Abstract: Modeling of a manufacturing system enables one to
identify the effects of key design parameters on the system performance and as a result to make correct decision. This paper
proposes a manufacturing system modeling approach using a spreadsheet model based on queuing network theory, in which a
static capacity planning model and stochastic queuing model are integrated. The model was used to improve the existing system utilization in relation to product design. The model incorporates few
parameters such as utilization, cycle time, throughput, and batch size.
The study also showed that the validity of developed model is good enough to apply and the maximum value of relative error is 10%, far
below the limit value 32%. Therefore, the model developed in this
study is a valuable alternative model in evaluating a manufacturing system
Abstract: The paper discusses European Lifelong Learning policy in the European enlargement to the Balkan. The European Lifelong Learning policy with Human Capital approach is researched in the country case of Macedonia. The paper argues that Human Capital approach focusing on instrumental and economic importance of learning for employability and economic growth needs to be complemented with Capability Approach for intrinsic and noneconomic needs of learning among the ethnic minorities. The paper identifies two dimensions of importance – minority languages and civic education – that the Capability Approach may develop to guarantee equal opportunities to all to benefit from European educational and lifelong learning development and to build an inclusive and socially just democracy in Macedonia.
Abstract: We succeeded to produce a high performance and flexible graphene/Manganese dioxide (G/MnO2) electrode coated on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The graphene film is initially synthesized by drop-casting the graphene oxide (GO) solution on the PET substrate, followed by simultaneous reduction and patterning of the dried film using carbon dioxide (CO2) laser beam with power of 1.8 W. Potentiostatic Anodic Deposition method was used to deposit thin film of MnO2 with different loading mass 10 – 50 and 100 μg.cm-2 on the pre-prepared graphene film. The electrodes were fully characterized in terms of structure, morphology, and electrochemical performance. A maximum specific capacitance of 973 F.g-1 was attributed when depositing 50μg.cm-2 MnO2 on the laser reduced graphene oxide rGO (or G/50MnO2) and over 92% of its initial capacitance was retained after 1000 cycles. The good electrochemical performance and long-term cycling stability make our proposed approach a promising candidate in the supercapacitor applications.
Abstract: Stochastic modeling of network traffic is an area of
significant research activity for current and future broadband
communication networks. Multimedia traffic is statistically
characterized by a bursty variable bit rate (VBR) profile. In this
paper, we develop an improved model for uniform activity level
video sources in ATM using a doubly stochastic autoregressive
model driven by an underlying spatial point process. We then
examine a number of burstiness metrics such as the peak-to-average
ratio (PAR), the temporal autocovariance function (ACF) and the
traffic measurements histogram. We found that the former measure is
most suitable for capturing the burstiness of single scene video
traffic. In the last phase of this work, we analyse statistical
multiplexing of several constant scene video sources. This proved,
expectedly, to be advantageous with respect to reducing the
burstiness of the traffic, as long as the sources are statistically
independent. We observed that the burstiness was rapidly
diminishing, with the largest gain occuring when only around 5
sources are multiplexed. The novel model used in this paper for
characterizing uniform activity video was thus found to be an
accurate model.
Abstract: This paper provides a framework in order to
incorporate reliability issue as a sign of disruption in distribution
systems and partial covering theory as a response to limitation in
coverage radios and economical preferences, simultaneously into the
traditional literatures of capacitated facility location problems. As a
result we develop a bi-objective model based on the discrete
scenarios for expected cost minimization and demands coverage
maximization through a three echelon supply chain network by
facilitating multi-capacity levels for provider side layers and
imposing gradual coverage function for distribution centers (DCs).
Additionally, in spite of objectives aggregation for solving the model
through LINGO software, a branch of LP-Metric method called Min-
Max approach is proposed and different aspects of corresponds
model will be explored.
Abstract: In the open space of decision support system the
mental impression of a manager-s decision has been the subject of
large importance than the ordinary famous one, when helped by
decision support system. Much of this study is an attempt to realize
the relation of decision support system usage and decision outcomes
that governs the system. For example, several researchers have
proposed so many different models to analyze the linkage between
decision support system processes and results of decision making.
This study draws the important relation of manager-s mental
approach with the use of decision support system. The findings of
this paper are theoretical attempts to provide Decision Support
System (DSS) in a way to exhibit and promote the learning in semi
structured area. The proposed model shows the points of one-s
learning improvements and maintains a theoretical approach in order
to explore the DSS contribution in enhancing the decision forming
and governing the system.
Abstract: Iranians- imagination of heaven, which is the reward
of a person-s good deeds during their life, has shown itself in
pleasant and green gardens where earthly gardens were made as
representations of paradise. Iranians are also quite interested in
making their earthly gardens and plantations around their buildings.
With Iran-s hot and dry climate with a lack of sufficient water for
plantation coverage, it becomes noticeable how important it is to
Iranians- art in making gardens. This study, with regard to examples,
documents and library studies, investigates the characteristics of
Persian gardens. The result shows that elements such as soil, water,
plants and layout have been used in forming a unique style of Persian
gardens. Bagh-e Shah Zadeh Mahan (Mahan prince garden) is a
typical example and has been carefully studied. In this paper I try to
investigate and evaluate the characteristics of a Persian garden by
means of a descriptive approach.
