A fuzzy approach to building thermal systems optimization.

Optimization of building thermal systems is treated in the paper in the framework of fuzzy mathematical programming. This new approach allows to formulate more precisely the problem which compromises energy saving and thermal comfort satisfaction under given constraints. Fuzzy optimization problem is solved analytically under some assumptions. An example illustrates the viability of the approach proposed. A solution which significantly (with 38%) improves comfort is found which is more energetically expensive with only 0.6%. (c) IFS

Identification of Evolving Rule-based Models.

An approach to identification of evolving fuzzy rule-based (eR) models is proposed. eR models implement a method for the noniterative update of both the rule-base structure and parameters by incremental unsupervised learning. The rule-base evolves by adding more informative rules than those that previously formed the model. In addition, existing rules can be replaced with new rules based on ranking using the informative potential of the data. In this way, the rule-base structure is inherited and updated when new informative data become available, rather than being completely retrained. The adaptive nature of these evolving rule-based models, in combination with the highly transparent and compact form of fuzzy rules, makes them a promising candidate for modeling and control of complex processes, competitive to neural networks. The approach has been tested on a benchmark problem and on an air-conditioning component modeling application using data from an installation serving a real building. The results illustrate the viability and efficiency of the approach. (c) IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy System

Turbulent flow in pulsed extraction columns with internals of discs and rings:Turbulent kinetic energy and its dissipation rate during the pulsation

Turbulent energy parameters of single-phase pulsed flow in an extraction column with internals of immobile discs and rings (doughnuts) are studied. Simulation results are obtained by resolution of Reynolds equations coupled with k–ɛ model of turbulence. As far as pulsed flow is concerned, the evolution of space distribution of turbulent kinetic energy k and its dissipation rate ɛ during the pulsation is thoroughly studied. It is observed that the energy distribution on a contact stage changes periodically from rather homogeneous to highly inhomogeneous depending on instantaneous flow velocity. Significant difference between maximal and mean energy parameters is observed. It is supposed that the discrepancy between simulation and experimental results for the size of drops formed in the turbulent field might be attributed to mean energy presentation that smoothes the peak effects of a pulsed flow. Spatial zones and time intervals of high-turbulent kinetic energy are delimited presuming their dominant role for accurate foreseeing of size of drops in this type of equipment. It is shown that an “effective” energy level should be determined by selection over the high-energy time periods and zones in order to compensate the smoothing effect of mean energy level.The results obtained are useful for the calculation of drop size based on energy level at the stage, which is necessary for the determination of parameters of practical interest such as drop residence time and interphase mass transfer surface

A Three-Level Process Framework for Contract-Based Dynamic Service Outsourcing

Service outsourcing is the business paradigm, in which an organization has part of its business process performed by a service provider. In dynamic markets, service providers are selected on the fly during process enactment. The cooperation between the parties is\ud specified in a dynamically made electronic contract. This contract includes a process specification that is tailored towards service matchmaking and crossorganizational process enactment and hence has to conform to specific market and specification standards. Process enactment, however, relies on intraorganizational process specifications that have to comply with the infrastructure available in an organization. In this position paper, we present a three-level process specification framework for dynamic contract-based\ud service outsourcing. This framework relates the two process specification levels through a third, conceptual level. This approached is inspired by the well-known ANSI-SPARC model for data management. We show how the framework can be placed in the context of infrastructures for cross-organizational process support

Adaptive inferential sensors based on evolving fuzzy models

A new technique to the design and use of inferential sensors in the process industry is proposed in this paper, which is based on the recently introduced concept of evolving fuzzy models (EFMs). They address the challenge that the modern process industry faces today, namely, to develop such adaptive and self-calibrating online inferential sensors that reduce the maintenance costs while keeping the high precision and interpretability/transparency. The proposed new methodology makes possible inferential sensors to recalibrate automatically, which reduces significantly the life-cycle efforts for their maintenance. This is achieved by the adaptive and flexible open-structure EFM used. The novelty of this paper lies in the following: (1) the overall concept of inferential sensors with evolving and self-developing structure from the data streams; (2) the new methodology for online automatic selection of input variables that are most relevant for the prediction; (3) the technique to detect automatically a shift in the data pattern using the age of the clusters (and fuzzy rules); (4) the online standardization technique used by the learning procedure of the evolving model; and (5) the application of this innovative approach to several real-life industrial processes from the chemical industry (evolving inferential sensors, namely, eSensors, were used for predicting the chemical properties of different products in The Dow Chemical Company, Freeport, TX). It should be noted, however, that the methodology and conclusions of this paper are valid for the broader area of chemical and process industries in general. The results demonstrate that well-interpretable and with-simple-structure inferential sensors can automatically be designed from the data stream in real time, which predict various process variables of interest. The proposed approach can be used as a basis for the development of a new generation of adaptive and evolving inferential sensors that can a- ddress the challenges of the modern advanced process industry

On deep e-contracting

The use of electronic contracts is emerging as a way to improve the effi-ciency of contracting processes. Electronic contracts are, however, often used as a direct replacement for traditional paper contracts - which we call shallow e-contracting. Consequently, business processes in general and contracting processes in particular do not change much through the use of electronic contracts. New business scenarios caused by e-business developments, however, do require new contracting paradigms in which the use of electronic contracts becomes an essential element to obtain a radical paradigm shift in contractual business relations - which we call deep e-contracting. In this position paper, we explore these new para-digms. We link the paradigms to exchanged values described in e-contracts to obtain a mapping from business requirements. We next map the paradigms to contracting activities. Finally, we map the activities to information technology required for their automated support. Based on the paradigms and mappings, this paper provides a concise framework for the exploration of deep e-contracting.\ud

The Transition Radiation Detector for ALICE at LHC

The Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) for the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) identifies electrons in p+p and in the challenging high multiplicity environment of heavy-ion collisions and provides fast online tracking for the ALICE Level1 trigger. The TRD is designed to have excellent position resolution and pion rejection capability. Presently, six of the 18 TRD supermodules are installed in the ALICE central barrel. In 2008, four supermodules were installed and commissioning of the detector using cosmic ray tracks was successfully performed. We briefly describe the design of the detector and report on the performance and current understanding of the detector based on these data.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures - To appear in the conference proceedings for Quark Matter 2009, March 30 - April 4, Knoxville, Tennesse

A retrospective comparative study of three data modelling techniques in anticoagulation therapy.

Three types of data modelling technique are applied retrospectively to individual patients’ anticoagulation therapy data to predict their future levels of anticoagulation. The results of the different models are compared and discussed relative to each other and previous similar studies. The conclusions of earlier papers are reinforced here using an extensive data set and continuously-updating neural network models are shown to predict future INR measurements best of the models presented here

Basic equipment and organization of a medical practice designed for sclerosing treatment of varicose veins

In this original article, the basic equipment and the principles of work organization in a medical practice designed for sclerosing treatment of varicose veins are presented to colleagues who perform such therapy of the lower extremities.Personal experience is shared, as well as the experience of numerous similar medical practices in different countries of the European Union