bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multi-Agent System for Games Trading on B2B Market Based on Users' Skills and Preferences
Authors: Skocir Pavle  , Jezic Gordan
Published: February 2025

Since the amount of content offered to users by service providers is rapidly rising every day, it is not an easy task for users to find content which would fit their interest. To deal with that problem, personalization services are being developed which monitor users' content consumption in order to try to offer content which is believed to correspond to preferences of a certain user. Alongside the problem that it is difficult for users to find the appropriate content, it is also difficult for service providers to procure and offer content for which users could be interested in. In this paper we focus on one content type - games for mobile phones and propose a model which enables analyzing data collected while users are playing a game. By using the results of the analysis, our model enables recommending new games to users, and also, what is the focus of this paper, acquiring new games which would fit users' skills and preferences. By purchasing distribution rights for new games which are believed to be appropriate for users, service provider can be more certain that the offered games would be widely adopted.
Relationships Among the Concepts of Reduct in Incomplete Decision Tables
Authors: Giang Nguyen Long  , Dinh Vu Van
Published: February 2025

With regard to attribute reduction research directions in tolerance rough set, this paper studies the relationships among concepts of reduct of incomplete decision tables. These results allows us to investigate the natural of concepts of reduct and also give us the theoretical basis for evaluation of attribute reduction methods in order to find new methods more effectively.
Complex Principal Component Analysis of Dynamic Correlations in Financial Markets
Authors: Arai Yuta  , Yoshikawa Takeo  , Iyetomi Hiroshi
Published: February 2025

Integration of principal component analysis (PCA) with random matrix theory (RMT) has been successful in analyzing cross correlations between stock price movements in financial markets. RMT is used as a null hypothesis to distinguish between genuine cross correlations and noises. In this paper, we develop a RMT-aided complex PCA method based on the Hilbert transformation of time series. The complex data thus generated carry dynamic information in a form of instantaneous phase; the conventional PCA is entirely dependent on simultaneous correlations in time. Accordingly RMT is generalized to be adaptable to complex PCA. The data set analyzed here is daily returns in Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) spanning from 1996 to 2006. Diagonalization of the complex correlation matrix enables us to find that a small number of the eigenvalues certainly deviate from the RMT prediction. The largest eigenvalue represents a market mode in which all of the stock prices move in a collective way. The eigenvectors of the other remaining large eigenvalues clearly show formation of stock groups as characterized by business sectors and also indicates existence of dynamical correlations between some sectors.
Hybrid Approach for Control Loop Performance Assessment
Authors: Palma L. Brito  , Moreira J. Francisco  , Gil P. Sousa  , Coito F. Vieira
Published: February 2025

An online hybrid (combined) approach for control loop performance assessment mainly based on normalized Harris-CLPA index, on linear principal component analysis (PCA) and on neural network predictor, is the main contribution proposed in the paper. The proposed approach permits the detection and isolation of intermittent faults, transients in control loops and PI(D) controller detuning, for single-input single-output systems. Experimental results obtained with the nonlinear three-tank system (DTS-200 benchmark) using a PI(D) controller are presented, in order to evaluate the overall system performance.
Modeling the forecasting process in supply chain management and advanced planning system
Authors: Li Sijie
Published: February 2025

Whereas much of the modeling literature in supply chain planning addresses the analysis of decision models and presents solution techniques and much of the empirical literature on planning systems such as ERP and APS software addresses implementation challenges from an organizational perspective. In this paper, we provide a forecasting process to balance and collaborate the forecast and customer demand for the production system to produce purchase orders and production orders. The proposed forecast process is consist of the weekly forecast netting and the daily forecast consumption, which is flexible to handle the new sales orders that come into the production system, and operates with multiple forecasts as the inputs and the forecasts can be netted across by different types of sales orders. The proposed forecasting process can be utilized in cases when the sales order is done at the model level and the forecast is done at the component level for the MTO, MTS and CTO products.
Online Privacy – Towards Informational Self-Determination on the Internet
Authors: Fischer-Hübner Simone  , Hoofnagle Chris  , Krontiris Ioannis  , Rannenberg Kai  , Waidner Michael  , Bowden Caspar
Published: February 2025

While the collection and monetization of user data has become a main source for funding “free” services like search engines, online social networks, news sites and blogs, neither privacy-enhancing technologies nor their regulations have kept up with user needs and privacy preferences. The aim of this chapter is to raise awareness of the actual state of the art of online privacy, especially in the international research community and in ongoing efforts to improve the respective legal frameworks, and to provide concrete recommendations to industry, regulators, and research agencies for improving online privacy. In particular we examine how the basic principle of informational self-determination, as promoted by European legal doctrines, could be applied to infrastructures like the internet, Web 2.0 and mobile telecommunication networks.
Not So Liminal Now: The Importance of Designing Privacy Features Across a Spectrum of Use
Authors: Coles-Kemp Lizzie  , Reddington Joseph
Published: February 2025

