Composition variation of the essential oil from Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Genovese Gigante in response to Glomus intraradices and mild water stress at different stages of growth

In this study, a factorial experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) and water stress on the quality of fresh plants (through the analysis of essential oil composition) and also on the morphological characteristics (in terms of biomass) of basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Genovese Gigante). The factors included an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculation (Glomus intraradices), irrigation level (mild water stress, 60% Field capacity) and the interaction of both AMF and water stress. In addition, the effects of harvesting at two different developmental stages were assessed with respect to the plants tolerance to abiotic stress and the quality of the fresh plant. The main essential oil (EO) constituents for this cultivar were eugenol, which varied between 7.1 and 50.8%, and linalool, 17.0–54.7%, in all the samples. The highest relative amount of eugenol (50.8%) was obtained during the vegetative stage in plants under water stress whereas samples from the control presented 16.2% for this compound. The samples which were significantly different from the control samples were the WS (water stress) samples from the vegetative stage. Additionally, this study suggests that AMF plants offset the adverse effect of water stress. In this context, and since the interaction of AMF and water stress did not significantly change the fresh plant quality, i.e. the essential oil profile in both stages of development, it is worthwhile considering this method of production. Finally, this experiment permitted an understanding of the stressor thresholds of the species used and also that, compensatory responses occur at different time scales, including between generations and also during development (developmental plasticity)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Feminismo y discapacidad

Históricamente se ha asociado la discapacidad a lo defectuoso, lo imperfecto, etc. La sociedad, lejos de asumir el problema de la discapacidad, lo redujo al ámbito de lo individual, negándose a asumir la parte de la responsabilidad que le corresponde. Mientras, filósofos y científicos, en su búsqueda de la "universalidad", ante el problema de la discapacidad, profirieron la acusación de marginal, acuñando el término "normal" como base paradigmática de una pseudociencia patriarcal que, de forma paralela, imprimía en la mujer la imagen de lo naturalmente incompleto e incapacitado, inferior al hombre en inteligencia y moral, relegándola a labores asistenciales. Algunos enfoques feministas, reconociendo paralelismos con el problema de la discapacidad, lejos de ignorarlo, lo asumen, saliendo beneficiados, al optar por la liberación y la inclusión en sus más amplias cota

Protocolo activo para transmisiones garantizadas sobre una arquitectura distribuída y multiagente en redes ATM

