Artificial Intelligence Empowered UAVs Data Offloading in Mobile Edge Computing

The advances introduced by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are manifold and have paved the path for the full integration of UAVs, as intelligent objects, into the Internet of Things (IoT). This paper brings artificial intelligence into the UAVs data offloading process in a multi-server Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) environment, by adopting principles and concepts from game theory and reinforcement learning. Initially, the autonomous MEC server selection for partial data offloading is performed by the UAVs, based on the theory of the stochastic learning automata. A non-cooperative game among the UAVs is then formulated to determine the UAVs\u27 data to be offloaded to the selected MEC servers, while the existence of at least one Nash Equilibrium (NE) is proven exploiting the power of submodular games. A best response dynamics framework and two alternative reinforcement learning algorithms are introduced that converge to a NE, and their trade-offs are discussed. The overall framework performance evaluation is achieved via modeling and simulation, in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness, under different operation approaches and scenarios

Developing a Rolefulness Worksheet and its Effect on Increasing Rolefulness

This study investigated the effects of a worksheet on rolefulness, which refers to an individual’s continuous sense of role satisfaction in their daily life. To this end, 25 female university students from Japan were asked to accomplish the worksheet. Furthermore, their scores on the Rolefulness Scale were compared before and after the work. The results showed that the worksheet contributed to a substantial increase in the participants’ social rolefulness. The results indicate that the worksheet can improve an individual’s social rolefulness and can be applied in several areas such as education and career development

Barriers to picking and packing in pharmaceutical warehousing and distribution in South Africa

Barriers within the supply chain play an evident role in decreasing its efficiency. The supply chain system is not well documented in the pharmaceutical sector. The aim of this study was to identify any barriers to the movement of picking and packing operators within 6 distribution facilities throughout South Africa using a time and motion analysis. A pilot study was initially conducted to choose the stopwatch application for Android® devices and to ensure reliability of the tools utilised. The motions during the processes of fulfilling an order were identified during the case picking, bulk picking and packing processes by direct observation of operators. The direct observation was performed using a stopwatch application for Android® devices and a tool on Microsoft Excel®. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel®, using a student’s T-test and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach to identify similarities and differences between the facilities. The data was further analysed using a descriptive statistics approach to identify the common barriers amongst the distribution centres. Thereafter, the data was analysed by identifying a value-quotient. The value-quotient was used to identify how much time was spent on value-adding activities with each facility. The observation of the operators was done randomly at each facility to avoid subjectivity and bias. Results: The pilot study identified which stopwatch application was to be utilised. The pilot study aided to improve upon the design of the data collection tool used for the transcribing of the timing operation. The student’s T-test and ANOVA revealed that there were statistically significant differences in case picking amongst facilities, namely using the radio frequency identification devices (RFID), picking and transfer of stock. In the bulk picking process, there was a statistically significant difference amongst the facilities, namely using the RFID, pick and transfer of stock. In the packing process there was a statistically significant difference amongst the facilities in the packing process. The analysis of barriers within the distribution centres revealed that the 16 common barriers amongst the picking processes at the facilities included raising the platform, waiting for colleagues to depart an aisle, RFID malfunctions and answering their phones. No common barriers during the packing process was identified. The value-quotient revealed that most of the facilities spent more than 50 percent of their time on value-adding activities during the case picking, bulk picking and packing processes. A time and motion analysis proved to be an effective method to identify similarities and barriers between the six facilities. It was recommended to investigate a few of the basic operations to improve upon, as well as the possibility of implementing a barcoded system to the stock

The use and effectiveness of the eLib subject gateways: a preliminary investigation

Internet subject gateways were set up under the Electronic Libraries Programme (eLib) in order to address some of the problems of searching the Internet which have been identified by information professionals, i.e. locating relevant, good quality information. This preliminary study examines the extent to which academics in two universities use three eLib subject gateways (EEVL, OMNI and SOSIG). The results are generally encouraging for the eLib programme, but it is necessary for the gateways to be more effectively promoted. The study also found that academics do not have the same misgivings about the general search engines as the information professionals and seem to use them more readily than the gateways