A BWM-based approach for customer-oriented product development with insufficient information and its application to 5 G smartphone design

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a customer-oriented tool for developing products. Based on the idea of the best-worst method (BWM), a novel model is developed to determine the relative importance ratings (RIRs) of customer requirements (CRs) with interval grey linguistic (IGL) information, which plays a significant role in QFD. CRs are rated with IGL variables, and the degree of greyness degree function that can be used to handle the IGL variables is defined based on the power utility function. Then, considering customer heterogeneity, a model is constructed to derive the RIRs of CRs by following the logic of the BWM. Finally, a case study of 5 G smartphone development is provided to verify the validity and the feasibility of the proposed method.

Mathematical Modeling of Brain Activity under Specific Auditory Stimulation

Understanding the connection between different stimuli and the brain response represents a complex research area. However, the use of mathematical models for this purpose is relatively unexplored. The present study investigates the effects of three different auditory stimuli on cerebral biopotentials by means of mathematical functions. The effects of acoustic stimuli (S1, S2, and S3) on cerebral activity were evaluated by electroencephalographic (EEG) recording on 21 subjects for 20 minutes of stimulation, with a 5-minute period of silence before and after stimulation. For the construction of the mathematical models used for the study of the EEG rhythms, we used the Box-Jenkins methodology. Characteristic mathematical models were obtained for the main frequency bands and were expressed by 2 constant functions, 8 first-degree functions, a second-degree function, a fourth-degree function, 6 recursive functions, and 4 periodic functions. The values obtained for the variance estimator are low, demonstrating that the obtained models are correct. The resulting mathematical models allow us to objectively compare the EEG response to the three stimuli, both between the stimuli itself and between each stimulus and the period before stimulation.

Development of the GM(1,1,⊗b) model with a trapezoidal possibility function and its application

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to overcome the weakness of the traditional model, in which the grey action quantity is a real number and thus leads to a “unique solution” and to build the model with a trapezoidal possibility degree function.Design/methodology/approachUsing the system input and output block diagram of the model, the interval grey action quantity is restored under the condition of insufficient system influencing factors, and the trapezoidal possibility degree function is formed. Based on that, a new model able to output non-unique solutions is constructed.FindingsThe model satisfies the non-unique solution principle of the grey theory under the condition of insufficient information. The model is compatible with the traditional model in structure and modelling results. The validity and practicability of the new model are verified by applying it in simulating the ecological environment water consumption in the Yangtze River basin.Practical implicationsIn this study, the interval grey number form of grey action quantity is restored under the condition of insufficient system influencing factors, and the unique solution to the problem of the traditional model is solved. It is of great value in enriching the theoretical system of grey prediction models.Social implicationsTaking power consumption as an example, the accurate prediction of the future power consumption level is related to the utilization efficiency of the power infrastructure investment. If the prediction of the power consumption level is too low, it will lead to the insufficient construction of the power infrastructure and the frequent occurrence of “power shortage” in the power industry. If the prediction is too high, it will lead to excessive investment in the power infrastructure. As a result, the overall surplus of power supply will lead to relatively low operation efficiency. Therefore, building an appropriate model for the correct interval prediction is a better way to solve such problems. The model proposed in this study is an effective one to solve such problems.Originality/valueA new grey prediction model with its interval grey action quantity based on the trapezoidal possibility degree function is proposed for the first time.

Application of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Evaluation Method in Aircraft Cockpit Display Ergonomics

The ergonomic level of cockpit display design can be improved by establishing an objective and effective method for evaluating the ergonomics of the cockpit display. Given the fuzz problem in ergonomic evaluation, a new intuitionistic fuzzy evaluation method is proposed based on the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Ordered Weighted Geometric Average (IFOWGA) operator and the possible degree function in this work. Firstly, the intuitionistic fuzzy evaluation matrix considering the hesitation degree of experts' determination is first constructed as the basis of intuitionistic fuzzy evaluation. Secondly, using the IFOWGA operator the intuitionistic fuzzy evaluation values are obtained through aggregating the evaluation matrix. And these values are ranked to get the level of ergonomic evaluation by possible degree ranking function. Finally, an evaluation example based on the cockpit display of a certain aircraft is given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Six alternatives of the evaluation result are obtained by the aggregation of the IFOWGA operator. Applied the possible degree function, the ergonomic evaluation grade of the aircraft cockpit display is the second level by ranking the alternative sand the variation of intuitionistic fuzzy value is already small when the number of experts is more than 16. It can be shown from the results that the ergonomic level of cockpit display can be objectively and scientifically evaluated by the proposed quantitative method, and it can provide a theoretical basis and practical methods for improving the ergonomic level of cockpit display design.

