Design and evaluation of hospital-based business intelligence system (HBIS): A foundation for design science research methodology

This paper describes the development of a hospital-based business intelligent system (HBIS) based on a novel developmental methodology, called the design science research methodology (DSRM), and implemented in a regional general hospital in Taiwan. A design science research methodology is adopted to cover six activities: problem identification and motivation, definition of solution objectives, design and development, demonstration, evaluation, and communication. Based on the DSRM developmental method, HBIS was successfully developed and deployed in the hospital case, and a survey of users shows positive results. In addition, the support and involvement of top management in HBIS development is found to be a critical success factor, and system implementation allowed the hospital to significantly improve performance of managerial indicators for the three abovementioned dimensions. This study contributes a novel developmental methodology from the Information Systems (IS) field as a reference model for future HBIS development, along with the integration of indicators from three major managerial dimensions - NHI, hospital accreditation, and healthcare quality.     

Fairness in examination timetabling: Student preferences and extended formulations

Variations of the examination timetabling problem have been investigated by the research community for more than two decades. The common characteristic between all problems is the fact that the definitions and datasets used all originate from actual educational institutions, particularly universities, including specific examination criteria and the students involved. Although much has been achieved and published on the state-of-the-art problem modelling and optimisation, a lack of attention has been focussed on the students involved in the process. This work presents and utilises the results of an extensive survey seeking student preferences with regard to their individual examination timetables, with the aim of producing solutions which satisfy these preferences while still also satisfying all existing benchmark considerations. The study reveals one of the main concerns relates to fairness within the student's cohort; i.e. a student considers fairness with respect to the examination timetables of their immediate peers, as highly important. Considerations such as providing an equitable distribution of preparation time between all student cohort examinations, not just a majority, are used to form a measure of fairness. In order to satisfy this requirement, we propose an extension to the state-of-the-art examination timetabling problem models widely used in the scientific literature. Fairness is introduced as a new objective in addition to the standard objectives, creating a multi-objective problem. Several real-world examination data models are extended and the benchmarks for each are used in experimentation to determine the effectiveness of a multi-stage multi-objective approach based on weighted Tchebyceff scalarisation in improving fairness along with the other objectives. The results show that the proposed model and methods allow for the production of high quality timetable solutions while also providing a trade-off between the standard soft constraints and a desired fairness for each student.     

Monthly tour scheduling models with mixed skills considering weekend off requirements

Unlike manufacturing, where standard shifts and days off are the rule, the service industry operates every day of the week across a month and a year. To maintain the morale and productivity of the workers in the service industry, the weekend off requirements, one of the important work preferences for the workers, should be respected and balanced for a longer planning horizon beyond a week. This paper deals with the monthly tour scheduling problem with mixed skills considering the weekend off requirements in contrast to the weekly planning horizon that is typical in most literature. The objective is to obtain the most economical mix of types of workers satisfying the patterns of demands for the workers and desired work characteristics. Two model formulations are developed based on implicit programming techniques. One model uses a general integer programming (GIP) formulation and assigns the lunch break hours aggregately to the workers based on the worker types. The other one adopts a binary integer programming (BIP) formulation and assigns the lunch break hours explicitly to the individual workers. The effectiveness of the two models is illustrated by the numerical tests and the results show that the BIP formulation is more efficient than the GIP formulation.     

Post-merger IT integration strategies: An IT alignment perspective

When a company decides to merge with or to acquire another company, a major question is to what extent to integrate the information technologies and the organization. Interpreting merger objectives to proper IT integration strategies is a complex and time-consuming process, due to a lack of explicit understanding of the problems involved. The current literature in this field is meager and has not yet resulted in a theory. For this purpose, we developed a variant of the IT alignment model. In this model, we identify three ambition levels of mergers and IT integration from the literature. Additionally, we describe four integration methods that fit with these ambitions. The relations between these objectives and methods are moderated by contextual factors. Three hospital cases, with different merger and IT integration ambitions, describe the practice of this model. The case studies also add several new variables and relations to it. This result facilitates further research in post-merger IT integration by delivering an empirical research model.     

Condition based maintenance optimization considering multiple objectives

In condition based maintenance (CBM) optimization, the main optimization objectives include maximizing reliability and minimizing maintenance costs, which are often times conflicting to each other. In this work, we develop a physical programming based approach to deal with the multi-objective condition based maintenance optimization problem. Physical programming presents two major advantages: (1) it is an efficient approach to capture the decision makers’ preferences on the objectives by eliminating the iterative process of adjusting the weights of the objectives, and (2) it is easy to use in that decision makers just need to specify physically meaningful boundaries for the objectives. The maintenance cost and reliability objectives are calculated based on proportional hazards model and a control limit CBM replacement policy. With the proposed approach, the decision maker can systematically and efficiently make good tradeoff between the cost objective and reliability objective. An example is used to illustrate the proposed approach.     

