Universal Decision Support System for Selection of MSW Route Optimization Method

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) collection utilizes the highest percentage of the MSW management budget. Additionally, choosing a vehicle route optimization method is complex, difficult and does not always yield the most practical approach. There is limited published information about a decision support system (DSS) that assists in selecting the appropriate route optimization algorithm. This study aims to design and develop a universal DSS framework that suggests effective route optimization method(s). The system consists of 21 optimization data items and four criteria that assess the available constraints and recommends the most suitable optimization method(s). The DSS prototype was validated by testing it on the available literature and observing if the suggested method by the system complies with that utilized by the researchers. It was found that the system was able to predict the method which is used in 73% of studies. Moreover, the system suggested an enhanced version of the methods used in 18% of studies. It could be concluded that the proposed framework can help to select the best algorithms in almost all existing scenarios that have been used during development. Therefore, it is recommended to use the framework for selecting the appropriate route optimization algorithm for MSW collection.

Behavior-Driven Development of Microservice Applications

As the number of microservice applications rises, different development methodologies for them are under consideration. In this manuscript, we propose a behavior-driven development method for microservice applications. The proposed method starts with writing end-to-end tests at the system or application level and then moves down to the microservice level, where component and unit tests are written. Next, code that passes these tests is developed one by one for each level. Once user stories are covered, our method loops again to integrate negative tests to achieve holistic testing for the microservices and the application. Finally, the proposed method is validated with an application with five microservices. Results confirm that the proposed method matches with the generally accepted test pyramid.

Intelligent Face Tracking for Collaborative Synchronous e-Learning using Pattern Recognition Model

Intelligent Face Tracking for Collaborative Synchronous e-Learning using Pattern Recognition Model can provide high levels of interaction for distance learning initiatives. With the rapid evolution of technology, face recognition login and tracking, continuous product evaluation is necessary to ensure optimal methods and resources for connecting students, instructors, and educational content in rich, online learning communities. This article presents the analysis of online, synchronous learning solutions. Focusing on their abilities to meet technical and pedagogical needs in higher education. To make a solid comparison, the systems were examined in online classrooms with instructors, guest speakers, and students. Relative to usability, instructional needs, technical aspects and compatibility are outlined for systems.

Observability and Geometric Approach of 2D Hybrid Systems

A connection is emphasized between two branches of the Systems Theory, namely the Geometric Approach and 2D Systems, with a special regard to the concept of observability. An algorithm is provided which determines the maximal subspace which is invariant with respect to two commutative matrices and which is included in a given subspace. Observability criteria are obtained for a class of 2D systems by using a suitable 2D observability Gramian and some such criteria are derived for LTI 2D systems, as well as the geometric characterization of the subspace of unobservable states. The presented algorithm is applied to determine this subspace.

The Measuring Engagement (ME™) Tool

Studies on human engagement behavior whilst interacting with multimedia environment has now become very important due to the era of convergences of immersive technology in various digital platforms. This paper will describe a system to measure human engagement behavior in NORMA (Natural Observation and Reflection of Multimedia Application) experimental setting. The tool was developed as a Proof of Concept of The NEMD MODEL (Norma™ Engagement Multimedia Design Model) a renamed of An Engaging Multimedia Design Model that could explain the engagement phenomenon that has enticed the use of virtual spaces to complement its physical form. This paper is a description of The Measuring Engagement (ME™) Tool automated system in comparison to a system done manually. The system has proven to be a useful tool to enable us knows more about engagement and the phenomenon surrounding it. Findings could help us know more about engagement that may lead to excessive, immersive and addictive use of innovative technologies.

Dynamics of Employee Retention Among SMEs in a Developing Economy

The purpose of this study was to understand the challenges SME managers in a developing economy such as Ghana face in retaining their employees and how the situation could be mediated. This is because Ghanaian small and mediumsize enterprises are overwhelmed with the issue of how to retain their employees. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected from a sample of 300 SME managers and employees in fifteen small and medium firms in the manufacturing, financial, hospitality, IT, retail and service industries, it was found that the firms’ HR practices significantly impact negatively employee retention. It is therefore concluded that the best retention strategies available to SMEs in Ghana is the need to adopt a flexible workplace practices and work family support policies as well as focusing on good reward management practices.

