Effective retrieval and new indexing method for case based reasoning: Application in chemical process design

In this paper we try to improve the retrieval step for case based reasoning for preliminary design. This improvement deals with three major parts of our CBR system. First, in the preliminary design step, some uncertainties like imprecise or unknown values remain in the description of the problem, because they need a deeper analysis to be withdrawn. To deal with this issue, the faced problem description is soften with the fuzzy sets theory. Features are described with a central value, a percentage of imprecision and a relation with respect to the central value. These additional data allow us to build a domain of possible values for each attributes. With this representation, the calculation of the similarity function is impacted, thus the characteristic function is used to calculate the local similarity between two features. Second, we focus our attention on the main goal of the retrieve step in CBR to find relevant cases for adaptation. In this second part, we discuss the assumption of similarity to find the more appropriated case. We put in highlight that in some situations this classical similarity must be improved with further knowledge to facilitate case adaptation. To avoid failure during the adaptation step, we implement a method that couples similarity measurement with adaptability one, in order to approximate the cases utility more accurately. The latter gives deeper information for the reusing of cases. In a last part, we present a generic indexing technique for the base, and a new algorithm for the research of relevant cases in the memory. The sphere indexing algorithm is a domain independent index that has performances equivalent to the decision tree ones. But its main strength is that it puts the current problem in the center of the research area avoiding boundaries issues. All these points are discussed and exemplified through the preliminary design of a chemical engineering unit operation

Adaptation and implementation of a process of innovation and design within a SME

A design process is a sequence of design phases, starting with the design requirement and leading to a definition of one or several system architectures. For every design phase, various support tools and resolution methods are proposed in the literature. These tools are however very difficult to implement in an SME, which may often lack resources. In this article we propose a complete design process for new manufacturing techniques, based on creativity and knowledge re-use in searching for technical solutions. Conscious of the difficulties of appropriation in SME, for every phase of our design process we propose resolution tools which are adapted to the context of a small firm. Design knowledge has been capitalized in a knowledge base. The knowledge structuring we propose is based on functional logic and the design process too is based on the functional decomposition of the system, and integrates the simplification of the system architecture, from the early phases of the process. For this purpose, aggregation phases and embodiment are proposed and guided by heuristics

Evaluating the adaptive capacity of cultural landscapes to climate change: Incorporating site-specific knowledge in National Park Service vulnerability assessments

Cultural landscapes are complex systems of natural and cultural resources that are affected by changes in climatic and non-climatic factors. The National Park Service, Pacific West Region, has developed a vulnerability assessment (VA) model for identifying, evaluating, and responding to the effects of climate change to cultural landscapes by utilizing peer-reviewed data and local knowledge to inform management strategies that can reduce the vulnerability of cultural landscapes to deterioration and loss. Key to developing site-specific adaption plans is a VA based on analysis of the significance, exposure, and sensitivity of landscape characteristics and features, and identification of the management capacity to reduce the sensitivity of the cultural landscape to change. The resulting assessment compares the level of projected vulnerability of the landscape as a whole and of each characteristic or feature under evaluation, and the identification of methods for minimizing the sensitivity of the cultural landscape to climate change. This paper provides an overview of the VA model through case studies from the state of Washington, the territory of Guam, and Tinian, commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands

Supporting Knitwear Design Using Case-Based Reasoning

Organised by: Cranfield UniversityKnitwear design is a creative activity that is hard to automate using the computer. The production of the associated knitting pattern, however, is repetitive, time-consuming and error-prone, calling for automation. Our objectives are two-fold: to facilitate the design and to ease the burden of calculations and checks in pattern production. We conduct a feasibility study for applying case-based reasoning in knitwear design: we describe appropriate methods and show how they can be implemented.Mori Seiki – The Machine Tool Compan

