An intelligent integrative assistive system for dyslexic learners

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Mpia Ndombo ◽  
Sunday Ojo ◽  
Isaac O. Osunmakinde
Keyword(s):  
Intelligent Systems ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Reference Guide ◽  
Open Research ◽  
Proposed Model

Purpose – The objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive literature survey on dyslexic learners and to propose a model for integrated assistive technology of dyslexic learners. Design/methodology/approach – The use of the proposed model through real-life scenarios categorized as “phonological, reading and writing scenarios”. We have also surveyed some systems for use with dyslexic learners currently in use and have compared them on the basis of number of barriers, technological innovation, age group and fostering. Findings – Dyslexic learners are characterized by slow learning, poor handwriting, poor spelling skills and difficulties in planning, organizing, revising and editing texts; technology plays a major role in the educational environment; it has become crucial in impacting knowledge across the globe; and open research issues and challenges that have to be addressed in the design of the current dyslexic system have been presented in detail. Research limitations/implications – Full implementation of the proposed model and its application in developing countries. Practical implications – The system improves the phonological awareness, reading and writing skills of dyslexic learners and it provides a solution for children as well as adults with dyslexia. Social implications – This survey can be used as a reference guide to understand learning barriers and intelligent systems for dyslexic learners and to promote the use of these in schools for those with learning disabilities who need assistive technologies. Originality/value – Development of a newly proposed integrated intelligent assistive system for dyslexic learners; knowledge generation as a reference guide to understand dyslexic learning ability in general and an intelligent assistive dyslexic system in particular; and survey of open research issues and challenges to further research in intelligent dyslexic systems.

E-commerce assurance models and trustworthiness issues: an empirical study

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thembekile Mayayise ◽  
Isaac Olusegun Osunmakinde
Keyword(s):  
Computer Security ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Consumer Trust ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Guide ◽  
Empirical Survey ◽  
Online Consumer

Purpose – The internet provides a mechanism by which buyers and sellers meet in order to exchange goods and services online with the utmost convenience. However, there are many risks associated with the internet which, if left unattended, could continue deterring the adoption of e-commerce. These risks ultimately diminish online consumer trust in e-commerce. Web assurance models have been designed in an attempt to encourage online consumer trust through assurance. Unfortunately, many of these models have been inadequate in certain areas and this research aims to improve on them. Design/methodology/approach – It presents a comprehensive empirical survey on trustworthiness issues and e-commerce assurance models and proposes a new compliance-based e-commerce assurance model that integrates adaptive legislation, adaptive e-commerce-related standards and cooperative rating. The intelligent cooperative rating is based on the analytic hierarchy process and page-ranking techniques. Findings – Some findings of this research study influence the thinking that some of the untrustworthy sites are posing as trustworthy sites because they display web seals. The findings can be used as a reference guide to understand e-commerce assurance models, as well as the effectiveness of ensuring the trustworthiness of these models. Practical implications – The research presents deployment analysis on the use of the proposed compliance model through real life scenarios categorized as trustworthy and untrustworthy e-commerce web sites. Originality/value – This research is relevant to information management and computer security in e-commerce as a development of a newly proposed e-commerce assurance model for trustworthiness safety inspections and knowledge generation as a reference guide to understand e-commerce trustworthiness in general and e-commerce assurance models in particular detail.

A robust possibilistic programming model for production-routing problem in a three-echelon supply chain

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali Beheshtinia ◽  
Narjes Salmabadi ◽  
Somaye Rahimi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Pickup And Delivery ◽  
Distribution Centers ◽  
Routing Problem ◽  
Remarkable Feature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Production Routing

Purpose This paper aims to provide an integrated production-routing model in a three-echelon supply chain containing a two-layer transportation system to minimize the total costs of production, transportation, inventory holding and expired drugs treatment. In the proposed problem, some specifications such as multisite manufacturing, simultaneous pickup and delivery and uncertainty in parameters are considered. Design/methodology/approach At first, a mathematical model has been proposed for the problem. Then, one possibilistic model and one robust possibilistic model equivalent to the initial model are provided regarding the uncertain nature of the model parameters and the inaccessibility of their probability function. Finally, the performance of the proposed model is evaluated using the real data collected from a pharmaceutical production center in Iran. The results reveal the proper performance of the proposed models. Findings The results obtained from applying the proposed model to a real-life production center indicated that the number of expired drugs has decreased because of using this model, also the costs of the system were reduced owing to integrating simultaneous drug pickup and delivery operations. Moreover, regarding the results of simulations, the robust possibilistic model had the best performance among the proposed models. Originality/value This research considers a two-layer vehicle routing in a production-routing problem with inventory planning. Moreover, multisite manufacturing, simultaneous pickup of the expired drugs and delivery of the drugs to the distribution centers are considered. Providing a robust possibilistic model for tackling the uncertainty in demand, costs, production capacity and drug expiration costs is considered as another remarkable feature of the proposed model.

