EXPERT SYSTEMS

In recent decades IT and computer systems have evolved rapidly in economic informatics field. The goal is to create user friendly information systems that respond promptly and accurately to requests. Informatics systems evolved into decision assisted systems, and such systems are converted, based on gained experience, in expert systems for creative problem solving that an organization is facing. Expert systems are aimed at rebuilding human reasoning on the expertise obtained from experts, stores knowledge, establishes links between knowledge, have the knowledge and ability to perform human intellectual activities. From the informatics development point of view, expert systems are based on the principle of the knowledge separation from the treating program. Expert systems simulate the human experts reasoning on knowledge available to them, multiply the knowledge and explain their own lines of reasoning.expert systems, artificial intelligence, knowledge, expertise

Automatic Recognition of Object Use Based on Wireless Motion Sensors

In this paper, we present a method for automatic, online detection of a user’s interaction with objects. This represents an essential building block for improving the performance of distributed activity recognition systems. Our\ud method is based on correlating features extracted from motion sensors worn by the user and attached to objects. We present a complete implementation of the idea, using miniaturized wireless sensor nodes equipped with motion sensors. We achieve a recognition accuracy of 97% for a target response time of 2 seconds. The implementation is lightweight, with low communication bandwidth and processing needs. We illustrate the potential of the concept by means of an interactive multi-user game

Pitfalls and problems encountered in rat model sciatic nerve surgery

When learning the basics of microsurgery, a trainee must be equipped with patience and perseverance in order to evolve. One must have the ground knowledge when it comes to peripheral nerve injury and nerve regeneration process in order to fully understand that the technique is vital for the outcome and final results. Furthermore, a trainee must practice on non-living tissue before performing successful in vivo operations and even in this case, one may be confronted with problems regarding the surgical technique. [1] The following article aims to reveal the main problems/mistakes when performing sciatic nerve surgery in an in vivo experimental model and the solutions for these problems

A tragedy of errors? Institutional dynamics and land tenure in Finnmark, Norway

-Reindeer herding in Finnmark has been widely perceived during the last few decades as a perfect example of the tragedy of the commons. The present article claims that this discourse relies on flawed assumption regarding land tenure. Our historical analysis of the term ‘common’ in relation to resources in Finnmark shows the term to reflect a misunderstanding of local categories, practices, and concerns related to pastures, territories, and natural resources more generally. In this sense, it exposes a case of ‘mistaken identity’ between the formal legal conception of ‘commons’ and the customary rules and thinking of reindeer herders. We turn to different strands of critical institutionalism to analyse the processes of institutional change that have allowed these errors and misunderstandings to be formalised and naturalised in the current governance system. We show that a process of institutional bargaining between the Norwegian Parliament, the Sámi Parliament, and the International Labour Organisation has recently re-enforced an alien conception of a ‘commons’ to which ambiguous groups of people have equivocal rights. In parallel, a process of institutional layering of new regulatory actors and rules on top of existing ones has taken place. This regulatory ratcheting has resulted in the blurring of the authorities and jurisdictions intrinsic in the customary tenure system. Moreover, the new layers of regulations have actively overemphasized the Sámi customary obligation of sharing resources to legitimize the new, ambiguous, conception of commons. This process is explained as one of institutional bricolage based on naturalisation by analogy and authority processes that allow certain powerful actors to influence the production of institutional arrangements favourable to them. All three processes underline the negotiated, dynamic nature of institutional change. We propose this integrative analysis of institutional and general social dynamics is beneficial in studying commons as everyday practices affecting natural resource governance

PIG WELFARE THROUGH BEHAVIOR LEARNING FROM CAMERA RECORDINGS

Animal Science students along with the farm staff have to monitor the behavior of pigs in order to assure their welfare. The video systems are used by our educational software and new methods of pig observation, evaluation and treatment are applied much faster and more efficient compared to the classical intervention. Each recording is stored as a media file and each frame taken at 0.1 seconds is stored as a Bitmap image. The Bitmap images are processed in parallel using the MapReduce programming model from Apache Hadoop. The contour of the image is automatically analyzed and based on it the presence of pigs is detected, as well as their location can be determined. The location is important because it can be denoting that the pig eats or that it stays aside. Pig limp was also detected. It was observed based on the recordings that 83% of the time the pigs spend it lying down, 7% is spent eating and 10% of the time they walk and sit. Video monitoring and automatic interpretation facilitates the learning of new intervention approaches and boosts the responsiveness among the students. The students can learn from the critical situations and benefit from these cases while learning

Climate Change Adaptation Through Humanitarian Aid? Promises, Perils and Potentials of the ‘New Humanitarianism’

A major reform of the humanitarian sector is currently under way, focusing increasingly on the prevention of crises rather than on providing relief once crises have occurred. This article examines whether and how this new humanitarian approach can also improve people’s ability to adapt to climate change. We identify three approaches central to this ‘new humanitarianism’, namely resilience, disaster risk reduction and early warning systems, and discuss them in relation to broad principles for adaptation to climate change. We find that, despite encouraging potential and a lot of common ground, key barriers and hindrances still exist, such as inertia of organisational cultures and existing financial models. We suggest that realising this potential will require acknowledging and addressing the multitude of local social, historical and political inequities that drive both humanitarian crises and vulnerability to climate change

Optimal Path to Epigenetic Switching

We use large deviation methods to calculate rates of noise-induced transitions between states in multistable genetic networks. We analyze a synthetic biochemical circuit, the toggle switch, and compare the results to those obtained from a numerical solution of the master equation.Comment: 5 pages. 2 figures, uses revtex 4. PR-E reviewed for publicatio

Obtaining a Thin and Flexible Dental Film of Hydroxyapatite

The deposition of hydroxyapatite thin films has become a topic of interest in medical applications. This dental film applied on the surface of the tooth may act as a highly resistant and flexible artificial enamel, protecting teeth and removing tooth sensitivity. Other possibilities include whitening and coating enamel-deficient structures. We obtained this flexible film of hydroxyapatite using laser ablation. The plasma plumes were generated by an Nd:YAG nanosecond laser in a vacuum chamber. We used the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique and conducted investigations using optical emission spectroscopy (OES), laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and Raman spectroscopy. Initially, a thin film of HA was deposited on a soluble substrate and heated, followed by immersion into pure water to dissolve the substrates. The originality of our approach consists in the fact that the flexible HA film can be obtained in pure state, because it grows without a substrate, using just a base and lateral supports between, on which it will grow vertically. In order to verify the compatibility and the “stickiness” of HA on the teeth, we chose to grow the film between the roots of a tooth. In this case, besides the film, we also obtained HA microfibers. We tried to bind the film on an extracted tooth. A protocol must be established in order to allow the bonding of the film to the surface of the tooth, knowing that contaminants such as saliva or sulcular fluid increase bonding strength to enamel or dentin. We realized an efficient bonding as HA absorbs protein, the mineral also participates in this ionic exchange, and we strengthened the tooth structure. The main purpose of our research is to rebuild the dentine layer or enamel and close the dental channels. Our experiments led to the creation of an HA foil that has the role of protecting teeth against cariogenic bacteria and could even have cosmetic effects by teeth whitening. This dental plaster acts as an artificial HA enamel, very resistant and flexible, protecting the tooth and eliminating dental sensitivity. Being very thin, it is invisible once applied on teeth and can be observed only by examination under a strong light