Chronic disease management in the Lombardy region: An evolutionary service network perspective

This paper fits into the theoretical framework of service networks. Its aim is to understand service network change meaning, characteristics and connections with extant literature and to investigate how a service network can change in a specific context, a regulated sector. The regulated service network considered is the Italian health care network. A theoretical framework guided the analysis to explore how the actors' perceptions evolved during specific time, space, and relationship dimensions in terms of what, why and where changes happened, happen or will happen.     

An electronic engineering curriculum design based on concept-mapping techniques

Curriculum design is a concern in European Universities as they face the forthcoming European Higher Education Area (EHEA). This process can be eased by the use of scientific tools such as Concept-Mapping Techniques (CMT) that extract and organize the most relevant information from experts’ experience using statistics techniques, and helps a working group to achieve conclusions. This paper presents an empirical exploratory research study related to the application of the CMT to the design of the Electronic Engineering (EE) Degree at the University of Seville, Spain. Considering the Career-space conclusions as the initial point, the main relevant competences were identified in a brainstorming technique. These competences are organized according to their affinity using CMT, establishing and interpreting the main clusters and their relative importance. Finally, a reliability analysis of the concept maps was carried out verifying the correctness of the procedure and validating the results for the curricula adaptation. This Project has been funded by the Spanish PAFPU (“Plan Andaluz de formación del profesorado universitario”), from the Quality Assurance Agency for Andalucía Unversities, (UCUA).     

Inventory service-level optimization within distribution network design problem

We propose a sequential heuristic approach to optimize inventory service levels in a two-stage supply chain. The proposed approach deals with service level and inventory decisions, simultaneously with network design decisions, and incorporating unfulfilled demand costs in a previous inventory-location model. A two-step formulation is considered, where the first step optimizes service level and the second step addresses location and inventory decisions. Each algorithm iteration solves an inventory-location model for a fixed service level, and then the service level is updated in order to reach an equilibrium condition between operating system and unfulfilled demand costs. The algorithm converged in three iterations for a set of sample instances, obtaining the same outcome in comparison with a more intuitive, exact, but more time-consuming search procedure.     

微波测定煤炭含水量方法的研究

针对传统的煤炭含水量测定方法耗时过长、准确性不高,通过分析矩形波导内介质的介电常数对截止频率的影响,提出了一种新的测算煤炭含水量的方法,该方法具有测量速度快、灵敏度高、不接触被测样品、抗干扰能力强等优点。     

一种低功耗无线传感器网络节点设计

利用Zigbee技术和嵌入式技术设计了一种以纺纱车间温湿度采集为应用对象的无线传感器网络节点,节点的软硬件均采用低功耗设计,可根据实际环境实现分布式安装。低功耗无线传感器网络节点设计具有无需布线、覆盖面广、安装调试方便和使用寿命长等优点,可广泛应用于纺织厂和烟草存储温湿度控制、环境监测、医疗护理等领域。     

Ajax技术在教学网络设计中的应用研究

Ajax全称为Asynchronous JavaScript and XML(异步JavaScript和XML),它是一种时尚的、基于交互式的Web应用开发技术。它的异步通信机制实现了客户端与服务器间快速与轻载的数据交换,其Web页面无需重载就可实现动态更新,这种新的Web技术为人们依托数字化校园的教学网络的设计提供了新的方法和思路,采用Ajax技术的同时,在B/S网络体系结构的支持下,构建出的新型教学网络,会变得更流畅、更具有直觉力。     

A DC programming heuristic applied to the logistics network design problem

This paper proposes a new heuristic method for the logistics network design and planning problem based on linear relaxation and DC (difference of convex functions) programming. We consider a multi-period, multi-echelon, multi-commodity and multi-product problem defined as a large scale mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model. The method is experimented on data sets of various size. The numerical results validate the efficiency of the heuristic for instances with up to several dozens facilities, 18 products and 270 retailers.     

