Authors: O. Papazafeiropoulou

Abstract:

The “Athens Dramatic Company” was one of the longest-running and most widely traveled troupes in the history of modern Greek theatre. The theatre company had been established since 1887 and the following: Euthychios Vonaseras, Eleni Kotopoulis, etc., like the founder of the troupe Theodoros Pofantis, referred to the distribution of the works presented in Patras: The Price of a Crime, The Niece of her Uncle, Agathopoulos, Amphitryon, The Two Sergeants, Lawyer and Actors, The Crusaders, The Daughter of Pantopolos, He Will Kill Himself, Macbeth, The Two Orphans, The Auction, Pistis Hope and Mercy, Love Attempt, The Crusaders, The lady is in Loutra, Markos Votsaris. In 1921 after peregrinations in Cyprus, Constantinople, Romania, Crete, Thessaloniki, Volos, Smyrna, the “Athens Dramatic Company” toured in Africa, where the Greek communities flourished. In 1923, the collaborations of troupe’s members and the repertoire varied several times, such as in Johannesburg, from where they traveled via Cape Town to Australia, where they presented the works: Dikaioma o Eros, Enochos, Psychokori, Kolokotronis. Atimoi, Voskopoula, Golfo, etc., while they impressed with the tragedy Oedipus Tyrannus, which was watched by Australians. Alongside the “Athens Dramatic Company” was also touring with “Vrysoula Pantopoulou Troupe” and most of the members of the two troupes went to America, uniting their formation. In 1927 the old leader of “Athens Dramatic Company” (Theodoros Pofantis) decided to re-establish his troupe, but after unpleasant adventures, he passed away. In the year 1934, the Greek Dramatic Troupe of Athens revived with works including: The Man of the Day, A Dying Heart, A Dream Was and Gone, An Inspection, The Two Sergeants, The Mother, the Father-in-Law and the Non-existent Son-in-law, before finally expiring in 1935, after nearly 40 years of historical passage. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how, through adverse global conditions, two early professional theater troupes managed to not only survive wandering around the world, but also evolve and shape their theatrical art by adapting to the demands of their audience. At the same time, through the presentation of their repertoire and their movements, the interest of Greek expatriates in Africa, Australia and America for the Greek theater is also indicated.

Keywords: Athens, dramatic plays, Theatre company, universal tour, troupe.

Authors: A. Kharazi, H. Aghajani, B. Hesami Azizi

Abstract:

Tourism entrepreneurship is a growing field that has the potential to create new opportunities for sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to identify and classify the entrepreneurial opportunities in the blind tourism industry in Khuzestan Province of Iran that can be created through the operation of blinds’ tours. This study used a mixed methods approach. The qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 tourist guides and tourism activists, while the quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 40 blind people who had participated in blinds’ tours. The findings of this study suggest that there are a number of entrepreneurial opportunities in the blind tourism industry in Khuzestan Province, including (1) developing and providing accessible tourism services, such as tours, accommodations, restaurants, and transportation, (2) creating and marketing blind-friendly tourism products and experiences (3) training and educating tourism professionals on how to provide accessible and inclusive tourism services. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of tourism entrepreneurship by providing insights into the entrepreneurial opportunities in the blind tourism industry. The findings of this study can be used to develop policies and programs that support the development of the blind tourism industry. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. This study examines the entrepreneurial opportunities within the blind tourism industry in Khuzestan Province, Iran. In addition, Khuzestan province has made relatively good development in the field of blinds’ tourism. Blind tourists have become loyal customers of blinds’ tours, which has increased their self-confidence and social participation. Tourist guides and centers of tourism services are interested in participating in blinds’ tours more than before, and even other parts outside the tourism field have encouraged sponsorship. Education had a great impact on the quality of tourism services, especially for the blind. It has played a significant role in improving the quality of tourism services for the blind. However, the quality and quantity of infrastructure should be increased in different sectors of tourism services to foster future growth. These opportunities can be used to create new businesses and jobs and to promote sustainable development in the region.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, tourism, blind, sustainable development, Khuzestan.

