Modelling and analysis of business process reengineering

Business process design and business process reengineering (BPR) depend crucially on linking production procedures and organizational services to business goals and objectives. There is currently very little formula support for this kind of reasoning as analytical tasks are usually carried out informally and individual design decisions are hard to relate to business objectives. If BPR is carried out without understanding the way it is done, then the most likely outcome would be continuing less-than-satisfactory current practice and automating outdated processes. This kind of practice misses opportunities for innovation and rationalization. The modelling and analysis of business processes along with business strategies and organizational structures are essential to study the implications of BPR. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the modelling, analysis and tools/techniques used for modelling of BPR with the help of a survey on the recently (1993-2000) employed methods and tools used for BPR modelling and analysis. A framework for modelling and analysis, and guidelines for the selection of tools/techniques of business process reengineering are presented.     

A novel Gini index decision tree data mining method with neural network classifiers for prediction of heart disease

The healthcare domain is basically “data rich”, yet tragically not every one of the information are dug which is required for finding concealed examples and successful basic leadership used to find learning in database and for restorative research, especially in heart malady forecast. This article has examined forecast frameworks for heart disease utilizing more number of info attributes. In this article, we proposed an altered calculation for classification with decision trees which furnishes precise outcomes when contrasted and others calculations. The proposed work is planned to show the data mining method in disease forecast frameworks in medicinal space by utilizing avaricious way to deal with select the best attributes. Our investigation demonstrates that among various prediction models neural networks and Gini index prediction models results with most noteworthy precision for heart attack prediction. A portion of the discretization strategies like voting technique are known to deliver more precise decision trees. To improve execution in coronary illness finding, this research work examines the outcomes in the wake of applying a scope of procedures to various sorts of decision trees and accuracy and sensitivity are attained by the execution of elective decision tree methods.     

Bridging humanitarian operations management and organisational theory

The aim of the editorial note is to introduce the scope of this special issue (SI). We explain our editorial approach and provide a brief summary of eight articles included in the SI following multiple rounds of reviews. Finally, we outline future research questions which stemmed out of the discussions of this SI.     

Analysing the process behaviour of abrasive reaming using an experimental approach

Abrasive reaming is an innovative technique for bore finishing. Despite its widespread use, its process behaviour is still under-explored. Accurate control of bore precision in abrasive reaming is affected by many parameters such as feed rate, stock removal and abrasive grit size. Previous research work in this area concentrated only on key parameters and hence failed to deliver reliable information to improve the process. This paper analyses the process behaviour of abrasive reaming using the data obtained from detailed experiments. The effect and significance of individual factors on the bore geometry were assessed using a statistical approach. Process characteristics such as material removal, sidewall stripping and stick–slip behaviour have been analysed and it is shown that inputs such as grit size, amount of stock removal and dressing type are to be controlled.     

Effects of centerline curvature and cross-sectional shape transitioning in the subsonic diffuser of the F-5 fighter jet

Intake geometries result in unwanted secondary flows and formations of vortices which affect the engine performance. This paper investigates the effects of the curvature and cross-sectional shape transitioning of the actual F-5 duct. Two additional different geometries were set up to isolate each parameter, a circular cross-sectional duct with similar centerline configuration and a straight duct with similar cross-sectional transitioning as the F-5 duct. To measure the efficiency of duct flow, the distortion index (DC (60)) and pressure recovery are used. It is found that the straight duct with similar cross-sectional transitioning as the F-5 intake resulted in a 2.1% increase in pressure recovery and an 86% decrease in distortion when compared with the baseline intake. Also, the baseline intake resulted in a 0.5% increase in pressure recovery and a 15% decrease in distortion compared to the constant circular cross-sectional duct. This paper was presented at the 9^th Asian International Conference on Fluid Machinery (AICFM9), Jeju, Korea, October 16–19, 2007.     

A new bistable laser diode configuration for all optical switching

A new bistable laser diode configuration for all optical switching has been suggested and its equivalent circuit model is developed. For switching the device to the high state (set) a TE mode optical pulse is required, which is the oscillating mode of the laser, whereas a TM mode pulse is used to bring the output to a low state (reset). But the wavelength of the set and reset pulses are the same as that of the lasing wavelength of the device. The static and dynamic characteristics are studied by simulating the equivalent circuit model using the circuit simulation program PSPICE. It is found that as the carrier lifetime τ_a of the absorption section increases, the width of the optical pulse required for reset increases nonlinearly. The rise and fall times are found to be 0.15 and 0.16 ns, respectively, for a τ _a, of 3 ns     

Biopolymer coating of soybean lecithin liposomes via layer-by-layer self-assembly as novel delivery system for ellagic acid

The formulation of a novel delivery system for ellagic acid formulated via layer-by-layer (L-b-L) electrostatic deposition of biopolymers onto soybean lecithin liposomes was achieved. Optimization of parameters affecting the formulation of biopolymer-coated liposomes was carried out by monitoring changes on its size, surface charge and morphology. Ellagic acid was loaded into the liposome core and loading properties were analyzed. Release profiles for ellagic acid from optimized biopolymer-coated liposomes were evaluated as a function of time, temperature and pH of the media. The L-b-L electrostatic deposition of biopolymers succeeded in building nanosized, spherical and stable liposomes with a cumulative size of 386.5 ± 25.9 nm and a surface charge of ?30.66 ± 1.55 mV for a liposomal system coated with four bilayers of biopolymers. Biopolymer-coated liposomes offer good properties for encapsulation inside its liposomal aqueous core and sustained release of ellagic acid.     

Iron‐encapsulated cold‐set whey protein isolate gel powder – Part 1: Optimisation of preparation conditions and in vitro evaluation

A central composite design with a quadratic model was used to investigate the effects of three independent variables involved in the synthesis of iron‐encapsulated cold‐set whey protein isolate gel (WPI) on encapsulation efficiency (EE) and L*, a*, b* colour characteristics. The optimal conditions for maximum EE with minimum colour alteration were determined as 6.8% WPI, 18.8 mM iron and pH 7. In an in vitro gastrointestinal assay, only about 28% of the encapsulated iron was released in the gastric condition (with pepsin at pH 1.2), compared to 95% in the intestinal condition (with pancreatin at pH 7.5).     

Photovoltaic cells based on pulsed electrochemically deposited SnS and photochemically deposited CdS and Cd1−xZnxS

CdS/SnS and Cd_1−xZn_xS/SnS solar cells were fabricated. SnS films were deposited by the pulsed electrochemical deposition method using an aqueous solution containing SnSO₄ and Na₂S₂O₃. CdS and Cd_1−xZn_xS window layers were deposited by using the photochemical deposition method using an aqueous solution containing CdSO₄, ZnSO₄ and Na₂S₂O₃. Both the techniques were simple, economical and advantageous for fabricating cheap solar cells. The fabricated cells showed rectification characteristics. The photovoltaic properties were measured under AM 1.5 illumination. The cells with the Cd_1−xZn_xS window layer show larger photocurrent than those with the CdS window layer.     

Computer-aided process planning: A state of art

During the last decade, computer-aided process planning (CAPP) has received much attention both from researchers and practitioners. One of the reasons for this is the role of CAPP in reducing throughput time and improving quality. An attempt has been made in this paper to review the existing literature with the objective of gaining insights into the design and implementation of CAPP systems. The literature available (1989–1996) on CAPP has been reviewed based on the types of systems. The advantages and disadvantages of such systems are presented. Finally, future research directions are indicated.