A heuristic approach to incremental and reactive scheduling

An heuristic approach to incremental and reactive scheduling is described. Incremental scheduling is the process of modifying an existing schedule if the initial schedule does not meet its stated initial goals. Reactive scheduling occurs in near real-time in response to changes in available resources or the occurrence of targets of opportunity. Only minor changes are made during both incremental and reactive scheduling because a goal of re-scheduling procedures is to minimally impact the schedule. The described heuristic search techniques, which are employed by the Request Oriented Scheduling Engine (ROSE), a prototype generic scheduler, efficiently approximate the cost of reaching a goal from a given state and effective mechanisms for controlling search

An evaluation of information and communication technology application in South African construction industry

Abstract: The construction industry is evolving like other allied industries. New innovations are borne out of the quest to achieve more value for money, while also retaining a competitive edge in the international sphere. A comprehensive study on the application of information and communication technology (ICT) for construction work in South Africa, particularly the stages of construction work, is lacking. This study seeks to evalaute information and communication technology tools used for construction activities in the South Africa construction industry. The research evaluates the level of awareness of construction professionals as to the use of new ICT tools in the fourth industrial revolution era. It also discusses the ICT tools used at the planning stage of construction, the design and the construction stage. It employed the Professional Client/Consultants Service Agreement Committee (PROCSA) template but limited it to stage 0 to 5. It also discusses the challenges, drivers and benefits of using ICT tools for construction activities in South Africa. The primary data was collected through a questionnaire which was distributed online via Questionpro platform to South African construction professionals in Gauteng Province only. One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were distributed. One hundred and twenty (120) of the responses were valid and used for the analysis. This accounted for eighty per cent (80%) of the total survey. In ensuring the reliability of the research questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha coefficient reliability was conducted on the scaled research questions. Compare mean was used to address the level of awareness of ICT tools and ICT tools used at the planning, design, and construction stages. Factor analysis was used to analyze the factors which serve as challenges to, drivers of, and benefits of the effective use of ICT tools. The study revealed that professionals have different awareness levels of ICT tools. They are more aware of ICT tools that are the core of their professional duties. At the planning stage of construction work in South Africa, all professionals use design/estimation and simulation-based tool most. In the design stage, the most frequently used tools are the computer-based tools and the design/estimation-based tools which are used by engineers, architects, and construction project managers. At the construction stage, computer-based tools and administrative tools are the highest-ranked tools. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the challenges to the use of ICT in the South African construction industry are classified into people, cost, standardization, and management-related problems. The measures to ensure the effective use of ICT tools for construction processes in South Africa are also grouped into user-related factors, ICT knowledge and end-uses. The benefits from the effective use of ICT tools for construction...M.Tech. (Construction Management

Unattended network operations technology assessment study. Technical support for defining advanced satellite systems concepts

The results are summarized of an unattended network operations technology assessment study for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). The scope of the work included: (1) identified possible enhancements due to the proposed Mars communications network; (2) identified network operations on Mars; (3) performed a technology assessment of possible supporting technologies based on current and future approaches to network operations; and (4) developed a plan for the testing and development of these technologies. The most important results obtained are as follows: (1) addition of a third Mars Relay Satellite (MRS) and MRS cross link capabilities will enhance the network's fault tolerance capabilities through improved connectivity; (2) network functions can be divided into the six basic ISO network functional groups; (3) distributed artificial intelligence technologies will augment more traditional network management technologies to form the technological infrastructure of a virtually unattended network; and (4) a great effort is required to bring the current network technology levels for manned space communications up to the level needed for an automated fault tolerance Mars communications network

Earth-Mars Telecommunications and Information Management System (TIMS): Antenna Visibility Determination, Network Simulation, and Management Models

This report presents the results of our research on Earth-Mars Telecommunications and Information Management System (TIMS) network modeling and unattended network operations. The primary focus of our research is to investigate the feasibility of the TIMS architecture, which links the Earth-based Mars Operations Control Center, Science Data Processing Facility, Mars Network Management Center, and the Deep Space Network of antennae to the relay satellites and other communication network elements based in the Mars region. The investigation was enhanced by developing Build 3 of the TIMS network modeling and simulation model. The results of several 'what-if' scenarios are reported along with reports on upgraded antenna visibility determination software and unattended network management prototype

Detection and identification of public health important pathogens present in fruit salads sold on Lagos State University campus: Article Retracted by the Authors

A total of fifteen pre-packaged fruit salad samples containing pineapple, water melon, pawpaw and cucumber sold in the Lagos State University, Ojo Campus was analyzed using culture techniques for its microbial qualities. Five bacteria genera isolates obtained are Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas spp, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus and the three fungi genera isolates are Aspergillus species, Penicillium species, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Escherichia coli had the highest frequency of (40%) followed by Streptococcus with (20%), Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas has the same frequency of (13%). The total viable count was in the range of 1.6 × 105 cfu/g to 5.65 × 105 cfu/g while the total coliform count ranged from 1.0 × 105 to 3.3 × 105 cfu/g. The fungal count ranged from 1.5 × 105 to 3.4 × 105 cfu/g. This study revealed that fruit salads in the studied area needs proper sanitation practice during processing in order to avoid risks associated with the consumption of contaminated fruits for the consumers

Effect of Storage on Protein Composition of Fermented Soybean (Glycine Max) Seed by Bacillus Subtillis

The effect of storage (shelf life) on percentage protein composition of stored fermented soybean seed was studied. Samples were fermented with Bacillus substilis (as a starter culture) and without (natural fermentation) for 3 days. Two methods of preservation were used, namely; oven drying and salting. Each sample was oven dried within 4-24hours and the percentage moisture content removed was calculated. 1-3% salt was also added to the fermented samples to monitor the effect of salting on the shelf life. Constant weight was obtained from 12hours of drying and about 0% moisture content which is very close to total dryness was obtained in both fermented soybean samples. Samples were monitored for two weeks. The protein content reduced with storage duration while pH moved towards acidic medium

Assessing South African Construction Worker’s Knowledge of Modern Technologies for Effective Material Management

Material management is a matter of concern for construction stakeholders in South Africa.  ICT is the way forward for all sectors upon which the economy thrives both in the national and international level. Incorporating modern technologies will lead to effective material management. However, the level of awareness of modern technologies among South African construction stakeholders needs to be assessed. The study adopted a quantitative approach where questionnaires were administered to professionals in the South African construction industry. Descriptive statistics tools were used to analyse the gathered data. Findings showed that construction stakeholders in South Africa are aware of modern technologies for effective management. The tools according to the level of awareness are Microsoft programs, barcoding, RFID, construction materials planning systems and materials handling equipment selection advisor. Also, the level of importance of these tools according to Stakeholders in South African Construction industry are Microsoft programmes, Barcoding, RFID, materials handling equipment selection advisor, construction materials exchange and construction materials planning system. Therefore, it is evident that there is still unyielding to recent technological move in the construction industry, which may be preventing the progressive growth. It is imperative to indulge modern technologies to counter this problem which in turn help effective material management

Supporting Internet-Scale Multi-Agent Systems

Although current research on agent systems focuses on relatively small-scale agent systems, soon vast numbers of agents will be deployed in large-scale agent systems, e.g. on the Internet. Large-scale agent systems need to be extensible