METHOD OF IDENTIFICATION OF OBJECT STATES ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF FUZZY MEASUREMENTS OF CONTROLLED PARAMETERS

The subject of consideration is the task of identifying the states of an object based on the results of fuzzy measurements of a set of controlled parameters. The fuzziness of the initial data of the task further complicates it due to the resulting inequality of the controlled parameters. The aim of the study is to develop a method of identifying the states of a fuzzy object using a fuzzy mechanism of logical output taking into account possible differences in the level of information content of its controlled parameters. The method of obtaining the desired result is based on the modification of the known mathematical apparatus for building an expert system of artificial intelligence by solving two subtasks. The first is the development of a method for assessing the informativity of controlled parameters. The second is the development of a method for constructing a mechanism for logical inference of the relative state of an object based on the results of measuring controlled parameters, which provides identification. In the first problem, a method is proposed for estimating the informativity of parameters, free from the known disadvantages of the traditional Kulbak informativity measure. In implementing the method, it is assumed that the range of possible values for each parameter is divided into subbands in accordance with possible states of the object. For each of these states, the function of belonging to the fuzzy values of the corresponding parameter is defined. At the same time, the correct problem of estimating the informativity of a parameter is solved for cases when this parameter is measured accurately or determined fuzzily by its belonging function. The fundamental difference between the proposed logical output mechanism and the traditional one is the refusal to use the production rule base, which ensures the practical independence of the computational procedure from the dimension of the task. To solve the main problem of identifying states, a non-productive approach is proposed, the computational complexity of which practically does not depend on the dimension of the problem (the product of the number of possible states Results.per the number of controlled parameters). The logic output mechanism generates a probability distribution of the system states. In this case, a set of functions of belonging of each parameter to the range of its possible values for each of the states of the object is used, as well as a set of functions of belonging to fuzzy measurement results of each parameter. Conclusions. Thus, a method of identifying the state of fuzzy objects with a fuzzy non-productive output mechanism is proposed, the complexity of which does not depend on the dimension of the task.

The costs of standardized apprenticeship curricula for training firms

Standardized curricula define the set of skills that must be trained within a training occupation and thus are a key regulatory element of apprenticeship systems. Although clear economic rationales support the usage of such curricula, they necessarily impose costs, especially on firms that train apprentices, but do not use the full set of skills in their productive process and/or train other skills that are not covered by the curriculum. In this paper, we identify the trade-offs involved in setting up training curricula and use data from the most recent survey on the costs and benefits of apprenticeship training among Swiss firms to quantify the associated costs to training firms. On average, training firms state that they do not use 17% of the training content prescribed by the relevant curriculum, and 11% of the companies train additional skills not covered by the curriculum. We show that both kinds of misfit are associated with higher training costs and lower productive output from apprentices. This shows that the regulator imposes costs on firms in order to guarantee broad skills development for apprentices. It also cautions against overly broad curricula that may impose disproportionate costs on firms.

Collocational Knowledge Uptake by University Students under Online Learning

The article discusses an experiment that looked into the acquisition of collocational knowledge in three university groups studying online, each subjected to different learning conditions: incidental acquisition, intentional acquisition, and intentional acquisition with an extra productive output (essay), the latter having been assessed for the amount and accuracy of target lexis usage in their texts. The aim of the study was to see how well upper-intermediate university students could identify collocations in an input text, and how the text-based output affected the collocational uptake outcomes. The study showed that the productive output group outperformed the other intentional learning group, while incidental acquisition group failed to complete a productive knowledge posttest. Although the study revealed only slightly higher gains in the output group, their results appeared more consistent than those demonstrated by the other intentional uptake group, whose retention rate decreased by the time of delayed posttest.

Measuring the Value of Prescription Drugs

This chapter recounts the evolution of methods to put a value on health benefits, a step crucial to appropriately pricing drugs. Early efforts valued life based on a worker’s productive output. “Willingness-to-pay” methods use surveys and examine real-world purchasing decisions to value life beyond productivity considerations. Cost-effectiveness analysis sidesteps explicitly pricing life by instead measuring an intervention’s cost per unit of health gained. A common currency for benefits called the quality-adjusted life year (QALY) facilitates cost-effectiveness ratio comparisons across diseases. Although controversial, the QALY packs information about longevity and quality of life, making it popular. Next, this chapter explains that economists down-weight (“discount”) future costs and benefits as less important than near term impacts. Finally, it explores the question of perspective—that is, whether an analysis should, for example, reflect only costs and benefits pertinent to health system payers or whether it should take a broader, “societal” perspective.

Inter-regional underemployment and the industrial reserve army: Precarity as a contemporary Greek drama

We explore the 2008/2009 economic crisis in Greece and its impact upon employment precarity. Specifically, we focus upon changing regional patterns of waged part-timerism during three periods: the 2005–2008 pre-crisis period; the 2009–12 deep recession; and the 2013–2016 period of mild stabilization. Our analysis reveals important geographical and sectoral variations in the growth of this type of underemployment. In particular, we find that metropolitan regions have experienced the heaviest losses in full-time waged employment and a significant expansion of underemployment. Moreover, they have struggled to bounce back effectively during the period of stabilization. By way of contrast, island regions orientated towards tourism weathered the crisis to a much better degree, with many avoiding the acute flexibilization felt in more urbanized regions. Our study observes a “downwards convergence” of regional employment figures that is caused by Attica’s disproportionate crisis. This contrasts popular accounts that focus upon productive output. Moreover, by documenting distinct sectoral trajectories, such as the substantial flexibilization of tourism-related activities, we shed light upon the specifics of an industry often praised for its adaptiveness. Ultimately, through exploring the changing spatialities and sectoral specificities of growing flexibility during a period of recession and recovery, our study provides a geographically sensitive perspective on the emerging dynamics of the Greek reserve army of labour. In so doing, we further historical geographical materialist understandings of the capitalist crisis in Southern Europe.

