Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Heuristic methodology'

This thesis investigates the development of a heuristic based methodology for designing measurement networks with application to the precise accounting of metal flows in mineral beneficiation operations. The term 'measurement network' is used to refer to the 'system of sampling and weight measurement equipment' from which process measurements are routinely collected. Metal accounting is defined as the estimation of saleable metal in the mine and subsequent process streams over a defined time period. One of the greatest challenges facing metal accounting is 'uncertainty' that is caused by random errors, and sometimes gross errors, that obtain in process measurements. While gross errors can be eliminated through correct measurement practices, random errors are an inherent property of measured data and they can only be minimised. Two types of rules for designing measurement networks were considered. The first type of rules referred to as 'expert heuristics' consists of (i) Code of Practice Guidelines from the AMIRA P754 Code, and (ii) prevailing accounting practices from the mineral and metallurgical processing industry which were obtained through a questionnaire survey campaign. It was hypothesised that experts in the industry design measurement networks using rules or guidelines that ensure requisite quality in metal accounting. The second set of rules was derived from the symbolic manipulation of the general steady-state linear data reconciliation solution as well as from an intensive numerical study on the variance reduction response of measurements after data reconciliation conducted in this study. These were referred to as 'mathematical heuristics' and are based on the general principle of variance reduction through data reconciliation. It was hypothesised that data reconciliation can be used to target variance reduction for selected measurements by exploiting characteristics of entire measurement networks as well as individual measurement characteristics.

The requirements to protect public water systems from intentional contamination have expanded in the years following September 11, 2001. The areal extent and non-linear nature of water demand and movement in the distribution system makes efficient location of sampling points difficult. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that contamination conceptually can occur at any point and at any time within the distribution system. Small to mid-sized water systems are especially at a disadvantage in addressing this issue due to limited resources available to them. This paper proposes a heuristic methodology to identify strategic locations within the system that can be established as critical detection points for such occurrences. The process uses off-the-shelf software and is structured to be accessible to small and mid-sized water system managers. This methodology is different from others proposed in the literature in that it uses computer simulations to create a database of water system response to contamination at every node in the system. A process is developed to mine this database systematically after considering concentration thresholds and "time since injection" parameters. Finally, using pivot tables and graphs, a network of monitoring locations is identified to provide efficient coverage of the system under the conditions imposed.

Developing economical yet effective methods of incorporating usability engineering as an integral part of software engineering is a primary focus of human-computer interaction (HCI) research. However, much HCI research has focused primarily on inspecting and evaluating applications supporting command-line or graphical user interface (GUI) interaction styles. With the dramatic increase in virtual environment (VE) research in recent years, the HCI community is beginning to place an added emphasis on creating methodologies to ensure usability in VE development. While the demand for VE-specific usability engineering methods and criteria is dire as the amount of money invested by military, government, commercial, and industrial organizations continues to grow, widely accepted methodologies for assessing VE usability are, at this point in time, minimal. There has been a recent increase in research discussing the need of VE-specific usability engineering methodologies, but few research projects have concentrated their efforts on providing such methodologies. Therefore, application developers attempting to apply a user-centered design approach in constructing VEs must often perform largely ad-hoc assessments or in-house evaluations using existing non-VE-specific usability engineering methodologies.

The primary focus of this research was to develop a method to guide usability engineering of VEs. The strategy used to develop this usability evaluation method was to modify existing usability evaluation methodologies to support VE development by leveraging the results of previous VE usability research performed at Virginia Tech and elsewhere. The result was a VE-specific usability evaluation methodology that encompasses two existing usability assessment techniques: usability inspections and formative evaluations. We applied this methodology to Crumbs, an immersive visualization VE developed at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).

A multi-dimensional framework of VE usability characteristics was a topic of research at Virginia Tech. This framework provided the backbone for VE-specific modifications to the existing usability evaluation techniques proposed in this research. Framework design guidelines permitted usability specialists to perform guidelines-based usability inspections of Crumbs. Results gathered from the guidelines-based usability inspections were used not only to redesign the Crumbs user interface but also drive creation of a formative evaluation plan. Application of the methodology not only uncovered usability issues with Crumbs, but also provided invaluable information regarding the effectiveness of the methodology itself. We conclude this thesis by describing a usability evaluation methodology, called the Modified Concept Book Usability Evaluation Methodology, proposed to improve the usability evaluation methodology performed on Crumbs and other VEs. Our methodology was adapted from an established methodology for performing content analysis on a large volume of qualitative data.

