bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic and cybernetic knowingness: relating “(a)symmetry” and “subtleness”?
Authors: Bulz Nicolae 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present research work on systemic and cybernetic knowingness: relating according to classical and original concepts: “(a)symmetry” and “subtleness”. There is an entire project focused on contemporary complexity versus the information‐knowledge dynamics.Design/methodology/approachThe starting point is related to the denominations: “perverse effects” and “asymmetric conflicts”. The paper supports innovative (a)symmetric approaches on human beings, ITC and community: shrinking the gap between humanist and technologist perspectives; promoting an anthropocentric perspective with stimuli from the real world expressed by (old and new) ideas regarding the (re)construction of a world/e‐world balance through/within the triad: production, intelligence and morality; and illustrating a positive e‐world response by sketching innovative, synergy‐based, experimental ITC models, considering metaphors linked to the idea of an open definition of subtleness.FindingsThe paper finds a shrinking gap between our world and our e‐world, able to integrate biased perspectives and realising a composition of (a)symmetric matter within information/knowledge economy/society. Based on semantic transfer, there is a promising path to a creative partnership between humanists and technologists within the interactive modelling: connectedness‐communication versus incursion‐anticipation. From a knowledge engineering perspective, a solution can be reached more effectively by: a Wienerian view on the information and knowledge as (a)symmetric concepts/constructs – and a dually Göedelian view on the observability and controllability of a subtle entity/system toward a wisdom and/or consciousness society.Originality/valueThis paper provides information and knowledge on “information‐knowledge dynamics” research.
Symmetry of conjugate systems with anticipation and retardation
Authors: Otlacan Eufrosina 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe paper refers to a pair of conjugate systems (master and slave systems) associated by the condition that the evolution of the first is function on its current state and on a future state of the second system, while the evolution of the second system depends on its current state and on a past state of the first system also. The purpose of this paper is to solve particular cases of differential systems of equations which express the behaviour of conjugate systems, in order to see what kind of symmetry or harmony is established in the common evolution of the two systems.Design/methodology/approachBecoming with the Dubois' definition of conjugate retardation and anticipation variables and his mixed advanced‐retarded differential equations, the paper considers some cases: first case when information about future and past is kept constant, without and with an impulse from the side of the master system, then when information about future and respective past is a variable.FindingsIn the case with variable information about future and past, and for a constant shift time, there are found exponential solutions; it has been ascertained that the two trajectories present a symmetry expressed by their proportionality all the time. A definition of symmetry by anticipation and retardation is given. It is also found that a system with uniform linear development cannot be in a symmetry by anticipation and retardation with any other system.Practical implicationsIn the paper, the practical implications are linked by the relationship between man and his environment and how to consider the data delivered by forecast.Originality/valueThe calculus and its results, the notion of symmetry by anticipation and retardation, examples and conclusions, all are original contributions.
Turbulences and disorder in general systems theory
Authors: Esteve‐Calvo Pasqual , Lloret‐Climent Miguel 
Published: October 2009

PurposePrevious articles have studied the basic behaviour and structure of the systems‐linkage from several points of view and were interested primarily in the different objects which compose a system‐linkage and the properties generated by the iterations of the associated structural function. Some of these properties raised the idea of the existence of order within a system‐linkage, but that idea was only semantic. There was not any formal definition of order within a system‐linkage. The purpose of this paper is to define more precisely what is understood to be an “ordered” system‐linkage, as well as studying before one of the main cases of disorder in these systems: turbulences.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a reminder is given of all the concepts and proved results that readers need for understanding the paper. Then, two new and important definitions are given: definition of ordered system‐linkage and the definition of turbulence. The paper proves several questions linking this definition with the main objects which appear within a system‐linkage. Several examples of turbulences will be showed using graphs.FindingsThe definition of turbulence presented, basically refers to the dependent relationship between two subsets disjoint from the M set of variables, once the associated structural function operates on them. It is a good example of disorder within a system‐linkage and, moreover, it is a good example of how the initial conditions, in a lot of cases, do not allow to see the real relationships between the variables or sets of them of a system‐linkage.Originality/valueIt is the first time that an ordered system‐linkage is formalized. Moreover, the situation of turbulence, under the qualitative point of view, is also shown for the first time.
