Regional characteristics and the decision to innovate in a developing country: A multilevel analysis of Ecuadorian firms

This is the first study that uses multilevel modelling to analyse regional influence on the decision to invest in innovation activities of firms in a single developing country, Ecuador. Our results indicate that the decision to invest in R&D and in other innovation activities are conditioned by the region in which the firm is located. Regional loan volume, orientation towards knowledge exploitation and intra-regional-sectorial R&D spillovers are positively associated with both types of innovation activities, while regional levels of co-operation and inter-regional R&D spillovers are only positively associated with the probability of investing in other innovation activities.     

Soft information set for multicriteria decision making

An information source value is perceived differently by different agents. In this paper, we present a new knowledge representation structure, termed as soft information set (SIS), to provide a parameterized representation of the information values, as perceived by an agent. The properties of SIS are investigated and the notion of relations in SIS is devised. The significance of the proposed SIS in aiding multi criteria decision making is illustrated through real case-studies.     

Broadband and knowledge intensive firm clusters: Essential link or auxiliary connection?

This study evaluates the relationship between the spatial distribution of broadband providers and the presence of knowledge intensive firm clusters in US counties. Results highlight this relationship is heterogeneous and localized. In some places, broadband appears to be an essential link that enables knowledge firms to strategically locate in lower cost counties and in close proximity to major knowledge centres. In other places, the availability of broadband Internet connections are unable the negative externalities associated with locations in more remote areas of the country. From a policy perspective, this suggests that broadband should be viewed as a key component, but not the only component, of comprehensive local economic development plans.     

Applying particle swarm optimization-based decision tree classifier for cancer classification on gene expression data

BackgroundThe application of microarray data for cancer classification is important. Researchers have tried to analyze gene expression data using various computational intelligence methods.PurposeWe propose a novel method for gene selection utilizing particle swarm optimization combined with a decision tree as the classifier to select a small number of informative genes from the thousands of genes in the data that can contribute in identifying cancers.ConclusionStatistical analysis reveals that our proposed method outperforms other popular classifiers, i.e., support vector machine, self-organizing map, back propagation neural network, and C4.5 decision tree, by conducting experiments on 11 gene expression cancer datasets.     

基于知识蒸馏算法的电缆专业知识库应用

电缆全寿命周期内的标准、规程、法规是电缆从业人员开展工作的依据,而齐全、权威且方便查阅的标准和规程是指导电缆各项工作开展和城市电网安全稳定运行的重要保障。介绍了所开发的电缆专业知识库系统,基于小规模样本知识蒸馏算法,实现电缆专业知识库的关键词匹配搜索、笔记摘抄学习以及论坛的学习探讨等功能,提升了电缆从业人员查阅资料、员工学习的效率。     

Striking Patterns: Contemporary Ikat Design and Its Future

This review presents the results of a conference on ikat textiles organized in the context of the exhibition Striking Patterns: Global Traces in Local Ikat Fashion at the Museum der Kulturen Basel, Switzerland (October 2016 to March 2017). Academics and professional experts, some of them working for NGOs, debated often neglected potentialities as well as the future of contemporary ikat design and other intricately patterned handwoven textiles: the significance of new patterns; intellectual property rights; and educational encouragement. The general focus lay on the controversially perceived innovation of textile patterns in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. We will here present the main arguments of the discussion and our own suggestions for further research.     

Postharvest processes of edible insects in Africa: A review of processing methods,and the implications for nutrition,safety and new products development

In many African cultures, insects are part of the diet of humans and domesticated animals. Compared to conventional food and feed sources, insects have been associated with a low ecological foot print because fewer natural resources are required for their production. To this end, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recognized the role that edible insects can play in improving global food and nutrition security; processing technologies, as well as packaging and storage techniques that improve shelf-life were identified as being crucial. However, knowledge of these aspects in light of nutritional value, safety, and functionality is fragmentary and needs to be consolidated. This review attempts to contribute to this effort by evaluating the available evidence on postharvest processes for edible insects in Africa, with the aim of identifying areas that need research impetus. It further draws attention to potential postharvest technology options for overcoming hurdles associated with utilization of insects for food and feed. A greater research thrust is needed in processing and this can build on traditional knowledge. The focus should be to establish optimal techniques that improve presentation, quality and safety of products, and open possibilities to diversify use of edible insects for other benefits.