Modeling fuzzy information in UML class diagrams and object-oriented database models

Conceptual data modeling has become essential for non-traditional application areas. Some conceptual data models have been proposed as tools for database design and object-oriented database modeling. Information in real-world applications is often vague or ambiguous. Currently, a little research is underway on modeling the imprecision and uncertainty in conceptual data modeling and the conceptual design of fuzzy databases. The unified modeling language (UML) is a set of object-oriented modeling notations and a standard of the object management group (OMG) with applications to many areas of software engineering and knowledge engineering, increasingly including data modeling. This paper introduces different levels of fuzziness into the class of UML and presents the corresponding graphical representations, with the result that UML class diagrams may model fuzzy information. The fuzzy UML data model is also formally mapped into the fuzzy object-oriented database model.     

Object-oriented Design of Reusable Model Libraries of Hybrid Dynamic Systems – Part Two: A Case Study

A novel object-oriented methodology for the design of model libraries is exemplified by means of the design of JARA. JARA is a set of libraries of dynamic hybrid models of some fundamental physical-chemical principles. Its main application field is the modeling of physical-chemical processes in the context of automatic control. Only a reduced set of phenomena has been selected for modeling, focusing mainly on illustrating relevant aspects of the proposed design methodology. The five steps of the design methodology are followed and the design rules of JARA are obtained.     

基于面向对象Petri网的业务流程建模方法研究

在信息系统开发过程中，信息系统建模的方法和模型的表示问题十分重要。本通过对面向对象Petri网的讨论，阐述了利用面向对象Petri网建立业务流程模型的基本问题，并给出了模型的计算机表示和存储方法。     

Object-oriented dynamic supply-chain modelling incorporated with production scheduling

In this paper we present a new modelling approach for realistic simulation of supply-chains. It is based on an object-oriented architecture, which enables flexible specification of the supply-chain configuration along with its operational decisions and policies.A model of a generic supply-chain node is developed to capture the features present in all supply-chain entities. The generic node models in detail activities such as inventory control, manufacturing processes and order handling. The supply-chain model is constructed by linking generic nodes and specifying the physical and business attributes of each supply-chain member. The generic-node model may also be linked to external software for greater accuracy, e.g., detailed production scheduling or optimisation.The model provides a fully dynamic simulation of the supply-chain and the effect of various uncertainties can be evaluated through Monte Carlo simulation and other, more efficient, sampling techniques (not described here).A case study is presented to illustrate the applicability of the model. The case study demonstrates how the effect of policy changes on the supply-chain performance under uncertainty can be evaluated before implementation.     

复杂物流系统订货点量建模与仿真优化

复杂物流系统是一个由若干个制造商、若干个批发商和若干个零售商组成的网状物流链.讨论了在不确定性环境下,采取周期性盘点策略的复杂物流系统中各实体订货点量的建模与仿真问题.作者认为,在分散控制策略和以零售商为核心的控制策略这两种情况下,可以通过建立基于模糊集合理论的复杂物流系统模糊分析模型来确定各实体的最佳订货点量,在此基础上运用作者所开发的复杂物流系统仿真工具CLSim对订货点量进行仿真优化,可以得到在物流链集成控制策略下的订货点量.文章的最后,通过一个实例对作者的上述观点进行了说明.     

A reliability assessment tool for distributed software development environment based on Java and J/Link

In this paper, we propose a software reliability assessment tool based on software reliability growth models for distributed development environment by using Java programming language and J/Link technology in Mathematica. Java is an object-oriented and platform-free programming language which has several advantages such as modularization and reusability of the existing code. Especially J/Link can use and control the Mathematica kernel from a Java program. By using this J/Link technology, we can reduce some efforts to develop the tool because of reusing the existing Mathematica code used for the research. Our tool proposed here is useful for software developers in terms of the management of the system-testing process in distributed development environment.     

