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The scattering matrix (S-matrix), relating the initial and final states of a physical system undergoing a scattering process, is a fundamental object in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. The study of factorized S-matrices, in which many-body scattering factorizes into a product of two-body terms to yield an integrable model, has long been considered the domain of mathematical physics. Many beautiful results have been obtained over several decades for integrable models of this kind, with far reaching implications in both mathematics and theoretical physics. The viewpoint that these were only toy models changed dramatically with brilliant experimental advances in realizing low-dimensional quantum many-body systems in the lab. These recent experiments involve both the traditional setting of condensed matter physics and the trapping and cooling of atoms in optical lattices to engineer and study quasi-one-dimensional systems. In some cases the quantum physics of one-dimensional systems is arguably more interesting than their three-dimensional counterparts, because the effect of interactions is more pronounced when atoms are confined to one dimension. This article provides a brief overview of these ongoing developments, which highlight the fundamental importance of integrability.

In this paper, the stress intensity factor (SIF) formula FISE along the crack front of a semi-elliptical surface crack is studied. The exact SIF solution FISE is used by solving the hypersingular integral equation of the body force method discussed in the previous paper. To obtain the accurate formula, the SIF ratio FISE/FIE is focused considering the exact solution FIE of an elliptical crack. By applying the least squares method to the ratio FISE/FIE, accurate and convenient formula is proposed. The proposed formulas may provide the accurate SIF distributions for the aspect ratio a/b=1–4 better than 0.2% accuracy.

The use of robotic limb exoskeletons is growing fast either for rehabilitation purposes or in an aim to enhance human ability for lifting heavy objects or for walking for long distances without fatigue. The paper proposes a nonlinear optimal control approach for a lower-limb robotic exoskeleton. The method has been successfully tested so far on the control problem of several types of robotic manipulators and this paper shows that it can also provide an optimal solution to the control problem of limb robotic exoskeletons. To implement this control scheme, the state-space model of the lower-limb robotic exoskeleton undergoes first approximate linearization around a temporary operating point, through first-order Taylor series expansion and through the computation of the associated Jacobian matrices. To select the feedback gains of the H-infinity controller an algebraic Riccati equation is solved at each time-step of the control method. The global stability properties of the control loop are proven through Lyapunov analysis. Finally, to implement state estimation-based feedback control, the H-infinity Kalman Filter is used as a robust state estimator.

The use of robotic limb exoskeletons is growing fast either for rehabilitation purposes or in an aim to enhance human ability for lifting heavy objects or for walking for long distances without fatigue. The paper proposes a nonlinear optimal control approach for a lower-limb robotic exoskeleton. The method has been successfully tested so far on the control problem of several types of robotic manipulators and this paper shows that it can also provide an optimal solution to the control problem of limb robotic exoskeletons. To implement this control scheme, the state-space model of the lower-limb robotic exoskeleton undergoes first approximate linearization around a temporary operating point, through first-order Taylor series expansion and through the computation of the associated Jacobian matrices. To select the feedback gains of the H-infinity controller an algebraic Riccati equation is solved at each time-step of the control method. The global stability properties of the control loop are proven through Lyapunov analysis. Finally, to implement state estimation-based feedback control, the H-infinity Kalman Filter is used as a robust state estimator.

The majority rule is frequently presented as a cornerstone of any democratic society, guiding many group decision-making processes where final decision requires the agreement of more than half the people involved. But sometimes, some key decisions require a higher level of agreement. In such cases, an added value would be to reach some consensus about the decision-making problem. Decision making under consensus drives to decisions which are better accepted and appreciated. But it also implies a greater complexity and time consuming process to reach a final decision, and it may even lead to a deadlock or unsuccessful results, whenever the searched agreement is not achieved. Meanwhile, these problems arise because the requirements to achieve the consensus are too strong, and different processes have softened their requirements. In particular, soft consensus is one of the most widespread consensus reaching processes that uses fuzzy logic to soften the consensus requirements. However, several problems still persist despite the softening of the requirements. In this paper, we are going to make a brief revision of the different concepts about consensus and about different consensus reaching processes, both in the crisp and fuzzy environment. We shall then analyze how to overcome their lacks, indicating the challenges facing these processes in order to obtain successful results in those group decision problems in which they are required to make a decision under consensus., Depto. de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, Fac. de Ciencias Matemáticas, TRUE, pub

This paper examines carbon tax design options in the United States using an intertemporal computable general equilibrium model of the world economy called G-Cubed. In this paper, we discuss four policy scenarios that explore two overarching issues: (1) the effects of a carbon tax under alternative assumptions about the use of the resulting revenue, and (2) the effects of a system of import charges on carbon-intensive goods ("border carbon adjustments" or BCAs). Consistent with earlier studies, we find that the carbon tax raises considerable revenue and reduces CO2 emissions significantly relative to baseline, no matter how the revenue is used. Gross annual revenue from the carbon tax with lump sum rebating and no BCA begins at 110 billion in 2020 and rises gradually to 170 billion in 2040. By 2040, annual CO2 emissions fall from 5.5 billion metric tons (BMT) under the baseline to 2.4 BMT, a decline of 3.1 BMT, or 57%. Cumulative emissions over 2020 to 2040 fall by 48 BMT. Also consistent with earlier studies, we find that the carbon tax has very small overall impacts on gross domestic product (GDP), wages, employment, and consumption. Different uses of the revenue from the carbon tax result in slightly different levels and compositions of GDP across consumption, investment and net exports. Overall, using carbon tax revenue to reduce the capital income tax rate results in better macroeconomic outcomes than using the revenue for lump sum transfers. Counter to their purported purpose of protecting U.S. trade strength, for a given revenue policy, BCAs tend to produce lower net exports than the carbon taxes alone. This is generally because the BCAs raise the value of the dollar relative to other currencies, thus lowering exports more than they lower imports. This is consistent with standard results in the international trade literature on the effects of import tariffs and export subsidies on real exchange rates, a result that is often overlooked in the discussion of dome

