Current Practice in Measuring the Quality of Conceptual Models:Challenges and Research

How to measure the quality of conceptual models is an important issue in the IS field and related research. This paper conducts a review of research in measuring conceptual model quality and identifies the major theoretical and practical issues that need to be addressed in future studies. We review current classification frameworks for conceptual model quality and practice of measuring conceptual model quality. Based on the review, challenges for studies of measuring the quality of conceptual models are proposed and these challenges are also research points which should be strengthened in future studies.

The Challenging Place of Natural Hazards in Disaster Risk Reduction Conceptual Models:Insights from Central Africa and the European Alps

Based on a literature review and two case studies,this article presents the difficulties inherent in the main disaster risk reduction conceptual models.The method used to highlight such evidence is to compare two programs on disaster risk reduction with mainstream conceptual models.The authors participated in these programs,which were confronted with the need to integrate contributions and insights from both earth and social sciences.Our analysis found that the existing main conceptual models were unable to do justice to disaster risk reduction needs.This finding encouraged us to critique these models.Further effort led us to present possible solutions to compensate for the shortcomings of current models while taking into account the contextualization and dynamics of phenomena,as well as grappling with the more explicit integration of hazards and hazard risk into model design.

A Conceptual Model of Our Universe Derived from the Fine Structure Constant (α)

The Fine Structure Constant (α) is a dimensionless value that guides much of quantum physics but with no scientific insight into why this specific number. The number defines the coupling constant for the strength of the electromagnetic force and is precisely tuned to make our universe functional. This study introduces a novel approach to understanding a conceptual model for how this critical number is part of a larger design rather than a random accident of nature. The Fine Structure Constant (FSC) model employs a Python program to calculate n-dimensional property sets for prime number universes where α equals the whole number values 137 and 139, representing twin prime universes without a fractional constant. Each property is defined by theoretical prime number sets that represent focal points of matter and wave energy in their respective universes. This work aims to determine if these prime number sets can reproduce the observed α value, giving it a definable structure. The result of the FSC model produces a α value equal to 137.036, an almost exact match. Furthermore, the model indicates that other twin prime pairs also have a role in our functional universe, providing a hierarchy for atomic orbital energy levels and alignment with the principal and azimuthal quantum numbers. In addition, it construes stable matter as property sets with the highest ratio of twin prime elements. These results provide a new perspective on a mathematical structure that shapes our universe and, if valid, has the structural complexity to guide future research.

Modeling the Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Local Context for a Contextualized Diffusion of Agroecological Intensification Options in Niger

Spatio-temporal variability and dynamics in Sahelian agro-pastoral zones make each local situation a special case. These specificities must be considered to guide the dissemination of agricultural options with a view to sustainable development. The territorial scale of municipalities is not sufficient for this necessary contextualization;the scale of the “village terroir” seems to be a better option. This is the hypothesis we put forward in the framework of the Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems program (CRFS), i.e. local context is spatially defined by village terroir. The study is based on data collected through participatory mapping and surveys in “village terroirs” in three regions of Niger (Maradi, Dosso and Tillabéri). Then the links between farm managers and their cultivated land, as well as the spatio-temporal dynamics of local context are analyzed. This study provides evidence of the existence and functional usefulness of the village terroir for farmers, their land management and their activities. It demonstrates the usefulness of contextualizing agricultural options at this scale. Their analysis elucidates the links between “terroirs village” and the specific functioning of the agrosocio-ecosystems acting on each of them, thus laying the systemic and geographical foundations for a model of the spatio- temporal dynamics of “village terroirs”. This initial work has opened up new perspectives in modeling and sustainable development.

Description method of conceptual model based on the ontology

The conceptual model is the first time abstraction ceptual model description method based on the UML and the of the real world. The traditional con- text usually has the semantic ambiguity problem. The formal description method lacks the mechanism of integrity and consistency check. Therefore both of them cannot support the simulation scenario description and the model compos- ability. A simulation conceptual description method based on ontology is put forward. According to the OWL language which was put forward by the W3C organization, a conceptual model description language is established. The OWL language semantic element in the description function in the mili- tary conceptual model is introduced. Then two layers of the military conceptual model framework are built up based on the general ontology and the domain ontology. In the general ontology, the class and property definition are given. While in the domain ontology, they are extended and a relat- ed example is given. The technique advantages of our method include the mechanism of conceptual model consistency and integrity check, the support of composable simulation models, and automatic creation of simulation scenario.

