Definition Of Alternatives Research Articles

Information for Decision Making in Child Protection: A study of Decision Making in Delhi

Decision making is a complex phenomenon which is usually defined as a process or a sequence of activities involving the stages of problem recognition, search for information, definition of alternatives and the selection of one from two or more alternatives with the highest degree of reward. Best Interest of the Child is one of the guiding principles under the UNCRC Article 3). Decision making in the ‘Best Interest of the Child’ in the field of child protection is necessary as the life of the child revolves around the decisions taken for him/her. In normal circumstances, the onus of taking decision for the child is on the biological parents. However, due to certain circumstances which push the children out of the safety net, the decision-making shifts to the state which has the duty to preserve the rights of the children. It is therefore important to examine the dynamics of decision making in the area of child protection by the state. Data was collected from key functionaries involved in decision making in child protection, including District Child Protection Units and Child Welfare Committee members on various aspects of their decision making Results of the study revealed that decision mkers often face difficulties in taking decisions ensuring the Best Interest of the Child due to insufficient, inaccurate and lack of quality information about the child.

Gestión de proyectos de ciencia abierta. Una experiencia de investigación acción participativa

Participatory action research is characterized because it involves people in the definition of problems and action alternatives in order to help transform a situation. As such, it is found between the gaze of the researcher and the participants, who intertwine to form a mode of intersubjective interpretation and co-responsible action of the situation to overcome. Therefore, participatory action research favors learning processes among those who serve as formal researchers, the primary participants and the interested parties, who make up a plural human group that accounts for a process of investigation and change in the environment. This essay presents a participatory action research experience in the field of knowledge project management, as part of the foundation of an open science knowledge asset creation approach. As such, it is proposed to offer two contributions: a consideration of participatory action research in the design of research goods development processes, and an argument in favor of participatory research processes in the field of open science.

Strategic Management of the Development of the Regional Tourist Complex

The relevance of the research topic is determined by the important social and economic significance of the Ukrainian tourism industry in the economy. It was determined that one of the directions for solving the problem of the development of the tourism industry is the development of a system of strategic management of the development of the tourism industry. It is proven that strategic management is of particular importance, since the implementation of the developed strategy allows to achieve the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the regional tourist complex planned for the strategic perspective. Since tourism affects various spheres of economic activity, the strategic management of its development should be approached comprehensively. The purpose of the article is to systematize approaches to the process of strategic management of the regional tourist complex. It was determined that the structures of the strategic management process generally correspond to the stages of the process of developing and making management decisions, prospective analysis of problems and goal setting, formation of decision-making restrictions and criteria, definition and evaluation of alternatives, decision selection, implementation of the adopted decision, control and evaluation of its implementation. The proposed definition of strategic management of the regional tourism industry. The stages of forming a strategy for the development of the regional tourism industry are proposed. The development of a system of strategic management of the development of the regional complex is substantiated.

Distance learning platforms: main characteristics and possibilities of use

The article determines that the information and educational environment of the institution of higher education is a software and telecommunications environment that provides informational support and organization of the educational process, scientific research, and professional counseling of students of the institution using the only technological means. The main features of a person-oriented way of learning using distance learning platforms are determined, namely: flexibility, accessibility, profitability, mobility, coverage, technology, social equality. To choose the appropriate distance education platform, which will fully implement the entire set of functions, the stages of making rational decisions were used: diagnosis of the problem; formulation of criteria and restrictions; definition of alternatives; evaluation of alternatives; choosing the best alternative. The characteristics of possible distance learning platforms are presented: the learning management system "1C: Electronic learning. Corporate University"; еFront; Moodle; Mirapolis Learning Management System. The main criteria for choosing a distance education platform are defined: open / closed source software; availability of a demo version; availability of instructions; paid / free; friendly interface; presence of quality control of knowledge of acquirers. An evaluation of the proposed variants of platforms for distance education was carried out, and it was determined that Moodle scored the maximum number of points. Outlined principles of building an informational and educational environment: multi-component; integrality; distribution; adaptability. The research methodology is based on the application of general scientific and special methods of cognition, in particular analysis, synthesis, logical method, monitoring and the method of visualization of research results.