Developing a survey for assessing preferences in constructivist context‐aware ubiquitous learning environments

This study developed a survey to explore students' preferences in constructivist context‐aware ubiquitous learning environments. A constructivist context‐aware ubiquitous learning (u‐learning) environment survey (CULES) was developed, consisting of eight scales, including ease of use, continuity, relevance, adaptive content, multiple sources, timely guidance, student negotiation, and inquiry learning. The survey responses were gathered from 215 university students from five universities in Taiwan. The students all had actual experience of using u‐learning systems in u‐learning environments. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that the CULES had high reliability and validity. The structural model revealed that the provision of realistic and close‐to‐real‐life information could enhance students' preferences for timely guidance, student negotiation, and inquiry‐learning activities. In addition, the attainment of inquiry learning is quite challenging when designing u‐learning activities, as it involves the enhancement of the other CULES scales.     

基于小样本学习的图像分类技术综述

图像分类的应用场景非常广泛, 很多场景下难以收集到足够多的数据来训练模型, 利用小样本学习进行图像分类可解决训练数据量小的问题. 本文对近年来的小样本图像分类算法进行了详细综述, 根据不同的建模方式, 将现有算法分为卷积神经网络模型和图神经网络模型两大类, 其中基于卷积神经网络模型的算法包括四种学习范式: 迁移学习、元学习、对偶学习和贝叶斯学习; 基于图神经网络模型的算法原本适用于非欧几里得结构数据, 但有部分学者将其应用于解决小样本下欧几里得数据的图像分类任务, 有关的研究成果目前相对较少. 此外, 本文汇总了现有文献中出现的数据集并通过实验结果对现有算法的性能进行了比较. 最后, 讨论了小样本图像分类技术的难点及未来研究趋势.     

Multiple-criteria decision-making in two-sided assembly line balancing: A goal programming and a fuzzy goal programming models

Two-sided assembly lines are especially used at the assembly of large-sized products, such as trucks and buses. In this type of a production line, both sides of the line are used in parallel. In practice, it may be necessary to optimize more than one conflicting objectives simultaneously to obtain effective and realistic solutions. This paper presents a mathematical model, a pre-emptive goal programming model for precise goals and a fuzzy goal programming model for imprecise goals for two-sided assembly line balancing. The mathematical model minimizes the number of mated-stations as the primary objective and it minimizes the number of stations as a secondary objective for a given cycle time. The zoning constraints are also considered in this model, and a set of test problems taken from literature is solved. The proposed goal programming models are the first multiple-criteria decision-making approaches for two-sided assembly line balancing problem with multiple objectives. The number of mated-stations, cycle time and the number of tasks assigned per station are considered as goals. An example problem is solved and a computational study is conducted to illustrate the flexibility and the efficiency of the proposed goal programming models. Based on the decision maker's preferences, the proposed models are capable of improving the value of goals.     

Optimization-based trade-off analysis of biodiesel crop production for managing an agricultural catchment

Political agendas worldwide include increased production of biofuel, which multiplies the trade-offs among conflicting objectives, including food and fodder production, water quantity, water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Quantification of trade-offs among objectives in bioenergy crop production is most frequently accomplished by a comparison of a limited number of plausible scenarios. Here we analyze biophysical trade-offs among bioenergy crop production based on rape seed, food crop production, water quantity, and water quality in the Parthe catchment in Central Germany. Based on an integrated river basin model (SWAT) and a multi-objective genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), we estimated Pareto optimal frontiers among multiple objectives. Results indicate that the same level of bioenergy crop production can be achieved at different costs with respect to the other objectives. Intermediate rapeseed production does not lead to strong trade-offs with water quality and low flow if a reduction of food and fodder production can be accepted. Compared to solutions focused on maximizing food and fodder yield, solutions with intermediate rapeseed production even improve with respect to water quality and low flow. If rapeseed production is further increased, negative effects on low flow prevail. The major achievement of the optimization approach is the quantification of the functional trade-offs for the feasible range of all objectives. The application of the approach provides the results of what is in effect an infinite number of scenarios. We offer a general methodology that may be used to support recommendations for the best way to achieve certain goals, and to compare the optimal outcomes given different policy preferences. In addition, visualization options of the resulting non-dominated solutions are discussed.     

