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This paper present an initial effort of collaborating hybrid bacteria foraging oriented particle swarm optimization with linear quadratic regulator (LQR) design for automatic generation control (AGC) of power delivery system having power generation through hydro turbines in interconnected control areas to match the frequency variations as well as tie-power interchange to the well planned value after sudden load disturbance in interconnected system. The enactment of LQR highly depend upon the selection of state cost weighing matrix (Q) and control cost weighting matrix (R) in order to achieve the best control efforts. However, most of the researchers assume the structure of Q and R to be an identity and hence the LQR control action was restricted within certain range. Hence, an early attempt is made to compute the structure of Q and R for LQR through hybrid bacteria foraging oriented PSO for AGC of hydro system and application results are computed for various cases considering error evaluated and graphical AGC responses for step load alteration, influence of AGC non-linearities on the output of AGC, parametric alterations and random load alteration to show the efficacy as well as robustness of the present control design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a hybrid approach for image encryption is proposed by combining AES, a standard cryptography algorithm, along with splitting and block permutation. A standard image (Lena) is taken as an input and to enhance the security, the image is divided into 4*4 matrix followed by block permutation before encryption of the image with AES. Comparison of various parameters with and without block permutation confirms the superiority of the proposed method in terms of better results after using splitting and permutation functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in economic growth, industrial output, and employment creation. However, SMEs are often ignored by researchers as far as the adoption of lean is concerned in comparison to Large Enterprises (LEs). Therefore, the literature regarding lean implementation in SMEs is not conspicuous, and many SMEs have only a limited understanding and awareness of lean. This paper offers a comprehensive literature review with a focus on the implementation of lean in SMEs and explores the applicability of lean thinking in such environments. An attempt is made to provide an analysis of lean practices that have been applied in SMEs and critical success factors for lean transformation in SMEs. It also contributes to the field of lean implementation research by proposing a framework for lean in SMEs and identifies the scope of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In deciding to adopt lean manufacturing, it is imperative to investigate where and how lean practices are most needed to influence manufacturing and business performance. Such an investigation becomes indispensable when lean thinking is to be considered in a production arrangement different to the conventional, repetitive, high-volume, stable-demand and discrete-manufacturing environment. This study provides explanations of how performance is improved through the adoption of lean practices in process industries. This is a relatively under-researched area compared to the performance effects associated with the introduction and implementation of lean principles in traditional, discrete manufacturing. Based on a survey of Indian process industries, this study attempts to develop an empirical relationship between lean practices and performance improvement through the use of multivariate statistical analysis. The findings have led to the conclusion that lean practices are positively associated with timely deliveries, productivity, first-pass yield, elimination of waste, reduction in inventory, reduction in costs, reduction in defects and improved demand management. However, within a process-industry context, lean practices related to pull production were found to have a marginal impact on performance improvement. A detailed discussion of the findings along with their theoretical and managerial implications is provided in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Indian classical music and the raga's studied in this research paper. This paper focuses on categorization of these ragas into various different categories based on their features extracted. The tools like PRAAT, MIRchromagram and WEKA have been used for the simulation. The results proved the efficiency increased to 89%. This paper includes the ensemble approach that is used to categorize the Indian classical raga's based on their different characteristics. This paper also shows the comparison of different models as well so as to measure the percent changes in their performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, the lean paradigm has been applied to discrete manufacturing of items that can be easily put together and taken apart. The process industry, on the other hand, transforms raw materials into cohesive units that are basically blended into a final product with parts that cannot be disassembled and then reassembled. The current lean literature provides numerous commendable examples of theory and practices of lean principles in discrete manufacturing. However, its application in process industry is limited. Furthermore, there is no systematic accounting of the lean literature in this sector, which may have contributed to lesser awareness in the industry. This paper provides a state-of-the-art review of lean manufacturing literature with respect to its applications in process industry. It contributes to the classification of literature in a manner which helps to identify strategies suitable for the adoption of lean concepts in process industry. The paper seeks to synthesise the literature with an emphasis on identifying the scope for lean in process industry and associated benefits. The review also presents an analysis of the lean tools and techniques that have been applied or have potential application in the process industry and the challenges to implement lean. We believe that such a comprehensive review will not only facilitate the adoption of lean in process industry but will also provide agenda for further research by exposing voids in the knowledge base. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose -- In the present era of intense competition, industries are adopting lean manufacturing for successful survival. The concept of lean manufacturing is new for Indian process industries. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the status of lean manufacturing in Indian process industries in terms of lean practices, reasons and challenges of implementing lean manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach -- A survey was carried out to assess the level of lean implementation in Indian process industries. Statistical tests were conducted to assess the significant lean practices, reasons and challenges of implementing lean in Indian process industries. Findings -- It is observed that the level of implementation of lean manufacturing in Indian process industries is still low. Results indicate that Indian process industries those who have implemented lean found lean to be very useful to reduce wastes and to increase quality. Major lean practices being implemented by Indian process industries are primarily those which are related to waste elimination or improvement in quality. Indian process industries found that important challenges to implement lean are to produce in small batches, to arrange for lean experts and to impart training to employees. Research limitations/implications -- In the present study, the sample size is small and hence, the findings should be generalized cautiously. Although the study indicates that lean can be very useful if implemented in Indian process industries but further empirical studies are required to quantify performance improvements through adoption of lean. Originality/value -- The paper explores status of lean adoption in Indian process industries. Considering the unique characteristics of process industries, the present research would be helpful for making strategies to implement lean in process industry setups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on customer-sharing of information on mobile phones. The data for the study was collected through administering a structured questionnaire to a group of University students living on the same campus in the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan. The survey instrument included a variety of measures that assess the innovativeness, involvement, Internet usage and online connection of the communicators. Based on the impact of various factors, electronic Word-of-Mouth (WOM) was examined in terms of customers seeking further opinion on the product/service or becoming opinion leaders on the product/service. It was observed that innovativeness and Internet usage have a high positive impact on opinion leadership and Internet usage and online connection have a greater influence on opinion seeking. It was further noticed that opinion seeking or opinion leadership are not mutually exclusive outcomes, but in fact, influence each other, suggesting that the online behavioral outcome falls on a continuous spectrum and mutually interact with each other in a continuous fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]