En esta tesis doctoral se presenta TAP (Trusted and Active Protocol PDU transfer), una arquitectura para redes de tecnología ATM, novedosa por sus características distribuida, activa y multiagente. El protocolo propuesto para la arquitectura ofrece transferencias garantizadas a un conjunto privilegiado de conexiones VPI/VCI. Se propone también una extensión de la capa AAL-5 de ATM que hemos denominado EAAL-5 (Extended AAL type 5) usada para la gestión de las conexiones privilegiadas extremo-extremo.TAP ofrece garantía de servicio (GoS) cuando la red está perdiendo células ATM y aprovecha los periodos de inactividad en los enlaces para realizar las retransmisiones de las CPCS-PDU-EAAL-5. El protocolo propuesto emplea mecanismos NACK (mediante células RM de retorno) y es soportado por conmutadores ATM activos equipados con una memoria de almacenamiento de PDU denominada DMTE (Dynamic Memory to store Trusted native EAAL-5 PDU). La arquitectura activa propuesta está basada en un SMA (Sistema Multiagente) constituido por agentes programables colaborativos y distribuidos en la red. Las simulaciones realizadas demuestran la efectividad del mecanismo de recuperación de PDU propuesto con un mejor goodput en la red.La arquitectura TAP es soportada sobre conmutadores ATM activos que denominamos AcTMs (Active Asynchronous Transfer Mode Switch) y que hemos diseñado con técnicas software para: garantizar la gestión justa de colas de entrada basadas en WFQ (Weighted Fair Queueing); realizar el control de congestiones del buffer inspirado en EPD (Early Packet Discard); y evitar, con VC Merge, la mezcla de las PDU de conexiones diferentes. Estas técnicas software se proponen, por tanto, con la intención de: distribuir de forma justa la carga de los conmutadores; optimizar las retransmisiones de PDU; aliviar la implosión sobre las fuentes; evitar la fragmentación de las PDU y disminuir el interleaving de células, optimizando el goodput.Los conmutadores AcTMs requieren también el hardware apropiado para soportar TAP. Para ello, además del buffer, se proponen, la memoria DMTE y un conjunto de tablas de E/S asociadas a cada uno de los puertos de los AcTMs. Se demuestra que estos requerimientos hardware son realistas y viables para ser incorporados en los conmutadores activos. Destacamos el carácter multidisciplinar de esta tesis, donde la base de las investigaciones es la ingeniería de protocolos ATM, complementada con las novedosas ventajas que los agentes software pueden aportar. No obstante, los conmutadores finalmente obtenidos podrían ser objeto del ámbito de las arquitecturas especializadas, de forma que varios módulos del prototipo presentado, podrían ser implementados como componentes hardware para optimizar su rendimiento.Una vez identificadas las limitaciones de la tecnología ATM para soportar las transferencias garantizadas, que son nuestro principal objetivo, se describe la motivación general de estas investigaciones en entornos donde ATM es la base del tráfico IP. De este modo, se emplea NS (Network Simulator) para el estudio de escenarios donde el protocolo TAP puede aportar importantes beneficios al conocido protocolo TCP.Para poder estudiar el comportamiento de todas estas propuestas hemos implementado un simulador de TAP que aprovecha las ventajas que aporta el lenguaje Java para el desarrollo de protocolos de comunicaciones y de SMA. Este simulador permite definir múltiples escenarios y analizar los resultados de la simulación del prototipo para poder llegar a una serie de interesantes conclusiones. Las simulaciones a través de fuentes ON/OFF analizan conexiones punto-a-punto y punto-a-multipunto usando clases, objetos, threads, sincronizaciones y procesos distribuidos implementados en lenguaje Java.La memoria de tesis doctoral ha sido organizada en tres grandes apartados con el objeto de estructurar adecuadamente los contenidos presentados. La Parte I está dedicada a analizar las investigaciones relacionadas con este trabajo, de forma que se describen en siete capítulos los aspectos básicos de la tecnología ATM y se aprovecha cada uno de los capítulos para presentar resumidamente nuestras aportaciones, las cuales son ampliadas en las Partes II y III. De este modo, comenzamos destacando en el Capítulo 1 los fundamentos de la tecnología, para pasar después a describir en el Capítulo 2 una taxonomía de arquitecturas y protocolos para las redes ATM que nos sirven para identificar la propuesta TAP cuya arquitectura básica es incluida al final del capítulo. El Capítulo 3 se centra en los conceptos de fiabilidad y garantía de servicio (GoS) destacando éste último, ya que es una de nuestras propuestas a los parámetros generales de calidad de servicio (QoS) y que se deriva de éstos. Así, se explica el mecanismo con el que se ofrece la GoS a las fuentes privilegiadas. Seguidamente, el Capítulo 4 se centra en el control de congestión y la justicia, ambos aplicados sobre las colas de entrada de los conmutadores ATM. Éstos son también dos aspectos básicos en nuestra propuesta para conseguir aportar soluciones al problema de las congestiones en las fuentes privilegiadas, pero garantizando además la justicia a aquellas fuentes que no lo son. Una vez estudiadas las propuestas de la literatura se presenta un esquema de nuestro algoritmo QPWFQ. El Capítulo 5 estudia los diversos mecanismos de control de congestión aplicados sobre el buffer de los conmutadores y, después de analizar las propuestas más extendidas, comentamos nuestro algoritmo EPDR inspirado en EPD para conseguir atender las solicitudes de retransmisión de las PDU congestionadas. En el Capítulo 6 se realiza una revisión de la literatura en materia de agentes software orientada hacia las redes de comunicaciones, con la intención de centrar adecuadamente el SMA que proponemos como soporte de TAP y con el objetivo de conseguir una red activa formada por conmutadores AcTMs cuya arquitectura es adelantada al final de este capítulo. El Capítulo 7 justifica el carácter distribuido del protocolo TAP sobre una VPN (Virtual Private Network) constituida por nodos AcTMs que coexisten con conmutadores no activos en la misma red. En resumen, la Parte I trata de justificar nuestras propuestas, reafirmándolas sobre los propios fundamentos de la tecnología actual.La Parte II identifica las motivaciones generales de esta tesis, partiendo de las limitaciones actuales de la tecnología ATM que se pretenden solventar con la propuesta de TAP. Esta parte se ha dividido en dos capítulos, dedicándose el Capítulo 8 a describir las motivaciones generales, de modo que el control de congestión en los nodos de la red no sólo beneficia al tráfico ATM nativo, sino que puede ser también de utilidad para protocolos tan extendidos como TCP. Se identifican, por tanto, los beneficios aportados por TAP a las redes actuales. En el Capítulo 9 se discuten las limitaciones de ATM frente al parámetro de GoS propuesto y se explica cómo TAP puede evitar problemas tan indeseables como la fragmentación de las PDU, el interleaving del tráfico, las retransmisiones extremo-extremo y la implosión en las fuentes de tráfico.El objetivo de la Parte III es detallar las soluciones propuestas, de forma que en cuatro capítulos se realiza una descripción detallada, tanto de la arquitectura, como del protocolo que se implementa sobre ella. El Capítulo 10 describe la arquitectura distribuida y multiagente TAP, relacionándola con el modelo arquitectónico ATM, y analizando cada uno de los componentes hardware y software de los conmutadores AcTMs. El Capítulo 11 se centra específicamente en detallar el conjunto de algoritmos que constituyen el protocolo TAP y, por tanto, en el SMA que lo constituye. También se formaliza la idea intuitiva de aprovechar los tiempos de inactividad de la red para atender las retransmisiones de las PDU congestionadas. El Capítulo 12 presenta los detalles de implementación del simulador de TAP que proponemos como prototipo para analizar los resultados obtenidos en diversos escenarios. Se argumenta la elección del lenguaje Java como herramienta para el desarrollo de protocolos y SMA, para pasar después a describir la metodología y las decisiones de diseño más importantes, así como de las clases Java más destacables del prototipo. Este capítulo concluye con el análisis de los resultados más significativos de las simulaciones. Por último, el