Note: Intro -- Foreword -- Preface -- Contents -- 1 Intelligent Computing Systems -- 2 Semantic Tools -- Their Use for Knowledge Management in the Public Sector -- Abstract -- 1 Outlines -- 2 Introduction---Presentation of the Field of Interest -- 2.1 E-Government---The Opportunities Through the Semantic Web -- 2.2 Public Open Data for the Transition to `Open Government' -- 3 Related Work -- 4 Semantic Representation of Knowledge -- 4.1 The RDF Data Model -- 4.2 The URI's Use -- 4.3 RDF Schema Specification Language -- 4.4 Web Ontology Language---OWL -- 5 Reasoning Tools -- 5.1 SWRL Rules -- 5.2 The Query Language SQWRL -- 6 Presentation of Our Ontology Through Prot00E9g00E9 -- 6.1 The Ontology Development in Prot00E9g00E9 4.3 -- 6.2 The E-Government Ontology -- 6.2.1 Defining Classes -- 6.2.2 Defining Properties -- 6.3 The Use of RDF, RDFS, OWL and SWRL Through a Case Study -- 7 Data Mining Technology from Ontologies -- 7.1 SPARQL -- 7.2 SPARQL-DL in OWL2 Query Tab of Prot00E9g00E9 -- 7.3 DL Query Tool of Prot00E9g00E9 -- 8 Evaluation of Ontology -- 8.1 Categorization of the Ontology -- 8.2 Basic Principles of Design -- 8.3 Methodology of the Ontology Development -- 9 Conclusions -- References -- 3 From Game Theory to Complexity, Emergence and Agent-Based Modeling in World Politics -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Game Theory in World Politics -- 2.1 A Game Theoretic Approach of Global Environmental Diplomacy -- 3 From Game Theory to Complexity -- 3.1 Emergence in World Politics -- 4 Simulating Complexity with Agent-Based Modeling -- 4.1 Agent-Based Modeling Research in World Politics -- 4.1.1 Political Applications of ABM -- 5 Conclusions -- Acknowledgments -- References -- List of Software Resources -- 4 A Semantic Approach for Representing and Querying Business Processes -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction. , 2 Semantic Web Techniques in Management Information Systems -- 2.1 What's Worth in Combining Management Information Systems with Semantic Web Technologies? -- 2.2 Process Models, Conceptual Models and Ontologies -- 2.3 Querying Business Process Models -- 2.4 Related Work -- 3 A BPMN Semantic Process Model -- 3.1 The Research Methodology -- 3.2 Developing Business Process Models -- 3.3 Developing the Ontology -- 3.3.1 The Scope of the BPMN Elements -- 3.3.2 The Scope of the Generic BPMN Alternative Models -- 3.3.3 The Scope of the Agent or Actor Participating in the Process -- 3.4 Validating the Ontology -- 4 Querying Conventional Databases and Semantic Models -- 5 Conclusions -- References -- 5 Using Conversational Knowledge Management as a Lens for Virtual Collaboration in the Course of Small Group Activities -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Related Work and Motivation -- 2.1 Conversational Patterns -- 2.2 Design Frames and Technologies for CK Management -- 2.3 Consolidation and Research Focus -- 3 Methodology -- 3.1 Data Samples and Analysis -- 3.2 Language-Action Models -- 4 Implementation -- 4.1 Transformable Document Templates -- 4.2 The Portlets -- 5 Concluding Remarks -- Acknowledgment -- References -- 6 Spatial Environments for m-Learning: Review and Potentials -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 List of Resources -- 3 Classification Criteria -- 4 Exemplary Environments -- 5 Comparison -- 6 Results -- 7 Conclusions/Future Work -- References -- 7 Science Teachers' Metaphors of Digital Technologies and Social Media in Pedagogy in Finland and in Greece -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Theoretical Background -- 2.1 Approaching Science -- 2.2 The Relationship Between Science and Digital Technology -- 3 The Study -- 3.1 Aims & -- Methods -- 3.2 The Context and the Participants -- 4 Findings -- 4.1 Science as Way of Thinking. , 4.2 Science as Method -- 5 Conclusions -- References -- 8 Data Driven Monitoring of Energy