Changeable Modules Research Articles

Ontology-Based Methodology for Knowledge Acquisition from Groupware

Groupware exist, and they contain expertise knowledge (explicit and tacit) that is primarily for solving problems, and it is collected on-the-job through virtual teams; such knowledge should be harvested. A system to acquire on-the-job knowledge of experts from groupware in view of the enrichment of intelligent agents has become one of the important technologies that is very much in demand in the field of knowledge technology, especially in this era of textual data explosion including due to the ever-increasing remote work culture. Before acquiring new knowledge from sentences in groupware into an existing ontology, it is vital to process the groupware discussions to recognise concepts (especially new ones), as well as to find the appropriate mappings between the said concepts and the destination ontology. There are several mapping procedures in the literature, but these have been formulated on the basis of mapping two or more independent ontologies using concept-similarities and it requires a significant amount of computation. With the goal of lowering computational complexities, identification difficulties, and complications of insertion (hooking) of a concept into an existing ontology, this paper proposes: (1) an ontology-based framework with changeable modules to harvest knowledge from groupware discussions; and (2) a facts enrichment approach (FEA) for the identification of new concepts and the insertion/hooking of new concepts from sentences into an existing ontology. This takes into consideration the notions of equality, similarity, and equivalence of concepts. This unique approach can be implemented on any platform of choice using current or newly constructed modules that can be constantly revised with enhanced sophistication or extensions. In general, textual data is taken and analysed in view of the creation of an ontology that can be utilised to power intelligent agents. The complete architecture of the framework is provided and the evaluation of the results reveal that the proposed methodology performs significantly better compared to the universally recommended thresholds as well as the existing works. Our technique shows a notable high improvement on the F1 score that measures precision and recall. In terms of future work, the study recommends the development of algorithms to fully automate the framework as well as for harvesting tacit knowledge from groupware.

DEVELOPMENT OF A TEST BENCH FOR SIMULATION OF ELEMENTS OF GRANULAR MATERIAL PROCESSING SYSTEMS

The paper deals with the development of an original laboratory test bench for modeling elements of granular material processing systems. The core of the test bench is a modified abrasive blasting machine. In this version of the test bench, a changeable module in the form of a flat curved channel imitates an elbow of a pneumatic conveying system. The test bench will allow studying the erosive wear of such elbows.

Fabrication of modular multifunctional delivery for antitumor drugs based on host–guest recognition

Herein, learning from the idea of the modular concept widely used in ship building, as a design approach that assembles some subdivided smaller modules to a specific ship, a new modular multifunctional drug delivery (MMDD) with excellent biocompatibility was directly prepared by a flexible host–guest interaction between pH-sensitive benzimidazole-graft-dextran (Dex-BM) and pre-synthesized multifunctional cyclodextrins. In this drug system, pH-sensitive Dex-BM acted as the main case and pre-synthesized multifunctional cyclodextrins were the changeable modules. To verify the feasibility of MMDD in cancer chemotherapy, doxorubicin (DOX) was used as a model drug. In vitro drug release experiments indicated that the drug released around 80% from DOX-loaded MMDD at pH 5.3, while approximately 40% of DOX released under the condition of pH 7.4. Moreover, the targeting antitumor activity of DOX-loaded MMDD was investigated in HeLa and HepG2 cells using MTT assays, confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometer, which indicated that the targeted DOX-loaded MMDD provided an efficient drug delivery platform for inhibition of different cancer cells. Meantime, the incorporation of different functional modules into one system was also investigated, simultaneously exhibiting targeting and imaging property. These features suggest that this modular multifunctional drug delivery system can efficiently enhance the inhibition of cellular proliferation in vitro, and according to the needs in clinical treatment, some targeting and imaging molecules can be chosen.

A neurosurgical phantom-based training system with ultrasound simulation

Brain tumor surgeries are associated with a high technical and personal effort. The required interactions between the surgeon and the technical components, such as neuronavigation, surgical instruments and intraoperative imaging, are complex and demand innovative training solutions and standardized evaluation methods. Phantom-based training systems could be useful in complementing the existing surgical education and training. A prototype of a phantom-based training system was developed, intended for standardized training of important aspects of brain tumor surgery based on real patient data. The head phantom consists of a three-part construction that includes a reusable base and adapter, as well as a changeable module for single use. Training covers surgical planning of the optimal access path, the setup of the navigation system including the registration of the head phantom, as well as the navigated craniotomy with real instruments. Tracked instruments during the simulation and predefined access paths constitute the basis for the essential objective training feedback. The prototype was evaluated in a pilot study by assistant physicians at different education levels. They performed a complete simulation and a final assessment using an evaluation questionnaire. The analysis of the questionnaire showed the evaluation result as "good" for the phantom construction and the used materials. The learning effect concerning the navigated planning was evaluated as "very good", as well as having the effect of increasing safety for the surgeon before planning and conducting craniotomies independently on patients. The training system represents a promising approach for the future training of neurosurgeons. It aims to improve surgical skill training by creating a more realistic simulation in a non-risk environment. Hence, it could help to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical training with the potential to benefit both physicians and patients.

