Generic Scenario Research Articles

A cross industry comparison of inter-organisational systems implementation activities

The Inter-organisational systems (IOS) Motivation Model (IMM) has recently been proposed as a theory that explains variations in IOS implementation processes initiated by organisations. The IMM classifies IOS adoption projects (regardless of the underlying technology used) into four generic motivation scenarios and explains different implementation processes for each motivation scenario. The theory was tested in the Australian pharmaceutical industry where it received broad support. In order to enhance its generality, in this study we explore the applicability of part of the IMM theory to a different industry context by addressing the research objective that organisations with the same motive for implementing an IOS initiate the same implementation activities regardless of differences in the industry contexts within which they operate. We have used a multiple case study approach and compared the implementation of a proprietary in-house built e-ordering system in a large Australian pharmaceutical manufacturing company with that of a web-based EDI system used by a large automotive manufacturing company using IMM as a theoretical lens. The empirical results indicate a striking similarity in the implementation processes of these two different IOS applications; this can largely be explained using the IMM theory. Furthermore, the differences in industry contexts do not appear to have a direct influence on the activities associated with implementing these systems.

Utility-Analytic Approach and Swarm Simulations of Security Policies in Digital Rights Management

DRM (Digital Rights Management) Ecosystem to date lacks of a multi-participant trust for stakeholders, which are involved in Contents Provider, Rights Provider and End User, as has significantly negative impacts on DRM-enabled contents value chain's survivable. In order to establish the trust, a utility-analytic and non-cooperative game approach to the optimal adoption of cost-effective security policies was employed. A series of Swarm-based simulation experiments were highlighted, both considering a generic DRM application scenario on the contents acquisition, and discussing different sharing modes' influences on the adoption strategies of typical security policies for a much more complicated scenario on the contents sharing. The simulation results manifest that the enhanced security policies combination are not necessarily rational under any circumstance for the former scenario, and the optimal combination and its precondition are represented. Besides, the best modest sharing mode would spur consumer and contents provider to earn the maximum benefits, as is based on the given optimal security policies profile.

Automotive radar – investigation of mutual interference mechanisms

Abstract. In the past mutual interference between automotive radar sensors has not been regarded as a major problem. With an increasing number of such systems, however, this topic is receiving more and more attention. The investigation of mutual interference and countermeasures is therefore one topic of the joint project "Radar on Chip for Cars" (RoCC) funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). RoCC's goal is to pave the way for the development of high-performance, low-cost 79 GHz radar sensors based on Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs). This paper will present some generic interference scenarios and report on the current status of the analysis of interference mechanisms.

Optimal Neutrality Tests Based on the Frequency Spectrum

The ascertainment of the demographic and selective history of populations has been a major research goal in genetics for decades. To that end, numerous statistical tests have been developed to detect deviations between expected and observed frequency spectra, e.g., Tajima's D, Fu and Li's F and D tests, and Fay and Wu's H. Recently, Achaz developed a general framework to generate tests that detect deviations in the frequency spectrum. In a further development, we argue that the results of these tests should be as independent on the sample size as possible and propose a scale-free form for them. Furthermore, using the same framework as that of Achaz, we develop a new family of neutrality tests based on the frequency spectrum that are optimal against a chosen alternative evolutionary scenario. These tests maximize the power to reject the standard neutral model and are scalable with the sample size. Optimal tests are derived for several alternative evolutionary scenarios, including demographic processes (population bottleneck, expansion, contraction) and selective sweeps. Within the same framework, we also derive an optimal general test given a generic evolutionary scenario as a null model. All formulas are relatively simple and can be computed very fast, making it feasible to apply them to genome-wide sequence data. A simulation study showed that, generally, the tests proposed are more consistently powerful than standard tests like Tajima's D. We further illustrate the method with real data from a QTL candidate region in pigs.