In this paper, a new realization of a current-mode first-order all-pass filter (APF) using a single active building block (ABB) and one grounded capacitor is presented. As the ABB, the current backward transconductance amplifier (CBTA) is used, which is one of the most recently reported active elements in the literature. The theoretical results are in detail verified by numerous SPICE simulations using a new low-voltage implementation of CBTA. In the design, the PTM 90 nm level-7 CMOS process BSIM3v3 parameters with ±0.45 V supply voltages were used. The proposed resistorless CBTA-C APF provides easy electronic tuning of the pole frequency in frequency range from 763 kHz to 17.6 MHz, which is more than one decade. Maximum power dissipation of the circuit is 828 W at bias current 233 A. Non-ideal, parasitic effects, sensitivity analyses, temperature and noise variation, current swing capability, and Monte Carlo analysis results are also provided. Compared to prior state-of-the-art works, the proposed CBTA-C APF has achieved the highest Figure of Merit value, which proves its superior performance., In this paper, a new realization of a current-mode first-order all-pass filter (APF) using a single active building block (ABB) and one grounded capacitor is presented. As the ABB, the current backward transconductance amplifier (CBTA) is used, which is one of the most recently reported active elements in the literature. The theoretical results are in detail verified by numerous SPICE simulations using a new low-voltage implementation of CBTA. In the design, the PTM 90 nm level-7 CMOS process BSIM3v3 parameters with ±0.45 V supply voltages were used. The proposed resistorless CBTA-C APF provides easy electronic tuning of the pole frequency in frequency range from 763 kHz to 17.6 MHz, which is more than one decade. Maximum power dissipation of the circuit is 828 W at bias current 233 A. Non-ideal, parasitic effects, sensitivity analyses, temperature and noise variation, current swing capability, and Monte Carlo analysis results are also provided. Compared to prior state-of-the-art works, the proposed CBTA-C APF has achieved the highest Figure of Merit value, which proves its superior performance.

In this paper, a new realization of a current-mode first-order all-pass filter (APF) using a single active building block (ABB) and one grounded capacitor is presented. As the ABB, the current backward transconductance amplifier (CBTA) is used, which is one of the most recently reported active elements in the literature. The theoretical results are in detail verified by numerous SPICE simulations using a new low-voltage implementation of CBTA. In the design, the PTM 90 nm level-7 CMOS process BSIM3v3 parameters with ±0.45 V supply voltages were used. The proposed resistorless CBTA-C APF provides easy electronic tuning of the pole frequency in frequency range from 763 kHz to 17.6 MHz, which is more than one decade. Maximum power dissipation of the circuit is 828 W at bias current 233 A. Non-ideal, parasitic effects, sensitivity analyses, temperature and noise variation, current swing capability, and Monte Carlo analysis results are also provided. Compared to prior state-of-the-art works, the proposed CBTA-C APF has achieved the highest Figure of Merit value, which proves its superior performance., In this paper, a new realization of a current-mode first-order all-pass filter (APF) using a single active building block (ABB) and one grounded capacitor is presented. As the ABB, the current backward transconductance amplifier (CBTA) is used, which is one of the most recently reported active elements in the literature. The theoretical results are in detail verified by numerous SPICE simulations using a new low-voltage implementation of CBTA. In the design, the PTM 90 nm level-7 CMOS process BSIM3v3 parameters with ±0.45 V supply voltages were used. The proposed resistorless CBTA-C APF provides easy electronic tuning of the pole frequency in frequency range from 763 kHz to 17.6 MHz, which is more than one decade. Maximum power dissipation of the circuit is 828 W at bias current 233 A. Non-ideal, parasitic effects, sensitivity analyses, temperature and noise variation, current swing capability, and Monte Carlo analysis results are also provided. Compared to prior state-of-the-art works, the proposed CBTA-C APF has achieved the highest Figure of Merit value, which proves its superior performance.