Optimised Selection of Water Supply and Irrigation Sources—A Case Study on Surface and Underground Water, Desalination, and Wastewater Reuse in a Sahelian Coastal Arid Region

This paper presents a general conceptual procedure and an economic, sustainable, resilient, and integrated solution for the water supply and landscape irrigation of a large touristic complex projected in an arid to semi-arid southwest coastal region of the island of Santiago in Cape Verde, in the Western African Sahel. It is assumed that underground water can be explored, but at a minimum level to avoid aquifers depletion or any eventual saline intrusion, and that surface water can be mobilised with the construction of a dam. Other important sources of water that were identified, assessed, and compared include treated wastewater produced in the complex, which can be reused for irrigation after undergoing tertiary treatment, and desalinated sea water, which requires the construction of a desalination plant. The devised procedure includes the definition of all feasible alternatives by a deterministic complete enumeration, and the selection of the optimised solution that may be determined by a single objective cost function to be minimised, as well as by a multi-criteria decision-making process that considers a conventional 1–5 score to be maximised. Beyond the cost, four additional criteria are considered and scored for each solution, namely, Environmental Sustainability, Water Quality, Resilience, and Local Integration, and for the relative weighting between criteria a weighted sum model is assumed. For the parameters and cost models used, the best solution that was found considers that the landscape irrigation is performed with surface water and reused wastewater, and that the water distribution network is supplied with underground and desalinated water. Other solutions more or less close can be selected based on different scores or different decision maker weighting preferences.

Decision support system for selecting sectoral data-bases in studies of the water–energy–agricultural–environmental nexus

Obtaining databases to develop multidisciplinary studies in complex intersectoral network systems presents great challenges. Databases often lack compatibility or data standardization because they are organized differently by sector. Therefore, this article aims to propose a Decision Support System (DSS) to assist in the identification, analysis, and selection of sectoral databases to support the development of quantitative studies. The concept of the “Nexus of water, energy, agriculture, and the environment" is used to illustrate the development of the DSS. To this end, a conceptual structure defined in six stages was presented: institutional analysis, definition of alternatives, definition of criteria, analysis of databases, classification matrix, and organization and selection of alternatives. Validation of the proposed DSS was carried out using national-scale databases for the Brazilian context. From the application of DSS in the databases surveyed, it appears that: Brazil does not have interconnected databases, nor does it share databases between sectors; the information is dispersed across a large number of institutions, and includes a multiplicity of spatial and temporal scales, hindering their integration; the adoption of macro-scales, both spatially and temporally, facilitates the integration of the collected information, and the country’s sectoral organizational structures tend to hamper the development of systems integrated into complex networks. The proposed DSS allows a better understanding and visualization of possible simplifications and limitations inherent in integrated studies of quantitative scope, minimizes uncertainties, and directs systemic planning and management strategies.

Envisioning Model-Based Performance Engineering Frameworks

Abstract Our daily activities depend on complex software systems that must guarantee certain performance. Several approaches have been devised in the last decade to validate software systems against performance requirements. However, software designers still encounter problems in the interpretation of performance analysis results (e.g., mean values, probability distribution functions) and in the definition of design alternatives (e.g., to split a software component in two and redeploy one of them) aimed at fulfilling performance requirements. This paper describes a general model-based performance engineering framework to support designers in dealing with such problems aimed at enhancing the system. The framework relies on a formalization of the knowledge needed in order to characterize performance flaws and provide alternative system design. Such knowledge can be instantiated based on the techniques devised for interpreting performance analysis results and providing feedback to designers. Three techniques are considered in this paper for instantiating the framework and the main challenges to face during such process are pointed out and discussed.

Avaliação ambiental de alternativas construtivas de um edifício contêiner

Contêineres vêm sendo utilizados como edifícios nos últimos anos. Para isto, devem atender requisitos de desempenho térmico obtidos, a depender do clima, com o uso de materiais isolantes e fechamentos adicionais. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo é comparar o desempenho ambiental de um edifício contêiner de uso comercial com diferentes estratégias construtivas da envoltória. A metodologia baseou-se em: (a) definição de alternativas construtivas da envoltória do edifício contêiner; (b) simulações termoenergéticas com auxílio do software DesignBuilder para quatro cidades de diferentes zonas bioclimáticas (ZB) brasileiras: São Paulo (ZB3), Brasília (ZB4), Teresina (ZB7) e Rio de Janeiro (ZB8); (c) Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV), com escopo do berço ao túmulo, considerando as seguintes categorias de dano: (1) Mudanças Climáticas, (2) Saúde Humana, (3) Qualidade do Ecossistema e (4) Depleção de Recursos. A alternativa construtiva da envoltória composta por drywall e isolante térmico foi a mais vantajosa dentre as avaliadas. A absortância solar das fachadas influenciou significativamente nos resultados, principalmente para as ZB7 e ZB8. A cidade de Teresina foi a que apresentou maior consumo de energia operacional e, consequentemente, maiores impactos ambientais. Ao final, apresentam-se algumas diretrizes ambientais para esta tipologia de projeto.