Abstract: In this paper usefulness of quasi-Newton iteration
procedure in parameters estimation of the conditional variance
equation within BHHH algorithm is presented. Analytical solution of
maximization of the likelihood function using first and second
derivatives is too complex when the variance is time-varying. The
advantage of BHHH algorithm in comparison to the other
optimization algorithms is that requires no third derivatives with
assured convergence. To simplify optimization procedure BHHH
algorithm uses the approximation of the matrix of second derivatives
according to information identity. However, parameters estimation in
a/symmetric GARCH(1,1) model assuming normal distribution of
returns is not that simple, i.e. it is difficult to solve it analytically.
Maximum of the likelihood function can be founded by iteration
procedure until no further increase can be found. Because the
solutions of the numerical optimization are very sensitive to the
initial values, GARCH(1,1) model starting parameters are defined.
The number of iterations can be reduced using starting values close
to the global maximum. Optimization procedure will be illustrated in
framework of modeling volatility on daily basis of the most liquid
stocks on Croatian capital market: Podravka stocks (food industry),
Petrokemija stocks (fertilizer industry) and Ericsson Nikola Tesla
stocks (information-s-communications industry).
Abstract: The inherent complexity in nowadays- business
environments is forcing organizations to be attentive to the dynamics
in several fronts. Therefore, the management of technological
innovation is continually faced with uncertainty about the future.
These issues lead to a need for a systemic perspective, able to analyze
the consequences of interactions between different factors. The field
of technology foresight has proposed methods and tools to deal with
this broader perspective. In an attempt to provide a method to analyze
the complex interactions between events in several areas, departing
from the identification of the most strategic competencies, this paper
presents a methodology based on the Delphi method and Quality
Function Deployment. This methodology is applied in a sheet metal
processing equipment manufacturer, as a case study.
Abstract: Olomouc is a unique and complex landmark with
widespread forestation and land use. This research work was
conducted to assess important and complex land use change
trajectories in Olomouc region. Multi-temporal satellite data from
1991, 2001 and 2013 were used to extract land use/cover types by
object oriented classification method. To achieve the objectives, three
different aspects were used: (1) Calculate the quantity of each
transition; (2) Allocate location based landscape pattern (3) Compare
land use/cover evaluation procedure. Land cover change trajectories
shows that 16.69% agriculture, 54.33% forest and 21.98% other areas
(settlement, pasture and water-body) were stable in all three decade.
Approximately 30% of the study area maintained as a same land cove
type from 1991 to 2013. Here broad scale of political and socioeconomic
factors was also affect the rate and direction of landscape
changes. Distance from the settlements was the most important
predictor of land cover change trajectories. This showed that most of
landscape trajectories were caused by socio-economic activities and
mainly led to virtuous change on the ecological environment.
Abstract: This article is an extension and a practical application
approach of Wheeler-s NEBIC theory (Net Enabled Business
Innovation Cycle). NEBIC theory is a new approach in IS research
and can be used for dynamic environment related to new technology.
Firms can follow the market changes rapidly with support of the IT
resources. Flexible firms adapt their market strategies, and respond
more quickly to customers changing behaviors. When every leading
firm in an industry has access to the same IT resources, the way that
these IT resources are managed will determine the competitive
advantages or disadvantages of firm. From Dynamic Capabilities
Perspective and from newly introduced NEBIC theory by Wheeler,
we know that only IT resources cannot deliver customer value but
good configuration of those resources can guarantee customer value
by choosing the right emerging technology, grasping the right
economic opportunities through business innovation and growth. We
found evidences in literature that SOA (Service Oriented
Architecture) is a promising emerging technology which can deliver
the desired economic opportunity through modularity, flexibility and
loose-coupling. SOA can also help firms to connect in network which
can open a new window of opportunity to collaborate in innovation
and right kind of outsourcing. There are many articles and research
reports indicates that failure rate in outsourcing is very high but at the
same time research indicates that successful outsourcing projects
adds tangible and intangible benefits to the service consumer.
Business executives and policy makers in the west should not afraid
of outsourcing but they should choose the right strategy through the
use of emerging technology to significantly reduce the failure rate in
outsourcing.
Abstract: In the queueing theory, it is assumed that customer
arrivals correspond to a Poisson process and service time has the
exponential distribution. Using these assumptions, the behaviour of
the queueing system can be described by means of Markov chains
and it is possible to derive the characteristics of the system. In the
paper, these theoretical approaches are presented on several types of
systems and it is also shown how to compute the characteristics in a
situation when these assumptions are not satisfied
Abstract: There exists a strong correlation between efficient project management and competitive advantage for organizations. Therefore, organizations are striving to standardize and assess the rigor of their project management processes and capabilities i.e. project management maturity. Researchers and standardization organizations have developed several project management maturity models (PMMMs) to assess project management maturity of the organizations. This study presents a critical evaluation of some of the leading PMMMs against OPM3® in a multitude of ways to look at which PMMM is the most comprehensive model - which could assess most aspects of organizations and also help the organizations in gaining competitive advantage over competitors. After a detailed morphological analysis of the models, it is concluded that OPM3® is the most promising maturity model that can really provide a competitive advantage to the organizations due to its unique approach of assessment and improvement strategies.