Because the realm of VEs is so vast and diverse in application domains and devices, we do not claim that our methodology supports an exhaustive usability evaluation of all VEs. However, the proposed technique is a first attempt at modifying existing usability evaluation methods, and therefore can be used as a launching pad for methodologies to evaluate other aspects of specific VE applications.
Master of Science

Darwinian evolution is a robustly supported scientific theory. Yet creationists continue to challenge its teaching in American public schools. Biology teachers in all 50 states are responsible for teaching science content standards that include evolution. As products of their backgrounds and affiliations teachers bring personal attitudes and beliefs to their teaching. The purpose of this study was to explore how biology teachers perceive, describe, and value their teaching of evolution. This research question was explored through a heuristic qualitative methodology. Eight veteran California high school biology teachers were queried as to their beliefs, perceptions, experiences and practices of teaching evolution. Both personal and professional documents were collected. Data was presented in the form of biographical essays that highlight teachers' backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and practices of teaching evolution. Of special interest was how they describe pressure over teaching evolution during a decade of standards and No Child Left Behind high-stakes testing mandates. Five common themes emerged. Standards have increased the overall amount of evolution that is taught. High-stakes testing has decreased the depth at which evolution is taught. Teacher belief systems strongly influence how evolution is taught. Fear of creationist challenges effect evolution teaching strategies. And lastly, concern over the potential effects of teaching evolution on student worldviews was mixed. Three categories of teacher concern over the potential impact of evolution on student worldviews were identified: Concerned, Strategist, and Carefree. In the final analysis teacher beliefs and attitudes still appeared to he the most important factor influencing how evolution is taught.

This research project asks; what is the potential for garments to express an Indian/European cultural hybridisation? The research explores the development of an alternative aesthetic by hybridising the ethos of traditional Indian garments and the aesthetics of 'Western' garments. The garments have been designed and constructed after key design features were indentified, and the new garments reflect hybridisation. The aspect of hybridisation was further enhanced with the use of digitally-printed fabric imagery which features a mythologised and idealised European/Indian history. The research seeks to discover if such a joining-together could develop an aesthetic sensibility, informed by both a ‘Western’ enculturation and a traditional Indian heritage. The new garments will speak to the viewer about what it is to experience being situated within two cultures simultaneously.

L’avaluació heurística és una de les metodologies d’avaluació de la usabilitat més barates i utilitzades. Tot i així, algunes de les fases de la metodologia poden ser semi-automatitzades per tal de disminuir encara més el temps necessari per executar la metodologia i, en conseqüència, disminuir també el pressupost invertit en el procés de desenvolupament del sistema interactiu. A més, en termes generals, la qualitat d’un producte ha evolucionat de la usabilitat cap a l’experiència d’usuari. Per tant, d’acord amb les fases manuals de l’avaluació heurística i l’evolució cap a l’experiència d’usuari, es proposa una nova metodologia basada en heurístiques que considera l’experiència d’usuari en les fases de disseny i avaluació del procés de desenvolupament d’un sistema interactiu. Aquesta nova metodologia basada en heurístiques semi-automatitza l’elecció de les millors heurístiques per un sistema interactiu específic. També suporta el procés de l’avaluació heurística en sí i, finalment proporciona resultats quantitatius, qualitatius, formatius i summatius a través de l’estàndard ISO/IEC 25062:2006 standard for software engineering. Software product Quality Requirements and Evaluation (SQuaRE). Common Industry Format (CIF). Finalment, aquesta metodologia s’implementa en el recurs anomenat Open-HEREDEUX: Open HEurisitc Resource for Designin and Evaluation User eXperience.
La evaluación heurística es una de las metodologías de evaluación de la usabilidad más baratas y utilizadas. Sin embargo, algunas de las fases de la metodología pueden ser semi-automatizadas para disminuir aún más el tiempo necesario para ejecutar la metodología y, en consecuencia, disminuir también el presupuesto invertido en el proceso de desarrollo de un sistema interactivo. Además, en términos generales, la calidad de un producto ha evolucionado de la usabilidad hacia la experiencia de usuario. Por lo tanto, de acuerdo con las fases manuales de la evaluación heurística y la evolución hacia la experiencia de usuario, se propone una nueva metodología basada en heurísticas que considera la experiencia de usuario en las fases de diseño y evaluación del proceso de desarrollo de un sistema interactivo. Esta nueva metodología basada en heurísticas semi-automatiza la selección de las mejores heurísticas para un sistema interactivo específico. También da soporte en el proceso de la evaluación heurística en sí y, finalmente, proporciona resultados cuantitativos, cualitativos, formativos y summativos a través del estándar ISO/IEC 25062:2006 standard for software engineering. Software product Quality Requirements and Evaluation (SQuaRE). Common Industry Format (CIF). Finalmente, esta metodología es implementada mediante el recurso Open-HEREDEUX: Open HEurisitc Resource for Designin and Evaluation User eXperience.
Heuristic evaluation is one of the most used and discount usability evaluation methodologies. However, it has some manual steps that could be semi-automated to decrease the time spent to carry out the methodology and, in consequence, the budget invested in the development process of an interactive system. In addition, the quality of a product has evolved, in general terms, from the usability to the user experience. Therefore, according to both aspects, manual steps of the heuristic evaluation and evolution towards user experience, a new methodology based on heuristics is proposed for considering user experience in the design and evaluation steps of the development process of an interactive system. This methodology semi-automates the selection of the best heuristics for a specific interactive system, it supports heuristic evaluation per se and, finally, it provides quantitative, qualitative, summative and formative results through the ISO/IEC 25062:2006 standard for software engineering. Software product Quality Requirements and Evaluation (SQuaRE). Common Industry Format (CIF) for usability test reports. Furthermore, this methodology is implemented in Open-HEREDEUX: Open HEuristic REsource for Designing and Evaluating User eXperience.