African animal trypanosomosis in cattle in Bnin: A review

African animal trypanosomosis is a disease transmitted by tsetse flies and tabanid to domestic mammals which seriously affects their health status and considerably reduces their productivity. This study proposes to make a synthesis on the bovine trypanosomosis and the various works undertaken in Benin country from 1960 to 2018. After general information on bovine trypanosomosis, the various vectorial agents responsible for the disease are explained. The inventory of fixtures of the pathology since 1960 to 2018 followed by the measures and means of control will be detailed. Then, a point on the state of the trypanosome’s chemotherapy -resistance facing circulating drug and of the approaches of solutions and the convincing alternatives will be developed. Finally, a study of the impact of transhumance transmission in the maintenance of bovine trypanosomosis supported by the management of conflicts is exposed. The chemotherapy-resistance of the trypanosomes being a true problem affecting the control of the disease, then it is urgent to find endogenous solutions that are reliable through the valorization of medicinal herbs for an effective control of bovine trypanosomosis in Benin. The present work opens a perspective on the definition of innovative alternatives to fight against the bovine trypanosomosis as well as tackle the chemotherapy-resistance against circulating Trypanosoma spp. Key words: Alternatives, chemotherapy, drug, resistance, Trypanosoma spp, Benin.

On the composition and recommendation of multi-feature paths: a comprehensive approach

Trackers have become popular devices these days. They are extensively used to record sports activities (e.g., hiking, skiing), mainly in terms of GPS trajectories, which can be shared on social networking platforms with other users looking for leisure tips. Notably, as the number of available trajectories drastically increased over time, in many cases, it has become challenging, if not impossible, the extensive evaluation of all possible alternatives and the manual selection of the most suitable one. Paths are characterized by multiple features (e.g., dirt, asphalt), and a good representation is needed to satisfy user needs. Moreover, paths can be composed to generate new routes. This calls for a recommender system capable to handle both the multi-feature path representation and the implicit definition of alternatives by composition. This paper suggests a novel approach that features a richer trajectory representation based on a semantic annotation to describe significant path features. Annotations are then used for automatic recommendation of new paths that maximize the presence of characteristics matching the user preferences. Finally, a class of algorithm variants is evaluated using an off-line validation process and compared with a baseline solution to test the underlying assumptions.

Bioeconomía: el futuro sostenible

La actividad humana intensiva y los modelos de desarrollo convencionales basados en los combustibles fósiles han ocasionado graves impactos en el entorno. Debido a ello, el mundo enfrenta una serie de grandes desafíos ambientales, económicos y sociales que deben ser atendidos si queremos garantizar un futuro con bienestar para todos y enfrentar el cambio climático progresivo, la vulnerabilidad de algunas regiones, la reducción de la biodiversidad, la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional, el agotamiento del agua y el suelo, y las desigualdades sociales. En ese sentido, es claro que continuar con el mismo modelo de desarrollo no es una opción y, por lo tanto, es indispensable adaptar los patrones económicos y sociales si se desea cumplir con los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible de las Naciones Unidas. En el presente documento se plantea el modelo de la bioeconomía como propuesta integral de un desarrollo con sostenibilidad ambiental, social y económica. Lo que diferencia este nuevo modelo económico de otros es el hecho de la incorporación del conocimiento y de avances científicos y tecnológicos para el desarrollo de nuevas alternativas y senderos productivos que impulsen la aplicación de nuevas tecnologías en el aprovechamiento sostenible de los recursos y procesos biológicos, con el fin de proveer bienes y servicios en todos los sectores económicos con el fin de migrar de la insostenible economía basada en combustibles fósiles a la economía de la biomasa renovable. Para que sea exitosa, la adopción de este modelo requiere de voluntad política para la adopción de decisiones, así como de un sólido compromiso de los científicos y de todos los miembros de la sociedad. © 2018. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Ex. Fis. Nat.

