Management Software Tools Research Articles

Citation Tools and Reference Management Software for Academic Writing

The correct citation of references is an honor to original ideas of previous authors and to avoid plagiarism. Currently, researchers can easily find, cite and store references using citation management software. This paper is discussed how to use popular citation management software (Zotero •Mendeley •EndNote •RefWorks •Citavi •PaperPile •JabRef •Papers •Docear) and reference tools in academic writing. The citation management software is very helpful for academic writing. Exactly what the name suggests: Reference management software used to manage the references in a document and information about a publication,book, journal article, video, etc. This study is based on the available sources from various university online libraries worldwide. This study very uses full for researchers, authors, reviewers, editors and the researcher community.

Flow accumulation based method for the identification of erosion risk points in unpaved roads

The unsuitable construction of unpaved roads has been causing problems related to the formation of erosive processes, sediments in watersheds, bogs, flooding, and holes. Presuming that the areas where flow accumulation intersects unpaved roads represent risk points, our objectives are (1) to develop a qualitative method based on the GIS software management tool (FlowAccRoad) for the identification of the intersection points between flow accumulation and roads and (2) to verify the discrepancy between the points of intersection produced by digital elevation models (DEM) accounting for different spatial resolutions. In the GIS environment, we used the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and Goiania (GOI) digital elevation models for the modeling of flow accumulation and vectorization of the unpaved roads, both of which are based on the Bandeira Stream Watershed in Goiania, Goiás, Brazil. This highlights that 54 points of intersection between the flow accumulation and unpaved roads present problems related to erosive processes and quagmires, among others. The FlowAccRoad method identified the principal critical points observed in the field, using both the DEM of 30.4m of spatial resolution (SRTM) and also of 4.8m of spatial resolution (GOI). From the FlowAccRoad method, we observed that 91% of the risk points identified through the GOI DEM were located less than 20m from valid points in the field by using GPS. Analyzing the SRTM DEM, only 45% of the critical risk points identified by the method were located less than 20m from valid points in the field.

DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION STUDENTS’ ICT COMPETENCE WHILE TEACHING COMPUTER-AIDED FASHION DESIGN

The present paper deals with the problem of CAD (computer-aided design) competence formation of would-be teachers of technology and vocational school teachers. It is noted that for fashion industry to develop, it is necessary that its professionals should have both the knowledge of basic communication technologies and foundations of using CAD. ICT competence is necessary for trainee teachers of technology and vocational education specialists both for their educational activity and for successful creation of outfit models using computer techniques. The aim of the research lies in grounding the list of software equipment to be used by trainee teachers of technology and vocational school teachers to provide effective learning of CAD in professional sphere. The introduction to professional-oriented software is realized in higher education institutions of Ukraine during the course of “Basics of computer aided design”, after a preparatory course “Information Technologies” Information technologies are used in fashion industry for creating new models, equipment management, and for maintaining the life cycle of outfits. Hereby presented is a systemized list of computer software tools for professional purposes to be used in automated workstation of the designer: software tools for correct and safe system component management; software for file creation and information sharing; CAD-subsystems. The content of the course “Basics of computer aided design” have been described. Practical approbation has proved effectiveness of the developed syllabus along with the methodological support of the course “Basics of computer-aided design”. The results of the investigation are important for grounding the content of study for trainee teachers of technology and specialists of vocational education, as well as for professionals in fashion industry.

BioExcel Building Blocks, a software library for interoperable biomolecular simulation workflows

In the recent years, the improvement of software and hardware performance has made biomolecular simulations a mature tool for the study of biological processes. Simulation length and the size and complexity of the analyzed systems make simulations both complementary and compatible with other bioinformatics disciplines. However, the characteristics of the software packages used for simulation have prevented the adoption of the technologies accepted in other bioinformatics fields like automated deployment systems, workflow orchestration, or the use of software containers. We present here a comprehensive exercise to bring biomolecular simulations to the “bioinformatics way of working”. The exercise has led to the development of the BioExcel Building Blocks (BioBB) library. BioBB’s are built as Python wrappers to provide an interoperable architecture. BioBB’s have been integrated in a chain of usual software management tools to generate data ontologies, documentation, installation packages, software containers and ways of integration with workflow managers, that make them usable in most computational environments.