Decision support in urban water management based on generic scenarios: The example of NoMix technology

Urine source separation (NoMix technology) followed by processing the concentrated nutrient solution has the potential to become a cost-efficient alternative to conventional end-of-pipe nutrient elimination. A choice of processing technologies can only be made for specific scenarios, and there is currently no methodology for analyzing generic situations. In setting up a formalized decision-support methodology (based on STEEPLED analysis), we discuss how to create such generic scenarios, how to couple them with process engineering objectives, how to define the technology requirements, and finally how to produce a realistic subset of technology alternatives. The methodology is tested in five real scenarios. We also touch on the criteria for a final choice of technology taking into account large uncertainties about the performance of real technologies. We conclude that technology development is one of the most important requirements for implementing urine source separation in practice. There is an urgent need to develop cost-efficient processing technologies that satisfy the requirements of stakeholders.

IEEE 802.11E QoS and power saving features overview and analysis of combined performance [Accepted from Open Call

Wireless LAN has become the ubiquitous connectivity solution for computing in the home and hotspot environments. While the technology continues to grow within its core computer market, it is also steadily expanding into the much larger handset and consumer electronics markets. Given the increasingly diverse range of applications, additional requirements need to be met by products in order to ensure user satisfaction. Within these requirements two are commonly shared by most new devices: QoS support for prioritizing real-time services over non realtime and power saving functionality to achieve an operating time meeting users¿ expectations. In this article we first provide an overview of the two power saving modes defined by IEEE 802.11e, unscheduled, and scheduled automatic power save delivery, followed by an evaluation of the performance of the different possible combinations of IEEE 802.11e QoS and power saving mechanisms compared to the legacy 802.11 medium access protocol and power save mode. Our results show the level at which the 802.11e QoS and power saving mechanisms meet their design objectives, and provide quantitative results on the differences to be expected with respect to QoS, power saving, signaling load, and network capacity in a generic scenario.

Iterative filtering of SIFT keypoint matches for multi-view registration in Distributed Video Coding

Multi-view registration is an essential step in order to generate the side information for multi-view Distributed Video Coding. As stated in our previous work (Ciobanu and Corte-Real, Multimed Tools Appl 48(3):411---436, 2010) it can be achieved by SIFT (scale-invariant feature transform) generated keypoint matches. The registration accuracy is vital for the adequate generation of side information and it directly depends on the reliable match of possibly all the available point to point correlations between two complete-overlapped views. We propose a solution to this problem based on iterative filtering of SIFT-generated keypoint matches, using the Hough transform and block matching. It aims the generic, real-life and constraint-free scenarios having an arbitrarily close angle between the two views. Practical results show an overall significant reduction of the outliers while maintaining a high rate of correct matches.

A framework for the assessment of ecosystem goods and services; a case study on lowland floodplains in England

The rural space is increasingly valued for the multiple ecosystem services that it can deliver. For example, priorities in many lowland floodplains in England have changed in recent years from a focus on agricultural production towards environmental quality and the management of flood risk, in part linked to climate change. Recent concerns about food security, however, may reinstate the importance of agricultural production in these fertile areas. This paper explores changes in rural land use in floodplains by measuring the range of ecosystem services provided under different management scenarios. Generic land use scenarios consider management options that focus on single objectives, such as maximising agricultural production, maximising biodiversity and maximising flood storage capacity. Indicators are developed to value the ecosystem services provided by floodplains under each scenario, identifying potential synergy and conflict. This integrated ecosystems approach can help to inform future policy and practice for floodplain management, hopefully in ways that appeal to key stakeholders.

Quantifying Remoteness from Emission Sources of Persistent Organic Pollutants on a Global Scale

One of the four screening criteria that are assessed when a chemical substance is nominated for international regulation under the Stockholm Convention is potential for long-range transport. Measured levels of a chemical in locations distant from sources can be used as evidence of long-range environmental transport, but until now, there has been no quantitative measure of the distance of a location from likely source areas of chemicals. Here we use a global atmospheric transport model to calculate atmospheric concentrations for a set of volatile tracers that differ in their effective atmospheric residence time. We then derive an empirical relationship to express these concentrations as a function of the atmospheric residence time and a location-specific parameter, the remoteness index, RI. We present maps of RI for two generic emissions scenarios that represent areas for emissions of industrial and technical chemicals and pesticides, respectively. Our results can be used to better interpret spatial patterns of measured and modeled concentrations of chemicals in the global environment and to derive long-range transport potential metrics for specific substances. We thus provide, to our knowledge for the first time, a description of remoteness that is applicable to measurement sites of continental- and global-scale monitoring programmes. Our results can be used to plan future measurement campaigns and extend monitoring networks.

