bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wave-based characterizations of soils derived from rock weathering
Authors: Wang Y.H.  , Dong X.
Published: February 2025

This paper reports wave-based characterizations of soils derived from rock weathering. Results from testing two commonly encountered saprolitic soils in Hong Kong and residual soils in Puerto Rico (from previously published data) reveal the features of soil behavior in response to bonding effects, yielding, and the influences of weathering. The features were captured in the α factor and β exponent of the velocity (Vs)-stress(σ′) relationship, Vs=α(σ′/1kPa)β. When bonding effects prevail, including capillary suction and precipitated fines or salts around contacts under unsaturated conditions, a higher α value and a lower β exponent can be measured, i.e., the soil structure is stiffer and less sensitive to changes in the stress state. Saturation destroys those apparent bonds, which in turn weakens the soil skeleton and increases the compressibility. Thus, a lower α factor and a higher β exponent are found. A decreasing and increasing trend can be observed for the α and β coefficients during soil yielding because this process moves towards restructuring the soil skeletons accompanied by higher compressibility. Weathering effects lead to a decreasing trend in α values, suggesting that a looser packing or a more opened structure and softer particles (e.g., more fines contents) are formed in response to higher degrees of weathering. The tendency of weathering in producing greater fines contents and opened/weaker soil skeletons eventually leads to a higher damping ratio, Dmin, in soils.
Comparison of strain localization properties of dense clean sand and well-graded gravel in plane strain compression tests
Authors: Tsutsumi Y.  , Maqbool S.
Published: February 2025

To investigate the effects of confining stress, particle size and uniformity coefficient on local deformation characteristics of granular materials, strain localization properties of a dense clean sand under different confining stresses up to 2400 kPa and those of a compacted well-graded gravel having large particles were compared in drained plane strain compression tests. Newly developed medium-pressure plane strain compression test apparatus and large-scale plane strain compression test apparatus were employed for testing the sand and gravel, respectively, and a fully-automated image analysis technique was introduced to evaluate their local deformation properties including strain localization. Discussions were made by focusing on stress-strain relationships, strain localization properties until peak stress state, clarity and thickness of shear bands observed at the end of the tests, and orientation of shear bands in relation to directions of maximum stress obliquity and zero extension.
The role of particle size in the flow behaviour of saturated granular materials
Authors: Bowman Elisabeth T.  , Sanvitale Nicoletta
Published: February 2025

This paper describes recent experimental research on flowing granular materials using a flume apparatus. The results show that the particle size distribution of the material has a dramatic effect on its mobility (speed and extent of flow) at a given moisture content. A wide range of particle size leads to particle size segregation during motion that is key to retaining mobility during the changing boundary conditions as a flow progresses down slope. The experimental results are discussed in light of the influence of permeability and liquefaction behaviour and of friction, viscosity and energy dissipation between solids and fluids. The results also imply that there are bounds both on the types of materials to be selected and upon the apparatuses used when considering the laboratory testing or physical modelling of such geophysical phenomena.
Load sharing under 1-g model rigid piled rafts
Authors: Türkmen H.K.  , Ergun M.U.
Published: February 2025

In this study load bearing and sharing behavior of piled raft foundations are investigated by performing laboratory model tests. Model aluminum piles with outer\inner diameters of 22\18 mm and a length of 200 mm were used. The raft was made of steel plate with plan dimensions of 176 mm x 176 mm and a thickness of 10 mm. The model piles were instrumented with strain gages to monitor pile loads in a tank 410 mm in diameter. Model piled raft configurations with 2,4,7,9 piles were tested. The behavior of a single pile and the plain raft were also investigated. Tests were repeated in each group. It is observed that when a piled raft is loaded gradually piles take more load initially. Load is transferred from piles to the raft with the increasing settlements. The proportion of load that is carried by the raft decreases with the increasing number of piles, and the load per pile is decreased. The decrease is more at smaller settlements and has a limiting value for increased number of piles. Piles under the raft may carry more loads compared to single piles due to load transfer and confinement. Center, edge and corner piles are not loaded equally under rafts. It is found that rafts share foundation loads at such levels that should not be ignored.
Shaking table tests on seismic earth pressure under large earthquake loads
Authors: Watanabe K.  , Tateyama M.
Published: February 2025

In order to establish practical design procedure of retaining structure, it is important to evaluate seismic active earth pressure rationally under large earthquake loads. In the current earthquake design procedure, the Mononobe-Okabe theory is often employed to evaluate the seismic active earth pressure. Since this theory is simply derived from method of seismic coefficient, it often derives unrealistic large seismic earth pressure particularly under large seismic load. This often causes practical problems for evaluating seismic stability of retaining structure. To the best knowledge of authors, seismic earth pressure under large earthquake load has not been evaluated sufficiently in the literature. In this study, therefore, a series of shaking table tests were performed, and seismic earth pressure measured on the backface of retaining wall models was compared with M-O theory.
Rigid plastic analysis for bearing capacity of strip footings subjected to combined loads
Authors: Kobayashi S.  , Izawa R.
Published: February 2025

