Abstract: Several numerical schemes utilizing central difference
approximations have been developed to solve the Goursat problem.
However, in a recent years compact discretization methods which
leads to high-order finite difference schemes have been used since it
is capable of achieving better accuracy as well as preserving certain
features of the equation e.g. linearity. The basic idea of the new
scheme is to find the compact approximations to the derivative terms
by differentiating centrally the governing equations. Our primary
interest is to study the performance of the new scheme when applied
to two Goursat partial differential equations against the traditional
finite difference scheme.
Abstract: User satisfaction is one of the most used success
indicators in the research of information system (IS). Literature
shows user expectations have great influence on user satisfaction.
Both expectation and satisfaction of users are important for Hospital
Information Systems (HIS). Education, IS experience, age, attitude
towards change, business title, sex and working unit of the hospital,
are examined as the potential determinant of the medical users’
expectations. Data about medical user expectations are collected by
the “Expectation Questionnaire” developed for this study.
Expectation data are used for calculating the Expectation Meeting
Ratio (EMR) with the evaluation framework also developed for this
study. The internal consistencies of the answers to the questionnaire
are measured by Cronbach´s Alpha coefficient. The multivariate
analysis of medical user’s EMRs of HIS is performed by forward
stepwise binary logistic regression analysis. Education and business
title is appeared to be the determinants of expectations from HIS.
Abstract: Application of Expert System in the area of agriculture would take the form of Integrated Crop Management decision aids and would encompass water management, fertilizer management, crop protection systems and identification of implements. In order to remain competitive, the modern farmer often relies on agricultural specialists and advisors to provide information for decision-making. An expert system normally composed of a knowledge base (information, heuristics, etc.), inference engine (analyzes knowledge base), and end user interface (accepting inputs, generating outputs). Software named 'CROP-9-DSS' incorporating all modern features like, graphics, photos, video clippings etc. has been developed. This package will aid as a decision support system for identification of pest and diseases with control measures, fertilizer recommendation system, water management system and identification of farm implements for leading crops of Kerala (India) namely Coconut, Rice, Cashew, Pepper, Banana, four vegetables like Amaranthus, Bhindi, Brinjal and Cucurbits. 'CROP-9-DSS' will act as an expert system to agricultural officers, scientists in the field of agriculture and extension workers for decision-making and help them in suggesting suitable recommendations.
Abstract: In this paper, we introduce an effective strategy for
subgoal division and ordering based upon recursive subgoals and
combine this strategy with a genetic-based planning approach. This
strategy can be applied to domains with conjunctive goals. The main
idea is to recursively decompose a goal into a set of serializable
subgoals and to specify a strict ordering among the subgoals.
Empirical results show that the recursive subgoal strategy reduces the
size of the search space and improves the quality of solutions to
planning problems.
Abstract: In this paper, Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) based model for non-instantaneous Weibull distribution deteriorating items with power demand pattern is presented. In this model, the holding cost per unit of the item per unit time is assumed to be an increasing linear function of time spent in storage. Here the retailer is allowed a trade-credit offer by the supplier to buy more items. Also in this model, shortages are allowed and partially backlogged. The backlogging rate is dependent on the waiting time for the next replenishment. This model aids in minimizing the total inventory cost by finding the optimal time interval and finding the optimal order quantity. The optimal solution of the model is illustrated with the help of numerical examples. Finally sensitivity analysis and graphical representations are given to demonstrate the model.
Abstract: Markov games can be effectively used to design
controllers for nonlinear systems. The paper presents two novel
controller design algorithms by incorporating ideas from gametheory
literature that address safety and consistency issues of the
'learned' control strategy. A more widely used approach for
controller design is the H∞ optimal control, which suffers from high
computational demand and at times, may be infeasible. We generate
an optimal control policy for the agent (controller) via a simple
Linear Program enabling the controller to learn about the unknown
environment. The controller is facing an unknown environment and
in our formulation this environment corresponds to the behavior rules
of the noise modeled as the opponent. Proposed approaches aim to
achieve 'safe-consistent' and 'safe-universally consistent' controller
behavior by hybridizing 'min-max', 'fictitious play' and 'cautious
fictitious play' approaches drawn from game theory. We empirically
evaluate the approaches on a simulated Inverted Pendulum swing-up
task and compare its performance against standard Q learning.
