Contribution of the MERISE-Type Conceptual Data Model to the Construction of Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators of the Effectiveness of Training in Relation to the Needs of the Labor Market in the Republic of Congo

This study proposes the use of the MERISE conceptual data model to create indicators for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of vocational training in the Republic of Congo. The importance of MERISE for structuring and analyzing data is underlined, as it enables the measurement of the adequacy between training and the needs of the labor market. The innovation of the study lies in the adaptation of the MERISE model to the local context, the development of innovative indicators, and the integration of a participatory approach including all relevant stakeholders. Contextual adaptation and local innovation: The study suggests adapting MERISE to the specific context of the Republic of Congo, considering the local particularities of the labor market. Development of innovative indicators and new measurement tools: It proposes creating indicators to assess skills matching and employer satisfaction, which are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of vocational training. Participatory approach and inclusion of stakeholders: The study emphasizes actively involving training centers, employers, and recruitment agencies in the evaluation process. This participatory approach ensures that the perspectives of all stakeholders are considered, leading to more relevant and practical outcomes. Using the MERISE model allows for: • Rigorous data structuring, organization, and standardization: Clearly defining entities and relationships facilitates data organization and standardization, crucial for effective data analysis. • Facilitation of monitoring, analysis, and relevant indicators: Developing both quantitative and qualitative indicators helps measure the effectiveness of training in relation to the labor market, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation. • Improved communication and common language: By providing a common language for different stakeholders, MERISE enhances communication and collaboration, ensuring that all parties have a shared understanding. The study’s approach and contribution to existing research lie in: • Structured theoretical and practical framework and holistic approach: The study offers a structured framework for data collection and analysis, covering both quantitative and qualitative aspects, thus providing a comprehensive view of the training system. • Reproducible methodology and international comparison: The proposed methodology can be replicated in other contexts, facilitating international comparison and the adoption of best practices. • Extension of knowledge and new perspective: By integrating a participatory approach and developing indicators adapted to local needs, the study extends existing research and offers new perspectives on vocational training evaluation.

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.

PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE FORMATION MECHANISM OF COUNTER WESTERN BOUNDARY UNDERCURRENTS BELOW THE THERMOCLINE——A CONCEPTUAL MODEL

Based on a simple conceptual model of stratified ocean, the criterion of the geostrophic velocity inversion in and below the thermocline was derived as h ′·η′<0 and ρ 1|η′|≤Δρ| h ′|, meaning that the slopes of the thermocline( h ′) and the sea surface(η′) must be opposite to each other, and that h ′ must be strong enough to satisfy the latter inequality. The criterion was applied to discuss the features of the western boundary undercurrents, the counter undercurrents of the western boundary currents below the thermocline, and to discuss the dynamics of their formation finally resulting from the combination of the basin scale circulation and local geostrophic balance. The formation mechanism, multi core structure, and transport variations of the Mindanao Undercurrent and those of other undercurrents, such as the North Equatorial Undercurrent and the Kuroshio undercurrent, can be satisfactorily explained by the above results.

Implementation of a Sketch Based Approach to Conceptual Aircraft Design Synthesis and Modeling

In the context of applying computer aided design tools to aircraft conceptualdesign, a sketch based approach is proposed to help designers turn their original concepts intocomplex numerical models that are usable for further analysis and optimization. This approachemphasizes the integration of general configuration and the layout of such components as engines,payloads, fuel tanks and landing gears, and the representation of a design scheme as uniform planesketches and three dimensional models. This paper presents the measures adopted to implement theapproach in a prototype system, including the object-oriented data structure, friendly graphicaluser interfaces and basic features of relevant modules. Several examples generated in the prototypeand applications of the results are finally outlined to illustrate the effectiveness of theapproach.

