This book features a collection of high-quality research papers presented at the International Conference on Tourism, Technology & Systems (ICOTTS 2020), held at the University of Cartagena, in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from 29th to 31st October 2020. The book is divided into two volumes, and it covers the areas of technology in tourism and the tourist experience, generations and technology in tourism, digital marketing applied to tourism and travel, mobile technologies applied to sustainable tourism, information technologies in tourism, digital transformation of tourism business, e-tourism and tourism 2.0, big data and management for travel and tourism, geotagging and tourist mobility, smart destinations, robotics in tourism, and information systems and technologies.

The objective of Developing Quality Complex Database Systems is to provide opportunities for improving today's database systems using innovative development practices, tools and techniques. Each chapter of this book will provide insight into the effective use of database technology through models, case studies or experience reports. An emphasis is placed on organizational and management issues associated with the use of such technology inclusive of lessons learned and best practices.

This book describes computational problems related to kernel density estimation (KDE) - one of the most important and widely used data smoothing techniques. A very detailed description of novel FFT-based algorithms for both KDE computations and bandwidth selection are presented. The theory of KDE appears to have matured and is now well developed and understood. However, there is not much progress observed in terms of performance improvements. This book is an attempt to remedy this. The book primarily addresses researchers and advanced graduate or postgraduate students who are interested in KDE and its computational aspects. The book contains both some background and much more sophisticated material, hence also more experienced researchers in the KDE area may find it interesting. The presented material is richly illustrated with many numerical examples using both artificial and real datasets. Also, a number of practical applications related to KDE are presented.

This book includes recent research works on how business around the world affected by the time of COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of recent technological developments has had a tremendous impact on how we manage disasters. These developments have changed how countries and governments collect information. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced online service companies to maintain and build relationships with consumers when their world turns. Businesses are now facing tension between generating sales during a period of severe economic hardship and respect for threats to life and livelihoods that have changed consumer preferences.

This book proposes new technologies and discusses future solutions for ICT design infrastructures, as reflected in high-quality papers presented at the 5th International Conference on ICT for Sustainable Development (ICT4SD 2020), held in Goa, India, on 23-24 July 2020. The conference provided a valuable forum for cutting-edge research discussions among pioneering researchers, scientists, industrial engineers, and students from all around the world. Bringing together experts from different countries, the book explores a range of central issues from an international perspective.

This book reflects the latest research trends, methods and experimental results in the field of electrical and information technologies for rail transportation, which covers abundant state-of-the-art research theories and ideas. As a vital field of research that is highly relevant to current developments in a number of technological domains, the subjects it covered include intelligent computing, information processing, Communication Technology, Automatic Control, etc. The objective of the proceedings is to provide a major interdisciplinary forum for researchers, engineers, academicians as well as industrial professionals to present the most innovative research and development in the field of rail transportation electrical and information technologies. Engineers and researchers in academia, industry, and the government will also explore an insight view of the solutions that combine ideas from multiple disciplines in this field. The volumes serve as an excellent reference work for researchers and graduate students working on rail transportation, electrical and information technologies.

This book features a selection of extended papers presented at the 8th IFIP WG 12.6 International Workshop on Artificial Intelligence for Knowledge Management, AI4KM 2021, held in Yokohama, Japan, in January 2021, in the framework of the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence, IJCAI 2020.*The 14 revised and extended papers presented together with an invited talk were carefully reviewed and selected for inclusion in this volume. They present new research and innovative aspects in the field of knowledge management and discuss methodological, technical and organizational aspects of artificial intelligence used for knowledge management. *The workshop was held virtually.

This book presents modern approaches to improving the energy efficiency, safety and environmental performance of industrial processes and products, based on the application of advanced trends in Green Information Technologies (IT) Engineering to components, networks and complex systems (software, programmable and hardware components, communications, Cloud and IoT-based systems, as well as IT infrastructures). The book's 16 chapters, prepared by authors from Greece, Malaysia, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, are grouped into four sections: (1) The Green Internet of Things, Cloud Computing and Data Mining, (2) Green Mobile and Embedded Control Systems, (3) Green Logic and FPGA Design, and (4) Green IT for Industry and Smart Grids. The book will motivate researchers and engineers from different IT domains to develop, implement and propagate green values in complex systems. Further, it will benefit all scientists and graduate students pursuing research in computer science with a focus on green IT engineering.

This book collects selected papers from the 6th Conference on Signal and Information Processing, Networking and Computers, held in Guiyang, China, on August 13 - 16, 2019. Focusing on the latest advances in information theory, communication systems, computer science, aerospace technologies, big data and other related technologies, it offers a valuable resource for researchers and industrial practitioners alike.