Software tools for management of conjunctive use of surface- and ground-water in the rural environment: integration of the Farm Process and the Crop Growth Module in the FREEWAT platform

The coordinated use of surface- and ground-water over time and space as two components of a single irrigation system is of outmost importance in many rural areas of the world, in order to assure crop production sustainability, to restore ongoing and to prevent future issues related to freshwater quality and quantity mismanagement/deterioration. New technological solutions, such as GIS-integrated simulation models, may provide reliable tools in order to evaluate impacts in space and time and to properly manage conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater and water-constrained agricultural production. After presenting the common open source simulation programs for dealing with conjunctive use, we discuss and present the integration of the Farm Process (FMP; embedded in the USGS’s MODFLOW One-Water Hydrologic Model) coupled to a Crop Growth Module (CGM) within the open source and public domain QGIS-integrated FREEWAT platform. Using FMP in FREEWAT gains the benefit of the spatial environment and data management tools of a GIS solution, and to perform proper analysis of dynamically integrated terms of the hydrological cycle, to effectively balance crop water demand and supply from different sources of water. A simple hypothetic, yet realistic, application of the proposed approach with FMP and CGM is presented, simulating the yield of irrigated sunflower at harvest in a Mediterranean area. Results provide an insight on the potential exploitation of the developed solution, including, but not limited, to: quantitative temporal analysis of irrigation water sources, detailed analysis of evaporation and transpiration terms (from irrigation, groundwater or rainfall). The coupling of FMP with CGM to estimate crop yield at harvest provides further management tools when dealing with crop productivity. In the simulated case study, the analysis of the water balance terms allowed identifying the relevance of the groundwater contribution to ETc-act, highlighting the role of natural root uptake. The proposed solution is thought to be deployed by water authorities, large farms and public/private companies managing irrigation areas. The use of these tools calls for dedicated capacity building to boost digitalization in the agricultural water sector in order to achieve data-based agricultural water management.

A Case Study Using ProQuest RefWorks: An entry point for addressing information literacy.

An interdisciplinary team of university faculty members collaborated to develop an intervention to address a deficiency in student information literacy skills. The team developed video modules that instruct users how to create, use and maintain a ProQuest RefWorks account; a citation management software (CMS) tool that is compatible with Google Docs word processing. The research team collected YouTube and ProQuest RefWorks analytics as well as pre/post survey data from university students who participated in a pilot using the video modules. Results indicate that the modules impacted student information literacy skills; specifically, in-text citation and referencing. Based on the results, we also describe next steps for this research.

Tolerance Allocations on Products: A Life Cycle Engineering Perspective

Since manufacturing cannot (part after part) produce components that exactly achieve every stated nominal value – tolerances must be assigned to the nominal values. Many tolerance allocation methods have been developed, and practitioners consider these along with different stages of the product life cycle when determining tolerances. For example, product designers usually allocate tolerances according to the functionality of the products. On the other hand, process planners often do not consider the use stage, and instead consider process costs, precision, and accuracy, and how one process may impact another process. Thus, an “optimal” tolerance that considers only one stage of a product’s life cycle is generally not optimal when other stages are considered. In principle, product life cycle management (PLM) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software tools should be able to determine optimal tolerances. An investigation of engineering research and available PLM/CAE software tools, with respect to tolerance allocation, is reported. Emphasis is placed on a systematic analysis of the ability to perform tolerance allocation from a life cycle engineering (LCE) perspective. Problems caused by tolerance allocation methods that focus only on certain life cycle stages are analyzed, such as over-design, mistaken scrapping of satisfactory products, and poorly performing products. Based on the gaps between manufacturers’ needs and available methods, some future research directions are suggested.

Software Tools for Big Data Resources in Family Names Dictionaries

This paper describes the design and development of specific software tools used during the creation of Family Names in Britain and Ireland (FaNBI) research project, started by the University of the West of England in 2010 and finished successfully in 2016. First, the overview of the project and methodology is provided. Next section contains the description of dictionary management tools and software tools to combine input data resources.