Study and Development of Reconfigurable and Multi-Station Auto Shaft Pressing and Assembling Machine for Small Gears

Aiming at the shaft pressing and assembling process for steel shaft and small gear, which is frequent in toy gear reducer assembling, a reconfigurable and multi-station auto shaft pressing and assembling machine had been developed. In the machine, steel shaft and small gear are positioned in a pre-positioned fixture in advance. The assembling process is carried out in three stations simultaneously. It makes the machines efficiency become higher. Applying the reconfigurable design concept, the machine can be divided into basal modules and changeable modules. The changeable modules can be adjusted or replaced to make the machine fit for components of multifarious small gears and steel shafts with different length and diameter. Each module of the machine is introduced in detail and related problems are discussed in the paper.

Nature and Kinetic Architecture: The Development of a New Type of Transformable Structure for Temporary Applications

The contemplation of contemporary architectural designs shows an increasing demand for the development of more adaptable, flexible and transformable structures. This type of structures can adapt with different environmental conditions and meet different functions. This can help in reducing environmental waste and pollution associated with many buildings and above all can save on cost and time. Natural systems have inspired human being, since they began to build and design. Architects and designers have utilized nature as one of the main resources of information for the creation of innovative architectural spaces. One of the unique features of natural structures is the way that their components open and close in order to respond to a particular requirement or the environmental changes. This aspect has inspired many designers for the development of transformable architectural structures that can change their shape and geometry to be able to adapt with specific conditions. To make a way toward the design of transformable structure for temporary applications, the authors have developed a new type of adaptable structures according to natural forms. The proposed design applies the transformation principles that exist in potato's flower and the movement mechanisms used in a spider's leg. The design is able to fit to different topographies and have a potential to be folded to a very compact state in a very short period of time. The detailed design and the different configurations of the system applications will be presented in this paper. The result of the study shows that using modular triangular plates can create a changeable module that is not only able to respond to different functions and environmental changes but it is also able to shape different configuration to be able to respond to different user's ambitions. The compactability of this structure into 1/3 of its base dimensions; makes its transportation fast and with minimum costs. These capabilities make this structure suitable for temporary buildings such as exhibitions, temporary settlements or hospital in damaged areas.

On Reconfigurable Machines and Reconfigurable Assembling Machine for DC Connector Plug

Reconfigurable machines are essential components to implement a reconfigurable manufacturing system. This paper focuses on one of reconfigurable machines: reconfigurable assembling machine. A reconfigurable automatic assembling machine for DC connector plug is designed. It can be divided into the basal module and the changeable module. The same basal module with different changeable module can be assembled into different special assembling machines for DC connector plug with different shape, size or number of electrodes.

The Spread of Contingent Work in the Knowledge-Based Economy

Permanent employment, typical of industrial societies and bolstered by numerous social guaranties, has been declining in the past 2 decades. There has been a steady expansion of various forms of contingent work. The decomposition of traditional work is a logical consequence of the characteristic patterns of the knowledge-based economy. According to the logic of information technology, changeable modules are key characteristics of production processes and economic organizations. Each module leads a life of its own, with infinite combinatory possibilities. As a consequence, static and “safe” economic arrangements are replaced by dynamic and uncertain institutions. Employees (except for key personnel) become interchangeable, disposable, recallable, and transferable. Consequently, the portfolio of workers’ capabilities and knowledge should be adjusted to the requirements of changing workplaces. For companies, the return on investments in employees’ knowledge is uncertain; thus, contingent workers have to undertake, at least partly, the responsibility and costs of their own training.

Video observation of meteors at Yunnan Observatory

In the last 20 years, with the development of the CCD and image intensifiers, the use of small flexible video meteor observation systems has gradually increased, with the prospect that one day video observation will replace the visual observation and ordinary photographic observations. In this paper we report on the research and development of the No.1 meteor-comet video camera system of Yunnan Observatory and some preliminary observed results. The system consists of 5 changeable modules; it has a 36° large-field camera dedicated to the observation of meteors, with which a magnitude 6 star can be recorded on a single frame with an accuracy of about 0.2 mag. We also present a comparison of the video camera system with the traditional photographic system, and outline the merits, possible improvements and future development of the video system.

Unified facility for low-temperature measurements

A highly automated facility for investigating the properties of materials at low temperatures is described, which contains a BKT-10 cryostat, operating over the 1.5–370 K temperature range with changeable modules for calibrating resistance thermometers and for measuring heat capacity and thermal conductivity. The AK6.25 data acquisition system controlled by an IBM personal computer is used for the measurements.

Ontario Modular Bridge Analysis System

A software system, the Ontario Modular Bridge Analysis System, being developed by the Province of Ontario for the design and analysis of highway structures is described. The new Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code, an entirely limit states code, created the need for a new or drastically revised system. An outline is given of the advisability study that led to the design of an entirely modularized, data base supported system, providing the low processing costs and user convenience of single-purpose programs together with sophisticated analytical methods for nonroutine problems.The system comprises an applications subsystem and a utilities subsystem. The applications subsystem consists of 11 macro-modules, each performing a distinct task and capable of being replaced or modified without necessitating changes elsewhere in the system. The macro-modules are Input, Control, Geometry, Idealization, Load, Solution, Live Load, Combination, Resistance, Design and Detailing, and Output.The utilities subsystem consists of modules providing services to construct or facilitate the use of the applications subsystem. These include a problem-oriented language analyzer, memory and data base manager, output utilities, and mathematical utilities.The description of the system is general with more details given concerning important or original features such as methods of analysis and the specifications analyzer, which places all design code requirements in a single, readily changeable module. Key words: analysis, bridges, codes, computers, data base, design, modular systems, software, structures.