An investigation into the use of knowledge representation in computer-integrated manufacturing

In a certain automobile factory, batch-painting of the body types in colours is controlled by an allocation system. This tries to balance production with orders, whilst making optimally-sized batches of colours. Sequences of cars entering painting cannot be optimised for easy selection of colour and batch size. `Over-production' is not allowed, in order to reduce buffer stocks of unsold vehicles. Paint quality is degraded by random effects. This thesis describes a toolkit which supports IKBS in an object-centred formalism. The intended domain of use for the toolkit is flexible manufacturing. A sizeable application program was developed, using the toolkit, to test the validity of the IKBS approach in solving the real manufacturing problem above, for which an existing conventional program was already being used. A detailed statistical analysis of the operating circumstances of the program was made to evaluate the likely need for the more flexible type of program for which the toolkit was intended. The IKBS program captures the many disparate and conflicting constraints in the scheduling knowledge and emulates the behaviour of the program installed in the factory. In the factory system, many possible, newly-discovered, heuristics would be awkward to represent and it would be impossible to make many new extensions. The representation scheme is capable of admitting changes to the knowledge, relying on the inherent encapsulating properties of object-centres programming to protect and isolate data. The object-centred scheme is supported by an enhancement of the `C' programming language and runs under BSD 4.2 UNIX. The structuring technique, using objects, provides a mechanism for separating control of expression of rule-based knowledge from the knowledge itself and allowing explicit `contexts', within which appropriate expression of knowledge can be done. Facilities are provided for acquisition of knowledge in a consistent manner.

Key success factors when implementing strategic manufacturing initiatives

Purpose – This paper reports the study of key success factors (KSFs) in the project management of the implementation of strategic manufacturing initiatives (SMIs). Design/methodology/approach – In order to gather the experience and knowledge of many industries, from different geographic locations, in a broad range of types and sizes of SMIs, a questionnaire-based survey of practitioners worldwide was selected as the most appropriate research method among those available. Findings – The identification of those tasks and activities that must be done well in order to succeed in the implementation of a SMI in practice. Practical implications – Practitioners focusing their attention on the KSFs identified are more likely to succeed. Once these factors have been identified, the value of benchmarking project management methodologies then comes from drawing attention to those tasks that are key to the success of the implementation of SMIs. Originality/value – The paper presents new thinking by bringing project management into the operations strategy implementation literature as an important mediating factor for success. In this context the factors that are required for successful implementation are identified.

An integrated environment for semantic knowledge work

In this demonstration, we will present a semantic environment called the K-Box. The K-Box supports the lightweight integration of knowledge tools, with a focus on semantic tools, but with the flexibility to integrate natural language and conventional tools. We discuss the implementation of the framework, and two existing applications, including details of a new application for developers of semantic workflows. The demonstration will be of interest to developers and researchers of ontology-based knowledge management systems, and semantic desktops, and to analysts working with cross-media information. © 2011 ACM.

Contributos da supervisão para a dialógica e o trabalho colaborativo : estudo de um caso

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Santarém para a obtenção do grau de mestre em Ciências da educação - Supervisão e orientação pedagógica

Dear DTCA, Please Don’t Deceive Me, Don’t Play on My Fantasy

Travail créatif / Creative Work

Utilizing ICT to prevent loneliness and social isolation of the elderly. A literature review

Ageing of the population is a worldwide phenomenon. Numerous ICT-based solutions have been developed for elderly care but mainly connected to the physiological and nursing aspects in services for the elderly. Social work is a profession that should pay attention to the comprehensive wellbeing and social needs of the elderly. Many people experience loneliness and depression in their old age, either as a result of living alone or due to a lack of close family ties and reduced connections with their culture of origin, which results in an inability to participate actively in community activities (Singh & Misra, 2009). Participation in society would enhance the quality of life. With the development of information technology, the use of technology in social work practice has risen dramatically. The aim of this literature review is to map out the state of the art of knowledge about the usage of ICT in elderly care and to figure out research-based knowledge about the usability of ICT for the prevention of loneliness and social isolation of elderly people. The data for the current research comes from the core collection of the Web of Science and the data searching was performed using Boolean? The searching resulted in 216 published English articles. After going through the topics and abstracts, 34 articles were selected for the data analysis that is based on a multi approach framework. The analysis of the research approach is categorized according to some aspects of using ICT by older adults from the adoption of ICT to the impact of usage, and the social services for them. This literature review focused on the function of communication by excluding the applications that mainly relate to physical nursing. The results show that the so-called ‘digital divide’ still exists, but the older adults have the willingness to learn and utilise ICT in daily life, especially for communication. The data shows that the usage of ICT can prevent the loneliness and social isolation of older adults, and they are eager for technical support in using ICT. The results of data analysis on theoretical frames and concepts show that this research field applies different theoretical frames from various scientific fields, while a social work approach is lacking. However, a synergic frame of applied theories will be suggested from the perspective of social work.