In this paper, a new realization of a current-mode first-order all-pass filter (APF) using a single active building block (ABB) and one grounded capacitor is presented. As the ABB, the current backward transconductance amplifier (CBTA) is used, which is one of the most recently reported active elements in the literature. The theoretical results are in detail verified by numerous SPICE simulations using a new low-voltage implementation of CBTA. In the design, the PTM 90 nm level-7 CMOS process BSIM3v3 parameters with ±0.45 V supply voltages were used. The proposed resistorless CBTA-C APF provides easy electronic tuning of the pole frequency in frequency range from 763 kHz to 17.6 MHz, which is more than one decade. Maximum power dissipation of the circuit is 828 W at bias current 233 A. Non-ideal, parasitic effects, sensitivity analyses, temperature and noise variation, current swing capability, and Monte Carlo analysis results are also provided. Compared to prior state-of-the-art works, the proposed CBTA-C APF has achieved the highest Figure of Merit value, which proves its superior performance., In this paper, a new realization of a current-mode first-order all-pass filter (APF) using a single active building block (ABB) and one grounded capacitor is presented. As the ABB, the current backward transconductance amplifier (CBTA) is used, which is one of the most recently reported active elements in the literature. The theoretical results are in detail verified by numerous SPICE simulations using a new low-voltage implementation of CBTA. In the design, the PTM 90 nm level-7 CMOS process BSIM3v3 parameters with ±0.45 V supply voltages were used. The proposed resistorless CBTA-C APF provides easy electronic tuning of the pole frequency in frequency range from 763 kHz to 17.6 MHz, which is more than one decade. Maximum power dissipation of the circuit is 828 W at bias current 233 A. Non-ideal, parasitic effects, sensitivity analyses, temperature and noise variation, current swing capability, and Monte Carlo analysis results are also provided. Compared to prior state-of-the-art works, the proposed CBTA-C APF has achieved the highest Figure of Merit value, which proves its superior performance.

The group structure on the rational points of elliptic curves plays several important roles, in mathematics and recently also in other areas such as cryptography. However, the famous proofs for the group property (in particular, for its associative law) require somewhat advanced mathematics and therefore are not easily accessible by non-mathematician. On the other hand, there have been attempts in the literature to give an elementary proof, but those rely on computer- aided calculation for some part in their proofs. In this paper, we give a self-contained proof of the associative law for this operation, assuming mathematical knowledge only at the level of basic linear algebra and not requiring computer-aided arguments.

The current general wisdom regarding fiscal policy in response to fluctuations in economic cycles is to adopt countercyclical strategies: contractive during a boom to avoid overheating the economy and expansive during a recession to stimulate economic activity. This paper attempts to investigate the practical behavior of fiscal policy in Indonesia in response to economic cycles to establish whether it follows general fiscal wisdom (countercyclical) or amplifies the cycle (procyclical). An error correction model (ECM) and an alternative model to deal with the possible endogeneity problem are utilized. This paper shows that fiscal policy in Indonesia tends to be procyclical. Observations of some other ASEAN countries, namely Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, indicate that Singapore could be the only country in ASEAN that is able to implement a countercyclical fiscal policy

When wood materials are used for a mechanical structure, the fatigue strength should be estimated due to repeated loads they receive. This paper reveals that the methods to calculate allowable stresses along with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) can take the strength reduction due to fatigue into account because the ASTM/AIJ allowable stresses against the static strength closely resemble the fatigue limit against the wood static strength.

The rolls are classified into two types; one is a single-solid type, and the other is a shrink-fitted construction type consisting of a sleeve and a shaft. The bimetallic work rolls are widely used in the roughing stands of hot rolling stand mills. Regarding a shrink-fitted construction type, the interfacial slip sometimes appears between the shaft and the shrink-fitted sleeve. This interfacial slip can be regarded as the relative displacement between the sleeve and the shaft. In this paper, the stress due to the interfacial slip is studied because the stress may cause the sleeve fracture. It is found that the stress in the shrink-fitted surface is slightly decreased with increasing number of rotations n. Therefore, the stress obtained by the simulation at n=2 can be used to estimate the fatigue strength.

This paper proposes a nonlinear optimal control approach for mulitple degrees of freedom (DOF) brachiation robots, which are often used in inspection and maintenance tasks of the electric power grid. Because of the nonlinear and multivariable structure of the related state-space model, as well as because of underactuation, the control problem of these robots is nontrivial. The dynamic model of the brachiation robots undergoes first approximate linearization with the use of Taylor series expansion around a temporary operating point which is recomputed at each iteration of the control method. For the approximately linearized model, an H-infinity feedback controller is designed. The linearization procedure relies on the Jacobian matrices of the brachiation robots’ state-space model. The proposed control method stands for the solution of the optimal control problem for the nonlinear and multivariable dynamics of the brachiation robots, under model uncertainties and external perturbations. For the computation of the controller’s feedback gains an algebraic Riccati equation is solved at each time-step of the control method. The global stability properties of the control scheme are proven through Lyapunov analysis. The new nonlinear optimal control approach achieves fast and accurate tracking for all state variables of the brachiation robots, under moderate variations of the control inputs.

This paper proposes a nonlinear optimal control approach for mulitple degrees of freedom (DOF) brachiation robots, which are often used in inspection and maintenance tasks of the electric power grid. Because of the nonlinear and multivariable structure of the related state-space model, as well as because of underactuation, the control problem of these robots is nontrivial. The dynamic model of the brachiation robots undergoes first approximate linearization with the use of Taylor series expansion around a temporary operating point which is recomputed at each iteration of the control method. For the approximately linearized model, an H-infinity feedback controller is designed. The linearization procedure relies on the Jacobian matrices of the brachiation robots’ state-space model. The proposed control method stands for the solution of the optimal control problem for the nonlinear and multivariable dynamics of the brachiation robots, under model uncertainties and external perturbations. For the computation of the controller’s feedback gains an algebraic Riccati equation is solved at each time-step of the control method. The global stability properties of the control scheme are proven through Lyapunov analysis. The new nonlinear optimal control approach achieves fast and accurate tracking for all state variables of the brachiation robots, under moderate variations of the control inputs.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused a breach at Fire Island (NY, USA), near Pelican Island. This paper aims at modelling dune erosion, overwash and breaching processes that occured during the hurricane event at this stretch of coast with the numerical model XBeach. By using the default settings, the erosion rates are substantially overestimated, which was also concluded in several previous case studies. If the discretization of bed roughness along with wave skewness and asymmetry are improved in the model, XBeach is capable of simulating the various morphological changes within the chosen model domain.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused a breach at Fire Island (NY, USA), near Pelican Island. This paper aims at modelling dune erosion, overwash and breaching processes that occured during the hurricane event at this stretch of coast with the numerical model XBeach. By using the default settings, the erosion rates are substantially overestimated, which was also concluded in several previous case studies. If the discretization of bed roughness along with wave skewness and asymmetry are improved in the model, XBeach is capable of simulating the various morphological changes within the chosen model domain.

