A Conceptual Model for Assistant Platforms

Assistant platforms are becoming a key element for the business model of many companies. They have evolved from assistance systems that provide support when using information (or other) systems to platforms in their own. Alexa, Cortana or Siri may be used with literally thousands of services. From this background, this paper develops the notion of assistant platforms and elaborates a conceptual model that supports businesses in developing appropriate strategies. The model consists of three main building blocks, an architecture that depicts the components as well as the possible layers of an assistant platform, the mechanism that determines the value creation on assistant platforms, and the ecosystem with its network effects, which emerge from the multi-sided nature of assistant platforms. The model has been derived from a litera-ture review and is illustrated with examples of existing assistant platforms. Its main purpose is to advance the understanding of assistant platforms and to trigger future research

Recent Advances in Indoor Localization Systems and Technologies

Despite the enormous technical progress seen in the past few years, the maturity of indoor localization technologies has not yet reached the level of GNSS solutions. The 23 selected papers in this book present the recent advances and new developments in indoor localization systems and technologies, propose novel or improved methods with increased performance, provide insight into various aspects of quality control, and also introduce some unorthodox positioning methods

Evaluation and improvement of optical remote sensing methods in monitoring particulate matter emissions and plume opacity

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) affects human health, reduces visibility, and impacts climate. PM also causes plume opacity, which is defined as percentage of light that is attenuated by a plume. This research focuses on two optical methods that have been developed and implemented previously to measure PM mass emission factor (EF) and plume opacity. My contributions to this research are: 1) evaluating and improving the previous approaches used in these two methods, and 2) estimating their associated uncertainties to quantify PM EF and plume opacity values. In the first part of the research, fugitive PM EFs that come from unconfined flow streams are measured by the hybrid-optical remote sensing (hybrid-ORS) method. Fugitive PM EFs pose a challenge for measurements because they are aloft, heterogeneous, have short lifetimes, and can exist within large spatial scales. These challenges can be addressed by the developed hybrid-ORS method. The hybrid-ORS method that I used involves the use of micro-pulse light detection and ranging (lidar; MPL) that measures range-resolved extinction coefficients. Co-located point PM mass concentrations and extinction coefficients are measured to determine PM mass concentration from light extinction measurements provided by the MPL. Fugitive PM EFs are then obtained by integrating PM mass concentrations across the plume’s cross-section with wind data and duration of events. Two field campaigns were completed to measure fugitive PM emissions from mobile vehicles on unpaved roads, as well as open burning or detonation of energetic materials. The fugitive PM EFs from these two sources were also measured by at least one independent and concurrent method for comparison. The results show that PM EFs measured by hybrid-ORS method and other concurrent methods are not significantly different, while hybrid-ORS method offers the advantage of knowing the spatial and temporal distributions of PM mass concentration in a fugitive PM plume. In addition, two lidar equation inversion methods, namely near-end and far-end methods, were compared with respect to its PM EF and its uncertainty. The results show that the far-end method is preferable because it introduces less uncertainty, and the method is mathematically stable. In the second part of the research, plume opacity is measured using digital optical method (DOM) that was previously developed by Du (2007). This method is an improvement over the traditional human observer method in determining plume opacity. DOM was initially developed using compact digital cameras, but the method was extended with this research to smartphone cameras and a camcorder. In DOM, the response curves, which relate exposure to pixel value (PV), are determined for compact cameras, smartphone cameras, and a camcorder. Then, relative exposures of select regions within a plume picture are used to calculate plume opacity using DOM software. There are two DOM models that were previously developed by Du (2007), namely: 1) the contrast model that requires a plume passing in front of and near one of two co-located contrasting backgrounds; and 2) the transmission model that requires a plume passing in front of and near one background, and a diffusive scattering parameter (K) that characterizes the optical property of the plume relative to its background. A field campaign was performed to use compact cameras, smartphone cameras, and a camcorder to measure the opacity of plumes emitted from a smokestack using DOM. The smokestack included a transmissometer inside, which provided independent opacity measurements used as a standard for comparison with the devices using DOM. In this research, a new method was developed for calibration of cameras and a camcorder that uses exposure value (EV) compensation. The results for the compact and smartphone cameras show that: 1) the resulting opacity values are not significantly different from those determined by two previous calibration methods; 2) the color contrast between two backgrounds is the most important variable affecting the uncertainties of opacity measured by the two DOM models; and 3) empirically determined K values for select background and plume color combinations show that K value depends on wavelength of background color. The results for the camcorder show that: 1) the camcorder can accurately measure opacity values in real-time (1 Hz); 2) increasing color contrast between two backgrounds using, DOM contrast model, decreases opacity measurement errors and uncertainties; and 3) background choice is more important than camcorder calibration and number of sampled pixels in determining the opacity measurement uncertainty. This research is novel and significant by providing for improvements and uncertainty analyses of two remote sensing methods for PM. Evaluations of the hybrid-ORS method and DOM are done for method improvements (e.g., increase flexibility and understanding of the applicability of the hybrid-ORS method and the transmission model; demonstrate that DOM can be applied to smartphone cameras and a camcorder aside from compact cameras). The uncertainty analyses identify the major sources of measurement uncertainties and quantify the overall uncertainty for future applications of these methods