Inclusion of HVDC-Wind Generation in the Transmission Expansion Planning

This paper proposes a methodology to include HVDC-wind powerconnection schemes to the transmission expansion planning. The methodology includes the identification of specific problems, the definition of alternatives of interconnection, and the definition of selection criteria and, finally, the selection of the best alternative (using the Cost Minimization Function) based on economic and technical parameters. Investment cost, operational cost and non-supplied energy costs are calculated for the analysis of each interconnection alternative formulated. Moreover, each alternative fulfill the N-1 criteria that indicatesthe systemsatisfies operational criteriawhen any component of the system is out of service. The exposed methodology is tested on two differentsystems; one of these is the Colombian Interconnected System. This considers future interconnection of wind parks in La Guajira (Colombia) with a total power of 3200MW (more than 20% of the installed capacity on the country), highlighting that the collector of this wind park is more than 100km away from the closest Colombian Electrical System substation, adding more restrictions on its connection.

Abordagem multicritério de apoio a decisões estrategicamente sustentáveis nas organizações

Manter as condições socioambientais em um estado de conservação favorável para que a sociedade se desenvolva sem restrições é a ideia que embasa o conceito de Sustentabilidade. Diversas esferas como as mídias, a academia e as organizações passaram a dar maior importância para o estudo da sustentabilidade, uma vez que ela impacta diretamente em aspectos que influenciam a economia no mundo. Organizacionalmente, o uso de estratégias sustentáveis é capaz de trazer retornos em prol de um desenvolvimento saudável e de uma cultura consciente quanto aos desperdícios, além de refletir na forma como as organizações mantém seu relacionamento com a sociedade e o meio ambiente. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor um modelo para a priorização de estratégias que apoiem a criação de um ambiente e uma cultura baseados em sustentabilidade nas organizações. Tal modelo possui quatro etapas, iniciando-se com a estruturação de problemas, passando pela definição de critérios e alternativas, aplicação de método multicritério para priorização e, por fim, chegando à implementação das alternativas de acordo com o que o decisor julgue adequado, tomando por base o resultado da priorização.

Knowledge-based application to define aircraft final assembly lines at the industrialisation conceptual design phase

The design of an aircraft Final Assembly Line (FAL) is part of the product industrialisation process. The FAL conceptual design phase is characterised by being time-consuming and depending heavily on personnel knowledge and experience. The need to develop methods and tools to enhance the design of aircraft assembly lines is acknowledged by academia and industry. This work proposes a knowledge-based prototype application to assist and guide designers in the definition and evaluation of conceptual FAL alternatives. A digital FAL is part of the industrial digital mock-up (iDMU) and comprises three structures: product, processes and resources (PPR). The implementation of the proposed application was carried out in a commercial software system supporting the PPR structures and the iDMU. The executed case studies show the feasibility of the proposed approach, which can be considered as a starting point contribution to the field.

Informed Decision Making for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Stable Coronary Disease.

Patients with stable coronary disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are frequently misinformed about the benefits of PCI. Little is known about the quality of decision making before angiography and possible PCI. To assess the quality of informed decision making and its association with patient decisions. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of recorded conversations between August 1, 2008, and August 31, 2012, among adults with known or suspected stable coronary disease at outpatient cardiology practices. Presence of 7 elements of informed decision making and the decision to undergo angiography and possible PCI. Of 59 conversations conducted by 23 cardiologists, 2 (3%) included all 7 elements of informed decision making; 8 (14%) met a more limited definition of procedure, alternatives, and risks. Specific elements significantly associated with not choosing angiography and possible PCI included discussion of uncertainty (odds ratio [OR], 20.5; 95% CI, 2.3-204.9), patient's role (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.3-21.3), exploration of alternatives (OR, 9.5; 95% CI, 2.5-36.5), and exploration of patient preference (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.2-19.4). Neither the presence of angina nor severity of symptoms was associated with choosing angiography and possible PCI. In a multivariable analysis using the total number of elements as a predictor, better informed patients were less likely to choose angiography and possible PCI (OR per additional element, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.4-7.1; P = .005). In conversations between cardiologists and patients with stable angina, informed decision making is often incomplete. More complete discussions are associated with patients choosing not to undergo angiography and possible PCI.

