A New Discrimination Method of Maize Seed Varieties Based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

A new discrimination method for the maize seed varieties based on the near-infrared spectroscopy was proposed. The reflectance spectra of maize seeds were obtained by a FT-NIR spectrometer (12 000-4 000 cm(-1)). The original spectra data were preprocessed by first derivative method. Then the principal component analysis (PCA) was used to compress the spectra data. The principal components with the cumulate reliabilities more than 80% were used to build the discrimination models. The model was established by Psi-3 neuron based on biomimetic pattern recognition (BPR). Especially, the parameter of the covering index was proposed to assist to discriminating the variety of a seed sample. The authors tested the discrimination capability of the model through four groups of experiments. There were 10, 18, 26 and 34 varieties training the discrimination models in these experiments, respectively. Additionally, another seven maize varieties and nine wheat varieties were used to test the capability of the models to reject the varieties not participating in training the models. Each group of the experiment was repeated three times by selecting different training samples at random. The correct classification rates of the models in the four-group experiments were above 91. 8%. The correct rejection rates for the varieties not participating in training the models all attained above 95%. Furthermore, the performance of the discrimination models did not change obviously when using the different training samples. The results showed that this discrimination method can not only effectively recognize the maize seed varieties, but also reject the varieties not participating in training the model. It may be practical in the discrimination of maize seed varieties.

基于模拟的企业过程模型自动优化技术研究

企业过程模型参数自动优化是一个多参数多目标的系统优化问题.采用线性加权法将其转换成多参数单目标问题的求解,提出基于计算机模拟的企业过程模型参数的自动寻优方法.它将传统的共轭梯度法FR（fletcher reeves）和禁忌搜索算法TS（tabu search）结合起来,采用FR法进行局部寻优,由TS法实现从当前局部最优点向全域范围内的更优区域转移,循环往复达到求出全域范围最优点的目的.改进了FR法与TS法,克服了各自的缺陷,并提出禁忌区域表的概念,从而加速寻优过程.它适用于任意多维曲面的多极值问题最优求解,对企业进行BPR（business process reengineering）和实施ERP（enterprise resource planning）管理有较大的指导意义.

A method of Biomimetic Pattern Recognition for face recognition

A new method of face recognition, based on Biomimetic Pattern Recognition and Multi-Weights Neuron Network, had been proposed. A model for face recognition that is based on Biomimetic Pattern Recognition had been discussed, and a new method of facial feature extraction also had been introduced. The results of experiments with BPR and K-Nearest Neighbor Rules showed that the method based on BPR can eliminate the error recognition of the samples of the types that not be trained, the correct rate is also enhanced.

Biomimetic (topological) pattern recognition - A new model of pattern recognition theory and its application

A new theoretical model of Pattern Recognition principles was proposed, which is based on "matter cognition" instead of "matter classification" in traditional statistical Pattern Recognition. This new model is closer to the function of human being, rather than traditional statistical Pattern Recognition using "optimal separating" as its main principle. So the new model of Pattern Recognition is called the Biomimetic Pattern Recognition (BPR)(1). Its mathematical basis is placed on topological analysis of the sample set in the high dimensional feature space. Therefore, it is also called the Topological Pattern Recognition (TPR). The fundamental idea of this model is based on the fact of the continuity in the feature space of any one of the certain kinds of samples. We experimented with the Biomimetic Pattern Recognition (BPR) by using artificial neural networks, which act through covering the high dimensional geometrical distribution of the sample set in the feature space. Onmidirectionally cognitive tests were done on various kinds of animal and vehicle models of rather similar shapes. For the total 8800 tests, the correct recognition rate is 99.87%. The rejection rate is 0.13% and on the condition of zero error rates, the correct rate of BPR was much better than that of RBF-SVM.

Scanning tunnelling microscopy observation of cytochrome-c denaturation induced by bromopyrogal red on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

The denaturation of cytochrome-e (cyt-c) induced by bromopyrogal red (BPR) was studied by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) on the electrochemically pretreated highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface. STM images reveal that denatured cyt-c molecules exist in variable states including aggregates, globular compact, partially unfolded and combined with BPR molecule. The apparently low image contrast of denatured cyt-c observed in this experiment comparing to that of native cyt-c molecules, and the relative low image contrast of the unfolded part comparing with the compact globular part, are ascribed to the unfavourable tunnelling paths for the conformational variations of denatured cyt-c molecules. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Dynamic spectroelectrochemical measurement for the conformational transition of cytochrome c induced by bromopyrogal red

The conformational transition of horse heart cytochrome c induced by bromopyrogal red (BPR) in very low concentration has been firstly investigated by dynamic spectroelectrochemical technique, both at the BPR adsorbed platinum gauze electrode and at a bare platinum gauze electrode in a solution containing BPR. The effect of BPR on the structure of cytochrome c was studied by UV-visible and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. The unfolded cytochrome c behaves simply as an electron transfer protein with a formal potential of -142 mV vs. a normal hydrogen electrode. The difference between the formal potentials of the native and unfolded cytochrome c is coupled to a difference in conformational energy of the two states of about 40 kJ mol(-1), which agrees well with the result reported. The stability and slow refolding of the unfolded cytochrome c are discussed.

