Guidance, navigation, and control subsystem equipment selection algorithm using expert system methods

Enhanced engineering tools can be obtained through the integration of expert system methodologies and existing design software. The application of these methodologies to the spacecraft design and cost model (SDCM) software provides an improved technique for the selection of hardware for unmanned spacecraft subsystem design. The knowledge engineering system (KES) expert system development tool was used to implement a smarter equipment section algorithm than that which is currently achievable through the use of a standard data base system. The guidance, navigation, and control subsystems of the SDCM software was chosen as the initial subsystem for implementation. The portions of the SDCM code which compute the selection criteria and constraints remain intact, and the expert system equipment selection algorithm is embedded within this existing code. The architecture of this new methodology is described and its implementation is reported. The project background and a brief overview of the expert system is described, and once the details of the design are characterized, an example of its implementation is demonstrated

Application of the European Tourism Indicator System (ETIS) for Sustainable Destination Management. Lessons from County Clare

Purpose – Despite indicators being regarded as ideal tools to help achieve sustainability in tourism, their application within Ireland remains under researched. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to advance the knowledge base in the hospitality and tourism field by presenting baseline research from the first application of all forty-three of the indicators that make up the ETIS in County Clare, Ireland. Design/methodology/approach - This study utilised the pre-existing visitor, enterprise and resident surveys that accompany the ETIS indicator system in a number of honey pot destinations within County Clare. This approach was complemented further through desk research to gather the necessary data on all forty-three core indicators of the ETIS. Findings – While the application of the ETIS in County Clare constitutes a significant advancement towards evidence informed planning for tourism. There does exist a number of information gaps relating to specific core indicators of the ETIS. Which, if not monitored and benchmarked over time, could have serious ramifications for the future sustainability of tourism in Ireland. Originality/value – This paper not only discuss the findings from the application of all forty-three core indicators of the ETIS in one specific destination, but also develops new knowledge on the use of tourism indicators and the move towards evidence informed planning for tourism. Furthermore, this study contributes significantly to the theoretical development of our field, as the ETIS has not been applied in its entirety throughout Europe

HistStadt4D – A four dimensional access to history

Purpose – We propose a multidisciplinary approach based on an extensive data base which provides digitalized photographic material from the end of the 19th century up to recent times. Thus a large amount of photographic evidence will be exploited, structured and enriched by additional sources to serve as a foundation for an application relying on 3D visualizations. The application addresses scholars as well as the general public and will provide different kinds of information and tools for research and knowledge transfer. Design/methodology/approach – The method applied will be diachronic: the virtual model may show one point in urban history depicting a certain state of past Dresden and also its development through the various eras. In addition the method works in a dualistic mode: on the one hand the physical development of the urban area will be explored and presented in detail, on the other hand the analysis of the pictures will give profound insights in the specific perception of the urban space. Originality/value – This methodology aims to make large repositories more accessible and proactive in information-seeking. Using a 3D application as an access for media repositories, research tools and functionalities which can improve the scientific handling of the data will be considered. How should the data and information be processed to meet the researcher’s needs? Which information can be retrieved from the visual media? What needs to be considered to ensure scientific standards and motivation while working with the image repositories? Users of the virtual archives can benefit extensively form effective searching functions and tools which work not only content- and theme-based but also location-based. Practical implications – The outcomes of the research will be presented in a 4D browser and available in an Augmented Reality presentation. The design will comply with the requirements of the field of application, whether aiming at a scientific, educative or touristic purpose. The paper itself considers three different approaches to the topic highlighting the multidisciplinary strategy and opportunities of the project. The first one considers research questions from art history. The second one reflects on concepts from information science, photogrammetry and computer vision for visualizations and the third one introduces an interaction concept for an AR application for the Zwinger in Dresden

An improved evaluation framework to support local level planning

Today, a vast proportion of people still lack a simple pit latrine and a source of safe drinking water. To help end this appalling state of affairs, there is a pressing need to provide policymakers with evidences in base-effective planning, targeting and prioritisation. Amongst others, two major challenges often hinder this process: i) lack of reliable data to identify which areas are most in need; and ii) inadequate instruments for decision-making support. In tackling previous shortcomings, this paper proposes an evaluation framework to compile, analyse and disseminate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) information. In an era of decentralisation, where decision-making moves to local governments, we apply such framework at the local level. The ultimate goal is to develop appropriate tools for decentralised planning support. To this end, the study first implements an innovative methodology for primary data collection, which combines the household and the water point as information sources. In so doing, we provide a complete picture of the context in which WASH services are delivered. Second, the collected data are analysed to underline the emerging development challenges. The use of simple planning indicators serves as the basis to 1.Reveal which areas require policy attention, and to 2.Identify the neediest. Various mechanisms are then proposed to translate previously identified development potentials into development initiatives, in which base the formulation of strategies to steer progress. Three different case studies from East and Southern African countries (Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique) are presented. Results indicate that accurate and comprehensive data, if adequately exploited through simple instruments, may be the basis of effective targeting and pri oritisation, which are central to sector planning. The application of the proposed framework in the real world, however, is to a certain extent elusive. We point out to conclude two specific challenges that remain unaddressed; namely the effective and cont inued use of these instruments in sector decision-making processes and the design of data updating mechanisms.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Simplification of parcel mapping process and its application: geographical information system based approach

Parcel maps facilitate administration, Zoning, Flood determination, Real Estate, Service territories, Financial services, Tax, Utilities, Building and site development, lake and stream erosion control, Planning, Design and construction of roads, public works etc. Understanding actual parcel boundaries significantly improves the positional accuracy of property location. Positional accuracy is a measurement how close are the property location features representing the true position on Earth. Knowing actual parcel boundaries significantly improves the accuracy of parcel data. This study mainly focuses on implementation of GIS technology in parcel mapping process and discussing various methods on creation and maintaining of high level accuracy of digital parcel data. The methodology of creating digital parcel map depends on the availability and quality of the source maps, application software availability, requirements for quality and completeness of the data. In this context CoreLogic internally developed many customized GIS tools and various methods in AutoCAD Map and ArcGIS environment for parcel mapping, these methods plays vital role in creation of new of parcel map and updating large quantity of existing parcel map. These method which includes Geo-referencing, vector based Geo-reference, COGO (Coordinate Geometry), Tally methods, Object ID cross checking, Hathways tool, ET tool, APN Attribution, Spatial Unique ID Creation, Multiple Stack Creation Tool, Arc Google Synchronize Tool, Simplification of Raw Data, Simplification of Projection Setting System, Color Code Check, Data base check etc. The main aim of this study is to analyze various methods in parcel mapping and simplification of the process to improve daily team productivity and to meet high data accuracy as per National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (NSSDA)

An architecture and methodology for the design and development of Technical Information Systems

In order to meet demands in the context of Technical Information Systems (TIS) pertaining to reliability, extensibility, maintainability, etc., we have developed an architectural framework with accompanying methodological guidelines for designing such systems. With the framework, we aim at complex multiapplication information systems using a repository to share data among applications. The framework proposes to keep a strict separation between Man-Machine-Interface and Model data, and provides design and implementation support to do this effectively.\ud The framework and methodological guidelines have been developed in the context of the ESPRIT project IMPRESS. The project also provided for ldquotesting groundsrdquo in the form of a TIS for the Spanish Electricity company Iberdrola.\ud This work has been conducted within the ESPRIT project IMPRESS (Integrated, Multi-Paradigm, Reliable and Extensible Storage System), ESPRIT No. 635