There are many communities of ubiquitous computing users that are on the periphery of society, and these liminal users are often left to negotiate their relationship with technology without the help and support provided to more mainstream users. One such community is formed around users of Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) technology. Changes in the commercial landscape have brought within reach dramatic improvements in AAC and made them more accessible and supportive to their user community. These improvements, though overwhelmingly positive, amplify a family of personal data management problems that are similar to those experienced by more typical ubiquitous computing users. This paper argues that information manaagement practices deployed by the AAC user community are ones that mainstream society may benefit from using. Accordingly, this paper explores a number of personal data management problems that arise during AAC use and considers how AAC users have developed work arounds and information management practices to protect their personal information. Whilst this paper is focused on AAC technology, the responses could be generalised for a broader spectrum of society.
Empirical Performance Evaluation in Collaborative Aircraft Design Tasks
Authors: Dineva Evelina  , Bachmann Arne  , Moerland Erwin  , Nagel Björn  , Gollnick Volker
Published: February 2025

The overarching goal at the Integrated Design Laboratory (IDL) is to understand the mechanisms of decision making and exchanges among engineers. In this study a toolbox for the assessment of engineering performance in a realistic aircraft design task is presented. It allows for the assessment of participants in different experimental conditions. The degree of task difficulty and the amount and quality of visualization are systematically varied across conditions. Using a graphical user interface the participants' mouse trajectories can be tracked. This data together with performance evaluation of the generated aircraft design can help uncover details about the underlying decision making process. The design and the evaluation of the experimental toolbox are presented. This includes the number, specificity, and ranges of design variables that can be manipulated by a participant. The major difficulty thereby is to a find a “sweet spot” where the task is just difficult enough, such that participants display a progress in their performance. Too easy or too difficult of a task would lead to flooring or ceiling effects, where most participants will always fail or, respectively, perform perfectly. The decisions about the aircraft design parameters are therefore based on a numerical analysis of the design space. With this analysis nonlinearities and interdependencies of design parameters are revealed. The experimental toolbox will be utilized to measure design performance of individuals and groups. The results are expected to reveal ways to support multidisciplinary collaboration.
Software Tool Development to Improve the Airplane Preliminary Design Process
Authors: Anemaat W.A.J.  , Kaushik B.  , Carroll J.  , Jeffery J.
Published: February 2025

Aircraft design is a compromise of many different disciplines. Yet the history books are littered with projects that failed because something was overlooked in the early design stages that have come back to haunt it in the latter stages. This is very evident when it comes to evaluation of flying qualities and aircraft behavior as this is almost left out of the overall picture in the early design phases. It has long been considered that first order approximations are sufficient to indicate any issues in the early stages of design, but these can only show so much and are built on simplifications and approximations of a standard set of modes of motion. As airframes move away from classical designs due to improved materials, advanced manufacturing techniques evolve, or the improved efficiency associated with unconventional designs, so the approximations break down further. At this point it becomes prudent to perform more detailed assessment earlier in the project lifecycle. However, this too can have issues as it may be viewed that there is insufficient data, or the airframe is too complex to build a mathematical model. Then there is the question as to what to test and as such 6-DoF flight modeling is left until later in the process. This can have obvious consequences further down the project as 80% of the project and lifecycle costs are committed in the first 20% of the design. This immediately identifies that more effort should be put in the initial 20% to evaluate the complete design including flight modeling.
Global Logistic Management for Overseas Production Using a Bulk Purchase 4PL Model
Authors: Trappey Amy J.C.  , Trappey Charles V.  , Chang Ai-Che  , Lee W.T.  , Cho Hsueh-Yi
Published: February 2025

In order to improve the quality of the components supplied by key suppliers and delivered to the final assembly sites overseas efficiently and timely, a new logistics business model and assessment analysis are proposed using services provided by fourth-party logistics (4PL) companies. In the research, a Petri Net process modeling approach is adopted to construct the model and identify the current bottlenecks discovered in the as-is (existing) logistic processes. According to the benefits of the proposed e-logistics information system and its to-be process improvement, total operating time and total operating costs can be reduced 41% and 21% respectively. The global logistics information platform is built to enhance the logistics management efficiency of manufacturers with multi-national operations for improving their global competitiveness.
An Experimental Features Selection Approach in a Multiclass Classifier
Authors: Reig-Bolaño Ramon  , Marti-Puig Pere
Published: February 2025

This paper focuses on an experimental feature selection for the images of otoliths in order to validate their effectiveness in a multiclass classifier used to resolve an automatic otolith identification process. Otoliths are calcareus structures found in the inner ear of fishes and are used to identifie species, populations, age and can be used in other ecological studies. The most relevant result confirms the importance of high order EFD coefficients to discriminate close shape specimens or populations.
Graph Constrained Label Propagation on Water Supply Networks
Authors: Herrera Manuel  , Ramos-Martínez Eva  , Izquierdo Joaquín  , Pérez-García Rafael
Published: February 2025

