A spreadsheet-based macro manpower model

This paper describes the use of spreadsheets as a tool for macro-manpower modeling. The model defines drivers which are “output measures” for an organization. These drivers are quantified for a Base Case and for points in the future. Staffing for the various departments of the organization are defined for the Base Case. Next, estimates are made of the percent effort by department for each driver. The model also includes a number of damping factors which affect reaction of the model to changes in values of the Drivers. The model can also accommodate special features of a particular organization's manpower needs. The model is a menu-driven LOTUS 1-2-3 template which outputs estimated staffing by department, standards associated with each driver, and graphical output. The approach is presented in connection with a specific application at the Naval Training Systems Center in Orlando.     

Developing flexible productivity measurement models using spreadsheet software

This paper discusses the development of a series of interactive computer models for measuring productivity. By using LOTUS 123, a series of flexible models were developed which can easily be modified to fit the productivity measurement system used by most companies. Rather than force the company's productivity measurement system to fit an available computer model, a company can now tailor the computer model to exactly fit its productivity measurement system.     

An interactive software tool for system identification

The paper describes the conceptual basis, main features and functionality of an interactive software tool developed in support of system identification education and discovery. This Interactive Tool for System Identification Education (ITSIE) has been developed using Sysquake, a Matlab-like language with fast execution and excellent facilities for interactive graphics, and is deliverd as a stand-alone executable that is readily accessible to students and engineers. ITSIE provides two distinct functional modes that are very useful from an educational and industrial point of view. The simulation mode enables the user to evaluate the main stages of system identification, from input signal design through model validation, simultaneously and interactively in one screen on a user-specified dynamical system. The real data mode allows the user to load experimental data obtained externally and identify suitable models in an interactive fashion. The interactive tool enables students and engineers in industry to discover a myriad of fundamental system identification concepts with a much lower learning curve than existing methods.     

A spreadsheet program to optimize kinetic parameters of organic matter from laboratory pyrolysis data

Transformation of sedimentary organic matter (OM) to hydrocarbons is best modeled by assuming the total reaction suite consists of parallel degradations of ‘i’ hypothetical components following the Arrhenius equation and first order kinetics. A kerogen can be defined by characterizing each constituent component by its activation energy (Ei) their initial potentials (Xios) and a single frequency factor (A). We present a user friendly Lotus 1-2-3 program to determine A, Ei and Xio distribution of OMs using a multiple linear regression utility and programmed macros. Rock Eval (RE) S₂ curves of three heating rates are required. Equally spaced time/temperature and peak height data for S₂ curves of ‘n’ temperature steps in increasing order of heating rates are the inputs for the program. The fraction of hydrocarbon generated (f) from 19 hypothetical components of Ei 30, 32,34…78 Kcal/mole for ‘n’ temperature/time steps, by using frequency factor (A) value and assuming Xios=1, are calculated and set up in a ‘n×19’ matrix (matrix M). The fraction of total hydrocarbon generated (f) at ‘n’ temperature steps, obtained from the observed peak heights, are set up in a ‘n×1’ matrix (matrix L). Matrix M is suitably reduced by the program to ‘n×k’ matrix (matrix N) where ‘k’ is a variable, facilitating matrix inversion. Regressing matrix N against matrix L by the program, gives the Xios for ‘k’ Ei components along with a standard error (ERR) of Y estimates and R². Xios and A are then optimized iteratively by varying A values and selecting the solution associated with the lowest ERR value. Results of applying the program on data sets of two widely different types of samples from Indian basins are shown. They match the results obtained from the more sophisticated proprietary software.     

一种通用的软件功能规模度量模型

功能规模度量（FSM）方法通过量化用户功能需求(FUR)而得到软件功能规模。针对不同的功能规模度量方法都是使用不同的抽象来描述一个软件系统的问题,提出了一种通用的FSM模型。根据软件系统的抽象模型,首先对度量所涉及的数据组和事务进行了泛化,然后以IFPUG FPA为例详细说明了该通用模型和FPA之间的转换过程,最后给出了度量过程的算法描述。     

基于GAC模型实现交互式图像分割的改进算法

提出了一种改进的交互式图像分割算法。采用全变分去噪模型对图像进行预处理,在去除噪声的同时更好地保护了边缘;提出了一种对梯度模值进行曲率加权的边缘检测方法,采用该方法获得图像的边缘点集;将边缘点集中曲率较大的边缘点作为候选边界点推荐给用户;用户通过主观判断,在候选边界点中选择合适的"初始边界点",算法便可采用GAC模型完成对目标的分割。实验结果表明,改进算法提高了交互式图像分割的自动化程度,有效地减少了交互过程中的人工参与量。     

