Technical Concepts Research Articles

Coupling of Serendipity, Affordance and Taxonomy in Digital Competence: HCI for Illiterates

This research work is the result of multidisciplinary research for the design of a digital learning tool from the basic level. Computer science guarantees the technical concepts of the development of the tool. At the same time, Information and Communication Science discipline describes the concepts of cognitive psychology with digital competence in computerization. The overall goal of this work is to provide an HCI component for basic level learning or HCI for the illiterate. It is about transforming a communication tool from a cognitive system to a digital learning tool adapted to the learner’s level of digital competence. The author relies on the UML class diagram to identify the affordance and serendipity of HCI property entities. The mathematical study of the similarity between these two properties allows us to update the learner’s profile. Stephanie’s approach was used when managing the learner’s profile and the digital competency taxonomy to classify the learner’s level of digital use. The principle of an expert system was taken up in this work to make the decision on the level of digital competence of the learner and to guide the solution so that the learning continues without interruption. This expert system integrates the data science of digital educational materials, defining its specificity. The algorithm of the realization summarizes the implementation of the whole approach. αβGasy@mobile is an application on Android for Malagasy language literacy. To learn the letter “l” with this application, the initially low-level learner had an intermediate assessment score after 2 hours of continuous learning. Self-constructivism has been developed and strengthened by the HCI illiterate component. We have hundreds of learners for the case study and used ten smartphones to 5 inches. On the selected samples, the results of the experiment are close to our objective. More precisely, the inactive time is almost non-existent, the learning time predefined in the system is close to reality, and the speed of return on the interaction is fluid while the evaluation is notified.

Heterogeneous models to Support Interdisciplinary Engineering - Mapping Model Elements of SysML and CAD

A successful development of mechatronic systems need both domain specific as domain independent engineering models and approaches. The interface between domain specific and domain independent engineering often represents a possible source for failures and inconsistencies. Within this paper, this interface will be addressed by introducing heterogeneous models based on linked SysML and CAD model elements. Therefore a mapping of SysML and CAD elements will be presented and refined for the development of heterogeneous models. Furthermore, a technical concept for linkage of SysML and CAD models to ensure model consistency will be illustrated and an exemplary heterogeneous model will be visualized. In addition, future research targets and fields will be listed.

Towards AI Lifecycle Management in Manufacturing Using the Asset Administration Shell (AAS)

Driven by the digital transformation, manufacturing companies face the challenge of managing, but more importantly, enabling rapid operationalization of AI to achieve the full advantage of the exponential data growth. Heterogeneous data structures, the continuously growing variety of implementation frameworks, and the lack of standards for the semantic description of AI solution components, the effort required to manage and share datasets and models between stakeholders impedes efficient and reproducible progression. This paper addresses the current challenges in industrial AI applications currently hindering their acceptance and widespread adoption in manufacturing. Based on an overview of the AI application lifecycle, we present our approach for AI asset meta-data management utilizing the technical concept of the Asset Administration Shell (AAS). Following the definition of the AAS as a reference implementation of the digital twin that provides a digital representation of physical assets and their properties, we propose an AAS for AI assets. The AI AAS maps relevant properties of an AI model together with properties of the corresponding dataset and learning algorithm in order to integrate the AI lifecycle in the Industry4.0 ecosphere.

Why robots should be technical

Abstract Research in social robotics is commonly focused on designing robots that imitate human behavior. While this might increase a user’s satisfaction and acceptance of robots at first glance, it does not automatically aid a non-expert user in naturally interacting with robots, and might hurt their ability to correctly anticipate a robot’s capabilities. We argue that a faulty mental model, that the user has of the robot, is one of the main sources of confusion. In this work, we investigate how communicating technical concepts of robotic systems to users affect their mental models, and how this can increase the quality of human-robot interaction. We conducted an online study and investigated possible ways of improving users’ mental models. Our results underline that communicating technical concepts can form an improved mental model. Consequently, we show the importance of consciously designing robots that express their capabilities and limitations.