In many real-world applications we have at our disposal a limited number of inputs in a theoretical database with full information, and another part of experimental data with incomplete knowledge for some of their features. These are cases that can be addressed by a label propagation process. It is a widely studied approach that may acquire complexity if new constraints in the new unlabeled data that should be taken into account are found. A kernel embedding process together with a simple label propagation algorithm will be the main tools to propagate labels by the use of all types of available information. An experimental study of biofilm development in drinking water pipes propagated through pipes belonging to a complete water supply network is approached. As a result, the proposal is a suitable and efficient way to deal with practical data, based on previous theoretical studies by the constrained label propagation process introduced.
The Use of NLP Interchange Format for Question Answering in Organizations
Authors: Latifi Majid  , Sànchez-Marrè Miquel
Published: February 2025

One of the main problems enterprises face today is the bulk of data derived from various resources. Furthermore, the growth of technology and sciences has greatly influenced the area of management and decision-making procedures, and has dramatically changed the decision-making processes in different levels, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Knowledge management plays a vital role in supporting enterprise learning, since it facilitates the effective collective intellect of the enterprise. Question Answering (QA) system is playing an important role in current search engine optimization. Natural language processing technique is mostly implemented in QA system for asking user's question and several steps are also followed for conversion of questions to query form for getting an exact answer. Query languages have complex syntax, requiring a good understanding of the representation schema, including knowledge of details like namespaces, class and property names. In this research we proposed an initial model to implement Conceptual Question Answering and Automatic Information Inferences for the enterprise's operational knowledge management in ontology-based learning organization.
Integration of Planning and Reasoning into an Architecture That Enables Model-Driven Development
Authors: Estivill-Castro Vladimir
Published: February 2025

Logic-labeled finite-state machines are a formal mechanisms to represent behavior. These models have several advantages over event-driven finite-state machines. They have a formal semantics that enables model-checking; that is, formal verification. More importantly, they can be executed concurrently and produce simple behaviors for embedded systems, or more advanced behaviors for robotic systems (like feedback-loop control). We illustrate their potential to integrate high level capabilities like reasoning and planing and cover the spectrum of reactive architectures to deliberative architectures. Examples of these approach will be presented ranging from ubiquitous cases in requirements engineering to the realm of robots interacting, like RoboCup. Finally, we show we can use these logic-labeled finite-state machines to model dynamic objects in an environment and use traditional planing to guide robots in even potentially non-deterministic environments.
Large-Scale Image Classification Using Ensembles of Nested Dichotomies
Authors: Ramisa Arnau  , Torras Carme
Published: February 2025

Many techniques to reduce the cost at test time in large-scale problems involve a hierarchical organization of classifiers, but are either too expensive to learn or degrade the classification performance. Conversely, in this work we show that using ensembles of randomized hierarchical decompositions of the original problem can both improve the accuracy and reduce the computational complexity at test time. The proposed method is evaluated in the ImageNet Large Scale Visual Recognition Challenge'10, with promising results.
Towards a Machine Learning Algorithm for Predicting Truck Compressor Failures Using Logged Vehicle Data
Authors: Nowaczyk Sławomir  , Prytz Rune  , Rögnvaldsson Thorsteinn  , Byttner Stefan
Published: February 2025

Predictive maintenance is becoming more and more important for the commercial vehicle manufactures, as focus shifts from product- to service-based operation. The idea is to provide a dynamic maintenance schedule, fulfilling specific needs of individual vehicles. Luckily, the same shift of focus, as well as technological advancements in the telecommunication area, make long-term data collection more widespread, delivering the necessary data.
Query Handling in Geometric Conceptual Modelling
Authors: Ma Hui  , Schewe Klaus-Dieter
Published: February 2025

The geometrically enhanced ER model (GERM) addresses conceptual geometric modelling on two levels. On the surface level GERM is an extended ER model, in which attributes are associated with types with sets of values as domains. On the internal level some of the types, the geometric types, are further associated with geometric domains, which define point sets by means of algebraic curves. For query handling the operations on geometric types give rise to operations on point sets, which can be realized by a small set of operations on algebraic curves. The core problem is then to obtain a surface representation as the result. We show that symbolic computation is essential for solving this problem.
Context – Based Applications of Web 2.0 to Support the Information and Decision Process in Crisis Management
Authors: Drosio Stanislaw
Published: February 2025