Orientador: Zeljko Loparic
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas
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Resumo: Na filosofia kantiana os princípios sistematizadores do conhecimento são apenas regulativos. Neste caso, em oposição aos princípios constitutivos do entendimento que são objetivos a priori, os princípios reguladores são apenas subjetivos. Neste trabalho procuramos mostrar que apesar dos princípios sistematizadores serem máximas subjetivas, tais máximas são condição fundamental para elaboração racional da experiência. Em Kant, a racionalidade implica na submissão aos postulados da razão. No caso das ciências naturais, a elaboração racional da experiência deve ser em conformidade com as exigências sistemáticas do postulado teórico da razão. De acordo com Kant, assumimos as máximas da razão, não a partir de critérios objetivos, mas pela fé racional. Sendo assim, os princípios metafísicos da natureza, que Kant elabora para assegurar a racionalidade da física newtoniana, são máximas racionais que asseguram (mediante uma fé racional) um programa de pesquisa, antes do que uma ontologia
Abstract: In Kant's philosophy the systematizers principles of knowledge are just regulatives. In this case, in opposition to constitutive principles of understanding which are objectives a priori, the egulative principles are just subjectives. In this work seek to show that despite of systematizers rinciples are subjtives maxims, such maxims are fundamental condition to rational elaboration of experience. In Kant the rationality implies in submission to reason postulates. In the case of natural science, the rational elaboration of experience must be in conformity with systematic requirements of theoretical postulate of reason. According by Kant, we do not assume the maxims of reason from of objective criteria, but by rational faith. So, the metaphysical principles of nature, which Kant elaborates to ensure the rationality of Newtonian Physics, are rational maxims that ensure (by means of rational faith) a research program, even before an ontology
Mestrado
Historia da Filosofia Moderna
Mestre em Filosofia

Orientador: José Carlos Pinto de Oliveira
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas
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Resumo: A historiografia contemporânea da metodologia herdou vários 'enigmas' a serem resolvidos sobre as ideias e contribuições de Francis Bacon. Qual é a estrutura do seu método de indução, qual é a natureza de sua 'lógica da descoberta', qual o valor que ele concedeu às hipóteses e conjeturas na investigação científica, qual o papel de Bacon na história da metodologia, qual sua dívida com seus predecessores, qual a influência que exerceu sobre os pensadores que o sucederam etc. Na presente Tese farei uso de estudos históricos e críticos contemporâneos a fim de analisar a obra metodológica de Bacon e determinar a influência das 'artes' heurísticas antigas e medievais no seu método indutivo. Em particular, tentarei mostrar que ainda que Bacon tenha ampliado o 'poder criativo' das 'artes' da invenção, e tenha estendido seu raio de aplicação ao domínio científico, não as formalizou nem substituiu o caráter falível das mesmas. Também, e destacando o importante papel criativo concedido por Bacon e outros autores da Modernidade a 'virtudes' ou 'desiderata' como, por exemplo, a analogia ou a simplicidade, argumentarei contra as principais interpretações rivais existentes sobre a estrutura e dinâmica do método baconiano. Especificamente, me situarei em oposição à interpretação 'geracionista mecânica' -que afirma que o método de Bacon funciona como uma máquina que produz teorias de forma automática- e à interpretação 'hipotetista' -que entende que o método de Bacon funciona só no processo de avaliação de teorias, deixando a tarefa de descoberta ao gênio criativo. Tentarei defender que Bacon esteve particularmente interessado em fornecer heurísticas -isto é, guias ou máximas criativas e avaliativas- para que os homens, trabalhando metodologicamente, e reunidos em comunidades de pesquisa, pudessem construir hipóteses científicas de qualidade. Esta argumentação supõe fazer observações sobre a natureza das regras no século XVII, sobre as relações entre experiência e teoria, e introduzir precisões dentro do domínio das inferências ampliativas, além de esclarecer a posição de Bacon com relação a termos chaves como 'verdade', 'hipótese' e 'conhecimento'. Por último, com esta concepção heurística da indução baconiana, examinarei as interpretações clássicas sobre o papel desempenhado por Bacon na Revolução científica e sua importância na difusão da ideia de progresso. Esta interpretação da herança e da metodologia de Bacon, e de sua recepção e influência em autores posteriores, tal como defenderei, permite compreender e avaliar melhor o significado desse autor para o pensamento científico da Modernidade, e possibilita reavaliar de maneira mais adequada as categorias estabelecidas para a metodologia da descoberta de Bacon por alguns de seus críticos passados e contemporâneos
Abstract: The contemporary historiography of methodology inherited various 'puzzles' to be solved about the ideas and contributions of Francis Bacon, such as: What is the structure of his method of induction?; what is the nature of his 'logic of discovery'?; what value did he attach to hypotheses and conjectures in scientific research?; what is the role of Bacon in the history of methodology?; what are his debts to his predecessors?; what is the influence he had upon the thinkers that followed him? and so on. In this thesis I will make use of contemporary historical and critical studies in order to analyze the methodological work of Bacon and the influence of the ancient and medieval heuristic 'arts' on his inductive method. In particular, I will try to show that although Bacon extended the 'creative power' of the 'arts' of invention, and extended their scope of application to the scientific field, he did not formalize nor replace the fallible nature of them. Also, by highlighting the importance of the creative role given by Bacon and other authors of Modernity to 'virtues' or 'desiderata' as, for example, analogy or simplicity, I will argue against major rival interpretations that exist on the structure and dynamics of the Baconian method. Specifically, I will situate my position in opposition to the 'mechanical-generative' interpretation -which claims that Bacon's method works like a machine that produces theories automatically-, and the 'hypothetist' interpretation -which holds that Bacon's method works only in the process of evaluating theories, leaving the task of discovering to the creative genius. I will try to argue that Bacon was particularly interested in providing heuristics -in other words, creative and evaluative guides or principles- so that men, working methodically, could build high-quality scientific hypotheses. This argumentation presupposes the need to make remarks on the nature of rules in the seventeenth century, on the relationship between experience and theory, and also presupposes the provision of more details within the domain of the ampliative inferences, besides clarifying the position in the light of key terms used by Bacon, such as 'truth', 'hypothesis' and 'knowledge'. Finally, on the basis of this heuristic conception of Baconian induction, I will examine the classic interpretations of the role played by Bacon in the Scientific Revolution and his importance in spreading the idea of progress. This interpretation of Bacon's heritage and methodology, and Bacon, and their reception by, and influence on later writers, I will set out to argue, allows us to understand and evaluate in the best way the significance of this author for the scientific thought of Modernity, and enables us, in the most appropriate way, to reassess the categories established for Bacon's methodology of discovery by some of his critics, both past and contemporary
Doutorado
Epistemologia
Doutor em Filosofia