Bearing capacity characteristics of a strip footing subjected to combined loads are investigated in this paper. In the framework of rigid plastic analysis, interactions along the interface of a footing and a soil, such as contact/separation and slippage, are adequately implemented in a formulation of a hybrid type rigid plastic finite element method as inequality constraint conditions. According to the numerical results, the importance of the interfacial friction is highlighted for the horizontal resistance. The influence of self weight of a soil mass on a shape of a bearing capacity locus is also highlighted.
D specimen and digital test for granular materials
Authors: Fu Y.  , Wang L.  , Tümay M.T.  , Kuang X.
Published: February 2025

Digital method is a powerful tool to investigate the micro behavior of granular materials without damage to the actual aggregate skeleton. The micro quantities such as particle mass centers, particle orientations, particle volumes, particle movements and particle rotations observed in regular laboratory tests were quantified by using imaging techniques provided in this study. 3D digital specimens can be generated and visualized in numerical simulations by incorporating digital data from image analysis, which represents the real microstructure of materials.
Modeling strain accumulation under dynamic impacts: theory and practice
Authors: Karg C.  , Haegeman W.
Published: February 2025

This paper describes the phenomenon of strain accumulation and different influencing parameters. Three groups of parameters are to be considered: parameters related to the current state of the soil, the current state of stress, and the characteristics of the load cycle applied. In particular, general approach and governing equations of an accumulation model, recently developed at the KHBO in close cooperation with the K.U. Leuven, are introduced. For validation of the model and determination of model parameters combined cyclic triaxial and bender element tests are carried out. The presented model is implemented in a three-dimensional finite element framework. Practical relevance of the topic is emphasized by a numerical example.
Behavior of plate tests bearing on fiber-reinforced sand
Authors: Casagrande Michéle Dal Toé  , Consoli Nilo Cesar  , Thomé Antonio
Published: February 2025

Field tests are uncommon in fiber-reinforced soil researches. The polypropylene fibers mixture on a compacted residual sandy soil can increase the bearing capacity response to be used as a base of shallow foundations, when compared with non-reinforced soil. Past research has demonstrated that inclusion of fibers significantly improves the engineering response of soils. A number of factors such as fiber content, orientation of fibers with respect to the shear surface, and the elastic modulus of the fiber were each found to influence the contribution of fibers to the shear strength. The present work is aimed at a fundamental understanding of the 90% relative density on the behavior of a plate bearing test on a compacted sandy soil-polypropylene fiber stratum, when compared to a non-reinforced layer, including an investigation of the performance at large displacements and the determination of the vertical displacement level where the reinforcement will present influence in strength and deformability characteristics for the new material. The fiber inclusion occasion a drastic change in load-settlement behavior, conferring for the new material an increasing in strength and stiffness characteristics, when compared with non-reinforced sand. The fiber inclusion change the failure mechanisms observed for non-reinforced sand. The lateral expansion is contained by the fibers, increasing the horizontal loadings and the fiber-reinforced sand bearing capacity. This improvement of soil behavior due to fiber introduction suggests the potential application of fiber-reinforcement for landfill final covers, embankments over soft soils and other earthworks that may suffer excessive deformation.
Use of geosynthetics for the elevation of a mining dam construction in Brazil
Authors: Pimentel V.E.  , Benjamim C.V.S.  , Franco D.  , Franca P.
Published: February 2025

This paper describes aspects related to the elevation process of a mining dam, named Capão da Serra, located in the city of Nova Lima/MG in Brazil. The main objective of Capão da Serra Dam is the mining sediments retention and effluent clarification from the exploration of Tamanduá Mine. The project was developed for the third and last phase of the dam elevation, with an height increase equal to 8.0 m. Since the beginning of its operation, the hydraulic system of the dam was composed by a tulip-shape spillway, complemented by a security earth spillway located on one of the sides of the dam. However, long-term efficiency of the hydraulic system was not clear, due to uncertainties regarding the expected hydraulic head at the final elevation of the dam. Since this was the last phase of the dam elevation, aspects concerning the run-off system were also taken into account with the objective of defining the most efficient, secure and long-last hydraulic system for that specific site conditions. The new spillway, placed directly over the dam earth mass, was designed to support a runoff flow equivalent to a 10,000 year return period rainfall and a high velocity free-surface flow. Geosynthetics were applied to develop primary and secondary functions concerning erosion control, soil reinforcement, drainage and filtration. Several innovations were proposed and applied during this work, concerning geosynthetics installation plan. The geometric project had to be well established to avoid perturbations on the hydraulic flow at the interface between reservoir and spillway. The geosynthetics characteristics attended all needs of this project, including durability, flexibility, easy handling and compatibility to conventional construction materials.
A methodology to design bedrock input motion using noise measurements
Authors: Condarelli D.  , Grasso S.  , Maugeri M.  , Langer H.  , Pitilakis K.  , Manakou M.
Published: February 2025

