Minimizing a nonlinear function under a fuzzy max-t-norm relational equation constraint

This work studies a nonlinear optimization problem subject to fuzzy relational equations with max-t-norm composition. Since the feasible domain of fuzzy relational equations with more than one minimal solution is non-convex, traditional nonlinear programming methods usually cannot solve them efficiently. This work proposes a genetic algorithm to solve this problem. This algorithm first locates the feasible domain through the maximum solution and the minimal solutions of the fuzzy relational equations, to significantly reduce the search space. The algorithm then executes all genetic operations inside this feasible domain, and thus avoids the need to check the feasibility of each solution generated. Moreover, it uses a local search operation to fine-tune each mutated solution. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm can accelerate the searching speed and find the optimal solution.     

An integrated method for finding key suppliers in SCM

Association rule is a widely used data mining technique that searches through an entire data set for rules revealing the nature and frequency of relationships or associations between data entities. Supplier selection is a significant work in supply chain management. Often, there will be thousands of potential suppliers and identifying a subset of these suppliers can be a complex process of determining a satisfactory subset based on a number of factors. In this paper, the supplier selection can be viewed as the problem of mining a large database of shipment. The proposed method incorporates the extended association rule algorithm of data mining with that of set theory to find key suppliers. This research has employed a numerical example for the integrated method to develop suitable supplier clusters. The results show that the method is effective and applicable.     

Improving peer-to-peer search performance through intelligent social search

As a large amount of information is added onto the Internet on a daily basis, the efficiency of peer-to-peer (P2P) search has become increasingly important. However, how to quickly discover the right resource in a large-scale P2P network without generating too much network traffic remains highly challenging. In this paper, we propose a novel P2P search method, by applying the concept of social grouping and intelligent social search; we derive peers into social groups in a P2P network to improve search performance. Through a super-peer-based architecture, we establish and maintain virtual social groups on top of a P2P network. The interactions between the peers in the P2P network are used to incrementally build the social relationships between the peers in the associated social groups. In such a P2P network, a search query is propagated along the social groups in the overlay social network. Our preliminary experiments have demonstrated that our method can significantly shorten search routes and result in a higher peer search performance. In addition, our method also enhances the trustworthiness of search results because searches go through trusted peers.     

A wavelet-tree-based watermarking method using distance vector of binary cluster

This paper proposes a wavelet-tree-based watermarking method using distance vector of binary cluster for copyright protection. In the proposed method, wavelet trees are classified into two clusters using the distance vector to denote binary watermark bits. The two smallest wavelet coefficients in a wavelet tree are used to reduce distortion of a watermarked image. The distance vector, which is obtained from the two smallest coefficients of a wavelet tree, is quantized to decrease image distortion. The trees are classified into two clusters so that they exhibit a sufficiently large statistical difference based on the distance vector, which difference is then used for subsequent watermark extraction. We compare the statistical difference and the distance vector of a wavelet tree to decide which watermark bit is embedded in the embedding process. The experimental results show that the watermarked image looks visually identical to the original and the watermark can be effectively extracted upon image processing attacks.     

The evaluation of cluster policy by fuzzy MCDM: Empirical evidence from HsinChu Science Park

In the recent years, industrial clusters have received considerable attention from economists and industrial analysts, because they are seen as the main reason for economic growth and success of certain economic region. This study systematically reviews past researches of industrial cluster. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of this issue regarding the driving forces for the growth of industrial cluster and find out the priority among these cluster policies. Taiwan HsinChu Science Park is a prime example for this paper, and its connection with the innovative participators. We begin with an examination of the literature on cluster about its driving forces and policies upon which we propose a conceptual framework. In doing so, we explore the cluster-based industrial system. Then this research adopts the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process as the analytical tool. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process method is used to determine the weightings for evaluation dimension among decision makers. From our research results, the Factor Conditions is the most important driving force for advancing the industrial cluster performance. Moreover, the promotion of international linkages policy and broader framework policies rank the first two priorities for cluster policy. Overall, this paper concludes with some simulations of cluster policy alternatives confronting the industry and the Taiwanese government.     