No mundo mais globalizado, onde a comoditização de produtos se tornou mais rápida, as organizações estão recorrendo ao desenvolvimento de novos serviços e à inovação como meios essenciais para enfrentar a concorrência e se diferenciar no mercado. Criada em estudo recente, a metodologia IDEATRIZ engloba análise de valor, métodos sistemáticos e heurísticos oriundos da TRIZ para geração de ideias de produtos voltados à manufatura. Porém, a necessidade atual da inovação na área de serviços dada sua importância na economia e, pelo fato da TRIZ já possuir sua aplicação estendida a outras áreas de conhecimento como qualidade, energia e serviços, buscou-se comprovar através deste estudo que a metodologia IDEATRIZ pode ser uma poderosa ferramenta para geração de ideias de serviços. Também buscou-se comprovar que a aplicação direta desta metodologia IDEATRIZ gera ideias de menor qualidade se comparada à mesma metodologia, porém adaptada para serviços. Para validar as hipóteses levantadas foram realizados diversos workshops aplicando a metodologia original e adaptada para coletar ideias e assim comparar os resultados obtidos. Com a aplicação direta da metodologia levantaramse as dificuldades que serviram como base para adaptação da metodologia IDEATRIZ para serviços. Como resultado à IDEATRIZ adaptada, obteve-se a facilidade de uso e a melhoria da abstração dos participantes, pela inclusão de exemplos para serviços através das heurísticas e dos princípios inventivos, e a melhoria da qualidade das ideias geradas. A contribuição obtida com a pesquisa foi estender o campo da IDEATRIZ para uso em inovação de serviços como uma ferramenta de apoio a soluções criativas de problemas de serviços.
In a world even more globalized, where the product comoditization has become faster, the organizations are falling back on new service development and innovation as essential ways to face competition and become differentiated in the market. Created in a recent study, the IDEATRIZ methodology includes value analysis, systematic and heuristic methods coming from TRIZ methodology in order to generate product ideas in the manufacturing field. But the actual necessity of innovation in the services field due to its importance in the economy and, the fact that TRIZ has been already applied in other fields as quality, energy and services, this study aimed to prove that IDEATRIZ methodology can be a powerful tool for services ideation. It was brought also the hypotesis that the direct use IDEATRIZ would result in lesser quality ideas that if it were be compared to the same methodology but adapted for service. Thus a research was carried out to validate these hypothesis. The IDEATRIZ methodology was applied directly and adapted in several workshops to generate service ideias and the results were compared. The raised suggestions collected in direct application were used to adapt the methodology. As result of comparison between original and adapted IDEATRIZ, it was obtained increasing the quality of generated ideas and the ease of use of the methodology adapted by including examples of services in heuristics and inventive principles phases. The contribution of this research was to open the field of IDEATRIZ methodology for service innovation as a tool to support creative solutions to generate new services.