Ambient noise measurements may be used under certain conditions to estimate characteristics of seismic response in a given site, namely the fundamental frequency and amplification at resonance. Both parameters depend on the geological structure and the dynamic properties of soils in the study area. The method known as Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio technique, HVSR (Langston, 1979; Nakamura, 1989), provides a reliable estimate of the resonant frequency in most soil sites (Borcherdt, 1970), but the associated amplification is usually underestimated (Field & Jacob, 1995; Malagnini et al., 1996; Bard, 1997; Bard et al., 1997; Riepl et al., 1998). The aim of the present study is to elaborate a method for estimating design acceleration time histories in bedrock, combining theoretical and experimental site response estimates on the basis of 1D site response and microtremor measurements. The idea consists of selecting an accelerogram at bedrock and to modify it appropriately, using an heuristic transfer function, determined from ambient noise measurements at the same site. The modified accelerogram is then used to evaluate the seismic response of the investigated site using conventional 1D linear or equivalent linear method. With this procedure it is possible to estimate relatively accurate design ground motion time histories. The methodology is applied at three sites down-town Catania (Italy), and in one site in Euroseistest (http://euroseis.civil.auth.gr) where microtremor data and seismic events are available and geotechnical characterization of their soils are well known.
The use of slot filter in piezocone tests for site characterization of tropical soils
Authors: Mondelli G.  , De Mio G.  , Giacheti H.L.  , Howie J.A.
Published: February 2025

The use of piezocone tests with a slot filter filled with automotive grease for site characterization of tropical soils is assessed. Laboratory tests using the slot filter filled with automotive grease as well as the conventional porous piezo-element saturated with glycerin were carried out to evaluate the pore pressure (u2) transducer response. CPTu tests using piezo-elements saturated with glycerin and the slot filter filled with grease were pushed side by side in different research sites in Brazil. Estimates of mechanical and hydraulic soil parameters were made based on pore pressure dissipation curves from using both techniques. Laboratory test results indicate that the pore pressure response using the slot filter with grease was delayed when compared to the piezo-element saturated with glycerin, since grease has a higher viscosity. For tropical soils, the records of u2in piezocone tests using slot filter with grease presented larger peaks than with porous element saturated with glycerin. Records of u2using the slot filter above the groundwater table suggest the increase of the degree of saturation in unsaturated zone, where porous filter can be desaturated by suction. The slot filter can be used to help the interpretation of the soil profile with deep groundwater level as well as to help detecting its position for some studied soils. The results shown high repeatability for all study sites. This technique is much easier to handle, especially for tropical soils, where the groundwater table is usually deep and pre-drilling is expensive and time consuming.
Modular Ontologies for Architectural Design
Authors: Hois Joana  , Bhatt Mehul  , Kutz Oliver
Published: February 2025

Designs of architectural environments have to take into account various sources of heterogeneous information. Not only quantitative spatial constraints and qualitative relations but also functionally-dependent and abstract conceptualizations are relevant aspects for an architectural design. We aim at a modular ontological approach based on the theory of E-connections to formally present and bring together these different perspectives on the domain. Modularity here allows a flexible integration of the various sources while keeping their thematically different aspects apart. We show how modular ontologies reflect the domain for architectural design and how they can be applied.
Facial Expression Invariants for Estimating Mental States of Person
Authors: Hakura Jun  , Fujita Hamido  , Kurematsu Masaki
Published: February 2025

This paper introduces a concept of invariant to estimate the mental states of a person who is interacting with the artifact that has a cloned mentality of the particular person. The invariant in the paper is movements of the facial features that are always observed in the developmental process of the facial expressions expressing the identical mental states. The invariant acquired as the result of cloning the way to judge the mental state of the others by the target of cloning. The interpretation of the facial expression in the paper is done in a subjective manner. An extraction method of the invariants and the mental state estimation with the invariants are described in detail. A brief preliminary experiment shows that the proposed method has a possibility to clone the way by the target person to estimate the mental state from the facial expressions with the invariants.
A Study of How to Implement a Listener Estimate Emotion in Speech
Authors: Kurematsu Masaki  , Ohashi Marina  , Kinosita Orimi  , Hakura Jun  , Fujita Hamido
Published: February 2025