基于统计机器翻译的汉维词对齐研究

描述了一个基于统计机器翻译的汉维词对齐系统。系统处理过程分为两个模块:预处理和词对齐。预处理过程包括汉文文本预处理和维吾尔文文本预处理,其中维吾尔文文本预处理过程为:首先将维吾尔文转换成拉丁维文,然后将拉丁维文中个别字符替换为无歧义的字符。词对齐实现过程:首先利用IBM Model1-3,然后结合Och等人提出的启发式的思路进行优化,构建基于统计机器翻译的汉维词对齐系统。实验结果表明此系统可行。     

Rules for an expert fixturing system on a CAD screen using flexible fixtures

The object of this research is to develop rules for an expert system which will aid in the automatic layout of flexible fixture models on a CAD/CAM system for given applications through an interactive process. The rules are developed and implemented in PROLOG adopting the general sets of fixturing coordinates developed based on the 321-clamping concept and the geometric information such as shape and size of the workpiece to be fixtured. Surface milling is used to demonstrate the principle of the rules and applied to regular polyhedral shapes. Input to the program consists of parameters describing the workpiece to be fixtured which will initiate a search through the databases of rules and fixturing coordinates. Appropriate fixturing rules will be matched and fired to create a datafile containing fixturing points in cartesian coordinates and the list of modular fixture components to be used as an input source to the CAD system.     

Type-2 fuzzy multi-objective DEA model: An application to sustainable supplier evaluation

In the last 10 years, sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has become one of the important topics in business and academe. Sustainable supplier performance evaluation and selection play a significant role in establishing an effective SSCM. One of the techniques that can be used for evaluating sustainable supplier performance is data envelopment analysis (DEA). The conventional DEA methods require accurate measurement of both input and output variables present in the problem. In practice, the observed values of the input and output data present in real-world problems are often imprecise. To cope with this situation, fuzzy DEA models were constructed for expressing relative fuzzy efficiencies of decision-making units (DMUs). However, fuzzy DEA is still limited to fuzzy input/output data while some inputs and outputs might be affected by various factors of uncertainty and information granularity, meaning that they could be better modeled in terms of fuzzy sets of type-2. In this paper, we develop a multi-objective DEA model in a setting of type-2 fuzzy modeling to evaluate and select the most appropriate sustainable suppliers. In the proposed model, both efficiency and effectiveness are considered to describe the integrated productivity of suppliers. In sequel, chance constrained programming, critical value-based reduction methods and equivalent transformations are considered to solve the problem. A detailed case study is employed to show the advantages of the proposed model in terms of measuring effectiveness, efficiency and productivity in an uncertain environment expressed at different confidence levels. At the same time, the results demonstrate that the model is capable of helping decision makers to balance economic, social, and environmental factors when selecting sustainable suppliers.     

A 3D multiresolution lunar surface model using bicubic subdivision-surface wavelets, with interactive visualization tools

The laser altimetry (LAM) dataset obtained by Chang'E-1 (CE-1) contains about 8.6 million points, and how to use it to model and visualize the lunar surface is a problem. This paper presents a 3D, multiresolution, approximate lunar surface model based on a subdivision-surface wavelet, as well as efficient tools for rendering the three-dimensional surface at speeds approaching real-time interaction in a general Personal Computer (PC) environment. The surface model is C²-continuous at nearly all points. The modeling and visualization method could be applied to most other global data sets.     

A lotus 1-2-3 model for airline level of operations planning

In this paper a Lotus 1-2-3 model that forecasts operating statistics for an airline is presented. The Level of Operations Model is useful in long range planning because a schedule is not required to produce the forecasts. The paper lists the key formulas and required data. Successful applications of the model such as fleet planning, and pilot pay studies are discussed.     

Learning with web-based interactive objects: An investigation into student perceptions of effectiveness

In its efforts to continue the modernization of its curriculum, the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto has developed a series of web-based interactive learning applications. This article presents the production cycle of these new interactive learning objects and the preliminary study conducted to measure the students’ perception of the objects’ effectiveness for learning. Three applications are described in detail in this article, namely: Panoramic Radiography: Principles and Interpretation, Gross Human Anatomy 3D Atlas and Restorative Dentistry: Virtual and Interactive Cavity Preparation. Each of these applications introduces unique elements of interactivity with the learning content, specifically designed to address hard-to-grasp concepts in their respective dental disciplines. The results of a student survey conducted post-deployment suggest that the visual and interactive features embedded in the three applications have the potential to induce positive outcomes in mediating the students’ conceptualization of difficult theoretical notions.     