Looking Back in Mathematical Modeling: Classroom Observations and Instructional Strategies

Theorists often characterize modeling as a cyclic problem-solving process. One builds the model, assesses its validity with regard to the underlying problem situation, and revises accordingly. The process halts when, in the opinion of the modeler, the model generates a valid solution to the underlying problem. Recent research suggests that students, like experts, employ cyclic modeling processes. Extensive observations of university and high school students’ modeling efforts, however, suggest the use of linear rather than cyclic modeling strategies. That is, novice modelers often fail to look back or revise their initial models. This paper offers empirical evidence on behalf of the linear modeling theory and identifies five factors that promote the use of linear modeling strategies: students’ conceptions of models and the modeling process, the perceived objectives of the modeling activity, constraints on time and resources, statistical misconceptions, and an overall lack of interest. The paper concludes with several promising instructional strategies (strategies that address students’ difficulties and promote reflective modeling behavior), as well as suggestions for future research.     

Mathematical modelling tools for the optimisation of direct smelting processes

Direct smelting operations involve the strong interaction of a wide range of complex physico-chemical processes. Moreover, for such processes to be efficient, these interactions have to be optimised to yield the desired set of chemical reactions and exchanges of heat and mass amongst the variety of gaseous, liquid and solid phases. This paper focuses upon a consideration of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based models developed to represent the HIsmelt^® direct smelting process. The models are extremely sophisticated and at every stage have challenged the limits of CFD technology, as well as the adequacy of constitutive sub-models to represent the chemical reaction/combustion phenomena. From an unprecedented synergy amongst process metallurgists, experimental scientists and CFD modellers, sophisticated, comprehensive and well-validated models of the process have evolved. The paper highlights some of the key state-of-the-art CFD techniques developed for the models and the role of specially designed experiments in parameter estimation and validation against plant measurements.     

Parallel Finite Element Software Development and Performance Analysis in an Object-Oriented Programming Framework

The use of object-oriented programming techniques in the development of parallel, finite element analysis software enhances code reuse and increases efficiency during application development. In this paper, an object-oriented programming framework developed by the authors is utilized in the implementation of parallel finite element software for modeling of the resin transfer molding manufacturing process. The motivation for choosing the resin transfer molding finite element application and implementing it with the object-oriented framework is that it was originally developed and parallelized in a functional programming paradigm thus offering the possibility of direct comparisons. Discussion of the software development effort and performance results are presented and analyzed.Mathematics Subject Classifications (2000) 65M60, 65Y05.     

Efficient Management of Multiple Sets to Extract Complex Structures from Mathematical Programs

Most of the applied models written with an algebraic modeling language involve simultaneously several dimensions such as materials, location, time or uncertainty. The information about dimensions available in the algebraic formulation is usually sufficient to retrieve different block structures from mathematical programs. These structured problems can then be solved by adequate solution techniques. To illustrate this idea we focus on stochastic programming problems with recourse. Taking into account both time and uncertainty dimensions of these problems, we are able to retrieve different customized structures in their constraint matrices. We applied the Structure Exploiting Tool to retrieve the structure from models built with the GAMS modeling language. The underlying mathematical programs are solved with the decomposition algorithm that applies interior point methods. The optimization algorithm is run in a sequential and in a parallel computing environment.     

Renewal processes based on generalized Mittag–Leffler waiting times

The fractional Poisson process has recently attracted experts from several fields of study. Its natural generalization of the ordinary Poisson process made the model more appealing for real-world applications. In this paper, we generalized the standard and fractional Poisson processes through the waiting time distribution, and showed their relations to an integral operator with a generalized Mittag–Leffler function in the kernel. The waiting times of the proposed renewal processes have the generalized Mittag–Leffler and stretched–squashed Mittag–Leffler distributions. Note that the generalizations naturally provide greater flexibility in modeling real-life renewal processes. Algorithms to simulate sample paths and to estimate the model parameters are derived. Note also that these procedures are necessary to make these models more usable in practice. State probabilities and other qualitative or quantitative features of the models are also discussed.     

Design Ideas for Markov chain Monte Carlo Software

This article discusses design ideas useful in the development of Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) software. Goals of the design are to facilitate analysis of as many statistical models as possible, and to enable users to experiment with different MCMC algorithms as a research tool. These ideas have been used in YADAS, a system written in the Java language, but are also applicable in other object-oriented languages.     