It is widely acknowledged that the export-oriented garment and textile industries have been playing important role on the overall economic development in developing countries. However, the performance of the developing countries in exporting garment and textiles is in fact, highly heterogeneous. While some of the developing countries such as, China, Vietnam and Bangladesh have been highly successful in exporting highly labor-intensive garment and textiles products, not all of the developing countries have been equally successful in doing so. Using cross-country panel data, an attempt has been made in this paper to ascertain the importance of infrastructure and business environment in explaining the heterogeneous performance in exporting garment and textiles by the developing countries. The paper empirically demonstrates that in addition to the availability of cheap labor, the availability of basic infrastructure, and a business friendly environment significantly affect the export of labor-intensive garment and textiles by the developing countries. The paper, thus, suggests to invest on infrastructure, and to develop a business friendly environment in developing countries to strongly link the growth potentials of labor-intensive products and economic growth.

This paper investigates decision making in the stage-gate process used by an aerospace manufacturer. More specifically, it focuses on the way decision makers deal with uncertainties and ambiguities when making decisions. The stage-gate model was found to be a discussion trigger - a boundary negotiating artefact - through which stakeholders bring issues to the table, reflect on uncertainties, and decide in what areas more knowledge is needed. Managers should be aware that the knowledge base might not always be perfect and should make use of the sensemaking capabilities of the stage-gate model and the gate meeting to mitigate and improve the knowledge base. This paper elaborates on formalized knowledge-based criteria so as to support this evaluation of the knowledge base., Artikeln behandlar beslutsfattande och informationshantering i formella stage-gate-processer (fas-grind). Modellen och beslutsmötet fungerade som ett diskussionsunderlag för vilken man kan utveckla planer för hur man förbättrar beslutet.

This paper investigates decision making in the stage-gate process used by an aerospace manufacturer. More specifically, it focuses on the way decision makers deal with uncertainties and ambiguities when making decisions. The stage-gate model was found to be a discussion trigger - a boundary negotiating artefact - through which stakeholders bring issues to the table, reflect on uncertainties, and decide in what areas more knowledge is needed. Managers should be aware that the knowledge base might not always be perfect and should make use of the sensemaking capabilities of the stage-gate model and the gate meeting to mitigate and improve the knowledge base. This paper elaborates on formalized knowledge-based criteria so as to support this evaluation of the knowledge base., Artikeln behandlar beslutsfattande och informationshantering i formella stage-gate-processer (fas-grind). Modellen och beslutsmötet fungerade som ett diskussionsunderlag för vilken man kan utveckla planer för hur man förbättrar beslutet.

This paper investigates decision making in the stage-gate process used by an aerospace manufacturer. More specifically, it focuses on the way decision makers deal with uncertainties and ambiguities when making decisions. The stage-gate model was found to be a discussion trigger - a boundary negotiating artefact - through which stakeholders bring issues to the table, reflect on uncertainties, and decide in what areas more knowledge is needed. Managers should be aware that the knowledge base might not always be perfect and should make use of the sensemaking capabilities of the stage-gate model and the gate meeting to mitigate and improve the knowledge base. This paper elaborates on formalized knowledge-based criteria so as to support this evaluation of the knowledge base., Artikeln behandlar beslutsfattande och informationshantering i formella stage-gate-processer (fas-grind). Modellen och beslutsmötet fungerade som ett diskussionsunderlag för vilken man kan utveckla planer för hur man förbättrar beslutet.

This paper investigates decision making in the stage-gate process used by an aerospace manufacturer. More specifically, it focuses on the way decision makers deal with uncertainties and ambiguities when making decisions. The stage-gate model was found to be a discussion trigger - a boundary negotiating artefact - through which stakeholders bring issues to the table, reflect on uncertainties, and decide in what areas more knowledge is needed. Managers should be aware that the knowledge base might not always be perfect and should make use of the sensemaking capabilities of the stage-gate model and the gate meeting to mitigate and improve the knowledge base. This paper elaborates on formalized knowledge-based criteria so as to support this evaluation of the knowledge base., Artikeln behandlar beslutsfattande och informationshantering i formella stage-gate-processer (fas-grind). Modellen och beslutsmötet fungerade som ett diskussionsunderlag för vilken man kan utveckla planer för hur man förbättrar beslutet.