The role of information systems in business process redesign : a case of Turkish electricity market

This study is specifically concerned with the effect of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) on the Business Process Redesign (BPR). Researcher’s experience and the investigation on previous researches imply that BPR and ERP are deeply related to each other and a study to found the mentioned relation further is necessary. In order to elaborate the hypothesis, a case study, in particular Turkish electricity distribution market and the phase of privatization are investigated. Eight companies that have taken part in privatization process and executed BPR serve as cases in this study. During the research, the cases are evaluated through critical success factors on both BPR and ERP. It was seen that combining the ERP Solution features with business processes lead the companies to be successful in ERP and BPR implementation. When the companies’ success and efficiency were compared before and after the ERP implementation, a considerable change was observed in organizational structure. It was spotted that the team composition is important in the success of ERP projects. Additionally, when the ERP is in driver or enabler role, the companies can be considered successful. On the contrary, when the ERP has a neutral role of business processes, the project fails. In conclusion, it can be said that the companies, which have implemented the ERP successfully, have accomplished the goals of the BPR.

Managing Quality Properties of Web Service Compositions

Web services from different partners can be combined to applications that realize a more complex business goal. Such applications built as Web service compositions define how interactions between Web services take place in order to implement the business logic. Web service compositions not only have to provide the desired functionality but also have to comply with certain Quality of Service (QoS) levels. Maximizing the users' satisfaction, also reflected as Quality of Experience (QoE), is a primary goal to be achieved in a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). Unfortunately, in a dynamic environment like SOA unforeseen situations might appear like services not being available or not responding in the desired time frame. In such situations, appropriate actions need to be triggered in order to avoid the violation of QoS and QoE constraints. In this thesis, proper solutions are developed to manage Web services and Web service compositions with regard to QoS and QoE requirements. The Business Process Rules Language (BPRules) was developed to manage Web service compositions when undesired QoS or QoE values are detected. BPRules provides a rich set of management actions that may be triggered for controlling the service composition and for improving its quality behavior. Regarding the quality properties, BPRules allows to distinguish between the QoS values as they are promised by the service providers, QoE values that were assigned by end-users, the monitored QoS as measured by our BPR framework, and the predicted QoS and QoE values. BPRules facilitates the specification of certain user groups characterized by different context properties and allows triggering a personalized, context-aware service selection tailored for the specified user groups. In a service market where a multitude of services with the same functionality and different quality values are available, the right services need to be selected for realizing the service composition. We developed new and efficient heuristic algorithms that are applied to choose high quality services for the composition. BPRules offers the possibility to integrate multiple service selection algorithms. The selection algorithms are applicable also for non-linear objective functions and constraints. The BPR framework includes new approaches for context-aware service selection and quality property predictions. We consider the location information of users and services as context dimension for the prediction of response time and throughput. The BPR framework combines all new features and contributions to a comprehensive management solution. Furthermore, it facilitates flexible monitoring of QoS properties without having to modify the description of the service composition. We show how the different modules of the BPR framework work together in order to execute the management rules. We evaluate how our selection algorithms outperform a genetic algorithm from related research. The evaluation reveals how context data can be used for a personalized prediction of response time and throughput.

Factors affecting choice of financial services among rural consumers: Emerging experiences from Gicumbi District, northern Province in Rwanda

Enhancement of financial inclusivity of rural communities is often recognised as a key strategy for achieving economic development in third world countries. The main objective of this study was to examine the factors that influence consumers’ choice of a rural bank in Gicumbi district of Rwanda. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using a binary probit regression model and non-parametric procedures. Most consumers were aware of Popular Bank of Rwanda (BPR) and Umurenge SACCO through radio advertisements, social networks and community meetings. Accessibility, interest rates and quality of services influenced choice of a given financial intermediary. Moreover, the decision to open a rural bank account was significantly influenced by education and farm size (p<0.1). These results indicate the need for financial managers to consider these findings for successful marketing campaigns.

Relación entre la innovación de las empresas y el comportamiento del consumidor en el lanzamiento de nuevos productos en la industria de bebidas no alcohólicas

Como consumidores todas las personas toman decisiones de compra todos los días. Respondiendo a esto, la mayoría de empresas investigan esas decisiones para conocer qué, cómo, cuánto, dónde, cuándo y por qué compran los consumidores en el momento en que lo hacen. Cuando se logra descubrir estos factores, nace el interés por parte de las compañías de agregar características a los productos ofrecidos o lanzar nuevos productos al mercado con el fin de responder a esas necesidades descubiertas en las investigaciones. En el mercado de bebidas no alcohólicas, durante los últimos dos años, se ha presentado en los consumidores una mayor preferencia hacia productos más saludables y a tener exigencias mayores en las presentaciones y cualidades de las bebidas. En las empresas del sector, por otro lado, la tendencia es a encontrar una mayor amplitud y profundidad de las líneas de productos ofrecidos en el mercado en cuestión. Dado que el comportamiento de los consumidores y las acciones correspondientes de las empresas están estrechamente vinculados, se hace necesario estudiar y establecer la relación que existe entre estos factores que se han evidenciado en el mercado de bebidas no alcohólicas, con el fin de entender la nueva dinámica del sector y aportar sugerencias que podrían representar oportunidades para el crecimiento del mismo.