To implement listener estimate emotion in speech, we propose an approach based on estimation emotion in speaker's speech. First, we use training data consist of speech data and emotion estimated by a listener. We collect human speech data and synthesize speech using speech synthesize technique. Next, we get syllabic features from training data using speech synthesize. We can divide speech into phonemes using speech synthesize. After getting phonemes, we make syllables based on phonemes. We get the fundamental frequency, power and time of each phoneme and calculate the statistics values and the inclination of the regression of them. Next, we make classifiers from these values. Finally, we estimate emotion using them. To evaluate our approach, we did the experiment. The experimental result does not say our approach is strong to do our goal. It shows some points we should modify to enhance our approach. Future works of our research are as follows. We collect training data using speech synthesize. We reconsider speech features for estimation of emotion and make classifiers using them. In addition, we divide emotion into s detail by features before making classifiers. And we evaluate the new approach. We will also modify our approaches to use in real-time.
The Paradox of the Mitigant Trajectories: Consequences on Interpretation of Dynamical Patterns
Authors: Rodríguez-Silva Gustavo  , Gibert Karina
Published: February 2025

Often, dynamic patterns are constructed from the concatenation of the patterns identified on each state of the process. In this work it is shown that the interpretation of dynamic patterns can not be constructed as a simple concatenation of the concepts associated to the components of the dynamic process. This phenomenon is defined as a Paradox of the Mitigant Trajectories (PTM). A method to identify PTM's is proposed as well as a method to correct them. Also, the proposal is applied to a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The correct interpretation of dynamic patterns is crucial as inducted knowledge to be considered for an input to Intelligent Environmental Decision Support Systems (IEDSS).
Seeking Acronym Definitions: a Web-based Approach
Authors: Sánchez David  , Isern David
Published: February 2025

Acronyms are widely used in many domains to abbreviate and stress important concepts. Due to its dynamicity and unbounded nature, manual attempts to compose a global scale repository of acronym-definition pairs result in an overwhelming amount of work and limited amount of results. Attending these shortcomings, the paper presents an automatic and non-supervised methodology to generate acronyms and extract their possible definitions from the Web. The method has been designed in order to minimize the set of constraints, offering a domain and -partially- language independent solution. The obtained results have been manually evaluated against the largest manually built acronym repository (Acronym Finder). The results obtained after this comparison show that the proposed automatic web-based approach is able to improve the coverage of manual attempts offering a high precision.
Patch Growing: Object segmentation using spatial coherence of local patches
Authors: Masias Marc  , Torrent Albert  , Lladó Xavier  , Freixenet Jordi
Published: February 2025

Object segmentation is a challenging and important problem in computer vision. The difficulties to obtain accurate segmentations using only the traditional Top-down or Bottom-up approaches have introduced new proposals based on the idea of combining them in order to obtain better results. In this paper we present a novel approach for object segmentation based on the following two steps: 1) oversegment the image in homogeneous regions using a Region Growing algorithm (Bottom-up), and 2) use prior knowledge about the object appearence (local patches and spatial coherence) from annotated images to validate and merge the regions that belong to the object (Top-down). Our experiments using different object classes from the well-known TUD and the Weizmann databases show that we are able to obtain good object segmentations from a generalistic segmentation method.
“Pink Seal” a certification for Firms' Gender Equity
Authors: Addabbo Tindara  , Facchinetti Gisella  , Mastroleo Giovanni  , Lang Tiziana
Published: February 2025

In this paper we present the results of a research project promoted by Italian Ministry of Labour devoted to assign a formal certify to Italian private firms who respect Equal Opportunities (EO) between man and woman. The research project has been implemented in the framework of the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All and has been co-financed by the European Commission. Italian Ministry made a public call, to choose a sample of private firms. The sample was formed by: 14 joint-stock companies, 2 Ltds, 3 cooperatives Ltd, 10 social cooperatives and 5 others form of enterprise. The group of researchers involved is makes by sociologists, mathematicians and economists. The project started in June 2007 when the experts set up the self-assessment questionnaire. The test was carried out from November 2007 until February 2008. The selected firms filled in the self-assessment questionnaires and the sociologists conducted in-depth interviews to the relevant union representatives. A Fuzzy Expert System (FES) is used. The scope for using FES is connected not only to the multidimensional nature of EO and to the need of providing a synthetic indicator of firm's EO without losing the its complexity, but even with the composite group of experts involved. The presence of sociologists, economists trade unions members, not used to a mathematics language, carried us to propose an instrument more user friendly like a FES.
Argument Diagramming and Diagnostic Reliability
Authors: Lynch Collin  , Ashley Kevin D.  , Pinkwart Niels  , Aleven Vincent
Published: February 2025