Hydrological Modeling of Aguibat Ezziar Watershed (Morocco), Comparative Study of Two Different Hydrological Models

This study aims to compare the performance of two hydrological models, conceptual (HEC-HMS) and spatial (ATHYS) on the Aguibat Ezziar watershed. The comparative analysis is based on the performances of simulation in terms of Nash-Sutcliffe and RSR. The study requires the collection of a series of data as inputs models namely rainfall data, water quantity, soil occupation, DTM and requires also a calibration in order to evaluate these models in validation phase. The simulation results were obtained from the validation phase aiming to replicate the operation of watershed Aguibat Ezziar, and present a suitable adjustment perspective of the observed hydrograph. These results show that the objective is achieved and a model distributed like ATHYS plays an effective role to improve the efficiency and present a high advantage in anticipation of runoff volume comparing with other models.

CONCEPTUAL MODELING BASED ON LOGICAL EXPRESSION AND EVOLVEMENT

Aiming at the problem of abstract and polytype information modeling in product conceptual design, a method of conceptual modeling based on logical expression and evolvement is presented. Based on the logic expressions of the product conceptual design information, a fimction/logic/strucmre mapping model is set up. First, the fimction semantics is transformed into logical expressions through fimction/logic mapping. Second, the methods of logical evolvement are utilized to describe the fimction analysis, fimction/strucmre mapping and structure combination. Last, the logical structure scheme is transformed into geometrical sketch through logic/structure mapping. The conceptual design information and modeling process are described uniformly with logical methods in the model, and an effective method for computer aided conceptual design based on the model is implemented.

Hydrogeological Characterization and Approach to a Conceptual Model of the Aquifer of the Cuvette Basin, Republic of Congo

The continuous aquifers of the Congolese Cuvette basin constitute the seat of significant water tables reversibly supplying the Congo River basin as well as the water tables they drain. Consisting mainly of sandy-clayey-sandstone formations, these aquifers contain groundwater which is the main source of drinking water supply for communities in this sector of the departments Cuvette and Cuvette-Ouest. The need for water being more and more acute, these aquifers have been subjected to drilling operations in order to supply drinking water to these populations. The information obtained from these operations is data which made it possible to obtain information relating to the lithology, the hydrogeological parameters of these aquifers and information on the depth and on the lateral variations of the water table. The purpose of this present work is to contribute to the hydrogeological characterization of the aquifer of the Cuvette basin in the departments of Cuvette and Cuvette-Ouest via data from the analysis of the technical sheets of drillings carried out by the ASPERBRAS Company, collected at the Ministry of Major Works and territory planning. This characterization was made using Visual MODFLOW Flex 2015.1 software coupled with Surfer 10 software and Rock Works 17 software. The hydrogeological interpretation of the data shows that this aquifer, whose constitution is essentially made up of sands, clayey sands and clay, is continuous, porous and free. This composition gives the aquifer of Cuvette basin a heterogeneous character. In addition, a piezometric map was produced in order to indicate the direction of the water flows which turned out to be from west to east towards the lowest areas occupied by the valleys of the rivers and rivers. The conceptual model shows that the depth of the aquifer deceases considerably from the Cuvette-Ouest towards the Cuvette.

Conceptual Model of Aquifers in the Bedrock Zone of the MarahouéWatershed (Centre-West of Ivory Coast)

Marahoué watershed, located in the Center West of Côte d’Ivoire, has experienced significant population growth in recent decades. And a major economic boom linked to intense agricultural activity and the presence of certain industries. This population growth is also accompanied by seasonal water shortages. Hence it needs to better manage the basin’s groundwater, which is a permanent resource and more resistant than surface water to climatic hazards. The objective of this study is therefore to propose a conceptual model of hydrogeological flow for the sustainable exploitation of groundwater resources in the Marahoué watershed. The establishment of the conceptual model was carried out in two stages. The first step consisted in defining the stratigraphic units. For this purpose, three units have been defined. These are the layer of alterite, the useful fissured horizon and the sound basement. The thickness of the layer of alterite varies from 0 to 80 m with an average of 26 m. As for the useful fissured horizon, its thickness is between 43 and 46.5 with an average of 45 m. In addition, the roof of the basement presents a slightly uneven morphology with a North-West, South-East dip and the altitudes are between 150 and 390 m. The second step corresponds to the phase of determining the hydrodynamic parameters. During this phase, the crack porosity, the transmissivity, the conductivity, the storage coefficient, the hydrological balance and the piezometric map were determined. Indeed, these parameters (the crack porosity, the transmissivity, the conductivity and the storage coefficient) confirm not only the heterogeneity of the medium but that the cracked horizon is sufficiently porous to be assimilated to an equivalent continuous medium during the simulation.

