Matrix model for web page community construction

The World Wide Web is now a huge information source with its own characteristics. In most cases, traditional database-based technologies are no longer suitable for web information processing and management. For effectively processing and managing web. information, it is necessary to reveal intrinsic relationships/structures among concerned web information objects such as web pages. In this work, a set of web pages that has its own intrinsic structure is called a web page community. This paper proposes a matrix model to describe relationships among concerned web pages. Based on this model, intrinsic relationships among pages could be revealed, and in turn a web page community could be constructed. The issues that are related to this model in its application are deeply investigated and studied. Some applications based on this model are presented, which demonstrate the potential of this matrix model in different kinds of web page community construction and information processing.

Methods of construction of OWA operators from data

This paper investigates the problem of obtaining the weights of the ordered weighted aggregation (OWA) operators from observations. The problem is formulated as a restricted least squares and uniform approximation problems. We take full advantage of the linearity of the problem. In the former case, a well known technique of non-negative least squares is used. In a case of uniform approximation, we employ a recently developed cutting angle method of global optimisation. Both presented methods give results superior to earlier approaches, and do not require complicated nonlinear constructions. Additional restrictions, such as degree of orness of the operator, can be easily introduced

A matrix-based model for web page community construction and more

The rapid development of network technologies has made the web a huge information source with its own characteristics. In most cases, traditional database-based technologies are no longer suitable for web information processing and management. For effectively processing and managing web information, it is necessary to reveal intrinsic relationships/structures among concerned web information objects such as web pages. In this work, a set of web pages that have their intrinsic relationships is called a web page community. This paper proposes a matrix-based model to describe relationships among concerned web pages. Based on this model, intrinsic relationships among pages could be revealed, and in turn a web page community could be constructed. The issues that are related to the application of the model are deeply investigated and studied. The concepts of community and intrinsic relationships, as well as the proposed matrix-based model, are then extended to other application areas such as biological data processing. Some application cases of the model in a broad range of areas are presented, demonstrating the potentials of this matrix-based model.

Pointwise construction of Lippschitz aggregation operators with specific properties

This paper describes an approach to pointwise construction of general aggregation operators, based on monotone Lipschitz approximation. The aggregation operators are constructed from a set of desired values at certain points, or from empirically collected data. It establishes tight upper and lower bounds on Lipschitz aggregation operators with a number of different properties, as well as the optimal aggregation operator, consistent with the given values. We consider conjunctive, disjunctive and idempotent n-ary aggregation operators; p-stable aggregation operators; various choices of the neutral element and annihilator; diagonal, opposite diagonal and marginal sections; bipolar and double aggregation operators. In all cases we provide either explicit formulas or deterministic numerical procedures to determine the bounds. The findings of this paper are useful for construction of aggregation operators with specified properties, especially using interpolation schemata.

Construction of k-Lipschitz triangular norms and conorms from empirical data

This paper examines the practical construction of k-Lipschitz triangular norms and conorms from empirical data. We apply a characterization of such functions based on k-convex additive generators and translate k-convexity of piecewise linear strictly decreasing functions into a simple set of linear inequalities on their coefficients. This is the basis of a simple linear spline-fitting algorithm, which guarantees k-Lipschitz property of the resulting triangular norms and conorms.

Judgement, reflexivitiy and interdisiciplinarity : reframing construction management education

A core skill of the construction management professional is decision making. Disciplinary content knowledge provides the basis for effective decision making, but is largely insufficient in contexts where projects demand a responsive and flexible approach to scenarios as they evolve and change. As Beckett and Hager suggest, ‘professional practice requires a much richer set of phenomena – a capacity to make judgements, sensitivity to intuition and an awareness of the purposes of the actions are all involved ‘(2002: 12). This paper begins by exploring judgement to develop a conceptual model for initiating and developing decision making skills for construction management professionals. The capacity to respond to change in a structured and self aware manner is examined through the concept of reflexivity, a concept borrowed from sociology. Reflexivity is an individual’s capacity to be aware, responsive and adaptability to constant changing and evolving environments. Coupled with this is the challenge for all built environment professionals in the need to integrate knowledge and processes from various specialist knowledge domains, particularly design domains. The conceptual model is then refined by synthesising concepts from interdisciplinary research.

The aim of this paper is to describe a framework to analyse and review current undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs offerings from Deakin University in the School of Architecture and Building. Following Boud and Falchikov (2007) this framework starts with practice, that is, the actual ‘doing’ of construction management as the basis for shaping curriculum development.