Diagrammatic models of argument are increasingly prominent in AI and Law. Unlike everyday language these models formalize many of the the components and relationships present in arguments and permit a more formal analysis of an arguments' structural weaknesses. Formalization, however, can raise problems of agreement. In order for argument diagramming to be widely accepted as a communications tool, individual authors and readers must be able to agree on the quality and meaning of a diagram as well as the role that key components play. This is especially problematic when arguers seek to map their diagrams to or from more conventional prose. In this paper we present results from a grader agreement study that we have conducted using LARGO diagrams. We then describe a detailed example of disagreement and highlight its implications for both our diagram model and modeling argument diagrams in general.
Ontology Engineering Relationally
Authors: Pokorný Jaroslav  , Pribolová Jana  , Vojtáš Peter
Published: February 2025

The retrieval problem is one of the main reasoning problems for ontology based systems. The retrieval problem for concept C consists in finding all individuals a which satisfy C(a). We present ontology transformation which can help to improve evaluating queries over (sublanguage of) OWL ontologies. Our solution is based on translating retrieval concepts into relational algebra expressions and consequently to SQL queries over a database constructed from the original ontology. Ontology transformation into database is ontology-dependent but fully automatic and it is provided by system TORQue.
Shear Mechanisms at Geotextile-Geomembrane Interfaces
Authors: Kim D.  , Frost J.D.
Published: February 2025

An investigation of shear mechanisms at interfaces between needle punched nonwoven geotextiles and HDPE geomembranes revealed that strain within the geotextile significantly reduces the interface resistance against both smooth and textured geomembrane surfaces. A combination of sliding and plowing mechanisms was found to yield the peak interface response of geotextiles sheared against smooth geomembrane surfaces. The primary contributing factors to shear evolution for unconstrained and constrained geotextiles sheared against moderately textured geomembranes are the confined tensile behavior of the geotextiles and the strength of the geomembrane texture elements, respectively. The shear-induced micromechanical interaction of the filament-texture system was observed using digital image analysis techniques and the resulting change in void structure was quantified in terms of local void ratio distribution and largest inscribing void size distribution.
Influence of bentonite slurry on interface friction
Authors: McGillivray C.B.  , Frost J.D.
Published: February 2025

Bentonite slurry is used to lubricate the pipe-soil interface to reduce frictional resistance during pipe jacking. Many types of bentonite slurry exist, most of which are specifically engineered to optimize performance in tunneling. The characteristics of commonly used bentonite slurry were evaluated in the laboratory and results indicate large differences in the viscosity between various products due to the additives. Interface shear tests were performed to determine the magnitude of friction reduction in sand/slurry mixtures. The presence of slurry has been shown to lubricate the interface and reduce the residual friction depending on the surface roughness of the pipe.
Mapping with WorldView-1 Imagery
Authors: Jacobsen K.  , Buyuksalih G.
Published: February 2025

With the new very high resolution optical satellites WorldView-1 and GeoEye-1 images with 0.5m ground sampling distance (GSD) are available. By the rule of thumb of required 0.1mm GSD in the presentation scale of a topographic data base, it should be possible to generate topographic maps up to the scale 1:5000 with such satellite imagery. The orientation of WorldView-1 images is possible with sub-pixel accuracy – totally satisfying for topographic data acquisition. More difficult as before is the required accuracy of digital elevation models for the generation of ortho images if the data acquisition shall be done by on-screen digitizing of ortho images.
A Review of Multispectral Vegetation Indices for Biomass Estimation
Authors: Kalaitzidis C.  , Heinzel V.  , Zianis D.
Published: February 2025

The use of vegetation indices is a fast and efficient method for vegetation monitoring by the use of remote sensing data. Throughout the years, a large number of multispectral vegetation indices have been formulated, each having variable degrees of efficiency in estimating one or more vegetation parameters such as, health status, nutrient or water deficiency, crop yield, vegetation cover fraction, leaf area index, absorbed photosynthetically active radiation, net primary production and above-ground biomass. Additionally some of them also consider atmospheric effects and/ or the soil background for an enhanced retrieval. With the production of biofuels appearing as a partial alleviation of global energy problem, accurate methods of estimating potential available biomass could prove invaluable for the energy budgeting at a national or international level. The paper is looking back in the past at the vegetation indices that have been used for the estimation of biomass, either directly though empirical relationships or through the estimation of other vegetation parameters such as the Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (APAR). This review was performed within the framework of the FP7 funded “Classification of European Biomass potential for Bioenergy using terrestrial and earth observations” (CEUBIOM) project.
Post-Fire Evaluation Using SPOT 4 Satellite Images
Authors: Sunar Filiz  , Esemen Kerem  , Özkan Coşkun
Published: February 2025