This short paper aims to outline the possibilities of fully utilizing Web 2.0 technologies and methodologies to build IT tools supporting the information and decision process within crisis management. Being a sort of snapshot report, it depicts a portion of research and development efforts on the integrated decision support platform for crisis management which the author has been working on as part of a research team and whose original concept was presented at the last IFIP WG 8.3 conference in Greece.
Understanding Collaborative Sensemaking Behaviour using Semantic Types in Interaction Data
Authors: Lau L.M.S.  , Dimitrova V.G.  , Yang-Turner F.  , Tzagarakis M.  , Karacapilidis N.  , Christodoulou S.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a trial study to gain insight into collaborative sensemaking behaviour. We use a generic argumentation tool to capture interaction data, which is then analyzed by exploiting collaboration-specific semantic types. A Community Behaviour Analytics Tool, CommBAT, was developed. Further studies were conducted to visualize the different patterns in the collaborative behaviour. Initial findings show the power of semantics in helping to detect a series of sensemaking behaviour patterns.
AGDISTIS – Agnostic Disambiguation of Named Entities Using Linked Open Data
Authors: Usbeck Ricardo  , Ngonga Ngomo Axel-Cyrille  , Röder Michael  , Gerber Daniel  , Athaide Coelho Sandro  , Auer Sören  , Both Andreas
Published: February 2025

Over the last decades, several billion Web pages have been made available on the Web. The ongoing transition from the current Web of unstructured data to the Data Web yet requires scalable and accurate approaches for the extraction of structured data in RDF (Resource Description Framework) from these websites. One of the key steps towards extracting RDF from text is the disambiguation of named entities. We address this issue by presenting AGDISTIS, a novel knowledge-base-agnostic approach for named entity disambiguation. Our approach combines the Hypertext-Induced Topic Search (HITS) algorithm with label expansion strategies and string similarity measures. Based on this combination, AGDISTIS can efficiently detect the correct URIs for a given set of named entities within an input text.
Argumentation Frameworks Features: an Initial Study
Authors: Vallati Mauro  , Cerutti Federico  , Giacomin Massimiliano
Published: February 2025

Semantics extensions are the outcome of the argumentation reasoning process: enumerating them is generally an intractable problem. For preferred semantics two efficient algorithms have been recently proposed, PrefSAT and SCC-P, with significant runtime variations. This preliminary work aims at investigating the reasons (argumentation framework features) for such variations. Remarkably, we observed that few features have a strong impact, and those exploited by the most performing algorithm are not the most relevant.
A Concise Horn Theory for RCC8
Authors: Westphal Matthias  , Hué Julien
Published: February 2025

RCC8 is a well-known constraint language for expressing and reasoning about spatial knowledge. We state a simple and concise Horn theory for RCC8 analogous to the ORD-Horn theory for temporal reasoning. This theory allows for expressing RCC8 and retains tractability of the well-known Horn reduct of RCC8. Further, it is much more adequate for practical purposes in the area of logic programming and surpasses previous attempts.
An Integrated Reconfigurable System for Maritime Situational Awareness
Authors: Velikova Marina  , Novák Peter  , Huijbrechts Bas  , Laarhuis Jan  , Hoeksma Jesper  , Michels Steffen
Published: February 2025

Nowadays the maritime operational picture is characterised by a growing number of entities whose interactions and activities are constantly changing. To provide timely support in this dynamic environment, automated systems need to be equipped with tools— lacking in existing systems—for real-time prioritisation of the application tasks (missions), selection and alignment of relevant information, and efficient reasoning at a situation level. In this paper, we present METIS—an industrial prototype system for supporting real-time, actionable maritime situational awareness. In particular, we focus on the innovation of METIS, which lies in the employment and integration of several state-of-the-art AI technologies to build the overall system's intelligence. These include reconfiguration of multi-context systems, natural language processing of heterogeneous (un)structured data and probabilistic reasoning of uncertain information. The capabilities of the system have been demonstrated in a proof of concept, which is deployed as a situational awareness plugin in the Tacticos command-and-control platform of our industrial partner. The principles exploited by METIS are giving valuable insights into what is considered to become the next generation of situational awareness systems.
Stochastic Filtering Methods for Predicting Agent Performance in the Smart Grid
Authors: Akasiadis Charilaos  , Chalkiadakis Georgios
Published: February 2025

A variety of multiagent systems methods has been proposed for forming cooperatives of interconnected agents representing electricity producers or consumers in the Smart Grid. One major problem that arises in this domain is assessing participating agents uncertainty, and correctly predicting their future behaviour. In this paper, we adopt two stochastic filtering techniques —the Unscented Kalman Filter equipped with Gaussian Processes, and the Histogram Filter— and use these to effectively monitor the trustworthiness of agent statements regarding their final actions. The methods are incorporated within a directly applicable scheme for providing electricity demand management services. Simulation results confirm that these techniques provide tangible benefits regarding enhanced consumption reduction performance, and increased financial gains.
Lower and Upper Approximations for Depleting Modules of Description Logic Ontologies
Authors: Gatens William  , Konev Boris  , Wolter Frank
Published: February 2025