Multi-market industrial organizational economic models for the internationalization process by small and medium enterprise construction design service firms

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are critical to strategic initiatives in an economy; however, their contribution to foreign trade is not as significant. SMEs are one of the principal driving forces in economic development. One of the greatest challenges is the internationalization process for longevity rather than seeing the process as initial market entry. The internationalization process research has typically involved four key constructs: market selection, decision to enter, entry modes and factors affecting entry modes. Past research has focused on large manufacturing firms. The export of architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) firms has undergone growth, yet there is still significant opportunity for further growth. The majority of AEC firms are SMEs. Notwithstanding assistance provided through international trade missions, organized export firm support networks and information packages by a burgeoning number of government agencies, there are still perceived barriers to market entry and long-term economic sustainability for SMEs. There are a number of problems faced by SMEs acting in foreign trade. This investigation explores the successful initial internationalization process constructs and identifies unique project-oriented sector characteristics. The study identified similarities and differences between two firms that have been exporting to various localities, including Eastern Europe, Africa, Middle East, UK, Asia and South America, for more than two decades. The similarities and differences were identified within eight major constructs: purpose, firm type, market image and design philosophy, entry mode strategy, institutional arrangement, factors affecting mode of entry, market selection and firm strategy in relation to project selection. The primary reasons for internationalization were associated with the firms' motivations related to growth and financial viability. This article discusses the various internationalization processes and strategies intrinsic to each case study and establishes a detailed set of empirical observations from which to develop further a grounded theoretical model of reflexive capability for the internationalization process. This study contributes to the body of knowledge around the SME AEC design service firm's internationalization process, as a dynamic, evolving and continuously adaptable construct for project-based sectors.

Implementing a suitable jobs register in the construction industry : preliminary evidence

This pilot study investigated the efficacy of a job register index to support return to work (RTW) for injured workers in the construction industry. Participants included injured workers (n = 22), supervisors/managers (n = 23), treating practitioners (n = 5), occupational rehabilitation consultants (n = 5), union representatives/occupational health and safety representatives (n = 5), RTW coordinators (n = 2), steering committee members (n = 4) and the designated project officer (n = 1). A pre–post test intact group design was used to evaluate the perceived utility of the job register. A partial set of the sample including injured workers and supervisors/managers participated in the pretrial phase (n = 28) while the trial phase included more numerous stakeholder groups to assess the perceived utility of the register (n = 39). Participants completed surveys that incorporated a number of differing sections including injury description and circumstances, communication and collaboration with others, their overall opinion of the return to work process in general and suggestions for future improvements. Additional questions were designed for those participating in the trial with regards to the efficacy of the register. Data were analysed using analysis of variance procedures with pairwise comparisons of pre–post intervention test means. Alternative job options were seen to be offered more frequently. Communication and cooperation improved post implementation. Supervisors perceived the job register a useful innovation to facilitate RTW. The register represents a new resource to the construction industry with potential for wider application following further study.

Pathways to formally assessed work placement : employers' perspectives on collaborative education in the Australian construction industry

The QS and construction industry is uniquely impacted by project-based work environments. This creates special challenges for collaborative, work-integrated education of pre-professional students. This research is based on investigating the attitudes of employer’s towards the use of formally assessed internships. The study comprised two stages- firstly a series of pilot interviews were undertaken with employers to test a number known issues and secondly, the results from the interviews were used to refine a set of questions that were put to a large focus group of employers who were invited from across the property and construction sector in Australia. The results showed that many employer organisations expressed considerable goodwill towards collaborative education with universities. However, the challenges caused by project-based work environments restrict employers' ability to provide comprehensive learning opportunities. This research discusses some of the distinctive issues associated with work-integrated learning in the construction industry and proposes some potential opportunities for overcoming these restrictions.

Cost and time overruns in commercial construction projects : an Australian study

Cost and schedule are two of most important performance indicators of construction projects. Cost escalation and time overruns are typically associated with poor management practices. Cost overruns and delays have huge impacts on construction projects in relation to the costs of a project, the reputation of the parties involved, and the satisfaction of the final product. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the causes of cost and time overruns so that mitigation measures can be set in place. A group of industry professionals in South Australia were surveyed on their perceptions of the factors contributing towards the cost and time overruns in commercial construction projects. The results showed that timeliness of decision making is ranked as the top factor contributing towards delays whereas problems with design is perceived as most influential to the cost overruns. In addition, the questionnaire survey found that different parties, i.e. clients, contractors and consultants have different perceptions on the impacts of these factors. Similarly, the structural frame stage was considered the most critical stage for controlling the time and cost performance during the construction process. Implications are discussed.

