How to divide a territory? A new simple differential formalism for optimization of set functions

In many practical problems, we must optimize a set function, i.e., find a set A for which f(A)→max, where f is a function defined on the class of sets. Such problems appear in design, in image processing, in game theory, etc. Most optimization problems can be solved (or at least simplified) by using the fact that small deviations from an optimal solution can only decrease the value of the objective function; as a result, some derivative must be equal to 0. This approach has been successfully used, e.g., for set functions in which the desired set A is a shape, i.e., a smooth (or piece-wise smooth) surface. In some real-life problems, in particular, in the territorial division problem, the existing methods are not directly applicable. For such problems, we design a new simple differential formalism for optimizing set functions. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A new deterministic approach in a decision support system for ship’s trajectory planning

The paper introduces a Decision Support System for ships, developed to solve a problem of collision avoidance with static and dynamic obstacles. The system maps the decision making capability of a human (navigation) expert to solve the path planning problem for a ship in a complex navigation environment. It can be further developed to provide automatic control of a ship. It utilizes a new, fast and effective, deterministic method, called the Trajectory Base Algorithm, to calculate a safe, optimal path for a ship. The system structure, a detailed explanation of a new method, followed by results of simulation tests are all presented in the paper. The results proof a successful application of the method to solve a path planning problem for ships with the consideration of both static and dynamic obstacles in the environment, marine traffic regulations and dynamic properties of a ship, what makes this approach applicable in commercial systems. The approach can also be adapted for application in mobile robots path planning. The experimental results and ability of the system to achieve a new functionality of full autonomy show significance of this contribution to the development of Expert and Intelligent Systems domain. The author believes that autonomous systems constitute the future of Expert and Intelligent Systems.     

How Practical is a Code of Ethics for Software Engineers Interested in Quality?

Software Quality Journal -     

Case‐based decision support for fault diagnosis: Do salient ratings discourage situation analysis?

In the processing industry, frequent faults call for assistance in diagnosis, and case‐based reasoning (CBR) can provide solutions applied by other operators in the past. This study investigated whether salient case ratings promote an uncritical acceptance of solutions. In 2 experiments, subjects diagnosed faults with a simulated CBR system, and ratings were presented in graphical or verbal format. In most trials, the case with the highest rating provided the correct solution, while in catch‐trials, it did not. Graphical ratings were hypothesized to speed up solutions but discourage cross‐checking and lead to errors in catch‐trials. These hypotheses were not confirmed, even though Experiment 2 maximized the incentive of relying on case ratings. While graphical ratings led subjects to start with the most highly rated case, they did not impair situation analysis and accuracy. The results suggest that during fault diagnosis people are not easily misled into overtrusting a CBR system.     

Training materials for advanced information skills in engineering: A web‐based approach

This paper describes the GAELS Information Skills course, the product of a collaborative project involving the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde. The project team developed a WWW‐based course providing training in information skills for post‐graduate students in engineering. The rationale behind the course is outlined, and the target users, the course itself and the method of design and construction are described. Finally, lessons learnt in the course of the project are examined.     

Use of machine learning techniques for educational proposes: a decision support system for forecasting students’ grades

Use of machine learning techniques for educational proposes (or educational data mining) is an emerging field aimed at developing methods of exploring data from computational educational settings and discovering meaningful patterns. The stored data (virtual courses, e-learning log file, demographic and academic data of students, admissions/registration info, and so on) can be useful for machine learning algorithms. In this article, we cite the most current articles that use machine learning techniques for educational proposes and we present a case study for predicting students’ marks. Students’ key demographic characteristics and their marks in a small number of written assignments can constitute the training set for a regression method in order to predict the student’s performance. Finally, a prototype version of software support tool for tutors has been constructed.     

Developing knowledge‐based decision support systems in public sector administration: A case study in the treasury department,ministry of finance,Malaysia

Since its introduction in the early 1970s the Decision Support System (DSS) concept has attracted a lot of attention from academics as well as users from business organizations. The literature abounds with accounts of systems that are claimed to have used the concept. The common characteristics of most of these systems are that they rely heavily on the use of quantitative models. In ill‐structured and higher level decision making quantitative models are used in conjunction with the qualitative models; in these cases a different approach and method in DSS development needs to be adopted. The objectives of this paper are twofold: to give a brief overview of the concept of DSS and Knowledge‐Based Systems and to describe the approach adopted and experience gained in conceptual analysis and modelling of the decision making process in an attempt to develop a Knowledge‐Based Decision Support System for Public Sector Management.     

A decision support system based on fuzzy reasoning and AHP–FPP for the ecodesign of products: Application to footwear as case study

The design stage represents one of the most critic steps for product development. Here, a great number of considerations have to be borne in mind, e.g., technical, functional, aesthetic or economic criteria. More recently, the increasing concerns on environmental aspects have added complexity to the process, known as ecodesign. In this respect, a framework to integrate the criteria provided by quantitative environmental indicators has been proposed on the basis of Fuzzy Preference Programming method features and fuzzy logic reasoning. As a result, an integrated Ecodesign Index (EcoInd) is obtained. This idea enables the decision making at process and product level taking into account different indicators at a time. The ecodesign of children's footwear was taken as case study and an ecodesign tool (decision support system) that included the estimation of environmental indicators and their integration was developed. Different models of shoes were analyzed to identify the most environmentally friendly design and to test the tool. In this case, the Ecological Footprint and two Environmental Risk Assessment indicators, namely Hazard Quotient and Cancer Risk, were selected as relevant environmental indicators and they were computed from data provided by a shoes manufacturer. Then, these indicators were integrated in the ecodesign tool and the EcoInd values were appraised for the children's footwear models analyzed. According to these figures, they were ranked as Red Leather > White Leather > White Synthetic > Pink Synthetic, from best to worst.     