Authors: Yongsheng Guo, Mengyu Lu

Abstract:

This study investigates how Chinese Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) manage financial risks in financing from customers from the perspectives of ethics and national culture. A grounded theory approach is adopted to identify the causal conditions, actions/interactions, and consequences. 32 interviews were conducted, and systematic coding methods were used to identify themes and categories. This study found that Chinese ethical principles, including integrity, friendship, and reciprocity, and cultural traits, including collectivism, acquaintance society, and long-term orientation, provide conditions for financing from customers. The SMEs establish trust-based relationships with customers through personal communications and social networks and reduce financial risk through diversification, frequent operations, and enterprise reputations. Both customers and SMEs can get benefits like financial resources and customer experiences. This study creates a theoretical framework that connects the causal conditions, processes, and outcomes, providing a deeper understanding of financing from customers. A resource and process capability theory of SMEs and a customer capital and customer value model are proposed to connect accounting and finance concepts. Suggestions are proposed for the authorities as more guidance and regulations are needed for this informal finance.

Keywords: Culture, Customer Relationships, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, SME, Risk management.

Authors: X. Zeng, L. Cheng, Z. Li, X. Liu

Abstract:

Aiming at the problem of low accuracy and susceptibility to cultural relic diseases in the generation of high-resolution archaeology drawings by current image generation algorithms, an archaeology drawings generation algorithm based on a conditional generative adversarial network is proposed in this paper. An attention mechanism is added into the high-resolution image generation network as the backbone network, which enhances the line feature extraction capability and improves the accuracy of line drawing generation. A dual-branch parallel architecture consisting of two backbone networks is implemented, where the semantic translation branch extracts semantic features from orthophotographs of cultural relics, and the gradient screening branch extracts effective gradient features. Finally, the fusion fine-tuning module combines these two types of features to achieve the generation of high-quality and high-resolution archaeology drawings. Experimental results on the self-constructed archaeology drawings dataset of grotto temple statues show that the proposed algorithm outperforms current mainstream image generation algorithms in terms of pixel accuracy (PA), structural similarity (SSIM), and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and can be used to assist in drawing archaeology drawings.

Keywords: Archaeology drawings, digital heritage, image generation, deep learning.

Authors: Yongbai Yin

Abstract:

We propose a non-expanding model of the universe based on the non-changing fine-structure constant and the Einstein’s space-time relativity theory by assuming that the vacuum space permittivity is a decaying function over the time span of the universe. This model consistently explains the Redshift, the “expanding” and the age of the universe as in the “Big Bang” model. It also offers an interpretation on the unexpected “accelerated expanding” universe and the origin of the mystery “Dark matters” which the “big Bang” model has failed to explain. This model predicts that the universe began with an “extremely cold” rather than “extremely hot” stage to explain the cosmic microwave background radiation and the age of the universe without introducing the problematic singularity and inflationary issues introduced in the “Big Bang” model. It predicts mathematically that galaxies could end into blackholes. Because blackholes should have the same space conditions as those of the vacuum space in the beginning of the universe in this model, this work paves the way to support the cyclic universes model without violating the first law of thermodynamics.

Keywords: Cosmic microwave background, dark energy, dark matters, expanding universe, evolution of the universe, blackholes.

Authors: Tran Duong Nguyen, Marwan Shagar, Qinghao Zeng, Aras Maqsoodi, Pardis Pishdad, Eunhwa Yang

Abstract:

Construction Supply Chain Management (CSCM) involves the collaboration of many disciplines and actors, which generates vast amounts of data. However, inefficient, fragmented, and non-standardized data storage often hinders this data exchange. The industry has adopted Building Information Modeling (BIM) - a digital representation of a facility's physical and functional characteristics to improve collaboration, enhance transmission security, and provide a common data exchange platform. Still, the volume and complexity of data require tailored information categorization, aligning with stakeholders' preferences and demands. To address this, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be integrated to handle this data’s magnitude and complexities. This research aims to develop an integrated and efficient approach for data exchange in CSCM by utilizing AI. The paper covers five main objectives: (1) Investigate existing framework and BIM adoption; (2) Identify challenges in data exchange; (3) Propose an integrated framework; (4) Enhance data transmission security; and (5) Develop data exchange in CSCM. The proposed framework demonstrates how integrating BIM and other technologies, such as cloud computing, blockchain, and AI applications, can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of data exchange in CSCM.