캘리포니아주 기후위기법안의 입법정책적 시사점

Korea is actively participating in the solidarity of the international community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, setting goals for greenhouse gas reduction, forming organizations to be in charge of specific design and implementation, and establishing legal grounds such as legislation. In particular, the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality has been enacted and is set to take effect, but the abstractness of laws and regulations and individual legislative issues by related fields remain urgent tasks. The California Climate Crisis Act clearly stipulates that the goal of greenhouse gas reduction is about the health and safety of residents, and contains details of greenhouse gas reduction to cope with the climate crisis. In addition, new technical concepts such as carbon dioxide capture, storage, and utilization appearing in the greenhouse gas reduction process are directly defined so that they can serve as clear interpretation criteria for the implementation of legislative purposes. In particular, details on the use of related technologies are specified to help the parties understand. These specific regulations are necessary for enhancing acceptance through the understanding and cooperation of stakeholders such as local residents and related business fields, where confrontation is inevitable in the process of reducing greenhouse gas. Matters related to CCUS, a legislative task stipulated in the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality, are not only new concepts, but also essential to enhance the acceptance of not only stakeholders in the industry but also the people due to secure stability in the process of technology development and utilization. I hope that the implications of the detailed characteristics of California’s climate crisis legislation in the future can be properly referenced.

Mining in Poland in Light of Energy Transition: Case Study of Changes Based on the Knowledge Economy

Implementing climate policy goals, such as achieving climate neutrality by 2050, requires significant transformation of the mining sector—which for some countries and regions where mining is still the basis of the economy and part of the identity is very difficult and results in significant social and economic costs. Focusing on regional aspects and characteristics of the mining sector in Poland and its impact on energy security, the paper provides insight into the noticeable process of mining modernization in the globalized world economy through its transition from the industrial era to a knowledge-based economy and the impact of these changes on regional development. The described process is directly related to implementation of innovative and new technical concepts and technological solutions for the mining industry. The indicated changes imply the need to redefine operating principles and organizational models in the mining industry in order to build responsive solutions based on innovations—shaping modern (intelligent) mining of the future—while at the same time being part of the transformation of (post-)mining regions into a multi-industry region. All the described elements are proposed as supporting elements of the transformation process—to ensure full use of the technological and infrastructural potential during the energy transition process.

Book review: Eric Friginal, Elizabeth Mathews and Jennifer Roberts. English in Global Aviation. Context, Research, and Pedagogy. London: Bloomsbury, 2020.

The book English in Global Aviation. Context, Research, and Pedagogy is an innovative and useful resource not only for instructors of English in the field of aviation, but also for any ESP teacher, as many of the ideas presented can be adapted and implemented in programs where English is taught for different purposes. As the title indicates, it is divided into three different sections (context, research, and pedagogy), with three chapters in each. This approach offers a balance between theory and practice, making the book a multi-faceted resource with different applications. Previous experience with aviation is not a prerequisite for understating the content of this clearly written chapter, despite the inclusion of technical concepts and vocabulary. The language employed by the authors, therefore, is targeted towards the general public. An important aspect to mention is the inclusion of a list of important abbreviations at the beginning with commonly used acronyms throughout the book. Likewise, a series of notes with clarifications about certain aspects is included at the end, which help the readers understand the context or provide additional references where they can find more information.

A Practical Exploration of Constructive English Learning Platform Informatization Based on RBF Algorithm