Skolan i livet - livet i skolan : Några illitterata invandrarkvinnor lär sig tala, läsa och skriva på svenska som andraspråk

Many immigrants in Sweden have not had the chance to learn to read and write, for various reasons. In Sweden, literacy is a prerequisite to being able to function in the cultural community, and for many immigrants this is the first time that they experience their inability to read and write as a handicap or see themselves as “illiterate”. The aim of this study is to use a socio-cultural, second language and gender approach to describe, analyse and understand how a number of adult, illiterate, immigrant women experience their situation when they are expected to simultaneously learn to speak, read and write Swedish. The study focuses on two literacy groups in two Swedish municipalities. In one of the groups I act as both teacher and researcher. The thesis is a case study of the learning process of five illiterate immigrant women in Sweden. The results are based on interviews, carried out with the help of an interpreter, and observation of teaching and texts ritten by the students. The study is based on the assumption that human learning is an activity that takes place in a cultural community in a social context. When learning a language, the language is simultaneously the tool that facilitates social communication and the object of the learning process. The study shows that cultural communities influence the women in different ways. Gender structures are firmly planted in a patriarchal value system, which means that women are seen as inferior to men, and women are expected to “meet the demands of others”. The women have no time to study at home, as their household duties are prioritised. However, there are subtle indications that there is a wish to change the situation in accordance with Swedish values and norms. This can be seen in the Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) lessons. As they have little contact with Swedes, school is the only arena in which they have a chance to use Swedish. They are positive towards teaching and school as an institution. Here they are able to develop an alternative identity. The study also shows that teaching in the literacy groups is to a great extent based on a technical approach, in which the teacher tries to elicit a correct answer from the students. Social interaction involving contemplation and negotiation is either not included or not prioritised. the women’s experience and knowledge is not made use of. There are,however, occasions when collaborative discussions take place between the teacher and students. On these occasions an exchange of experiences takes place. Learning is based on the students’ own experiences and thoughts. Linguistic concepts gain meaning in the collaborative discussion. Initially the concepts may be unclear, but the group works on them together, adapting and adjusting them until they finally make sense. Finally, I conclude that women immigrants bring their own socio-cultural values and experience to the school situation, which affects their learning process to varying degrees. Furthermore, immigrant women need more time at school, as it is the only arena in which they can spend time on studying and personal development. another conclusion is that the school must become a learning community that recognises the immigrants’ cultures, makes use of the students’ experience and allows the students to participate in collaborative discussions, so that they can develop their ability to speak, read and write Swedish.

A internacionalização de PME: o caso da Carvalheira, Bastos Lda.

Atualmente, a internacionalização é uma estratégia adotada por muitas empresas, independentemente da sua dimensão com o intuito de enfrentar o abrandamento económico no seu mercado doméstico e impulsionar o seu crescimento. No caso das PME, as principais razões que as levam a sair do seu mercado doméstico e a arriscar em mercados externos prendem-se com motivações reativas e muitas vezes exógenas, como sejam a saturação do mercado doméstico, as pressões da concorrência e as relações com os clientes. Assim, a crise financeira no país, aliada à crise no setor da construção civil, leva esta PME portuguesa, do ramo da carpintaria de limpo, a procurar novas oportunidades no exterior. No entanto, como tem consciência da falta de experiência e conhecimento nos mercados internacionais, começa por abordar os mercados numa lógica de procura de novas oportunidades, aproveitando as oportunidades que lhe são dirigidas e vendo nestas uma forma de aprofundar relacionamentos e ganhar experiência neste âmbito. Posteriormente, este conhecimento e experiência permitir-lhe-á enveredar por uma estratégia de internacionalização mais ativa, abandonando/diminuindo a lógica de oportunidade e apostando numa lógica mais estruturada e planeada. Este trabalho, ao tirar proveito de um único estudo de caso, pretende analisar a perspetiva evolutiva da empresa, e como uma estratégia empreendedora, a confiança e a incorporação em redes de relacionamentos facilitam o processo de abertura aos mercados externos.

Contributos da supervisão para a dialógica e o trabalho colaborativo : estudo de um caso

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Santarém para a obtenção do grau de mestre em Ciências da educação - Supervisão e orientação pedagógica