New physics at a Super Flavor Factory

The potential of a Super Flavor Factory (SFF) for searches of New Physics is reviewed. While very high luminosity B physics is assumed to be at the core of the program, its scope for extensive charm and tau studies are also emphasized. The possibility to run at the Upsilon(5S) is also very briefly discussed; in principle, this could provide very clean measurements of B_s decays. The strength and reach of a SFF is most notably due to the possibility of examining an impressive array of very clean observables. The angles and the sides of the unitarity triangle can be determined with unprecedented accuracy. These serve as a reference for New Physics (NP) sensitive decays such as B^+ ->tau^+ nu and penguin dominated hadronic decay modes, providing tests of generic NP scenarios with an accuracy of a few percent. Besides, very precise studies of direct and time dependent CP asymmetries in radiative B decays and forward-backward asymmetry studies in B-> X_s l^+ l^- and numerous null tests using B, charm and tau decays are also likely to provide powerful insights into NP. The dramatic increase in luminosity at a SFF will also open up entirely new avenues for probing NP observables, e.g. by allowing sensitive studies using theoretically clean processes such as B -> X_s nu nubar. The SFF is envisioned to be a crucial tool for essential studies of flavor in the LHC era, and will extend the reach of the LHC in many important ways.

Can we discover dual-component thermal WIMP dark matter?

We address the question of whether the upcoming generation of dark matter search experiments and colliders will be able to discover if the dark matter in the Universe has two components of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). We outline a model-independent approach, and we study the specific cases of (1) direct detection with low-background 1 ton noble-gas detectors and (2) a 0.5 TeV center of mass energy electron-positron linear collider. We also analyze the case of indirect detection via two gamma-ray lines, which would provide a verification of such a discovery, although multiple gamma-ray lines can in principle originate from the annihilation of a single dark matter particle. For each search ``channel'', we outline a few assumptions to relate the very small set of parameters we consider (defining the masses of the two WIMPs and their relative abundance in the overall dark matter density) with the relevant detection rates. We then draw general conclusions on which corners of a generic dual-component dark matter scenario can be explored with current and next generation experiments. We find that in all channels the ideal setup is one where the relative mass splitting between the two WIMP species is of order 1, and where the two dark matter components contribute in a ratio close to 1:1 to the overall dark matter content of the Universe. Interestingly, in the case of direct detection, future experiments might detect multiple states even if only ∼ 10% of the energy-density of dark matter in the Universe is in the subdominant species.

Field-Induced Self-Assembly of Suspended Colloidal Membranes

We report experiments that probe the self-assembly of micrometer-size colloids into one-particle-thick, robust, and self-healing membranes. In a magic-angle precessing magnetic field, superparamagnetic spheres experience isotropic pair attraction similar to the van der Waals force between atoms. But the many-body polarization interactions among them steer an ordered aggregation pathway consisting of growth of short chains, cross-linking and network formation, network coarsening, and consolidation of membrane patches. This generic aggregation scenario can be induced in any particles of large enough susceptibility.

Coherent structures near the boundary between excitable and oscillatory media

We investigate reaction–diffusion systems near parameter values that mark the transition from an excitable to an oscillatory medium. We analyse the existence and stability of travelling waves near a steep pulse that arises as the limit of excitation pulses when parameters cross into the oscillatory regime. Travelling waves near this limiting profile are obtained by analysing a codimension-two homoclinic saddle-node/orbit-flip bifurcation. The main result shows that there are precisely two generic scenarios for such a transition, distinguished by the sign of an interaction coefficient between pulses. In both scenarios, we find stable fast fronts, unstable slow fronts, stable excitation pulses, and trigger and phase waves. Both trigger and phase waves are stable for repulsive interaction and both are unstable for attractive interaction.