Capítulo 13 se dedica a identificar líneas futuras de acción que aporten continuidad al conjunto de investigaciones de las que ha sido objeto esta tesis doctoral.In this doctoral thesis, TAP (Trusted and Active Protocol PDU Transfer) is presented as an innovative architecture for ATM networks due to its active multi-agent and distributive characteristics. The protocol proposed for this architecture offers guaranteed transfer of a privileged group of VPI/VCI connections. We also propose an extension of the AAL-5 layer of ATM which we have called EAAL-5 ( Extended AAL type 5) which is used for the management of privileged end-to end connections.TAP offers Guarantee of Service (GoS) when the network is losing ATM cells and it takes advantage of the inactive periods in the links in order to retransmit the CPCS-PDU-EAAL-5. The protocol we propose uses NACK mechanisms (using backwards RM cells) and is supported by active ATM switches that have a PDU storage memory called DMTE (Dynamic Memory to store Trusted Native EAAL-5 PDU).Our proposed active architecture is based on a MAS (Multi-Agent System) formed by programmable collaborative agents, distributed in the network. The simulations carried out have proved the effectiveness of the PDU recovery mechanism that we have proposed for a better goodput in the net.The TAP architecture is supported over active ATM switches which we have called AcTMs (Active Asynchronous Transfer Mode Switch) and which we have designed with software technology in order to:· guarantee the fair management of entry queues based on WFQ (Weighted Fair Queueing);· manage the control of buffer congestion, using a device inspired by EPD (Early Packet Discard)· and prevent, with VCmerge, the mixing of PDUs coming from different connections.We therefore propose this software technology in order to: fairly distribute the load on the switches; optimize the PDU retransmissions; alleviate the implosion on the sources; prevent PDU fragmentation and decrease the interleaving of cells, thereby optimizing goodput.The AcTM switches also need the appropriate hardware in order to support TAP. Therefore, we propose not only the buffer but also DMTE memory and a set of I/O tables that go with each AcTM port. It has been proved that these hardware requirements are realistic and viable and can be integrated in the active switches. We would also like to point out the multidisciplinary nature of this thesis in which the basis of the research is ATM protocol engineering, complemented by the innovative advantages that the software agents can provide. Nevertheless, the switches that we have finally managed to obtain could be regarded as within the field of specialized architectures; thus several modules of the prototype we have presented could be implemented as hardware components in order to optimize performance.Once the limitations of ATM technology in supporting guaranteed transfer have been identified, which is our principal objective, we describe the general motive for this research in environments where ATM is the basis of IP traffic. An NS (Network Simulator) has thus been used in order to study scenarios in which TAP protocol can significantly improve the already familiar TCP protocol.In order to study the performance of all these proposed improvements, we have used a TAP simulator, which has the advantages that Java language offers for the development of MAS and communication protocols. This simulator can define a variety of scenarios and analyse the results of the simulation of the prototype thus reaching a series of interesting conclusions. The simulations, via ON/OFF sources, analyse point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connections using classes, objects, threads, synchronizations and distributed processes carried out under Java.This dissertation has been organized in three parts in order to adequately structure the contents presented. Part I analyses the research related to this work; thus the first seven chapters describe the basic aspects of ATM technology. Each chapter briefly presents our contributions, which are studied in greater detail in Parts II and III.Thus, in Chapter 1 we point out the basic concepts of this technology and, in Chapter 2, we describe a taxonomy of architectures and protocols for ATM networks which will serve to identify our TAP proposal whose basic architecture is included at the end of the chapter.Chapter 3 deals with the concepts of reliability and GoS, with an emphasis on the latter since this is one of our proposals for the improvement of the general parameters of Quality of Service (QoS). Thus, we explain the mechanism, which is used in order to provide GoS to privileged sources.Following this, Chapter 4, deals with congestion control and fairness, which are applied to ATM switch entry queues. These concepts are also two basic aspects of our proposal to provide solutions to the problem of congestion at privileged sources, while -at the same time- guaranteeing fairness to those sources, which are not privileged. After studying the proposals that have already been published in this area of research, we present an outline of our QPWFQ (Queue PDU Weighted Fair Queueing) algorithm.In Chapter 5 we study the various congestion control mechanisms applied to switch buffers (that already exist) and, after analysing the most common proposals and solutions, we describe our EPDR (Early Packet Discard and Relay) algorithm inspired by EPD and which aims to attend the retransmission requests of congested PDUs.Chapter 6 reviews the literature on software agents designed for communication networks since we intend to explain the relevance of the MAS that we propose as a support for TAP. Thus, our objective is to obtain an active network formed by AcTMs switches whose architecture is outlined at the end of the chapter.In Chapter 7 we justify the distributive characteristics of the TAP protocol over a VPN (Virtual Private Network) formed by AcTMs nodes which exist side by side with non-active switches in the same network.Thus, in Part I we intend to justify our proposals by basing them on the fundamentals of the present technology.Part II describes the general motivation of this thesis, beginning with an analysis of the present limitations of ATM technology, which we propose to solve by using TAP. This part is divided into two chapters: Chapter 8 describes our general objectives whereby the control of congestion at the network nodes not only benefits native ATM traffic but can also be of use for such widespread protocols as TCP. We thus point out the advantages that TAP can provide for present-day networks.In Chapter 9 the limitations of ATM are discussed vis a vis the GoS parameter we have proposed and we explain how TAP can avoid such undesirable problems as PDU fragmentation, traffic interleaving, end-to-end retransmissions and the implosion of traffic sources.The objective of Part III is a comprehensive description of the solutions that we propose and, in the following four chapters, we provide a detailed description both of the architecture and of the protocol that goes with it.Chapter 10 describes the TAP distributed, multi-agent architecture, relating it to the ATM architectural model and analysing each of the hardware and software components of the AcTMs switches.Chapter 11 specifically focuses on the exhaustive description of the complete set of algorithms that make up the TAP protocol and therefore within the MAS which constitutes it. Moreover, the intuitive idea of making use of the periods of inactivity in the network in order to deal with the retransmissions of congested PDUs is formalized as a theory.In Chapter 12 we present the details of the implementation of the TAP simulator proposed as a prototype in order to analyse the results obtained under different scenarios. We argue in favour of the choice of Java language as a tool for the development of protocols and MAS and we then describe the methodology and the most important decisions concerning design as well as the most outstanding classes of Java used in the prototype. This chapter ends with an analysis of the most significant results of the simulations.Finally, Chapter 13 focuses on identifying future lines of action that would give continuity to the whole range of research which has been the object of study of this doctoral thesis

