Search results

Organizational equilibrium theory is a theory of an inducements‐contributions balance within organizations; i.e. it ultimately aims to find conditions for organizational survival. Based on the Simon‐Smithburg‐Thompson postulates for the organizational equilibrium theory, an organizational equilibrium model under uncertainty is constructed. Using a multiple objective satisficing problem formulation, the survival conditions (i.e. existence conditions of viable solutions) are studied. The existence of uniformly better solutions than a given viable solution is also shown. Then, a unique solution (i.e. viable Pareto solution) is defined, and a problem whose solutions are viable Pareto solutions is specified. Finally, several organizational factors involved with the organizational equilibrium concept are discussed.

For decision‐makers, the cognitive limit is one of the most critical factors which determine the quality of decisions, when they do not have enough information about their decision environment, and when they must strike a balance between conflicting objectives within a time limit. In such a situation, their decision‐making is often characterized by satisficing behaviors with multiple objectives under uncertainty. This paper aims to formulate a multiple‐objective satisficing problem and to study its fundamental properties, such as (1) existence of collectively satisficing solutions, (2) relationship among collectively satisficing solutions, Pareto satisficing solutions, weak Pareto satisficing solutions and max‐min solutions, and (3) characterization of Pareto satisficing solutions and of weak Pareto satisficing solutions.

As pointed out by Simon, the “satisficing” decision criterion is one of the most fundamental principles which describe human behaviors. Its mathematical representation i.e., a “satisficing” (decision) problem, is specified by Mesarovic as follows. “Find a decision alternative whose performance is equal to or greater than a given aspiration level for each uncertainty.” Of the results already published about such “satisficing” problems, Mesarovic and Takahara's existence theorem of ‘satisficing’ solutions is most important. However, it requires relatively tight assumptions. Hence, the objective of this paper is to generalize it, in order to enhance its applicability. This is fulfilled by the application of the Teichmüller and Tukey Lemma.

The main objective of this paper is to show an application of general systems thinking to decision theory. The search for isomorphic or homomorphic relations between decision criteria is fundamentally a new approach for clarifying and reconstructing decision models. Hence, the isomorphic relation between a linear decision criterion and an expected utility maximization criterion is established; then this isomorphism is used to characterize the former by the latter. The characterization is complete and the same approach can be applied to many other decision criteria.

This paper presents an interactive fuzzy satisfying method by assuming that the decision maker (DM) has fuzzy goals for each of the objective functions in multiobjective nonlinear programming problems. The fuzzy goals of the DM are quantified by eliciting the corresponding membership functions through the interaction with the DM. After determining the membership functions for each of the objective functions, in order to generate a candidate for the satisficing solution which is also a Pareto optimal, the DM selects an appropriate standing membership function and specifies his/her aspiration levels of achievement of the other membership functions, called constraint membership values. For the DM's constraint membership values, the corresponding constraint problem is solved and the DM is supplied with the Pareto optima] solution together with the trade‐off rates between a standing membership function and each of the other membership functions. Then by considering the current values of the membership functions as well as the trade‐off rates, the DM acts on this solution by updating his/her constraint membership values. In this way, the satisficing solution for the DM can be derived efficiently from among a Pareto optimal solution set by updating his/her constraint membership values. On the basis of the proposed method, a time‐sharing computer program is written and an application to regional planning is demonstrated along with the corresponding computer outputs.

Every geometric model corresponding to a unique feature whose errors of parameters uncorrelated, so the linearization technique can be successfully applied. The solution of a linear least square problem can be applied straightforwardly. This method has advantages especially in calibrate the redundant robot because it’s relatively small. The parameters of kinematics are unique and determined by this algorithm.

In this paper, a geometric identification method has been studied to estimate the parameters in the Denavit–Hartenberg (DH) model of the robot. Through studying the robot’s geometric features, specific trajectories are designed for calibrating the DH parameters. On the basis of these geometric features, several fitting methods have been deduced so that the important geometric parameters of robots, such as the actual rotation centers and rotate axes, can be found.

By measuring the corresponding motion trajectory at the end-effector, the trajectory feature can be identified by using curve fitting methods, and the trajectory feature will reflect back to the actual value of the DH parameters.

This method is especially suitable for rigid serial-link robots especially for redundant robots because of its specific calibration trajectory and geometric features. Besides, this method uses geometric features to calibrate the robot which is relatively small especially for the redundant robot comparing to the numerical algorithm.