It is known that no algorithm can extract the minimal depleting Σ-module from ontologies in expressive description logics (DLs). Thus research has focused on algorithms that approximate minimal depleting modules ‘from above’ by computing a depleting module that is not necessarily minimal. The first contribution of this paper is an implementation (AMEX) of such a depleting module extraction algorithm for expressive acyclic DL ontologies that uses a QBF solver for checking conservative extensions relativised to singleton interpretations. To evaluate AMEX and other module extraction algorithms we propose an algorithm approximating minimal depleting modules ‘from below’ (which also uses a QBF solver). We present experiments based on NCI (the National Cancer Institute Thesaurus) that indicate that our lower approximation often coincides with (or is very close to) the upper approximation computed by AMEX, thus proving for the first time that an approximation algorithm for minimal depleting modules can be almost optimal on a large ontology. We use the same technique to evaluate locality-based module extraction and a hybrid approach on NCI.
“Distance”? Who Cares? Tailoring Merge-and-Shrink Heuristics to Detect Unsolvability
Authors: Hoffmann Jörg  , Kissmann Peter  , Torralba Álvaro
Published: February 2025

Research on heuristic functions is all about estimating the length (or cost) of solution paths. But what if there is no such path? Many known heuristics have the ability to detect (some) unsolvable states, but that ability has always been treated as a by-product. No attempt has been made to design heuristics specifically for that purpose, where there is no need to preserve distances. As a case study towards leveraging that advantage, we investigate merge-and-shrink abstractions in classical planning. We identify safe abstraction steps (no information loss regarding solvability) that would not be safe for traditional heuristics. We design practical algorithm configurations, and run extensive experiments showing that our heuristics outperform the state of the art for proving planning tasks unsolvable.
Provisional Propagation for Verifying Monotonicity of Bayesian Networks
Authors: Rietbergen Merel T.  , van der Gaag Linda C.  , Bodlaender Hans L.
Published: February 2025

Many real-world Bayesian networks are expected to exhibit commonly known properties of monotonicity. Since monotonicity violations may be introduced despite careful engineering efforts, these properties need be verified before using a network in practice. We will show that the problem of verifying monotonicity in general has a prohibitively high computational complexity. We will argue however, that the runtime complexity involved can be substantially reduced by using a tailored algorithm which we coined provisional propagation. By means of this algorithm in fact, verifying monotonicity may become feasible for a range of real-world networks.
Set-theoretic duality: A fundamental feature of combinatorial optimisation
Authors: Slaney John
Published: February 2025

The duality between conflicts and diagnoses in the field of diagnosis, or between plans and landmarks in the field of planning, or between unsatisfiable cores and minimal co-satisfiable sets in SAT or CSP solving, has been known for many years. Recent work in these communities (Davies and Bacchus, CP 2011, Bonet and Helmert, ECAI 2010, Haslum et al., ICAPS 2012, Stern et al., AAAI 2012) has brought it to the fore as a topic of current interest. The present paper lays out the set-theoretic basis of the concept, and introduces a generic implementation of an algorithm based on it. This algorithm provides a method for converting decision procedures into optimisation ones across a wide range of applications without the need to rewrite the decision procedure implementations. Initial experimental validation shows good performance on a number of benchmark problems from AI planning.
Post-processing a classifier's predictions: Strategies and empirical evaluation
Authors: Benferhat Salem  , Tabia Karim  , Kezih Mouaad  , Taibi Mahmoud
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we propose an approach allowing to revise the outputs of a classifier in order to take into account the available domain knowledge. This approach can be applied for any classifier be it probabilistic or not. We propose post-processing criteria and methods to encode and exploit different kinds of domain knowledge. Finally, we provide experimental studies on a set of benchmarks.
Inconsistency resolution and global conflicts
Authors: Deagustini C.A.D.  , Martínez M.V.  , Falappa M.A.  , Simari G.R.
Published: February 2025

Over the years, inconsistency management has caught the attention of researchers of different areas. Inconsistency is a problem that arises in many different scenarios, for instance, ontology development or knowledge integration. In such settings, it is important to have adequate automatic tools for handling conflicts that may appear in a knowledge base. We introduce an approach to consolidation of belief bases based on a refinement of kernel contraction that accounts for the relation among kernels using clusters instead. We define cluster contraction-based consolidation operators contraction by falsum on a belief base using cluster incision functions, a refinement of kernel incision functions.
Towards the Usage of Advanced Behavioral Simulations for Simultaneous Tracking and Activity Recognition
Authors: Fansi T. Arsène  , Thomas Vincent  , Buffet Olivier  , Flacher Fabien  , Dutech Alain
Published: February 2025

Tracking and understanding moving pedestrian behaviors is of major concern for a growing number of applications. Classical approaches either consider the two problems separately or treat them simultaneously while relying on limited context-based graphical models. In this paper, we present an approach to tackle both the problems conjointly based on richer contextual information issued from agent-based behavioral simulators which aim to realistically reproduce human behaviors within complex environments. We focus on the special case of a single target and experimentally show that the proposed approach manages to track a single pedestrian with complex behavior even in case of long periods of occlusion.
Subjective Decision Making for Task Worker using Metaheuristics Technique
Authors: Sugawara Kohei  , Fujita Hamido
Published: February 2025