Conceptual Modeling and Simulation Application Analysis of In-service Assessment

Firstly,this paper expounds the conceptual connotation of inservice assessment in the new system,then applies modeling and Simulation in the field of in-service assessment,establishes the conceptual model of inservice assessment and its process,and finally analyzes the application of modeling and simulation in the specific links of in-service assessment.

Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Variation and Forecast Model of Sandstorm Weather in Ulanqab City

Based on the data of sandstorm at 11 stations in Ulanqab City from 1990 to 2021,the spatial and temporal variation characteristics of sand-storm weather were analyzed firstly,and then the conceptual models of cold front and Mongolian cyclone sandstorm were obtained by analyzing sandstorm cases.Finally,the forecast points of the two types of sandstorm weather were given to provide some scientific basis and reference for the prediction of local sandstorm weather in the future.

Past and Future of Mathematical Geology

This is a brief review of alternative methods of problem-solving in geoscience with emphasis on the role of mathematical geology. It is desirable to maintain a clear-cut distinction between reliable facts which can be stored in data banks and concepts that can be incorporated in the specifications of statistical models designed for specific purposes. If possible, subjective probabilities should be incorporated in hypotheses that are to be tested by statistical inference.

An Analysis of a Meso-β System in a Mei-yu Front Using the Intensive Observation Data During CHeRES 2002

The conventional and intensive observational data of the China Heavy Rain Experiment and Study (CHeRES) are used to specially analyze the heavy rainfall process in the mei-yu front that occurred during 20-21 June 2002, focusing on the meso-β system. A mesoscale convective system (MCS) formed in the warm-moist southwesterly to the south of the shear line over the Dabie Mountains and over the gorge between the Dabie and Jiuhua Mountains. The mei-yu front and shear line provide a favorable synoptic condition for the development of convection. The GPS observation indicates that the precipitable water increased obviously about 2-3 h earlier than the occurrence of rainfall and decreased after that. The abundant moisture transportation by southwesterly wind was favorable to the maintenance of convective instability and the accumulation of convective available potential energy (CAPE). Radar detection reveals that meso-β and -γ systems were very active in the MaCS. Several convection lines developed during the evolution of the MaCS, and these are associated with surface convergence lines. The boundary outflow of the convection line may have triggered another convection line. The convection line moved with the mesoscale surface convergence line, but the convective cells embedded in the convergence line propagated along the line. On the basis of the analyses of the intensive observation data, a multi-scale conceptual model of heavy rainfall in the mei-yu front for this particular case is proposed.

Applying XML for designing and interchanging information for multidimensional model

In order to exchange and share information among the conceptual models of data warehouse, and to build a solid base for the integration and share of metadata, a new multidimensional concept model is presented based on XML and its DTD is defined, which can perfectly describe various semantic characteristics of multidimensional conceptual model. According to the multidimensional conceptual modeling technique which is based on UML, the mapping algorithm between the multidimensional conceptual model is described based on XML and UML class diagram, and an application base for the wide use of this technique is given.

Formation mechanism of a rainfall triggered complex landslide in southwest China

This case study is about a landslide that occurred after 4 days of heavy rainfall,in the morning of June 29,2012,in Cengong County,Guizhou Province of China,geographical coordinated 108°20′-109°03′E,27°09′-27°32′N,with an estimated volume of 3.3×106 m3.To fully investigate the landslide process and formation mechanism,detailed geotechnical and geophysical investigations were performed including borehole drilling,sampling,and laboratory tests coupled with monitoring of displacement.Also,a combined seepage-slope stability modeling was performed to study the behavior of the landslide.After the heavy rainfall event,the sliding process started in this area.The landslide development can be divided into different parts.The man-made fill area,spatially distributed in the south side of the landslide area with low elevations,slid first along the interface between the slope debris and the strongly weathered bedrock roughly in the EW direction.Consequently,due to severe lateral shear disturbance,the slope in the main sliding zone slid next towards the SW direction,along the sliding surface developed within the strongly weathered calcareous shale formation located at a depth of 25-35 m.This means it was a rainfall triggered deep-seated landslide.Finally,retrogressive failure of a number of upstream blocks occurred,which moved in more than one direction.The initial failure of the man-made fill area was the‘engine’of the whole instability framework.This artificial material with low permeability,piled up in the accumulation area of surface and sub-surface and destroyed the drainage capacity of the groundwater.The numerical modeling results agreed with the analysis results obtained from the laboratory and field investigations.A conceptual model is given to illustrate the formation mechanism and development process of the landslide.

