Internal preference mapping and the issue of satiety

Internal preference mapping (IPM) and Landscape Segmentation Analysis® (LSA) are two techniques broadly used to unfold consumers’ overall product liking ratings and create spatial maps that will provide further insights on consumers’ preferences. IPM is based on a vector model while LSA involves an ideal point model. Through a simulation and the analysis of 27 market research data sets, it is shown that IPM consistently creates a hedonic dimension that prevents the identification of satiety prone attributes (intensities higher or lower than a optimal level being disliked by the consumers) on that dimension. As a result, subsequent steps taken upon generating an IPM map such as the investigation of drivers of liking, population segmentation and the estimation of optimal product profiles have also a strong likelihood of resulting in distorted results, the level of distortion being dependent on the actual configuration of the underlying structure that IPM tried to uncover. It is also shown that a technique based on ideal points such as LSA does not exhibit this systematic artifact when unfolding liking data. Consequently, sensory scientists and market researchers should use caution when interpreting and using results issued from an internal preference mapping analysis.     

Integration of Process Planning and Scheduling for Outsourcing in the Apparel Industry

Abstract

Although outsourcing is a popular method for reducing manufacturing costs, many firms fail to take notice of the hidden pitfalls associated with delays in the delivery system. The objective of the paper is to develop a computer-aided process planning tool with a software called PPSGAR (Process Planning and Scheduling For Garment Manufacturing Unit), which takes into account the concept of integration of process planning and scheduling using an object-oriented paradigm for the apparel industry. It provides the management, prior to accepting an order, with a suggestion for the production cost and the due date combination by considering the shop-floor conditions. Also, it can provide suggestions for possible changes in the design of the garment in order to reduce the cost or shorten the delivery date. Process planning is achieved by adopting the Hybrid Variant-generative process planning method. Scheduling is done by Stochastic Assembly Line Balancing (SALB) methodology for the solution of a single-model assembly line balancing, in response to the stochastic environment. For validation of the system, the Software PPSGAR has been implemented successfully in a firm in the apparel industry in North Cyprus.     

基于RBF神经网络的码垛机器人轨迹优化

为了提高码垛机器人笛卡尔空间轨迹规划算法的收敛性和稳定性,提升机器人运行轨迹圆滑度。首先从运动学角度出发,建立了码垛机器人运动学模型。针对码垛机器人笛卡尔空间轨迹规划提出了一种基于RBF神经网络的码垛机器人轨迹优化算法。仿真结果表明,经过RBF神经网络轨迹优化使得在拟合的曲线更加接近实际的曲线,减小了逼近误差,提高了规划的准确性。该方法能够有效提升码垛机器人运动轨迹圆滑度,保证码垛机器人能够按照预定轨迹路径进行运动,有效实现了机器人笛卡尔空间轨迹规划。     

休闲果园的硬质园林景观设计元素

本文针对过分重视功能立项而忽视休闲果园景观设计的现象,将景观生态学、园林美学、古典造园学以及现代美术构成理念引入到休闲果园的景观设计之中,并就其硬质园林景观设计元素的基本内容、原则与方法作了阐述与论证。     

Economic impact of milk production in the State of New Mexico

The goal of this study was to quantify the economic role of dairy farming in New Mexico and to identify its linkages with allied industries in terms of income, value added, and employment impacts. An input-output model was used to estimate the direct, indirect, and induced impacts of the dairy farm industry on the economy of New Mexico. The results showed that in 2005, New Mexico's dairy farm industry had a total economic impact of $1.98 billion and accounted for 14,313 jobs. Therefore, dairy farming in New Mexico had an output multiplier (income) of 1.92, a labor income multiplier of $248 thousand/$ million of gross sales, and an employment multiplier of 13.91 jobs/$ million of gross sales. Furthermore, the New Mexico dairy farms accounted for 13.1% of the total agricultural outputs, 20.5% of the agricultural jobs, 1.5% of total state economic activity, and $80 million in tax revenue. With the exception of Lea, Eddy, and Bernalillo counties, which are diversified, the dairy farms accounted for more than two-thirds of the agricultural outputs and for more than two-fifths of the agricultural employment in counties where dairy farms are concentrated.     

2007～2010年福建省造纸产业发展行动计划

在国家发改委发布《造纸产业发展政策》以及中国造纸协会发表《关于造纸工业“十一五”发展的意见》的同时,福建省经贸委发布了《福建省造纸产业发展行动计划》以下简称《行动计划》）。《行动计划》为今后福建省造纸产业的发展指明了方向,是今后福建纸业发展的行动指南。《行动计划》以福建省经贸委红头文件的形式颁布,足以看出福建省政府部门对发展造纸产业的重视。这在其它省份并不多见。该计划分析了福建纸业的发展现状,指出了存在的问题,提出了发展的目标和“十一五”后几年要完成的主要任务,尤其是有保障措施。该计划把节能减排降耗和林浆纸一体化作为今后工作的重点,有利于推进福建纸业又好又快地发展。关于福建纸业的另一指导性课题成果《福建省造纸工业“十一五”发展课题研究》已在本刊第二十六卷第二期刊登。两丈内容相近之处,在本文中进行了适度删减。有关福建省造纸行业2007年的统计数据,请见已出版的本刊今年第九期。     

山东烤烟生态适应性综合评价

为了更准确地确定山东烤烟的最佳种植区域,综合考虑气候、土壤养分和类型、地形地貌等29项因子,运用模糊数学隶属函数和层次分析法,以GIS平台为基础,对山东烟区的生态适宜性进行了综合评价。结果发现,气候适宜性呈现由南向北从高到低的趋势,大田期日照时数过高是影响山东烤烟生长最重要的气候因子;山东烟区土壤养分适宜性较高;烟区地形地貌适合烤烟的生长;部分沿海的土壤类型不利于烤烟的生长;目前山东烟区绝大部分位于生态最适宜或适宜区。此结果对指导烤烟生产和合理种植规划具有较大的意义。     

科学发展下城乡规划管理信息化实践与探讨——以武汉市规划管理信息化建设实践为例

从城乡规划管理的要求出发,探索规划信息化发展方向和城乡规划管理的技术手段,研究信息技术在城乡规划管理中的应用,构建信息化管理流程,从而营造适应于科学发展要求的城乡规划管理软环境.     

《周礼》中的中国古代城市规划制度

通过对《周礼》文本的解读,在对其记载的与城市规划过程相关的官职及其职责进行整理的基础上,较为全面地揭示了《周礼》所记载的中国古代城市规划制度的基本架构并展示了其中的复杂性.论文提出,要理解中国古代城市规划,不能仅局限于《考工记》的记载,需要有更为广泛的研究,《周礼》提供了其中更为本质性的一部分.