The Microsite

This paper deals with the analysis of microsites as a low-cost marketing communication tool used to effectively address prospective applicants for admissions to higher education institutions. The paper contains the analysis of the microsite www.ustav44.cz, which has been created to promote the Department of Marketing Communications at Tomas Bata University in Zlín. Specifically, it has been created to promote the degree course in Marketing Communications. The authors of the paper describe the individual stages of the microsite design as well as its implementation and launch, including a subsequent analysis of its functionality and overall effectiveness within a selected target group. Based on the survey results, a proposal outlining how to improve particular user elements of this microsite and how to improve the microsite as a whole has been developed. The final part of this paper contains general instructions and basic tips that may help readers create a microsite of a similar type.

Dealing with Communication Channels within IEC61499 Component-Based Systems

Traditional approaches for developing automation systems consider system itself hardly can be changed. Current challenges in automation applications include the need of autoreconfiguration in response to process changes or event triggering. In order to face these requirements, new automation methodologies are necessary. Component-based technologies, initially defined for achieving efficient, structured and reusable designs can also be used to achieve adaptation. In this work, an IEC 61499-based framework that uses the concept to deal with reconfiguration issues is presented. The final output of the framework is a distributed system IEC61499 compliant. A new concept, the communication channel, is introduced providing a new abstraction layer to deal with communication between components. The joint use of automation components and communication channels allows defining complex automation systems in an easy way.

In Pursuing Better Academic Result In University: A Case of Fuzzy Logic Analysis

A fuzzy logic approach is applied in this proposed system as a method to predict the performance student in pursuing better academic results in university. Fuzzy logic is used because the technique is suitable for statistical database as well as suitable to obtain general classification between excellence and moderate students. The main issue in this project is the difficulties to predict the student’s performance and to sustain their result. The fuzzy logic approach is suitable for data classification and the performance will be analyzed by using Matlab simulink. Besides that, several difference methods of membership were also been investigated in order to design and propose the most stable and reliable system. Based on the results obtained from simulation, it has provided meaningful characteristics that are significant and able to advice student getting better grades in academicals program (BEE & BEP). Moreover, the system will provide better study to student whose do not understand the university system during their early years in university.

The Selection and Training Framework for Managers in Business Innovation and Transformation Projects

The riskiest factor in transforming a traditional Business Environment (BE) into an innovative and business lean oriented BE is the role of the business and (e-)Business Transformation Manager (BTM). The basic profile of such a BTM has not been sufficiently investigated in a holistic and educational manner. The characteristics of a suitable BTM profile is the main goal of the author's selection and training framework (STF) research project; that started in the year 2010. In this research paper, the author tries to prove that the STF research methodology, design and prototype (STF_RMDP) can be applied in a "real world case"; that is in fact the final phase. This final phase is labelled the "STF research empirical model". This whole research is a part of the author's doctorate in business administration. The STF_RMDP results define the optimal BTM profile who has to cope with complex business transformation projects (BTP). These BTPs need a specific set of skills, especially for the final and the very difficult implementation phase (Trad, Kalpic, IMRA, 2013-an award winning paper). The BTP's implementation phase is the major cause of high failure rates. The BTMs' needed hands-on skills; these skills should encompass: 1) knowledge of business process and services (BPs) technologies, 2) automated real-time business environments, 3) project management, 4) knowledge integration, 5) organizational behaviour, 6) management sciences methodologies 7) enterprise application integration and other concrete BTP implementation phase know-how artefacts. Therefore the researcher recommends the technocrats profile (Fahroomand, 2004) as a "base profile" for such BTPs; that need to be complemented with crossfunctional skills (Trad, Kalpic, ITI, 2013). More specifically, this research focuses on the influence of the BTMs' hands-on business architecture experience, background and education, on managing complex BTP implementations. Where such transformations integrate avant-garde innovation, knowledge and technology. “We know that those organizations that are consistently successful at managing innovation-related changes outperform their peers in terms of growth and financial performance” (Tidd, 2006). The author has based his research model on the main fact that only around 12% of business organizations successfully manage innovation-related business transformations initiatives. Therefore, there is an important need for a dynamic and automated way of selecting and training future BTMs. BTMs who would be capable of implementing such complex BP based systems (Tidd, Bessant, 2009). Where STF_RMDP is the empirical model with which the author wants to prove that future BTMs can be selected to successfully build or reengineer various electronic and lean BE (ELBE) components. The empirical model will contain a real world prototype and surveys that will generate the need data sets the qualitative research approach.