A learning scheme for a fuzzy k-NN rule

The performance of a fuzzy k-NN rule depends on the number k and a fuzzy membership-array W[l,m_R], where l and m_R denote the number of classes and the number of elements in the reference set X_R respectively. The proposed learning procedure consists in iterative finding such k and W which minimize the error rate estimate by the leaving ‘leaving one out‘ method.     

The incremental benefits of changes in the timeliness of information

The managers of all purposeful organizations rely on historical information as an aid to decision making. Information enables managers to formulate expectations about the future. Less timely information is generally inferior because the manager's expectations will contain greater error; and the operating results obtained may therefore be less satisfactory. The timeliness of information often can be improved by incurring incremental systems costs. However, the degree to which such improvements will produce benefits is uncertain. This research uses modeling to explore the relationship between information timeliness and the benefits derived by implementing optimal decisions based upon the information. The most significant finding is that the shape of this relationship is dependent upon the scope of the action set available to the decision maker. If a continuous range of options is available (such as a pricing decision), then the relationship is linear. If only a few discrete options are present (as in linear programming) the relationship is more complex but describable. The decision maker is therefore found to be in a position to offer guidance to the systems designer which will facilitate enhancement of the benefit/cost characteristics of the organization's information resource.     

Strategic dependence on the IT resource and outsourcing: A test of the strategic control model

Using resource dependency theory (RDT), this research analyzes how organizations control their information technology resources to improve organizational performance. According to RDT, organizations must manage their dependency on external organizations and limit external dependencies when resources are considered critical. The current study proposes and tests a portion of a Strategic Control Model positing that managers seek to control important, strategic resources in order to create value for the firm and to avoid dependency on external entities. Utilizing a research design that captured extensive quantitative data on the control of IT functions and services, the research team gathered 5 years of data on 54 business units (BUs) in 27 global companies located in seven countries. Study examined the linkages of these 54 BUs to firm performance. Locating the Extent of Control within the firm in cases where the firm depends on IT as a strategic resource proves to be a good explanation for effective decisions leading to higher performance. Viewing IT as a strategic resource alone does not lead to positive business unit outcomes, but the moderating influence of Extent of Control is found to establish the complex statistical relationship with business unit performance. For these reasons, it is critical that a theoretically grounded firm-wide process for decisions on locating IT control is in place to capture business value.

Review of Canadian Children's Law: Cases, Notes and Materials.

Reviews the book, Canadian Children's Law: Cases, Notes and Materials by Nicholas Bala, Heino Lilies, and George Thomson (1982). This book contains a collection of articles, legal decisions, and comments on significant issues in relation to children. The authors divide the table of contents into two major groupings: Part I deals with child welfare and Part II deals with juvenile offenders. This book does not attempt to be exhaustive. For example, it does not cover legislation in other provinces, and the excerpts of articles are often too short to give an in-depth discussion of the issues. However, its greatest value is in raising questions that all mental health professionals should discuss within their own profession and with the legal profession and the judiciary so that a better working relationship can be achieved. I would recommend this book to all psychologists who arc involved in child welfare or delinquency matters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Logical data base design: A management-oriented approach

A logical data base consists of data definitions and data relationships. It is typically very large and complex even for a small organization, but it is generally designed in an ad hoc manner. However, several approaches have recently been proposed that allow for a systematic logical data base design.To make a data base more useful to the managers, it is imperative to encourage and obtain their involvement in the initial phase of the logical data base design. “Surface semantic models” are used in the logical data base design process to increase this involvement. A special type of this, called a “hierarchical external view model”, is proposed. It has been successfully used to develop a logical data base for the Department of Aging in Pennsylvania.     

Multi-objective model-based control for an automotive catalyst

A model-based feedforward/feedback air fuel ratio controller that optimizes the oxygen storage capacity of the three-way catalyst in automotive emission control systems is presented. This work incorporates a simplified dynamic catalyst model that describes the physical behavior of oxygen chemisorption and reversible deactivation in the catalyst system. A novel aspect of this work is the use of the oxygen storage capability of the catalyst not only to minimize vehicle emissions but also to optimize engine performance and fuel economy during transient engine demand. The feedback/feedforward controller is a nonlinear model predictive controller that incorporates catalyst, engine air fuel ratio controller, and fuel system models to determine the optimal air fuel ratio target trajectory. Feedback is provided by a nonlinear moving horizon estimation strategy for the determination of the oxygen storage level of the catalyst based on air fuel ratio sensors.     

The control of a two-level Markov decision process by time aggregation

The solution of Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) often relies on special properties of the processes. For two-level MDPs, the difference in the rates of state changes of the upper and lower levels has led to limiting or approximate solutions of such problems. In this paper, we solve a two-level MDP without making any assumption on the rates of state changes of the two levels. We first show that such a two-level MDP is a non-standard one where the optimal actions of different states can be related to each other. Then we give assumptions (conditions) under which such a specially constrained MDP can be solved by policy iteration. We further show that the computational effort can be reduced by decomposing the MDP. A two-level MDP with M upper-level states can be decomposed into one MDP for the upper level and M to M(M-1) MDPs for the lower level, depending on the structure of the two-level MDP. The upper-level MDP is solved by time aggregation, a technique introduced in a recent paper [Cao, X.-R., Ren, Z. Y., Bhatnagar, S., Fu, M., & Marcus, S. (2002). A time aggregation approach to Markov decision processes. Automatica, 38(6), 929-943.], and the lower-level MDPs are solved by embedded Markov chains.     

Quaternary Oxide of Cerium, Terbium, Praseodymium and Zirconium for Three-Way Catalysts

Inthelastdecadethethree waycatalystshave beenremarkablyimproved.Oxygenstoragecapacity(OSC)ofthecatalystwasdeterminedbyTPR.The measuredvalueisactuallyapartoftheoxygentransfer capacity(OTC)offluorite typeoxidescontainingCe,and orPr,and orTb[1,2].Theseoxides,Ce1-x-y PrxTbyO2-δ(0≤x≤1,0≤y≤1,0≤δ≤0.5)can releasetheirlatticeoxygenwhenthetemperatureisin creasedunderdifferentoxygenpartialpressureinclud inghydrogenflow,buttheywillabsorboxygenfromits vicinityenvironmentwhenthetemperatureisde…     

基于线性规划理论的软件过程控制模型

在对软件过程度量和分析的基础上,主要针对软件项目的实际工期滞后于计划工期的问题,运用线性规划理论建立了一个软件过程控制模型,并结合实例运用优化软件lingo9.0求得最优解。实验结果表明,该模型可以最大限度地减少后续执行任务的实际工期,确保软件项目在合理的成本范围内交付。     

Influence of Ce0.35Zr0.55Y0.10 Solid Solution on Performance of Pt-Rh Three-Way Catalysts

Ce0.35Zr0.55Y0. 10 solid solution was prepared by co-precipitation technique and characterized by specific surface area measurements （BET） and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. Ce0.35Zr0.55Y0.10 was used to prepare low Pt-Rh threeway catalyst （TWC）, and its influence on the performance of TWC was investigated. The results revealed that Ce0.35 Zr0.55Y0.10 had a cubic structure similar to Ce0.50Zr0.50O2 and its specific surface area can maintain higher than Ce0.50 Zr0.50O2 after 1000 ℃ calcination for 5 h. Being hydrothermal aged at 1000 ℃ for 5 h, the catalyst containing Ce0.35 Zr0.55Y0.10 still exhibited higher conversion of C3H8, CO and NO and lower light-off temperature in comparison with Ce0.50Zr0.50O2 TWC.