This paper investigates decision making in the stage-gate process used by an aerospace manufacturer. More specifically, it focuses on the way decision makers deal with uncertainties and ambiguities when making decisions. The stage-gate model was found to be a discussion trigger - a boundary negotiating artefact - through which stakeholders bring issues to the table, reflect on uncertainties, and decide in what areas more knowledge is needed. Managers should be aware that the knowledge base might not always be perfect and should make use of the sensemaking capabilities of the stage-gate model and the gate meeting to mitigate and improve the knowledge base. This paper elaborates on formalized knowledge-based criteria so as to support this evaluation of the knowledge base., Artikeln behandlar beslutsfattande och informationshantering i formella stage-gate-processer (fas-grind). Modellen och beslutsmötet fungerade som ett diskussionsunderlag för vilken man kan utveckla planer för hur man förbättrar beslutet.

Information visualization can accelerate perception, provide insight and control, and harness this flood of valuable data to gain a competitive advantage in making business decisions. Although such a statement seems to be obvious, there is a lack in the literature of practical evidence of the benefit of information visualization. The main contribution of this paper is to illustrate how, for a major European apparel retailer, the visualization of performance information plays a critical role in improving business decisions and in extracting insights from RFID-based performance measures. In this paper, we identify – based on a literature review – three fundamental managerial functions of information visualization, namely as: a communication medium, a knowledge management means, and a decision-support instrument. Then, we provide – based on real industrial case evidence – how information visualization supports business decision-making. Several examples are provided to evidence the benefit of information visualization through its three identified managerial functions. We find that – depending on the way performance information is shaped, communicated, and made interactive – it not only helps decision-making, but also offers a means of knowledge creation, as well as an appropriate communication channel.

Some of the nodes of complex social networks may support for a given proposal, while the rest of the nodes may be against the given proposal. Even though all the nodes support for or are against the given proposal, the decision certitudes of individual nodes may be different. In this case, the steady state values of the decision certitudes of the majority of the nodes are either higher than or lower than a threshold value. Deriving the near consensus property is a key to the analysis of the behaviors of complex social networks. So far, no result on the behaviors of the complex social networks satisfying the near consensus property has been reported. Hence, it is useful to extend the definition of the exact consensus property to that of a near consensus property and investigate the behaviors of the complex social networks satisfying the near consensus property. This paper extends the definition of exact consensus complex social networks to that of near consensus complex social networks. For complex linear social networks, this paper investigates the relationships among the vectors representing the steady state values of the decision certitudes of the nodes, the influence weight matrix and the set of vectors representing the initial state values of the decision certitudes of the nodes under a given near consensus specification.The above analysis is based on the Eigen theory. For complex nonlinear social networks with certain types of nonlinearities, the relationship between the influence weight matrix and the vectors representing the steady state values of the decision certitudes of the nodes is studied. When a complex nonlinear social network does not achieve the exact consensus property, the optimal near consensus condition that the complex social network can achieve is derived. This problem is formulated as an optimization problem. The total number of nodes that the decision certitudes of the nodes are either higher than or lower than a threshold value is maximized

Information visualization can accelerate perception, provide insight and control, and harness this flood of valuable data to gain a competitive advantage in making business decisions. Although such a statement seems to be obvious, there is a lack in the literature of practical evidence of the benefit of information visualization. The main contribution of this paper is to illustrate how, for a major European apparel retailer, the visualization of performance information plays a critical role in improving business decisions and in extracting insights from RFID-based performance measures. In this paper, we identify – based on a literature review – three fundamental managerial functions of information visualization, namely as: a communication medium, a knowledge management means, and a decision-support instrument. Then, we provide – based on real industrial case evidence – how information visualization supports business decision-making. Several examples are provided to evidence the benefit of information visualization through its three identified managerial functions. We find that – depending on the way performance information is shaped, communicated, and made interactive – it not only helps decision-making, but also offers a means of knowledge creation, as well as an appropriate communication channel.

Information visualization can accelerate perception, provide insight and control, and harness this flood of valuable data to gain a competitive advantage in making business decisions. Although such a statement seems to be obvious, there is a lack in the literature of practical evidence of the benefit of information visualization. The main contribution of this paper is to illustrate how, for a major European apparel retailer, the visualization of performance information plays a critical role in improving business decisions and in extracting insights from RFID-based performance measures. In this paper, we identify – based on a literature review – three fundamental managerial functions of information visualization, namely as: a communication medium, a knowledge management means, and a decision-support instrument. Then, we provide – based on real industrial case evidence – how information visualization supports business decision-making. Several examples are provided to evidence the benefit of information visualization through its three identified managerial functions. We find that – depending on the way performance information is shaped, communicated, and made interactive – it not only helps decision-making, but also offers a means of knowledge creation, as well as an appropriate communication channel.

Information visualization can accelerate perception, provide insight and control, and harness this flood of valuable data to gain a competitive advantage in making business decisions. Although such a statement seems to be obvious, there is a lack in the literature of practical evidence of the benefit of information visualization. The main contribution of this paper is to illustrate how, for a major European apparel retailer, the visualization of performance information plays a critical role in improving business decisions and in extracting insights from RFID-based performance measures. In this paper, we identify – based on a literature review – three fundamental managerial functions of information visualization, namely as: a communication medium, a knowledge management means, and a decision-support instrument. Then, we provide – based on real industrial case evidence – how information visualization supports business decision-making. Several examples are provided to evidence the benefit of information visualization through its three identified managerial functions. We find that – depending on the way performance information is shaped, communicated, and made interactive – it not only helps decision-making, but also offers a means of knowledge creation, as well as an appropriate communication channel.