De la morbilidad a la perdurabildad : caso empresarial multiproyectos

El presente trabajo de grado es el resultado del proyecto de investigación realizado con el Centro de estudios empresariales para la perdurabilidad (CEEP) y el grupo de investigación empresarial de la facultad de Administración de la Universidad del Rosario, donde se muestra el trabajo de una de las tres líneas que ha venido realizando el grupo de investigación: perdurabilidad empresarial, aprendizaje de resurgimiento y condiciones de incidencia que permitan que las pequeñas y medianas empresas perduren en la línea de tiempo en el contexto Colombiano. En el presente escrito se encuentran los resultados de los análisis y la información recolectada para el caso de la empresa Multiproyectos, empresa que obtuvo el premio ave fénix en el año 2007, el cual destaca el resurgimiento de las empresas que se vieron envueltas en la crisis y que por fruto de su esfuerzo, sinergia y ardua disciplina lograron superarla.

Análisis financiero de la empresa Novartis de Colombia y el sector farmacéutico en Colombia

El siguiente trabajo de grado para la Facultad de Administración de la Universidad del Rosario, tiene como principal objetivo realizar un análisis financiero de Novartis de Colombia, empresa multinacional Suiza que opera en Colombia como filial. Así mismo, poder indagar qué implicaciones tienen los cambios dentro del sector farmacéutico de Colombia en las finanzas de la empresa. El trabajo busca determinar de qué manera Novartis de Colombia usa sus recursos para ser una de las empresas del sector mejor posicionada a pesar de los grandes cambios que la industria farmacéutica ha estado afrontando durante los últimos años. Para esto se deben utilizar diferentes herramientas e indicadores financieros que ayudarán a identificar, analizar, describir y evaluar los aspectos claves que garantizan el éxito de la empresa.

Proceso de internacionalización de los grupos económicos: el caso colombiano

En un mundo globalizado, las estructuras organizacionales han complejizado en mayor medida su operación. Si bien la Teoría de la organización, menciona el comportamiento de una empresa como un sistema, la mundialización permite que el entorno de dicho sistema se vuelva mucho más ininteligible de manera que la dependencia entre organizaciones, ya sean globales o locales, sea más fuerte entre sí. Este trabajo fue elaborado con el fin de hacer un análisis sobre la existencia y constitución de los Grupos Económicos de Colombia.

Productividad del sector textil propuesta de creación de un cluster para el sector

El sector textil y de Confecciones tiene más de 100 años de experiencia en Colombia y cuenta con una cadena productiva consolidada, tiene un potencial exportador importante dentro de la economía colombiana, por lo cual hace parte del Programa de transformación Productiva PTP. El Ministerio de Comercio Industria y Turismo, presentó el PTP el cual consiste en una alianza público-privada, que busca fomentar la productividad y competitividad de aquellos sectores que presentan un elevado potencial exportador, aprovechando los acuerdos comerciales que existen. El sector tiene varias características que lo hacen llamativo para la inversión lo cual hace que sea parte de la transformación productiva del país: El sector representó alrededor del 5% del total de las exportaciones de Colombia, lo cual lo hace ser el sector más representativo en exportaciones no tradicionales; En 2011 el Sector textil y de confecciones representó alrededor del 10% del PIB de la industria manufacturera y el 1.2% del PIB nacional; La creciente tendencia a importar textiles y fibras de algodón por parte de los confeccionistas colombianos, resalta la oportunidad que existe de inversión en la producción de fibras textiles para cubrir la demanda interna; Existe un acceso preferencial a más de 48 países y a alrededor de 1500 millones de consumidores gracias a los acuerdos comerciales vigentes; Colombia se ha destacado a nivel mundial por la alta calidad de sus productos de confección, además de ser eficientes en la producción de dichos productos.

Proceso de Internacionalización y aproximación a la logística de servicios: TELMEX COLOMBIA

Telmex es una organización que inicia su operación como empresa estatal mexicana con bajos niveles de eficiencia, posterior a su privatización tomó un nuevo rumbo en sus procesos internos, llevándola a generar modelos de negocio diferenciados y enfocados a la prestación de servicios de telecomunicación a la vanguardia. A partir de la búsqueda de nuevos horizontes la compañía logra tener presencia en la mayoría de los países del continente americano operando bajo la marca de “Telmex Internacional”, y a su vez, con sus respectivas subsidiarias en cada uno de los diferentes países, con el objetivo de satisfacer las necesidades locales con mayor efectividad. Con el apoyo de los diferentes acercamientos teóricos se busca identificar los patrones que le permitieron a Telmex llegar a posicionarse como una compañía líder en el sector de las telecomunicaciones en Latinoamérica y específicamente en Colombia, manteniéndose en un mercado competitivo mediante la oferta de servicios de empaquetamiento ajustados a las necesidades de los clientes.