The production of urban public space : a Lefebvrian analysis of Castlefield, Manchester

The aim of this research is to unravel and interrogate critically the recent histories of the production and reproduction of Castlefield, Manchester. This unravelling is accomplished theoretically through the historicised application of Lefebvre‘s spatial triad. Production of space histories and Castlefield‘s 'regeneration‘ are revisited principally through archival and interview evacuations of the neglected years of the 1970s. Urban public space is seen as the key city synecdoche. The thesis argues against what is called the 'dominant academic narrative‘: challenging the narrative where it ignores or downplays the role of counter-representations and counter-projects in the production of urban public space. The empirical research is based mainly on archival data and complimentary interview and visual data; the analyses are qualitative. Visual representations of space largely neglected in the literature are foregrounded throughout the empirical research. Spaces of representation and spatial practice are interrogated from the perspective of public space analysis which emphasises the importance of the contested nature of representations of space within the public sector and the vulnerable and unstable character of some official representations of space. The thesis therefore does not seek to reproduce what might be called a 'traditional‘ Lefebvrian analysis which counter-poses repressive official representations of space against quotidian heroic, poetic spaces of representation. The research challenges oversimplified characterisations of Castlefield as a space simply of heritage, leisure and exclusive residential enclaves. A dynamic, complex spatial portrait is revealed whereby ludic, 'natural‘ and abstract space rise and fall though intricate spatial layering as time unfolds. Urban differential space and ludic space are found to emerge through the interstices of abstract space as key outcomes of the contestation of space. The thesis concludes that the potential for differential urban public space exists through the production of new spaces and their diverse politicised appropriation.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Perkembangan Sains Teknologi Pada Era Revolusi Industri 0.4

Manusia dapat melakukan komunikasi dengan orang lain yang berada di kota atau negara lain dengan menggunakan telepon. Manusia juga dapat mengerjakan sesuatu dengan ringan karena ditemukannya berbagai macam penemuan yang meringankan pekerjaan manusia. Namun disamping banyaknya manfaat yang telah diperoleh manusia, muncul pula dampak yang dapat merugikan manusia dan sering pula terjadi penyalahgunaan fungsi teknologi.. Walaupun sebenarnya dampak positif jauh lebih besar diharapkan untuk dapat mengiringi perkembangan zaman sehingga masyarakat dapat mengatasi gejolak perubahan global. Revolusi Industri 0.4 memerlukan pendidik/guru sains yang sesuai dengan tuntutan kemajuan teknologi yang faham konsep pendidikan secara umum. Pembentukan karaktar siswa dalam meningkatkan pemahaman revolusi industri yang sesuai dengan bermacam aplikasi android atau internet. Perkembangan teknologi digital dengan mengandalkan internet dan data dapat memperpendek aktiviti /birokrasi dan mudah diakses oleh masyarakat luas. Begitu juga dalam bidang pendidikan pengaruh revolusi industri dapat membantu guru/siswa dalam proses belajar mengajar dengan praktisi dan sangat mudah mengakses bahan ajar dari berbagai sumber. Revolusi industri 0.4 menjadi mudah tanpa batas dengan melek teknologi informasi.yang mampu berinovasi ataupun improvisasi dalam proses produksi

Microbial water quality monitoring of raw and treated water sources in Harare and the effect of gender in disaster management due to water related disasters