Systems: Gaussian Process Kernel Machine for Fault Identification with Application to Boiling Water Reactors -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Gaussian Process Kernel Machines -- 3 Methodology -- 4 Application to Monitoring Complex Energy Systems: The Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Case -- 4.1 Problem Statement -- 4.2 Testing Results -- 5 Conclusions -- References -- 9 A Framework to Assess the Behavior and Performance of a City Towards Energy Optimization -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Policy Context -- 3 Current Relevant Initiatives -- 4 Description of the Framework -- 5 Municipal Building Level SCEAF -- 6 Conclusions -- Acknowledgment -- References -- 10 An Energy Management Platform for Smart Microgrids -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Smart Polygeneration Microgrid Pilot Plant -- 3 The Energy Management Platform -- 4 The Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System -- 5 Results and Discussion -- 6 Conclusions and Future Research Lines -- References -- List of Resources -- 11 Transit Journaling and Traffic Sensitive Routing for a Mixed Mode Public Transportation System -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 1.1 Limited Scope of Data -- 1.2 Formal Route Names Versus Informal Headsigns -- 1.3 Insufficient Stop Descriptions -- 1.4 Traffic Sensitivity in Routing/Trip Planning -- 2 Related Work -- 2.1 Crowdsourced Mapping and Real-time Tracking -- 2.2 Activity Detection -- 2.3 Trip Planning/Routing -- 2.3.1 Dijkstra's Algorithm -- 2.3.2 A* Search -- 2.3.3 Raptor -- 2.4 Trip Planning with Real-time Data -- 3 Methodology/Design -- 3.1 The Server/Back-End -- 3.1.1 GTFS Data Pre-processing -- 3.1.2 Server Design -- 3.1.3 The Modified RAPTOR Search Algorithm -- 3.2 The Mobile App -- 3.2.1 Search -- 3.2.2 Results/Journey Displays -- 3.2.3 Recording. , 3.2.4 Traffic Report -- 3.2.5 Results Display -- 3.2.6 Journey Display -- 3.2.7 Journal -- 3.2.8 Stop Editor -- 3.2.9 Route Editor -- 4 Tests and Results -- 4.1 Basic Routing Capacity -- 4.1.1 Survey -- 4.1.2 Demographics -- 4.1.3 Algorithm Evaluation -- 4.2 Traffic Sensitivity -- 4.3 Journey Recorder -- 5 Future Work -- 5.1 Base Estimate Correction -- 5.2 Preference-Weighing System -- 5.3 Traffic Flow Prediction -- 5.4 Further Evaluation of Mapping Ability -- 6 Conclusion -- References -- 12 Adaptation of Automatic Information Extraction Method for Environmental Heatmaps to U-Matrices of Self Organising Maps -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Problem Formulation -- 3 HInEx---Heatmap Information Extraction -- 3.1 The Idea -- 3.2 Heatmap Area Isolation -- 3.3 Clustering Image Pixels Based on Colors -- 3.4 Generating Tree Description -- 3.5 The Key Search and Its Analysis -- 3.6 The Axis Search and Their Analysis -- 3.7 Complete Heatmap Description -- 4 SOM Cluster Number Extraction Based on U-Matrix -- 4.1 The Idea of HInEx Application to SOM U-Matrix -- 4.2 Clustering -- 4.3 Extracting a U-Matrix Cell Corresponding to a Single Distance Between Neurons -- 4.4 Searching a Color Representing the Minimal Neuron Distance in SOM -- 4.5 Threshold-like Operation -- 4.6 Dilatation and Erosion-like Operations -- 4.7 Searching for the Number of Groups in SOM -- 5 SOM Generator Description -- 6 Experimental Study -- 7 Conclusion -- Acknowledgements -- References -- 13 Evolutionary Computing and Genetic Algorithms: Paradigm Applications in 3D Printing Process Optimization -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Evolutionary Optimization -- 3 Determination of the Pareto-Optimal Build Orientations in Stereolithography -- 3.1 Orientation Selection in SL -- 3.2 Algorithm Configuration and Implementation -- 3.3 Build Orientation Case Study. , 4 Determination of the Optimum Packing Layout in Stereolithography Machine Workspace -- 4.1 Optimization Scheme -- 4.2 