Encontra-te

Um dos grandes desafios para a valorização de Portugal como destino cultural, assenta na agregação de toda a oferta que o nosso país apresenta. A música, por tudo aquilo que representa para o nosso país, apresenta as características certas para se tornar num elo de ligação entre a cultura e as pessoas. Nos últimos anos assistimos a uma alteração do consumo de música através de aplicações que emergiram e que alcançaram o seu espaço na sociedade moderna. Paralelamente, temos presenciado no nosso país a um aumento de concertos e espetáculos ao vivo, número de espectadores e de receitas de bilheteira, gerando receitas em torno dos 70 000 000 de euros. Beneficiando da experiência e conhecimento na área musical, este projeto visa desenvolver uma aplicação mobile que funcione como agregador de toda a informação relativa a espetáculos musicais ao vivo na área de Lisboa. Na base da construção do Plano de Negócios foi utilizado o programa FINICIA do Instituto de Apoio às Pequenas e Médias Empresas e à Inovação (IAPMEI) que revelou todas as conjeturas necessárias à sua realização e implementação. Os indicadores de validade do projeto, recolhidos através do questionário online com base no método Delphi, comprovaram a relevância da criação de uma aplicação mobile focada na área da música em Lisboa. De acordo com os indicadores de viabilidade utilizados neste projeto, nomeadamente a Taxa Interna de Rendibilidade (TIR), o Valor Atual Líquido (VAL) e o Período de Payback, foi possível determinar que o mesmo é economicamente viável.

Dear DTCA, Please Don’t Deceive Me, Don’t Play on My Fantasy

Travail créatif / Creative Work

"Going outside": discussing the connection between pedagogical practices with digital tools and outdoor learning in early childhood and primary education

Technology has an important role in children's lives and education. Based on several projects developed with ICT, both in Early Childhood Education (3-6 years old) and Primary Education (6-10 years old), since 1997, the authors argue that research and educational practices need to "go outside", addressing ways to connect technology with outdoor education. The experience with the projects and initiatives developed supported a conceptual framework, developed and discussed with several partners throughout the years and theoretically informed. Three main principles or axis have emerged: strengthening Children's Participation, promoting Critical Citizenship and establishing strong Connections to Pedagogy and Curriculum. In this paper, those axis will be presented and discussed in relation to the challenge posed by Outdoor Education to the way ICT in Early Childhood and Primary Education is understood, promoted and researched. The paper is exploratory, attempting to connect theoretical and conceptual contributions from Early Childhood Pedagogy with contributions from ICT in Education. The research-based knowledge available is still scarce, mostly based on studies developed with other purposes. The paper, therefore, focus the connections and interpellations between concepts established through the theoretical framework and draws on the almost 20 years of experience with large and small scale action-research projects of ICT in schools. The more recent one is already testing the conceptual framework by supporting children in non-formal contexts to explore vineyards and the cycle of wine production with several ICT tools. Approaching Outdoor Education as an arena where pedagogical and cultural dimensions influence decisions and practices, the paper tries to argue that the three axis are relevant in supporting a stronger connection between technology and the outdoor.

“The most artistic lesson I ever heard” - a contribution to the reflection on the comment made by William James regarding a lesson by Ernst Mach

On November the 2nd 1882, William James visited Ernst Mach in Prague, and attended one of his lectures. The conversation with Mach and the lecture were marking events for James. Based, namely, on James’s lectures for teachers and on Mach’s lectures for the general public, we propose a reflection on the defining traits that made that event "the most artistic lesson [James] ever heard". We shall remark on the imaginative joy contained in these texts, which appear to embody some of James' key ideas on Education. The experience of knowledge about the world contained in the texts, reveals that "to experiment" means "not coldly to observe a thing happening outside us, but to undergo, to feel within oneself, to live oneself this or that manner of being".

Intellectuals and Japanese Buddhism in Brazil

This study concentrates on the discovery of Japanese Buddhism by Brazilian intellectuals as a group of spiritual practices and as a body of spiritual wisdom. The study has been realized through readings and meetings with Japanese Buddhist monks and/or Japanese immigrants. These intellectuals defend a religious experience based on a universal notion of representations of Japanese Buddhism, which provides them with a non-dualistic philosophical perspective and a unique psychological experience. Through innovative spiritual experiences these intellectuals have broken the tension created within the dispute between secularized science and the Catholic hegemony, both predominant in the intellectual panorama.

Care during the intensive phase: promotion of adherence

The standards in this chapter focus on maximising the patient`s ability to adhere to the treatment prescribed. Many people are extremely shocked when they are told they have TB, some refuse to accept it and others are relieved to find out what is wrong and that treatment is available. The reaction depends on many factors, including cultural beliefs and values, previous experience and knowledge of the disease. Even though TB is more common among vulnerable groups, it can affect anyone and it is important for patients to be able to discuss their concerns in relation to their own individual context. The cure for TB relies on the patient receiving a full, uninterrupted course of treatment, which can only be achieved if the patient and the health service work together. A system needs to be in place to trace patients who miss their appointments for treatment (late patients). The best success will be achieved through the use of flexible, innovative and individualised approaches. The treatment and care the patient has received will inevitably have an impact on his or her willingness to attend in the future. A well-defined system of late patient tracing is mandatory in all situations. However, when the rates are high (above 10%), any tracing system will be useless without also examining the service as a whole.