Combination of polymer-stabilized nano zero-valent iron and biostimulated denitrifying bacteria for the removal of nitrate from groundwater

Polymer-stabilization of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) is becoming a matter of research, although its effect on the reactivity towards targeted contaminants is not clear yet. Concurrently, combination of Abiotic Chemical Nitrate Reduction (ACNR) via nZVI and Heterotrophic Denitrification (HDN) to enhance nitrate (NO) removal and/or improve the end product distribution has also gained attention of researchers. The objective of this study was, on one hand, to compare the potential of nZVI stabilized with four different polymers (PAA, PAP, CMC or Tween80) to remove NO from groundwater via nZVI-mediated ACNR and, on the other hand, to assess the effect of combined supplementation of polymer-stabilized nZVI and acetate on NO reduction. The results showed that Tween80-stabilized nZVI over-performed those stabilized with PAA, PAP or CMC in removing NO from water. Furthermore, coupling Tween80 coated-nZVI and acetate enhanced both the overall NO removal (63%–95%) and the conversion of reduced NO to N(g) (63%–80%) in comparison to when acetate or nZVI were applied alone (respectively 44%–62% and 30%–31%, with most of reduced NO converted to NO or NH). This study thus demonstrates that application of Tween80-stabilized nZVI has potential to make a significant contribution in remediating NO-contaminated groundwater.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Removal of nitrate and pesticides from groundwater by nano zero-valent iron injection pulses under biostimulation and bioaugmentation scenarios in continuous-flow packed soil columns