A structure-conveying modelling language for mathematical and stochastic programming

We present a structure-conveying algebraic modelling language for mathematical programming. The proposed language extends AMPL with object-oriented features that allows the user to construct models from sub-models, and is implemented as a combination of pre- and post-processing phases for AMPL. Unlike traditional modelling languages, the new approach does not scramble the block structure of the problem, and thus it enables the passing of this structure on to the solver. Interior point solvers that exploit block linear algebra and decomposition-based solvers can therefore directly take advantage of the problem’s structure. The language contains features to conveniently model stochastic programming problems, although it is designed with a much broader application spectrum.     

Computationally modeling organizational learning and adaptability as resource allocation: An artificial adaptive systems approach

A framework for and a computational model of organizational behavior based on an artificial adaptive system (AAS) is presented. An AAS, a modeling approach based on genetic algorithms, enables the modeling of organizational learning and adaptability. This learning can be represented as decisions to allocate resources to the higher performing organizational agents (i.e., individuals, groups, departments, or processes, depending on the level of analysis) critical to the organization's survival in different environments. Adaptability results from the learning function enabling the organizations to change as the environment changes. An AAS models organizational behavior from a micro-unit perspective, where organizational behavior is a function of the aggregate actions and interactions of each of the individual agents of which the organization is composed. An AAS enables organizational decision making in a dynamic environment to be modeled as a satisficing process and not as a maximization process. To demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of such an approach, a financial trading adaptive system (FTAS) organization is computationally modeled based on the AAS framework. An FTAS is an example of how the learning mechanism in an AAS can be used to allocate resources to critical individuals, processes, functions, or departments within an organization.     

Analytical modeling of chatter stability using multi-dimensional approach

Machining is one of the most common manufacturing processes in industry due to its high flexibility and ability to produce parts which excellent quality. Chatter, a type of self excited vibrations arising in metal cutting operations, is a major limitation in machining resulting in poor quality and reduced productivity. Under certain conditions, the cutting process may become unstable yielding oscillations with high amplitudes and cutting forces. Stability analysis of the dynamic cutting process can be used to determine chatter-free machining conditions with high material removal rate. Usually, one dimensional models are used for stability analysis of machining. However, based on the geometry of the actual machining process, multi-directions would have to be used for accurate modeling of the process dynamics and the stability. In this presentation, multi directional models for turning and milling processes are presented. The effects of multi directional process mechanics on the stability are demonstrated by applications. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Game and decision theory in mathematics education: epistemological, cognitive and didactical perspectives

In the 1950s, game and decision theoretic modeling emerged—based on applications in the social sciences—both as a domain of mathematics and interdisciplinary fields. Mathematics educators, such as Hans Georg Steiner, utilized game theoretical modeling to demonstrate processes of mathematization of real world situations that required only elementary intuitive understanding of sets and operations. When dealing with n-person games or voting bodies, even students of the 11th and 12th grade became involved in what Steiner called the evolution of mathematics from situations, building of mathematical models of given realities, mathematization, local organization and axiomatization. Thus, the students could participate in processes of epistemological evolutions in the small scale. This paper introduces and discusses the epistemological, cognitive and didactical aspects of the process and the roles these activities can play in the learning and understanding of mathematics and mathematical modeling. It is suggested that a project oriented study of game and decision theory can develop situational literacy, which can be of interest for both mathematics education and general education.     

Affine representations of fractional processes with applications in mathematical finance

Fractional processes have gained popularity in financial modeling due to the dependence structure of their increments and the roughness of their sample paths. The non-Markovianity of these processes gives, however, rise to conceptual and practical difficulties in computation and calibration. To address these issues, we show that a certain class of fractional processes can be represented as linear functionals of an infinite dimensional affine process. This can be derived from integral representations similar to those of Carmona, Coutin, Montseny, and Muravlev. We demonstrate by means of several examples that this allows one to construct tractable financial models with fractional features.