Keywords: Construction supply chain management, Building Information Modeling, BIM, data exchange, artificial intelligence, AI.

Authors: Bo Kampmann Walther

Abstract:

This paper provides an in-depth interpretation of the ancient Babylonian origin narrative, the Enuma Elish, through the lens of game theory. It examines the strategic interactions among the deities in the myth as if they were players in a game, focusing on understanding the dynamics of conflict, cooperation, and equilibrium within the narrative. The pivotal game theory concept known as Nash equilibrium is given prominent consideration, but saddle points and optimal strategies will also be employed to uncover the decision-making processes of the divine figures, particularly in the cosmic battle for supremacy. This analysis demonstrates that the ancient narrative, beyond its mythological content, illustrates timeless principles of strategic behavior in the pursuit of game success.

Keywords: Enuma Elish, game theory, Nash equilibrium, Babylonian mythology, strategic interaction.

Authors: Kwok W. Cheung

Abstract:

A scientific interpretation of creation reconciling the beliefs of six literal days of creation and a 13.7-billion-year-old universe currently perceived by most modern cosmologists is proposed in this paper. We hypothesize that the reference timeframe of God’s creation is associated with some cosmic time different from the earth's time. We show that the scale factor of earth time to cosmic time can be determined by the solution of the Friedmann equations. Based on this scale factor and some basic assumptions, we derive a Cosmic Time Dilation model that harmonizes the literal meaning of creation days and scientific discoveries with remarkable accuracy.

Keywords: Cosmological expansion, time dilation, creation, Genesis, relativity, Big Bang, biblical hermeneutics.

Authors: Luís M. João, Patrício Langa

Abstract:

The article reviews the literature on quality assurance (QA) in African Higher Education Studies (HES) conducted through a bibliometric mapping of published papers between 1999 and 2019. Specifically, the article highlights the nuances of knowledge production in four scientific databases: Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), African Journal Online (AJOL), and Google Scholar. The analysis included 531 papers, of which 127 are from Scopus, 60 are from WoS, 85 are from AJOL, and 259 are from Google Scholar. In essence, 284 authors wrote these papers from 231 institutions and 69 different countries (i.e., Africa = 54 and outside Africa = 15). Results indicate the existing knowledge. This analysis allows the readers to understand the growth and development of the field during the two-decade period, identify key contributors, and observe potential trends or gaps in the research. The paper employs bibliometric mapping as its primary analytical lens. By utilizing this method, the study quantitatively assesses the publications related to QA in African HES, helping to identify patterns, collaboration networks, and disparities in research output. The bibliometric approach allows for a systematic and objective analysis of large datasets, offering a comprehensive view of the knowledge production in the field. Furthermore, the study highlights the lack of shared resources available to enhance quality in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Africa. This finding underscores the importance of promoting collaborative research efforts, knowledge exchange, and capacity building within the region to improve the overall quality of higher education. The paper argues that despite the growing quantity of QA research in African higher education, there are challenges related to citation impact and access to high-impact publication avenues for African researchers. It emphasizes the need to promote collaborative research and resource-sharing to enhance the quality of HEIs in Africa. The analytical lenses of bibliometric mapping and the examination of publication players' scenarios contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the field and its implications for African higher education.

Keywords: Africa, bibliometric research, higher education studies, quality assurance, scientific database, systematic review.

Authors: Sulayman Adrees Mohammed, Ahmed Faraj Abd Alsameea

Abstract:

The ongoing hindrance for Libyan oil and gas companies is the persistent challenge of eradicating maintenance program failures that result in exorbitant costs and production setbacks. Accordingly, this research is prompted to introduce the concept of lean philosophy in maintenance, which aims to eliminate waste and enhance productivity in maintenance procedures through the identification and differentiation of value-adding (VA) and non-value-adding (NVA) activities. The purpose of this paper was to explore and describe the benefits that can be gained by adopting the Lean philosophy towards the enhancement of maintenance programs' efficiency from theoretical perspectives. The oil industry maintenance community in Libya now has an introduced tool by which they can effectively evaluate their maintenance program functionality and reduce the areas of NVA activities within maintenance, thereby enhancing the availability of the equipment and the capacity of the oil and gas facilities.