Packing Layout Construction Process -- 4.3 Packing Layout Case Studies -- 5 Concluding Remarks -- References -- 14 Car-Like Mobile Robot Navigation: A Survey -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 RRT-Based Methods -- 2.1 Unsafe Path Planning -- 2.2 Safe Path Planning -- 2.3 Rapidly Exploring Random Tree Algorithm on Rough Terrains (RRT-RT) -- 2.4 RRT Motion Planning Subsystem -- 2.5 Partial Motion Planning -- 2.6 Sensor-Based Random Tree (SRT) -- 2.7 RRT* Algorithm -- 2.8 Voronoi Fast Marching (VFM) and Fast Marching (FM2) -- 2.9 SBL Algorithm -- 2.10 Single-Query Motion Planning -- 2.11 Dynamic-Domain RRT -- 2.12 Transition-Based RRT -- 2.13 Parallelizing Rapidly-Exploring Random Tree (RRT) Algorithm on Large-Scale Distributed-Memory Architectures -- 2.14 Obstacle Sensitive Cost Function for Navigating Car-Like Robots -- 3 Methods Based on Fuzzy Logic -- 3.1 Distributed Active-Vision Network-Space System -- 3.2 Internet-Based Smart Space Navigation Using Fuzzy-Neural Adaptive Control -- 4 Sensor-Based Methods -- 4.1 Dynamic Window Approach (DWA) -- 4.2 Generalized Voronoi Graph (GVG) Theory -- 4.3 Navigation in Dynamic Environments Using Trajectory Deformation -- 4.4 Probabilistic Velocity Obstacle (PVO) -- 5 SLAM-Based Methods -- 5.1 On-line Path Following -- 5.2 The CyCab: A Car-Like Robot Navigating Autonomously and Safely Among Pedestrians -- 5.3 V-Slam -- 5.4 SLAM-Based Turning Strategy in Restricted Environments -- 5.5 L-Slam -- 6 Conclusions and Future Work -- 6.1 Future Directions in Autonomous Robot Navigation and Obstacle Perception -- 6.2 Future Directions in Applications of Autonomously-Navigating Robots -- References -- 15 Computing a Similarity Coefficient for Mining Massive Data Sets -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction. , 2 Related Work.

Note: Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- List of Contributors -- Preface -- Section I Single Use Plastics -- Chapter 1 Scientometric Analysis of Microplastics across the Globe -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Materials and Methods -- 1.3 Results and Discussion -- 1.3.1 Trends in Scientific Production and Citations -- 1.3.2 Top Funding Agencies -- 1.3.3 Top 10 Global Affiliations -- 1.3.4 Top Countries -- 1.3.5 Top 10 Databases and Journals -- 1.3.6 Top 10 Published Articles -- 1.3.7 Top 10 Author Keywords and Research Areas -- 1.4 Conclusion -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Chapter 2 Microplastic Pollution in the Polar Oceans - A Review -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.1.1 Plastics -- 2.1.2 Plastic Pollution -- 2.1.3 Microplastics -- 2.1.4 Importance of Microplastic Pollution in the Polar Oceans -- 2.2 Polar Regions -- 2.2.1 General -- 2.2.2 Sea Ice -- 2.2.3 Water -- 2.2.4 Sediments -- 2.2.5 Biota -- 2.3 Future Perspectives -- 2.4 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 3 Microplastics - Global Scenario -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Environmental Issues of Plastic Waste -- 3.3 Coprocessing of Plastic Waste in Cement Kilns -- 3.3.1 Cost of Plants to Convert Plastic Waste to Refused-Derived Fuel (RDF) -- 3.4 Disposal of Plastic Waste Through Plasma Pyrolysis Technology (PPT) -- 3.4.1 Merits of PPT -- 3.5 Constraints on the Use of Plastic Waste Disposal Technologies -- 3.6 Alternate to Conventional Petro-based Plastic Carry Bags and Films -- 3.7 Improving Waste Management -- 3.7.1 Phasing Out Microplastics -- 3.7.2 Promoting Research into Alternatives -- 3.7.3 Actions and Resolutions -- References -- Chapter 4 The Single-Use Plastic Pandemic in the COVID-19 Era -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Materials and Methods -- 4.2.1 Data Sources -- 4.2.2 Estimation of the General population's Daily Use of Face Masks. , 4.2.3 Estimation of the Daily Amount of Medical Waste in Hospitals -- 4.3 Trends in Production