This study evaluates the NO3- removal from groundwater through Heterotrophic Denitrification (HDN) (promoted by the addition of acetate and/or an inoculum rich in denitrifiers) and Abiotic Chemical Nitrate Reduction (ACNR) (promoted by pulse injection of zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI)). HDN and ACNR were applied, separately or combined, in packed soil column experiments to complement the scarce research on pulse-injected nZVI in continuous-flow systems mimicking a Well-based Denitrification Barrier. Together with NO3- , the removal of two common pesticides (dieldrin and lindane) was evaluated. Results showed that total NO3- removal (>97%) could be achieved by either bioestimulation with acetate (converting NO3- to N2(g) via HDN) or by injecting nZVI (removing NO3- via ACNR). In the presence of nZVI, NO3- was partially converted to N2(g) and to a lower extent NO2- , with unreacted NO3- being likely adsorbed onto Fe-(oxy)hydroxides. Combination of both HDN and ACNR resulted in even a higher NO3- removal (>99%). Interestingly, nZVI did not seem to pose any toxic effect on denitrifiers. These results showed that both processes can be alterned or combined to take advantage of the benefits of each individual process while overcoming their disadvantages if applied alone. With regard to the target pesticides, the removal was high for dieldrin (>93%) and moderate for lindane (38%), and it was not due to biodegradation but to adsorption onto soil. When nZVI was applied, the removal increased (generally >91%) due to chemical degradation by nZVI and/or adsorption onto formed Fe-(oxy)hydroxides.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

