NETWORKING LAYER FOR THE EVOLUTION OF MARITIME PORTS INTO A SMART ENVIRONMENT

The maritime transport is playing an increasing and critical role on the worldwide trade; because it guarantee the delivery of 80% of the goods worldwide. The maritime ports are the articulation of the maritime transports, and therefore are responsible of (long delay in the ports means high risks for goods deterioration, higher costs for the logistics companies, longer occupation of containers for containers management companies, etc. In recent years some publications are talking about smart ports. In this paper we take some of the most recent models of smart port, and propose some extensions by considering the recent recommendations from International Maritime Organization (IMO), which have been translated and issued legislation frameworks by the European Union, such as maritime environment monitoring, air pollution, etc. In the recent years, any “smart” environment is modeled through an Internet-of-Things (IoT) layered model. Thus, we discuss the model of smart port environment as IoT layered model, where the networking/communications layer plays the core role. Furthermore, we analyse the possible networking technologies which could support the different smart domains building the smart port environment. This is achieved by first defining the different sub-layers of the hierarchical communication layer, and then comparing different technologies for building the broadband mobile sub-layer.

Emotional Intelligence in Autism

Emotional intelligence is a term, which includes various abilities and skills, which enable a person to perceive and handle emotional situations both his own and those of other individuals with the aim of his social and personal development. More specifically, the first part of this work presents an analysis of the role of emotional intelligence in the individual. Then, the 8 pillars of metcognition are mentioned, the role of humor in EI, taking distances with the help of EI, the correlation with hormones, the mindfulness model, the new layered model on EI, and the EI in gifted individual. In the second part, the literature review focuses on the role of EI in autism, the views of Kanner and Aspenger, the expression and understanding of emotions of people with ASD through EI, the mindfulness and the use of robots in autism.

Language Teacher Agency

This Element aims to elucidate the concept of language teacher agency by exploring the 'what' question, offering major conceptualisations of agency and explaining how they shape the way we approach teacher agency. The authors then continue with the 'why' question, and elaborate on the reasons that language teacher agency matters, based on a discussion of the varied purposes of teacher agency at multiple levels. They also acknowledge that teacher agency does not operate alone, and discuss how it intersects with such concepts as teacher identity, emotion, belief and knowledge. Based on this, they identify ways to promote teacher agency through making changes to contexts and/or actors. They then introduce the concept of collective agency and propose a multi-layered model based on an illustrative study. The Element ends with a call for a trans-perspective on understanding language teacher agency so as to facilitate the professional development of language teachers.

Performance Analysis of the IOTA DAG-Based Distributed Ledger

Distributed ledgers (DLs) provide many advantages over centralized solutions in Internet of Things projects, including but not limited to improved security, transparency, and fault tolerance. To leverage DLs at scale, their well-known limitation (i.e., performance) should be adequately analyzed and addressed. Directed acyclic graph-based DLs have been proposed to tackle the performance and scalability issues by design. The first among them, IOTA, has shown promising signs in addressing the preceding issues. IOTA is an open source DL designed for the Internet of Things. It uses a directed acyclic graph to store transactions on its ledger, to achieve a potentially higher scalability over blockchain-based DLs. However, due to the uncertainty and centralization of the deployed consensus, the current IOTA implementation exposes some performance issues, making it less performant than the initial design. In this article, we first extend an existing simulator to support realistic IOTA simulations and investigate the impact of different design parameters on IOTA’s performance. Then, we propose a layered model to help the users of IOTA determine the optimal waiting time to resend the previously submitted but not yet confirmed transaction. Our findings reveal the impact of the transaction arrival rate, tip selection algorithms, weighted tip selection algorithm randomness, and network delay on the throughput. Using the proposed layered model, we shed some light on the distribution of the confirmed transactions. The distribution is leveraged to calculate the optimal time for resending an unconfirmed transaction to the DL. The performance analysis results can be used by both system designers and users to support their decision making.

