Yes / Cementitious composites are generally brittle and develop considerable tension cracks, resulting in corrosion of steel reinforcement and compromising structural durability. With careful selection and treatment, some kinds of bacteria are able to precipitate calcium carbonate and ‘heal’ cracks in cementitious composites through their metabolism, namely bacterial activity. It is envisioned that the bacterial technology-enabled cementitious composites could have great potential for engineering applications such as surface treatment, crack repair and self-healing construction material. This paper presents the state-of-the-art development of bacterial technology-enabled cementitious composites from the following aspects: mechanisms of bacterial induced calcium carbonate precipitation; methods of applying bacteria into cementitious composites; mechanical properties, durability and their influencing factors; various applications; cost effective analysis and prospect. The paper concludes with an outline of some future opportunities and challenges in the application of bacterial technology-enabled cementitious composites in construction. / National Science Foundation of China (51578110) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities in China (DUT18GJ203).

Yes / With the overnight growth in Working from Home (WFH) owing to the pandemic, organisations and their employees have had to adapt work-related processes and practices quickly with a huge reliance upon technology. Everyday activities such as social interactions with colleagues must therefore be reconsidered. Existing literature emphasises that social interactions, typically conducted in the traditional workplace, are a fundamental feature of social life and shape employees' experience of work. This experience is completely removed for many employees due to the pandemic and, presently, there is a lack of knowledge on how individuals maintain social interactions with colleagues via technology when working from home. Given that a lack of social interaction can lead to social isolation and other negative repercussions, this study aims to contribute to the existing body of literature on remote working by highlighting employees' experiences and practices around social interaction with colleagues. This study takes an interpretivist and qualitative approach utilising the diary-keeping technique to collect data from twenty-nine individuals who had started to work from home on a full-time basis as a result of the pandemic. The study explores how participants conduct social interactions using different technology platforms and how such interactions are embedded in their working lives. The findings highlight the difficulty in maintaining social interactions via technology such as the absence of cues and emotional intelligence, as well as highlighting numerous other factors such as job uncertainty, increased workloads and heavy usage of technology that affect their work lives. The study also highlights that despite the negative experiences relating to working from home, some participants are apprehensive about returning to work in the traditional office place where social interactions may actually be perceived as a distraction. The main contribution of our study is to highlight that a variety of perceptions and feelings of how work has changed via an increased use of digital media while working from home exists and that organisations need to be aware of these differences so that they can be managed in a contextualised manner, thus increasing both the efficiency and effectiveness of working from home.

Foram estudados os principais fatores de valor percebido pelo mercado em relação aos produtos e serviços oferecidos pelas empresas fornecedoras de insumos de E-Learning. O estudo desses fatores, relacionados aos respectivos segmentos que compõem essa indústria, permitiu posicionar as principais empresas (uma em cada segmento) que se adequaram melhor a esses fatores de valor percebido. Foi realizada também uma revisão da literatura, para definir o conceito de E-Learning, descrevendo suas diversas aplicações e organizando-as em quatro aspectos: o pedagógico, o tecnológico, o gerencial e o relativo ao negócio dessa atividade. Propôs-se, também, um mapa de valor dessa indústria, tratando de segmentá-lo. O conceito de valor foi estudado, considerando-o dentro da perspectiva da percepção do cliente, ou seja, foram abordados os aspectos relativos aos critérios que constituem o valor percebido. Finalmente, foi aplicada uma pesquisa de campo a um grupo de especialistas da indústria de E-Learning, com o objetivo de classificar os principais fatores de valor percebido pelo mercado, avaliar um fornecedor em cada segmento de atuação e selecionar aquele que atendeu melhor aos critérios de percepção de valor. Os resultados obtidos por meio da análise das respostas dos especialistas apontaram caminhos para a realização de novos estudos sobre o negócio E-Learning, além de estabelecer critérios importantes relativos às principais empresas fornecedoras dessa indústria. / This Masters Degree Dissertation studies the main factors of market perceived value in relation to products and services offered by E-Learning input supplying companies. The study of such factors, related to the segments which comprise this industry, enabled us to identify the main companies one of each segment which best adapted to selected perceived value factors. Initially a literature review was carried out, aiming at defining the concept of E-Learning, describing its different applications and organizing it in four axes of main coordinates: the pedagogical aspect, the technological aspect, the management aspect and the business aspect of the activity. Another aim of such a literature review was understanding the development of this industry, through companies which comprise it, and then propose a value map of such an industry, dividing it into segments with the support of studies on this topic. The third step of this review was a focus on the concept of value. It was therefore adopted a theoretical line which considers value within the clients perception perspective. In other words, the focus was on aspects related to the criteria which comprise the so-called perceived value. Finally, a field research was carried out along with a group of E-Learning experts, with the following aims: ranking the main factors of market perceived values, in order to assess a supplier in each segment; and selecting only one company, in each of the segments, which best fits the perceived value criteria previously obtained. The results obtained by the consolidation and analysis of the experts answers pointed out ways to carry out new studies on the E-Learning business point of view, as well as establish important criteria about the main supplying companies of this industry.