The constructive English learning approach provides better technical support and learning concepts for English learners. This paper firstly introduces the theoretical basis of constructive English learning and the status of domestic and international research and analyzes the advantages over the traditional English learning approach. This paper also analyzes the RBF neural network model, especially the locally adjusted RBF algorithm, and considers the training model and construction method of the RBF neural network to simulate the learning pattern of good learners of English in grades 4 and 6 to better realize the effect of the English learning platform and allow the English learning platform to play a supportive role in the learning process of students, and through the evaluation of the design, we can better improve the software design, which can be improved by evaluating the design. In the subsequent research, we should add a more user-friendly interface design, use larger model samples to train the model to make it more universal in accuracy and ensure good stability in operation, and integrate multiple algorithms to improve the training algorithm of RBF neural network to obtain a more general algorithm model. The rich teaching methods can cultivate students’ independent inquiry ability, and the construction of this English learning platform can help improve students’ ability to use information technology. By making students become the main subject of teaching and learning, we can stimulate students’ enthusiasm and a good awareness of English learning. Using the radial basis function (RBF) algorithm and the constructive pod language teaching method, this English learning platform is a good and positive aid for students to learn English, and as a better English education tool, it has certain research value and positive significance for the study of English teaching.

Statistical Considerations when Communicating Health Risks: Experiences from Canada, Chile, Ecuador and England Facing COVID-19

Communicating statistics in health risk communication is a fundamental part of managing public health emergencies. Effective communication requires careful planning and the anticipation of possible information demands from the population. The information should be clear, relevant, easy to understand, timely, accurate and precise, allowing the public to make informed decisions about protective behaviours. COVID-19, being a new disease, with little known about its characteristics and effects, has challenged governments and healthcare systems in all countries. This article discusses the statistical issues involved, and the experiences of risk communication in four countries – Canada, Chile, Ecuador and England. These countries have communicated risks differently, partly because of their different healthcare systems, as well as socioeconomic, cultural and political realities. During a pandemic, health authorities and governments must step up to the challenge of communicating statistical information under pressure and with urgency, when little is known about the disease, the situation is dynamic and evolving, and the general public is gripped with fear and anxiety. This is in addition to the existing challenges relating to the generation of data of different quality by diverse sources, and a public with varying levels of statistical literacy. From a statistical perspective, communiqués about risks and numbers should convey the uncertainty there is about the information, the inherent variabilities in the system, the precision and accuracy of estimates and the assumptions behind projections. Complex technical concepts, such as ‘flattening the curve’, ‘range in risk estimates’ and ‘projected trends,’ should be explained.

Development of a database for the analysis of the disposal system in the representative preliminary safety analysis

Abstract. The Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE) is the German waste management organisation responsible for implementing the search for a site with the best possible safety for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste for at least 1 million years, following the amendments of the Repository Site Selection Act in 2017. The selection procedure is meant to be a participatory, transparent, learning and self-questioning process based on scientific expertise. It consists of three phases with an increasing level of detail. The first step of the first phase of the site selection procedure was completed in September 2020 and resulted in the identification of 90 subareas that give reason to expect favourable geological conditions for the safe disposal. The potentially suitable subareas cover approximately 54 % of Germany and are located in three different host rocks: rock salt (halite), claystone and crystalline rock. The second step of phase one is currently in progress and includes the so-called representative preliminary safety analyses that aim to assess the extent to which the safe containment of the radioactive waste can be expected. Representative preliminary safety analyses are one of the foundations for deciding whether an area will be considered for surface-based exploration in the next phase of the site selection procedure. Within the preliminary safety analyses, the behaviour of the disposal system is analysed in its entirety, across all operational phases of the repository and under consideration of possible future evolution of the disposal system with respect to the safe containment of the radioactive waste. The development of a database is described, which aims to systematically document and provide the framework needed for the analyses of the disposal systems in the subareas regarding the safe containment of the radionuclides over the assessment period of 1 million years. This database includes the vast amount of information about the different components of the disposal system. This includes also the geological setting, the technical conception of the repository and compilations of values for the physical, geoscientific, and technical parameters characterising the various barriers of the disposal system. Furthermore, a self-contained derivation of expected and deviating future evolution of the disposal system and its geological setting is included; following the so-called features, events and processes (FEP) strategy.