Computer-based Creativity Enhanced Conceptual Design Model for Non-routine Design of Mechanical Systems

Computer-based conceptual design for routine design has made great strides, yet non-routine design has not been given due attention, and it is still poorly automated. Considering that the function-behavior-structure（FBS） model is widely used for modeling the conceptual design process, a computer-based creativity enhanced conceptual design model（CECD） for non-routine design of mechanical systems is presented. In the model, the leaf functions in the FBS model are decomposed into and represented with fine-grain basic operation actions（BOA）, and the corresponding BOA set in the function domain is then constructed. Choosing building blocks from the database, and expressing their multiple functions with BOAs, the BOA set in the structure domain is formed. Through rule-based dynamic partition of the BOA set in the function domain, many variants of regenerated functional schemes are generated. For enhancing the capability to introduce new design variables into the conceptual design process, and dig out more innovative physical structure schemes, the indirect function-structure matching strategy based on reconstructing the combined structure schemes is adopted. By adjusting the tightness of the partition rules and the granularity of the divided BOA subsets, and making full use of the main function and secondary functions of each basic structure in the process of reconstructing of the physical structures, new design variables and variants are introduced into the physical structure scheme reconstructing process, and a great number of simpler physical structure schemes to accomplish the overall function organically are figured out. The creativity enhanced conceptual design model presented has a dominant capability in introducing new deign variables in function domain and digging out simpler physical structures to accomplish the overall function, therefore it can be utilized to solve non-routine conceptual design problem.

DEFICIENT INFORMATION MODELING OF MECHANICAL PRODUCTS FOR CONCEPTUAL SHAPE DESIGN

In allusion to the deficient feature of product information in conceptualdesign, a framework of deficient information modeling for conceptual shape design is put forward,which includes qualitative shape modeling (a qualitative solid model), uncertain shape modeling (anuncertain relation model) and imprecise shape modeling (an imprecise region model). In theframework, the qualitative solid model is the core, which represents qualitatively (using symbols)the conceptual shapes of mechanical products. The uncertain relation model regarding domainrelations as objects and the imprecise region model regarding domains as objects are used to dealwith the uncertain and imprecise issues respectively, which arise from qualitative shape modeling orexist in product information itself.

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.

Analysis of a Conceptual Model and Assessment of the e-Procurement System in Bangladesh

The public procurement system in Bangladesh has been running by traditional manual process under the flagship of Public Procurement Act (PPA 2006) and Public Procurement Rules (PPR 2008). Public procurement agencies have been facing challenges in this manual tendering system. To overcome this problem and to bring reality to the “Digital Bangladesh” slogan, the Government of Bangladesh introduced the e-Procurement system under the e-GP (Electronic Government Procurement) guideline 2011. After the inception of e-procurement, there is no e-procurement assessment model to improve the e-GP system. The purpose of this research is to develop a conceptual framework and to design an e-procurement assessment model. With this view, we have considered one of the biggest entity Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of the Government of Bangladesh, for field study. Mixed methods along with FGD (Focus Group Discussion), KII (Key Informant Interview), and survey questionnaires are used to collect data from RHD, and then Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software is used for regression analysis and hypothesis testing to develop the e-Procurement assessment model. The novel contribution of the study lies in the test of the hypothesis that focuses on developing the conceptual model of the e-procurement assessment system in Bangladesh. Findings of the study are essential for all Procurement Entity (PE) and suppliers i.e. contractors of RHD who are engaged in the construction of the infrastructure project development project.

Conceptual Model for Urban Competitiveness

Urban competitiveness is always the focus of researches on urban economy. The variety of definitions and evaluation systems of urban competitiveness are the results of lack of accurate and comprehensive understanding on urban competitiveness. This paper reviews five groups of definitions on urban competitiveness and establishes a conceptual model for urban competitiveness.

A Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Model for AUV Synthetic Conceptual Design

Autonomous undersea vehicle (AUV) is a typical complex engineering system. This paper studies the disciplines and coupled variables in AUV design with multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) methods. The framework of AUV synthetic conceptual design is described first, and then a model with collaborative optimization is studied. At last, an example is given to verify the validity and efficiency of MDO in AUV synthetic conceptual design.

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.

Design of Conceptual Model in Digital Map Database

The components of map information are analyzed theoretically in this paper,and the map information includes mainly the spatial information,attributive information and temporal characteristics information.Then the digital map entity is defined according to construction characteristics of the map information.Finally,on the basis of the analyses of the construction characteristics of digital map entity and present conceptual model of digital map database,an abstracted conceptual model of digital map database is presented.And the Normal Form theory of relational database is discussed particularly.