Abstract: In this paper we propose, a Lagrangian method to solve unsteady gas equation which is a nonlinear ordinary differential equation on semi-infnite interval. This approach is based on Modified generalized Laguerre functions. This method reduces the solution of this problem to the solution of a system of algebraic equations. We also compare this work with some other numerical results. The findings show that the present solution is highly accurate.
Abstract: Energy dissipation in drops has been investigated by
physical models. After determination of effective parameters on the
phenomenon, three drops with different heights have been
constructed from Plexiglas. They have been installed in two existing
flumes in the hydraulic laboratory. Several runs of physical models
have been undertaken to measured required parameters for
determination of the energy dissipation. Results showed that the
energy dissipation in drops depend on the drop height and discharge.
Predicted relative energy dissipations varied from 10.0% to 94.3%.
This work has also indicated that the energy loss at drop is mainly
due to the mixing of the jet with the pool behind the jet that causes
air bubble entrainment in the flow. Statistical model has been
developed to predict the energy dissipation in vertical drops denotes
nonlinear correlation between effective parameters. Further an
artificial neural networks (ANNs) approach was used in this paper to
develop an explicit procedure for calculating energy loss at drops
using NeuroSolutions. Trained network was able to predict the
response with R2 and RMSE 0.977 and 0.0085 respectively. The
performance of ANN was found effective when compared to
regression equations in predicting the energy loss.
Abstract: This work presents an approach for the construction of a hybrid color-texture space by using mutual information. Feature extraction is done by the Laws filter with SVM (Support Vectors Machine) as a classifier. The classification is applied on the VisTex database and a SPOT HRV (XS) image representing two forest areas in the region of Rabat in Morocco. The result of classification obtained in the hybrid space is compared with the one obtained in the RGB color space.
Abstract: In this article, we present a web server based solution
for implementing a system for intelligent navigation. In this solution
we use real time collected data and traffic history to establish the best
route for navigation. This is a low cost solution that is easily to
implement and extend. There is no need any infrastructure at road
network level except only a device that collect data about traffic in
key road crossing. The presented solution creates a strong base for
traffic pursuit and offers an infrastructure for navigation applications.
Abstract: Unsatisfactory effectiveness of software systems
development and enhancement projects is one of the main reasons
why in software engineering there are attempts being made to use
experiences coming from other engineering disciplines. In spite of
specificity of software product and process a belief had come out that
the execution of software could be more effective if these objects
were subject to measurement – as it is true in other engineering
disciplines for which measurement is an immanent feature. Thus
objective and reliable approaches to the measurement of software
processes and products have been sought in software engineering for
several dozens of years already. This may be proved, among others,
by the current version of CMMI for Development model. This paper
is aimed at analyzing the approach to the software processes and
products measurement proposed in the latest version of this very
model, indicating growing acceptance for this issue in software
engineering.
Abstract: In today-s hip hop world where everyone is running
short of time and works hap hazardly,the similar scene is common on
the roads while in traffic.To do away with the fatal consequences of
such speedy traffics on rushy lanes, a software to analyse and keep
account of the traffic and subsequent conjestion is being used in the
developed countries. This software has being implemented and used
with the help of a suppprt tool called Critical Analysis Reporting
Environment.There has been two existing versions of this tool.The
current research paper involves examining the issues and probles
while using these two practically. Further a hybrid architecture is
proposed for the same that retains the quality and performance of
both and is better in terms of coupling of components , maintainence
and many other features.
Abstract: Electronics Products that achieve high levels of integrated communications, computing and entertainment, multimedia features in small, stylish and robust new form factors are winning in the market place. Due to the high costs that an industry may undergo and how a high yield is directly proportional to high profits, IC (Integrated Circuit) manufacturers struggle to maximize yield, but today-s customers demand miniaturization, low costs, high performance and excellent reliability making the yield maximization a never ending research of an enhanced assembly process. With factors such as minimum tolerances, tighter parameter variations a systematic approach is needed in order to predict the assembly process. In order to evaluate the quality of upcoming circuits, yield models are used which not only predict manufacturing costs but also provide vital information in order to ease the process of correction when the yields fall below expectations. For an IC manufacturer to obtain higher assembly yields all factors such as boards, placement, components, the material from which the components are made of and processes must be taken into consideration. Effective placement yield depends heavily on machine accuracy and the vision of the system which needs the ability to recognize the features on the board and component to place the device accurately on the pads and bumps of the PCB. There are currently two methods for accurate positioning, using the edge of the package and using solder ball locations also called footprints. The only assumption that a yield model makes is that all boards and devices are completely functional. This paper will focus on the Monte Carlo method which consists in a class of computational algorithms (information processed algorithms) which depends on repeated random samplings in order to compute the results. This method utilized in order to recreate the simulation of placement and assembly processes within a production line.