On the nature of lead–lag relationships during glacial–interglacial climate transitions

Analysis of leads and lags between different paleoclimate records remains an important method in paleoclimatology, used to propose and test hypotheses about causal relationships between different processes in the climate system. The robust lead of Antarctic temperature over CO 2 concentration during several recent glacial–interglacial transitions inferred from the Antarctic ice cores apparently contradicts the concept of CO 2-driven climate change and still remains unexplained. Here, using an Earth system model of intermediate complexity and generic scenarios for the principal climatic forcings during glacial–interglacial transitions we performed a suite of experiments that shed some light on the complexity of phase relationships between climate forcing and climate system response. In particular, our results provide an explanation for the observed Antarctic temperature lead over CO 2 concentration. It is shown that the interhemispheric oceanic heat transport provides a crucial link between the two hemispheres. We demonstrate that temporal variations of the oceanic heat transport strongly contribute to the observed phase relationship between polar temperature records in both hemispheres. It is shown that the direct effect of orbital variations on the Antarctic temperature is also significant and explains the observed cooling trend during interglacials. In addition, an imbedded δ 18O model is used to demonstrate that during glacial–interglacial transitions, the temporal evolution of deep calcite marine δ 18O in different locations and at different depths can considerably deviate from that implied by the global ice volume change. This finding indicates that the synchronization of different marine records by means of foraminiferal calcite δ 18O yield large additional uncertainties. Based on our results, we argue that the analysis of leads and lags alone, without a comprehensive understanding and an adequate model of all relevant climate processes, cannot provide direct information about causal relationships in the climate system.

LARGE-SCALE CAVITIES SURROUNDING MICROQUASARS INFERRED FROM EVOLUTION OF THEIR RELATIVISTIC JETS

The black hole X-ray transient XTE J1550-564 has undergone a strong outburst in 1998 and two relativistic X-ray jets have been detected years later with the $\it Chandra$ X-ray observatory; the eastern jet was found previously to have decelerated after its first detection. Here we report a full analysis of the evolution of the western jet; significant deceleration is also detected in the western side. Our analysis indicates that there is a cavity outside the central source and the jets first traveled with constant velocity and then were slowed down by the interactions between the jets and the interstellar medium (ISM). The best fitted radius of the cavity is $\sim$0.31 pc on the eastern side and $\sim$0.44 pc on the western side, and the densities also show asymmetry, of $\sim$0.034 cm$^{-3}$ on the east to $\sim$0.12 cm$^{-3}$ on the west. The best fitted magnetic fields on both sides are $\sim$0.5 mG. Similar analysis is also applied to another microquasar system, H 1743-322, and a large scale low density region is also found. Based on these results and the comparison with other microquasar systems, we suggest a generic scenario for microquasar jets, classifying the observed jets into three main categories, with different jet morphologies (and sizes) corresponding to different scales of vacuous environments surrounding them. We also suggest that either continuous jets or accretion disk winds, or both may be responsible for creating these cavities. Therefore X-ray jets from microquasars provide us with a promising method of probing the environment of accreting black holes.

Power grid current harmonics mitigation drawn on low voltage rated switching devices with effortless control

The great majority of the existing hybrid active power filter solutions is normally focused in 3 ϕ systems and, in general, concentrates its domain of application in specific loads with deterministic behavior. Because common use grids do not exhibit these characteristics, it is mandatory to develop solutions for more generic scenarios, encouraging the use of less classical hybrid solutions. In fact, due to the widely use of switch mode converters in a great variety of consumer electronics, the problematic of mains current harmonic mitigation is no longer an exclusive matter of 3 ϕ systems. The contribution of this paper is to present a shunt hybrid active power filter topology, initially conceived to work in 1 ϕ domestic grids, able to operate the inverter at a voltage rate that can be lower than 10% of the mains voltage magnitude, even under nonspecific working conditions. In addition, the results shown in this paper demonstrate that this topology can, without lack of generality, be suitable to medium voltage (1 ϕ or 3 ϕ) systems. A new control approach for the proposed topology is discussed in this paper. The control method exhibits an extremely simple architecture requiring single point current sensing only, with no need for any kind of reference. Its practical implementation can be fulfilled by using very few, common use, operational amplifiers. The principle of operation, design criteria, simulation predictions and experimental results are presented and discussed.

