The roles of computerized support systems: a decision subprocess-based analysis

This paper analyses the potential roles of computerized systems in supporting the decision-making process. Toward this end, we propose an expository process model of decision-making and develop a framework that provides the infrastructure for the analysis. The proposed process model draws on two well-known models in the literature and enumerates eight distinct phases in decision-making. The framework developed is based on an integration of this process model with Simon's notion of 'decision-structuredness'. Unlike any of the existing frameworks, the suggested framework permits a micro-level analysis of support system roles. The analysis is intended as a pre-design guide, to help systems developers and users to identify support potential and possibilities, and to target their activities accordingly.     

Turmeric nanofiber-encapsulated natural product formulation act as a phytogenic feed additive—A study in broilers on growth performance,biochemical indices of blood,and E. coli in cecum

A phytogenic feed additive (PFA) formulation was prepared with bioactive molecules—curcuminoids, gingerol, and carvacrol by encapsulating in nanofiber isolated from turmeric spent (turmeric nanofiber, TNF). This formulation was completely characterized by scanning electron microscope, ultra performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography and evaluated for its efficacy. PFA-encapsulated TNF (PFA@TNF) considerably increased mean body weight, decreased cholesterol level, mortality rate, and reduced Escherichia coli content of broilers than antibiotic growth promoter (AGP). The depth of crypts in the ileum of broilers was considerably reduced by the inclusion of PFA@TNF in diets compared with the AGP.     

SignText: a web-based tool for providing accessible text book contents for Deaf learners

Universal Access in the Information Society - Lack of Sign Language-based learning tools is a hindrance in acquiring knowledge for deaf students. Technology-based tools have introduced innovative...     

Screening of recycled membrane with crystallinity as a fundamental property

The maximum cost incurred in building a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) can be attributed to the proton exchange membrane and platinum on carbon (PtC) catalyst. Recycling of these precious components after their life, has been speculated to increase the commercial viability of PEMFC. In this work, we have demonstrated a method of recycling membranes from end of life fuel cells, with low input energy and bereft of any HF gas emission, and also amenable for up-scale activity. Further, to date most of the research work on recycling have focused mainly on the procedure to extract the membrane and no correlation on understanding the condition of the membrane for reusability or recyclability has been reported. In this work, we have developed a relationship between the structural properties of the recycled membrane to the overall electrochemical performance, helpful in predicting the end application.     

One-Cycle-Controlled Bidirectional AC-to-DC Converter With Constant Power Factor

Grid-connected unity-power-factor converters based on one-cycle control (OCC) do not require the service of phase-locked loop or any other synchronization circuits for interfacing with the utility. As a result, these schemes are becoming increasingly popular. However, as the power handled by the converter increases, the power factor deteriorates. To understand quantitatively the cause of poor power factor while negotiating high power loads, large signal models for these schemes are developed. Having understood the cause for poor power factor operation, a modified-OCC-based converter is proposed. This scheme has high power factor while supplying high power loads. Detailed simulation studies are carried out to verify the efficacy of the scheme. In order to confirm the viability of the scheme, detailed experimental studies are carried out on a 3-kW laboratory prototype.     

The Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma: early experiences with Learning Classifier System-based simple agents

Prior research on artificial agents/agencies involves entities using specifically tailored operational strategies (e.g., for information retrieval, purchase negotiation). In some situations, however, an agent must interact with others whose strategies are initially unknown and whose interests may counter its own. In such circumstances, pre-defining effective counter-strategies could become difficult or impractical. One solution, which may be viable in certain contexts, is to create agents that self-evolve increasingly effective strategies from rudimentary beginnings, during actual deployment. Using the Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma (IPD) problem as a generic agent-interaction setting, we use the Learning Classifier System (LCS) paradigm to construct autonomously adapting “simple” agents. A simple agent attempts to cope by maintaining an evolving but potentially perennially incomplete and imperfect knowledge base. These agents operate against specifically tailored (non-adaptive) agents. We present a preliminary suite of simulation experiments and results. The promise evidenced leads us to articulate several additional areas of interesting investigations that we are pursuing.     

Lobelia trigona Roxb ‐based nanomedicine with enhanced biological applications: in vitro and in vivo approach