Opportunity of decision making for improving work efficiency is often occurred in work environment. Although typically appropriate task assignment for improving work efficiency is tended to solve as optimization problem, general optimization approach improves task assignment based on quantitative profits for improving work efficiency such as reducing labor cost or shortening operating time. However, actual superior decision maker who is manager expects nurture of worker for improving work efficiency of forthcoming work as qualitative profit by assigning task to inexperienced worker. Therefore, decision making for appropriate task selection by worker should include qualitative profit as criteria. In order to provide appropriate alternative in decision making for improving work efficiency, this paper proposes aggregation of criteria for quantitative profit and qualitative profit by reducing uncertainty of context of worker's situation.
Towards a Knowledge Management Framework for Disaster Management in Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Rodzi Mohd Zuhaili  , Zakaria Nor Hidayati  , Ahmad Mohammad Nazir  , Yahya Hasniza
Published: February 2025

In the last few decades, Malaysia has experienced various disasters including man-made and natural disasters. These disaster occurrences led to significant casualties in terms of the death toll and loss of assets. Harnessing the knowledge from individuals and agencies involved in disaster relief operations is a crucial step that requires the implementation of knowledge management (KM) as the potential solution to curb the impact of disasters. Managing a large amount of knowledge needs a framework that is able to govern the necessary knowledge processes and function as the tool for effective decision-making and forecasting. Based on the existing research on KM frameworks, this paper primarily proposes a KM framework for disaster management in Malaysia that is comprised of knowledge processes, namely, audit, transfer, integrate and dissemination, supported by critical success factors for more effective results. The framework will subsequently form the basis for the development of our “enterprise” knowledge management system (KMS) known as the Enterprise Knowledge Management System for Flood Management (EKMS4FM).
Minimal Training Time in Supervised Retinal Vessel Segmentation
Authors: Che Azemin Mohd Zulfaezal
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we perform comparative analysis between different classifiers using the same experimental setup for supervised retinal vessel segmentation. The aim of this paper is to find supervised classifier that can obtain good segmentation accuracy with minimal training time. Minimizing the training time is essential when dealing with biomedical images. The more samples introduced to a learning model, the better it can adapt to the unseen data. The results indicate a trade-off between accuracy and training time can be obtained in a classifier trained by a Neural Network. When tested with a publicly available database, the learning model only requires less than 2 minutes in the learning phase and achieves overall accuracy of 94.54%.
A Process Model for Efficient Software Engineering Practice
Authors: Achimugu Philip  , Selamat Ali  , Ibrahim Roliana
Published: February 2025

A process model generally specifies the set of stages in which a project should be divided into, the order in which the stages should be executed and constraints or conditions that influences the execution of these stages. It is either a descriptive or prescriptive characterization of how software is developed. Existing models demonstrate powerful capabilities, but they have many ambiguous characteristics. Many surveys carried out by researchers show that, although different organizations use some process models for software development, a number of industries do not still use any model or formal development method at all. This means that, the existing models lack suitability. Hence, there is need to improve the suitability of existing models by developing a generic one that can be applicable to varieties of software development projects. To achieve the aim of this research, the proposed model used the concept of Object Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD) to ensure support for different project complexities.
Benchmarking Hard Problems in Random Abstract AFs: The Stable Semantics
Authors: Bistarelli Stefano  , Rossi Fabio  , Santini Francesco
Published: February 2025

In this paper we test four different implementations of reasoning tools dedicated to Abstract Argumentation Frameworks. These systems are ASPARTIX, dynPARTIX, Dung-O-Matic, and ConArg2. The tests are executed over three different models of randomly-generated graphs, i.e., the Erdős-Rényi model, the Kleinberg small-world model, and the scale-free Barabasi-Albert model. We compare these four tools with the purpose to test the search of all the possible stable extensions. Then we benchmark dynPARTIX and ConArg2 on the credulous and skeptical acceptance of arguments. Finally, we also evaluate ConArg2 to check the existence of a stable extension.
Support for Factor-Based Argumentation
Authors: Al-Abdulkarim Latifa  , Atkinson Katie  , Bench-Capon Trevor
Published: February 2025

In this paper we describe a tool which supports the analysis of arguments in the legal domain for the purpose of building computational models that use factor-based reasoning (FBR).
Dynamic Derivations for Sequent-Based Logical Argumentation
Authors: Arieli Ofer  , Strasser Christian
Published: February 2025