Fuzzy preference programming formulation in data envelopment analysis for university department evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dyanne Brendalyn Mirasol-Cavero ◽  
Lanndon Ocampo
Keyword(s):  
Data Envelopment Analysis ◽  
Real Life ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Data Accessibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
University Department ◽  
Fuzzy Dea ◽  
Fuzzy Preference

Purpose University department efficiency evaluation is a performance assessment on how departments use their resources to attain their goals. The most widely used tool in measuring the efficiency of academic departments in data envelopment analysis (DEA) deals with crisp data, which may be, often, imprecise, vague, missing or predicted. Current literature offers various approaches to addressing these uncertainties by introducing fuzzy set theory within the basic DEA framework. However, current fuzzy DEA approaches fail to handle missing data, particularly in output values, which are prevalent in real-life evaluation. Thus, this study aims to augment these limitations by offering a fuzzy DEA variation. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes a more flexible approach by introducing the fuzzy preference programming – DEA (FPP-DEA), where the outputs are expressed as fuzzy numbers and the inputs are conveyed in their actual crisp values. A case study in one of the top higher education institutions in the Philippines was conducted to elucidate the proposed FPP-DEA with fuzzy outputs. Findings Due to its high discriminating power, the proposed model is more constricted in reporting the efficiency scores such that there are lesser reported efficient departments. Although the proposed model can still calculate efficiency no matter how much missing and unavailable, and uncertain data, more comprehensive data accessibility would return an accurate and precise efficiency score. Originality/value This study offers a fuzzy DEA formulation via FPP, which can handle missing, unavailable and imprecise data for output values.

Interval type-2 fuzzy inference-based failure mode and effect analysis model in a group decision-making setting

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
İlker Gölcük
Keyword(s):  
Failure Modes ◽  
Fuzzy Inference ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Effect Analysis ◽  
Inference System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Interval Type

PurposeThis paper proposes an integrated IT2F-FMEA model under a group decision-making setting. In risk assessment models, experts' evaluations are often aggregated beforehand, and necessary computations are performed, which in turn, may cause a loss of information and valuable individual opinions. The proposed integrated IT2F-FMEA model aims to calculate risk priority numbers from the experts' evaluations and then fuse experts' judgments using a novel integrated model.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a novel failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) model by integrating the fuzzy inference system, best-worst method (BWM) and weighted aggregated sum-product assessment (WASPAS) methods under interval type-2 fuzzy (IT2F) environment. The proposed FMEA approach utilizes the Mamdani-type IT2F inference system to calculate risk priority numbers. The individual FMEA results are combined by using integrated IT2F-BWM and IT2F-WASPAS methods.FindingsThe proposed model is implemented in a real-life case study in the furniture industry. According to the case study, fifteen failure modes are considered, and the proposed integrated method is used to prioritize the failure modes.Originality/valueMamdani-type singleton IT2F inference model is employed in the FMEA. Additionally, the proposed model allows experts to construct their membership functions and fuzzy rules to capitalize on the experience and knowledge of the experts. The proposed group FMEA model aggregates experts' judgments by using IT2F-BWM and IT2F-WASPAS methods. The proposed model is implemented in a real-life case study in the furniture company.

Efficiency measurement of the environmental systems: a two-stage structure considering undesirable outputs

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monireh Zoriehhabib ◽  
Mohsen Rostamy-Malkhalifeh ◽  
Farhad Hosseinzadeh Lotfi
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Undesirable Outputs ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Discriminatory Ability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Systems ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Low Efficiency