This is the first study to report the green synthesis of Lobelia trigona Roxb‐ mediated silver nanoparticles (LTAgNPs). The optical and structural properties of the synthesised LTAgNPs were analysed using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, dynamic light scattering and energy dispersive X‐ray. LTAgNps were evaluated for their anti‐bacterial and anti‐fungal properties against 18 pathogens and exhibited significant inhibition against all the strains tested. LTAgNPs had potential scavenging effects on the DPPH, ^• OH, O₂ ^•− free radical scavenging assays and reducing power assay. LTAgNps possess strong anti‐cancer activity against five human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐231, HeLa and KB) in a dose‐dependent manner. The antiproliferative, anti‐inflammatory and genotoxicity effects of LTAgNPs were further confirmed by the lactate dehydrogenase release assay, nitric oxide inhibitory assay and comet assay. Furthermore, the incision, excision and burn wound‐healing activity of formulated LTAgNPs ointment was assessed in rats. All the wounds had significant healing in groups treated with LTAgNPs ointment compared to the groups treated with the commonly prescribed ointment (Silverex^TM). This study shows and suggests that the previously unreported LTAgNPs could be used as a nanomedicine with significant biological applications.Inspec keywords: molecular biophysics, biomedical materials, scanning electron microscopy, biochemistry, cancer, microorganisms, silver, cellular biophysics, nanofabrication, wounds, nanomedicine, ultraviolet spectra, toxicology, antibacterial activity, light scattering, nanoparticles, enzymes, visible spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectraOther keywords: Lobelia trigona Roxb‐based nanomedicine, biological applications, Lobelia trigona Roxb‐mediated silver nanoparticles, optical properties, structural properties, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, antibacterial properties, antifungal properties, scavenging effects, free radical scavenging, power assay, anticancer activity, antiinflammatory effects, genotoxicity effects, lactate dehydrogenase release assay, nitric oxide inhibitory assay, excision, burn wound‐healing activity, formulated LTAgNPs ointment, in vivo approach, in vitro approach, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, pathogens, strains, A549 human cancer cell lines, MCF‐7 human cancer cell lines, MDA‐MB‐231 human cancer cell lines, HeLa human cancer cell lines, antiproliferative effects, comet assay, Ag     

Design of isolated renewable hybrid power systems

Isolated electrical power generating units can be used as an economically viable alternative to electrify remote villages where grid extension is not feasible. One of the options for building isolated power systems is by hybridizing renewable power sources like wind, solar, micro-hydro, etc. along with appropriate energy storage. A method to optimally size and to evaluate the cost of energy produced by a renewable hybrid system is proposed in this paper. The proposed method, which is based on the design space approach, can be used to determine the conditions for which hybridization of the system is cost effective. The simple and novel methodology, proposed in this paper, is based on the principles of process integration. It finds the minimum battery capacity when the availability and ratings of various renewable resources as well as load demand are known. The battery sizing methodology is used to determine the sizing curve and thereby the feasible design space for the entire system. Chance constrained programming approach is used to account for the stochastic nature of the renewable energy resources and to arrive at the design space. The optimal system configuration in the entire design space is selected based on the lowest cost of energy, subject to a specified reliability criterion. The effects of variation of the specified system reliability and the coefficient of correlation between renewable sources on the design space, as well as the optimum configuration are also studied in this paper. The proposed method is demonstrated by designing an isolated power system for an Indian village utilizing wind-solar photovoltaic-battery system.     

Information tradeoffs in model building: A network routing application

An integral part of the model-building process is the modeler's choice of how much information to gather and encode in the decision model. Obtaining more detailed and accurate information enables a more precise problem representation which, in turn, leads to more effective decision making. However, acquiring extensive and accurate information entails higher costs and delays. This paper uses a network routing decision context to illustrate the tradeoff between model precision and decision effectiveness, and explores a formal decision-theoretic approach to determine an appropriate model specification that balances information gathering costs and decision quality. We propose optimal and heuristic methods for generating good information search strategies, and report computational results based on random test problems. Our results highlight the importance of simultaneously considering information costs and decision payoffs for constructing a decision model to support routing decisions. The issues raised in this paper are especially significant for modeling dynamic, real-time decision contexts where delays induced by information gathering activities could have significant economic impact.     

Precision Nanocluster-Based Toroidal and Supertoroidal Frameworks Using Photocycloaddition-Assisted Dynamic Covalent Chemistry

Atomically precise nanoclusters (NCs) have recently emerged as ideal building blocks for constructing self-assembled multifunctional superstructures. The existing structures are based on various non-covalent interactions of the ligands on the NC surface, resulting in inter-NC interactions. Despite recent demonstrations on light-induced reversible self-assembly, long-range reversible self-assembly based on dynamic covalent chemistry on the NC surface has yet to be investigated. Here, it is shown that Au₂₅ NCs containing thiolated umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin) ligands allow [2+2] photocycloaddition reaction-induced self-assembly into colloidal-level toroids. The toroids upon further irradiation undergo inter-toroidal reaction resulting in macroscopic supertoroidal honey-comb frameworks. Systematic investigation using electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and electron tomography (ET) suggest that the NCs initially form spherical aggregates. The spherical structures further undergo fusion resulting in toroid formation. Finally, the toroids fuse into macroscopic honeycomb frameworks. As a proof-of-concept, a cross-photocycloaddition reaction between coumarin-tethered NCs and an anticancer drug (5-fluorouracil) is demonstrated as a model photo-controlled drug release system. The model system allows systematic loading and unloading of the drug during the assembly and disassembly under two different wavelengths. The results suggest that the dynamic covalent chemistry on the NC surface offers a facile route for hierarchical multifunctional frameworks and photocontrolled drug release.