Enterprise resource planning (ERP) operations support system for maintaining process integration

A successfully adopted and implemented enterprise resource planning (ERP) system does not automatically guarantee full benefits. It is important that ERP is operated as planned and thus provides the real-time information with a desired level of process integration. Any ERP system pushes a company toward full process integration and solves the fragmentation of information. However, the tight process integration involves operational issues that must be carefully managed. Thus, a conjecture can be made that a centrally coordinated support system is required to assist ERP users and administrators find problems, perform tedious validation and verification, and maintain the process integration of ERP with great consistency. This paper proposes an ERP operations support system (EOSS) that aims to achieve and maintain the process integration of ERP. EOSS monitors the operational status of process integration, prevents anomalies as early as possible and conducts repairs as soon as possible.     

Decision support in fighter aircraft: from expert systems to cognitive modelling

This paper reviews two major programmes for support of pilot decision making in a fighter aircraft: the US Pilot's Associate and the French Copilote Electronique. In addressing the problem of decision support in a highly complex and time-pressurised environment, both programmes migrated from a traditional expert systems approach to one based on cognitive modelling. This, however, is where most commonality ends. The paper shows how the differences between the programmes can be explained in terms of their assumptions of what constitutes pilot expertise. These views explain the method for analysis of pilot activities, the model of the pilot, what phase of the pilot's problem solving the programmes attempt to support, and the support philosophy. The paper concludes with a discussion on computer-based decision support in complex, dynamic domains, and how cognitive modelling may contribute.     

The effect of meal situation, social interaction, physical environment and choice on food acceptability

Consumer acceptance of food and beverage was measured after modifying four key factors or ‘context effects' in five consumer central location tests: its function as a meal component, social interaction during consumption, the physical environment in which the food is selected and consumed, and food choice. One of two flavor variations each of salad, pizza and iced tea were served. Acceptance ratings and self-reported food intake were obtained from consumers. In Tests 1–5, context effects were added sequentially, so that by Test 5 all context effects were present. Sixth test served as a comparison to ‘real life' and took place at a local restaurant. Our hypothesis was that product acceptability would increase with the addition of the various context effects. Meal context had the strongest positive effect on tea; social context had a strong negative effect on pizza; environment had a weak but positive effect on pizza and tea and a negative effect on salad; and choice had a positive effect on salad. These results suggest that context variables do affect product acceptance, but that the relationship between context effect and consumer acceptance may not be consistent within and across meal components.     

Stability of ionic-covalently cross-linked PBI-blended membranes for SO2 electrolysis at elevated temperatures

In this study, the effect of component composition on the chemical stability of the developed ionic-covalently cross-linked PBI-blended membrane concept from earlier studies for application in SO₂ electrolysis at elevated temperatures (>100 °C) is further investigated. Three different acid-base ratios were studied by blending a partially fluorinated sulfonated arylene main-chain polymer (SFS) with polybenzimidazole (F₆PBI) and a partially or non-fluorinated bromo-methylated polymer (BrPAE). In addition two different alkylated imidazoles (EMIm and TMIm) were included as quaternization agents. Accordingly, twelve different PBI-blended membranes were produced in this study. The suitability of these membranes for SO₂ electrolysis at elevated temperatures was determined in terms of i) the H₂SO₄ stability (80 wt% H₂SO₄ at 100 °C for 120 h), (ii) the oxidative stability (Fenton's test, FT) and (iii) the organic solvent stability (extraction in N,N-Dimethylacetamide). Membranes were characterized in terms of the percentage weight, the ion exchange capacity (IEC) and the thermal stability (TGA-FTIR) changes, before and after the various treatments. Although all blended membrane types were sufficiently stable during H₂SO₄ treatment, proton conductivity measurements indicated that the blends containing only partially fluorinated blend components displayed superior stability (better compatibility) as well as conductivity. Cell voltages showed an improvement of up to 190 mV for operations at 120 °C compared to earlier studies conducted at 80 °C for similar PBI-blended membranes. It was established that both chemically stable and conductive PBI-blended membranes, suitable for SO₂ electrolysis above 100 °C, could be obtained by varying the composition of selected polymer components.     

Bugs,Bats and Animal Estates: The Architectural Territories of ‘Wild Beasts’

For architecture, animals and insects have conventionally represented the threat of infestation - a parasitic and insanitary uninvited presence. Could the animal world, however, offer previously untapped opportunities for design innovation? At a time when the relationship between architecture and nature is coming under question, Ben Campkin takes the opportunity to bring attention to the wider social and geographical processes lying beneath the occupation of the man-made environment by insect and animal life. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CAD塑料材料选择系统

本文探讨了应用专家系统进行塑料材料的选择。应用系统可以进行塑料材料的智能化选择,可以方便的查询材料的任一项性能数据。     

浅谈课件制作中“菜单”的解决策略

制作多媒体课件时，菜单响应(下拉式菜单、弹出式菜单)是一种常用的交互方式。其中下拉式一级菜单可用Au—thorware的“菜单响应”功能方便制作完成。下拉式二级菜单及弹出式菜单如采用Authorware中的各种响应功能制作，则相当繁复，而利用Control u32 for Authorwaye这个UCD函数(文件名为tMsControls．u32)，则较为简捷。     

Implementing incentive compatible menus of contracts to regulate electricity distribution investments

Investment regulation constitutes one of the major difficulties in regulating monopolistic activities such as electricity distribution. Information asymmetries and uncertainties over technology and demand especially hamper the evaluation of the efficiency of network investments. In this context, ex-ante regulatory schemes with ex-post corrections such as profit sharing contracts can be particularly useful. Moreover, menu regulation could encourage distribution firms to provide regulators with more accurate information. However, such a mechanism is rarely applied in electricity distribution. In order to facilitate its diffusion, this paper provides clear guidelines to construct incentive compatible menus of profit-sharing contracts and discusses its possible implementation in Spain.     

运筹学课程教学改革思路

介绍了运筹学的发展,总结了运筹学课程的特点,在分析运筹学课程教学中存在的教学内容不恰当等一系列问题的基础上,提出了课程教学改革的思路.