Foram estudados os principais fatores de valor percebido pelo mercado em relação aos produtos e serviços oferecidos pelas empresas fornecedoras de insumos de E-Learning. O estudo desses fatores, relacionados aos respectivos segmentos que compõem essa indústria, permitiu posicionar as principais empresas (uma em cada segmento) que se adequaram melhor a esses fatores de valor percebido. Foi realizada também uma revisão da literatura, para definir o conceito de E-Learning, descrevendo suas diversas aplicações e organizando-as em quatro aspectos: o pedagógico, o tecnológico, o gerencial e o relativo ao negócio dessa atividade. Propôs-se, também, um mapa de valor dessa indústria, tratando de segmentá-lo. O conceito de valor foi estudado, considerando-o dentro da perspectiva da percepção do cliente, ou seja, foram abordados os aspectos relativos aos critérios que constituem o valor percebido. Finalmente, foi aplicada uma pesquisa de campo a um grupo de especialistas da indústria de E-Learning, com o objetivo de classificar os principais fatores de valor percebido pelo mercado, avaliar um fornecedor em cada segmento de atuação e selecionar aquele que atendeu melhor aos critérios de percepção de valor. Os resultados obtidos por meio da análise das respostas dos especialistas apontaram caminhos para a realização de novos estudos sobre o negócio E-Learning, além de estabelecer critérios importantes relativos às principais empresas fornecedoras dessa indústria. / This Masters Degree Dissertation studies the main factors of market perceived value in relation to products and services offered by E-Learning input supplying companies. The study of such factors, related to the segments which comprise this industry, enabled us to identify the main companies one of each segment which best adapted to selected perceived value factors. Initially a literature review was carried out, aiming at defining the concept of E-Learning, describing its different applications and organizing it in four axes of main coordinates: the pedagogical aspect, the technological aspect, the management aspect and the business aspect of the activity. Another aim of such a literature review was understanding the development of this industry, through companies which comprise it, and then propose a value map of such an industry, dividing it into segments with the support of studies on this topic. The third step of this review was a focus on the concept of value. It was therefore adopted a theoretical line which considers value within the clients perception perspective. In other words, the focus was on aspects related to the criteria which comprise the so-called perceived value. Finally, a field research was carried out along with a group of E-Learning experts, with the following aims: ranking the main factors of market perceived values, in order to assess a supplier in each segment; and selecting only one company, in each of the segments, which best fits the perceived value criteria previously obtained. The results obtained by the consolidation and analysis of the experts answers pointed out ways to carry out new studies on the E-Learning business point of view, as well as establish important criteria about the main supplying companies of this industry.

Despite more than a decade-long process to transition aircraft maintenance practices from paper-to electronic-based systems, some organizations remain unable to complete this transition. Researchers have indicated that while organizations have invested resources in technology improvements, there remains a limited understanding of the factors that contribute to effectively managing technology-enabled change. The purpose of this case study was to identify and explore socio-technical (ST) factors that inhibit an effective transition from a paper-based system to an electronic-based system for aircraft maintenance. A conceptual model applying theories of change management, technology acceptance, systems thinking, and ST theory informed the research. Thirteen participants provided data via semistructured interviews, field observations, follow-up interviews, other documentation, and a questionnaire. Data were analyzed with open and axial coding techniques to identify themes, which were then crosschecked and triangulated with observation and follow-up interview data. Findings revealed communication issues, a fundamental misconception in training, and a false assumption that all personnel easily acquire computer literacy. Benefits gained from this study should assist maintenance, repair, and overall (MRO) organizations within the Department of Defense to improve current and future technology implementation as the research underscores real-life issues from a comparable organization. The implications for positive social change provide a greater understanding of technology-enabled change and contribute to the development of best practices for technology initiatives that address common ST issues in the MRO workplace.