Abstract: The general purpose processors that are used in
embedded systems must support constraints like execution time,
power consumption, code size and so on. On the other hand an
Application Specific Instruction-set Processor (ASIP) has advantages
in terms of power consumption, performance and flexibility. In this
paper, a 16-bit Application Specific Instruction-set processor for the
sensor data transfer is proposed. The designed processor architecture
consists of on-chip transmitter and receiver modules along with the
processing and controlling units to enable the data transmission and
reception on a single die. The data transfer is accomplished with less
number of instructions as compared with the general purpose
processor. The ASIP core operates at a maximum clock frequency of
1.132GHz with a delay of 0.883ns and consumes 569.63mW power
at an operating voltage of 1.2V. The ASIP is implemented in Verilog
HDL using the Xilinx platform on Virtex4.
Abstract: Defense and Aerospace environment is continuously
striving to keep up with increasingly sophisticated Information
Technology (IT) in order to remain effective in today-s dynamic and
unpredictable threat environment. This makes IT one of the largest
and fastest growing expenses of Defense. Hundreds of millions of
dollars spent a year on IT projects. But, too many of those millions
are wasted on costly mistakes. Systems that do not work properly,
new components that are not compatible with old ones, trendy new
applications that do not really satisfy defense needs or lost through
poorly managed contracts.
This paper investigates and compiles the effective strategies that
aim to end exasperation with low returns and high cost of
Information Technology acquisition for defense; it tries to show how
to maximize value while reducing time and expenditure.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new procedure for analyzing means-end chain data in marketing research. Most commonly the collected data is summarized in the Hierarchical Value Map (HVM) illustrating the main attribute-consequence-value linkages. This paper argues that traditionally constructed HVM may give an erroneous impression of the results of a means-end study. To justify the arguments, an alternative procedure to (1) determine the dominant attribute-consequence-value linkages and (2) construct HVM in a precise manner is presented. The current approach makes a contribution to means-end analysis, allowing marketers to address a set of marketing problems, such as advertising strategy.
Abstract: Nowaday-s, many organizations use systems that
support business process as a whole or partially. However, in some
application domains, like software development and health care
processes, a normative Process Aware System (PAS) is not suitable,
because a flexible support is needed to respond rapidly to new
process models. On the other hand, a flexible Process Aware System
may be vulnerable to undesirable and fraudulent executions, which
imposes a tradeoff between flexibility and security. In order to make
this tradeoff available, a genetic-based anomaly detection model for
logs of Process Aware Systems is presented in this paper. The
detection of an anomalous trace is based on discovering an
appropriate process model by using genetic process mining and
detecting traces that do not fit the appropriate model as anomalous
trace; therefore, when used in PAS, this model is an automated
solution that can support coexistence of flexibility and security.
Abstract: Medicinal plants are most suitable crops for ecological production systems because of their role in human health and the aim of sustainable agriculture to improve ecosystem efficiency and its products quality. Calculations include energy output (contents of energy in seed) and energy inputs (consumption of fertilizers, pesticides, labor, machines, fuel and electricity). The ratio of output of the production to inputs is called the energy outputs / inputs ratio or energy efficiency. One way to quantify essential parts of agricultural development is the energy flow method. The output / input energy ratio is proposed as the most comprehensive single factor in pursuing the objective of sustainability. Sylibum marianum L. is one of the most important medicinal plants in Iran and has effective role on health of growing population in Iran. The objective of this investigation was to find out energy efficiency in conventional and low input production system of Milk thistle. This investigation was carried out in the spring of 2005 – 2007 in the Research Station of Rangelands in Hamand - Damavand region of IRAN. This experiment was done in split-split plot based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Treatments were 2 production systems (Conventional and Low input system) in the main plots, 3 planting time (25 of March, 4 and 14 of April) in the sub plots and 2 seed types (Improved and Native of Khoozestan) in the sub-sub plots. Results showed that in conventional production system energy efficiency, because of higher inputs and less seed yield, was less than low input production system. Seed yield was 1199.5 and 1888 kg/ha in conventional and low input systems, respectively. Total energy inputs and out puts for conventional system was 10068544.5 and 7060515.9 kcal. These amounts for low input system were 9533885.6 and 11113191.8 kcal. Results showed that energy efficiency for seed production in conventional and low input system was 0.7 and 1.16, respectively. So, milk thistle seed production in low input system has 39.6 percent higher energy efficiency than conventional production system. Also, higher energy efficiency were found in sooner planting time (25 of March) and native seed of Khoozestan.