and Consumption of SUPs during the Pandemic -- 4.3.1 Personal Protective Equipment -- 4.3.2 Packaging SUPs -- 4.3.2.1 Trends in Plastic Waste Generation, Management, and Environmental Fate during the COVID-19 Era -- 4.4 SUP Waste from the Pandemic -- 4.4.1 Environmental Impacts from SUP Waste -- 4.4.2 Management of SUP Waste -- 4.5 Conclusions and Future Prospects -- References -- Section II Microplastics in the Aerosphere -- Chapter 5 Atmospheric Microplastic Transport -- 5.1 The Phenomenon of Microplastic Transport -- 5.2 Factors Affecting Microplastic Transport -- 5.2.1 Types of MPs -- 5.2.2 Characteristics and Sources of Microplastics Emitters -- 5.2.3 Meteorological Conditions -- 5.2.4 Altitude and Surface Roughness -- 5.2.5 Microplastic Deposition Processes in the Ocean -- 5.2.6 Microplastics Deposition Processes in the Air -- 5.3 Microplastic Transport Modelling -- 5.3.1 Eulerian Method -- 5.3.2 Lagrangian Method -- References -- Chapter 6 Microplastics in the Atmosphere and Their Human and Eco Risks -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Microplastics in the Atmosphere -- 6.2.1 Size, Shapes, and Colours -- 6.2.2 Chemical Composition -- 6.2.3 Sources of Microplastics -- 6.2.4 Spatial Distribution and Rate of Deposition -- 6.2.5 Effects of Climatic Conditions on MP Distribution -- 6.2.6 Transport Pathways -- 6.2.7 Pollutants Associated with MPs -- 6.3 Impact of Microplastics on Human Health and the Eco Risk -- 6.3.1 Impact on Human Health -- 6.3.2 Eco Risk -- 6.4 Strategies to Minimise Atmospheric MPs through Future Research -- 6.5 Conclusion -- Acknowledgements -- References -- Chapter 7 Sampling and Detection of Microplastics in the Atmosphere -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Classification -- 7.3 Sampling Microplastics -- 7.3.1 Sampling Airborne Microplastics. , 7.3.2 Sediment -- 7.3.3 Water -- 7.3.4 Biota -- 7.4 Sample Preparation -- 7.5 Detection and Characterisation of MPs in the Atmosphere -- 7.5.1 Microscopic Techniques for Detecting MPs -- 7.5.1.1 Stereomicroscopy -- 7.5.1.2 Fluorescence Microscopy -- 7.5.1.3 Polarised Optical Microscopy (POM) -- 7.5.1.4 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) -- 7.5.1.5 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) -- 7.5.1.6 Hot Needle Technique -- 7.5.1.7 Digital Holography -- 7.5.2 Spectroscopic Techniques for Analysing MPs -- 7.5.2.1 Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy -- 7.5.2.2 Raman Spectroscopy -- 7.5.3 Thermal Analysis -- 7.5.3.1 Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) -- 7.5.3.2 Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) -- 7.5.3.3 Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Pyr-GC-MS) -- 7.6 Conclusion -- Funding -- References -- Chapter 8 Sources and Circulation of Microplastics in the Aerosphere - Atmospheric Transport of Microplastics -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.1.1 Occurrence and Abundance of Atmospheric MP -- 8.1.2 Plastic Polymers and Their Properties -- 8.1.3 Sources and Pathways of MPs in the Atmosphere -- 8.2 Temporal and Spatial Trends in MP Accumulation -- 8.2.1 Roadside MPs -- 8.2.2 Agricultural Fields and Soil -- 8.2.3 Wastewater and Sludge -- 8.2.4 Ocean/Marine Debris -- 8.3 Formation of MPs -- 8.3.1 Physical Weathering -- 8.3.2 Chemical Weathering -- 8.3.3 Biodegradation -- 8.3.4 Photo-thermal Oxidation -- 8.3.5 Thermal Degradation -- 8.4 Atmospheric Circulation, Transport, Suspension, and Deposition -- 8.4.1 Wet Deposition -- 8.4.2 Dry Deposition -- 8.4.3 Urban Dust -- 8.4.4 Suspended Atmospheric MPs -- 8.5 Atmospheric Chemistry of MPs -- 8.6 Predicting MP Dispersion and Transport -- 8.7 Eco-Environmental Impacts -- 8.7.1 Impacts on Human and Wildlife Health -- 8.7.2 Impacts on the Climate -- 8.8 Future Perspectives -- References. , Section III Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment -- Chapter 