Kinetics of Carbothermal Reduction Process of Different Size Phosphate Rocks

The effects of particle size on the apparent kinetics of carbothermal reduction process of phosphate rock were studied by non-isothermal thermogravimetric analyses. Phosphate rock of various particle size was reacted with coke and silica under high purity argon atmosphere. The apparent kinetic model and parameters of carbothermal reduction reaction of phosphate rock with different particle sizes were derived by combination of model-free (Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Tang, Starink) and model-fitting (Coats-Redfern, Master-plots) methods. The results showed that the obtained apparent activation energy of reaction reduces from 371.74 kJ/mol to 321.11 kJ/mol as the particle size of phosphate rock decreasing from 100–150 μm to 38–48 μm. The reaction apparent kinetics was found to follow shrinking-core model and the conversion degree function equation is G ( α ) = 1 − ( 1 − α ) 1 2 G\left( \alpha \right) = 1 - {\left( {1 - \alpha } \right)^{{1 \over 2}}} (α is conversion degree and G(α) is integral form of conversion degree function).

Data Capitalism: Efficiency as a sociability degree function

The purpose of this paper is to address the relationship between sociability and efficiency in AI-drive models, in how contemporary economics has brought the notion of efficiency into our personal lives. Initially we introduced the basics of three key concepts of the article: data capitalism, data and deep learning. Next, we describe the exponential evolution of storage, processing and transmission technology showing that over the years, the ability to transform analog data into digital data has expanded exponentially. This capacity increased the efficiency of the operational processes with the measure of efficiency calculated and controlled against the maximum potential of the digital data produced in these interactions. For traditional firms, competing with digital rivals involves rearchitecting the firm’s organization and operating model. The compartmentalisation in silos compromises the efficiency of AI-drive models which demand integrated data base. The digital transformation requires huge investment in management, time and financial resources. However, it is the only way to remain competitive and survive in the 21st century market. The commitment to identify and measure user preferences and habits, and then to predict behaviour, is the logic behind technology platforms and applications, online social networks, e-commerce and search engines. Digital platforms are designed to extend the lifespan of their users, thereby generating greater engagement and more data. The originality of this paper is to correlate sociability and economic efficiency in the present business environment with a technological and social approach.

Investigação Matemática: possibilidade para o ensino de função do 1º grau

ResumoNão são raros os professores de Matemática que identificam dificuldades nos estudantes, iniciantes do Ensino Médio, em compreenderem a função polinomial do 1º grau. Assim, o presente artigo disserta sobre uma das atividades investigativas, que compõe uma dissertação de mestrado, desenvolvida com 26 alunos dispostos em grupos colaborativos, envolvendo a referida função. A pesquisa, na modalidade qualitativa, foi apoiada por uma observação participante na qual questionou-se: como os estudantes do 1º ano do curso Técnico em Agropecuária Integrado ao Ensino Médio possibilitam o ensino e aprendizagem da função afim ao explorarem, de modo colaborativo, uma atividade investigativa? Nesse sentido, objetivou-se possibilitar o ensino e aprendizagem da função polinomial do 1º grau envolvendo estudantes em grupos colaborativos. Nessa consecução, os discentes vivenciaram os quatro momentos de investigação matemática vistos em Ponte, Brocardo e Oliveira (2013). Para assegurar os resultados das discussões os dados foram registrados no caderno de campo do mediador, caderno de anotações dos grupos, gravador de áudio e voz e fotografias. Verificou-se que a questão e o objetivo proposto foram alcançados. Assim, constatou-se que os estudantes criaram ideias que os levaram a elaborar e promover ensino e aprendizagem sobre a função afim. Palavras-chave: Investigação Matemática. Função Afim. Trabalho Colaborativo.AbstractIt is not uncommon the Math teachers identify difficulties in the students, high school beginners, who misunderstand the first degree polynomial function. So, this article discusses one of the investigative activities which compose a master’s degree dissertation developed with 26 students organized in collaborative groups, involving the aforementioned function. The research, in the qualitative approach, was supported for a participant observation in which was questioned: how do the high professional school students in Technician in Farming enable the teaching and learning of the first degree function when they explore an investigative activity collaboratively? In this sense, one focused on enabling the teaching and learning of the first degree polynomial function involving students in collaborative groups. In this achievement, students experienced the four moments of the Mathematics investigation seen in Ponte, Brocardo and Oliveira (2013). To assure the results of the discussion, the data were recorded in the mediator’s field notebook, notebooks from the groups, audio and voice recording and pictures. One checked that both the question and proposed objective were achieved. Thus, one found that students created ideas that took them to work out and promote the teaching and learning about the function of the first degree. Keywords: Mathematics Investigation. Function of the First Degree. Collaborative work.