Design of the Wireless Network Hierarchy System of Intelligent City Industrial Data Management Based on SDN Network Architecture

With the rapid development of the industrial Internet of Things and the comprehensive popularization of mobile intelligent devices, the construction of smart city and economic development of wireless network demand are increasingly high. SDN has the advantages of control separation, programmable interface, and centralized control logic. Therefore, integrating this technical concept into the smart city data management WLAN network not only can effectively solve the problems existing in the previous wireless network operation but also provide more functions according to different user needs. In this case, the traditional WLAN network is of low cost and is simple to operate, but it cannot guarantee network compatibility and performance. From a practical perspective, further network compatibility and security are a key part of industrial IoT applications. This paper designs the network architecture of smart city industrial IoT based on SDN, summarizes the access control requirements and research status of industrial IoT, and puts forward the access control requirements and objectives of industrial IoT based on SDN. The characteristics of the industrial Internet of Things are regularly associated with data resources. In the framework of SDN industrial Internet of Things, gateway protocol is simplified and topology discovery algorithm is designed. The access control policy is configured on the gateway. The access control rule can be dynamically adjusted in real time. An SDN-based intelligent city industrial Internet of Things access control function test platform was built, and the system was simulated. The proposed method is compared with other methods in terms of extension protocol and channel allocation algorithm. Experimental results verify the feasibility of the proposed scheme. Finally, on the basis of performance analysis, the practical significance of the design of a smart city wireless network hierarchical data management system based on SDN industrial Internet of Things architecture is expounded.

Evaluation of Modular Power Converter Integrated with 5G Network

This paper focuses on two key technical concepts, which may have a tremendous impact on future generations of power electronic converters: the Power Electronic Building Block (PEBB) concept, and the 5G/6G wireless data transfer. It is expected that these two trends may induce development of new cognitive of power electronic converters: Power Electronics 4.0. To investigate this concept, a Proof of Concept (PoC) of PEBB-based power converter integrated with a 5G network, was designed and tested. Study confirmed that power converter assembled from PEBB modules can compete with state-of-the-art devices. Moreover, test results indicates that several challenges related to PEBB and integration of power electronic equipment with 5G network has to be resolved, to enable growth of augmented power electronic converters, especially if wireless data transfer is meant for communication between PEBB modules.

A CTF-Based Approach in Cyber Security Education for Secondary School Students

Cybersecurity education topics require technical understanding. However, it is a challenging task for any teacher to introduce topics to students who have no technical background. Recently, the concept of gamification has been implemented as a tool to inculcate student’s interest using a variety of popular in-games techniques and applying them to educational modules. Extending from this notion, it was found that Capture the Flag (CTF) competition style is a successful way of introducing students to various technical concepts in the standard computer science curriculum. During the 2019 school holiday, a CTF for secondary school students was run at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) with the primary goal of introducing secondary school students to various cybersecurity topics and also to inculcate their interest in cybersecurity. The method that we used is different from other CTF or similar events, in which we use a scenario-based approach. We found that this method attracts participants in solving each challenge in a competitive environment.

Digestate Post-treatment and Upcycling: Unconventional Moisturizing Agent for Food Waste In-Vessel Composting