A multi-objective optimization model for process targeting using sampling plans

The process targeting problem is usually formulated as a single objective optimization model. In this paper, a multi-objective optimization model is developed for the process targeting problem. The process under consideration produces a product with a normally distributed quality characteristic with unknown mean and known variance. The quality characteristic has a lower specification limit. The quality of the product is controlled via lot-by-lot acceptance sampling. The objectives used in the model are to maximize profit, income and product uniformity using the Taguchi quadratic loss function as a surrogate for product uniformity. An algorithm is proposed to obtain and rank the set of Pareto optimal points. The utility of the model is demonstrated using a numerical example from the literature. Sensitivity analysis on the model parameters showed that the results of the model are sensitive to changes in process variance. In addition, the optimal objectives of the profit function and product uniformity are more sensitive to changes in model parameters than the income function.     

考虑公平和护士偏好的护士排班研究

针对护士排班问题涉及护士满意度的特点，在护士排班过程中加入护士偏好和公平的约束，寻求最优的排班表以增加护士的满意度。根据多目标问题的特点，采用粒子群多目标优化算法。在硬约束条件上，加入N班之后不能上A班和P班的约束，使护士在上N班之后能够得到足够的休息。在算法设计上，加入变异算子，扩大了粒子群的搜索空间。由于各优化目标之间存在一定的矛盾，用多目标决策理论可以更加科学客观地优化护士排班表。在最后的案例分析中，发现护士不同的偏好会产生不同的非劣解，因此在实际排班中，要充分考虑护士的偏好，以求出更加科学合理的排班表。     

Dynamics in lithographic projection objectives

High-performance optical systems like lithography objectives are very sensitive to external dynamic excitations, which may occur both during operation and out of operation, i.e., during handling and transport. Lithography objectives are typical opto-mechanical systems. For the non-operating state, the focus of dynamical investigations is on avoiding damage, whereas during operation, the preservation of a good imaging behavior is of interest. In the first part, some out-of-operation situations are introduced, namely handling, transport, and earthquakes. In this context, excitation models are discussed and also applied to a nonlinear model. In the second part, an overview of techniques for modeling interfaces between dynamics and optics is given regarding lens systems. The interfaces are summarized in the lens kinematics. Lens kinematics is comprised of rigid lens motion, surface deformations, and refraction index variations due to stresses. According to these issues, some examples are provided.     

The presence and development of competency in IT programs

Information technology (IT) programs are coordinated IT projects with a common business objective or underlying similar theme. Driving success in an IT program requires that the projects all work to achieve more global organizational goals than those of each individual project. These goals are better achieved in the presence of critical program team competences that include personnel development, dissemination of methodologies, and a key customer focus. These competences need to be developed to promote higher program performance where programs are dedicated to achieving business objectives of an organization. We propose a model based on the human resource model that considers the development of the critical competences when essential self and social competences are present in team members. Participation mechanisms of interpersonal cooperation and mutual support assist in the development of the critical competences. The model is supported by data collected from both quantitative survey and qualitative interviews with matched pairs of IT program managers and IT project managers. The results confirm the need to insure the presence of certain competences in team members and the construction of an environment that builds mutual support and cooperation. The human resource model is thus extended to include the inter-team environment of IT programs and further variables important to vendor competence.     

Finding good nurse duty schedules: a case study

Constructing duty schedules for nurses at large hospitals is a difficult problem. The objective is usually to ensure that there is always sufficient staff on duty, while taking into account individual preferences with respect to work patterns, requests for leave and financial restrictions, in such a way that all employees are treated fairly. The problem is typically solved via mixed integer programming or heuristic (local) search methods in the operations research literature. In this paper the problem is solved using a tabu search approach as a case study at Stikland Hospital, a large psychiatric hospital in the South African Western Cape, for which a computerized decision support system with respect to nurse scheduling was developed. This decision support system, called NuRoDSS (short for Nurse Rostering Decision Support System) is described in some detail.     

Conflict resolution effectiveness on the implementation efficiency and achievement of business objectives in IT programs: A study of IT vendors