Fault-tree analysis for liquefied natural gas terminal emergency shutdown system

Natural gas, one of the cleanest, most efficient and useful of all energy sources, is a vital component of the world’s supply of energy. To make natural gas more convenient for storage and transportation, it is refined and condensed into a liquid called liquefied natural gas (LNG). In a LNG site, safety is a long-team and critical issue. The emergency shutdown (ESD) system in the LNG receiving terminal is used to automatically stop the pumps and isolate the leakage section. Fault-tree analysis (FTA) has been widely used for providing logical functional relationships among subsystems and components of a system and identifying the root causes of the undesired failures in a system. In the conventional FTA for the ESD system, we usually assume that exact failure probabilities of events are collected. However, in most real applications, first, the FTA for the ESD system needs to be made at a early design or manufacturing stage, certain new components normally used without failure data; secondly, sometimes the environmental change in the system during the operation periods. This makes more difficult to gather past exact failures data for the FTA. To complete the FTA of the ESD system under these uncertain situations, we apply the intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFS) theory to the FTA. We generate the intuitionistic fuzzy fault-tree interval, and the intuitionistic fuzzy reliability interval for the ESD system. We also present an algorithm to find the critical components in the system based on IFS–FTA and determine weak paths in the ESD system, where the key improvement must be made.     

A blind watermarking method using maximum wavelet coefficient quantization

This paper proposes a blind watermarking algorithm based on maximum wavelet coefficient quantization for copyright protection. The wavelet coefficients are grouped into different block size and blocks are randomly selected from different subbands. We add different energies to the maximum wavelet coefficient under the constraint that the maximum wavelet coefficient is always maximum in a block. The watermark is embedded the local maximum coefficient which can effectively resist attacks. Also, using the block-based watermarking, we can extract the watermark without using the original image or watermark. Experimental results show that the proposed method is quite robust under either non-geometry or geometry attacks.     

Accurately predicting the success of B2B e-commerce in small and medium enterprises

Since implementing B2B e-commerce in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is a long-term commitment and such enterprises are more limited in terms of resources than large enterprises, the predicted value of successful implementation is extremely useful in deciding whether to initiate B2B e-commerce. This investigation establishes an analytical hierarchy framework to help SMEs predicting implementation success as well as identifying the actions necessary before implementing B2B e-commerce to increase e-commerce initiative feasibility. The consistent fuzzy preference relation is used to improve decision-making consistency and effectiveness. A case study involving six influences solicited from a Taiwanese steel company is used to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach. The analytical results show that the three most influential factors are management support, industry characteristics and government policies; meanwhile, the three least influential factors are organizational culture, IT integration and firm size.     

Applying fuzzy hierarchy multiple attributes to construct an expert decision making process

The main objective of this paper is to propose an approach within the AHP framework for tackling the uncertainty and imprecision of service evaluations during pre-negotiation stages, where the expert’s comparison judgments are represented as fuzzy triangular numbers. A fuzzy prioritization method, which derives crisp priorities from consistent and inconsistent fuzzy comparison matrices, is described. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP)-based decision-making method can provide decision makers or buyer a valuable reference for evaluating software quality. A case study demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. Importantly, the proposed scheme can assist decision makers in assessing the feasibility of digital video recorder system to management public space, making it highly applicable for academic and commercial purposes.     

Remoting技术在工业远程测控系统中的应用研究

在工业分布式测控通信系统中,Microsoft.NET Remoting技术可以在应用程序内部或应用程序域之间传输数据.采用Remoting技术结合二进制流的方法,通过远程对象和数据接口的建立,以及服务器端和客户端的设置,可以在软件各个结构层之间进行快速高效的远程对象访问,达到实时控制的目的.该方案使测控仪表具有更好的开放性和可集成能力,有一定的参考和实用价值.