Static and dynamic complex models: comparison and application to chemical systems
Authors: Drałus Grzegorz , Świątek Jerzy 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present research in the area of the modeling of complex systems using feed‐forward neural network.Design/methodology/approachApplications of multilayer neural networks with supervisor learning on the own simulator program wrote in Borland®Pascal Language. Series‐parallel identification method is applied. Tapped delay lines (TDL) in static neural networks for modeling of dynamic plants are used. Gradient and heuristic learning algorithms are applied. Three kinds of calibration of learning and testing data are used.FindingsThis paper illustrates that feed‐forward multilayer neural networks can model complex systems. Feed‐forward multilayer neural networks with TDL can be used to build global dynamic models of complex systems. It is possible to compare the quality both models.Research limitations/implicationsThe learning and testing data from real systems to tune neuronal models require use of calibrating these data to range 0‐1.Practical implicationsThe models quality depends on kind of calibration learning data from real system and depends on kind of learning algorithms.Originality/valueThe method and the learning algorithms discussed in the paper can be used to create global models of complex systems. The multilayer neural network with TDL can be used to model complex dynamic systems with low dynamics.
System GAMMA: the directives of finite‐frequency identification
Authors: Mikhailova Ljubov , Alexandrov Albert 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the results in the area of modern computer‐aided control system design tools relating to system identification.Design/methodology/approachThe finite‐frequency identification method was designed for the needs of active identification. The test signal represents the sum of harmonics with automatically tuned (self‐tuned) amplitudes and frequencies where the number of harmonics does not exceed the state space dimension of the plant. The self‐tuning of amplitudes is carried out to satisfy those requirements on the bounds of the input and output which hold true in the absence of a test signal.FindingsIn this paper, the software implementation of finite‐frequency identification method in the system GAMMA is considered. GAMMA is the two‐level computer‐aided design (CAD) tool for identification and controllers algorithms synthesis for linear plants.Practical implicationsThe system GAMMA is the complete and really working system.Originality/valueA new structure of the CAD tool for engineers‐developers of control systems is proposed and its program implementation is described. The new variant of finite‐frequency identification method with self‐tuning of identification parameters (test signal and identification time) is considered.
Emergence and development of grey systems theory
Authors: Liu Sifeng , Forrest Jeffrey , Vallee Robert 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the scientific background from which grey systems theory came into being, the astonishing progress that grey systems theory has made in the world of learning and its wide‐ranging applications in the entire spectrum of science.Design/methodology/approachThe grey uncertainty is compared with other kinds of uncertainty such as stochastic uncertainty, unascertainty, fuzzy and rough uncertainty.FindingsThe advances in grey systems theory and its various successful applications are introduced individually by algorithms of grey numbers and grey algebraic systems, grey dynamic models and grey predictions, grey optimization analysis for decision making, grey control models.Research limitations/implicationsMany scientific theories require the unremitting efforts of several generations of people and have gone through hundreds of years before reaching maturity and perfection. Grey systems theory is still in its growth period. So, it is unavoidable that there exist immature and imperfect parts in the theory.Originality/valueGrey systems theory is a new method for studying problems of uncertainty with few data points and poor information. This new theory studies small samples and systems with poor information, which have partial information known, partial information unknown. It describes adequately and monitors effectively systems' operations and evolutions through extracting valuable information from the little known information. Grey systems theory comes into being along with the development of modern systems science and uncertainty systems theories and methods. It is also a result of deepened perceptivity about uncertain systems.
A new method to evaluate whether the data are suitable to GM model or not
Authors: Wei Yong , Hu Dahong 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the new class ratio dispersion, the new smooth degree sequence and the comparison criterion of the new smooth degree and to propose the new prior check of grey modeling in order to meet the modeling demand of the optimized grey models which have the white exponential law of coincidence.Design/methodology/approachThis paper introduces the corresponding new concepts and new comparison criterion which can reflect the approach degree of the raw data and the normal geometric progression by analogy with the traditional class ratio dispersion, smooth degree sequence and comparison criterion.FindingsTo the optimized grey models, the new concepts and the new comparison criterion can be regarded as the prior check of grey modeling.Originality/valueFirst, the new concepts and the new comparison criterion can reflect the approach degree of the raw data and the normal geometric progression, and this paper proposes the prior check of grey modeling to the optimized grey models. Second, this paper proposes the quantificational valuation criterion – the concept of the smooth degree which can reflect the approach degree of a single sequence and the normal geometric progression, and ends the status quo that there is only the comparison criterion of the smooth degree between two sequences but not the quantificational valuation criterion of a single sequence.
