A Comparative Study of the Application of Different Commercial Software for Topology Optimization

Topology optimization (TO) has been a popular design method among CAD designers in the last decades. This method optimizes the given design domain by minimizing/maximizing one or more objective functions, such as the structure’s stiffness, and at the same time, respecting the given constraints like the volume or the weight reduction. For this reason, the companies providing the commercial CAD/FEM platforms have taken this design trend into account and, thus, have included TO in their products over the last years. However, it is not clear which features, algorithms, or, in other words, possibilities the CAD designers do have using these software platforms. A comparative study among the most applied topology optimization software was conducted for this research paper. First, the authors developed an online database of the identified TO software in the form of a table. Interested CAD designers can access and edit its content, contributing in this way to the creation of an updated library of the available TO software. In addition, a deeper comparison among three commercial software platforms—SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical, and ABAQUS—was implemented using three common case studies—(1) a bell crank lever, (2) a pillow bracket, and (3) a small bridge. These models were designed, optimized, and validated numerically, as well as compared for their strength. Finally, the above software was evaluated with respect to optimization time, optimized designs, and TO possibilities and features.

Impact of Protection Level on Vertically Differentiated Two-Sided Software Platforms

This paper studies the impact of software protection level on software platforms and customers’ responses to different levels of protection. This study models the interplay between users, developers and platforms, and the impact of quality degradation in the presence and absence of competitive platforms. All price structures are affected by protection level and quality degradation level for pirated copies of software. Customers, developers, and platform reaction to the protection and quality degradation levels can be contradictory, because an increase in those parameters may benefit one side, while hindering another. The results confirm that full protection against piracy is not always the best strategy in multisided platforms, but the impact of piracy changes under different scenarios.The results show that decisions regarding optimal security strategies should be taken in a systematic manner by incorporating the perspectives of all involved parties and the important factors extracted from the market within which the platform performs, such as monopoly or competition.

Development Trends of Digital Infrastructure

The goal of this chapter is to analyze the main trends in the development of information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and to discuss ICT strategies for decision-making in the 21st century. The chapter begins with a discussion of the development of the internet and its impact on civilization and human society. Next, the chapter considers the development of smartphone applications as well as other technologies used for personal communication. After this, developments in hardware and machine software platforms are considered. The chapter concludes by analyzing three trends: developments in computer architecture, developments in computer design, and developments in IT design.

Privacy Concerns Among Older Adults Using Voice Assistant Systems

Voice Assistant Systems (VAS) are software platforms that complete various tasks using voice commands (e.g., Amazon Alexa), with increasing usage by older adults. It is unknown whether older adults have significant privacy concerns with VAS. 55 participants were evaluated from ambulatory practice sites for a study on VAS detection of early cognitive decline. The mean age was 73.3±5.6 years, 58% female, 93% white, and 53% had mild cognitive impairment. Privacy concerns were assessed via Likert-based surveys. Participants believed data was used with consent (71%) and stored properly (67%); however, 71% wanted new privacy regulations, 43% were comfortable with daily activity monitoring, and 85% thought the data needs to be highly protected. Qualitative themes included “listening-in”, “tracking”, and unwanted sharing of information. Findings suggest that older adults do not have significant privacy concerns for VAS use, but requested additional regulations. Future research can compare VAS privacy concerns between age groups.

Lifelong training program on QGIS tools for earth observation sciences in south-east Europe

Earth Observation (EO) data are an indispensable source of useful geospatial information, which can be efficiently combined with other data within the latest released open-source QGIS software. This paper aims: i) to present a general overview of the QGIS EO plugins; ii) to promote the Lifelong Learning (LLL) courses for open-source QGIS software tools provided by the Geo-SEE Institute from Skopje; iii) to appreciate the advantages of open-source QGIS for developing and improving EO applications. The training objectives are to enhance the research, development tools and technologies of QGIS and stimulate the obtaining and disseminating knowledge to utilize the open-source GIS software. Furthermore, there is a growing need to increase the number of well-educated professionals on issues related to the EO sciences in South-East Europe (SEE), who are better prepared for the labor market in today's digital revolution by using QGIS tools and plugins combined with other related GIS software platforms provided by the OSGeo family.

Recovering Information from Wireless Sensors in Hardware and Software Platforms

The work considers the task of information processing in a subsystem of the hardware-software platform of the simulator complex - a mobile system of simulating isolation breathing apparatuses. The problem of predicting values when data packets are lost during their wireless transmission has been revealed. To solve the problem, an algorithm for data processing based on neural network technology has been developed, which allows reducing the number of data packet losses by predicting the lost values. The experimental studies confirmed the adequacy and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The use of neural networks in solving the problems of information processing has improved the accuracy of this process.

Software Platforms Based on the Principles of Graphic Design, Automatic Command Generation and Visual Programming

This paper presents a new approach to software application development using a graphical interface. The approach is based on a combination of drag and drop elements and logic based on the model’s own concept. Low code platforms and principles have been developed and are still being developed precisely to enable the rapid creation and use of applications that meet all the special needs and requirements of various organizations. No code platforms allow professionals and laymen to create applications via graphical user interfaces without any prior knowledge or qualifications in programming. However, code platforms are closely related to low code platforms because they are both created with a similar goal, based on a very similar way of working and almost the same principles of operation. Many vendors point out that the future of software development is based on configuration, not program. We believe that eliminating code is one way to bring development to higher standards in application development. One of the biggest advantages of the LC/NC platform is that they allow us to take advantage of innate problem solving and human skills by removing at least a significant number, if not all barriers to implementing software solutions in today’s software world.

DEVSECOPS METHODOLOGY FOR NG-IOT ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT LIFECYCLE – ASSIST-IOT PERSPECTIVE

Current software projects require continuous integration during their whole lifetime. In this context, different approaches regarding introduction of DevOps and DevSecOps strategies have been proposed in the literature. While DevOps proposes an agile methodology for the development and instantiation of software platforms with minimal impact in any kind of operations environment, this contribution proposes the introduction of DevOps methodology for Next Generation IoT deployments. Moreover, novelty of the proposed approach lies in leveraging DevSecOps in different stages and layers of the architecture. In particular, the present work describes the different DevSecOps methodology tasks, and how the security is included on pre-design activities such as planning, creation or adaptation, the design and implementation, as well as on post-implementation activities such as detection, response. Without proper consideration of security and privacy best practices identified in this article, the continuous delivery of services using DevOps methodologies may create risks and introduce different vulnerabilities for Next Generation IoT deployments.

Cloud-based Software Platforms for Citizen Science: Implications and opportunities for biodiversity standards

Whether community created and driven, or developed and run by researchers, most citizen science projects operate on minimalistic budgets, their capacity to invest in fully featured bespoke software and databases is usually very limited. Further, the increasing number of applications and citizen science options available for public participation creates a confusing situation to navigate. Cloud-based platforms such as BioCollect, iNaturalist, eBird, CitSci.org, and Zooniverse, provide an opportunity for citizen science projects to leverage highly featured functional software capabilities at a fraction of the cost of developing their own, as well as a common channel through which the public can find and access projects. These platforms are also excellent vehicles to facilitate the implementation of data and metadata standards, which streamline interoperability and data sharing. Such services can also embed measures in their design, which uplift the descriptions and quality of data outputs, significantly amplifying their usability and value. In this presentation I outline the experiences of the Atlas of Living Australia on these issues and demonstrate how we are tackling them with the BioCollect and iNaturalist platforms. We also consider the differences and similarities of these two platforms with respect to standards and data structures in relation to suitability for different use cases. You are invited to join a discussion on approaches being adopted and offer insights for improved outcomes.