Background - Microbial water quality monitoring is essential to the provision of potable water for domestic use. Unsafe water sources increase the risk of waterborne diseases. There is a need to raise awareness of legislature that supports management of water related disasters. Gender, education, health, and economic vulnerability contribute to the success of disaster management. Aim - This study aimed to investigate the microbial water quality of treated water in the Harare area. The study also researched the microbial water quality monitoring practices in Zimbabwe and how these contribute to the management of water borne diseases. The impact of gender, marriage, education, and disease in disaster management practices in Zimbabwe and South Africa was analysed. Method - Literature review was conducted on microbial water quality monitoring practices in Zimbabwe and legislature that supports disaster management. Practices of disaster management in Zimbabwe, and South Africa were investigated and compared. The perspective of the Harare community on the quality of their potable water was investigated through the use of a questionnaire and water quality testing was conducted using hydrogen sulphide test and R2A based heterotrophic plate count. Raw water supplying Manyame River and tap water in Harare households were assessed for microbial quality. Results and Discussion - Raw water sources were found to be contaminated by faecal matter. Household water sources had no faecal contamination, but tested positive for heterotrophic bacteria. The CFU/ml quantities obtained ranged from 1- 452 CFU/ml for all samples. The WHO guidelines for domestic water sources recommend that domestic water should have no coliforms/100 ml sample. Disaster management protocols were available in disaster prone areas such as the Matabeleland South Province. No guidelines were in place for monitoring microbial water quality as a disaster prevention method. Conclusion - The current state of treated water supplied by the Morton Jaffray Treatment Plant was found to be suitable for domestic use, but not sufficient to meet the Harare population’s needs. The need to push for legislature supporting microbial water quality monitoring was recognised. Initiating public / private partnerships in water distribution and water quality monitoring in Zimbabwe was encouraged

Neoliberalism and Monopoly in the Motion Picture Industry

Monopolies and industry concentration have returned in our time, as did the ramifications in the globalized political economy. One of the most impactful in our daily lives are the Mass Media Conglomerates who not only own the majority of film, television, and news we access, but increasingly control the means of accessing it, from cable to digital. While many are familiar with these corporations via their services and products, less known by the public are their political operations and close cooperation with Washington. This is due to the lack of holistic analysis of the industry and cooperation in the media oligopoly. Especially lacking is the focus on trade associations in the political process. As such, this dissertation analyzes the role of the prominent trade association for the film industry—the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The MPAA was formed in the early days of Hollywood’s film dominance, and today is one of the most prominent and notorious trade associations in promoting neoliberal development. These changes include transnationalized production and distribution, Intellectual Property Rights extensions, and invasive trade agreements to name a few. The influence and power to do so goes beyond lobbying, by instrumentalizing their industry, incorporating state bureaucracies, and developing an international structure that enhances corporate political power. The results have been an ever-growing consolidation that branches into related sectors and industries of communication and technology. With this such trade associations like the MPAA become more representative and hold more political leverage, which is increasingly used on the global arena and impacting the foreign and domestic policy of many states far beyond Hollywood

Copyright in music- an analysis of emerging legal trends.

Technological innovations have always influenced the ways in which music is made and consumed in societies. Now that music has entered the digital realm a new revolution is underway. The near perfect duplication facilitated by digital technology in conspiracy with the ease of exchange provided by the Internet threaten to render copyright law into a redundant relic, while at the same time changing the way in which millions across the globe listen to music. A new music culture has been born –driven by technology advances, hindered only by copyright law. The combination of the Internet and digital technology presents copyright law with what has been described as a digital dilemma. The availability of digital music in the form of MP3s has allowed for songs and albums to be easily compressed into manageable digital file sizes while maintaining very high audio fidelity. Millions of individuals across the world have created MP3s by „ripping‟ music albums into digital files of this format and made them available to others in cyberspace. Millions of others have searched for and downloaded these tracks without having to go a bricks –and –mortar retail establishment and purchase them on CD, and have shared them widely through online transfers and by burning them on recordable CDs.3Digital copy of Ph.D thesis.University of Kashmir

Remembering African Labor Migration to the Second World

This open access book is about Mozambicans and Angolans who migrated in state-sponsored schemes to East Germany in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. They went to work and to be trained as a vanguard labor force for the intended African industrial revolutions. While they were there, they contributed their labor power to the East German economy. This book draws on more than 260 life history interviews and uncovers complex and contradictory experiences and transnational encounters. What emerges is a series of dualities that exist side by side in the memories of the former migrants: the state and the individual, work and consumption, integration and exclusion, loss and gain, and the past in the past and the past in the present and future. By uncovering these dualities, the book explores the lives of African migrants moving between the Third and Second worlds. Devoted to the memories of worker-trainees, this transnational study comes at a time when historians are uncovering the many varied, complicated, and important connections within the global socialist world

Remembering African Labor Migration to the Second World

This open access book is about Mozambicans and Angolans who migrated in state-sponsored schemes to East Germany in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. They went to work and to be trained as a vanguard labor force for the intended African industrial revolutions. While they were there, they contributed their labor power to the East German economy. This book draws on more than 260 life history interviews and uncovers complex and contradictory experiences and transnational encounters. What emerges is a series of dualities that exist side by side in the memories of the former migrants: the state and the individual, work and consumption, integration and exclusion, loss and gain, and the past in the past and the past in the present and future. By uncovering these dualities, the book explores the lives of African migrants moving between the Third and Second worlds. Devoted to the memories of worker-trainees, this transnational study comes at a time when historians are uncovering the many varied, complicated, and important connections within the global socialist world