Orientador: Antonio Batocchio
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica
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Resumo: O presente trabalho aborda a atividade de separação de pedidos (Picking), analisando a utilização e a importância da avaliação das estratégias. Demonstra-se que existe uma ampla variedade de sistemas e estratégias desenvolvidas para esta atividade, elaborando-se quadros comparativos de desempenho. Sendo assim, é necessária a avaliação heurística para a escolha da estratégia de separação de pedidos, considerando as características específicas da operação. Na pesquisa de estudo de caso desenvolve-se um método heurístico para a escolha da estratégia desta atividade e a aplicação dos princípios que devem guiar o posicionamento de produtos dentro da área de armazenagem e o fluxo de informação e de documentos. Para a análise de estudo de caso foi escolhida uma empresa da indústria veterinária devido a sua complexidade de armazenamento e diversidade de produtos. O estudo revela que cada escolha da estratégia de separação de pedidos está relacionada às características específicas da operação e dos produtos
Abstract: The following work focuses on the activity of order separation within a warehouse (known as Picking), analyzing the use and relevance of several Picking strategies. The large array of Picking systems and strategies is reviewed, and a comparison between them is drawn. The use of heuristic evaluation practices for choosing the order separation strategy is selected for this study, thus considering the specifics characteristics of each company operation. In the case study, a heuristic method for choosing the Picking strategy is developed, along with the application of principles that should guide the positioning of the goods and the information and document flux within the warehouse. For the analysis of case study was chosen a company of veterinary medicine industry due to his storage complexity and diversity of products. This study concludes that the choice of the order separation strategy is strongly related to the specific characteristics of each operation and product
Mestrado
Engenharia de Fabricação
Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

This thesis develops an operational decision support tool for container terminal managements. The tool generates efficient schedules for shore cranes handling containers carried by mega container vessels.

This project constructs a scheduling solution for the Emergency Department. The schedules are generated in real-time to adapt to new patient arrivals and changing conditions. An integrated scheduling formulation assigns patients to beds and treatment tasks to resources. The schedule efficiency is assessed using waiting time and total care time experienced by patients. The solution algorithm incorporates dispatch rules, meta-heuristics and a new extended disjunctive graph formulation which provide high quality solutions in a fast time-frame for real time decision support. This algorithm can be implemented in an electronic patient management system to improve patient flow in the Emergency Department.

La conception de l'appareillage électrique relève dune méthodologie généralement fort complexe. Les problèmes posés par la conception de l'appareillage électrique sont analysés et montrent l'inefficacité des méthodes mathématiques. Une approche ensembliste floue est exposée et permet de modéliser l'aspect heuristique du problème ainsi que les aspects scientifiques et industriels de la conception. Un système expert d'aide à la conception des disjoncteurs à arc tournant a été réalisé. Les résultats obtenus sont commentés et montrent l'intérêt d'une telle approche

El Problema de Enrutamiento de Vehículos (VRP) y sus diferentes variantes básicas son un dominio ampliamente estudiado en la comunidad científica de optimización. Algunos estudios han utilizado combinaciones específicas de restricciones encontradas en la vida real para definir los emergentes VRP Enriquecidos. Este trabajo aborda la integración de heurísticas, probabilidad sesgada, simulación, técnicas de computación distribuida & paralelas, y programación con restricciones. Los enfoques propuestos han solucionado algunas variantes del VRP: en primer lugar, las familias deterministas: VRP con flotas Heterogéneas (HVRP), VRP con flotas Heterogéneas y costo variable (HVRP-V), VRP con flota Heterogénea y Múltiples viajes (HVRPM), VRP con matriz de costo Asimétrica (AVRP), VRP con flota Heterogénea y matriz de costo Asimétrica (HAVRP), VRP con ventanas de Tiempo (VRPTW), y VRP Distancia limitada (DCVRP); en segundo lugar, las familias de naturaleza estocástica: VRP con Demandas estocásticas (VRPSD), y Problemas de Inventario y Enrutamiento de Vehículos con Demandas estocásticas (IRPSD). Una extensa revisión bibliográfica se ha realizado para cada una de estas variantes. Un primer enfoque propone la combinación de una aleatorización sesgada con heurísticas clásicas para la solución de problemas deterministas. Un segundo enfoque se centra en la combinación de heurísticas aleatorias con simulación (Simheuristics) para ser aplicados sobre los problemas estocásticos comentados. Por último, se propone un tercer enfoque basado en el trabajo conjunto de heurísticas aleatorias con programación de restricciones para resolver varios tipos de problemas de enrutamiento. Los algoritmos heurísticos desarrollados han sido aplicados en varios casos de referencia --entre ellos, dos estudios de casos reales de distribución en España-- y los resultados obtenidos son, en general, prometedores y útiles para los decisores.
The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is a well known domain in optimization research community. Its different basic variants have been widely explored in the literature. Some studies have considered specific combinations of real-life constraints to define the emerging Rich VRP scopes. This work deals with the integration of heuristics, biased probability, simulation, parallel & distributed computing techniques, and constraint programming. The proposed approaches are tested for solving some variants of VRPs, namely, first, the deterministic families: Heterogeneous VRP (HVRP), Heterogeneous VRP with Variable cost (HVRP-V), Heterogeneous fleet VRP with Multi-trips (HVRPM), Asymmetric cost matrix VRP (AVRP), Heterogeneous fleet with Asymmetric cost matrix VRP (HAVRP), VRP with Time Windows (VRPTW), and Distance-Constrained VRP (DCVRP); second, the stochastic nature families: VRP with Stochastic Demands (VRPSD), and Inventory Routing Problem with Stochastic Demands (IRPSD). An extensive literature review is performed for all these variants, focusing on the main contributions of each work. A first approach proposes a biased-randomization of classical heuristics for solving the deterministic problems addressed here. A second approach is centered on the combination of randomized heuristics with simulation (Simheuristics) to be applied on the commented stochastic problems. Finally, a third approach based on the joined work of randomized heuristics with constraint programming is proposed to solve several types of routing problems. The developed heuristic algorithms are tested in several benchmark instances --between these, two real-life case studies in Spain are considered-- and the results obtained are, on average, highly promising and useful for decision makers.