9 Interaction of Chemical Contaminants with Microplastics -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Interactions -- 9.3 Mechanisms -- 9.3.1 Interactions between Organic Contaminants and Microplastics -- 9.3.2 Interactions between Heavy Metals and Microplastics -- 9.3.3 Kinetics of the Sorption Process -- 9.3.4 Pseudo-First-Order Model -- 9.3.5 Pseudo-Second-Order Model -- 9.3.6 Intraparticle Diffusion Model -- 9.3.7 Film Diffusion Model -- 9.3.8 Isotherm Models -- 9.3.9 Langmuir Model -- 9.3.10 Freundlich Model -- 9.4 Environmental Burden of Microplastics -- 9.5 Future Approaches -- References -- Chapter 10 Microplastics in Freshwater Environments -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Microplastics in Rivers and Tributaries -- 10.3 Microplastics in Lakes -- 10.4 Microplastics in Groundwater Sources -- 10.5 Microplastics in Glaciers and Ice Caps -- 10.6 Microplastics in Deltas -- 10.7 Conclusion -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Chapter 11 Microplastics in Landfill Leachate: Flow and Transport -- 11.1 Plastics and Microplastics -- 11.2 Microplastics in Landfill Leachate -- 11.3 Summary -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Chapter 12 Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment - Effects on Ocean Carbon Sequestration and Sustenance of Marine Life -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment -- 12.2.1 Major Sources -- 12.2.2 Chemical Nature and Distribution Processes -- 12.2.2.1 Chemical Nature -- 12.2.2.2 Distribution Processes -- 12.3 Microplastics and Ocean Carbon Sequestration -- 12.3.1 Ocean Carbon Sequestration -- 12.3.2 Effect of Microplastics on Ocean Carbon Sequestration -- 12.3.2.1 Effect on Phytoplankton Photosynthesis and Growth -- 12.3.2.2 Effect on Zooplankton Development and Reproduction -- 12.3.2.3 Effect on the Marine Biological Pump -- 12.4 Microplastics and Marine Fauna. , 12.4.1 Effects on Corals -- 12.4.2 Effects on Fisheries and Aquaculture -- 12.4.2.1 Shrimp -- 12.4.2.2 Oysters and Mussels -- 12.4.2.3 Fish -- 12.4.3 Effects on Sea Turtles and Sea Birds -- 12.4.4 Effects on Marine Mammals -- 12.5 Microplastic Pollution, Climate Change, and Antibiotic Resistance - A Unique Trio -- 12.6 Conclusion and Future Perspectives -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Section IV Microplastics in Soil Systems -- Chapter 13 Entry of Microplastics into Agroecosystems: A Serious Threat to Food Security and Human Health -- 13.1 Introduction -- 13.2 Sources of Microplastics in Agroecosystems -- 13.2.1 Plastic Mulching -- 13.2.2 Plastic Use in Modern Agriculture -- 13.2.3 Application of Sewage Sludge/Biosolids -- 13.2.4 Compost and Fertilizers -- 13.2.5 Wastewater Irrigation -- 13.2.6 Landfill Sites -- 13.2.7 Atmospheric Deposition -- 13.2.8 Miscellaneous Sources -- 13.3 Implications of Microplastic Contamination on Agroecosystems -- 13.3.1 Implications for Soil Character -- 13.3.2 Implications for Crop Plants and Food Security -- 13.4 Human Health Risks -- 13.5 Knowledge Gaps -- 13.6 Conclusion and Future Recommendations -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Chapter 14 Migration of Microplastic-Bound Contaminants to Soil and Their Effects -- 14.1 Introduction -- 14.2 Microplastics as Sorbing Materials for Hazardous Chemicals -- 14.3 Types of Microplastic-Bound Contaminants in Soils -- 14.3.1 Heavy Metals and Metalloids - Inorganic Contaminants Adsorbed to MPs -- 14.3.2 Persistent Organic Pollutants, Pharmaceuticals, Antibiotics, Pesticides, and Other Organic Contaminants Adsorbed to MPs -- 14.4 Effects of Exposure and Co-exposure in Soil - Consequences of Contaminant Sorption for MP Toxicity and Bioaccumulation -- 14.5 Microplastic-Bound Contaminants in Soils as Potential Threats to Human Health -- 14.6 Conclusions -- References. , Chapter 15 Plastic Mulch-Derived Microplastics in Agricultural Soil Systems.