Decision making algorithm for a class of two‐level manufacturing systems
Authors: Hojda Maciej , Józefczyk Jerzy 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to deal with a decision‐making problem in a complex operation system. Two levels of the system are made up of two different decision problems, i.e. task scheduling and task execution where by the latter an executor's movement control problem is understood. Interconnection of both levels creates a new problem that requires a new solution algorithm.Design/methodology/approachWith use of a model of a moving vehicle in the state space, an offline movement control algorithm, is developed. Moreover, the concept of rescheduling to improve the solution through repeated execution of both, the movement control and the scheduling algorithms is used.FindingsDecision‐making problem, and its substitutive version is defined. A solution is given for the substitutive approach along with its analytical evaluation. Furthermore, significant improvement of the solution through rescheduling has been achieved.Research limitations/implicationsProposed approach to decision making creates a difficulty for generalization of the results on cases with a different movement model.Practical implicationsThe methodology introduced in the paper can be applied prominently in flexible manufacturing systems with moving executors where it is either unfeasible to move the assemblage or the executors are capable of performing multiple tasks.Originality/valueSolution to a decision‐making problem in a two‐level system, with the given vehicle model, and use of rescheduling for quality improvement was not considered beforehand.
Enterprise ethical climate changes over life cycle stages
Authors: Belak Jernej , Mulej Matjaž 
Published: October 2009

PurposeLife cycle stages may see, result from, and/or cause, changes in culture and climate as the right‐brain attributes of both managers and their co‐workers. A four‐stage model is used to perceive these possible changes. Findings are tested in Slovenian enterprises. Differences per stages may be crucial and should therefore be known to managers/owners. Based on the case study research, this paper aims to suggest that enterprise awareness of importance of ethical climate can be of essential meaning for its long‐term success. The purpose of this paper is to discover differences in enterprise ethical climate in different enterprise life cycle stages and to identify their importance for active ethical climate care by the enterprises.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the qualitative research is applied. The research cognitions on ethical climate are discussed in application of the dialectical systems theory.FindingsThe paper finds that there are some differences in enterprise ethical climate for enterprise life cycle stages and indicates a significant presence of the “rule”, “law and code” and “instrumental” ethical climates. Movement towards a more bureaucratic method of enterprise functioning, as an enterprise moves from the pioneer stage towards the stage of turn‐over, was also found.Practical implicationsThis paper gives us some insights in the state of ethical climate in Slovenian enterprises. In a frame of practical implications, a further research should be done to show which measures of such ethical climate implementation should be used to stimulate the enterprises' innovative behaviour in accordance with the state of enterprise's life cycle stage.Originality/valueThe available literature does not provide for a similar research of linkage between the ethical climate and enterprises' life cycle.
Fragmentary structure of global knowledge: constructive processes for interoperability
Authors: Heather Michael , Rossiter Nick 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe application of category theory to interoperability to increase understanding of the problems and to facilitate the development of practical tools for their solution.Design/methodology/approachCategory theory is naturally suited to handling interoperability. The use of first order predicate logic in many information systems may be justified through its completeness. However, the work of Gödel shows that such systems are undecidable if they rely on formal systems of number and/or sets. For interoperability dyadic higher order logic is required, which is neither complete nor decidable if based on sets. However, pure category theory is still axiomatic so is also neither complete nor decidable. Applied category theory based on cartesian closed categories for process is natural and is both complete and decidable. Gödel's theorems therefore do not apply.FindingsThe paper finds that composed adjunctions appear particularly well‐suited for modelling interoperability, with composition of distinct functors for mapping across a number of levels and of endofunctors for business process interoperability. The monad/comonad category provides a powerful abstraction of the business process. The development of a tool based on categorial principles written in Haskell may be a way forward but only as an initial set model approach.Originality/valueThis paper applies categorial constructions which permit a natural formal approach to interoperability.