Depuis le Baby-Boom d'après guerre, la France, comme d'autres pays, est confrontée à un vieillissement de la population et à des pathologies qui deviennent de plus en plus chroniques. Ces nouveaux problèmes de santé impliquent des prises en charge plus fréquentes, plus complexes et plus transversales. Cependant, plusieurs freins liés à l'évolution de la société où à l'organisation interne du système de santé, viennent entraver le développement de prises en charge adaptées pour répondre aux nouveaux besoins. Dans un contexte de réduction des dépenses, il est nécessaire d'avoir une meilleure maîtrise des processus de santé.L'objectif de nos travaux est de proposer un ensemble de méthodes pour une meilleure compréhension du parcours de santé de la personne âgée en Auvergne. Pour cela, une description des parcours des personnes âgées est nécessaire pour avoir cette vue d'ensemble aujourd'hui manquante. De plus, cela permettra d'identifier les intervenants, les interactions ou encore les contraintes impliquées dans les différents parcours. Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit s'intéressent à deux problématiques. La première consiste à mettre au point des méthodes pour modéliser rapidement et efficacement les parcours de santé. Ces modèles permettront d'analyser comment les différents segments d'une prise en charge s'enchaînent. La seconde problématique consiste à proposer des méthodes pour extraire des informations pertinentes à partir des données selon un point de vue métier prédéfini, propre à la personne qui souhaite analyser ce modèle. Ces informations permettront par exemple de détecter des segments de parcours fréquents, ou encore anormaux.Pour répondre à ces problématiques, les méthodes que nous proposons dans ce manuscrit sont issues du process mining et du data mining. Ces disciplines ont pour objectif d'exploiter les données disponibles dans les systèmes d'information pour en extraire des connaissances pertinentes. Dans un premier temps, nous proposons une méthodologie qui se base sur le pouvoir d'expression des modèles de processus pour extraire des connaissances intéressantes. Dans un second temps, nous proposons des techniques pour construire des modèles de processus partiels, dont l'objectif est de permettre l'extraction de fragments de comportements intéressants.Les expérimentations effectuées démontrent l'efficacité des méthodes proposées. De plus, différentes études de cas ont été menées dans divers domaines pour prouver la généricité des techniques développées
Ever since the post-World War II baby-boom, France has had to cope with an aging population and with pathologies that have become chronic. These new health problems imply more reccurent, more complex and multidisciplinary medical care. However, multiple obstacles related to the evolution of the society or to the internal organization of the healthcare system hinder the development of new and more adapted health procedures to meet new medical needs. In a context where health expanses have to be reduced, it is necessary to have a better management of health processes.Our work aims at proposing a set of methods to gain an understanding of the elderly health path in the Auvergne region. To this end, a description of the elderly health path is necessary in order to have this missing overview. Moreover, this will enable the identification of the stakeholders, their interactions and the constraints to which they are submitted in the different health procedures.The work presented in this thesis focuses on two problems. The first one consists in developing techniques to efficiently model health paths. With these models, we will be able to analyze how the different segments of a medical care are ordered. The second problem consists in developing techniques to extract relevant information from the data, according to a predefined business point of view, specific to the user who analyzes the model. This knowledge will enable the detection of frequent or abnormal parts of a health path.To resolve these problems, the methods we propose in this thesis are related to process mining and data mining. These disciplines aim at exploiting data available in today's information systems in order to discover useful knowledge. In a first part, we propose a methodology that relies on the expressive power of process models to extract relevant information. In a second part, we propose techniques to build local process models that represent interesting fragments of behavior.The experiments we performed show the efficiency of the methods we propose. Moreover, we analyze data from different application domains to prove the genericity of the developed techniques

Studenten und Konstrukteure mit verschiedener konstruktionsmethodischer Ausbildung wurden bezüglich ihres Vorgehens beim Konstruieren und ihrer Konstruktionsleistungen untersucht. Dabei zeigte sich, dass die Wirkung der Ausbildung für drei Teilleistungen (Konzepte erstellen, Konzepte bewerten, Entwürfe erstellen) verschieden ist. Für die konstruktionsmethodischen Empfehlungen für die frühen Phasen wird eine neue Konzeption vorgeschlagen. Der Einfluss kognitiver Variablen (Arbeitsgedächtnis, heuristische Kompetenz, Interferenz) wurde untersucht.