An improved structure for model predictive control using non-minimal state space realisation

This paper describes a new method for the design of model predictive control (MPC) using non-minimal state space models, in which the state variables are chosen as the set of measured input and output variables and their past values. It shows that the proposed design approach avoids the use of an observer to access the state information and, as a result, the disturbance rejection, particularly the system input disturbance rejection, is significantly improved when constraints become activated. In addition, when there is no model/plant mismatch, the paper shows that the system output constraints can be realised in the proposed approach. Furthermore, closed-form transfer function representation of the model predictive control system enables the application of frequency response analysis tools to the nominal performance of the system.     

Windows环境下表处理软件与文字处理软件之间的数据通信

文中主要介绍了在Ｗｉｎｄｏｗｓ环境下字处理软件Ｗｏｒｄ与表处理软件Ｌｏｔｕｓ１－２－３之间实现数据通信的方法。     

Setting forecasting model parameters using unconstrained direct search methods: An empirical evaluation

Exponential smoothing (ES) forecasting models represent an important tool that conjugates compactness, ease of implementation, and robustness. The parameterization (i.e., the determination of the parameters) of an ES model can be represented as a (non-linear) minimization problem. A solution to the problem consists of the ES model’s parameter values that minimize the forecast error. Nonetheless, the task of solving such a minimization problem represents a challenge in that it should balance the accuracy of the resulting forecasts and the computational time required, especially when the parameterization concerns hundreds of time series and models. Therefore, in this paper, we discuss the empirical performance of two derivative free search methods for solving the minimization problem, and compare them with other, well-assessed search procedures. In doing so, we propose an adaptation of the general exponential smoothing model to handle box-constraints on parameter values. In the computational experiments, the derivative free methods displayed a performance similar to that of a gradient-based method, requiring only a fraction of the computation effort.     

甲苯与异戊二烯合成2,6-二甲基萘的热力学计算

2,6-二甲基萘是合成聚2,6-萘二甲酸乙二酯的重要起始原料。本文讨论了以大宗化工原料甲苯与异戊二烯为起始原料合成2,6-二甲基萘的可能性,并对各种可能化学反应的热力学过程进行了分析,通过分析发现以甲苯与异戊二烯为起始原料经过烷基化、环化及异构化反应可以合成2,6-二甲基萘。同时指出了只有控制异戊二烯合适位置上的碳原子参与烷基化反应才能最终得到目标产物。     

A model for the interaction between plant GAPN and 14-3-3zeta using protein-protein docking calculations, electrostatic potentials and kinetics

Phosphorylated non-phosphorylating glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.9; GAPN) found in heterotrophic cells of wheat is activated by MgCl₂. The divalent cation disrupts the interaction between GAPN and a 14-3-3 regulatory protein. This effect is quite remarkable, since it has previously been shown that 14-3-3 binding to a target protein requires divalent cations as Mg²⁺ or Ca²⁺. Binding of the divalent cation to 14-3-3 causes an increase in surface hydrophobicity. Crystal structure of a 14-3-3-target protein complex has been only determined for serotinin N-acetyltransferase. We utilized a model of a subunit of plant GAPN and the crystallographic structure of human 14-3-3ζ to shape the complex between theses two proteins. Initial dockings were performed with the BiGGER program, which allows an exhaustive search of translational and rotational space. A filtering procedure was then applied to reduce the number of complexes to a manageable number. We predict the structural characteristics of GAPN–14-3-3ζ binding process, proposing that the main attractive force in this complex derives from electrostatic interactions. The predicted model was corroborated by analysis of kinetic behavior of GAPN and its relationship with pH and ionic strength conditions. This study provides a variant on the interaction of 14-3-3 with target proteins, thus affording a wider scenario to establish possible structural models for this remarkable family of regulatory proteins.     

ArchiDNA: An interactive system for creating 2D and 3D conceptual drawings in architectural design

We present an interactive system called ArchiDNA for creating 2D and 3D conceptual drawings in architectural design. We developed a novel principle of shape generation called match-and-attach by analyzing drawing styles of a contemporary architect, Peter Eisenman. The process consists of user interaction techniques and a set of rules that decide how one or more shapes attach to another shape. One key ingredient of our process is a unique concept for the interactive semi-automatic shape generation that uses the combination of algorithmic rules of a computer and designers’ manual inputs. These techniques enable designers to use CAD software in the early stages of architectural designs to explore conceptual building forms. ArchiDNA dynamically responds to drawing inputs, configures 2D shapes, and converts them to 3D shapes in a similar style. We intend to complement existing CAD software and computational drawing pipelines for intuitive 2D and 3D conceptual drawing creation.