Showing papers in "Journal of Integrated Design & Process Science archive in 2006"

Optimal Strategy For Eliminating Coupling Terms From A Design Matrix

Abstract: Eliminating an off-diagonal term from a design matrix brings value in a few different contexts. For a coupled design, it can decouple the design matrix. For a decoupled design, it will increase the flexibility of design interaction structure and thereby reducing the imaginary complexity. While eliminating an off-diagonal term is always preferred in the Axiomatic Design framework, the cost and benefit of eliminating it must be balanced to justify the effort. Assuming the cost is proportional to the number of off-diagonal terms to eliminate, this paper presents methods to identify a minimum set of off-diagonal terms that achieve the two objectives - decoupling and imaginary complexity. For the decoupling problem, the cycle matrix, C, provides an effective means to identify the optimal set of off-diagonal terms. The method we presented for the coupling problem guarantees the optimal solution. For the imaginary complexity problem, we presented a heuristic approach as a preliminary result to developing a complete method to select the optimal set.

Integration Of Structured And Unstructured Text Data In A Clinical Information System

Abstract: This paper describes an integration of structured and unstructured text data in a Clinical Information System (CIS). The input and output data of this Clinical Information System depend heavily on the use of a medical database and an intensive Graphic User Interface (GUI). The data source consists of multiple GUI's fields of various forms which compose structured data and free-text medical reports of patients. These free text medical reports are mostly made of the complicated part of unstructured text data. Usually, the free text medical reports include reports on patient intake, examination, and discharge, which could be an input from a keyboard, a handwriting device, a voice microphone, transcription service or others. Some of the medical language extraction and encoding systems, such as MedLEE, can be used to translate the medical free text into a standard and structured format. These systems will be reviewed and adopted to perform the knowledge extraction from medical free texts, if applicable. To achieve the goal of data sharing for the future application in data interoperability between heterogeneous database systems, a clinical data repository can be stored which is formed by applying a standard-compliant eXtensible Markup Language (XML), with GUI form, for integrating these data. Currently there are a number of healthcare information standards, such as HL7 (Health Level 7, 2006) and Medical Markup Language (Medical Markup Language, 2006) to promote data exchange. But it requires that both the sender and receiver of the data use the same standard in order to achieve the data exchange goal. In this paper, the generic data XML model is therefore developed and the feasibility for transforming the model into any of the standards is also demonstrated.

A Developing Country'S Information And Communication Technology Infrastructure In Perspective: A Vision For The 21st Century

Abstract: A global infrastructure is emerging in the 21ST century in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) are becoming more and more pervasive. Dynamic innovation processes continue to give rise to the social and technological capabilities that could release the potential of ICT for development. Products produced in this diverse field have a wide application in society. It is a field that developing countries need to harness and develop considerable technical competence. Governments, businesses and other stakeholders in developing countries need to coordinate their actions in order to amplify the social and economic benefits of ICTs and to reduce the risk of exclusion. This paper presents a perspective of the ICT infrastructure in Zimbabwe. The increasing spread of ICT opens new opportunities for Zimbabwe to harness these technologies and services to serve its development goals. By investing in its national information infrastructures, Zimbabwe can experience the predicted social and economic benefits of a global information infrastructure. The paper gives a detailed coverage of recommendations for the case of Zimbabwe.

Application Of The Independence Axiom On The Design Of Object-Oriented Software Using The Axiomatic Design Theory

Abstract: Current software design methodologies and techniques enhance software quality features. However, it is difficult to evaluate if a software design solution is good enough without a theoretical foundation. The use of Axiomatic Design, together with a traditional software development methodology, can improve decision-making during the design process. This work presents an approach for object-oriented software design that intends to maintain the quality of the design solution along the development process. The goal of this approach is to facilitate the use of the Axiomatic Design together with Unified Modelling Language and object-oriented software development methodologies such as Unified Process. This design approach relates object-oriented software design concepts such as use cases, collaborations, classes, operations, and objects with functional requirements, design parameters, and the zigzagging process. This work presents a functional decomposition hierarchy, based on software design concepts, which can be applied together with software design methodologies. This work also presents a case study to illustrate the application of a design approach, based on Axiomatic Design, on an object-oriented design of a real-time embedded software system. The case study evaluates alternative design solutions to illustrate the application of the Independence Axiom in order to maintain the quality of the design.

