The Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Laboratory: Where ecology meets big data

Advances in computing power and infrastructure, increases in the number and size of ecological and environmental datasets, and the number and type of data collection methods, are revolutionizing the field of Ecology. To integrate these advances, virtual laboratories offer a unique tool to facilitate, expedite, and accelerate research into the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. We introduce the uniquely cloud-based Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Laboratory (BCCVL), which provides access to numerous species distribution modelling tools; a large and growing collection of biological, climate, and other environmental datasets; and a variety of experiment types to conduct research into the impact of climate change on biodiversity. Users can upload and share datasets, potentially increasing collaboration, cross-fertilisation of ideas, and innovation among the user community. Feedback confirms that the BCCVL's goals of lowering the technical requirements for species distribution modelling, and reducing time spent on such research, are being met

Teaching Analytics in Colleges of Business

Business Analytics has become a common term in all businesses. The importance of analytics in the modern business environment has made it necessary to include analytics as a foundational course for all business majors. There is much debate on what content should be taught in analytics courses and what is the role of computational skills versus the skills needed to interpret and communicate the results that are needed as part of the analytics process? These problems point to the essential difference between analytics and statistics. As we discuss in this paper, analytics is a process that employs statistical tools. We first discuss the business analytics process which we feel should be taught in all business analytics courses. We then propose a two-course sequence, Business Analytics I and Business Analytics II, to be taught as required courses in colleges of business

The effect of type of mechanical processing on electrical conductivity and piezoresistive response of CNT and graphite composites

Nanocomposite materials are attracting significant interest as matrices for conventional composite materials, where their increased electrical conductivity present the possibility of multi-functional properties, such as embedded heating and electromagnetic shielding. One problem facing the increased use of the nanocomposites is their rapid and efficient production. Three different mixing methods: 3-roll mill, shear mixing and hand mixing were tested to mix carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphite into epoxy resin. The electrical conductivity and piezoresistive response of the resulting nanocomposites were measured and compared to the relative rate of nanocomposite could be produced. Maximisation of the functional properties is important, but speed of throughput is also essential, thus enabling larger and production ready components to take advantage of the additional functionality. Because of health and safety concerns during material handling of nanoparticles, this study employed a premixed CNT masterbatch (Arkema) and graphite powders (Superior Graphite), as these do not require specialised health and safety equipment to process, making industrial application more viable. It was found that the 3-roll provided the largest increase in conductivity out of the three mixing methods, and hand mixing and shear mixing performed similarly. Piezoresistivity was seen in all modified samples, however gauge factors were difficult to determine due to underdeveloped sample contact and preparation methods

A smart campus template

We highlight a lack of models and theories associated with the Smart Campus concept and also an absence of processes to support its design and development. This paper provides a first approach to a theory and a set of design principles to guide their development. The theory and principles are flexible enough to be easily adapted and adopted by any organization interested in developing a Smart Campus

Open-source terrestrial laser scanner for the virtualization of geometrical entities in AEC classrooms

This paper depicts a case study that shows an open-source Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) for use on the virtualization of simple yet precise geometrical entities in AEC classrooms. For bringing this technology to AEC classrooms, an open-source TLS was developed. The physical model was built using digital fabrication, its connectivity was established using accessible, affordable, open-source sensors and actuators and its digital representation was developed using generative design tools. All elements together are synchronized in real-time and the TLS becomes live, digitally twinned, geometry generator. The points that are generated by the TLS are gathered in a 3D virtual space in the form of virtual points. The present digitally twinned vision of laser scanning has thus three identified educational uses: (i) illustration of the measuring principle using open-source hardware together with mathematics and statistics, (ii) illustration of the generation and visualization of point clouds in real-time within a CAD environment, and (iii) perhaps with a vaster scope in AEC classrooms, illustration of the usage, analysis and identification of these point clouds. The development of this tool belongs to a vaster project for infusing Construction 4.0 technologies in AEC classrooms under development at the School of Civil Engineering of UPC-BarcelonaTech. The illustration to students of all these concepts with accessible technological tools is expected to enlarge their vision of more advanced constructional technologies such as cyber-physical systems for monitoring and surveying as well as digital technologies for reproducing “As-Built” models.Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i InfraestructuraObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::4 - Educació de QualitatPostprint (published version