Information visualization can accelerate perception, provide insight and control, and harness this flood of valuable data to gain a competitive advantage in making business decisions. Although such a statement seems to be obvious, there is a lack in the literature of practical evidence of the benefit of information visualization. The main contribution of this paper is to illustrate how, for a major European apparel retailer, the visualization of performance information plays a critical role in improving business decisions and in extracting insights from RFID-based performance measures. In this paper, we identify – based on a literature review – three fundamental managerial functions of information visualization, namely as: a communication medium, a knowledge management means, and a decision-support instrument. Then, we provide – based on real industrial case evidence – how information visualization supports business decision-making. Several examples are provided to evidence the benefit of information visualization through its three identified managerial functions. We find that – depending on the way performance information is shaped, communicated, and made interactive – it not only helps decision-making, but also offers a means of knowledge creation, as well as an appropriate communication channel.

Information visualization can accelerate perception, provide insight and control, and harness this flood of valuable data to gain a competitive advantage in making business decisions. Although such a statement seems to be obvious, there is a lack in the literature of practical evidence of the benefit of information visualization. The main contribution of this paper is to illustrate how, for a major European apparel retailer, the visualization of performance information plays a critical role in improving business decisions and in extracting insights from RFID-based performance measures. In this paper, we identify – based on a literature review – three fundamental managerial functions of information visualization, namely as: a communication medium, a knowledge management means, and a decision-support instrument. Then, we provide – based on real industrial case evidence – how information visualization supports business decision-making. Several examples are provided to evidence the benefit of information visualization through its three identified managerial functions. We find that – depending on the way performance information is shaped, communicated, and made interactive – it not only helps decision-making, but also offers a means of knowledge creation, as well as an appropriate communication channel.

This paper investigates decision making in the stage-gate process used by an aerospace manufacturer. More specifically, it focuses on the way decision makers deal with uncertainties and ambiguities when making decisions. The stage-gate model was found to be a discussion trigger - a boundary negotiating artefact - through which stakeholders bring issues to the table, reflect on uncertainties, and decide in what areas more knowledge is needed. Managers should be aware that the knowledge base might not always be perfect and should make use of the sensemaking capabilities of the stage-gate model and the gate meeting to mitigate and improve the knowledge base. This paper elaborates on formalized knowledge-based criteria so as to support this evaluation of the knowledge base., Artikeln behandlar beslutsfattande och informationshantering i formella stage-gate-processer (fas-grind). Modellen och beslutsmötet fungerade som ett diskussionsunderlag för vilken man kan utveckla planer för hur man förbättrar beslutet.

Asia’s alcohol consumption and its retail expenditure on each of beer, distilled spirits and grape wine have more than doubled so far this century. In the process, the mix of beverages in Asia’s consumption of alcohol has been converging on that of the west as wine’s share rises. Since Asia’s beverage production has not kept up with its expansion in demand, imports net of exports are increasingly filling the gap — especially for wine. This paper analyzes trends in consumption and imports for the region and for key Asian countries, and provides projections to 2025 using a new model of global beverage markets.

Relative population growth affects relative prices through the so-called Balassa–Samuelson (BS) mechanism and that in turn impacts PPP. This paper empirically investigates the relationship between the PPP exchange rate and relative population growth in a panel of 80 selected countries. Following the BS hypothesis, this paper argues that relative population growth affects nominal wages that impact price levels and thereby impacts PPP. Using panel cointegration and fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS), the empirical results show that there is a stable relationship between PPP exchange rate and relative population growth in the long run. These empirical findings suggest that population growth have an important role in exchange rate determination through PPP.

In this paper, a new current-mode (CM) circuit for realizing all of the first-order filter responses is suggested. The proposed configuration contains low number of components, only two NMOS transistors both operating in saturation region, two capacitors and two resistors. Major advantages of the presented circuit are low voltage, low noise and high linearity. The proposed filter circuit can simultaneously provide both inverting and non-inverting first-order low-pass, high-pass and all-pass filter responses. Computer simulation results achieved through SPICE tool and experimental results are given as examples to demonstrate performance and effectiveness of the proposed topology., In this paper, a new current-mode (CM) circuit for realizing all of the first-order filter responses is suggested. The proposed configuration contains low number of components, only two NMOS transistors both operating in saturation region, two capacitors and two resistors. Major advantages of the presented circuit are low voltage, low noise and high linearity. The proposed filter circuit can simultaneously provide both inverting and non-inverting first-order low-pass, high-pass and all-pass filter responses. Computer simulation results achieved through SPICE tool and experimental results are given as examples to demonstrate performance and effectiveness of the proposed topology.

In this paper, a new current-mode (CM) circuit for realizing all of the first-order filter responses is suggested. The proposed configuration contains low number of components, only two NMOS transistors both operating in saturation region, two capacitors and two resistors. Major advantages of the presented circuit are low voltage, low noise and high linearity. The proposed filter circuit can simultaneously provide both inverting and non-inverting first-order low-pass, high-pass and all-pass filter responses. Computer simulation results achieved through SPICE tool and experimental results are given as examples to demonstrate performance and effectiveness of the proposed topology., In this paper, a new current-mode (CM) circuit for realizing all of the first-order filter responses is suggested. The proposed configuration contains low number of components, only two NMOS transistors both operating in saturation region, two capacitors and two resistors. Major advantages of the presented circuit are low voltage, low noise and high linearity. The proposed filter circuit can simultaneously provide both inverting and non-inverting first-order low-pass, high-pass and all-pass filter responses. Computer simulation results achieved through SPICE tool and experimental results are given as examples to demonstrate performance and effectiveness of the proposed topology.