Economizing Isp Interconnections At Internet Exchange Points

Abstract: The Internet service provider market is very competitive. Small and medium-size Internet service providers (ISPs) are competing for customers, while, at the same time, they are under price pressure from upstream providers. Therefore, these ISPs have to reduce their overall cost of interconnection. In order to address this issue, Internet exchange points (IXPs) have been built up in recent years, which allow small and medium-size ISPs to go into public or private peering with other ISPs. However, those ISPs do not have sufficient information to select the optimal set of ISPs, with which they should go into private peering agreements. In this paper, we describe an approach, which provides ISPs with the information about the most economical interconnections to other ISPs. This approach helps small and medium-size Internet service providers to reduce their interconnection costs for upstream connectivity and to improve network performance for their customers. To achieve that, our approach uses Internet topology information in close neighborhood of the ISP (which is determined by the set of ISPs connected to the IXP), measurement information about the number of bytes transmitted, and traffic pricing schemes. Based on real data, our analysis results demonstrate that our approach provides the necessary information to ISPs for locally optimizing their interconnection agreements (e.g. peering, sibling, transit agreements).

Towards A Dynamic Healthcare Process: From Requirement Capture To Simulation

Abstract: Both process modelling and simulation play an important role in understanding healthcare processes. Since IDEF0 can effectively capture requirements and is relatively easy to communicate, combining IDEF0 with simulation provides a promising way to analyse processes dynamically and to assist in decision-making. This paper explores the feasibility of building an environment that can be used to simulate real IDEF0 models for healthcare processes. EXPRESS language is used to capture the required information that would make an IDEF0 model capable of simulation. An example IDEF0 model simulator is developed in order to explore some of the issues in simulating healthcare processes. A prototype system structure for this simulator is provided in the paper. The healthcare process is used as an example application in this paper. An example IDEF0 model for "Identify Patient Safety Hazards" process represented by XML is loaded and simulated.

Integrating The Concept Of Synthesis In The Software Architecture Design Process

Abstract: Synthesis is a widely applied problem-solving approach of mature engineering disciplines including the sub-processes of technical problem analysis, identification and composition of solution domain concepts, and alternative-space analysis. Current software development processes do not adopt an explicit synthesis process and as such may fall short in identifying, composing and evaluating the relevant concerns. In order to advance ad hoc software development process to a mature engineering discipline it is necessary to integrate the concept of synthesis in current software engineering processes. In software engineering, software architecture design forms a key artifact including the early design decisions, which embodies the overall structure that impacts the quality of the overall system. For ensuring the quality of software architecture, it is necessary to identify and compose the relevant concerns. For this, we integrate the concept of synthesis in the software architecture design process and present the synthesis-based software architecture design process. This approach differs from existing software architecture design approaches since it explicitly includes the synthesis sub-processes of technical problem analysis, solution domain analysis and alternative space analysis, integrating these in a common process.

Pedagogical Enrichment Of Information Objects

Abstract: This paper presents a distinction between content parts (information objects) and educational parts of learning objects. A plea is made for the separation of content and educational context references to maintain the content's high potential for reusability. Since content alone does not constitute a didactical situation, however, after its separation content needs to be enriched with educational elements such as learning objectives and learning activities. This paper proposes ways of rejoining content with educational elements in a repository using an educational objectives taxonomy. The taxonomy could be further implemented to collect data on the different pedagogical purposes an information object was used for. Pedagogical repurposing, however, is not just understood as a reuse within different subject matter but also as a reuse for different pedagogical goals, such as the promotion of higher cognitive processes in learning.

The Boeing 777: No Chainsaw Massacres, Please!

