327 research outputs found
Web-based CBR (case-based reasoning) as a tool with the application to tooling selection
Over the past few years, manufacturing companies
have had to deal with an increasing demand for feature-rich products at low costs. The pressures exerted on their existing manufacturing processes have lead manufacturers to investigate internet-based solutions, in order to cope with growing competition. The decentralisation phenomenon also came up as a reason to implement networked-application, which has been the starting point for internet/intranet–based systems. Today, the availability of powerful and low cost 3D tools, database backend systems, along with web-based technologies, provides interesting opportunities
to the manufacturing community, with solutions directly implementable at the core of their businesses and organisations. In this paper a web-based engineering approach is presented to developing a design support system using case-based reasoning (CBR) technology for helping in the decision-making process when choosing cutting tools. The system aims to provide on-line intelligent support for determining the most suitable configuration for turning operations, based on initial parameters and requirements for the cutting operation. The system also features a user-driven 3D turning simulator which allows testing the chosen insert for several turning operations. The system aims to be a useful e-manufacturing tool being able to quickly and responsively provide tooling data in a highly interactive way
Comparing sprinkler and surface irrigation for wheat using multi-criteria analysis: water saving vs. economic returns
Coping with water scarcity using supplemental irrigation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
in the semi-arid northeast Syria is a great challenge for sustainable water use in agriculture.
Graded borders and set sprinkler systems were compared using multi-criteria analysis. Alternative
solutions for surface irrigation and for sprinkler systems were developed with the SADREG and
the PROASPER design models, respectively. For each alternative, two deficit irrigation strategies
were considered, which were characterized using indicators relative to irrigation water use, yields
and water productivity, including farm economic returns. Alternatives were ranked considering two
contrasting priorities: economic returns and water saving. A first step in ranking led to a selection of
graded borders with and without precise land levelling and of solid set and semi-permanent sprinkler
systems. Precise-levelled borders were better for water saving, while non-precise ones ranked higher
for economic returns. Semi-permanent set systems have been shown to be better in economic terms
and similar to solid set systems when water saving is prioritized. Semi-permanent sprinkler systems
rank first when comparing all type of systems together regardless of the considered deficit irrigation
strategy. Likely, border irrigation is appropriate when wheat is in rotation with cotton if the latter is
surface irrigated. When peace becomes effective, appropriate economic incentives and training for
farmers are required to implement innovative approachesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
How to score alternatives when criteria are scored on an ordinal scale
International audienceWe address in this paper the problem of scoring alternatives when they are evaluated with respect to several criteria on a finite ordinal scale . We show that in general, the ordinal scale has to be refined or shrunk in order to be able to represent the preference of the decision maker by an aggregation operator belonging to the family of mean operators. The paper recalls previous theoretical results of the author giving necessary and sufficient conditions for a representation of preferences, and then focusses on describing practical algorithms and examples
Basin irrigation design with multi-criteria analysis focusing on water saving and economic returns: application to wheat in Hetao, Yellow River basin
The sustainability of the Hetao Irrigation System, located in the water scarce upper Yellow
River basin, is a priority considering the need for water saving, increased water productivity, and
higher farmers’ incomes. The upgrading of basin irrigation, the main irrigation method, is essential
and includes the adoption of precise land levelling, cut-off management, improved water distribution
uniformity, and adequate irrigation scheduling. With this objective, the current study focuses on
upgrading wheat basin irrigation through improved design using a decision support system (DSS)
model, which considers land parcels characteristics, crop irrigation scheduling, soil infiltration,
hydraulic simulation, and environmental and economic impacts. Its use includes outlining water
saving scenarios and ranking alternative designs through multi-criteria analysis considering the
priorities of stakeholders. The best alternatives concern flat level basins with a 100 and 200 m length
and inflow rates between 2 and 4 L s1 m1. The total irrigation cost of designed projects, including
the cost of the autumn irrigation, varies between 2400 and 3300 Yuan ha1; the major cost component
is land levelling, corresponding to 33–46% of total irrigation costs. The economic land productivity is
about 18,000 Yuan ha1. The DSS modelling defined guidelines to be applied by an extension
service aimed at implementing better performing irrigation practices, and encouraged a good
interaction between farmers and theWater Users Association, thus making easier the implementation
of appropriate irrigation management programsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Electroweak Baryogenesis: Concrete in a SUSY Model with a Gauge Singlet
SUSY models with a gauge singlet easily allow for a strong first order
electroweak phase transition (EWPT) if the vevs of the singlet and Higgs fields
are of comparable size. We discuss the profile of the stationary expanding
bubble wall and CP-violation in the effective potential, in particular
transitional CP-violation inside the bubble wall during the EWPT. The
dispersion relations for charginos contain CP-violating terms in the WKB
approximation. These enter as source terms in the Boltzmann equations for the
(particle--antiparticle) chemical potentials and fuel the creation of a baryon
asymmetry through the weak sphaleron in the hot phase. This is worked out for
concrete parameters.Comment: 46 pages, LaTeX, 11 figures, discussion of source terms and transport
equations modified, version to appear in Nucl. Phys.
The application of the analytic network process to the assessment of best available techniques
The European Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Bureau produces reference documents on Best Available Techniques, called BREFs. These documents give technical and descriptive information about the installations that represent a significant pollution potential in Europe. However, they do not provide an assessment of the Best Available Techniques, which is a decision to be made by the competent environmental authority. The present work proposes a decision-making process for assessing Best Available Techniques based on the Analytic Network Process. Seven evaluation criteria, grouped into three clusters, have been proposed. The process is applied to a case study and the results are described and analyzed. As a main conclusion, this paper describes a robust and scientific method for a better implementation of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control approach.The translation of this paper was funded by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Giner Santonja, G.; Aragonés Beltrán, P.; Niclos Ferragut, JJ. (2012). The application of the analytic network process to the assessment of best available techniques. Journal of Cleaner Production. 25:86-95. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.12.012S86952
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