Experimental evaluation of user performance on two-dimensional and three-dimensional perspective displays in discrete-event simulation

Several experiments were carried out to compare the impacts of using a two dimensional (2D) plan view or a three dimensional (3D) perspective view in discrete event simulation visual displays. The experiments measured the performance of participants in spotting errors, describing the model, and suggesting improvements to the system. The participants using the 3D perspective display performed much better in spotting errors, taking on average about one third of the time of participants observing the 2D display. They also did much better in describing the model. There was no significant difference in suggesting improvements although this may have been because this task was easy. Most participants preferred the 3D perspective view when asked to compare the displays. The experiments indicate that the detailed design of the visual display may have a considerable effect on some of the tasks in a simulation project and hence on whether the overall project is successful

An empirical study of the impacts of virtual reality on discrete-event simulation

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An Analysis of the Conceptual Structure of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Using Network Analysis and Visual Analytics

https://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/node/10722/11563-thumbnail.jpgObjective: This study analyzes the conceptual structure of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. We present a thematic mapping of concepts and a narrative exposition of the clusters of themes and relevant terminologies that explains the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has rattled the world in the past five months. We evaluate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and two previous coronavirus outbreaks, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Finally, we point to areas for future epidemiological studies to help in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Method: We use network analysis, data mining, and visual analytics to synthesize the keywords, themes, and terminologies in the scientific literature on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, and related concepts and terms. The data used in this study come from 346 scientific publications on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 between 2019 and April 2020, selected through a systematic review process. The selected documents come from the Web of Science. Results: The study offers the first comprehensive exposition of the conceptual structure and theoretical evaluation of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, and in-depth narrative of themes and clusters of related terminologies through the scholarship of integration. The study points to areas for future clinical trials and epidemiology studies as the effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Conclusion: This paper achieved three outcomes; the conceptual structure of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, a narrative exposition of the cluster of themes and terminologies with analysis of the relationship with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and highlight crucial areas for future studies.</p

Cutting-edge technologies for small business and innovation in the era of COVID-19 global health pandemic

The adoption of cutting-edge technologies to steer business activities during community lockdown to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, even if involuntarily, provides evidence that technologies not only offer competitive advantages but also provides a means for survival, by improvising existing business models. In June 2019, we issued a call for papers to address the awareness, adoption, and implementation challenges of technologies that can drive businesses of all sizes in the fourth industrial revolution. We intended to identify as critical elements the “must-have” and a “nice to have” technologies for small businesses and innovation. Then the ongoing COVID-19 global health pandemic struck in December 2019, forcing the need for digitization of business activities and remote operations, which was considered a “nice to have” to immediately become a “critical to have” to survive in the ever increasingly uncertain business environment. This paper identifies the technologies, evaluates disruptive software platforms, and strategies needed for creating and managing small business innovation and highlighting the complexity of that process and the context within which this process takes place. We integrate this discussion alongside a summary of the articles included in the Special Issue. The current realities show that technologies that enable social business creation, customer relationship management systems, new communications channels, virtual reality technologies for remote operations, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are crucial to lowering the costs of doing business. Big data and predictive and visual analytics are critical enablers to aiding complex business decisions in the current challenging business climate.</p

Small business awareness and adoption of state-of-the-art technologies in emerging and developing markets, and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Many challenges continue to hinder digital technologies\u27 adoption by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. Comparatively, there are more success stories by SMEs in emerging markets. However, most SMEs operating in the informal sector in the emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) face similar challenges that inhibit the adoption of advanced technologies and innovations needed to improve business operations and re-engineer processes. This article evaluates the implementation and use of state-of-the-art technologies by SMEs in EMDEs to improve operations performance and create sustainable competitive advantages. Further, the papers in this Special Issue identify FinTech and analytical algorithms as some of the current technologies employed by SMEs in EMDEs to improve operations and processes in the manufacturing and service industries. The recognized technologies and technical innovations that seem novel in EMDEs have long existed in the advanced economies. Most state-of-the-art technologies, including cloud computing, \u27big data\u27, and predictive analytics that can improve operations and strategic decisions, are yet to make inroads in most EMDEs. Also, disruptive computing technologies, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) required to engineer new business models, reduce overheads, enhance competitive advantages, and digitize SMEs\u27 business operations remain untapped. The absence and non-adoption of digital technologies in EMDEs explain why business activities in most EMDEs remain shut during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and the community lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategies to survive the \u27new normal\u27 imposed by COVID-19 and fierce global competition includes a successful adoption of advanced technologies.</p

Cutting-edge technologies for small business and innovation in the era of COVID-19 global health pandemic

The adoption of cutting-edge technologies to steer business activities during community lockdown to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, even if involuntarily, provides evidence that technologies not only offer competitive advantages but also provides a means for survival, by improvising existing business models. In June 2019, we issued a call for papers to address the awareness, adoption, and implementation challenges of technologies that can drive businesses of all sizes in the fourth industrial revolution. We intended to identify as critical elements the “must-have” and a “nice to have” technologies for small businesses and innovation. Then the ongoing COVID-19 global health pandemic struck in December 2019, forcing the need for digitization of business activities and remote operations, which was considered a “nice to have” to immediately become a “critical to have” to survive in the ever increasingly uncertain business environment. This paper identifies the technologies, evaluates disruptive software platforms, and strategies needed for creating and managing small business innovation and highlighting the complexity of that process and the context within which this process takes place. We integrate this discussion alongside a summary of the articles included in the Special Issue. The current realities show that technologies that enable social business creation, customer relationship management systems, new communications channels, virtual reality technologies for remote operations, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are crucial to lowering the costs of doing business. Big data and predictive and visual analytics are critical enablers to aiding complex business decisions in the current challenging business climate

Energy Consumption in Commercial Buildings in a Post-COVID-19 World

The ripple effects of the pandemic have resulted in an unprecedented shift in sectoral energy consumption as the workforce predominantly stays and works from home. Quantifying the impact of these restrictions on energy consumption offers a new direction towards intelligent energy services in a post coronavirus (post-COVID-19) world, especially for commercial buildings. Thus, utilising actual power consumption data, the study evaluates how energy usage in commercial buildings can change in a post-COVID-19 world, whilst examining the impact of digitalisation to identifying potential new opportunities. The paper analyses the changes in energy demand with occupancy rate based on data from 126 commercial businesses with varied classes across Manchester, United Kingdom. The results show that the reduction in energy demand is not proportionate to the occupancy level, resulting in high energy costs. For instance, an average footfall for February 2021 is 10% of 2020, while the costs of electricity only fall to 80% of 2020. Although most of the energy demand is from appliances, the absence of energy efficiency increases energy consumption, highlighting the urgent need for optimised energy efficiency measures to include the time of use and scheduled use of energy across people and processes