INCOSE Working Group Addresses System and Software Interfaces

ABSTRACTIn the 21st century, when any sophisticated system has significant software content, it is increasingly critical to articulate and improve the interface between systems engineering and software engineering, that is the relationships between systems and software engineering technical and management processes, products, tools, and outcomes. Although systems engineers and software engineers perform similar activities and use similar processes, their primary responsibilities and concerns differ. Systems engineers focus on the global aspects of a system. Their responsibilities span the lifecycle and involve ensuring the various elements of a system—such as hardware, software, firmware, engineering environments, and operational environments—work together to deliver capability. Software engineers also have responsibilities that span the lifecycle, but their focus is on activities to ensure the software satisfies software‐relevant system requirements and constraints. Software engineers must maintain sufficient knowledge of the non‐software elements of the systems that will execute their software, as well as the systems their software must interface with. Similarly, systems engineers must maintain sufficient awareness of the software to enable early identification and resolution of software risks and issues driven by other system elements. Thus, to enable continued progress in creating and sustaining capability in complex, interconnected systems, systems and software engineers must commit to improving the interfaces between their disciplines, to aligning and integrating their terminology, processes, methods, and tools.Recognizing the need to improve the system engineering‐software engineering interface, INCOSE approved the charter of the System and Software Interface Working Group (SaSIWG) in 2017. At its initial meeting at the INCOSE International Symposium 2017 (IS 2017) in Adelaide, Australia, the SaSIWG derived working group objectives from lists of brainstormed systems and software issues. This paper documents the interface issues elicited, grouped into seven categories, along with system‐ software interface use cases identified by SaSIWG members. The interface issues and use cases expose questions for the SaSIWG to prioritize and respond to. The paper concludes with a summary of the SaSIWG's plan to respond to these questions and strengthen the interface between the systems engineering and software engineering disciplines.

WASP (Write a Scientific Paper): The use of bibliographic management software

In the scholarly environment, research findings are disseminated as journal papers which support/dispute extant knowledge or add further to what is already known. The entire manuscript needs to be cited (in-text) and referenced (at the end of article), in order for readers to ascertain the validity of the research claim/s. This must be done in proper and accepted fashion as plagiarism is a serious misdeed and inappropriate referencing mars a paper. Recent advancements in technology have led to the development of bibliographic management software tools. These tools are available as both commercial and open source software, and constitute a database wherein researchers search, store and cite references. Furthermore, authors can not only create personalized databases but also cite stored articles when compiling a manuscript or report or indeed any other form of document. This software obviates human manual inputting errors and inaccurate referencing, while conveniently enabling citation and referencing in any referencing style required, for example, after rejection, when an author must almost perforce resubmit a prepared but rejected paper to a different journal after suitable amendments.

Using a business process management system to model dynamic teaching methods

Enterprise Information Systems are enjoying an extensive trajectory in the optimization of organizations worldwide, of which predominantly the Business Process Management (BPM) systems stand out for their great flexibility. BPM models describe business workflows and are highly useful in detecting errors and bottlenecks and in identifying possible improvements. On the other hand, educational management software tools offer a large number of functionalities, but have yet to take advantage of these techniques. Our main objective is to perform an empirical analysis in this unexplored area to evaluate the advantages of applying BPM in the implementation of innovative and dynamic teaching activities.Using this methodology, we have designed RubricaSoft, a BPM system focused on providing dynamic educational processes. It automates multiple tasks, including peer evaluation, information integration and the management of deadlines. The results have been very promising from the point of view of the three axes upon which the evaluation has been carried out: satisfaction of students, improvement in academic results and increase in the productivity of teachers. In one of the processes, the time spent by the teacher has been reduced by 80% and student participation increased by 41%.

Tools for parallel computing in computer graphic tasks

The paper considers the means of ensuring acceleration of computations that arise when working with large volumes of data. It has been established that in addition to computer graphics, such a problem arises in problems not only for problems of linear algebra, where the data are structured, but also with unstructured data. It is noted that the natural approach to solving this problem is to use parallel computations, which can be performed in the multiprocessor architecture of computers and parallel programming. Known approaches based on hardware implementation to address specific tasks are costly from resources and, within a separate organizational structure, are not suitable for solving settlement tasks of different types. At the same time, other approaches are being developed to support well-known processor structures and existing software for them. The approach based on the application of a parallel structure is proposed in the paper for solving the rendering problem, which is based on the integral equation of illumination by the Monte Carlo method. The peculiarity of solving this problem is the transition from the general equation to the three equations corresponding to the adopted color model of the image, namely the RGB model. The solution is in the spatial coordinates of color, which requires a further transition from spatial coordinates to real coordinates of color. Apart from, in the final decision, the correction of the nonlinearity of the display device is additionally performed. To apply parallel calculations to solve this problem in the work, it is proposed to partition the original image into parts in accordance with the number of processors that participate in the calculations and ensure their synchronization with appropriate software management tools. A number of examples of the Monte Carlo method for solving the above mathematical problems are presented, among them the integration of the function and the development of this approach to work with images. The results of the solution of this problem are also given during the creation of a photorealistic image, as well as the analysis of the Amdahl’s formula given solution.

