Past, present and future of information and knowledge sharing in the construction industry: Towards semantic service-based e-construction

The paper reviews product data technology initiatives in the construction sector and provides a synthesis of related ICT industry needs. A comparison between (a) the data centric characteristics of Product Data Technology (PDT) and (b) ontology with a focus on semantics, is given, highlighting the pros and cons of each approach. The paper advocates the migration from data-centric application integration to ontology-based business process support, and proposes inter-enterprise collaboration architectures and frameworks based on semantic services, underpinned by ontology-based knowledge structures. The paper discusses the main reasons behind the low industry take up of product data technology, and proposes a preliminary roadmap for the wide industry diffusion of the proposed approach. In this respect, the paper stresses the value of adopting alliance-based modes of operation

“Experience First”: Investigating Co-creation Experience in Social Product Development Networks

Social product development (SPD) is a network-based innovation model in which firms or platforms use social mechanisms and social technologies to mobilize organizationally independent individuals––co-creators––to co-create new products. SPD networks require the maintenance of external participation across the innovation cycle to survive competition and thrive in the innovation sector. While prior research suggests that the viability, survivability, and productivity of social networks generally depend on user experience, we have limited evidence on the particular role of user experience in the context of SPD networks. Responding to this need, we introduce a conceptual model to theorize and operationalize co-creation experience in SPD networks. Through validating the proposed model, we demonstrate why co-creation experience is critical for predicting co-creators’ behavioral intentions and maintaining their actual contribution. Finally, we explore the theoretical and practical implications of the results. Future studies can leverage the findings to better capture co-creation experience and contribute to designing successful SPD networks

О истакнутим асоцијативним истраживањима на Западу у 21. веку и могућностима њихове примене у (домаћој) лингвистици

удући да су домаћа асоцијативна истраживања досада била окрену-та Истоку и руској традицији, циљ је овог прегледа да прикаже нашој јавности мање позната, а изразито занимљива западна истраживања, која би могла по-служити овдашњим лингвистима у будућности. Асоцијације се примењују у више грана друштвених наука, али овде ћемо се усредсредити на области најближе домаћим истраживачима и на њихова достигнућа: удруживање асоцијативног метода с корпусима и његово коришћење како би се олакшала претрага речника; примена овог метода како би се изградили модели менталног лексикона; асоција-ције у примењеној линвгистици, у анализама везаним за усвајање страног језика

Evaluation of ultra-wideband in vivo radio channel and its effects on system performance

This paper presents bit‐error‐rate (BER) performance analysis and improvement using equalizers for an in vivo radio channel at ultra‐wideband frequencies (3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz). By conducting simulations using a bandwidth of 50 MHz, we observed that the in vivo radio channel is affected by small‐scale fading. This fading results in intersymbol interference affecting upcoming symbol transmission, causing delayed versions of the symbols to arrive at the receiver side and causes increase in BER. A 29‐taps channel was observed from the experimentally measured data using a human cadaver, and BER was calculated for the measured in vivo channel response along with the ideal additive white Gaussian noise and Rayleigh channel models. Linear and nonlinear adaptive equalizers, ie, decision feedback equalizer (DFE) and least mean square (LMS), were used to improve the BER performance of the in vivo radio channel. It is noticed that both the equalizers improve the BER but DFE has better BER compared to LMS and shows the 2‐dB and 4‐dB performance gains of DFE over the LMS at Eb/No = 12 dB and at Eb/No = 14 dB, respectively. The current findings will help guide future researchers and designers in enhancing systems performance of an ultra‐wideband in vivo wireless systems

Approach for GDPR Compliant Detection of COVID-19 Infection Chains

While prospect of tracking mobile devices' users is widely discussed all over European countries to counteract COVID-19 propagation, we propose a Bloom filter based construction providing users' location privacy and preventing mass surveillance. We apply a solution based on Bloom filters data structure that allows a third party, a government agency, to perform some privacy-preserving set relations on a mobile telco's access logfile. By computing set relations, the government agency, given the knowledge of two identified persons, has an instrument that provides a (possible) infection chain from the initial to the final infected user no matter at which location on a worldwide scale they are. The benefit of our approach is that intermediate possible infected users can be identified and subsequently contacted by the agency. With such approach, we state that solely identities of possible infected users will be revealed and location privacy of others will be preserved. To this extent, it meets General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)requirements in this area

Air Force Institute of Technology Research Report 2009

This report summarizes the research activities of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management. It describes research interests and faculty expertise; lists student theses/dissertations; identifies research sponsors and contributions; and outlines the procedures for contacting the school. Included in the report are: faculty publications, conference presentations, consultations, and funded research projects. Research was conducted in the areas of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electro-Optics, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Systems and Engineering Management, Operational Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering Physics

Validation and Reliability of the Hexoskin and FitBit Flex Wearable BIO Collection Devices

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the Hexoskin shirt and the wrist worn Fitbit Flex activity monitor were both valid and reliable for the physiological functions they were designed to monitor. Heart rate (beats·min-1), respiratory rate (breaths·min-1), step count, and energy expenditure results were collected for the Hexoskin. Step count and energy expenditure were collected for the Fitbit Flex. 49 adolescent participants performed a walking treadmill protocol at 1.5 mph, 2.5 mph, and 3.5 mph for 3 minutes at each speed. 46 subjects returned to perform the same protocol a second time. 31 of the participants were used to determine reliability. Each trial required the participants to walk while wearing a Hexoskin shirt, a Fitbit Flex on their right wrist, a Polar T-31 heart rate monitor, and to be monitored by an Applied Electrochemistry Moxus Metabolic System. Hexoskin heart rate correlation was inconsistent between the two protocols with some minutes/stages being highly related in one protocol and not in the other. A number of stages showed significant differences in the mean values. Interclass correlation was acceptable for half of the measurements compared Hexoskin respiration rate values were highly correlated for the every minute of the first two stages (1.5 mph and 2.5 mph) but showed variations between protocols in the final (3.5 mph). All but one minute’s heart rate value was significantly underestimated. All stages exhibited high interclass correlation scores. Hexoskin energy expenditure had no stages that were correlated. However, all stages showed no significant differences though the Hexoskin did slightly overestimated caloric count values. The interclass correlation was acceptable for all stages Fitbit Flex energy expenditure was not acceptably correlated for any stage, the values were significantly higher than the MOUXS calculated values, and no stage could be considered acceptable for interclass correlation purposes. Hexoskin step count was highly related only at the 3.5 mph stage. The 1.5 mph and 2.5 mph stages were not correlated and also significantly underestimated the steps taken. Only the 3.5 mph walk could be accepted as reliable. Fitbit flex step count was not correlated for any stage, the values were significantly lower than the observed count, and no stage could be considered acceptable for interclass correlation. Overall, the Hexoskin and Fitbit Flex do not appear to be acceptable tools for research purposes