Tool path of lathe machine in flexible transfer lines by using genetic algorithms

In this paper, we present a new approach for tool path generation of numerical control (NC) lathe machine tools during the development of flexible transfer lines (FTL). The approach that uses a genetic algorithm (GA) can automatically generate a tool path of the NC lathe machine tools and decides the part reverse position by just giving the dimensions of a cylindrical type of the work piece. Conventionally, this reverse position is decided by an experienced operator because it was difficult to decide automatically in the FTL. The GA approach of our system adopts the moving points of the tool path as an individual. We propose two individuals expressions. The first expression is defined by adopting an absolute value of the tool path as absolute individuals expression (AIE) and the second expression is defined by adopting the incremental value of the tool path as incremental individuals expression (IIE). After some simulations, it is ascertained that our system is useful.     

Reliability evaluation and adjustment of supply chain network design with demand fluctuations

This study focuses on supply chain network design problems by considering economies of scale and demand fluctuations. A reliability evaluation method is developed to evaluate the performance of plants under demand fluctuations. In addition, two mathematical programming models are developed to determine the optimal adjustment decisions regarding production reallocation among plants under different fluctuating demands. The judgments to adjust or to do-nothing are investigated by comparing the results if the adjustment is made or not made. Results show that making adjustments benefits the manufacturers by reducing total production cost and avoiding revenue loss, which outweighs the extra costs, especially for high value-added products. Results also suggest that the manufacturer should ignore a short period abnormal state, since the benefits to respond to it might not compensate the high allocation costs. The results of this study provide a reference for the manufacturer in their decision making process of network planning with demand fluctuations, when they have to cope with benefits and costs during abnormal states.     

基于H.264视频压缩技术的网络视频传输系统设计

闭路电视监控作为一项先进的高科技防范手段,特别是由于系统本身具有直观、实时、记录、回放等特点,在许多领域得到越来越广泛的应用。着重介绍了H.264视频压缩技术和视频网络传输技术的同时,对前端视频处理、传输系统设计、远程联网集中平台管理以及视频存储、转发与显示等全方面的纯数字高清网络视频监控系统进行了研究设计。     

用户电价承受能力研究的神经网络方法

为了科学地研究社会的电价承受能力,促进我国的电价改革,本文首次将现代神经网络方法引入电价承受能力的分析中,建立数学模型,并进行了实例计算。     

R&D management through network mapping: using the Internet to identify strategic network actors in cooperative research networks

Most R&D management techniques to date have emphasized the immediate organizational context or the internal structure and process of the R&D project. Recently however attempts have been made at situating R&D management in a wider context of inter‐organizational R&D activities. This paper presents the technique of R&D network mapping as a means of providing strategic intelligence to the R&D manager. The paper backgrounds this technique with a discussion of the general issue and significance of R&D networks. A methodology for R&D network mapping is then exemplified by outlining how a network database of cooperating projects and institutes in the telecom research sector was built by utilizing the World Wide Web. Finally a number of suggestions are made as to how and when network mapping should be applied in strategic R&D management.     

Identification of intangible assets in knowledge‐based organizations using concept mapping techniques

This paper proposes a procedure for identifying the intangible assets that generate value to knowledge‐intensive organizations using concept mapping techniques. Concept mapping is a form of structured conceptualization that incorporates and processes the opinion of a set of experts. A double statistical treatment consisting of a multidimensional scaling analysis and a cluster analysis is applied to a set of data provided by experts to obtain the results, which are presented in the form of maps. As a case study, the social and legal departments in a Spanish university were analyzed. As a result, 60 items referring to different intangible assets of these departments were identified and grouped into 10 clusters, and they were in turn grouped in regions corresponding to the three basic components of intellectual capital: human capital, structural capital and relational capital. The evaluation of the relative importance of each of them leads to the preeminent position of the structural capital.     

Considerations for the safe design of processes using hydrogen peroxide and organics

The use of hydrogen peroxide in the chemical processing industry is increasing rapidly, both in volume and types of application. The properties of hydrogen peroxide, which make it such a useful material, can also give rise to serious hazards. This paper reviews some of the ways in which hazards may arise in organic processes using hydrogen peroxide. Some incidents are also described.     