Hazard monitoring and evaluation have been a significant issue of remote sensing applications. Forest fires as being the most frequent hazard, are effectively evaluated in terms of damage assessment and regeneration monitoring, by means of remote sensing technology involving mid / high resolution satellites with visible and NIR sensors. The major objective of this paper is to analyze and authenticate the burned area due to the forest fire on dates between July 31 & August 5, 2008 at Manavgat and Serik districts of Antalya, Turkey; using SPOT 4 satellite images and feature extraction techniques of remote sensing. Geometric correction and normalized difference vegetation index transformation were applied to the image data sets and supervised / unsupervised classification techniques were used in order to extract the burned and partially damaged forest areas. Post-classification accuracies were evaluated using a confusion matrix including errors of omission and commission, user's and producer's accuracy percentages. The results are compared with local forest management data and analyzed within a geographical information system.
Evaluation of influence of image segmentation parameters and other selected effects on thematic accuracy of object oriented VHRS image analysis
Authors: Chmiel Jerzy  , Fijalkowska Anna
Published: February 2025

Comparing to traditional pixel based methods of land cover identification, the object based approach allows to increase the set of discriminant features, including elements related to texture, size, shape, widely understood spatial and geographical context. This extent has important influence on digital classification efficiency and final accuracy. The thematic and positional accuracy of extracted and identified objects strongly depends on segmentation stage, which is very crucial one for further steps.
Nonparametric predictive system reliability with all subsystems consisting of one type of component
Authors: Coolen Frank P.A.  , Aboalkhair Ahmad M.  , MacPhee Iain M.
Published: February 2025

Recently we have presented nonparametric predictive inference (NPI) for system reliability [1, 2], with specific attention to redundancy allocation. Series systems were considered in which each subsystem i is a ki-out-of-misystem. The different subsystems were assumed to consist of different types of components, each type having undergone prior success-failure testing. This work uses NPI for Bernoulli variables [3], which enables prediction for m future variables based on n observations, without the need of a prior distribution. In this paper, we present a generalization of these results by considering multiple subsystems which all consist of one type of component, which provides an important step to wider applicability of this approach.
A Categorization of KR&R Methods for Requirement Analysis of a Query Answering Knowledge Base
Authors: Chaudhri Vinay K.  , Bredeweg Bert  , Fikes Richard  , McIlraith Sheila  , Wellman Michael P.
Published: February 2025

Our long-term goal is to build a query answering system that can answer questions on a wide variety of topics and explain the answers. In such a situation, a designer faces the challenge of how to specify the KR&R requirements that are needed to answer questions. In this paper, we introduce a categorization of KR&R methods, and apply it to specifying the requirements for answering questions in six different domains: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Microeconomics, and U.S. Government & Politics. Drawing from the corpus of about 500 questions that we analyzed, we consider an example question in each domain and show the analytical process that we used to derive the requirements in terms of the KR&R categorization. We analyze the effectiveness of the current KR&R categorization, and identify directions for future work suggesting how this categorization can be further evolved by community participation.
Self-Improving Personal Smart Spaces for Pervasive Service Provision
Authors: Roussaki Ioanna G.  , Kalatzis Nikos K.  , Doolin Kevin J.  , Taylor Nick K.  , Spadotto Guido P.  , Liampotis Nicolas D.  , Williams M. Howard
Published: February 2025

Current research in pervasive computing, as well as in the fields of mobile telecommunications and device manufacture are opening the way for convergence between mobile telecommunications and the traditional Internet towards the Future Internet. The ubiquitous computing paradigm integrates information processing into the objects that surround us in our environment and permits both global control of these objects and global access to the information they can provide. One aspect of this is the notion of smart spaces where the integration of communication and computational devices is being used to create intelligent homes, offices and public areas, which provide intelligent support for the user. The Persist project (PERsonal Self-Improving SmarT spaces) is investigating a novel approach to this convergence through the introduction of the concept of self-improving Personal Smart Spaces.
Towards a Content-Centric Internet
Authors: Zahariadis Theodore  , Daras Petros  , Bouwen Jan  , Niebert Norbert  , Griffin David  , Alvarez Federico  , Camarillo Gonzalo
Published: February 2025

In most cases, current Internet architecture treats content and services simply as bits of data transported between end-systems. While this relatively simple model of operation had clear benefits when users interacted with well-known servers, the recent evolution of the way the Internet is used makes it necessary to create a new model of interaction between entities representing content. In this paper we study the limitations of current Internet and propose a new model, where the smallest addressable unit is a content object, regardless of its location.
Efficient Streaming in Future Internet
Authors: Zahariadis Theodore  , Katsigiannis Christos  , Jari Ahola  , Fracchia Roberta  , Vehkapera Janne  , Alvarez Federico  , Filoche Thierry  , Koumaras Harilaos
Published: February 2025