In this paper, a new current-mode (CM) circuit for realizing all of the first-order filter responses is suggested. The proposed configuration contains low number of components, only two NMOS transistors both operating in saturation region, two capacitors and two resistors. Major advantages of the presented circuit are low voltage, low noise and high linearity. The proposed filter circuit can simultaneously provide both inverting and non-inverting first-order low-pass, high-pass and all-pass filter responses. Computer simulation results achieved through SPICE tool and experimental results are given as examples to demonstrate performance and effectiveness of the proposed topology., In this paper, a new current-mode (CM) circuit for realizing all of the first-order filter responses is suggested. The proposed configuration contains low number of components, only two NMOS transistors both operating in saturation region, two capacitors and two resistors. Major advantages of the presented circuit are low voltage, low noise and high linearity. The proposed filter circuit can simultaneously provide both inverting and non-inverting first-order low-pass, high-pass and all-pass filter responses. Computer simulation results achieved through SPICE tool and experimental results are given as examples to demonstrate performance and effectiveness of the proposed topology.

In this paper, a new current-mode (CM) circuit for realizing all of the first-order filter responses is suggested. The proposed configuration contains low number of components, only two NMOS transistors both operating in saturation region, two capacitors and two resistors. Major advantages of the presented circuit are low voltage, low noise and high linearity. The proposed filter circuit can simultaneously provide both inverting and non-inverting first-order low-pass, high-pass and all-pass filter responses. Computer simulation results achieved through SPICE tool and experimental results are given as examples to demonstrate performance and effectiveness of the proposed topology., In this paper, a new current-mode (CM) circuit for realizing all of the first-order filter responses is suggested. The proposed configuration contains low number of components, only two NMOS transistors both operating in saturation region, two capacitors and two resistors. Major advantages of the presented circuit are low voltage, low noise and high linearity. The proposed filter circuit can simultaneously provide both inverting and non-inverting first-order low-pass, high-pass and all-pass filter responses. Computer simulation results achieved through SPICE tool and experimental results are given as examples to demonstrate performance and effectiveness of the proposed topology.

Relative population growth affects relative prices through the so-called Balassa–Samuelson (BS) mechanism and that in turn impacts PPP. This paper empirically investigates the relationship between the PPP exchange rate and relative population growth in a panel of 80 selected countries. Following the BS hypothesis, this paper argues that relative population growth affects nominal wages that impact price levels and thereby impacts PPP. Using panel cointegration and fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS), the empirical results show that there is a stable relationship between PPP exchange rate and relative population growth in the long run. These empirical findings suggest that population growth have an important role in exchange rate determination through PPP.

Our aim in this review paper is to present the applications of Connes' noncommutative geometry to elementary particle physics. Whereas the existing literature is mostly focused on a mathematical audience, in this paper we introduce the ideas and concepts

In this paper, we discuss how graph mining system is applied to sales transaction data so as to understand consumer behavior. First, existing research of consumer behavior analysis for sequential purchase pattern is reviewed. Then we propose to represent the complicated customer purchase behavior by a directed graph retaining temporal information in a purchase sequence and apply a graph mining technique to analyze the frequent occurring patterns. In this paper, we demonstrate through the case of healthy cooking oil analysis how graph mining technology helps us understand complex purchase behavior.

As with many others activities, higher education is undergoing rapid globalisation. It is increasingly also the subject of trade negotiations, both under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), and in various preferential trade agreements. Yet little is known empirically about what drives trade in higher education services, and even less is known empirically about the role of barriers to that trade. This paper offers contributions on both fronts. It develops and tests a model of international student movements, recognising that higher education in many countries is price-controlled and entry is typically subject to non-price rationing. It investigates the role of trade barriers, and finds significant effects for barriers in both the sending and receiving countries, which in turn are distorting the methods of service delivery. It explores the policy implications, finding that barriers in the receiving country appear not to be covered by the GATS. In addition, the GATS framework appears relatively poorly placed to deal with barriers to the growing trade in higher education delivered via the mobility of programs, providers or projects, rather than students. The paper also explores areas for further research.

Vector error-correction models (VECM) are increasingly being used to capture dynamic relationships between financial variables. Estimation and interpretation of such models can be enhanced if zero restrictions are allowed in the coefficient matrices. Conventional use of full-order models may weaken the power of statistical inferences due to over-parameterization. The paper demonstrates the usefulness of this approach for the analysis of exchange rate relationships. Specifically, the paper examines the relationship between the money supply and the Euro and provides a test of purchasing power parity (PPP) in Japan. The latter test results shed light on the adjustment mechanisms through which PPP is achieved. In addition, it is clear that the proposed ZNZ patterned VECM modeling provides better insights from this kind of financial time-series analysis. The paper also shows that causality detection in an I(d) system can be revealed identically from the ZNZ patterned VECMs or the equivalent VAR models.

This paper uses the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) Static model to predict the potential impact of economic growth in China on bilateral trade between China and Australia in 2025, under three different scenarios representing the business as usual, the successful reform and the stagnation cases, respectively. The results show that exports from Australia to China will continue to increase in both absolute and relative terms, irrespective of which economic growth path China takes, partly due to the strong complementary relationship of production between the two countries. The results also indicate that education service exports will become a new engine of bilateral trade in addition to agricultural and mineral products. Furthermore, comparing the results obtained from the three scenarios shows how successful reform will bring more benefits to both China and Australia in trade, which provides useful insights for policy making to facilitate bilateral economic relationship.