We introduce a general approach for representing and reasoning with argumentation-based systems. In our framework arguments are represented by Gentzen-style sequents, attacks (conflicts) between arguments are represented by sequent elimination rules, and deductions are made by dynamic proof systems. This framework accommodates different languages and logics in which arguments may be represented, supports a variety of attack relations, and tolerates dynamic changes in the argumentation setting by revising derivations of assertions in light of new information.
A Translation-based, Automatically Derived Thesaurus of Lithuanian Adjectives
Authors: Nugaraitė Agnė
Published: February 2025

In this research, the Semantic Mirrors method was applied to the translational correspondences that have been gathered from the parallel corpus. The corpus that has been used is the English-Lithuanian parallel corpus generated at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania. The data was implemented in the corpus platform Corpuscle at the University of Bergen. Using the Semantic Mirrors system the explorative version of thesaurus was automatically generated. It contains a great amount of valid semantic relations among adjectives. Combined with manual human interaction or further automatic improvements, this explorative study might lay the foundation for a reliable thesaurus of Lithuanian adjectives.
Practitioners Approach to Business Processes Modeling
Authors: Karnitis Girts  , Bicevska Zane  , Cerina-Berzina Jana  , Bicevskis Janis
Published: February 2025

This paper describes experience in business process modeling using Domain Specific Language (DSL) in several public institutions in Latvia. Authors identified five types of business model use: (1) informal model to enhance comprehension of business processes, (2) manually or semi-automatically executable model to define business processes, (3) model to specify requirements for information system (IS), (4) executable model as component of IS and (5) model to verify correctness of business processes. Authors analyze special requirements dictated by each type of use towards DSL and its support tools. Authors demonstrate ude-cases for each model type.
CloudCraft: Cloud-based Data Management for MMORPGs
Authors: Diao Ziqiang  , Wang Shuo  , Schallehn Eike  , Saake Gunter
Published: February 2025

Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) are very sophisticated applications, which have significantly grown in popularity since their early days in the mid-90s. Along with growing numbers of users the requirements on these systems have reached a point where technical problems become a severe risk for the commercial success. Within the CloudCraft project we investigate how Cloud-based architectures and data management can help to solve some of the most critical problems regarding scalability and consistency. In this article, we describe an implemented working environment based on the Cassandra DBMS and some of the key findings outlining its advantages and shortcomings for the given application scenario.
Brittle material damage pro-elasticity model for rock made structures
Authors: Sadrnejad Seyed Amirodin
Published: February 2025

An important concern in brittle material engineering and in particular rock made structure mechanics is non-homogeneity as micro/macro cracks or joints. This noticeable feature of failures in rock is appearance of slip surfaces or shear bands, the characteristics of that are associated with deformation being concentrated in a narrow zones and the surrounding material remaining intact. Adopting the joints as fractures, fractures are well known for their effects on the mechanical and transport properties of rock in such structural material.
Foam concrete production with şırnak mine waste claystone and fly ash
Authors: Tosun Yıldırım İ.
Published: February 2025

Fly ash and Mine Waste clay stone thrown as waste in Şırnak City of Turkey were used in foam concrete production. Waste mixture at certain proportions decreasing instead of cement used, fine aggregate in specific proportions decreasing instead of fly ash used improved mechanical strength and porosity. Even fine clay stone aggregate minus 3 mm reducing porosity rather than fly ash, such as using three different size fractions are evaluated in foam concrete production. Effects of mechanical properties of waste clay stone and fly ash on foam concrete production were studied intensively. The main purpose of this study is to develop the ready-mixed foam mortar and concrete industry using local waste, Şırnak Coal Mine Waste clay stone and fly ash.
Study on drying shrinkage cracking characteristics of steel chip reinforced polymer cementitious composite
Authors: Hong Sunhee  , Kimura Shinya  , Sato Yuichi  , Kaneko Yoshio
Published: February 2025

Fiber reinforcement cementitious composite can efficaciously improve the toughness shrinkage and durability of cementitious composite. This study is to clarify the drying shrinkage and shrinkage cracking characteristics of steel chip reinforced polymer cementitious composite (SCRPCC). In this study, free shrinkage of SCRPCC, drying shrinkage and shrinkage cracking of SCRPCC reinforced with deformed bars were examined. Test results shows that (1) the free shrinkage of SCRPCC is smaller than that of polymer cement mortar (PCM) at the outside; (2) the restrained shrinkage of PCM specimens was reduced by reinforcing with steel chip; (3) average crack width of PCM specimen with low reinforcement ratio was greatly declined by reinforcing with steel chip.
Influence of a new viscosity modifying admixture on the performance of different superplasticizers
Authors: Ekolu Stephen O.  , Kazurikanyo Jean-Bosco
Published: February 2025

An investigation was conducted on a new viscosity modifier, herein referred to as VMA, to determine its effects and compatibility with commercially available superplasticizers and local cements. Marsh cone tests were conducted on cement pastes to compare saturation points and the influence of the viscosity modifying admixture.
Effect of microfines mineral admixtures on rheology of blended cement paste
Authors: Panseriya Maulik M.  , Dave U.V.  , Tiwari A.K.
Published: February 2025