Keywords: Efficiency, lean philosophy, Libyan Oil & Gas Scenario, maintenance programs.

Authors: Koirala Abarodh, Maghaiya Ujjwal, Guragain Phani Raj

Abstract:

This analysis focuses on defining the spectrum evaluation model for telecom operators in terms of total cost of ownership (TCO). A quantitative approach for specific case analysis research methodology was used for identifying the results. Specific input parameters like target User experience, year on year traffic growth, capacity site limit per year, target additional spectrum type, bandwidth, spectrum efficiency, User equipment (UE) penetration have been used for the spectrum evaluation process and desired outputs in terms of the number of sites, capex in USD and required spectrum bandwidth have been calculated. Furthermore, this study gives a comparison of capex investment for target growth with and without addition spectrum. As a result, the combination of additional spectrum bands of 700 and 2600 MHz has a better evaluation in terms of TCO and performance. It is our recommendation to use these bands for expansion rather than expansion in the current 1800 and 2100 bands.

Keywords: Spectrum, capex planning, case study methodology, TCO, total cost of ownership.

Authors: A. Vaidya Soocheta, H Seegolun

Abstract:

Recycled glass surfaces are considered upcycled when they utilize un-melted glass resources. Melted glass uses energy to transform it into a new products or slabs. The present study investigates the use of post-consumer and industrial waste glass such as bottles, jars, and beverage containers to upscale it for making interior slab surfaces. The waste glass was crushed and ground into small particles between 4.75 mm to 150 microns. Two types of solid surfaces were developed using cement and polyester resin. Three types of concrete mix were prepared using 60%, 50%, and 40% crushed glass and cement plus water in the ratio (1:1). The three concrete mix specimens were cast in plywood molds for 24 hours. They were then removed and cured in water at ambient temperature for 24 hours. Similarly, three polyester resin specimens were prepared using 60%, 50%, and 40% crushed glass with a mix of polyester resin, catalyst, and pigment. Formica plywood molds were used to cast the mixes. The specimens were cured for 6 hours. The project further reviews the properties of these upcycled glass, cement, and polyester resin surfaces. Mechanical tests such as density, compressive strength, and flexural and thermal shock were performed. Stain and chemical resistance tests, cigarette burn tests, and solid surface tests such as water absorption, and knife drop tests, were executed. The casted specimens were compared to locally available granite and slab. Specimens of concrete and resin were compared considering the quantity of waste glass used. Cost analysis demonstrates economic benefits. The recycled glass slabs meet high-performance criteria for quality and durability. The waste glass is upcycled into surfaces that exhibit a unique product and provide elegant design solutions for interior surfaces such as table tops, kitchen sinks, bowls, etc. This sustainable approach will provide a path to create new jobs in local communities. The study sets an example that employs waste management, recycling, upcycling, and responsible manufacturing to support the development of new businesses and jobs. It offers an economical and sustainable design solution, increasing the efficient use of waste resources.

Keywords: Create jobs, upcycle waste glass, design solutions, economic benefits, environmental benefits.