Prediction interval construction using interval type-2 fuzzy logic systems

This study proposes a novel non-parametric method for construction of prediction intervals (PIs) using interval type-2 Takagi-Sugeno-Kang fuzzy logic systems (IT2 TSK FLSs). The key idea in the proposed method is to treat the left and right end points of the type-reduced set as the lower and upper bounds of a PI. This allows us to construct PIs without making any special assumption about the data distribution. A new training algorithm is developed to satisfy conditions imposed by the associated confidence level on PIs. Proper adjustment of premise and consequent parameters of IT2 TSK FLSs is performed through the minimization of a PI-based objective function, rather than traditional error-based cost functions. This new cost function covers both validity and informativeness aspects of PIs. A metaheuristic method is applied for minimization of the non-linear non-differentiable cost function. Quantitative measures are applied for assessing the quality of PIs constructed using IT2 TSK FLSs. The demonstrated results for four benchmark case studies with homogenous and heterogeneous noise clearly show the proposed method is capable of generating high quality PIs useful for decision-making.

Professional ethics for UK construction professionals

The construction industry has a number of unique characteristics, including a temporary organisational structure, and it is one of the most dangerous of all industries. Therefore, it is important for construction professionals to have a high level of professional ethics. However, the public standing of construction professional ethics may not be high and it attracts a lot of attention.

This paper investigates UK construction professionals' view on professional ethics. The issues which are investigated for quantity surveyors include their view on ethical behaviours, their ranking and rating of parties and constituencies when they face ethical dilemmas and their opinion on whether they think the ethical standards have declined over the last decade. The paper also outlined the UK construction managers' view on the ethical perception of other construction managers. In addition, the factors influencing the ethical decision making of the UK quantity surveyors and construction managers are also identified. Furthermore, the background of influence on the views of professional ethics is also outlined.

The research method of the project is through questionnaire survey, one set of questionnaires was sent to quantity surveyor and the other was sent to construction managers. The questions in the questionnaires are developed from the previous literature.

Iterative construction of hierarchical classifiers for phishing website detection

This article is devoted to a new iterative construction of hierarchical classifiers in SimpleCLI for the detection of phishing websites. Our new construction of hierarchical systems creates ensembles of ensembles in SimpleCLI by iteratively linking a top-level ensemble to another middle-level ensemble instead of a base classifier so that the top-level ensemble can generate a large multilevel system. This new construction makes it easy to set up and run such large systems in SimpleCLI. The present article concentrates on the investigation of performance of the iterative construction of such classifiers for the example of detection of phishing websites. We carried out systematic experiments evaluating several essential ensemble techniques as well as more recent approaches and studying their performance as parts of the iterative construction of hierarchical classifiers. The results presented here demonstrate that the iterative construction of hierarchical classifiers performed better than the base classifiers and standard ensembles. This example of application to the classification of phishing websites shows that the new iterative construction combining diverse ensemble techniques into the iterative construction of hierarchical classifiers can be applied to increase the performance in situations where data can be processed on a large computer. © 2014 ACADEMY PUBLISHER.

An interval type-2 fuzzy logic system-based method for prediction interval construction

This paper introduces a new non-parametric method for uncertainty quantification through construction of prediction intervals (PIs). The method takes the left and right end points of the type-reduced set of an interval type-2 fuzzy logic system (IT2FLS) model as the lower and upper bounds of a PI. No assumption is made in regard to the data distribution, behaviour, and patterns when developing intervals. A training method is proposed to link the confidence level (CL) concept of PIs to the intervals generated by IT2FLS models. The new PI-based training algorithm not only ensures that PIs constructed using IT2FLS models satisfy the CL requirements, but also reduces widths of PIs and generates practically informative PIs. Proper adjustment of parameters of IT2FLSs is performed through the minimization of a PI-based objective function. A metaheuristic method is applied for minimization of the non-linear non-differentiable cost function. Performance of the proposed method is examined for seven synthetic and real world benchmark case studies with homogenous and heterogeneous noise. The demonstrated results indicate that the proposed method is capable of generating high quality PIs. Comparative studies also show that the performance of the proposed method is equal to or better than traditional neural network-based methods for construction of PIs in more than 90% of cases. The superiority is more evident for the case of data with a heterogeneous noise. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.