PurposeEach production unit is responsible for the protection of the environment. The restricted undesirable production effects lower environmental damage. This paper emphasizes a proportional reduction of the undesirable outputs, and it supports the growth of desirable outputs as much as possible as well. The two-stage proposed model not only considers the viewpoint of the managers to follow the environmental regulations but also it assigns some bounds on producing undesirable factors according to international environmental protocols. Additionally, the restricted bounds on the undesirable outputs, in both stages, enhance the discriminatory ability of the model.Design/methodology/approachTwo-stage network structure based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is applied as the main methodology for this paper. The advantages of the proposed model are appointed to assess the environmental units.FindingsComparing with the existing models, the proposed approach presents a new two-stage model to deal with the environmental issues. Furthermore, the discriminatory ability of the efficiency scores is improved. The distribution of this model is greater than the existing ones.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is fully written, submitted and revised during limitations caused by coronavirus .Practical implicationsThe proposed method is employed in two different cases. The efficiency scores of 25 power plants and 13 poultry farms are determined. In fact, the undesirable outputs never meet zero in the process of production but they can be reduced. The results of this research support the effect of the undesirable factors' restriction on the reduction scenario. Both of the examples show that imposing the upper bounds for the undesirable products provide low-efficiency results in comparison with the existing model. On the other hand, the results cover the arguments of sustainability in the evaluation of environmental efficiency.Originality/valueIn the production process, desirable outputs and undesirable factors are produced jointly so undesirable factors never meet zero. This paper develops a new two-stage method to reduce the undesirable outputs at each stage. First, the model confirms the reduction of undesirable outputs. Second, this model imposes restrictions on intermediate and final undesirable outputs according to environmental rights and the concerns of the managers. The model increases the discrimination of the efficiency assessment of real-life two-stage environmental systems as well. Then it focuses on the production of desirable outputs. The new objective function is defined according to the aim of the proposed model that not only declares better efficiency decomposition to the individual system but also the efficiency score is evaluated for each stage.

Overall multiobjective optimization of construction projects scheduling using particle swarm

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Elbeltagi ◽  
Mohammed Ammar ◽  
Haytham Sanad ◽  
Moustafa Kassab
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Particle Swarm ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Time Cost ◽  
Swarm Optimization ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Optimized Schedule

Purpose – Developing an optimized project schedule that considers all decision criteria represents a challenge for project managers. The purpose of this paper is to provide a multi-objectives overall optimization model for project scheduling considering time, cost, resources, and cash flow. This development aims to overcome the limitations of optimizing each objective at once resulting of non-overall optimized schedule. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, a multi-objectives overall optimization model for project scheduling is developed using particle swarm optimization with a new evolutionary strategy based on the compromise solution of the Pareto-front. This model optimizes the most important decisions that affect a given project including: time, cost, resources, and cash flow. The study assumes each activity has different execution methods accompanied by different time, cost, cost distribution pattern, and multiple resource utilization schemes. Findings – Applying the developed model to schedule a real-life case study project proves that the proposed model is valid in modeling real-life construction projects and gives important results for schedulers and project managers. The proposed model is expected to help construction managers and decision makers in successfully completing the project on time and reduced budget by utilizing the available information and resources. Originality/value – The paper presented a novel model that has four main characteristics: it produces an optimized schedule considering time, cost, resources, and cash flow simultaneously; it incorporates a powerful particle swarm optimization technique to search for the optimum schedule; it applies multi-objectives optimization rather than single-objective and it uses a unique Pareto-compromise solution to drive the fitness calculations of the evolutionary process.

Quality function deployment: exploiting interrelationships for progressive prioritization

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jitendra Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Quality Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Prioritization Process ◽  
Research Article ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Procedural Complications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: to incorporate the symbolic relationships among the attributes of customer requirements (CRs) and engineering characteristics (ECs) as well as to factor in the values numerically to enhance the prioritization process for an improved, comprehensive quality function deployment (QFD) analysis. The aim is to develop the concept of assimilating and factoring in the often-ignored interrelationships among CRs and ECs utilizing the weighted average method for the CR and EC correlations with overall calculations.Design/methodology/approachAfter a brief literature review of the methods utilized, the research paper discusses the framework for the correlation triangle challenge and introduces a novel mathematical solution utilizing triangle values in conjunction with computed initial raw weights for CRs and initial priority scores for ECs. The capability and applicability of the proposed model are demonstrated with a real-life example.FindingsThrough the proposed technique, the roof and the interrelationship triangle's signs and symbols are translated into numerical values for each permutation of ECs and CRs, and then the prioritization values are processed and finalized. The proposed model successfully modifies and removes vagueness from an otherwise overlooked part of the QFD process.Practical implicationsThe illustrated case study aptly proves that the proposed methodology yields more revealing and informative outcomes for engineers and designers, thus adding much-needed reliability to the outcome and its analysis. The validation conducted through the rank comparison endorses the premise, and the results obtained reflect the strength and accuracy of the progressive QFD as a product planning tool.Originality/valueThe research article proposes a fresh and unique QFD approach that solves typical procedural complications encountered in a regular QFD. Whereas the traditional methods neglect the interrelationships among CRs and ECs, this new methodology employs them in an improved, numerical way by incorporating them in quantitative analysis, which leads to judicious and improved decision-making.