Integrating free and open source tools and distributed modelling codes in GIS environment for data-based groundwater management

Integrating advanced simulation techniques and data analysis tools in a freeware Geographic Information System (GIS) provides a valuable contribution to the management of conjunctive use of groundwater (the world's largest freshwater resource) and surface-water. To this aim, we describe here the FREEWAT (FREE and open source software tools for WATer resource management) platform. FREEWAT is a free and open source, QGIS-integrated interface for planning and management of water resources, with specific attention to groundwater.The FREEWAT platform couples the power of GIS geo-processing and post-processing tools in spatial data analysis with that of process-based simulation models. The FREEWAT environment allows storage of large spatial datasets, data management and visualization, and running of several distributed modelling codes (mainly belonging to the MODFLOW family). It simulates hydrologic and transport processes, and provides a database framework and visualization capabilities for hydrochemical analysis. Examples of real case study applications are provided.

Multi-Dimensional Software Tool for OSS Project Management Considering Cloud with Big Data

We discuss a method of software dependability assessment based on stochastic differential equation modeling in order to consider the interesting factors of the numbers of components, cloud applications and users. Then, we consider the determination of an optimum software maintenance time, minimizing the total expected software cost. In particular, we develop the three-dimensional AIR application for reliability and cost optimization analyses based on the proposed method. Moreover, the three-dimensional application based on NW.js, known as the latest technology, is developed in this paper. Furthermore, we show several numerical examples of the developed application software to evaluate the performance of software optimization and reliability assessment tools for the big data on cloud computing.

A Fuzzy-Based Building Energy Management System for Energy Efficiency

Information and communication technologies (ICT) offer immense potential to improve the energetic performance of buildings. Additionally, common building control systems are typically based on simple decision-making tools, which possess the ability to obtain controllable parameters for indoor temperatures. Nevertheless, the accuracy of such common building control systems is improvable with the integration of advanced decision-making techniques embedded into software and energy management tools. This paper presents the design of a building energy management system (BEMS), which is currently under development, and that makes use of artificial intelligence for the automated decision-making process required for optimal comfort of occupants and utilization of renewables for achieving energy-efficiency in buildings. The research falls under the scope of the H2020 project BREASER which implements fuzzy logic with the aim of governing the energy resources of a school in Turkey, which has been renovated with a ventilated façade with integrated renewable energy sources (RES). The BRESAER BEMS includes prediction techniques that increase the accuracy of common BEMS tools, and subsequent energy savings, while ensuring the indoor thermal comfort of the building occupants. In particular, weather forecast and simulation strategies are integrated into the functionalities of the overall system. By collecting the aforementioned information, the BEMS makes decisions according to a well-established selection of key performance indicators (KPIs) with the objective of providing a quantitative comparable value to determine new actuation parameters.

DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM MODEL FOR KEY MANAGEMENT

Key management plays a crucial role in cryptography, as the basis for secure information exchange, data identification and integrity. There are software and hardware key management tools that support Crypto APIs and Cryptography Next Generation APIs(CNG API), Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS). These tools store cryptographic keys on hard disks, smart cards, tokens, and in other storage media. To use the cryptographic keys stored on these smart cards and tokens, you need to connect them to the appropriate hardware. The cryptographic keys stored on the hard drives of a computer or a laptop are used by the programs of these devices. If it becomes necessary to use a single key in different systems, then you will have to create copies of the key on all these devices. This complicates the process of key management, raises tasks of securely store keys, keys access control. This paper proposes a distributed system model for key management and a protocol of interaction of the distributed system modules. The proposed model provides the ability to store keys in a smartphone, and access to keys from other devices. The system described in the model consists of 3 modules. The module 1 has computer version and smartphone version, and serves to send a request for signing, signature verification, hashing. The module 2, a smartphone software, provides key pair generation, storing, encrypting and decrypting, archiving keys, export/import keys, keys access control, and destroying keys. The module 3, web service, provides communication of the first and second modules. In addition, the system, which was created based on the current model, provides the ability to use digital signatures in web applications. The Module 1 operates as a local web service that accepts requests from a web page running in a browser. A special script in a web page sends http requests that include cryptographic operations to the specified localhost port and accepts responses.

Camelot—intuitive software for camera-trap data management

A variety of software tools for camera trap data management have been produced over the years, though the authors encountered numerous shortcomings with each. Camelot is a new open source cross-platform software application for managing camera trap survey data. Camelot is designed to be both powerful and easy-to-use. It provides a number of innovative features, such as an extensible reporting system that serves as an integration point with specialised analysis tools. This combination of features and usability makes it a compelling alternative to existing camera trap data management software.