La prueba pericial en la ley de enjuiciamiento civil. Balance crítico

After a decade of practical application and several changes to the rules governing this type of evidence, particularly Law 13/2009, of November 3, reforming procedural legislation for the establishment of the new judicial office, due regard must be paid to the present situation of  expert witness evidence. The expert evidence is governed by a somehow confusing number of rules that this paper attempts to clarify through a complete analyses thereof, taking as the starting point the general aspects concerning its concept, as well as its legal nature. It shall be considered as an actual type of evidence, with its own essence, different from that of the documentary evidence, excluding the idea of the expert as an assistant of the Judge. The paper exhaustively analyses one of the most meaningful issues from a practical point view, examination of expert evidence in the proceedings. This analyses starts with a classification that allows to provide a more didactic and simple exposition, drawing the difference between expert reports called by the parties to the proceeding and those requested by the Court. This classification shall allow to approach the ordinary cases in which an expert report is submitted, i.e. together with the claim and the defence forms, as well as the possibility of stating in the mentioned documents the intention of the parties to provide an expert report within the period of 5 days set out in Section 337 LEC after modification of Law 13/2009. Further, the paper outlines the particularities of the submission of expert reports as a consequence of the statements included in the defence by the defendant or the amendments to the statements of case by the plaintiff made in the preliminary hearing phase.  The paper also deals with how this type of evidence shall be construed and submitted, especially regarding oral hearings. Finally, the paper examines those cases where the expert has to ratify the report in the hearing, and the possible causes of report dismissal or expert removal, depending on whether the report is called by the parties or requested by the Court. Also it contains some reflections about the value given by the Court to this kind of evidence. Some significant court rulings with regard to this issue are provided in order to facilitate a better understanding of the practical application of expert witness testimony. Keywords: Evidence. Expert report called by the party. Expert report called by the Court. Submission. Ratification. Dismissal. Removal. Free valuation.Se hace necesario observar la situación actual de la prueba pericial en el proceso civil tras más de una década de aplicación práctica así como tras las modificaciones legislativas que de algún modo han afectado a este medio de prueba y, en especial, la Ley 13/2009 de 3 de noviembre, de reforma de la legislación procesal para la implantación de la nueva Oficina judicial. La prueba pericial presenta una regulación un tanto confusa que trata de aclararse a través de un análisis completo del mismo, comenzando con los aspectos generales relacionados con su concepto, así como su naturaleza jurídica, decantándonos por supuesto por la condición de la pericial como auténtico medio de prueba, con esencia propia diferente a la prueba documental y excluyendo la condición del perito como auxiliar del Juez. A continuación, se analiza de forma exhaustiva una de las cuestiones de mayor repercusión práctica en relación con este medio de prueba, su práctica en el procedimiento, partiendo en primer lugar de una clasificación que permite una exposición didáctica más sencilla, distinguiendo entre  dictamen de peritos designados por las partes y dictamen de peritos de designación judicial. Desde esta clasificación, se abordan los distintos supuestos ordinarios de aportación del dictamen de peritos en los supuestos ordinarios, esto es, a través de los escritos alegatorios iniciales de demanda y contestación, también su posible anuncio en estos escritos para su posterior aportación con cinco días de antelación a la audiencia previa al juicio según lo preceptuado en el art. 337 LEC tras la reforma de la Ley 13/2009. Igualmente, las especialidades que comporta la posible aportación de dictámenes periciales como consecuencia de lo alegado por el demandado en la contestación a la demanda o como consecuencia de las alegaciones  complementarias realizadas en la audiencia previa al juicio. Por último, se alude a cómo han de ser interpretado este medio de prueba y su aportación, en especial, en los juicios verbales, tanto en aquellos en que la contestación se lleva a cabo de forma oral en la vista como en aquellos en donde, excepcionalmente, cabe contestación escrita previa a la vista del juicio verbal. Finalmente, se especifican aquellos presupuestos que requiriere la ratificación del informe por los peritos en el acto del juicio, las posibles causas de tacha o recusación de peritos atendiendo a su distinción entre dictamen de parte y de designación judicial, así como las reflexiones en torno a la valoración de este tipo de prueba por parte del tribunal. Todo el artículo está complementado con la jurisprudencia de interés que requiere cada apartado que permite una mejor comprensión de la aplicación práctica de este medio de prueba. Palabras clave: Medio de prueba. Pericial de parte. Pericial de designación judicial. Aportación. Ratificación. Tacha. Recusación. Libre valoración

A multi-granular linguistic model to evaluate the suitability of installing an ERP system

The use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has shown clearly useful and economically profitable in most very large organizations which manage a great deal of data in their information systems. Nevertheless, the decision of installing an ERP system is not easy and it depends on the size, future profits and other features of the companies. The assessments of the parameters (features, aspects) used to evaluate the suitability of the ERP may be vague and imprecise because they are usually perceptions of the experts. We propose the use of linguistic information to assess these parameters due to the fact that it is very suitable to model and manage human perceptions. In addition, it may be that each expert has a different knowledge about each parameter and prefers to express his/her preferences in his/her own linguistic term set. Therefore, to manage the evaluation problem of installing an ERP, in this contribution we present a multi-granular linguistic evaluation model that covers these necessities

A multi-granular linguistic model to evaluate the suitability of installing an ERP system

The use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has shown clearly useful and economically profitable in most very large organizations which manage a great deal of data in their information systems. Nevertheless, the decision of installing an ERP system is not easy and it depends on the size, future profits and other features of the companies. The assessments of the parameters (features, aspects) used to evaluate the suitability of the ERP may be vague and imprecise because they are usually perceptions of the experts. We propose the use of linguistic information to assess these parameters due to the fact that it is very suitable to model and manage human perceptions. In addition, it may be that each expert has a different knowledge about each parameter and prefers to express his/her preferences in his/her own linguistic term set. Therefore, to manage the evaluation problem of installing an ERP, in this contribution we present a multi-granular linguistic evaluation model that covers these necessities