Abstract: Iterative life cycle models have become popular in software engineering, e.g. in agile development. In contrast, the waterfall model appears to prevail in manufacturing engineering disciplines. This includes aircraft engineering and Boeing's project for developing its most recent passenger aircraft, the 777. The paper walks through the phases of the 777's development and compares this process to iterative development. The comparison suggests two observations: Firstly, the over-all waterfall approach in the 777 project appears to be well-motivated by the physical, manufactured nature of aircraft components such as wings, in addition to safety concerns. Secondly, several iterative elements in the development of the 777 can also be identified. A major source of these is digitalization of development, in particular the use of CAD tools for a process called digital preassembly.

A Dynamic Relationship Framework For Innovation: Implications For The Brazilian Aerospace Strategy Operations

Abstract: The present paper aims at identifying some critical factors related to current relationship structure frameworks that better organizes the strategy operations of the Brazilian aerospace industry to be the best qualifying candidate for innovation operation with a high level of efficiency and effectiveness. The objective of this study, based on the case study research methodology, is to analyze the inter-organizational relationship structure framework of the Brazilian Aerospace Agency (BAA) strategy operation case. As a result, the improvement of the innovation relationship governance structure and its transaction costs reduction are the main implications when applying the identified critical factors.

An Integrated Design Of Flexure Hinges And Topology Optimization For Monolithic Compliant Mechanism

Abstract: When considering the engineering design process, structures resembling hinges are typically encountered in final structural topology optimization. Although the topology optimization can generate the most desired outcome for layout and approximate hinges alike, their manufacturability from a practical standpoint is in question. This paper proposes an multi-objective optimum design synthesis, using the analytic single-axis flexure formulation integrated with the formal optimization, as a post design process to obtain optimum flexural specifications with locations for promoting the overall performance of a monolithic compliant structure generated by topology optimization. The result verifies that the optimum location of hinge-like structures have been produced at the end of topology optimization. Consequently, a simple alternative design process is recommended for the integration of mechanical flexure hinges into the final product.

Simulated Annealing In The Optimization Of Collaborative Systems Operation

Abstract: The simulated annealing (SA) algorithm has been applied for the optimization of a variety of systems. In this paper, we discuss the application of SA for optimizing the operation of collaborative systems. We choose the weighted average of the time customers spend in the system as the objective function to be minimized. This is because the time spent in the system is directly related to customer satisfaction, which in turn is related to business profits. Optimization through SA is sought for the system operating with the service time as well as the capacity of each of its servers, under constrains. We have tested the algorithm on a small-scale clinic model and found the results satisfactory. As future work, we plan to fine-tune the algorithm and apply it to larger collaborative systems.

Statecharts Composition To Model Topologically Distributed Applications

Abstract: Many real-world systems can be conveniently modelled by the replication and interconnection of simple components of a few types: different configurations of the same system may vary just for the number of components and for the topology of their interconnections. In industrial practice of formal modelling the tedious work of such a manual instantiation has to be automated, allowing the inexpensive production of new configurations for the same product. This paper presents a methodology to build statechart models of topologically distributed systems by instantiating generic components; the method is able to replicate as needed statechart components and to expand the terms that drive their behaviour to create complex interconnection patterns along the required topology. The methodology is illustrated on the example of a classical distributed algorithm (Byzantine Agreement) in order to show the potential of dealing with parameterized distributed structures. The proposed methodology is shown to be able to find several interesting industrial applications.

Diagrammatic Education For Software Engineering

Abstract: In the education of software engineering, it is important to educate learners about diagrammatic representations for analyzing configurations or functions of a target system. In systems analysis two or more diagrammatic representation are described in appropriate order, which experts know as the effective analysis process. Education of the analysis process using diagrammatic representations is more important and essential rather than education of notations of diagrammatic representations. This paper proposes an intelligible analysis process which is suitable for education. Learners of systems analysis can acquire the process model effectively by using the process model, which includes Petri Net, STD, DFD, and IDEF0, in this order. It is easy to reuse components between the diagrammatic representations according to the analysis process.

On The Nature Of Formal System Decomposition Principles And Their Potential Applications To The Basis Of Carcinogenesis

Abstract: The notion of complex systems and system decomposition principles are briefly reviewed. From the perspective of formal decomposition of systems and as an application of entropic principles, an attempt is made to open up a new avenue of investigation for carcinogenesis.