System dynamics modelling has been used for around 40 years to address complex, systemic, dynamic problems, those often described as wicked. But, system dynamics modelling is not an exact science and arguments about the most suitable techniques to use in which circumstances, continues. The nature of these wicked problems is investigated through a series of case studies where poor situational awareness among stakeholders was identified. This was found to be an underlying cause for management failure, suggesting need for better ways of recognising and managing wicked problem situations. Human cognition is considered both as a limitation and enabler to decision-making in wicked problem environments. Naturalistic and deliberate decision-making are reviewed. The thesis identifies the need for integration of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Case study results and a review of the literature led to identification of a set of principles of method to be applied in an integrated framework, the aim being to develop an improved way of addressing wicked problems. These principles were applied to a series of cases in an action research setting. However, organisational and political barriers were encountered. This limited the exploitation and investigation of cases to varying degrees. In response to a need identified in the literature review and the case studies, a tool is designed to facilitate analysis of multi-factorial, non-linear causality. This unique tool and its use to assist in problem conceptualisation, and as an aid to testing alternate strategies, are demonstrated. Further investigation is needed in relation to the veracity of combining causal influences using this tool and system dynamics, broadly. System dynamics modelling was found to have utility needed to support analysis of wicked problems. However, failure in a particular modelling project occurred when it was found necessary to rely on human judgement in estimating values to be input into the models. This was found to be problematic and unacceptably risky for sponsors of the modelling effort. Finally, this work has also identified that further study is required into: the use of human judgement in decision-making and the validity of system dynamics models that rely on the quantification of human judgement.

碩士
國防大學管理學院
運籌管理學系
101
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the school timetabling problem, it relates to allocation optimization of the limited resources. It is a NP-Complete problem in computer science. That is solving the school timetabling problem is a complex scheduling problem. The main structure of the problem includes the five main factors: curriculum, teachers, classes, classrooms and time, respectively. Then it needs to find out the relationship between each other, and try to obtain the optimal solution under satisfying all constrains. However, due the permutations of the final solution are very huge and complex between various factors, and even some constrains are uncertainty. The heuristic algorithm is a well method to solve the similar complex problem. Generally, the performance of solving this problem usually concerned on the time complexity and space complexity. The algorithm itself is neither good nor, because of it own self characteristics, thus depending on the strategy of solving problem. This study applies genetic algorithms to solve the school timetabling problem. And using Matlab software constructs as a solving model. A university timetabling case has been illustrated. And a results comparison has been analyzed.

This thesis presents a multi-stage linear stochastic mixed integer programming (SMIP) model for planning power generation in a pool-type day-ahead electricity market. The model integrates a reserve demand curve and shares most of the features of a stochastic unit commitment (UC) problem, which is known to be NP-hard. We capture the stochastic nature of the problem through scenarios, resulting in a large-scale mixed integer programming (MIP) problem that is computationally challenging to solve. Given that an independent system operator (ISO) has to solve such a problem within a time requirement of an hour or so, in order to release operating schedules for the next day real-time market, the problem has to be solved efficiently. For that purpose, we use some approximations to maintain the linearity of the model, parsimoniously select a subset of scenarios, and invoke realistic assumptions to keep the size of the problem reasonable. Even with these measures, realistic-size SMIP models with binary variables in each stage are still hard to solve with exact methods. We, therefore, propose a scenario-rolling heuristic to solve the SMIP problem. In each iteration, the heuristic solves a subset of the scenarios, and uses part of the obtained solution to solve another group in the subsequent iterations until all scenarios are solved. Two numerical examples are provided to test the performance of the scenario-rolling heuristic, and to highlight the difference between the operative schedules of a deterministic model and the SMIP model. Motivated by previous studies on pricing MIP problems and their applications to pricing electric power, we investigate pricing issues and compensation schemes using MIP formulations in the second part of the thesis. We show that some ideas from the literature can be applied to pricing energy/reserves for a relatively realistic model with binary variables, but some are found to be impractical in the real world. We propose two compensation schemes based on the SMIP that can be easily implemented in practice. We show that the compensation schemes with make-whole payments ensure that generators can have non-negative profits. We also prove that under some assumptions, one of the compensation schemes has the interesting theoretical property of minimizing the variance of the profit of generators to zero. Theoretical and numerical results of these compensation schemes are presented and discussed.

碩士
中興大學
資訊科學系所
95
Due to the fast development of Internet, the routing table in backbone router of core network increases exponentially and reaches 200,000 entries formally. This means that the simple algorithm supporting fast incremental update with high pipelined hardware architecture is suitable to process huge IP routing lookups. In the thesis, we present a data structure based on Level Smart-Compression Trie[2] scheme for IP lookup, which is called Prefix Dominant String (PDS), to decrease a large number of memory space requirement for big routing table. Therefore, it can raise the performance of original scheme and be expected to achieve fast IP lookup, low memory space requirement, supporting incremental update, and scalability. To utilize our scheme with 281,032 routing table entries (N=4, M=8) in popular platform and compare with LS-Compression Trie[2] scheme, the usage of memory space decreases from 6,220 KB to 601 KB, which saves 90.33% memory space. The performance for IP lookup increases from 45 MPPS to 100 MPPS.