Pollution pattern of underground river in karst area of the Southwest China

Investigation of groundwater pollution has been carried out on multiple typical karst underground river systems in recent years in order to reveal the characteristics and mechanism of underground river pollution. Through the summary of the survey results, five characteristics of underground river pollution have been revealed, including directionality, weak hysteresis, easier for reversibility, linear and intermittent(or seasonal); combining with karst geomorphic types, pollution sources(primordial, secondary pollution and compound), pollution ways and pollution receptors, three basic pollution patterns of the underground river were depicted: Recharge area pollution, runoff area pollution and discharge area pollution. At the same time, the study discloses the reality of the underground river pollution is the three basic patterns and their subgenera in combination with super imposition on the space and time. And from the angle of the hydrogeological model, the study expounds the process of underground river pollution. Finally, the study gives naming rules of pollution pattern of the underground river and sets up PISAB method of pattern recognition. The results provide scientific basis for pollution repair and management of underground river in the southwest karst region.

Flash flood hazard mapping: A pilot case study in Xiapu River Basin, China

Flash flood hazard mapping is a supporting component of non-structural measures for flash flood prevention. Pilot case studies are necessary to develop more practicable methods for the technical support systems of flash flood hazard mapping. In this study, the headwater catchment of the Xiapu River Basin in central China was selected as a pilot study area for flash flood hazard mapping. A conceptual distributed hydrological model was developed for flood calculation based on the framework of the Xinanjiang model, which is widely used in humid and semi-humid regions in China. The developed model employs the geomorphological unit hydrograph method, which is extremely valuable when simulating the overland flow process in ungauged catchments, as compared with the original Xinanjiang model. The model was tested in the pilot study area, and the results agree with the measured data on the whole. After calibration and validation, the model is shown to be a useful tool for flash flood calculation. A practicable method for flash flood hazard mapping using the calculated peak discharge and digital elevation model data was presented, and three levels of flood hazards were classified. The resulting flash flood hazard maps indicate that the method successfully predicts the spatial distribution of flash flood hazards, and it can meet the current requirements in China.

Multi-dimensional database design and implementation of dam safety monitoring system

To improve the effectiveness of dam safety monitoring database systems, the development process of a multi-dimensional conceptual data model was analyzed and a logic design wasachieved in multi-dimensional database mode. The optimal data model was confirmed by identifying data objects, defining relations and reviewing entities. The conversion of relations among entities to external keys and entities and physical attributes to tables and fields was interpreted completely. On this basis, a multi-dimensional database that reflects the management and analysis of a dam safety monitoring system on monitoring data information has been established, for which factual tables and dimensional tables have been designed. Finally, based on service design and user interface design, the dam safety monitoring system has been developed with Delphi as the development tool. This development project shows that the multi-dimensional database can simplify the development process and minimize hidden dangers in the database structure design. It is superior to other dam safety monitoring system development models and can provide a new research direction for system developers.

Development Estimation of Cultural Relic Parks Based on the Living Development of Heritage:A Case Study of Xiao Mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty in Nanjing

Taking Xiao Mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty in Nanjing City for example,IPAT conceptual model of the system dynamics was introduced to construct the ROMCPE living development mode suitable for monument parks centering on protection of the authenticity.Through estimating tourist resources,tourism originality,evaluation of living market,capital investment for living development,policy guarantee for the living development,and environmental quality for living development of the Xiao Mausoleum,it was found that the overall resources of the scenic area are in good conditions,but its living development remains in an average level.In view of this,it was suggested that the living development of the Xiao Mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty can be promoted by improving creativity of high-and middle-level management staff,using resource advantages,distributing capital investment reasonably,and applying suitable marketing modes.

Integrating innovative library e-reserves service into teaching and learning at Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Purpose: Fully integrating its e-reserves service into the university's course management system has become the primary design goal of the innovative e-reserves service system at Shanghai Jiao Tong University(SJTU) Library.Design/methodology/approach: Through blending library and information service into the teaching and learning process, SJTU Library has effectively combined its reserves service into the user learning environment. The main metadata model and the design of various interfaces of the e-reserves service system are introduced.Findings: E-reserves has been integrated into the course management system. Users can directly access relevant resources when they browse the customized course page. It is more convenient for teachers to add reserves items, and the added items can be made available simultaneously on SJTU Library's resource discovery platform automatically.Research limitations: At present, e-reserves items are mainly books, and more other types of reserves materials are needed to be provided. Some relevant copyright issues should be addressed.Practical implications: Using a series of interface interactions, the e-reserves service has been integrated into the university's course management system. It is convenient for students to access customized e-reserves service during their learning process.Originality/value: We achieved interconnection between the e-reserves and the university's course management system. Information on the e-reserves Web page is automatically updated.SJTU Library provides customized e-reserves service in the course management system.