Authors: Nuno Biga

Abstract:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform management in a number of impactful ways. It allows machines to interpret information to find patterns in large volumes of data and learn from context analysis, optimize operations, make predictions sensitive to each specific situation and support data-based decision-making. The introduction of an “artificial brain” into the organization also allows it to learn from complex information and data provided by those who train it, namely its users. The “Mastering” Serious Game introduces the concept of a context-sensitive “Virtual Assistant” (VA), which provides users with useful suggestions for optimizing processes and creating value for stakeholders. The VA helps to identify in real time the bottleneck(s) in the operations system so that it is possible to act on them quickly, the resources that should be multi-skilled to make the system more efficient and in which specific processes it might be advantageous to partner with another team(s). The possible solutions are evaluated using the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) considered in the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), allowing actions to be monitored to guide the (re)definition of future strategies. This paper is built on the BIGAMES© simulator and presents the conceptual AI model developed and demonstrated through a pilot project (BIG-AI). Each Virtual Assisted BIGAME is a management simulator developed by the author that guides operational and strategic decision making, providing users with useful information in the form of management recommendations that make it possible to predict the actual outcome of different alternative management strategic actions. The pilot project developed incorporates results from 12 editions of the BIGAME A&E that took place between 2017 and 2022 at AESE Business School, based on the compilation of data that allows establishing causal relationships between decisions taken and results obtained. Systemic analysis and data interpretation are enhanced in Assisted-BIGAMES through a computer application that the players can use. The role of each team's AV is to guide the players to be more effective in their decision-making, providing recommendations based on AI methods. It is important to note that the AV's suggestions for action can be accepted or rejected by the coaches of each team, as they must take into account their own experience and knowledge to support their decision-making. The “Serious Game Coordinator” is responsible for supporting the players with whom he debates points of view that help make decision-making more robust. All inputs must be analyzed and evaluated by each team, which must add “Emotional Intelligence” - an essential component missing from the machine learning process. The preliminary results obtained in “Mastering” show that the introduction of AV allows for faster learning of the decision-making process.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, AI, Balanced Scorecard, Gamification, Key Performance Indicators, KPIs, Machine Learning, ML, Management Simulators, Serious Games, Virtual Assistant.

Authors: Hassan Masoumi

Abstract:

Smart agriculture refers to use of new technologies in agriculture and helps farmers and experts to better manage their production unit and have higher yield and productivity. Technology is the main tool in smart agriculture. In this article, which has been prepared in a documentary and analytical method, while briefly reviewing the definitions of smart agriculture and its benefits, the challenges of its entry and development in Iran's agricultural sector have been discussed in detail, and solutions to solve these challenges have been suggested as well. Agriculture is an important part of Iran's economy and plays a role in employment and gross national product. Although the use of digital technologies is being used sporadically in some agricultural fields throughout the country, due to the insufficient development of related infrastructure, the low share of the budget of this sector in financial planning and the small scale of operation, smart agriculture in Iran is in its pre-maturity stages. The introduction of artificial intelligence into Iran's agricultural sector seems necessary in the four areas of designing a model of intelligent cultivation, improving productivity through activity intelligence, improving communication between the links of the value chain, and developing data-based agriculture. Due to the fact that the third and fourth areas have received less attention in Iran, therefore, in this article, the role of smart agriculture in improving the relationship between the circles of the agricultural value chain has been analyzed in the form of data-driven agricultural development.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, data-driven agriculture, new technologies, value chain.

Authors: Gabriel S. Adesina, Ruixue Cheng, Michael Short, Geetika Aggarwal

Abstract:

With the global shift towards sustainability and technological advancements, electric hybrid vehicles (EHVs) are increasingly being seen as viable alternatives to traditional internal combustion (IC) engine vehicles, which also require efficient cooling systems. The electric automotive water pump (AWP) has been introduced as an alternative to IC engine belt-driven pump systems. However, current control methods for AWPs typically employ fixed gain settings, which are not ideal for the varying conditions of dynamic vehicle environments, potentially leading to overheating issues. To overcome the limitations of fixed gain control, this paper proposes implementing an artificial neural network (ANN) for managing the AWP in EHVs. The proposed ANN provides an intelligent, adaptive control strategy that enhances the AWP's performance, supported through MATLAB simulation work illustrated in this paper. Comparative analysis demonstrates that the ANN-based controller surpasses conventional PID and fuzzy logic controllers (FLC), exhibiting no overshoot, 0.1 secs rapid response, and 0.0696 integral absolute error (IAE) performance. Consequently, the findings suggest that ANNs can be effectively utilized in EHVs.

Keywords: Automotive water pump, cooling system, electric hybrid vehicles, artificial neural networks, PID control, fuzzy logic control, IAE, MATLAB.