Development and Application of a Distributed Conceptual Hydrological Model to Simulate Runoff in the Be River Basin and the Water Transfer Capacity to the Saigon River Basin,Vietnam

A distributed conceptual model(FRASC(Flow Routed Accumulation Simulation in a Catchment))has been developed,in which a rainfall-runoff module is modified from an original lumped conceptual model(Xinanjiang)via a GIS(Geographic Information System)-aided approach and a water allocation module contains reservoirs,water users and hydropower plants.The model is relatively easy to use and can easily obtain input data,but still has the ability to generate hydrological information at many points within a catchment.The model application to the Be River basin is evaluated and shows to be reliable in terms of close agreements between simulated and observed series.Daily natural flow rates for 36 years are simulated at 7,981 grid cells within a studied area of 7,650 km^2.Based on this simulated database,design discharges are predicted in various probabilities.Finally,the research determines that the water transfer capacity from the Be River basin to the Saigon River basin reaches 14%,18% and 23% of a planned value of 75 m^3/s during the dry period in a wet year(P10%),average year(P50%)and dry year(P90%),respectively.

ON STRONG SIGNALS OF MONTHLY PRECIPITATION ANOMALIES IN EARLY RAINING SEASON OF GUANGDONG AND CONCEPTUAL MODELS OF PREDICTION

Reanalysis data from NCEP/NCAR are used to systematically study preceding signals of monthly precipitation anomalies in the early raining season of Guangdong province, from the viewpoints of 500-hPa geopotential height field, outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) field, sea surface temperature (SST) and fourteen indexes of general circulation depicting atmosphere activity at high, middle and low latitutes. Being multiple tools of information, a number of conceptual models are formulated that are useful for prediction of the magnitude of monthly precipitation (drought, flood and normal conditionss).

Conceptual modelling approach of mechanical products based on functional surface

A modelling framework based on functional surface is presented to support conceptual design of mechanical products. The framework organizes product information in an abstract and multilevel manner. It consists of two mapping processes： function decomposition process and form reconstitution process. The steady mapping relationship from function to form （function-functional surface-form） is realized by taking functional surface as the middle layer. It farthest reduces the possibilities of combinatorial explosion that can occur during function decomposition and form reconstitution. Finally, CAD tools are developed and an auto-bender machine is applied to demonstrate the proposed approach

Conceptual Modeling of Contaminated Solute Transport Based on Stream Tube Model

In this study, we performed a conceptual modeling on solute transport based on theoretical stream tube model (STM) with various travel time distributions assuming a pure convective flow through each tube in order to investigate how the lengths and distributions of solute travel time through STM affect the breakthrough curves at the end mixing surface. The conceptual modeling revealed that 1) the shape of breakthrough curve (BTC) at the mixing surface was determined by not only input travel time distributions but also solute injection mode such as sampling time and pulse lengths;2) the increase of pulse length resulted in the linear increase of the first time moment (mean travel time) and quadratic increase of the second time moment (variance of travel time) leading to more spreading of solute, however, the second time moment was not affected by travel time distributions and 3) for a given input distributions the increase in travel distance resulted in more dispersion with the quadratic increase of travel time variance. This indicates that stream tube model obeying strictly pure convective flow follows the concept of convective-lognormal transport (CLT) model regardless the input travel time distributions.

Towards a Holistic Place Branding Model:A Conceptual Model Proposal

This paper proposes a comprehensive and integrative model which will contribute to a successful place branding.The new model is proposed based on the analysis of 30 previous place branding models and enriched by the literature review.The result of this work is the conceptual model that offers a more global perspective of place branding and consists of the following 11 interrelated elements:place,brand leadership,community stakeholders engagement,brand vision,brand architecture,brand identity,brand communications,brand image,brand experience,brand actions and brand evaluation,which must be incorporated into any place branding model as they prove to be relevant and play a strategic role in the branding process.They are essential for place brand development and management,and represent key success factors of place brands.The research implications are to give researchers a guide for literature development,theory building,and future research.The practical implications are to offer practitioners,professionals,local officials,and even governments a model that explains the place branding process to effectively create and manage a place brand.Unlike previous models which take different perspectives on the branding process,this one is holistic as it encompasses(almost)all of them.The new model highlights also new elements that do not appear in the previous ones.

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 C&#244;te 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.