Preparation and characterisation of green nanocomposites of biodegradable poly(vinyl‐alcohol‐co‐ethylene) and wood dust
Authors: Bana Ruchi , Banthia A.K. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report the preparation and characterisation of nanocomposites, which are made of biodegradable poly(vinyl‐alcohol‐co‐ethylene) and wood dust. These nanocomposites can aptly be termed as green by nature as they are totally non‐toxic and ecofriendly.Design/methodology/approachSample films containing 5, 10 and 15 wt% fillers are prepared by conventional solvent casting technique using glass plates as casting surfaces. The dispersion of filler in the polymer matrix is investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. Physical and chemical properties of the films are studied by various characterisation techniques (FTIR, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), TEM and TGA).FindingsTEM analysis reveals that the average particle size of the nanodispersed filler in the nanocomposite materials is in the range of 12‐25 nm, which shows that a greater extent of matrix penetrated into fibre capillaries of wood dust. These results are supported by the XRD findings also. Wood enhances the thermal stability of the as synthesised nanocomposites.Research limitations/implicationsThe mechanical properties of the as synthesised nanocomposites can be improved further by modifying wood dust.Practical implicationsThe method developed provides a simple and practical solution to improve the biodegradability, as well as the thermal stability of the composite films.Originality/valueThe nanocomposites so developed can be used in automotive parts like front door liners, boot liners, parcel shelves, headliners, etc. also as mulching films in agriculture.
Amine functional aniline furfuraldehyde condensate cured epoxy resin
Authors: Maity Tithi , Samanta Bidhan 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the curing efficiency of amine functional aniline furfuraldehyde condensate (AFAFFC) for diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) resin to achieve toughness, chemical resistance, etc.Design/methodology/approachTo study curing reaction, the curing agent AFAFFC is synthesised first from the reaction of aniline and furfuraldehyde in acid medium and characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis, elemental analysis, concentration of primary and secondary amine analysis. Then, equimolecular mixture of AFAFFC and DGEBA is subjected to curing reaction and the reaction is followed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The kinetic studies of this curing reaction, mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of cured epoxy are also reported.FindingsThe DSC analysis shows the complete exotherms of effective curing reaction indicating the efficiency of AFAFFC as curing agent for DGEBA resin. The kinetic studies reveal that the curing reaction is first order. Mechanical properties reflect the brittleness of cured matrix and TGA shows that the cured matrixes are stable up to around 240°C.Research limitations/implicationsThe curing agent AFAFFC has been synthesised by using aniline and furfuraldehyde. By changing amine and aldehyde, other curing agents could be synthesised and the curing efficiency of these for epoxy resin could also be studied.Originality/valueThe method for curing study of epoxy resin (DGEBA) is novel and relevant as the cured products have high performance applications in protective coatings and adhesives for most substrates.
The impact of consumer animosity on attitudes towards foreign goods: a study of Jewish and Arab Israelis
Authors: Rose Mei , Rose Gregory M. , Shoham Aviv 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to highlight the importance of examining sub‐cultural attitudes when assessing the animosity of individuals from one nation toward the products of other nations.Design/methodology/approachThe context chosen, Arab and Jewish Israelis' attitudes toward the UK and Italy, provides a strong setting to test the influence of animosity on product judgments and willingness to purchase products from these nations. Attitudes toward British and Italian products were collected in shopping malls and community centers in middle class neighborhoods in Northern Israel. A total of 112 Arab Israeli and 111 Jewish Israeli consumers were sampled.FindingsBoth animosity and consumer ethnocentrism led to a decreased willingness to purchase a nation's products. Arab Israelis felt more animosity toward the UK than Jewish Israelis, which negatively impacted their product judgments of British products.Originality/valuePrevious research on the impact of animosity on foreign products has generally looked at nations as a whole, examined contexts where animosity was fairly distant (e.g. Chinese animosity toward Japan from the second world war), and found that animosity does not affect product judgments. The paper examines a more immediate context (current attitudes among Arab and Jewish Israelis), highlights the importance of considering subcultures when studying animosity, and finds that animosity can and does affect the product judgments of foreign products when felt animosity is strong.
An exploratory investigation of the consumer religious commitment and its influence on store loyalty and consumer complaint intentions
Authors: Swimberghe Krist , Sharma Dheeraj , Flurry Laura 
Published: October 2009

PurposePast consumer behavior researchers contend that there is a significant relationship between a consumer's religious affiliation and a number of consumption related variables. Based on Worthington et al.'s multi‐dimensional approach this paper aims to examine the concept of consumer religious commitment in the marketing domain.Design/methodology/approachUsing cross‐sectional data of 425 respondents this research examines the outcomes of the direct influence of consumer religious commitment on two outcomes, namely, store loyalty and complaint intentions.FindingsResults of the study indicate that consumer religious commitment significantly influences store loyalty and complaint intentions.Originality/valueThe paper offers prescriptive insights for managers, who may see potential value of consumer religiosity as a market segmentation tool.