This book features selected research papers presented at the International Conference on Evolutionary Computing and Mobile Sustainable Networks (ICECMSN 2020), held at the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology on 20-21 February 2020. Discussing advances in evolutionary computing technologies, including swarm intelligence algorithms and other evolutionary algorithm paradigms which are emerging as widely accepted descriptors for mobile sustainable networks virtualization, optimization and automation, this book is a valuable resource for researchers in the field of evolutionary computing and mobile sustainable networks.

This book provides innovative ideas on achieving sustainable development and using green technologies to conserve our ecosystem. Innovation is the successful exploitation of a new idea. Through innovation, we can achieve MORE while using LESS. Innovations in science & technology will not only help mankind as a whole, but also contribute to the economic growth of individual countries. It is essential that the global problem of environmental degradation be addressed immediately, and thus, we need to rethink the concept of sustainable development. Indeed, new environmentally friendly technologies are fundamental to attaining sustainable development. The book shares a wealth of innovative green technological ideas on how to preserve and improve the quality of the environment, and how to establish a more resource-efficient and sustainable society. The book provides an interdisciplinary approach to addressing various technical issues and capitalizing on advances in computing & optimization for scientific & technological development, smart information, communication, bio-monitoring, smart cities, food quality assessment, waste management, environmental aspects, alternative energies, sustainable infrastructure development, etc. In short, it offers valuable information and insights for budding engineers, researchers, upcoming young minds and industry professionals, promoting awareness for recent advances in the various fields mentioned above.

This book provides an in-depth insight into the emerging paradigm of End-User Development (EUD), discussing the diversity and potential for creating effective environments for end users. Containing a unique set of contributions from a number of international researchers and institutes, many relevant issues are discussed and solutions proposed, making important aspects of end-user development research available to a broader audience. Most people are familiar with the basic functionality and interfaces of computers. However, developing new or modified applications that can effectively support users' goals still requires considerable programming expertise that cannot be expected of everyone. One of the fundamental challenges that lie ahead is the development of environments that enable users with little or no programming experience to develop and modify their own applications. The ultimate goal is to empower people to flexibly employ and personalise advanced inform ation and communication technologies.

Information technology is a discipline under constant evolution. This collection, entitled Breakthrough Discoveries in Information Technology Research: Advancing Trends, aims to inform researchers and practitioners of novel and emerging research in information science and technology, allowing for the discussion and dissemination of critical concepts that will promote further study and innovation. Selections explore all facets of the discipline, with specific contributions focusing on outsourcing, ethical concerns in research, biometrics, and information technology's role in disaster prediction and prevention.

This book covers ideas, methods, algorithms, and tools for the in-depth study of the performance and reliability of dependable fault-tolerant systems. The chapters identify the current challenges that designers and practitioners must confront to ensure the reliability, availability, and performance of systems, with special focus on their dynamic behaviors and dependencies. Topics include network calculus, workload and scheduling; simulation, sensitivity analysis and applications; queuing networks analysis; clouds, federations and big data; and tools. This collection of recent research exposes system researchers, performance analysts, and practitioners to a spectrum of issues so that they can address these challenges in their work.

This book offers readers a comprehensive guide to the evolution of the database field from its earliest stages up to the present-and from classical relational database management systems to the current Big Data metaphor. In particular, it gathers the most significant research from the Italian database community that had relevant intersections with international projects. Big Data technology is currently dominating both the market and research. The book provides readers with a broad overview of key research efforts in modelling, querying and analysing data, which, over the last few decades, have became massive and heterogeneous areas.

This volume comprises the proceedings of ICITCS 2020. It aims to provide a snapshot of the latest issues encountered in IT convergence and security. The book explores how IT convergence and security is core to most current research, industrial and commercial activities. Topics covered in this volume include machine learning & deep learning, communication and signal processing, computer vision and applications, future network technology, artificial intelligence and robotics, software engineering and knowledge engineering, intelligent vehicular networking and applications, healthcare and wellness, web technology and applications, internet of things, and security & privacy. Through this volume, readers will gain an understanding of the current state-of-the-art information strategies and technologies in IT convergence and security. The book will be of use to researchers in academia, industry and other research institutes focusing on IT convergence and security.

The amount of data shared and stored on the web and other document repositories is steadily on the rise. Unfortunately, this growth increases inefficiencies and difficulties when trying to find the most relevant and up-to-date information due to unstructured data. Advanced Metaheuristic Methods in Big Data Retrieval and Analytics examines metaheuristic techniques as an important alternative model for solving complex problems that are not treatable by deterministic methods. Recent studies suggest that IR and biomimicry can be used together for several application problems in big data and internet of things, especially when conventional methods would be too expensive or difficult to implement. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as ontology, plagiarism detection, and machine learning, this book is ideally designed for engineers, graduate students, IT professionals, and academicians seeking an overview of new trends in information retrieval in big data.

