Systems Thinking Approach for Social Problems
01 Jan 2015-
About: The article was published on 2015-01-01. It has received 9 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Systems thinking.
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TL;DR: A non-invasive, integrated method for early detection of cellular abnormalities amongst habitual smokers based on analysis of different cyto-morphological features of exfoliative oral epithelial cells is described.
Abstract: Habitual smokers are known to be at higher risk for developing oral cancer, which is increasing at an alarming rate globally. Conventionally, oral cancer is associated with high mortality rates, although recent reports show the improved survival outcomes by early diagnosis of disease. An effective prediction system which will enable to identify the probability of cancer development amongst the habitual smokers, is thus expected to benefit sizable number of populations. Present work describes a non-invasive, integrated method for early detection of cellular abnormalities based on analysis of different cyto-morphological features of exfoliative oral epithelial cells. Differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy provides a potential optical tool as this mode provides a pseudo three dimensional (3-D) image with detailed morphological and textural features obtained from noninvasive, label free epithelial cells. For segmentation of DIC images, gradient vector flow snake model active contour process has been adopted. To evaluate cellular abnormalities amongst habitual smokers, the selected morphological and textural features of epithelial cells are compared with the non-smoker (-ve control group) group and clinically diagnosed pre-cancer patients (+ve control group) using support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Accuracy of the developed SVM based classification has been found to be 86% with 80% sensitivity and 89% specificity in classifying the features from the volunteers having smoking habit.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this article , an adaptive backstepping controller with nonlinear disturbance observer is developed to regulate the output voltage of a dc/dc converter feeding a CPL, where an artificial neural network (ANN) methodology is used to estimate the back-stepping control parameters of the buck converter.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, integrated water resources management (IWRM) and the nexus approach are used to identify solutions for water problems across interdependent sectors with interacting social and natural systems.
Abstract: Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and the nexus approach are tools to identify solutions for water problems across interdependent sectors with interacting social and natural systems. Although both tools aim at solutions for complex water issues using an interdisciplinary approach, IWRM is a management process and the nexus approach is a systems tool to characterize problems. By clarifying their attributes and providing examples, instructors can use them to explain broad social problems and offer practical frameworks for problem-solving. Given their breadth, IWRM and the nexus approach can seem vague and attract criticism, but if they are replaced, the need for them will endure. The concepts are explained, and similarities between them are explored in the paper. Case study sources for them are identified, and the cases are classified by the processes of water resources management as applied across related sectors. How the concepts and their corresponding case studies can be used will vary by context. Suggestions are made for interdisciplinary instruction and discussions in disciplinary settings.
12 citations
13 Apr 2021
TL;DR: The five Vs of big data are proposed as a platform for determining the role of GSCM practices in improving SCF implementation and a hybrid self-assessment model that measures the environmental maturity of SCF is presented.
Abstract: This paper presents a strategic roadmap to handle the issue of resource allocation among the green supply chain management (GSCM) practices. This complex issue for supply chain stakeholders highlights the need for the application of supply chain finance (SCF). This paper proposes the five Vs of big data (value, volume, velocity, variety, and veracity) as a platform for determining the role of GSCM practices in improving SCF implementation. The fuzzy analytic network process (ANP) was employed to prioritize the five Vs by their roles in SCF. The fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was then applied to evaluate GSCM practices on the basis of the five Vs. In addition, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) was used to visualize the optimum implementation of the GSCM practices. The outcome is a hybrid self-assessment model that measures the environmental maturity of SCF by the coherent application of three multicriteria decision-making techniques. The development of the Basic Readiness Index (BRI), Relative Readiness Index (RRI), and Strategic Matrix Tool (SMT) creates the potential for further improvements through the integration of the RRI scores and ISM results. This hybrid model presents a practical tool for decision-makers.
7 citations
01 Oct 2015
TL;DR: A new technique is proposed to design a Modified PID (MPID) controller for a Boost converter using an interface between LTspice and MATLAB to implement the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm.
Abstract: In this paper, a new technique is proposed to design a Modified PID (MPID) controller for a Boost converter. An interface between LTspice and MATLAB is carried out to implement the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. The PSO algorithm which has the appropriate capability to find out the optimal solutions is run in MATLAB while it is interfaced with LTspice for simulation of the circuit using actual component models obtained from manufacturers. The PSO is utilized to solve the optimization problem in order to find the optimal parameters of MPID and PID controllers. The performances of the controllers are evaluated for a wide range of operating conditions and different disturbances. The comprehensive simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method which are also explained through some performance indices.
5 citations