Framework for Aggregating Interactive Multi-Criteria for Web-Based Applications Using Fuzzy Measure and 2-Additive Choquet Integral

Web-based Application (WBA) quality is hard to evaluate because it consists of multiple criteria to be measured. Researchers have developed software quality models that were intended to be comprehensive and applicable to all software development. However, most of the works that focus on the quality model do not reference the aggregation methods used to calculate the values of the different element of the model. In fact, the aggregation methods are not really discussed in the literatures related to software quality. Although the need for a sound methodology is widely recognised, previous researchers generally avoid the use of multi-criteria decision method and mostly dealt with the simplest form of aggregation, which is categorized under additive approach. This approach presents some drawbacks, some do not posses all desirable properties and some seem to be restrictive. As a result they tend to construct independent criteria, or criteria that are supposed to be so, which caused some bias effect in the evaluation. The purpose of this research is to establish a multi-criteria aggregation framework to evaluate WBA that would allow evaluator to incorporate interaction behaviour in the aggregation process. Firstly, the relationships between quality criteria were investigated using survey and correlation studies. The studies have confirmed that there exist positive, negative or neutral relationships between software quality criteria. Based on the relationships identified, the interactions of quality criteria are modelled using fuzzy measure approach. Secondly, the produced fuzzy measures are integrated into the 2-additive Choquet Integral to aggregate the multi quality criteria values. Besides that, the relative importance of each quality factor and the Web preference also play an important role in determining the overall evaluation. Case studies of three different domains of WBA were conducted to validate the proposed aggregation procedure. The overall results of 2-additive Choquet integral are compared against the additive model approach. Consequently, results of the 2-additive Choquet integral have shown that the ranking of overall evaluation results reflect the earlier preference stated by the evaluator compared to the additive model approaches. The fuzzy measure modelling has allowed the incorporation of interaction exist between the quality criteria to be considered in the aggregation process. The results are also consistent with the additive model approach when no interaction exists

Evaluation of e-learning web sites using fuzzy axiomatic design based approach

High quality web site has been generally recognized as a critical enabler to conduct online business. Numerous studies exist in the literature to measure the business performance in relation to web site quality. In this paper, an axiomatic design based approach for fuzzy group decision making is adopted to evaluate the quality of e-learning web sites. Another multi-criteria decision making technique, namely fuzzy TOPSIS, is applied in order to validate the outcome. The methodology proposed in this paper has the advantage of incorporating requirements and enabling reductions in the problem size, as compared to fuzzy TOPSIS. A case study focusing on Turkish e-learning websites is presented, and based on the empirical findings, managerial implications and recommendations for future research are offered

The safety case and the lessons learned for the reliability and maintainability case

This paper examine the safety case and the lessons learned for the reliability and maintainability case

Parametric optimization of the femoropopliteal artery stent design based on numerical analysis

High-failure rates of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) stenting were reported due to the inability of certain stent strut configuration to accommodate severe biomechanical environment of the Femoro-Popliteal Artery (FPA) such as bends, twists, and axially compresses during limb flexion. The unique of mechanical deformation environment in FPA has been considered one of main factors affecting the durability of the FPA stent and reducing the stent life. Consequently, various optimization techniques have been developed to improve the mechanical performance of the FPA stent. The present work shown that, the first-two of twelve FPA resemble stent models stent models have been selected with a net score of 3.65 Model I and, with a net score of 3.55 Model II via applying Pictorial Selection Method. Finite Element Method (FEM) of optimization study based-parameterization has been conducted for stent strut dimensions, stents were compared in terms of force-stress behavior. Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method has been utilized to identify the best combination of strut dimensions. The strut thickness parameterization results were in relation T α 1/σ (T is strut thickness) for both models with all mechanical loading modes. Moreover, the strut width parameterization results were in relation W α 1/σ (W is strut width) for both models with all mechanical loading modes. Whereas, the strut length parameterization results were in relation L α σ in case of Model I and, L α 1/σ (L is strut length) in case of Model II, under axial loads, while under three-point bending and torsion loading modes L α σ for both models, under radial compression the relations were L α 1/σ in case of Model I and, L α σ in case of Model II. The best combination of strut dimension in the thickness case was t4 = 230 µm for both models, in strut width were w3=0.180, and w4= 0.250 mm for Model I and Model II, respectively, and in strut length were l2= 1.40, and l2= 1.75 mm for Model I and Model II, respectively. In conclusions, the mathematical selection approach and the consistent mathematical approach of MCDM has been proposed, also the mechanical performance has been improved for parameterized stent models

A new and efficient intelligent collaboration scheme for fashion design

Technology-mediated collaboration process has been extensively studied for over a decade. Most applications with collaboration concepts reported in the literature focus on enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of the decision-making processes in objective and well-structured workflows. However, relatively few previous studies have investigated the applications of collaboration schemes to problems with subjective and unstructured nature. In this paper, we explore a new intelligent collaboration scheme for fashion design which, by nature, relies heavily on human judgment and creativity. Techniques such as multicriteria decision making, fuzzy logic, and artificial neural network (ANN) models are employed. Industrial data sets are used for the analysis. Our experimental results suggest that the proposed scheme exhibits significant improvement over the traditional method in terms of the time–cost effectiveness, and a company interview with design professionals has confirmed its effectiveness and significance

A framework for the selection of the right nuclear power plant

Civil nuclear reactors are used for the production of electrical energy. In the nuclear industry vendors propose several nuclear reactor designs with a size from 35–45 MWe up to 1600–1700 MWe. The choice of the right design is a multidimensional problem since a utility has to include not only financial factors as levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) and internal rate of return (IRR), but also the so called “external factors” like the required spinning reserve, the impact on local industry and the social acceptability. Therefore it is necessary to balance advantages and disadvantages of each design during the entire life cycle of the plant, usually 40–60 years. In the scientific literature there are several techniques for solving this multidimensional problem. Unfortunately it does not seem possible to apply these methodologies as they are, since the problem is too complex and it is difficult to provide consistent and trustworthy expert judgments. This paper fills the gap, proposing a two-step framework to choosing the best nuclear reactor at the pre-feasibility study phase. The paper shows in detail how to use the methodology, comparing the choice of a small-medium reactor (SMR) with a large reactor (LR), characterised, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (2006), by an electrical output respectively lower and higher than 700 MWe