Probing cultural differences in product design and consumer evaluation using repertory grid analysis

International Journal of Technology and Design Education - Culture plays an essential role in the success of product design, especially in the age of a global economy where there is a high...     

Formal versus informal knowledge networks in R&D: a case study using social network analysis

The existence of informal social networks within organizations has long been recognized as important and the unique working relationships among scientific and technical personnel have been well documented by both academics and practitioners. The growing interest in knowledge management practices has led to increased attention being paid to social network analysis as a tool for mapping the nature and membership of informal networks. However, despite the knowledge-intensive nature of research and development (R&D) activities, social network analyses of the R&D function remain relatively rare. This paper discusses the role of informal networks in the development, exchange and dissemination of knowledge within the R&D function. A case study using social network analysis is used to compare and contrast formal and informal knowledge networks within ICI. Marked differences between the informal organization and ICI's formal structures for knowledge exchange are revealed and a series of insights into the working habits of technical staff are presented. The implications for managers are clear: through a better understanding of the informal organization of R&D staff, they can more successfully capture and exploit new ideas; more efficiently disseminate information throughout the function; and more effectively understand the working habits and activities of employees.     

The validity and value of peer assessment using adaptive comparative judgement in design driven practical education

This paper presents the response of the technology teacher education programmes at the University of Limerick to the assessment challenge created by the shift in philosophy of the Irish national curriculum from a craft-based focus to design-driven education. This study observes two first year modules of the undergraduate programmes that focused on the development of subject knowledge and practical craft skills. Broadening the educational experience and perspective of students to include design based aptitudes demanded a clear aligning of educational approaches with learning outcomes. As design is a complex iterative learning process it requires a dynamic assessment tool to facilitate and capture the process. Considering the critical role of assessment in the learning process, the study explored the relevance of individual student-defined assessment criteria and the validity of holistic professional judgement in assessing capability within a design activity. The kernel of the paper centres on the capacity of assessment criteria to change in response to how students align their work with evidence of capability. The approach also supported peer assessment, where student-generated performance ranks provided an insight into not only how effectively they evidenced capability but also to what extent their peers valued it. The study investigated the performance of 137 undergraduate teachers during an activity focusing on the development of design, processing and craft skills. The study validates the use of adaptive comparative judgement as a model of assessment by identifying a moderate to strong relationship with performance scores obtained by two different methods of assessment. The findings also present evidence of capability beyond the traditional measures. Level of engagement, diversity, and problem solving were also identified as significant results of the approach taken. The strength of this paper centres on the capacity of student-defined criterion assessment to evidence learning, and concludes by presenting a valid and reliable holistic assessment supported by comparative judgements.     

The abilities of understanding spatial relations,spatial orientation,and spatial visualization affect 3D product design performance: using carton box design as an example

Three-dimensional (3D) product design is an essential ability that students of subjects related to product design must acquire. The factors that affect designers’ performance in 3D design are numerous, one of which is spatial abilities. Studies have reported that spatial abilities can be used to effectively predict people’s performance in conducting complex operations. Nevertheless, few studies have explored the relationship between spatial abilities and designers’ performance in 3D product design. Spatial ability is a type of mental ability and comprises numerous factors. Carton box design is a typical type of standardized 3D product design, in which designers’ performance is affected by the spatial abilities they possess. The most crucial factor among these abilities is the space conversion ability, which is the ability to convert two-dimensional (2D) surface developments into 3D perspective views and convert 3D carton boxes into 2D plans. These operations require an in-depth perception of objects, an understanding of the relative spatial relations among objects, and spatial visualization. In this study, carton box design was used as an example to investigate, using structural equation modeling, the effects that the ability to understand spatial relations, spatial orientation, and spatial visualization have on designers’ performance in 3D product design. The results indicated that all three spatial abilities (i.e., understanding spatial relations, spatial orientation, and spatial visualization) directly influence designers’ performance in carton box design. Therefore, spatial abilities are vital factors affecting designers’ performance in 3D product design.