Abstract: Cultural stories are political. They register cultural
phenomena and their relations with the world and society in term of
their existence, function, characteristics by using different context.
This paper will provide a new way of rethinking which will help us
to rethink the relationship between fiction and politics. It discusses
the theme of human rights and it shows the relevance between art and
politics by studying the civil society through a literary framework.
Reasons to establish a relationship between fiction and politics are
the relevant themes and universal issues among the two disciplines.
Both disciplines are sets of views and ideas formulated by the human
mind to explain political or cultural phenomenon. Other reasons are
the complexity and depth of the author-s vision, and the need to
explain the violations of human rights in a more active structure
which can relate to emotional and social existence.
Abstract: Verification of real-time software systems can be
expensive in terms of time and resources. Testing is the main method
of proving correctness but has been shown to be a long and time
consuming process. Everyday engineers are usually unwilling to
adopt formal approaches to correctness because of the overhead
associated with developing their knowledge of such techniques.
Performance modelling techniques allow systems to be evaluated
with respect to timing constraints. This paper describes PARTES, a
framework which guides the extraction of performance models from
programs written in an annotated subset of C.
Abstract: The requirement to improve software productivity has
promoted the research on software metric technology. There are
metrics for identifying the quality of reusable components but the
function that makes use of these metrics to find reusability of
software components is still not clear. These metrics if identified in
the design phase or even in the coding phase can help us to reduce the
rework by improving quality of reuse of the component and hence
improve the productivity due to probabilistic increase in the reuse
level. CK metric suit is most widely used metrics for the objectoriented
(OO) software; we critically analyzed the CK metrics, tried
to remove the inconsistencies and devised the framework of metrics
to obtain the structural analysis of OO-based software components.
Neural network can learn new relationships with new input data and
can be used to refine fuzzy rules to create fuzzy adaptive system.
Hence, Neuro-fuzzy inference engine can be used to evaluate the
reusability of OO-based component using its structural attributes as
inputs. In this paper, an algorithm has been proposed in which the
inputs can be given to Neuro-fuzzy system in form of tuned WMC,
DIT, NOC, CBO , LCOM values of the OO software component and
output can be obtained in terms of reusability. The developed
reusability model has produced high precision results as expected by
the human experts.
Abstract: Medical Decision Support Systems (MDSSs) are sophisticated, intelligent systems that can provide inference due to lack of information and uncertainty. In such systems, to model the uncertainty various soft computing methods such as Bayesian networks, rough sets, artificial neural networks, fuzzy logic, inductive logic programming and genetic algorithms and hybrid methods that formed from the combination of the few mentioned methods are used. In this study, symptom-disease relationships are presented by a framework which is modeled with a formal concept analysis and theory, as diseases, objects and attributes of symptoms. After a concept lattice is formed, Bayes theorem can be used to determine the relationships between attributes and objects. A discernibility relation that forms the base of the rough sets can be applied to attribute data sets in order to reduce attributes and decrease the complexity of computation.
Abstract: There is significant interest in achieving technology
innovation through new product development activities. It is
recognized, however, that traditional project management practices
focused only on performance, cost, and schedule attributes, can often
lead to risk mitigation strategies that limit new technology
innovation. In this paper, a new approach is proposed for formally
managing and quantifying technology innovation. This approach uses
a risk-based framework that simultaneously optimizes innovation
attributes along with traditional project management and system
engineering attributes. To demonstrate the efficacy of the new riskbased
approach, a comprehensive product development experiment
was conducted. This experiment simultaneously managed the
innovation risks and the product delivery risks through the proposed
risk-based framework. Quantitative metrics for technology
innovation were tracked and the experimental results indicate that the
risk-based approach can simultaneously achieve both project
deliverable and innovation objectives.
Abstract: The new programming technologies allow for the
creation of components which can be automatically or manually
assembled to reach a new experience in knowledge understanding
and mastering or in getting skills for a specific knowledge area. The
project proposes an interactive framework that permits the creation,
combination and utilization of components that are specific to
mathematical training in high schools.
The main framework-s objectives are:
• authoring lessons by the teacher or the students; all they need
are simple operating skills for Equation Editor (or something
similar, or Latex); the rest are just drag & drop operations,
inserting data into a grid, or navigating through menus
• allowing sonorous presentations of mathematical texts and
solving hints (easier understood by the students)
• offering graphical representations of a mathematical function
edited in Equation
• storing of learning objects in a database
• storing of predefined lessons (efficient for expressions and
commands, the rest being calculations; allows a high
compression)
• viewing and/or modifying predefined lessons, according to the
curricula
The whole thing is focused on a mathematical expressions minicompiler,
storing the code that will be later used for different
purposes (tables, graphics, and optimisations).
Programming technologies used. A Visual C# .NET
implementation is proposed. New and innovative digital learning
objects for mathematics will be developed; they are capable to
interpret, contextualize and react depending on the architecture
where they are assembled.