Random point-contact between the space bearing retainer and the rolling elements may cause wear of the space bearing retainer. The paper aims to clarify the friction and wear behaviors of polyimide bearing retainer under point-contact condition.

Space bearing retainers were cut into flat specimens and the tribological behaviors of the specimens were studied under point-contact condition using a friction and wear testing machine. Different sliding velocities and normal loads were used to simulate the running state of space bearing retainer. The wear behaviors of the space bearing retainer were analyzed by SEM and white light interferometer.

The friction coefficient of the polyimide composites decreased with increase in sliding velocity from 1  to 5 mm/s. Moreover, with increase in sliding velocity and normal load, the wear rate of the polyimide composites decreased and increased, respectively. Moreover, the wear behaviors of the polyimide composites were mainly determined by the combined actions of ploughing friction and adhesive friction. The lubricating properties of transfer film and wear debris were limited under point-contact condition.

The paper includes implications for the understanding of the wear mechanism of the polyimide composites space bearing retainer under point-contact condition and then to optimize space bearing retainer materials further.

Under point-contact condition, wear debris can hardly participate in the friction process because of limited contact area. Consequently, the wear debris has limited impact on the wear process to decrease the friction and wear.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-01-2020-0017/

The general problem to be considered in this paper is as follows: Given a general system defined by m attributes, find a meaningful partition of systems’ behaviors. Using an order preserving mapping from a space of m attributes into an m‐dimensional Euclidean space, a partitioning criterion of systems' behaviors is defined. Then, its mathematical properties are studied, on the basis of the usual hyperplane separation theorem and of the existence theorem of ton Neumann and Morgenstern's utility function.

Calorie restricted diets are known to improve health and promote healthy aging. This happens because of controlled inflammation and metabolism in the body. This study aims to evaluate the differences in anthropometric and biochemical parameters in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats because of consumption of a calorie restricted diet.

The study divided SD rats (n = 15) into 3 groups consuming high calorie intake (HCI), medium calorie intake and low calorie intake (LCI). Anthropometric parameters were determined through measurement of abdominal circumference (AC), thoracic circumference (TC), body length and body weight (BW). Biochemical parameters analyzed in this study were fasting blood glucose level and full blood lipid profile. Nutritional status was obtained based on food consumption, energy intake (EI) and food efficiency rate. Measurements were taken for a period of four weeks.

Analysis on anthropometric parameters indicates a significant difference in mean BW between HCI (230.44 ± 1.47 g) and LCI (188.54 ± 1.50 g). There is a significant difference in abdominal TC ratio (p < 0.001; F = 13.599) in the LCI group (1.01 ± 0.00714) compared to the HCI group (1.04 ± 0.00858). Post hoc for nutrition parameters indicates a significant difference in mean EI between HCI (9.71 ± 0.006 kJ) and LCI (3.21 ± 0.001 kJ). There is a significant effect (p < 0.0001; F = 3042872.02) of EI on rats in all three groups. HDL levels were significantly higher (p < 0.0001; F = 1536.89) in the LCI group (68.60 ± 0.55 mg/dL) compared to the HCI group (49.40 ± 0.55 mg/dL). The Pearson’s correlation results show a strong positive correlation in EI with BW (p < 0.01; r = 0.988), AC (p < 0.01; r = 0.970) and body mass index (p < 0.01; r = 0.972).

Low calorie diet has been proven to affect anthropometric development and has shown improvements in biochemical parameters of the rats. This may result in healthy aging which could prevent later-life diseases.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the three-dimensional natural convection and entropy generation in a cuboid enclosure filled with two immiscible fluids of nanofluid and air.

One surface of the enclosure is jagged and another one is smooth. The finite volume approach is applied for computation. There are two partially side heaters. Furthermore, the Navier–Stokes equations and entropy generation formulation are solved in the 3D form.

The effects of different governing parameters, such as the jagged surface (JR=0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12 and 0.16), Rayleigh number (10³⩽Ra⩽10⁶) and solid volume fraction of nanofluid (φ=1, 1.5, 2 vol%), on the fluid flow, temperature field, Nusselt number, volumetric entropy generation and Bejan number are presented, comprehensively. The results indicate that the average Nusselt number increases with the increase in the Rayleigh number and solid volume fraction of nanofluid. Moreover, the flow structure is significantly affected by the jagged surface.

The originality of this work is to analyze the natural-convection fluid flow and heat transfer under the influence of jagged surfaces of electrodes in high-current lead–acid batteries.