Continuous Improvement Through Knowledge-Guided Analysis in Experience Feedback

Continuous improvement in industrial processes is increasingly a key element of competitiveness for industrial systems. The management of experience feedback in this framework is designed to build, analyze and facilitate the knowledge sharing among problem solving practitioners of an organization in order to improve processes and products achievement. During Problem Solving Processes, the intellectual investment of experts is often considerable and the opportunities for expert knowledge exploitation are numerous: decision making, problem solving under uncertainty, and expert configuration. In this paper, our contribution relates to the structuring of a cognitive experience feedback framework, which allows a flexible exploitation of expert knowledge during Problem Solving Processes and a reuse such collected experience. To that purpose, the proposed approach uses the general principles of root cause analysis for identifying the root causes of problems or events, the conceptual graphs formalism for the semantic conceptualization of the domain vocabulary and the Transferable Belief Model for the fusion of information from different sources. The underlying formal reasoning mechanisms (logic-based semantics) in conceptual graphs enable intelligent information retrieval for the effective exploitation of lessons learned from past projects. An example will illustrate the application of the proposed approach of experience feedback processes formalization in the transport industry sector

Technological safety of sustainable development of coal enterprises

Purpose. Substantiation of conceptual base of searching the ways of threats prevention to sustainable development of coal enterprises in the presence of multidirectional vectors of economic pressure of the external environment. Methods. Methods of the structural and comparative analysis for an assessment of usage of the main definitions of a research, their essence and communication with other categories which define efficiency of development of the coal enterprise are used for the solution of the set tasks in the work; groups and classifications are used for systematization of types of economic security and stability of the enterprise, and also factors which cause them. Findings. The analysis of main definitions that reflecting essence of such scientific phenomena as “sustainable development” and “economic security” of the enterprise is conducted. Actuality and reasonability of scientific research conducting on formation of methodical base and tools of an assessment of a technological component of sustainable development safety of coal enterprises is substantiated. Originality. Research of opportunities of the comprehensive programs creation of adaptive management of the mining enterprise including a retrospective and perspective assessment of a pathway of its development. Practical implications. Introduction of adaptation activity at the coal enterprises in aspect of process of technological safety ensuring.Мета. Обґрунтування концептуальної бази пошуку шляхів запобігання загрозам сталого розвитку вугільних підприємств при наявності різноспрямованих векторів економічного тиску зовнішнього середовища. Методика. Для вирішення поставлених у роботі завдань використані методи структурно-порівняльного аналізу – для оцінки використання основних дефініцій дослідження, їх сутності та зв’язку з іншими категоріями, які визначають ефективність розвитку вугільного підприємства; групування й класифікації – для систематизації видів економічної безпеки і стійкості підприємства, а також факторів, які їх обумовлюють. Результати. Проведено аналіз основних визначень, що відображають сутність таких наукових феноменів, як “сталий розвиток” і “економічна безпека” підприємства. Обґрунтована актуальність та доцільність проведення наукових досліджень з формування методичної бази й інструментарію оцінки технологічної складової безпеки сталого розвитку вугільних підприємств. Наукова новизна. Дослідження можливостей створення комплексних програм адаптивного управління гірничим підприємством, що включають ретроспективну і перспективну оцінки траєкторії його розвитку. Практична значимість. Впровадження адаптаційної діяльності на вугільних підприємствах в аспекті процесу забезпечення технологічної безпеки.Цель. Обоснование концептуальной базы поиска путей предотвращения угроз устойчивому развитию угольных предприятий при наличии разнонаправленных векторов экономического давления внешней среды. Методика. Для решения поставленных в работе задач использованы методы структурно-сравнительного анализа – для оценки использования основных дефиниций исследования, их сущности и связи с другими категориями, которые определяют эффективность развития угольного предприятия; группировки и классификации – для систематизации видов экономической безопасности и устойчивости предприятия, а также факторов, которые их обусловливают. Результаты. Проведен анализ основных определений, отражающих сущность таких научных феноменов, как “устойчивое развитие” и “экономическая безопасность” предприятия. Обоснована актуальность и целесообразность проведения научных исследований по формированию методической базы и инструментария оценки технологической составляющей безопасности устойчивого развития угольных предприятий. Научная новизна. Исследование возможностей создания комплексных программ адаптивного управления горным предприятием, включающих ретроспективную и перспективную оценку траектории его развития. Практическая значимость. Внедрение адаптационной деятельности на угольных предприятиях в аспекте процесса обеспечения технологической безопасности.Authors express gratitude for the help and consultations during work performing for director of management of coal mining of LLC “DTEK Energy” Mykhailo Barabash