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Current multimedia design processes suffer from the excessively large time spent on testing new IP-blocks with references based on large video encoders specifications (usually several thousands lines of code). The appropriate testing of a single IP-block may require the conversion of the overall encoder from software to hardware, which is difficult to complete in the short time required by the competition-driven reduced time-to-market demanded for the adoption of a new video coding standard. This paper presents a new design flow to accelerate the conformance testing of an IP-block using the H.264/AVC software reference model. An example block of the simplified 8 × 8 transformation and quantization, which is adopted in FRExt, is provided as a case study demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach.

Crowdsourced software testing (CST) is an emerging trend in software testing. Companies and developers assign testing tasks through CST platforms to thousands of online testers. Currently, CST platform managers are trying to find and resolve challenges in order to reach the best CST practice. Many features have been applied by CST platforms to improve CST activities, including notification emails, online chat rooms, forums and, most importantly, a CST platform dashboard to view all testing projects and tasks; these features have enabled CST to operate efficiently. Still, CST users find it difficult to stay abreast of test project updates, maintain their motivation, and avoid frustration. This aligns with the increasing studies in the literature that call for more efficient solutions to support CST process. This research aims to support CST by searching for potential process limitations and overcoming them. In order to do so, a five-stage approach is used: first, the current process of CST is investigated through reviewing 15 CST platforms. Second, the review has resulted in identifying eight possible activities to improve CST; among them six have been selected after a survey distributed to 30 domain experts in Stage 3. In Stage 4, we have designed and implemented five process models in a web-based system that can fulfill the requirements of the six activities identified earlier. In Stage 5, we have evaluated these process models through interviews with representatives of two CST platforms and an expert tester, and through making scenario-based evaluation with 20 domain experts who used the system and rated the value of the processes. The results show that the new improvements are sound and can strengthen the CST practice.

The integrated chatbot for artificial intelligence customizes the learning experience for the students in higher education platform. The chatbot tests the answers of the students and offers insights for the students to improve their learning skills. Further, It helps to improve students’ thinking ability and expectations in higher education platform. The demanding factors for the students in the higher education platform include the need for interactive learning in a non-linear world, enhancing the thinking ability and expectations of the students. This paper proposes Artificial Intelligence Based Inquiry Evaluation Student Learning System (AI-IESLS) to increase interactive learning experience in a non-linear environment. The principal aim of this system is to improve the learning ability of the student on a specific subject using concept mapping in the chatbot. In addition, mapping has been validated for students based on the probability distribution analysis using a concept mapping. Besides, the probability graph’s curve generated by this system assesses the student’s understanding of the topic. The simulation results have been analyzed among students based on concept mapping using the AI-IESLS system in correlation with the traditional approach based on assessment ratio, feedbacks, reciprocity, timing analysis, expectation ratio, and active learning factor.

The problem of automatically composing Web Services that can match client's request has been the focus of several researchers. However, only a small number of such studies have evaluated and compared these different techniques on equal terms. Generally, these techniques have been evaluated on an ad hoc basis. This article presents a platform for evaluating the different techniques for the automatic composition of Semantic Web Services. The proposed platform provides: (i) an extensible architecture that enables the inclusion and evaluation of different techniques; (ii) a suite of metrics aimed at evaluating these techniques.

This paper addresses the problem of survival and growth of incumbent telecommunication operators. In particular, this paper investigates the extent to which the platform-based approach is appropriate for the internationalisation strategy (platform leadership) of incumbent telecommunications operators in the context of the transition to the Next Generation Network (NGN). It examines the case of BT in the UK, as a large-scale first mover in this transition, exploring the major transformation project BT 21st Century Network (BT21CN). The case demonstrates how the platform-based approach can be used to promote business transformation of an incumbent telecom operator in a turbulent environment. The platform architecture integrates two main features that are usually treated in different contexts and time frames in the literature: (i) the reusability of components and sub-systems (typically in the automotive industry); and (ii) the openness of the platform to external actors in order to drive innovation in the industry (typically in the ICT industry). BT21CN emerged as an industry platform, made possible by the maturation of the Internet Protocol (IP) as a common technology able to transport not only data, but also real time voice and video, with an acceptable quality of service (QoS). Reusability can help reducing costs and decreasing time-to-market for new products and services. However, openness of the platform to external actors has still limited impact due to the limited success of BT (and incumbent telecom operators in general) in their process of internationalisation. Thus, in the context of BT (and of potentially other incumbent telecom operators), the limitations in their process of internationalisation have a negative impact on the evolutionary dynamics of the platform-based approach.

Digital platform is an important infrastructure on which the development of the platform economy depends. The identity evolution of the platform has gone through three processes: the “perfect store”, the platform business model, and the platform ecosystem. This evolution process shows that technology logic and capital logic are constantly infiltrating into the underlying logic of the platform economy, which is fundamentally not conducive to the healthy development of the platform economy. Therefore, the healthy development of the platform economy must start from the perspective of data governance and algorithm governance. Data governance requires a clear definition of the rights and responsibilities of data participants in the value production process. Algorithm governance requires reconfirmation of the inherent principles and values of algorithm design.

This paper develops an integrated electric power engineering hydrometeorological surveying system using the electric power engineering hydrometeorological design process to refine hydrometeorological characteristics in accordance with the problems of electric power engineering hydrometeorological survey. Practical application demonstrates that the system has good usability, extensibility, economic value, and satisfies the requirements of collaborative design.