Integrating Neural Networks and Semi-Markov Processes for Automated Knowledge Acquisition: An Application to Real-time Scheduling*

Recently, artificial neural networks (ANN) have gained attention as a promising modeling tool for building intelligent systems. A number of applications have been reported in areas varying from pattern recognition to bankruptcy prediction. In this paper, we present a creative methodology that integrates computer simulation, semi-Markov optimization, and ANN techniques for automated knowledge acquisition in real-time scheduling. The integrated approach focuses on the synergy between operations research and ANN in eliciting human knowledge, filtering inconsistent data, and building competent models capable of performing at the expert level. The new approach includes three main components. First, computer simulation is used to collect expert decisions. This step allows expert knowledge to be obtained in a non-intrusive way and minimizes the difficulties involved in interviewing experts, constructing repertory grids, or using other similar structures required for manual knowledge acquisition. The data collected from computer simulation are then optimized using a semi-Markov decision model to remove data redundancies, inconsistencies, and errors. Finally, the optimized data are used to build ANN-based expert systems. The integrated approach is evaluated by comparing it with the human expert and using ANN alone in the domain of real-time scheduling. The results indicate that ANN-based systems perform worse than human experts from whom the data were collected, but the integrated approach outperforms human experts and ANN models alone.     

西学东渐与中国近代女性道德观的演进

鸦片战争后,伴随着西学东渐的深入,近代西方女权思想、人权观念、婚姻理论等渐次传人中国,在近代中国社会引起共鸣。近代先进之士对比中西方女性道德文化,在对中国传统妇德的缺陷进行深刻反省和检讨的基础上,提出了近代意义上的新型女性道德观。这种新型女性道德观的形成与发展,集中地反映了近代先进知识分子对传统性别伦理道德反思的深度和广度,也清晰折射出西学东渐的日益加深。     

关于科学发现机器的研究

本文阐述了科学发现的两个判据,在知识存贮有劣性原理的基础上,提出了知识存贮不完全性原理,指出存在一类逻辑上具有非放大性,但认识论上具有放大性的演绎发现机器。在休谟问题逻辑学范围内不可解原理的基础上,论证了不存在通用的归纳发现机器,但建立局部合理的、有效的、完备的归纳发现机器是可行的。最后,本文描述了科学发现机器的结构,并在文献的基础上,描述了一种同时具有发生与评价功能的归纳发现机器并论证了它的合理性。     

新疆民汉语互学现象的由来和发展

本文从民族迁徙、通婚、经商、入侍、屯田诸方面入手,通过大量民汉接触的史料,对新疆民汉语互学现象产生的基础和条件,对民汉语互学现象的发展过程以及民汉语互学现象对新疆社会经济产生的影响,进行了较为系统的论述,客观地反映出两千多年来汉族与当地民族密切交往的历史以及共同为新疆社会经济发展所做的努力.     

试论民族语言的文化学意义

民族语言是文化的载体 ,又是民族文化的表现形式之一 ,是一定民族的精神创造活动的结果 ,揭示其潜在的文化内涵 ,具有十分重要的文化学意义。本文只撷取其中的几个侧面 ,进行尝试性论述。     

Modeling Synergy and Learning under Multiple Advanced Manufacturing Technologies

The advent of the wide variety of new, highly integrated, advanced manufacturing technologies available for acquisition by a firm's managers has brought to light an accompanying set of unexpected issues. These issues include expectations for the benefits and costs of these technologies, determining the appropriate order of implementation and finding a way to justify acquisition when many of the benefits are a function of the technology's learning and synergistic effects on other operations and technologies. We present here a model that captures the interaction effects of these highly integrated technologies and discuss the data requirements for application of the construct. We then illustrate the model's workings with a number of multitechnology examples and show the danger of ignoring the synergistic and learning effects of these technologies when considering their acquisition.     

English and discourses of commodification among tourism workers in the Himalayas

In this article, I investigate commodification discourses and ideologies of English from the perspective of Nepali tourism workers. Drawing data from interviews with porters and trekking guides in Nepal, I argue that English is not seen as merely a transactional means to convey meaning; it works in combination with the traditional form of labor and care in the local economy, establishing itself as a powerful tool to establish closer interpersonal relationships, enhance such interpersonal relationships for economic gains and commodify local identities and cultures in the tourism market. The interview and ethnographic details show that language learners are agentive and capable of making sense of their actions by positioning themselves variously in terms of ethnicity, economic class and job category. These workers think that tourists' linguistic and financial resources are the empowering tools that enable them to travel to locations that they want. They also want to empower themselves with English skills and translocal imaginaries to travel and see the world beyond their immediate reach. Repertoires in English are considered as instruments to mediate their imaginaries and the foreign worlds they want to be part of.     

Virtual Worlds and Social Work Education

ABSTRACT

The introduction of computerised virtual worlds in the early twenty-first century was considered to be an innovation that would be widely used in higher education. There are a number of examples of virtual worlds used for higher education in medicine, nursing, and allied health, including examples in social work. The aim of this article is to explore the potential value of virtual-world technology to enhance the student learning experience for social work education in interpersonal communication skills in a virtual health centre. Findings of a study of Australian undergraduate social work students who engaged in a role play in a virtual health centre for skill development in interpersonal communication are presented. The study findings highlight issues for social work educators to consider when deciding whether or not to use virtual-world technology in social work education, and when designing further research on similar innovations.     

Young Norwegians and their views on climate change and the future: findings from a climate concerned and oil-rich nation

Young people represent the future, but little is known about their attitudes towards climate change, one of the most serious issues facing the world today. The purpose of the present study is to contribute with improved and new knowledge of young Norwegians’ understanding of and attitudes towards this issue, with a special focus on perspectives of the future. Of particular interest is the influence of divergent framings of the climate question in Norway, due to conflicting interests between the petroleum industry and climate concern. The young people's voices are elicited through two different surveys undertaken during the fall of 2013, one national (Norwegian Citizen Panel) and one local (School survey conducted among high-school students). The study generated both quantitative and qualitative findings, stemming from closed-ended as well as open-ended questions. The data were handled through a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. The results show that the voices tend to be oriented towards the opinion that Norway has a responsibility to help poor countries as well as a duty to prevent climate change and that the country should reduce its oil production. We further observe that young Norwegians have an optimistic view of the future, based on a pronounced belief in technology and science.     

Action Learning in the Indian Village as an Alternative to the Traditional Field Practicum in the Foundation Year of the MSW

This paper captures the experiences of the faculty members of a relatively new graduate social work program situated in the largely rural state of Haryana India in reframing the foundation year practicum through community-based and engaged action learning in small villages. Located within Bhagat Phool Singh Vishwavidyalaya (BPSMV), north India's first all women public university, the mission of which is to enhance women's engagement in the greater society through post-secondary, professional and character education, the department is educating social workers for community engagement in social development and in the development of women as an empowered group in society, particularly at the village level. Over a three-year period, the faculty has successfully launched and sustained action learning as an alternative to the traditional practicum in social work education, enhanced civic engagement among students and faculty in three rural villages, and further developed community social work as a principal focus of social work education in India. The paper offers a rationale for action learning in the graduate social work curriculum, describes and documents the department's strategy of action learning, and lays out lessons learned from action learning as a central focus of pedagogy, research, and service within BPSMV Department of Social Work and the rural villages it serves.