Abstract: Scolothrips longicornis Priesner is one of the
important predators of tetranychid mites with a wide distribution
throughout Iran. Life table and population growth parameters of S.
longicornis feeding on two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus
turkestani Ugarov & Nikolski were investigated under laboratory
condition (26±1ºC, 65±5% R.H. and 16L: 8D). To carry of these
experiments, S. longicornis collections reared on cowpea infested
with T. turkestani were prepared. The eggs with less than 24 hours
old were selected and reared. The emerged larvae feeding directly on
cowpea leaf discs which were infested with T. turkestani. Thirty
females of S. longicornis with 24 hours age were selected and
released on infested leaf discs. They replaced daily to a new leaf disc
and the laying eggs have counted. The experiment continued till the
last thrips had died. The result showed that the mean age mortality of
the adult female thrips were between 21-25 days which is nearly
equal life expectancy (ex) at the time of adult eclosion. Parameters
related to reproductive table including gross reproductive rate, net
reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of natural increase and finite rate of
increase were 48.91, 37.63, 0.26 and 2.3, respectively. Mean age per
female/day, mean fertile egg per female/day, gross hatch rate, mean
net age fertility, mean net age fecundity, net fertility rate and net
fecundity rate were 2.23, 1.76, 0.87, 13.87, 14.26, 69.1 and 78.5,
respectively. Sex ratio of offspring also recorded daily. The highest
sex ratio for females was 0.88 in first day of oviposition. The sex
ratio decreased gradually and reached under 0.46 after the day 26 and
the oviposition rate declined. Then it seems that maintenance of
rearing culture of predatory thrips for mass rearing later than 26 days
after egg-laying commence is not profitable.
Abstract: Research in distributed artificial intelligence and multiagent systems consider how a set of distributed entities can interact and coordinate their actions in order to solve a given problem. In this paper an overview of this concept and its evolution is presented particularly its application in the design of intelligent tutoring systems. An intelligent tutor based on the concept of agent and centered specifically on the design of a pedagogue agent is illustrated. Our work has two goals: the first one concerns the architecture aspect and the design of a tutor using multiagent approach. The second one deals particularly with the design of a part of a tutor system: the pedagogue agent.
Abstract: Land shortage for burials is one of many issues that emerge out of accelerated urban growth in most developing Asian cities, including Kuala Lumpur. Despite actions taken by the federal government and local authorities in addressing this issue, there is no strategic solution being formulated. Apart from making provisions for land to be developed as new cemeteries, the future plan is merely to allocate reserve land to accommodate the increasing demands of burial grounds around the city. This paper examines problems that arise from the traditional practices of Malay funerary as well as an insight to current urban practices in managing Muslim burial spaces around Kuala Lumpur metropolitan region. This paper will also provide some solutions through design approach that can be applied to counter the existing issues.
Abstract: S-Curves are commonly used in technology forecasting. They show the paths of product performance in relation to time or investment in R&D. It is a useful tool to describe the inflection points and the limit of improvement of a technology. Companies use this information to base their innovation strategies.
