NEW APPROACH TO INFORMATION AGGREGATION

In this paper new types of aggregation operators, namely absorbing-norms and parametric type of operator families called distance-based or evolutionary operators are introduced. Absorbing- norms are commutative, associative binary operators having an absorbing element from the uni! interval. A detailed discussion of properties and structure of these operators is given in the paper. Two types of distance-based operators are defined. The maximum and minimum distance operators with respect to e have the value of the element, which is farther, or nearer to e, respectively, where e is an arbitrary element of the unit interval [0,1]. The special cases e = O and e = 1lead to the max and min operators. The new operators are evolutionary types in the sense that if e is increasing starting from zero till e = 1 the min operator is developing into the max operator, while on the other side the max is transformed into the min operator. It is shown that the evolutionary operators can be constructed by means of min and max operators, which are also special cases of the operators. The maximum distance operators are special operators called uninorms and the minimum distance ones are absorbing-norms

From Concept to Market: Surgical Robot Development

Surgical robotics and supporting technologies have really become a prime example of modern applied information technology infiltrating our everyday lives. The development of these systems spans across four decades, and only the last few years brought the market value and saw the rising customer base imagined already by the early developers. This chapter guides through the historical development of the most important systems, and provide references and lessons learnt for current engineers facing similar challenges. A special emphasis is put on system validation, assessment and clearance, as the most commonly cited barrier hindering the wider deployment of a system

Adaptive Optimal Dynamic Control for Nonholonomic Systems

In this paper two different control methods are combined for controlling a typical nonholonomic device (a bicycle) the dynamic model and parameters of which are only approximately known. Most of such devices suffer from the problem that the time-derivatives of the coordinates of their location and orientation cannot independently be set so an arbitrarily prescribed trajectory cannot precisely be traced by them. For tackling this difficulty Optimal Control is proposed that can find acceptable compromise between the tracking error of the various coordinates. Further problem is that the solution proposed by the optimal controller cannot exactly be implemented in the lack of precise information on the dynamic model of the system. Based on the decoupled nature of the dynamic model of the longitudinal and lateral behavior of the engine special fixed point transformations are proposed to achieve adaptive tracking. These transformations were formerly successfully applied for the control of holonomic systems. It is the first time that the combined method is checked for various trajectories and dynamic model errors via simulation. It yielded promising results

TOWARDS THE GENERALIZATION OF T-OPERATORS: A DISTANCE BASED APPROACH

Aggregation is one of the key issues in the development of intelligent systems, just like with neural networks, fuzzy knowledge based systems, vision systems, and decision-making systems. From the point of view of a particular application the choice of the most appropriate operator is an important part of system design. This paper gives a brief summary of the best known operatorst- such as t-norms, t-conorms, uninorms, averaging and compensative operators, and outlines their most important properties. Two new pairs of distances, based on binary operations and their generalizations, are introduced, based on the fuzzy entropy approach, and their properties are outlined

The International Division of Labor in Economists' Field: Academic Subordination in Exchange for Political Prerogatives in Argentina

Since the 1970s, economics has emerged as a global profession, with economists becoming main characters of the intellectual and political life in many countries. Inspired by Bourdieu, several analyses faced the challenge of “theorizing fields beyond the nation-state” (Buchholz 2016). Some scholars emphasized that internationalization entailed a growing asymmetry between dominant and dominated participants: the former acting as “exporters” and the latter as “importers” of ideas (Dezalay and Garth 2002). Others pointed out the process of “creative destruction” that accompanied the globalization of local fields (Fourcade 2006). Finally, still others noted the emergence of a new field of globalized experts and think tanks (Medvetz 2012). Through a socio-historical depiction of economists in Argentina, we problematize the subordinated role of peripheral economists. Rather than a dominant-dominated logic, we identify a new international division of labor. Based on more than 60 interviews with economists, archival research, and statistical analyses, this paper shows that while a dependent position in the global academic field reduced Argentinian economists’ theoretical autonomy, it gave them the scientific authority that in turn paved the road to access very well-paid work as consultants and high-level public servants

Entropy and Hausdorff Dimension in Random Growing Trees

We investigate the limiting behavior of random tree growth in preferential attachment models. The tree stems from a root, and we add vertices to the system one-by-one at random, according to a rule which depends on the degree distribution of the already existing tree. The so-called weight function, in terms of which the rule of attachment is formulated, is such that each vertex in the tree can have at most K children. We define the concept of a certain random measure mu on the leaves of the limiting tree, which captures a global property of the tree growth in a natural way. We prove that the Hausdorff and the packing dimension of this limiting measure is equal and constant with probability one. Moreover, the local dimension of mu equals the Hausdorff dimension at mu-almost every point. We give an explicit formula for the dimension, given the rule of attachment

Information Aggregation in Intelligent Systems Using Generalized Operators

Aggregation of information represented by membership functions is a central matter in intelligent systems where fuzzy rule base and reasoning mechanism are applied. Typical examples of such systems consist of, but not limited to, fuzzy control, decision support and expert systems. Since the advent of fuzzy sets a great number of fuzzy connectives, aggregation operators have been introduced. Some families of such operators (like t-norms) have become standard in the field. Nevertheless, it also became clear that these operators do not always follow the real phenomena. Therefore, there is a natural need for finding new operators to develop more sophisticated intelligent systems. This paper summarizes the research results of the authors that have been carried out in recent years on generalization of conventional operators

Intelligent Computing for the Management of Changes in Industrial Engineering Modeling Processes

Advancements in engineering modeling have changed the work of engineers during the last two decades. Sophisticated descriptions store information about shape oriented engineering objects and their relationships. Boundary representations of form features constitute shape models. Rules and checks have replaced simple data form of shape model entity attributes. This change of modeling facilitates a next step towards application of computer intelligence at engineering object related decisions. The authors propose a method of intelligent attribute definition for integrated decision assistance environments of modelling systems. This method provides quick and comprehensive assessment of situations for decisions on modification of modeled objects in very complex information environments. The paper starts with an outline of the approach to intelligent decision assistance by the authors. Next, an Internet portal communicated scenario of the proposed modeling is discussed. Following this, multilevel solution for modeling, adding characteristics for engineering objects, and definitions and communications are detailed as essential methods in the proposed modeling. Finally, behaviors for essential classes of modeled objects and an example for the definition of situations and behaviors represent implementation issues

Application of Novel Knowledge Based Paradigms in Computer Aided Manufacturing Process Modeling

In this paper a knowledge based approach to the computer aided manufacturing process planning (CAPP) is proposed Earlier experiences of authors revealed knowledge acquisition and storage and knowledge based problem solving requirements posed by the decision intensive CAPP. These experiences suggest integration of knowledge based techniques for nonlinear process modeling. The paper is constructed as follows. First, the problems emerged a present day CAP methodologies are explained. Then application of computational intelligence techniques for solving classical CAP problems is analyzed Following this, a new approach to know!edge based CAP based is proposed Finally, the process planning procedure is analyzed and the stages of planning that call for some type of machine learning, inference and uncertainty-handing methodology are identified

Simple Geometric Approach of Identification and Control Using Floating Basis Vectors for Representation

As a plausible alternative of certain sophisticated soft computing approaches trying to identify complete and static system models, a simple adaptive controller is outlined that creates only a temporal model. This model can be built up and maintained step-by-step on the basis of slowly fading information by the use of simple updating rules consisting of finite algebraic steps of lucid geometric interpretation. The method may be used for filling in the lookup tables or rule bases of the above representations experimentally. The method is tested by the use of a simple dynamic system as a typical paradigm via simulation.N/