Digital Repositories in Ecology and Environment: An analytical study

The present study aims to identify the status of Open Access Repositories (OARs) in the field of Ecology and Environment. The data was collected from the Directory of Open Access Repositories (OpenDOAR). Data collected was analysed on different parameters such as geographical distribution, software usage, content type, repository type and language diversity. As of now OpenDOAR holds 176 repositories in the field of Ecology and Environment. The findings further reveal that the maximum number of repositories belong to the USA accounting for 18(10.2%). Also, the maximum number of repositories are institutional accounting for 134(76%)

MOOCS: A case study of ALISON platform

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is a recent trend in distance or e-learning, offering an opportunity to the unlimited number of students from diverse geographical areas, academic backgrounds, and professional pursuits to study high quality courses from prestigious institutions. MOOCs offer a large number of resources that have generated great results across the globe and attracted massive audience due to its free or low-cost innovative courses. It has entirely changed the way of distance-virtual learning. It offers new opportunities for imparting education over the internet and provides learning opportunities to those who aren’t able to attend conventional classes. A large number of MOOCs platforms have been developed independently or in collaboration with various reputed institutions like SWAYAM, Udacity, Coursera, WizIQ, Edx etc. The present study will focus on Alison – Advanced Learning Interactive Systems Online, a major free MOOC platform. The study will explore Alison on parameters such as courses offered, subjects covered and publishers that Alison partners with to offer courses online

Librarians and their distinctive personality traits in the 21st century digital era

While there is a fair extension of literature in terms of core skills required by librarians but there is rareness of research on competencies that librarians should possess in terms of their personality traits that distinguish them from the rest of the professions. The role of librarians in the 21st century has migrated from information disseminators to the talent searchers, technological experts, innovators, strategy makers, and entrepreneur. Accordingly, they cannot rely on so-called soft skills of primitive nature; their skills must have a touch of dynamism. The study being theoretical type describes the personality based traits of the librarians on source of 16 Personality Factor (16PF), a widely researched normal personality inventory i.e., Reasoning, Dominance, Emotionally Stable, Liveliness, Social Boldness, Self-reliance, Vigilance, Privateness, Warmth, Tension Free, Rule-Consciousness, Perfectionism, Sensitiveness, Abstractedness, Apprehensive and Openness to Change

Open Access Computer Science Journals in the DOAJ: An analytical study

Open Access movement has shown tremendous growth over the years throughout the world in various regions, countries and disciplines. This paper aims to evaluate the publishing trends of the open access journals in the computer science discipline registered in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). The data collected after the in-depth examination of the directory was analysed and tabulated using simple techniques to fulfil the set objectives. The study evaluates the highest number of contributions country wise, language wise and other factors associated with journals found in DOA

A comprehensive design and optimization of an offset strip-fin compact heat exchanger for energy recovery systems

Energy recovery in conventional thermal systems like power plants, refrigeration systems, and air conditioning systems has enhanced their thermodynamic and economic performance. In this regard, compact heat exchangers are the most employed for gas to gas energy recovery because of their better thermal performance. This paper presents an economic optimization of a crossflow plate-fin heat exchanger with offset strip fins. A detailed software-based numerical code for thermal, hydraulic, economic, and exergy analysis is developed for three fin geometries. Genetic Algorithm, parametric, and normalized sensitivity analyses are used to discover the most influential parameters to optimize the total cost. The parametric study showed that with the increase of mass flow rates and plate spacing, outlet stream cost and operating cost increased due to the rise in pressure drops. Finally, the optimization reduced the operational cost by ∼78.5%, stream cost by ∼64.5%, and total cost by ∼76.8%

Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data harvesting: What you need to know

In 2018, it became public knowledge that millions of Facebook users’ data had been harvested without their consent. At the heart of the issue was Cambridge Analytica (CA) which in partnership with Cambridge researcher, Aleksandr Kogan harvested data from millions of Facebook profiles. Kogan had developed an application called “thisisyourdigitallife” which featured a personality quiz and CA paid for people to take it. The app recorded results of each quiz, collected data from quiz taker’s Facebook account such as personal information and Facebook activity (e.g., what content was “liked”) as well as their Facebook friends which led to data harvesting of about 87 million Facebook profiles. The researcher then passed on this data to CA, which then used an algorithm that enabled them to psychologically profile people based on their Facebook interactions. Donald Trump had hired CA as a part of his 2016 Presidential election strategy. In order to deliver pro-Trump materials to individuals online, CA targeted individuals with a lesser known Facebook feature called “dark post” that contains personalized ads that are visible only to targeted individuals.CA consciously exploited fears of individuals with targeted advertising based on their personality profiles. The use of highly personalized ads made them vulnerable to Trump’s messages that compelled them to vote for him. This digital onslaught played a significant role in Trump’s victory over Hilary Clinton. This article will review how CA was able to harvest users’ personal data and what were its repercussions

MOOCS: A case study of ALISON platform

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is a recent trend in distance or e-learning, offering an opportunity to the unlimited number of students from diverse geographical areas, academic backgrounds, and professional pursuits to study high quality courses from prestigious institutions. MOOCs offer a large number of resources that have generated great results across the globe and attracted massive audience due to its free or low-cost innovative courses. It has entirely changed the way of distance-virtual learning. It offers new opportunities for imparting education over the internet and provides learning opportunities to those who aren’t able to attend conventional classes. A large number of MOOCs platforms have been developed independently or in collaboration with various reputed institutions like SWAYAM, Udacity, Coursera, WizIQ, Edx etc. The present study will focus on Alison – Advanced Learning Interactive Systems Online, a major free MOOC platform. The study will explore Alison on parameters such as courses offered, subjects covered and publishers that Alison partners with to offer courses online

Librarians and their distinctive personality traits in the 21st century digital era

While there is a fair extension of literature in terms of core skills required by librarians but there is rareness of research on competencies that librarians should possess in terms of their personality traits that distinguish them from the rest of the professions. The role of librarians in the 21st century has migrated from information disseminators to the talent searchers, technological experts, innovators, strategy makers, and entrepreneur. Accordingly, they cannot rely on so-called soft skills of primitive nature; their skills must have a touch of dynamism. The study being theoretical type describes the personality based traits of the librarians on source of 16 Personality Factor (16PF), a widely researched normal personality inventory i.e., Reasoning, Dominance, Emotionally Stable, Liveliness, Social Boldness, Self-reliance, Vigilance, Privateness, Warmth, Tension Free, Rule-Consciousness, Perfectionism, Sensitiveness, Abstractedness, Apprehensive and Openness to Change

Digital Repositories in Ecology and Environment: An analytical study

The present study aims to identify the status of Open Access Repositories (OARs) in the field of Ecology and Environment. The data was collected from the Directory of Open Access Repositories (OpenDOAR). Data collected was analysed on different parameters such as geographical distribution, software usage, content type, repository type and language diversity. As of now OpenDOAR holds 176 repositories in the field of Ecology and Environment. The findings further reveal that the maximum number of repositories belong to the USA accounting for 18(10.2%). Also, the maximum number of repositories are institutional accounting for 134(76%)