ContextThe information technology (IT) field presents a unique context for the management of multiple projects because of the variety of stakeholders involved, the complexity of interdependencies among projects, and the frequent use of external vendors. In practice, IT vendors typically employ advanced project governance techniques such as program management to work effectively with the numbers and variety of clients while still pursuing the benefits of a single oversight. These structural features lend themselves to conflict across teams with individual requirements. However, little research exists on program management, much less in the IT context, that represents conflict across IT project teams.ObjectiveIn this study, the effectiveness of conflict resolution on the implementation efficiency and fulfillment of business objectives is studied through the lens of constructive controversy theories. A number of hypotheses are derived by tailoring the constructive conflict resolution concepts to IT context and making a comprehensive literature review to identify the mediator and dependent variables. A model is developed to consider the management of conflict across multiple projects combined into a single program.MethodA quantitative questionnaire related to the program environment was developed for five variables to include conflict resolution, cognition-based trust, interpersonal cooperation, business objectives and implementation efficiency. The hypotheses were tested by performing a survey study, where a number of well-established measures in the literature were used. 92 paired responses from program teams in 38 organizations located in India were obtained and represent a variety of individual characteristics, and program sizes.ResultsThis study identified the composite role of constructive conflict resolution and cognition-based trust in improving interpersonal cooperation. The impacts of constructive conflict resolution on business objectives were not fully mediated by cognition-based trust and interpersonal cooperation, although implementation efficiency is fully mediated.ConclusionThe management of conflict promotes trust and interpersonal cooperation necessary to improve the efficient completion of the program and benefits to the organization.     

A Generalized Model for Locating Facilities on a Network with Flow-Based Demand

Flow-interception location problems identify good facility locations on a network with flow-based demand. Since the early 1990s, over 30 different flow-interception location models have appeared. In these publications, location researchers have developed new models by introducing changes in the objectives functions, constraints, and/or assumptions. These changes have led to many disparate models, each requiring a somewhat different solution method, and they have challenged the development of standardized software that would encourage widespread use in real-world, strategic decision-making processes. In this article, we formulate a generalized flow-interception location–allocation model (GFIM) which, with few exceptions, requires only simple modifications to its input data to effectively solve all current deterministic flow-interception problems. Additional flow-interception problems can be solved by simple model manipulation or the addition of constraints. Moreover, several critical considerations in flow-interception models—such as deviation from predetermined journeys, locational and proximity preferences, and capacity issues—can be handled within the proposed single framework. Two real-world examples reported in the literature (1989 morning and 2001 afternoon peak traffic for the city of Edmonton in Canada) show that a standard optimization engine such as ILOG-CPLEX optimally solves GFIM much more efficiently than it does the classic flow-interception location model.     

A testbed for coverage control using mixed wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is a relatively new technology that has been proposed for several applications including wide area monitoring. Such applications may include stationary or mobile sensor platforms or they may include several stationary and some mobile-robotic sensor nodes that can move in the area in order to achieve certain objectives, e.g., monitor areas that are not adequately covered or assist in the transfer of data to prevent the energy depletion of certain critical nodes. Such networks that consist of both stationary and mobile nodes are referred to as mixed WSNs. This paper presents the development of an experimental testbed for mixed WSNs consisting of stationary and mobile sensor nodes that collaborate to improve the sensing coverage and event detection of the network in a given deployment area. The paper describes the hardware and infrastructure of the testbed as well as a case study for coverage control that was investigated using the testbed. We point out that the developed testbed can be used for the evaluation and validation of different algorithms for coverage control that involve collaboration between stationary and mobile sensors to improve the WSN's monitoring capabilities. In addition, it can also be used to investigate other objectives as well as other concepts (e.g., network control).     

Effects of Palm and WinCE menu-design for PDA on users' operating performance and subjective preference

This study investigated the effects of the type of menu (WinCE and Palm) and the stage of usage (whether the current usage is the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or eighth day of usage) on the users' performance in operating a menu displayed in the first, second, or third layers of a PDA display. The findings of this study indicated that the subjects performed significantly differently in response to Palm and WinCE menus displayed in the first and second layers. The Palm menu resulted in better operating performance. However, the Palm and WinCE menus displayed in the third layer did not result in significantly different operating performance. In addition, the amount of previous use significantly affected users' operating performance only with menus displayed in all the layers. The operating performance improved as the usage time increased. Regarding the subjects' subjective preferences, using the Palm-menu design was initially favored more than the WinCE-menu; however, their preferences for using both menus increased with the usage time.     

An efficient trust estimation model for multi-agent systems using temporal difference learning

In multi-agent system (MAS) applications, teamwork among the agents is essential as the agents are required to collaborate and pool resources to execute the given tasks and complete the objectives successfully. A vital part of the collaboration is sharing of information and resources in order to optimize their efforts in achieving the given objectives. Under such collaborative environment, trust among the agents plays a critical role to ensure efficient cooperation. This study looks into developing a trust evaluation model that can empirically evaluate the trust of one agent on the other. The proposed model is developed using temporal difference learning method, incorporating experience gained through interactions into trust evaluation. Simulation experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the developed model against some of the most recent models reported in the literature. The results of the simulation experiments indicate that the proposed model performs better than the comparison models in estimating trust more effectively.