A two degrees of freedom model–based optimization method for occupant restraint systems in vehicle crash

Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization - This paper presents a two degrees of freedom model–based optimization method for occupant restraint systems (ORS), applied before the finite...     

A Computational Conundrum: “What is a Computer?” A Historical Overview

This introduction begins by posing the question that this Special Issue addresses and briefly considers historical precedents and why the issue is important. The discussion then moves on to the consideration of important milestones in the history of computing, up until the present time. A brief specification of the essential components of computational systems is then offered. The final section introduces the papers that are included in this volume.     

How will the use of graphics affect visual aesthetics? A user-centered approach for web page design

This paper addresses new and significant research issues in web page design in relation to the use of graphics. The original findings include that (a) graphics play an important role in enhancing the appearance and thus users' feelings (aesthetics) about web pages and that (b) the effective use of graphics is crucial in designing web pages. In addition, we have developed a web page design support database based on a user-centered experimental procedure and a neural network model. This design support database can be used to examine how a specific combination of design elements, particularly the ratio of graphics to text, will affect the users' feelings about a web page. As a general rule, the ratio of graphics to text between 3:1 and 1:1 will give the users the best feelings of ease-to-use and clear-to-follow. A web page with a ratio of 1:1 will have the most realistic look, while a ratio of over 3:1 will have the fanciest appearance. The result provides useful insights in using graphics on web pages that help web designers best meet users' specific expectations and aesthetic consistency.     

Deploying a network of smart cameras for traffic monitoring on a “city kernel”

A relevant aspect when evaluating the city smartness is related to the innovative approach to urban traffic management. We present a system called city kernel, designed to handle several subsystems, each addressing a specific sensor network and we describe an infrastructure for wide traffic control via a vision sensor network. This infrastructure consists of a network of smart cameras operating over an outdoor public lighting thanks to power line communication technology and equipped with a vehicle counting and classification algorithm. We discuss the deployment of this network on the city kernel and some related services exposed to urban actors.     

Workplace assessment: a tool for occupational health and safety management in small firms?

This paper discusses the capability of small firms to comply with legislative demands on risk assessment. The results of a national survey show that only a minor fraction of small firms comply. Two case studies demonstrate that small firms are able to meet the demands. An analysis of these cases leads to some hypotheses on the preconditions for compliance. Many firms need a person to mediate legislative demands. The demands for qualifications to fulfil this role are discussed. The conclusion is that it is possible to qualify persons as mediators. Therefore, to stimulate ergonomic activities in small firms resources for such mediators are required. The occupational health services are able to train a staff to undertake the task.     

Exact truss topology optimization: allowance for support costs and different permissible stresses in tension and compression—extensions of a classical solution by Michell

The aim of this paper is twofold. It introduces a theory of Michell trusses taking support (reaction) costs into consideration, which is illustrated with a modified version of Michell’s best known example. Then eight other variations on this example are presented, with (i) equal or unequal permissible stresses in tension and compression, (ii) the structural domain consisting of a half-plane or a full plane, and (iii) the supports being two pins, or a pin and a roller. Previously noted shortcomings of Michell’s theory are highlighted and several fundamental properties of non-selfadjoint topology optimization problems discussed. The analytical solutions are verified to a high degree of accuracy by numerical results.     

A tool for help or harm? How associations between social networking use,social support,and mental health differ for sexual minority and heterosexual youth

Although use of social networking sites has been linked to both positive and negative changes in young people's mental health, it is likely that these contributions may vary based on users' motivations and social status. For sexual minority youth, for example, the sites could provide means for social support and connections with like-minded others. Accordingly, our study sought to examine the relations between sexual minority youth's social networking site use and their social support, sexual identity strength, and mental health. We conducted an online survey, sampling 146 sexual minority youth respondents (M = 21 years; SD = 2.87 years) and 477 heterosexual youth respondents (M = 20 years; SD = 2.76 years). Results indicated that although both sexual minority and heterosexual youth use social networking sites at equal rates, sexual minority youth indicated that they use sites more for identity development and social communication. Moreover, using sites for general identity expression or exploration predicted negative mental health outcomes, whereas using sites specifically for sexual identity development predicted positive mental health outcomes. These results provide greater insight into how social networking sites may impact the mental health of marginalized groups, and provide a framework for understanding differences in social networking site use by sexuality.     

A survey on data fusion: what for? in what form? what is next?

Journal of Intelligent Information Systems - Data fusion is the process of merging records from multiple sources which represent the same real-world object into a single representation. This review...     

How does a box work? A study in the qualitative dynamics of solid objects

This paper is an in-depth study of qualitative physical reasoning about one particular scenario: using a box to carry a collection of objects from one place to another. Specifically we consider the plan, plan1 “Load objects uCargo into box oBox one by one; carry oBox from location l1 to location l2”. We present qualitative constraints on the shape, starting position, and material properties of uCargo and oBox and on the characteristics of the motion that suffice to make it virtually certain that plan1 can be successfully executed. We develop a theory, consisting mostly of first-order statements together with two default rules, that supports an inference of the form “If conditions XYZ hold, and the agent attempts to carry out plan1 then presumably he will succeed”. Our theory is elaboration tolerant in the sense that carrying out the analogous inference for carrying objects in boxes with lids, in boxes with small holes, or on trays can reuse much of the same knowledge. The theory integrates reasoning about continuous time, Euclidean space, commonsense dynamics of solid objects, and semantics of partially specified plans.