Teachers using traditional classroom methodologies have had the option to consult with vast amounts of literature and research, not to mention the diverse and extensive knowledge of their colleagues, when in need of inspiration for their courses. On the other hand, due to the fact that online instruction is still in its infancy, instructors who delve into e-Learning do not have the same luxury. The nominal amount of research in that field usually ends with recommendations and possible remedies to encountered problems, as opposed to practical solutions or "cures" to the identified issues. This thesis will make use of those limited studies, and combine that knowledge to the experience of practitioners in the field, as well as with the feedback from the participants in the e-Learning environment, in order to devise a set of successful practices for an undergraduate statistics course offered entirely online. In other words, this research aims to successfully implement practical procedures into a Web-based course in order to make it the best possible experience for everyone involved. In accomplishing these goals, this work could then serve as a resource for other practitioners in the field by providing them not just with recommendations for Web-based courses, but also with concrete, proven, and successful interventions in this particular environment.

This project draws on aspects of research into the plight of women prostitutes working in Lal Batti areas of India. The project considers historical, contemporary and personal texts that form the basis of a creative synthesis. This synthesis is manifest in the design of five fabric-based artworks that seek to interpret issues of manipulation, entrapment, belonging, spirituality and demise. The project is located beyond the boundaries of fashion design. However, it involves an artistic fusion of garment construction, fabric and surface treatment. In doing this, the thesis seeks to give ‘voice’ to a political commentary that reaches beyond commercial uses of garments for display and protection.

This thesis discusses military operations planning and methodology by reviewing two of NATO’s planning documents, i.e. the ‘Allied Joint Doctrine for Operational-Level Planning’ (AJP 5) and the ‘Comprehensive Operations Planning Directive’ (COPD), and defends the following claim. Parts of the description of NATO’s Operational-Level Planning Process (OLPP), as described in the AJP 5 and the COPD, is methodologically inconsistent (contradictory), due to epistemic and practical implications of methodology. As such, the thesis discusses three topics: approaches to Operational Art, planning heuristics and implications of methodology. The thesis also intertwines military operations planning, methodology and military problem-solving. This thesis consists of two published papers and an introduction. The introduction explains and further discusses operations planning as well as terms and concepts stated within the two papers. Paper I focuses on the AJP 5 and discusses the methodological distinction between two approaches within Operational Art, denoted the ‘Design’ and the ‘Systemic’ approach. The distinction between these approaches is vague and paper I states one epistemic and one practical implication of methodology. Paper II focuses on the COPD and discusses two specific planning heuristics. The first relates to the Systemic approach and the second heuristic relates to the third approach denoted the ‘Causalist’ approach within Operational Art. A methodological contradiction exists between these specific heuristics and paper II states one epistemic and three practical implications of methodology. Briefly, this thesis implies that parts of NATO’s description of the OLPP suffers from a methodological contradiction. Hence, a suggestion is to revise parts of the AJP 5 and the COPD. The thesis also suggest the development of a “NATO handbook of methodology” to better explain methodological implications on military operations planning and the “how to” of military problem-solving.

QC 20170403

‘Walking My Path: An Autoethnographic Study of Identity’ is a doctoral thesis written in first person narrative about my search for my ancestral country in Far North Queensland. Incorporating both physical walking on country and metaphorical walking of trauma trails (Atkinson 2002) the story of my matrilineal Grandfather’s childhood builds on Shirleen Robinson’s (2008) ‘Something like Slavery?’. Enabling me to explore First-Nations philosophical concepts, I explain how I practise this philosophy inside my First-Nations family and community in the 21st century. Embedding my research in Indigenous Standpoint Theory and gathering the data, using a methodological net that includes yarning and dadirri, I am honouring First-Nations peoples. Finding that much of the data was distressing I have developed Creative Healing Inquiry (CHI), a process that supports the rebalancing of an individual’s psyche. CHI also makes the thesis both intertextual and serves as a mechanism that acknowledges multiliteracies. The Cusp Generation, children born between the end of WWII (1945) and Australia’s withdrawal from Vietnam (1972), are the people I propose would benefit most from public pedagogy that tells of Australia’s history. With the release of the Australian Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report in 1991 and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s Bringing Them Home report in 1997; my work makes shared history more relevant through its direct connection with actual people rather than abstract statistics. Demonstrated by the Commonwealth Government’s continuation of ‘The Intervention’ and rejection of the ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’, Australia is not a post-colonial nation-state and Australians, in general, need to undertake cognitive decolonisation; and truth telling, as steps that may lead to what Marcia Langton has called a ‘genuine intercultural dialogue’ (cited in Healy 1997, p. 46).