However inadequate use and some limitations of this technique lead
to problems in decision making. In this paper first technology
forecasting and its importance for company level strategies will be
discussed. Secondly the S-Curve and its place among other
forecasting techniques will be introduced. Thirdly its use in
technology forecasting will be discussed based on its advantages,
disadvantages and limitations. Finally an application of S-curve on
3D TV technology using patent data will also be presented and the
results will be discussed.
Abstract: The genetic algorithm (GA) based solution techniques
are found suitable for optimization because of their ability of
simultaneous multidimensional search. Many GA-variants have been
tried in the past to solve optimal power flow (OPF), one of the
nonlinear problems of electric power system. The issues like
convergence speed and accuracy of the optimal solution obtained
after number of generations using GA techniques and handling
system constraints in OPF are subjects of discussion. The results
obtained for GA-Fuzzy OPF on various power systems have shown
faster convergence and lesser generation costs as compared to other
approaches. This paper presents an enhanced GA-Fuzzy OPF (EGAOPF)
using penalty factors to handle line flow constraints and load
bus voltage limits for both normal network and contingency case
with congestion. In addition to crossover and mutation rate
adaptation scheme that adapts crossover and mutation probabilities
for each generation based on fitness values of previous generations, a
block swap operator is also incorporated in proposed EGA-OPF. The
line flow limits and load bus voltage magnitude limits are handled by
incorporating line overflow and load voltage penalty factors
respectively in each chromosome fitness function. The effects of
different penalty factors settings are also analyzed under contingent
state.
Abstract: Rough set theory is a very effective tool to deal with granularity and vagueness in information systems. Covering-based rough set theory is an extension of classical rough set theory. In this paper, firstly we present the characteristics of the reducible element and the minimal description covering-based rough sets through downsets. Then we establish lattices and topological spaces in coveringbased rough sets through down-sets and up-sets. In this way, one can investigate covering-based rough sets from algebraic and topological points of view.
Abstract: An accurate optimal design of laminated composite
structures may present considerable difficulties due to the complexity
and multi-modality of the functional design space. The Big Bang
– Big Crunch (BB-BC) optimization method is a relatively new
technique and has already proved to be a valuable tool for structural
optimization. In the present study the exceptional efficiency of the
method is demonstrated by an example of the lay-up optimization
of multilayered anisotropic cylinders based on a three-dimensional
elasticity solution. It is shown that, due to its simplicity and speed,
the BB-BC is much more efficient for this class of problems when
compared to the genetic algorithms.
Abstract: This study deals with a multi-criteria optimization
problem which has been transformed into a single objective
optimization problem using Response Surface Methodology (RSM),
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Grey Relational Analyses
(GRA) approach. Grey-RSM and Grey-ANN are hybrid techniques
which can be used for solving multi-criteria optimization problem.
There have been two main purposes of this research as follows.
1. To determine optimum and robust fiber dyeing process
conditions by using RSM and ANN based on GRA,
2. To obtain the best suitable model by comparing models
developed by different methodologies.
The design variables for fiber dyeing process in textile are
temperature, time, softener, anti-static, material quantity, pH,
retarder, and dispergator. The quality characteristics to be evaluated
are nominal color consistency of fiber, maximum strength of fiber,
minimum color of dyeing solution. GRA-RSM with exact level
value, GRA-RSM with interval level value and GRA-ANN models
were compared based on GRA output value and MSE (Mean Square
Error) performance measurement of outputs with each other. As a
result, GRA-ANN with interval value model seems to be suitable
reducing the variation of dyeing process for GRA output value of the
model.
Abstract: In a transcutanious inductive coupling of a biomedical
implant, a new formula is given for the study of the Radio Frequency
power attenuation by the biological tissue. The loss of the signal
power is related to its interaction with the biological tissue and the
composition of this one. A confrontation with the practical
measurements done with a synthetic muscle into a Faraday cage,
allowed a checking of the obtained theoretical results. The
supply/data transfer systems used in the case of biomedical implants,
can be well dimensioned by taking in account this type of power
attenuation.