Критерии, предъявляемые к программному обеспечению для разработки сложных сертифицируемых систем, критичных по безопасности

Nowadays there is an actual problem in aviation industry - how to make the development of complex safety-critical systems certifiable according to international and domestic standards and regulations like DO-178C, DO-254, ARP 4754A, ARP 4761 etc. In the article configuration management process from the development lifecycle of DO-178C is considered as the main source of criteria for the development tool selection. Selected criteria can be applied to software tool, which supports entire development lifecycle of aviation software, as well as to software tools supporting some individual lifecycle processes. The activities of configuration management process provide work with all project lifecycle data, its storage, integrity, security, manageability and information support for data exchange between the remaining lifecycle processes, maintenance of the history of changes etc. Compliance with the principles of the configuration management process allows project managers to control development, ensure the required quality and reliability of the product; also, its certifiability and the necessary level of confidence in security, reduce financial and time development costs. As example of using criteria one of the most widely known in industry software tool for requirements development and management was analyzed for compliance with the chosen criteria.

ARCHITECTURE OF THE PROGRAM-ALGORITHMIC COMPLEX OF INFORMATIONAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR TRAINING SPECIALISTS IN CONDITIONS OF SMART CITY

Education is a focal point in a city journey to becoming a smart city. Yet, instrumentation does not always have to be hardware; it can also be people. The process of training qualified personnel in accordance with the needs of the person and labour market requirements of the smart city is a complex, multi-step, iterative process concerning a large number of parameters and preconditions, and is enlarged consisting of five consecutive functional stages such as the definition of professional inclination and abilities, monitoring the market, the choice of profession, the choice of an educational institution, and the formation of an individual educational learning trajectory. As a result, we offer software architecture and algorithmic complex of informational and technological support for training specialists in a smart city. There are levels of display, application and data management that include the following components: user interface module, competency creation system module, training order, software and algorithmic complex management tools, databases and knowledge, as well as corresponding data warehouse, multidimensional data analysis subsystem, which characterizes the activity of city educational institutions, a decision support module, a logical output module and the assessment of the obtained results. Moreover, the work provides the activity diagram, which shows the multidimensional analysis of the activities of educational institutions and the process of identifying a multi-component agent's knowledge potential and gives the main states diagram of the system in the process of its exploitation by users. Software and algorithmic complex is developed as a one-page web application, it works online, which gives it signs of mobility and simplifies the implementation of data updating processes. The study describes the software implementation, operating procedures, computer requirements and technical specifications of the software product. To conclude, we have made the comparative analysis of the developed web application with existed analogues, which enables asserting the proposed software and algorithmic complex of information technology support of the process specialists' training unites in a holistic system all stages of specialists' preparation taking into account the individual's needs and the requirements of the smart city labour market for the first time.

INITIAL DEVELOPMENT, APPLICATION, AND RESULTS FROM A TECHNOLOGY-BASED COGNITIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: THE REACT[1] PROGRAMME

Dementia is a major public health issue worldwide, and at a personal level living with dementia puts severe strain on the lives of people with dementia and caregivers when they need to cope with declining cognitive and functional ability. Consequently, it is vital to move forward acceptable, efficient, and cost-effective solutions to enhance level of function and well-being of people with dementia. Various forms of technology are recognized to have potential to support cognitive and functional ability of people with dementia, e.g. touch-screen technology with easy-to-use mobile applications (apps). A growing number of such dementia friendly apps are being promoted, but the actual implementation and continual use of such technology in everyday life is rarely addressed. This study aims to investigate how a mobile app, delivered on a touch screen device, can be designed to meet the special and individualized needs of people with dementia, and how this technology can be successfully implemented in the daily life of the users. The ReACT app was developed through an iterative innovation process, where people with Alzheimer's disease and caregivers participated in the design, user tests and adaption of the app. The ReACT app is a multi-functionality app supporting memory, structuring and communication in a personalized and adaptable manner. To facilitate the use of technology, a software management tool (Mobile Device Management) has been developed for the touch-screen device, to relieve the users of the often troublesome process of setting up of the device and updating software. The programme of technology-based cognitive rehabilitation was established as a gateway to implementation of the technology in an individualized manner. A proof-of-concept study, including 24 people with early stage Alzheimer's disease, is conducted to investigate the feasibility and applicability of this programme. The study is ongoing. Results will be available in April 2017. This study will give insight into how tailor-made adaptable software technology for people with dementia can be developed through a participatory design process, and how the continued used of this technology can be enhanced through a tailor-made individualized rehabilitation programme.