Avanços na área da tecnologia de informação proporcionaram mudanças em diversas áreas da atividade humana. A comunicaço cientifica e uma destas áreas. Periódicos científicos, que tradicionalmente utilizam como meio de divulgação a mídia impressa, possuem agora como alternativa a midia eletrônica. Alguns periódicos científicos lançados no final do século XX estão disponíveis exclusivamente no formato eletrônico. Esta tese de Doutorado analisa de forma específica as dinâmicas de acesso e uso dos periódicos científicos eletônicos brasileiros na área da Ciência da Informação. Discutem-se diversos tópicos fundamentais para a compreensão deste assunto. O estudo do acesso dos usuários aos periódicos foi realizado através da análise dos arquivos de log de acesso gerados pelos servidores web onde estão hospedados os periódicos selecionados para a pesquisa. O estudo relacionado ao uso que os usuários fazem dos periódicos foi realizado através da análise de um questionário enviado para os docentes dos programas de pós-graduação em Ciência da Informação, credenciados pela Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior CAPES, até a data de 30 de junho de 2001. A pesquisa identifica vários comportamentos dos usários quando do acesso aos periódicos científicos eletrônicos brasileiros, bem como algumas barreiras para uma utilização mais efetiva deste recurso. As conclusões da pesquisa sao relevantes para a elaboraço de novos periódicos cientificos eletrônicos. O prototipo de um sistema de informação eletrônico, voltado para o gerenciamento do processo de elaboração de um periódico científico eletrônico, e apresentado em sugestões para futuras pesquisas. Este protótipo materializa algumas das idéias discutidas ao longo do texto. / Electronic journals, Scientific Communication, Information Science, Information Technology

Avanços na área da tecnologia de informação proporcionaram mudanças em diversas áreas da atividade humana. A comunicaço cientifica e uma destas áreas. Periódicos científicos, que tradicionalmente utilizam como meio de divulgação a mídia impressa, possuem agora como alternativa a midia eletrônica. Alguns periódicos científicos lançados no final do século XX estão disponíveis exclusivamente no formato eletrônico. Esta tese de Doutorado analisa de forma específica as dinâmicas de acesso e uso dos periódicos científicos eletônicos brasileiros na área da Ciência da Informação. Discutem-se diversos tópicos fundamentais para a compreensão deste assunto. O estudo do acesso dos usuários aos periódicos foi realizado através da análise dos arquivos de log de acesso gerados pelos servidores web onde estão hospedados os periódicos selecionados para a pesquisa. O estudo relacionado ao uso que os usuários fazem dos periódicos foi realizado através da análise de um questionário enviado para os docentes dos programas de pós-graduação em Ciência da Informação, credenciados pela Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior CAPES, até a data de 30 de junho de 2001. A pesquisa identifica vários comportamentos dos usários quando do acesso aos periódicos científicos eletrônicos brasileiros, bem como algumas barreiras para uma utilização mais efetiva deste recurso. As conclusões da pesquisa sao relevantes para a elaboraço de novos periódicos cientificos eletrônicos. O prototipo de um sistema de informação eletrônico, voltado para o gerenciamento do processo de elaboração de um periódico científico eletrônico, e apresentado em sugestões para futuras pesquisas. Este protótipo materializa algumas das idéias discutidas ao longo do texto. / Electronic journals, Scientific Communication, Information Science, Information Technology

This thesis proposes a DIY environmental sensing approach that empowers citizens to reinvigorate people's awareness of, and concern for, pollution. Current air pollution measuring techniques are described, and a new concept of participatory sensing is presented. I argue that technological advances in sensing, computation, storage, and communication now have the power to turn the near-ubiquitous mobile phone into a global mobile sensing device, and commence the participatory paradigm employing amateurs in environmental data collection. To test the thesis, PAIR, a prototype with interchangeable sensor, was developed. It aims to enable people to sense environment on-the-go and provide users with immediate feedback. Such data can make people learn about their environment, make them aware of air pollution causes, and eventually even bring behavioral changes. Consequently, a user survey and interviews identify strengths and weaknesses of the mobile sensing device, and based on the usability requirements, we conclude design recommendations for further development. Finally, we identify the main benefits amateur data collection and participatory sensing represent for urban dwellers, and we evaluate issues and challenges they have yet to overcome.