The Future Internet is not envisaged to be simply a faster way to go online. What is expected to fundamentally change the way that people use the Internet is the ability to produce, and seamlessly deliver and share their own multimedia content. In this paper, we introduce and analyse innovative architecture components to offer media scalable content delivery, increasing the robustness, enriching the PQoS and protecting the content from unauthorized access over heterogeneous physical architecture and P2P logical overlay network topologies. Technology pillars in which the system is based are described: i.e. Multi-layered/Multi-viewed content coding, Multi-source/multi-network streaming & adaptation, content protection and lightweight asset management.
A model to forecast non-routine work for the wide body base maintenance at KLM E&M
Authors: Flores John Paul N.  , Ghobbar Adel A.
Published: February 2025

In this paper we investigate how the KLM E&M WBBM Unit can improve the accuracy of non-routine tasks man-hours forecasts for the Wide-Body C-checks, per specific check visit and maintenance organization. Following a contingent approach, a database was set-up and three econometric forecasting methods are compared with the judgmental method currently used by the unit: linear regression analysis, artificial neural network and nearest neighbour analysis. Higher accuracy was obtained from the econometric methods when cross-validated, which proves that it is indeed possible to have a model to forecast non-routine maintenance work more accurately than judgmental methods.
A Predictive Model to Evaluate and Improve Punctuality of Fleet of Wide-body Aircraft Maintenance and Reliability
Authors: Alves Vera A.  , Ghobbar Adel A.
Published: February 2025

This research was carried. With the aim of analyzing Martinair impact on the network performance and providing an efficient tool to predict delays and the On-Time Performance (OTP). The methodology undertaken in this research is based on conventional analytical methods to identify the ‘real’ delay root causes and their relative importance. The growth of delays and unplanned ground times are analysed in different ways, not only using rates and duration but also per month, per quarter, per year, per station and per Maintenance Delay Categorization Groups (MDCG). Fishbone diagrams are drawn to completely identify and understand the root causes. Statistical analysis (Binomial Logistic Regression and GLM-ANOVA) is applied to investigate the significance of the maintenance factors and their interactions and to build a regression equation which allows the development of the predictive model. The predictive model gives valid OTP results and enables managers and engineers to take preventive measures in order to enhance punctuality.
Contributions of Advanced Taxi Time Calculation to Airport Operations Efficiency
Authors: Günther Thomas  , Hildebrandt Matthias  , Fricke Hartmut  , Strasser Moritz
Published: February 2025

The current paper stresses the high priority of accurate taxi time calculation and suitable pre-departure management strategies in the context of Airport Collaborative Decision Making (Airport CDM) and contributes to an improved overall understanding of the associated requirements. Based on data analysis performed at Frankfurt Airport this paper compares results of static and advanced taxi time calculation. Contrarily to static calculations, where look-up tables for stand-runway-relations are used, advanced taxi time calculation takes into account the current traffic situation and calculates taxi times dynamically. The paper shows that the taxi time uncertainties when using static data lead to only 42% of flights within the accuracy of +/- 2 minutes according to the requirements of the Airport CDM Implementation Manual for short term predictions (maximum 30 minutes before off-block). The application of advanced taxi time calculation leads to significant improvements with 66% of flights within the accuracy of +/- 2 minutes at the moment when the aircraft leaves the stand. Hence, app. 50% more predictions are compliant with the Airport CDM requirements compared to static data. Based on these results, the paper assesses the effects of improved taxi time predictability onto airport operation efficiency with particular focus set to taxi time reductions due to minimized queuing at the departure runway. It is shown that advanced taxi time calculation contributes to a reduction of delays, fuel burn, CO2emissions and costs for airspace users compared to the use of static look-up tables. However, it is also emphasized that the shifting of delays from the runway holding positions to the stand does not necessarily contribute to efficiency improvements. It is recommended that the pre-departure sequencing strategy must be chosen cautiously in dependence on the fuel and time costs for airlines as well the amount of departure delay that has to be absorbed.
A Participatory Case Study of Business Intelligence Systems Development
Authors: Gibson Marcus  , Arnott David
Published: February 2025

This paper presents an exploratory case study of a large-scale business intelligence systems development project. Using participant observation as the data collection approach, the case is discussed and a number of emerging issues are identified. There are very few examples in the literature of participatory case research into BI systems development. The authors argue that this approach helps to promote a rich, contextual understanding of data, and it should be more widely adopted in applied disciplines such as BI.
The Shadow of ECM: The Hidden Side of Decision Processes
Authors: Zardini Alessandro  , Mola Lapo  , vom Brocke Jan  , Rossignoli Cecilia
Published: February 2025

This article provides an analysis of the correlation between a competitive advantage derived from improved decision-making processes and knowledge management through enterprise content management (ECM) platforms. Therefore, it expands literature on knowledge management and explicates the relationships among knowledge management systems, ECM systems, and decision-making processes. In other words our research question is: are the ECM systems able to create value for organizations? If Yes, how? In the studied case, we have seen that decision makers achieve their best performance through improved quantity and quality of input to the decisional process, as well as better formalization of knowledge included through all phases of the process thank to the adoption of ECM systems.
On Institutional Rationality and Decision Making in Adopting Green ICT Strategies
Authors: Butler Tom  , Flynn Anthony  , McGarry James
Published: February 2025