scholarly journals New trends in constraint satisfaction, planning, and scheduling: a survey

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Barták ◽  
Miguel A. Salido ◽  
Francesca Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Constraint Satisfaction ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Planning And Scheduling ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Open Research ◽  
Life Problems ◽  
Substantial Effort

AbstractDuring recent years, the development of new techniques for constraint satisfaction, planning, and scheduling has received increased attention, and substantial effort has been invested in trying to exploit such techniques to find solutions to real-life problems. In this paper, we present a survey on constraint satisfaction, planning, and scheduling from the Artificial Intelligence point of view. In particular, we present the main definitions and techniques, and discuss possible ways of integrating such techniques. We also analyze the role of constraint satisfaction in planning and scheduling, and hint at some open research issues related to planning, scheduling, and constraint satisfaction.

A network flow-based model for operations planning in home health care delivery

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabián Castaño ◽  
Nubia Velasco
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Home Health Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Home Health ◽  
Planning Problem ◽  
Multiple Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Care Workers

PurposeTo solve the problem, a mathematical model is proposed; it relies on a directed acyclic graph (DAG), in which arcs are used to indicate whether a pair of appointments can be assigned to the same route or not (and so to the same care worker). The proposed model aims at minimizing the personnel required to meet daily demand and balancing workloads among the workers while considering the varying traffic patterns derived from traffic congestion.Design/methodology/approachThis paper aims at providing solution approaches for addressing the problem of assigning care workers to deliver home health-care (HHC) services, demanding different skills each. First, a capacity planning problem is considered, where it is necessary to define the number of workers required to satisfy patients' requests and then, patients are assigned to the care workers along with the sequence followed to visit them, thus solving a scheduling problem. The benefits obtained by permitting patients to propose multiple time slots where they can be served are also explored.FindingsThe results indicate that the problem can be efficiently solved for medium-sized instances, that is, up to 100 daily patient requests. It is also indicated that asking patients to propose several moments when they can receive services helps to minimize the need for care workers through more efficient route allocations without affecting significantly the balance of the workloads.Originality/valueThis article provides a new framework for modeling and solving a HHC routing problem with multiskilled personnel. The proposed model can be used to identify efficient daily plans and can handle realistic characteristics such as time-dependent travel times or be extended to other real-life applications such as maintenance scheduling problems.

An integrated FLinPreRa-FQFD approach to leagility assessment: (case study of four industries)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-358
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Moradi ◽  
Nima Esfandiari ◽  
Majid Keshavarz Moghaddam
Keyword(s):  
Practical Implication ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Direct Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Guide ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
The One ◽  
Consistency Rate

Purpose This paper aims to propose a model to assess leagile strategy effectively as one of the most discussed production and supply chain strategies. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on an integrated FLinPreRa-FQFD approach, which ranks and determines the importance of criteria and indices of the proposed model in an effective way. Findings “Cost” has been taken as the most important competitive advantage in the four selected industries. “Customer and market sensitiveness” has been considered as the most important enabler in three industries (“machinery and equipment,” “textile” and “food and beverage”). “Collaborative relationship” has been also considered as the most important enabler in the “material and chemical products” industry to gain leagility. Practical implication On the one hand, the proposed research model can be used as a reference guide for firms to reach leagility. This model presents indices of leagility at different levels. On the other hand, with respect to the main activities of the Iran Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, including Qazvin’s, committed to provide requirements for economic development, this work provides an opportunity for the implementation of leagility model in 151 active companies. It also gives new insights into the leagility application in the four industries and Qazvin’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture. Originality/value This research has two main contributions. First, it presents a model of enablers and attributes of leagility, combined with four competitive advantages. Second, the research study is equipped with an integrated and consistent methodology that, first, helps decision makers prioritize their goals and agenda by means of fewer paired comparisons without the need of consistency rate and, second, allows for direct evaluation of impact of enablers on attributes of leagility.

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