Nowadays, Tunisia faces challenging environmental and energy issues which relate mainly to the implementation of an appropriate solid waste management system capable of dealing with the high production of biowaste on the one hand, and the increased need for water and energy resources on the other. Therefore, the current study is intended to develop a closed cycle technical concept treating mainly food waste (FW) through combined biological processes. In this approach, FW anaerobic digestion (AD) was destined to provide a valuable input material for FW in vessel-composting by exploiting the produced digestates. To this end, the gathered AD-effluents of three systems (D1, D2, D3) were entirely analyzed to select, as a further step, the most suitable one to be subject of the suggested post-treatment. Hence, several physiochemical parameters were examined as key performance indicators. It mainly consisted of moisture content, pH, C:N ratio and heavy metals contents. The current findings depicted that the generated digestates were characterized by a high moisture content which inspired its utilization as an unconventional moisturizing agent (MA) aiming to reduce the fresh water consumption during the composting process. Thus, two experimental setups were carried out to evaluate the effect of the selected digestate on FW-in-vessel composting process performance, as a non-standard MA inserted to A2, comparing to the unamended one (A1) which was moistened by fresh water. In fact, basing on the above-mentioned criteria, the relatively high C:N ratio (of around 15), as well as the relatively significant rate of the required macro- and micro-nutrients promoted the exploitation of biochar-rich digestate (D3) as not only an efficient unconventional MA, but also as a composting process booster. Furthermore, the results revealed that the addition of D3 improved significantly the composting process performance in terms of steering parameters including the attained temperature, MC and pH. When it comes to the maturity and stability assessment, the decreased profiles of C:N ratio, the nitrification index (NI), as well as the respiration activity (AT4) ascertained the fulfilment of the required conditions for both A1 and A2 to produce stable and mature end-products. However, regarding the compost quality, the examined concentrations of heavy metals met the requirement set by German standards and attested that both A1 and A2 generated highly-qualified products, rated as class B and A, respectively. Furthermore, it is noteworthy to mention that even the AD-effluents which were classified as an “inappropriate substrate” to be inserted to the composters, met the required criteria to be applied directly to land as a highly-qualified liquid biofertilizer. This latter ascertained, additionally, the efficiency and feasibility of the suggested closed cycle for a sustainable FW management.Graphic

Procedures for ranking technical and cost efficient units: With a focus on nonconvexity

This contribution extends the literature on super-efficiency by focusing on ranking cost-efficient observations. To the best of our knowledge, the focus has always been on technical super-efficiency and this focus on ranking cost-efficient observations may well open up a new topic. Furthermore, since the convexity axiom has both an impact on technical and cost efficiency, we pay a particular attention to the effect of nonconvexity on both super-efficiency notions. Apart from a numerical example, we use a secondary data set guaranteeing replication to illustrate these efficiency and super-efficiency concepts. Two empirical conclusions emerge. First, the cost super-efficiency notion ranks differently from the technical super-efficiency concept. Second, both cost and technical super-efficiency notions rank differently under convex and nonconvex technologies.

The Event Ontology of Nature

We propose a new event ontology of the world, which is part of a general approach to philosophy based on combining ideas from science, ontology, and the philosophy of nature. While the position advocated here is grounded in science and philosophy, it attempts to move beyond each of them by devising and exploring a series of technical (naturalized or naturalistic) ontological concepts such as Interconnectedness, the Whole, the Global, Chaos, the event assemblage, and Nonspace. A central theme in our event ontology is the mapping out of a fundamental critique of the theory of the organism and organization, especially when the latter two are viewed as processes in spacetime. In particular, and following earlier leads, we criticize the spacetime doctrine by arguing that it is not ontologically fundamental, where we suggest its replacement by more primordial naturalized ontological concepts of space such as ontospace and Nonspace. The event ontology of nature can be considered a radical alternative attitude toward the relation between the human and nature, an attitude, in fact, that has been repeatedly explored, though under very different headings, by numerous scattered thinkers throughout the history of ideas. We examine some of the past thinkers who contributed to this general but still incoherent body of thought, including Leibniz, Heidegger, Simondon, Ruyer, Deleuze, Whitehead, and Guattari. The goal of this article is to provide a condensed high-level view on this very complex and still evolving subject intended for a large audience, not necessarily only philosophers, but also scientists, mathematicians, technologists, theologians, sociologists, artists, and psychologists.