The growing emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) is identified by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as an issue of grave concern. Accordingly, the EU has set ambitious targets for reductions in GHG emissions. The years to 2020 will see increasing regulative, normative and socio-cultural pressures on all organisations to adopt Green Strategies that leverage the direct and enabling effects of Green ICT to reduce, monitor and report on GHG emissions. Hence, the contexts in which decisions are made in organisations must begin to take into account the triple bottom line of economic sustainability, social sustainability and environmental sustainability. This paper argues that while bounded rationality adequately informs decision making around, for example, competitive strategies aimed at profit maximization, accounting for social and environmental concerns requires a different approach. We maintain that in the coming decade broader perspectives on decision support need to adopted, ones that are informed by an institutional rationality which encompasses social, environmental and financial dimensions.
Finite Element Analysis of Friction Stir Welding Affected by Heat Conduction through the Welding Jig
Authors: Sato Tetsuro  , Suda Toshiyuki
Published: February 2025

The thermal aspect of the jig for friction stir welding (FSW) in a commercial application with a self-reaction pin tool (SRPT) is described. The influence of the heat conduction through the jig is examined by the finite element simulation and the welding experiment. In a particular case, the increase of the heat conduction can increase the risk of weld imperfection. Adopting the preferable spacing of the jig determined by the numerical simulation prevents the imperfection and achieves stable welding.
Distortional elastic Buckling for Aluminium: Available Prediction Models versus Design Specifications
Authors: Kutanova N.  , Peköz T.  , Soetens F.
Published: February 2025

In order to accurately describe the stability behavior of thin-walled aluminium C-sections, a new prediction model for distortional buckling behavior has been developed (Kutanova model [1]). The model is based on advanced non-linear finite element analyses that include the interaction of cross-sectional plate elements and was validated by experiments on C-sections. Results of calculations of distortional bucking resistance of C-sections according to the current design rules as well as the adapted Direct Strength Method [2] and the Kutanova model are presented.
Mechanical Properties of AA6082 welded Joints with Nd-YAG Laser
Authors: Sasabe Seiji  , Matsumoto Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2025

Weldability of AA6082 with Nd-YAG laser was investigated to explain the advantages over the conventional MIG process. It is concluded that rapid cooling rate in HAZ contributes to increasing joint strength and improvement durability against liquation cracking in HAZ during Nd-YAG laser welding. This is why rapid cooling rate is enough to prevent crossing the C-curve for precipitation of β′ and small volume of weld metal is enough to reduce shrinkage strain during solidification.
Will today's Aluminium Recycling Industry be the primary Industry of Tomorrow?
Authors: Bijlhouwer Frans
Published: February 2025

Can there be an end to the continuously growing primary aluminium industry and can the recycling industry catch up or even replace it? It all depends on the global demand for aluminium products in let's say 40 years from now and what will happen with the almost endless stream of aluminium products to the end of its life cycle.
Innovative Issues of the New European Codification on Aluminium Shell Buckling
Authors: Mazzolani F.M.  , Höglund T.  , Mandara A.
Published: February 2025

The new Part 1-5 of Eurocode 9 is the very first issue specifically devoted to shell structures made of aluminium alloys in the field of European codification. Because of this, it fills up an important gap and marks a significant advance in the codification on shells for both civil and in dustrial applications. This paper summarises the buckling issues of the new code while critically pointing out, at the same time, the relation ship with the corresponding rules given in Eurocode 3 for steel shells.
Mechanical Characterization of Aluminium Assemblies brazed with Gallium
Authors: Ferchaud E.  , Christien F.  , Paillard P.  , Mourton H.  , Azaïs P.  , Rossignol C.
Published: February 2025

This study reveals the advantage of using gallium as a solder for brazing aluminium, since the process enables to braze at ambient air without flux. Indeed gallium descales the alumina layer and acts as a barrier against further reoxidation. Nevertheless, two main operations are necessary to perform this brazing process efficiently:
Instruction Cache Prediction Using Bayesian Networks
Authors: Bartlett Mark  , Bate Iain  , Cussens James
Published: February 2025

Storing instructions in caches has led to dramatic increases in the speed at which programs can execute. However, this has also made it harder to reason about the time needed for execution in those domains where temporal behaviour of code is important. This paper presents a novel approach to predicting which instructions will be found in the cache when required using machine learning. More specifically, we demonstrate a method in which a Bayesian network is inferred from examples of a program running and is then used to predict the presence of instructions in the cache when the same program is run with unknown inputs.