A Solution To Rational Decision Making Via Compositional Data Analysis: A Case Study Using Students Cellular Phone Tendencies

Decisions can be simple or complex depending on the alternatives available to the decision maker, and also, to the different state of the worlds. In classical decision theory, a pay-off table is analysed in order to make an optimal decision. Here, the decision process involves the definition of different alternatives and state of the worlds, cost or profit calculations of the pay-off table, and probability values, if any, related to state of the worlds. In decision problems, sometimes, it may be necessary to involve emotional attachments in order to create pay-off table. In this setting, rather than using the usual cost or profit values, some satisfaction values can be assigned to the criteria and the rationality of different alternatives can be investigated. In this study, the rationality approach to decision pay-off matrix is demonstrated using a real life example regarding a cellular phone purchase. Furthermore, a compositional data analysis approach is also suggested, and the contributions of the compositional data analysis to decision theory are given.

Delineating markets for bundles with consumer level data: The case of triple-play

The question of whether bundles of telecommunication services are relevant product markets is addressed. As a first step, demand for bundles of services, as well as the associated services, is modeled as a discrete choice problem with a potentially large number of products. A unique invoice based consumer level data set from Portuguese telecommunications firms is collected. This choice based data set is combined with survey data to characterize the market shares of all potential combinations of services available. Several discrete choice models are estimated. A Cross-Nested logit model is the most parsimonious description of the substitution patterns between the large number of products available. The demand model used, coupled with the definition of choice alternatives proposed, generates flexible substitution patterns, which produce reasonable price elasticities of demand. The demand for triple-play products is elastic, with own-price elasticities for the larger firms ranging between 3.2 and 1.3, and a market own-price elasticity of 1.4. Some of the products analyzed are found to be complementary. Our results indicate that triple-play bundles are a relevant product market.

Alternative Action Plan Generator (A2PG) for elaboration an anticipated feedback

This paper proposes an original Alternative Action Plan Generator – A2PG, which predicts possible alternatives of the human action plans in which the human operators do not respect the safety rules. These alternatives build an anticipated feedback. Five parameters characterize A2PG. The creation of action plans is through algorithms of definition and generation of alternatives to prescriptions, taking into account possible failures to comply with the safety rules by operators. These failures are simulated by not taking into account the safety preconditions, necessary to accomplish safely a given task. An illustrative case with a riding lawn mower is proposed to apply the proposed tool and show its relevance.

Procedimento para seleção de interfaces para produtos modulares baseado no ciclo de projeto de produtos

Este artigo aborda a definição de alternativas de interfaces durante desenvolvimento de produtos modulares. Entende-se por interfaces a fronteira entre os módulos que compõem o produto, bem como as interações existentes entre o meio-ambiente em que o produto está inserido e com seus possíveis usuários. Para realizar o projeto de interfaces é proposto um procedimento que auxilia na concepção de alternativas e em sua priorização, de forma a facilitar a tomada de decisão por parte da equipe de projeto. O procedimento proposto foi validado por sua aplicação no desenvolvimento de produtos modulares para o cultivo e beneficiamento de mexilhões em Santa Catarina. Os resultados obtidos demonstram o potencial da ferramenta.

Negotiating river ecosystems: Impact assessment and conflict mediation in the cases of hydro-power construction

In this paper we discuss how the legitimacy of the impact assessment process is a key issue in conflict mediation in environmental impact assessment. We contrast two EIA cases in hydro-power generation plans made for the Ii River, Finland in different decades, and evaluate how impact assessment in these cases has contributed to the creation, mediation and resolution of conflicts. We focus on the elements of distributional and procedural justice that made the former EIA process more legitimate and consensual and the latter more conflictual. The results indicate that it is crucial for conflict mediation to include all the values and interests of the parties in the goal-setting process and in the definition and assessment of alternatives. The analysis also indicates that procedural justice is the most important to help the people and groups involved to accept the legitimacy of the impact assessment process: how different parties and their values and interests are recognized, and how participation and distribution of power are organized in an impact assessment process. It is confirmed in this article that SIA may act as a mediator or a forum providing a process through which competing knowledge claims, various values and interests can be discussed and linked to the proposed alternatives and interventions.