B!SON – a tool to make OA journal selection easier

Researchers’ task of finding a suitable open access journal for their work is becoming more and more complex: they have to comply with funder's conditions; their institutions hold various agreements with publishers; the number of journals is constantly growing (DOAJ 2018: 11.250 journals, 2021: >16.000 journals); so-called Predatory Publishers cause uncertainty. In order to reduce this complexity, TIB and SLUB Dresden, two major German research libraries, are developing B!SON, a web-based recommender for finding suitable Open Access journals. The tool calculates the similarity between a user's manuscript (title, abstract, references) and already published articles. Based on this similarity measure, B!SON will suggest Open Access journals in which similar articles have appeared. Researchers can use this information as guidance for their decision in which Open Access journal to publish. In addition, librarians can use B!SON for their publication support services and an API will allow the integration into existing library services. The results can be adapted to local conditions (e.g. price caps for institutional funding, Open Access agreements). The tool will use machine-learning techniques combined with a technical implementation of bibliometric algorithms proven in library practice. For this purpose, we will rely on the DOAJ article-level metadata corpus and the OpenCitations Index. We will analyze which article components give most reliable results in textual similarity analysis. Due to the ever-changing corpus of underlying data, the training process will be repeated regularly in the final tool. The information about journals (keywords, license, fees, etc.) will be provided by the DOAJ as well. We have built a community of researchers and librarians that we regularly consult in terms of specifications for the tool as well as – later in the project – acceptance and quality of its results. We plan to provide a beta version of B!SON in spring 2022. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. We present our schedule, facts and figures of the B!SON project and focus particularly on technical concepts of the project.

Research on the Architecture and Application of Smart City Based on Big Data

The construction of Smart City is faced with technical issues and innovative concept challenges such as data island, information fragmentation, large amount of data "sleeping". In this paper, on the basis of macro-demand and industrial practice analysis, the framework of Smart City platform based on Big Data is proposed. The structural design of the platform includes Data Access Layer, Data Management Layer, Data Analysis Layer and Release Management Layer. The application architecture design includes People's Livelihood Service, Citizen Big Data, Urban Operation and Big Data Map. The platform can digitize and analyze a large number of government business activities and provide support for fine governance decisions.

الكسب غير المشروع دوافعه وعلاجه من منظور إسلامي: دراسة فقهية تحليلية

هدف هذا البحث إلى دراسة موضوع الكسب غير المشروع وذلك بتسليط الضوء على مفهوم الكسب من حيث اللغة والاصطلاح وبيان المراد بالكسب غير المشروع والأسباب التي تحمل الناس على ذلك. واستخدم المنهج الاستقرائي وذلك باستقراء أحكام الكسب غير المشروع في المدونات الفقهية، كما استخدم المنهج الوصفي والذي يظهر من خلال شرح النصوص الواردة في الموضوع وكذلك آراء الفقهاء وترجيح الراجح منها. حيث قام الباحث في هذا البحث بذكر أنواع الكسب غير المشروع وموقف الإسلام منها، ومن ثم ذكر الأضرار المترتبة على الكسب غير المشروع والتي تعود على الفرد والمجتمع. وقد توصل إلى عدد من النتائج من أهمها أن الكسب غير المشروع من الأسباب التي أدت إلى غياب البركة في كثير من المجتمعات. واستنادا للنتائج أوصى الباحث بضرورة قيام طلبة العلم والباحثين بإعداد مزيد من البحث والدراسة في مثل هذه الموضوعات المهمة التي تحتاج إلى التوضيح والتفصيل من الناحية الشرعية.

Research progress on the protection and utilization technology of water resources for coal mining in China

Water shortage is a global problem, and China is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world. The reverse distribution of coal resources and water resources has made the protection and utilization of water resources for coal mining in China a major technical problem for the green development of coal. Western China has become the main coal-producing area, but the ecological environment in the region is fragile, the evaporation of water resources is large, and the evaporation loss after mine water discharge is the main reason for the current annual loss of 6 billion tons of mine water in coal mining in China. The technical progress and engineering application characteristics of the protection and utilization of water resources in coal mining are systematically analyzed. After nearly 20 years of technical exploration and engineering practice, Shenhua Group broke through the traditional concept, put forward the technical concept of mine water storage in the goaf for the first time, overcome the technical problems such as water source prediction, reservoir site selection, reservoir capacity calculation, dam construction, safety control and water quality assurance, and built a technical system for underground coal mine reservoirs. This technology has been fully implemented in the Shendong mining area, and will be promoted and applied in other mining areas in the western region, opening up an effective technical way for the protection and utilization of coal mining water resources.