A Multi-phase Approach for Improving Information Diffusion in Social Networks

For maximizing influence spread in a social network, given a certain budget on the number of seed nodes, we investigate the effects of selecting and activating the seed nodes in multiple phases. In particular, we formulate an appropriate objective function for two-phase influence maximization under the independent cascade model, investigate its properties, and propose algorithms for determining the seed nodes in the two phases. We also study the problem of determining an optimal budget-split and delay between the two phases.Comment: To appear in Proceedings of The 14th International Conference on Autonomous Agents & Multiagent Systems (AAMAS), 201

Off-line programming using IGRIP

AT&T\u27s FWS-200 (Flexible Work Station) has been modeled and simulated to implement Off-Line Programming (OLP). IGRIP (Interactive Graphics Robot Instruction Program) from Deneb Robotics, Inc. has been used to simulate the FWS operation. A GSL(Graphics Simulation Language) program has been used to simulate the chip placements during PCB assembly. The program leads the user through the motions of chip placement, and after the simulation run downloads the motion sequence to the FWS. The animation sequences of the FWS have been downloaded to the FWS on the Factory Floor using a C program, which is utilized to communicate the data to an M2L program on the FWS. An awk program is used to take care of the handshake protocol between the Silicon Graphics workstation running IGRIP and the 80386 PC running M2L. The use of simulation has been observed to help the user in visualizing the sequence of chip placement. OLP offers a naive user the option of running the FWS without learning M2L, and an experienced user significant savings in programming time and a testbed for optimization

Modelling, analysis, and acceleration of a printed circuit board fabrication process

Product design and fabrication constitute an important business activity in any manufacturing firm. Designing an optimized product fabrication process is an important problem in itself and is of significant practical and research interest. In this paper, we look into a printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication process and investigate ways in which the fabrication cycle time can be minimized. Single class queueing networks constitute the modelling framework for our study. The model developed in this paper and the analysis experiments carried out are based on extensive data collected on a PCB fabrication company located in Bangalore, India. This is a representative PCB fabrication company involving multiple, concurrent fabrication works with contention for human/technical resources. Our model seeks to capture faithfully the flow of the fabrication process in this company and such other organisations, using queueing networks. Using the model developed, we explore how the cycle times can be reduced using input control, load balancing, and variability reduction. The model presented is sufficiently generic and conceptual; its scope extends beyond that of a PCB fabrication organization