This paper discusses the notion of collective intelligence through the application of the Wideband Delphi method as a way to obtain convergence among a group of experts. The specific application is the definition and calibration of cost estimation models that use data collected from experts as part of their calibration. Convergence is important in this case because companies need to commit to c...

Article history: Received 14 September 2010 Received in revised form 31 March 2011 Accepted 6 April 2011 Available online 20 May 2011 The cornerstone of good research is establishing integrity. However, identifying and gauging methodological rigour for the Delphi technique remains elusive. This is due to a number of reasons such as the ongoing epistemological debate, along with continual modifi...

The efficacy of methanolic extracts and powders of 12 spices (Pimpinella anisum, Scorodophleuszenkeii, Xylopiaparviflora, Eugenia caryophyllus, Fagara leprieurii, Fagara macrophylla, Monodora myristica, Olax subscorpioidea, Xylopiaaethiopica, Allium sativum, Zinziber officinale and Cinnamomum zeylanicum) in stabilizing crude soyabean oil during accelerated storage was assessed. The phytochemica...

In the last 30 years, the application of the Delphi technique has been increasing. With the recent availability and established popularity of Internet-based research tools, the Internet has been identified as a means for mitigating Delphi limitations, maximizing its advantages, and expanding the breadth of its application. The discourse on the application of “e-Delphi” has been speculative in n...

BACKGROUND Accurate modeling of electrostatic potential and corresponding energies becomes increasingly important for understanding properties of biological macromolecules and their complexes. However, this is not an easy task due to the irregular shape of biological entities and the presence of water and mobile ions. RESULTS Here we report a comprehensive suite for the well-known Poisson-Bol...

Temperature, an environmental factor affecting cut flowers' physiological state, is expected to affect scent emission. We investigated emission from carnation flowers of two types (Dianthus caryophyllus L.), exhibiting fruity (because methyl benzoate) and spicy eugenol) scents, at various temperatures (10°C, 15°C, 23°C, 28°C). Cut harvested on the day flower opening were used for analysis. Scen...