subsystems. It is an effective tool for updating the city's master plan, as well as a special information base for investors.
 It is planned to involve architectural students of the master's level of training and postgraduate students of the department in the development of this conceptual model. This will make it possible to replenish the ranks of qualified urban planners with young specialists. 
 The presented method of developing an urban planning concept for the restoration of the city of Kharkiv, as an algorithm of research actions, can be applied to other cities of Ukraine.