Rheological tests on cement paste were used to successfully select the type and dosage of micro-fine mineral admixtures that improved concrete workability. Among the seven different micro-fine mineral admixtures tested, the classified fly ash (CFA, P-100) was determined to give the best results by reducing the yield stress and viscosity. These improved rheological properties were not achieved by increasing the water demand or the high-range water reducer dosage. Therefore, the replacement of classified fly ash improved the rheological property of cement paste without a decrease of the hardened properties or an increase in cost. The cement paste rheological data were also compared using a simpler test, the minislump. The conclusion is that this simpler test is reliable for certain cases to co-relate slump flow with yield stress.
Nearly 20 years of the EN 197 cement standards in South Africa
Authors: Hlatshwayo Sibusiso  , Amtsbüchler Reinhold
Published: February 2025

The 1994 version of the EN 197 standard was first adopted in South Africa in 1996. This was after a major change in South Africa's political and social landscape. Before the EN standard, South Africa had a few standards for cement. They included SABS 471, 831, 626, and 1466. These standards broadly allowed for only 8 types of cement and 2 strength classes. The EN 197 however, catered for 27 types of cement and 6 strength classes. The EN 197 continues to evolve to expand the types and strength classes of cement with the latest edition being CEM III with “L” strength classes and SR cements to mention some. In 2007, the EN 197 standard was made a compulsory specification by the Minister of Trade and Industry. The National Regulatory of Compulsory Specifications ensures compliance to this specification to ensure fair trade and consumer protection. Was it a prudent decision to switch from the old SABS standard to the EN 197? What are the current challenges with the EN 197 standard?
Superabsorbent polymers in cementitious composites with fly ash cements – selected aspects
Authors: Klemm Agnieszka J  , Sikora Karol S  , Wiggins David E
Published: February 2025

In an attempt to address future construction requirements a clear focus is necessary on development of new technologies addressing the need for safer and more cost-effective infrastructure. The paper aims to summarise the current state-of-the-art on application of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in cementitious composites as internal curing agents. The effect of SAP type, cement type and fly ash content on performance of cement mortars is briefly discussed. The importance of adequate selection of SAP with water absorption/desorption characteristics compatible with hydration process is highlighted.
Effect of different additives on fatigue behavior of asphalt mixtures
Authors: Daghighi Amin  , Nahvi Ali
Published: February 2025

Fatigue failure is a common problem of asphaltic concrete pavements which can lead to damage. Fatigue cracking has been recognized as one of the main forms for structural damage in asphalt concrete pavements. Under the action of repeated vehicular loading, deterioration of the asphalt concrete materials in pavements, caused by the accumulation and growth of micro- and macro-cracks, gradually takes place. This paper studies the beneficial properties of modified asphalt mixtures in resistance to fatigue of mixtures with different additives of crumb rubber (CR), reclaimed rubber (RR) and styrene-butadiene-styrene SBS. Laboratory asphalt mixture samples were fabricated then compacted into slabs and sawed to beam samples. Asphalt mixture beams were tested under four point bending (4PB) universal testing machine. Stress controlled testing protocol simulates the same situation as in the pavement structure. As the stress remains constant during load cycles the measured strain increases continuously. Beam fatigue results compared to each other and results showed that modified mixtures had performed better in different conditions.
Limits of elongation variation of tendons in post-tensioning
Authors: Dundu Morgan  , Rupieper Sebastian
Published: February 2025

This paper analyses tensioning data obtained from a variety of projects that have been completed in South Africa in recent years in order to determine the causes of variation in elongation and suggest practical elongation limits. Current limits, prescribed by the South African standards (SANS 2001-CC1 and COLTO), of elongation variation limit of ±6% and an average elongation variation limit of ±3% are causing huge problems to the post-tensioning industry. The scatter of tendon elongation results is often greater than the range prescribed by these standards. This usually requires the contractor to re-tension the tendons at huge financial costs. In most cases the results obtained after re-tensioning are the same.
Effect of surface treatments on abrasion and permeation properties of clay concretes
Authors: Solomon Fitsum  , Ekolu Stephen
Published: February 2025

The resistance of concrete surfaces to various types of wear can be a defining performance characteristic in certain applications. Some concrete structures are required to be abrasion-resistant; among them are dams, canals, roads, floors, footpaths, parking lots, and paths in parks.
An experimental study on acoustic emission of a notched three point bending concrete beams
Authors: Dahou Zohra  , Benmiloud Abdelkhalek
Published: February 2025

In this present study, notched three-point concrete bend specimens were tested and the accompanying acoustics emissions (AE) were recorded using a four channel AE monitoring system. The specimens were tested at various ages. A quantitative signal analysis is proposed for following the crack evolution until failure. The AE absolute energy, the number of events, the variation of amplitude and the counts are used for presenting our results.