Punching through the barrier

This paper aims to investigate how productive oral vocabulary development can be promoted by focusing on word stress patterns. The Rhythmic Fight Club (RFC) pronunciation technique has been used in numerous ESL/EFL classrooms, but its effect on the L2 vocabulary development of learners has yet to be investigated. The present study focused on adult ESL learners and tested a four-stage learning cycle aimed at developing productive oral vocabulary. This paper focuses on findings related to one aspect of that learning cycle which used the RFC to draw learner attention to word stress patterns in order to control productive output. Findings reveal that repetition of target words whilst making a gesture helped to enhance the learners’ productive output accordingly. The paper concludes that kinaesthetic/tactile classroom teaching techniques such as the RFC can help learners to develop productive oral vocabulary by reconceptualising their perception of English speech rhythm.

The Problem With Productivity

In this chapter, the author problematises and challenges the mantra of productivity as an occupational raison d'etre. She argues that equating an effective worker with their capacity for productive output over meaningful outcome undermines employee well-being and human-centred values. She explores the impact of neoliberalism on work and the individualisation of the worker and argues that productivity has gained the status of a value. Lastly, the author outlines a range of solutions in the second part of the chapter and explores the rise of recent socio-political movements which redefine rest and contemplative practices as tools of rebellion against the ruthless neoliberal push for productivity.

Metacognition: A Catalyst in Scholastic Performance

In modern times, children face various difficulties in their lives. Some children whatever problem they may face cope up with the situation while some give up under stress. Those who control their thought process work in an organized manner. Metacognition is the ability of controlling one's thought. Their metacognitive thinking guides them to introspect upon their study strategies and keep themselves focused upon their goal. It encourages them to be deeply aware of their own learning process which is reflected in their scholastic performance. Today it is essential for students to be aware of their strengths and weakness to better their performance. It becomes essential to think about one's own thinking and act accordingly. Students can take charge of their learning by chalking out strategies, managing time and effort towards an excellent scholastic performance. A well-planned input with thoughtful processing will always result in a productive output. The objective of the study is to know the background of the origin of the study of Metacognition, it's components and the strategies involved in Metacognition. The study also focuses on the classroom implications of Metacognition.

The Benefits of Improving Animal Welfare from the Perspective of Livestock Stakeholders across Asia

In this study, 17 focus group meetings were held with livestock industry leaders in geographically dispersed areas of China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, India and Bangladesh, regarding animal welfare issues, potential solutions and attitudes. Livestock leaders were asked ‘what do you see as the benefits to improving animal welfare’ and later to discuss the potential benefits and rank them according to their associated importance. While differences existed by country, the most important perceived benefit area across all countries was financial in nature, primarily focussed on the potential to increase the productive output of the animals and to improve meat and product quality. However, doubt existed around the ability to increase profit against the cost of improving animal welfare, particularly in China. Human health benefits and the tie to human welfare and community livelihood were considered most important in India and Bangladesh, and animal-focussed benefits were not significant in any countries, except India and, to a lesser extent, Bangladesh. Thus, improving animal welfare for the sake of the animals is unlikely to be a compelling argument. The results presented here can be used to create meaningful mutual ground between those that advocate improvement of animal welfare and the stakeholders that have the ability to implement it, i.e., the livestock industry.

Pengaruh Pendapatan Asli Daerah, Dana Alokasi Uumu, dan Dana Alokasi Khusus Terhadap Belanja Modal (Studi Kasus Pada Pemerintah Daerah Kabupaten dan Kota di Provinsi Sulawesi Utara)

The main purpose of regional autonomy implementation is to improve public services and to develop the regional economy in Indonesia. Due to limited resources, local government should be able to allocate the earning income for productive output. However, in fact, the local government tends to allocate the income for Operating Expenditures. This research aims to analyze the effects of Regional Real Income, General Allocation Fund, and Special Allocation Fund to the Capital Expenditure. This is a quantitative research. The data used in this study research were APBD budget District and City in North Sulawesi Province from 2011 to 2015. The analysis method applied in this study research was multiple regression analysis and supported by SPSS Version 23. The result shows that Regional Real Income and the Special Allocation Fund influence positively and significantly Capital Expenditures. On the other hand, the General Allocation Fund does not affect Capital Expenditure. Keywords: Regional Real Income, General Allocation Fund, Special Allocation Fund, Capital Expenditure. Abstrak. Tujuan utama pelaksanaan otonomi daerah adalah untuk meningkatkan pelayanan publik (public service) dan memajukan perekonomian daerah di Indonesia. Dengan sumber daya yang terbatas, Pemerintah Daerah harus dapat mengalokasikan penerimaan yang diperoleh untuk belanja daerah yang bersifat produktif. Namun faktanya Pemerintah Daerah cenderung mengalokasikan pendapatan untuk keperluan belanja operasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh Pendapatan Asli Daerah, Dana Alokasi Umum, dan Dana Alokasi Khusus terhadap Belanja Modal. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode kuantitatif. Adapun data yang digunakan adalah data APBD Kabupaten dan Kota di Provinsi Sulawesi Utara Tahun 2011 sampai 2015. Metode analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah regresi berganda dengan menggunakan bantuan aplikasi SPSS versi 23. Hasil penelitian menunjukan Pendapatan Asli Daerah, dan Dana Alokasi Khusus berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap belanja modal. Sedangkan Dana Alokasi Umum tidak berpengaruh terhadap Belanja Modal. Kata Kunci : Pendapatan Asli Daerah, Dana Alokasi Umum, Dana Alokasi Khusus, Belanja Modal.