Abstract: In the current economy of increasing global
competition, many organizations are attempting to use knowledge as
one of the means to gain sustainable competitive advantage. Besides
large organizations, the success of SMEs can be linked to how well
they manage their knowledge. Despite the profusion of research
about knowledge management within large organizations, fewer
studies tried to analyze KM in SMEs.
This research proposes a new framework showing the determinant
role of organizational dimensions onto KM approaches. The paper
and its propositions are based on a literature review and analysis.
In this research, personalization versus codification,
individualization versus institutionalization and IT-based versus non
IT-based are highlighted as three distinct dimensions of knowledge
management approaches.
The study contributes to research by providing a more nuanced
classification of KM approaches and provides guidance to managers
about the types of KM approaches that should be adopted based on
the size, geographical dispersion and task nature of SMEs.
To the author-s knowledge, the paper is the first of its kind to
examine if there are suitable configurations of KM approaches for
SMEs with different dimensions. It gives valuable information, which
hopefully will help SME sector to accomplish KM.
Abstract: The objective of this article is to discuss the potential
of economic analysis as a tool for identification and evaluation of
corruption in legislative acts. We propose that corruption be
perceived as a risk variable within the legislative process. Therefore
we find it appropriate to employ risk analysis methods, used in
various fields of economics, for the evaluation of corruption in
legislation. Furthermore we propose the incorporation of these
methods into the so called corruption impact assessment (CIA), the
general framework for detection of corruption in legislative acts. The
applications of the risk analysis methods are demonstrated on
examples of implementation of proposed CIA in the Czech Republic.
Abstract: This paper presents an innovative approach within the area of Group Decision Support System (GDSS) by using tools based on intelligent agents. It introduces iGDSS, a software platform for decision support and collaboration and an application of this platform - eCollaborative Decisions - for academic environment, all these developed within a framework of a research project.
Abstract: This is a cross-cultural study that determines South
African multinational enterprises (MNEs) entry strategies as they
invest in Africa. An integrated theoretical framework comprising the
transaction cost theory, Uppsala model, eclectic paradigm and the
distance framework was adopted. A sample of 40 South African
MNEs with 415 existing FDI entries in Africa was drawn. Using an
ordered logistic regression model, the impact of culture on the choice
of degree of control by South African MNEs in Africa was
determined. Cultural distance was one of significant factors that
influenced South African MNEs- choice of degree of control.
Furthermore, South African MNEs are risk averse in all countries in
Africa but minimize the risks differently across sectors. Service
sectors chooses to own their subsidiaries 100% and avoid dealing
with the locals while manufacturing, resources and construction
choose to have a local partner to share the risk.
Abstract: Travel demand forecasting including four travel choices, i.e., trip generation, trip distribution, modal split and traffic assignment constructs the core of transportation planning. In its current application, travel demand forecasting has associated with three important issues, i.e., interface inconsistencies among four travel choices, inefficiency of commonly used solution algorithms, and undesirable multiple path solutions. In this paper, each of the three issues is extensively elaborated. An ideal unified framework for the combined model consisting of the four travel choices and variable demand functions is also suggested. Then, a few remarks are provided in the end of the paper
Abstract: The goal of this paper is to develop a model to
integrate “pricing" and “advertisement" for short life cycle products,
such as branded fashion clothing products. To achieve this goal, we
apply the concept of “Dynamic Pricing". There are two classes of
advertisements, for the brand (regardless of product) and for a
particular product. Advertising the brand affects the demand and
price of all the products. Thus, the model considers all these products
in relation with each other. We develop two different methods to
integrate both types of advertisement and pricing. The first model is
developed within the framework of dynamic programming. However,
due to the complexity of the model, this method cannot be applicable
for large size problems. Therefore, we develop another method,
called hieratical approach, which is capable of handling the real
world problems. Finally, we show the accuracy of this method, both
theoretically and also by simulation.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the
importance of the concept of competitiveness in the supply chain and
to present a conceptual framework for Supply Chain Competitiveness
(SCC). The framework is based on supply chain activities, which are
inputs, necessary for SCC and the benefits which are the outputs of
SCC. A literature review is conducted on key supply chain
competitiveness issues, its determinants, its various dimensions
followed by exploration for SCC. Based on the insights gained, a
conceptual framework for SCC is presented based on activities for
SCC, SCC environment and outcomes of SCC. The information flow
in the conceptual framework is bi-directional at all levels and the
activities are interrelated in a global competitive environment. The
activities include the activities of suppliers, manufacturers and
distributors, giving more emphasis on manufacturers- activities.
Further, implications of various factors such as economic, politicolegal,
technical, socio-cultural, competition, demographic etc. are
also highlighted. The SCC framework is an attempt to cover the
relatively less explored area of supply chain competitiveness. It is
expected that this work will further motivate researchers,
academicians and practitioners to work in this area and offers
conceptual help in providing a directions for supply chain
competitiveness which leads to improvement in the supply chain and
supply chain performance.