Integrating Quality Assessment Through Metrics into Scrum Software Development

Metrics are advantageous for all software development companies to assess and ensure quality. Therefore, integrating metrics is essential throughout the software development process to track, and correct deviations, and improve continuously. In this paper, we examine how to integrate quality assessment through metrics into the Scrum development process through a new approach entitled Metrics for Quality in Scrum (MQScrum). The MQScrum approach makes a valuable contribution to track Scrum projects even if using agile project management tools without slowing teams down. So, it facilitates the teams monitoring quality, discovering problems, and making the appropriate improvements thanks to the MQScrum reports. Firstly, we introduce a Scrum meta-model enhanced by metrics-related concepts. Then, we represent a layered model for our MQScrum approach illustrating the data processing across three layers from the Scrum process layer to the layers of Scrum concepts and finally to that of metrics. Consequently, the proposed solution is an alignment of the Scrum process with a metric-based Scrum system. Finally, it demonstrates process tasks from which pertinent data is collected and then stored in a database based on Scrum and metrics related concepts.

ON THE INFLUENCE OF THE SIZE OF FLAKE GRAPHITE INCLUSIONS AND ITS VOLUME CONTENT ON THE ACOUSTIC PARAMETERS OF CAST IRON AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ULTRASONIC LONGITUDINAL WAVE SIGNALS

Algorithms have been presented for calculating the velocity (in the approximation of a fine-layered model) and the attenuation coefficient of a longitudinal ultrasonic wave in cast iron, depending on the average size of graphite elements and its volume content, the calculation results for which are qualitatively confirmed experimentally. The calculation was performed using a fine-layered model of the structure, the graphite inclusions were described in the form of plane-parallel layers placed in an isotropic elastic medium (metal base). Computer simulation of acoustic paths for a mediumcast iron with flake graphite for standard direct converters is carried out in order to study the influence of such a medium on the characteristics of transmitted and received signals during ultrasonic testing. In the course of the research, a previously developed model was used to calculate the attenuation coefficient of longitudinal waves in cast iron with flake graphite due to their Rayleigh and phase scattering on graphite inclusions. Computer simulation of the acoustic characteristics of the signals of a direct linear probe with a phased array in cast iron with flake graphite was carried out, during which the shape of the acoustic pulses of the longitudinal wave was calculated, depending on the distance traveled by the wave and the value of the attenuation coefficient for various models of cast iron. The main modeled characteristics of the transducer include the directivity characteristic and the change in the signal amplitude along the acoustic axis. It is shown that for cast iron with flake graphite, there are cases when the directivity of the probe with a phased array transmitted into the cast iron is practically absent.

8 Pillars X 8 Layers Model of Metacognition: Educational Strategies, Exercises &Trainings

<p class="0abstract">Metacognition is one of the foremost cardinal factors of achievement in the 21st century. Despite extensive research, there is still the need to build a unique model based on multidisciplinary research illuminating questions as regards the real nature of metacognition and the methods to develop metacognitive abilities. The current study presents a new layered model of metacognition based on well-established theories derived from cognitive science, psychology, physical and computer sciences, environmental and other sciences, even from philosophy. We describe in detail the cognitive and metacognitive processes involved in each layer, while particular emphasis is placed on the relation between the control processes as well as the special role of attention. According to our model, each layer of metacognition describes a higher-order control system which operates under the rule of a series of attention processes at an ever more refined, abstract, united and holistic level. The same applies to the cognitive processes and abilities such as attention, memory, perception, pattern recognition. At each higher level, they display more advanced attributes and functions responding to the necessity of creating more abstract mental representations and upper class motivations, thoughts and emotions. In addition, we recommend a number of strategies that support the metacognitive development at each level of the hierarchy. The multi-layered model of metacognition targets at enriching our understanding of how metacognition evolves and it has the potential to guide the development of more effective strategies in educational system.<strong></strong></p>