Collisions between spinning and nonspinning co-axial three-dimensional Ginzburg-Landau solitons

We report results of the first analysis of collisions between stable fundamental (alias spinless) and vortical (spinning) three-dimensional dissipative solitons in a model of a laser cavity. The systematic analysis is carried out for values S=1 and S=2 of the vorticity of the latter soliton. With the increase of the collision momentum, Χ, the same generic scenarios are observed in either case: merger into a single fundamental soliton at both small and relatively large values of Χ, and the formation of two fundamental solitons in an intermediate interval of variation of the collision momentum Χ. At very large values of Χ, the collision seems quasi-elastic, but the vortex soliton eventually splits into two nonspinning fragments.

An implementing framework for holonic manufacturing control with multiple robot-vision stations

The paper describes a holonic control architecture and implementing issues for agile job shop assembly with networked intelligent robots, based on the dynamic simulation of material processing and transportation. The holarchy was defined considering the PROSA reference architecture relative to which in-line vision-based quality control was added by help of feature-based descriptions of the material flow. Two solutions for production planning are proposed: a knowledge-based algorithm using production rules, and an OO resolved scheduling rate planner (RSRP) based on variable-timing simulation. Failure- and recovery-management are developed as generic scenarios embedding the CNP mechanism into production self-rescheduling. Aggregate Order Holon execution is realized by OPC-based PLC software integration and event-driven product transportation. The holonic control of multiple networked robot-vision stations also features tolerance to station computer- (IBM PC-type), station controller- (robot controller), quality control- (machine vision) and communication- (LAN) failure. Fault tolerance and high availability at shop-floor level are provided due to the multiple physical communication capabilities of the robot controllers, to their multiple-axis multitasking operating capability, and to hardware redundancy of single points of failure (SPOF). Implementing solutions and experiments are reported for a 6-station robot-vision assembly cell with twin-track closed-loop pallet transportation system and product-racking RD/WR devices. Future developments will consider manufacturing integration at enterprise level.

Cosmology with many light scalar fields: Stochastic inflation and loop corrections

We explore the consequences of the existence of a very large number of light scalar degrees of freedom in the early universe. We distinguish between participator and spectator fields. The former have a small mass, and can contribute to the inflationary dynamics; the latter are either strictly massless or have a negligible VEV. In $N$-flation and generic assisted inflation scenarios, inflation is a cooperative phenomenon driven by $N$ participator fields, none of which could drive inflation on its own. We review upper bounds on $N$, as a function of the inflationary Hubble scale $H$. We then consider stochastic and eternal inflation in models with $N$ participator fields showing that individual fields may evolve stochastically while the whole ensemble behaves deterministically, and that a wide range of eternal inflationary scenarios are possible in this regime. We then compute one-loop quantum corrections to the inflationary power spectrum. These are largest with $N$ spectator fields and a single participator field, and the resulting bound on $N$ is always weaker than those obtained in other ways. We find that loop corrections to the $N$-flation power spectrum do not scale with $N$, and thus place no upper bound on the number of participator fields. This result also implies that, at least to leading order, the theory behaves like a composite single scalar field. In order to perform this calculation, we address a number of issues associated with loop calculations in the Schwinger-Keldysh ``in-in'' formalism.

Biodiversity and climate change use scenarios framework for the GEOSS interoperability pilot process

Climate change threatens to commit 15–37% of species to extinction by 2050. There is a clear need to support policy-makers analyzing and assessing the impact of climate change along with land use changes. This requires a megascience infrastructure that is capable of discovering and integrating enormous volumes of multi-disciplinary data, i.e. data from biodiversity, earth observation, and climatic archives. Metadata and services interoperability is necessary. The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) works to realize such an interoperability infrastructure based on systems architecture standardization. In this paper we describe the results of linking the infrastructures of Climate Change research and Biodiversity research together using the approach envisioned by GEOSS. In fact, we present and discuss a service-oriented framework which was applied to implement and demonstrate the Climate Change and Biodiversity use scenario of the GEOSS Interoperability Process Pilot Project (IP3). This interoperability is done for the purpose of enabling scientists to do large-scale ecological analysis. We describe a generic use scenario and related modelling workbench that implement an environment for studying the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. The Service Oriented Architecture framework, which realizes this environment, is described. Its standard-based components and services, according to GEOSS requirements, are discussed. This framework was successfully demonstrated at the GEO IV Ministerial Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa November 2007.