A Management System Supporting Interorganizational Cooperative Development Processes In Chemical Engineering

Abstract: Development processes in chemical engineering are hard to support. In particular, interorganizational development processes are concerned with the coordination of activities carried out by engineering teams distributed across several cooperating organizations. The management system AHEAD is based on long-term experience gathered in multiple application domains (software, mechanical, or chemical engineering). AHEAD supports the management of dynamic interorganizational development processes by dynamic process views which allow the partial visibility management of processes for external organizations. AHEAD provides support for evolving process views which are able to reflect the changes in evolving development processes. Process views serve as the basis for inter-process connection. Processes can be split top-down into subprocesses for different organizations or composed bottom-up for pre-existing processes from different organizations. When mixing top-down and bottom-up process, planning and execution is possible. AHEAD allows process managers to monitor and control their intra-organizational development processes with all inter-organizational connections to processes in cooperating organizations in a uniform modeling language.

A Multi-Lingual Translation System For Real-World Images

Abstract: Translating text in real-world images presents several challenges such as text detection, text extraction, recognition, and translation. A multi-lingual translation system must take fundamental differences between the characteristics of different alphabets such as Latin, Cyrillic, Chinese, Korean, and Arabic into account. The system presented in this paper can extract text from real-world images with appropriate heuristics for these alphabets, as well as de-skew, binarize, recognize, and translate them. OCR is utilized to recognize the text, and the translation is employed using Translation Memory and Machine Translation. Experiments were also conducted to determine the most suitable segmentation and binarization algorithms for translation.

Heuristics And Qualitative Rules For The Performance Design Of Collaborative Systems

Abstract: The domain expert's heuristics in the performance design and improvement of collaborative systems are systematized as Qualitative rules. A knowledge base system built by using the Qualitative rules diagnoses the bottlenecks in the system operation and suggests improvements or tuning. However, the bottlenecks cannot be completely resolved due to the constraints imposed on the system resources. In such a case, our strategy is to resolve the local bottlenecks, while maintaining the global stability of the system. To enforce this strategy, we demarcate the system model into local, upstream and downstream sections, and set up the Qualitative improvement rules for each of these sections. A performance improvement task is then guided by a set of local, forward propagation, backward propagation and global rules. Local rules correspond to a local improvement. When the local rules fail to yield satisfactory results, the backward propagation rules are called upon to indicate the improvements to be made in the upstream of the network so as to resolve the problematic local bottleneck. The forward propagation rules estimate the effects on the downstream of the network due to the resolution of the chosen bottleneck. Finally, the advisability of resolving a local bottleneck, while keeping the global adverse effects to a minimum, is given by the global rules.

Process Maintenance Through Component-Process Replacement

Abstract: An enterprise is represented by its process model that is constructed by the integration of smaller processes corresponding to value-added contributors. Replacing the sub-processes can modify the super-process. Component processes are represented in task systems in order to discover how process attributes will be preserved after integration. This approach is especially versatile if virtual enterprises are formed over the Internet through integrating the published processes of core competencies. The virtually constructed super-process can be exercised as a simulation before the real process is enacted. A final process is thus a composition of core-competency processes that is believed to yield an optimal enterprise operation. Core-competency processes from individual organizations are expected to be available to form value-added chains. Once matured, such a market of processes will offer alternatives by different organizations.

A Grid-Based Approach To Paraloading Using Mirrored Corba Servers

Abstract: Internet and Intranet repositories are store houses for multi-gigabit movie files and large multimedia documents. It thus necessitates the development of scalable architectures to locate these resources and to distribute the downloading efficiently among them. Traditionally the documents are downloaded entirely from a single server by establishing parallel connections between the clients and servers. The proposed method of parallel access downloading, i.e. paraloading, is a process that downloads parts of a document in parallel from different mirrored Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) servers. It considers the load of the servers and their distance from the clients. It is also tolerant to server failures and hence it is highly suitable for a grid-based environment. The proposed method is implemented as a service in Zen, an open source, embedded CORBA implementation based on real time CORBA, as well as real time Java specifications. Test results show that the proposed method consistently downloads files faster then the traditional method.