Abstract: An adaptive spatial Gaussian mixture model is proposed for clustering based color image segmentation. A new clustering objective function which incorporates the spatial information is introduced in the Bayesian framework. The weighting parameter for controlling the importance of spatial information is made adaptive to the image content to augment the smoothness towards piecewisehomogeneous region and diminish the edge-blurring effect and hence the name adaptive spatial finite mixture model. The proposed approach is compared with the spatially variant finite mixture model for pixel labeling. The experimental results with synthetic and Berkeley dataset demonstrate that the proposed method is effective in improving the segmentation and it can be employed in different practical image content understanding applications.
Abstract: This paper deals with e-government issues at several
levels. Initially we look at the concept of e-government itself in order
to give it a sound framework. Than we look at the e-government
issues at three levels, first we analyse it at the global level, second we
analyse it at the level of transition economies, and finally we take a
closer look on developments in Croatia. The analysis includes actual
progress being made in selected transition economies given the Euro
area averages, along with e-government potential in future
demanding period.
Abstract: The aim of this research is to design a collaborative
framework that integrates risk analysis activities into the geospatial
database design (GDD) process. Risk analysis is rarely undertaken
iteratively as part of the present GDD methods in conformance to
requirement engineering (RE) guidelines and risk standards.
Accordingly, when risk analysis is performed during the GDD, some
foreseeable risks may be overlooked and not reach the output
specifications especially when user intentions are not systematically
collected. This may lead to ill-defined requirements and ultimately in
higher risks of geospatial data misuse. The adopted approach consists
of 1) reviewing risk analysis process within the scope of RE and
GDD, 2) analyzing the challenges of risk analysis within the context
of GDD, and 3) presenting the components of a risk-based
collaborative framework that improves the collection of the
intended/forbidden usages of the data and helps geo-IT experts to
discover implicit requirements and risks.
Abstract: Model Predictive Control (MPC) is increasingly being
proposed for real time applications and embedded systems. However
comparing to PID controller, the implementation of the MPC in
miniaturized devices like Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA)
and microcontrollers has historically been very small scale due to its
complexity in implementation and its computation time requirement.
At the same time, such embedded technologies have become an
enabler for future manufacturing enterprises as well as a transformer
of organizations and markets. Recently, advances in microelectronics
and software allow such technique to be implemented in embedded
systems. In this work, we take advantage of these recent advances
in this area in the deployment of one of the most studied and
applied control technique in the industrial engineering. In fact in
this paper, we propose an efficient framework for implementation
of Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) in the performed STM32
microcontroller. The STM32 keil starter kit based on a JTAG interface
and the STM32 board was used to implement the proposed GPC
firmware. Besides the GPC, the PID anti windup algorithm was
also implemented using Keil development tools designed for ARM
processor-based microcontroller devices and working with C/Cµ
langage. A performances comparison study was done between both
firmwares. This performances study show good execution speed and
low computational burden. These results encourage to develop simple
predictive algorithms to be programmed in industrial standard hardware.
The main features of the proposed framework are illustrated
through two examples and compared with the anti windup PID
controller.
Abstract: Testable software has two inherent properties – observability and controllability. Observability facilitates observation of internal behavior of software to required degree of detail. Controllability allows creation of difficult-to-achieve states prior to execution of various tests. In this paper, we describe COTT, a Controllability and Observability Testing Tool, to create testable object-oriented software. COTT provides a framework that helps the user to instrument object-oriented software to build the required controllability and observability. During testing, the tool facilitates creation of difficult-to-achieve states required for testing of difficultto- test conditions and observation of internal details of execution at unit, integration and system levels. The execution observations are logged in a test log file, which are used for post analysis and to generate test coverage reports.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to analyze Green IT industry in major developed countries and to suggest overall directions for IT-Energy convergence industry. Recently, IT industry is pointed out as a problem such as environmental pollution, energy exhaustion, and high energy consumption. Therefore, Green IT gets focused which concerns as solution of these problems. However, since it is a beginning stage of this convergence area, there are only a few studies of IT-Energy convergence industry. According to this, this study examined the major developed countries in terms of institution arrangements, resources, markets and companies based on Van de Ven(1999)'s social system framework that shows relationship among key components of industrial infrastructure. Subsequently, the direction of the future study of convergence on IT and Energy industry is proposed.
Abstract: This paper presents the design and implements the prototype of an intelligent data processing framework in ubiquitous sensor networks. Much focus is put on how to handle the sensor data stream as well as the interoperability between the low-level sensor data and application clients. Our framework first addresses systematic middleware which mitigates the interaction between the application layer and low-level sensors, for the sake of analyzing a great volume of sensor data by filtering and integrating to create value-added context information. Then, an agent-based architecture is proposed for real-time data distribution to efficiently forward a specific event to the appropriate application registered in the directory service via the open interface. The prototype implementation demonstrates that our framework can host a sophisticated application on the ubiquitous sensor network and it can autonomously evolve to new middleware, taking advantages of promising technologies such as software agents, XML, cloud computing, and the like.