A secured system for Healthcare 4.0 is vital to all stakeholders, including patients and caregivers. Using the new Blockchain system of trusted ledgers would help guarantee authenticity in the multi-access system that is Healthcare 4.0. This is the first comprehensive book that explores how to achieve secure systems for Healthcare 4.0 using Blockchain, with emphasis on the key challenges of privacy and security. The book is organized into four sections. The first section is focused on 5G healthcare privacy and security concerns. The second section discusses healthcare architecture and emerging technologies. The third section covers the role of artificial intelligence for data security and privacy in 5G healthcare services. Finally, the last section systematically illustrates the adoption of blockchain in various applications of 5G healthcare. The book is essential reading for all involved in setting up, running, and maintaining healthcare information systems. Engineers, scientists, technologists, developers, designers, and researchers in healthcare technologies, health informatics, security, and information technology will find the content particularly useful.

The motivation of this edited book is to generate an understanding about information, related concepts and the roles they play in the modern, technology permeated world. In order to achieve our goal, we observe how information is understood in domains, such as cosmology, physics, biology, neuroscience, computer science, artificial intelligence, the Internet, big data, information society, or philosophy. Together, these observations form an integrated view so that readers can better understand this exciting building-block of modern-day society. On the surface, information is a relatively straightforward and intuitive concept. Underneath, however, information is a relatively versatile and mysterious entity. For instance, the way a physicist looks at information is not necessarily the same way as that of a biologist, a neuroscientist, a computer scientist, or a philosopher. Actually, when it comes to information, it is common that each field has its domain specific views, motivations, interpretations, definitions, methods, technologies, and challenges. With contributions by authors from a wide range of backgrounds, Understanding Information: From the Big Bang to Big Data will appeal to readers interested in the impact of 'information' on modern-day life from a variety of perspectives.

This book presents the latest research in the fields of computational intelligence, ubiquitous computing models, communication intelligence, communication security, machine learning, informatics, mobile computing, cloud computing and big data analytics. The best selected papers, presented at the International Conference on Innovative Data Communication Technologies and Application (ICIDCA 2020), are included in the book. The book focuses on the theory, design, analysis, implementation and applications of distributed systems and networks.

This book presents selected papers on Business Management and Technology, focusing on recent research in Business, Optimization, Technology, and Global Issues. Organized in four broad tracks, papers examine Management Challenges in Today's Industry, especially concerning changes in customer demands; Optimization Challenges in Today's Business, looking at efficiency and effectiveness in providing goods and services at affordable prices; Innovation in Hospitality and Tourism; and Technological Challenges in the Era of Globalization. The book covers both production systems and service systems, including the growing area of Information Technology, and also looks at the quality of work life in various sectors of business. It presents a balanced blend of theoretical and practical papers.

Online education and social interaction is on the rise. This new vehicle for human learning and communication opens the door for the latest exploration in emerging cyber fields.Evolving Psychological and Educational Perspectives on Cyber Behavior identifies learners' online behavior based on the theories in human psychology, defines online education phenomena as explained by the social and cognitive learning theories and principles, and interprets the complexity of cyber learning. This title offers a multi-disciplinary approach that incorporates the findings from brain research, biology, psychology, human cognition, developmental theory, sociology, motivation theory, and social behavior perfect for school teachers, counselors, researchers, and online designers.

This book provides a deep analysis and wide coverage of the very strong trend in computer vision and visual indexing and retrieval, covering such topics as incorporation of models of Human Visual attention into analysis and retrieval tasks. It makes the bridge between psycho-visual modelling of Human Visual System and the classical and most recent models in visual content indexing and retrieval. The large spectrum of visual tasks, such as recognition of textures in static images, of actions in video content, image retrieval, different methods of visualization of images and multimedia content based on visual saliency are presented by the authors. Furthermore, the interest in visual content is modelled with the means of the latest classification models such as Deep Neural Networks is also covered in this book. This book is an exceptional resource as a secondary text for researchers and advanced level students, who are involved in the very wide research in computer vision, visual information indexing and retrieval. Professionals working in this field will also be interested in this book as a reference.

This book presents the design of delay-efficient packet schedulers for heterogeneous M2M uplink traffic classified into several classes, based on packet delay requirements, payload size, arrival process, etc. Specifically, the authors use tools from queuing theory to determine the delay-optimal scheduling policy. The proposed packet schedulers are designed for a generic M2M architecture and thus equally applicable to any M2M application. Additionally, due to their low implementation complexity and excellent delay-performance, they authors show how they are also well-suited for practical M2M systems. The book pertains primarily to real-time process scheduler experts in industry/academia and graduate students whose research deals with designing Quality-of-Service-aware packet schedulers for M2M packet schedulers over existing and future cellular infrastructure. Presents queuing theoretic analysis and optimization techniques used to design proposed packet scheduling strategies; Provides utility functions to precisely model diverse delay requirements, which lends itself to formulation of utility-maximization problems for determining the delay- or utility-optimal packet scheduler; Includes detail on low implementation complexity of the proposed scheduler by using iterative and distributed optimization techniques.