In the 60s Professor Chen Ping Yang with Professor Chen Ning Yang published several seminal papers on the study of Bethe’s hypothesis for various problems of physics. The works on the lattice gas model, critical behavior in liquid–gas transition, the one-dimensional (1D) Heisenberg spin chain, and the thermodynamics of 1D delta-function interacting bosons are significantly important and influential in the fields of mathematical physics and statistical mechanics. In particular, the work on the 1D Heisenberg spin chain led to subsequent developments in many problems using Bethe’s hypothesis. The method which Yang and Yang proposed to treat the thermodynamics of the 1D system of bosons with a delta-function interaction leads to significant applications in a wide range of problems in quantum statistical mechanics. The Yang and Yang thermodynamics has found beautiful experimental verifications in recent years.

In the framework of open-ended learning cognitive architectures for robots, this paper deals with thedesign of a Long-Term Memory (LTM) structure that can accommodate the progressive acquisition ofexperience-based decision capabilities, or what different authors call “automation” of what is learnt, asa complementary system to more common prospective functions. The LTM proposed here provides fora relational storage of knowledge nuggets given the form of artificial neural networks (ANNs) that isrepresentative of the contexts in which they are relevant in a configural associative structure. It alsoaddresses the problem of continuous perceptual spaces and the task- and context-related generalizationor categorization of perceptions in an autonomous manner within the embodied sensorimotor apparatusof the robot. These issues are analyzed and a solution is proposed through the introduction of two newtypes of knowledge nuggets: P-nodes representing perceptual classes and C-nodes representing contexts.The approach is studied and its performance evaluated through its implementation and application to areal robotic experiment

In this paper, we discuss how graph mining system is applied to sales transaction data so as to understand consumer behavior. First, existing research of consumer behavior analysis for sequential purchase pattern is reviewed. Then we propose to represent the complicated customer purchase behavior by a directed graph retaining temporal information in a purchase sequence and apply a graph mining technique to analyze the frequent occurring patterns. In this paper, we demonstrate through the case of healthy cooking oil analysis how graph mining technology helps us understand complex purchase behavior.

The first edition of Theory of Valuation is a collection of important papers in the field of theoretical financial economics published from 1973 to 1986, and original accompanying essays contributed by eminent researchers including Robert C Merton, Edward C Prescott, Stephen A Ross, and Joseph E Stiglitz. Since then, with the perspective of major theoretical strides in the field, the book has more than fulfilled its original expectations. The realization that it remains today a compendium of classic articles and a must-read for any serious student in theoretical financial economics, has prompted the publication of a new edition. This second edition presents a summary statement of significant research in theoretical financial economics for both the specialist and non-specialist financial economist. It also provides material for PhD-level courses covering valuation theory, and elective reading for advanced Master’s and undergraduate courses. In addition to reproducing the original contributions, this edition includes the seminal paper by Edward C Prescott and Rajnish Mehra, “Recursive Competitive Equilibrium: The Case of Homogeneous Households,” originally published in Econometrica in 1980.

The first edition of Theory of Valuation is a collection of important papers in the field of theoretical financial economics published from 1973 to 1986, and original accompanying essays contributed by eminent researchers including Robert C Merton, Edward C Prescott, Stephen A Ross, and Joseph E Stiglitz. Since then, with the perspective of major theoretical strides in the field, the book has more than fulfilled its original expectations. The realization that it remains today a compendium of classic articles and a must-read for any serious student in theoretical financial economics, has prompted the publication of a new edition. This second edition presents a summary statement of significant research in theoretical financial economics for both the specialist and non-specialist financial economist. It also provides material for PhD-level courses covering valuation theory, and elective reading for advanced Master’s and undergraduate courses. In addition to reproducing the original contributions, this edition includes the seminal paper by Edward C Prescott and Rajnish Mehra, “Recursive Competitive Equilibrium: The Case of Homogeneous Households,” originally published in Econometrica in 1980.

The first edition of Theory of Valuation is a collection of important papers in the field of theoretical financial economics published from 1973 to 1986, and original accompanying essays contributed by eminent researchers including Robert C Merton, Edward C Prescott, Stephen A Ross, and Joseph E Stiglitz. Since then, with the perspective of major theoretical strides in the field, the book has more than fulfilled its original expectations. The realization that it remains today a compendium of classic articles and a must-read for any serious student in theoretical financial economics, has prompted the publication of a new edition. This second edition presents a summary statement of significant research in theoretical financial economics for both the specialist and non-specialist financial economist. It also provides material for PhD-level courses covering valuation theory, and elective reading for advanced Master’s and undergraduate courses. In addition to reproducing the original contributions, this edition includes the seminal paper by Edward C Prescott and Rajnish Mehra, “Recursive Competitive Equilibrium: The Case of Homogeneous Households,” originally published in Econometrica in 1980.

This paper describes a global and feature based representation of face images. We use dimensionality reduction techniques and a support vector machine classifier and show this method performs better than more traditional approaches. We present results of human performance on gender classification tasks and evaluate how the different techniques compare with their performance. The results support the psychological plausibility of the global and feature based representation. This aspect of the work was carried out in collaboration with practitioners in Psychiatry at a local hospital. The paper was selected for publication as an expanded version of a paper presented at ICONIP2004.