Forecasting electricity demand for future years is an essential step in resource planning. A common approach is for the system operator to predict future demand from the estimates of individual distribution companies. However, the predictions thus obtained may be of poor quality, since the reporting incentives are unclear. We propose a prediction market as a form of forecasting future demand fo...

We propose a versatile framework for combining knowledge bases in modular systems with preferences. In our formalism, each module (knowledge base) can be specified in a different language. We define the notion of a preference-based modular system that includes a formalization of metapreferences. We prove that our formalism is robust in the sense that the operations for combining modules preserv...

The quality of a product can be defined by its ability to satisfy the needs and expectations of its customers. Achieving quality is especially difficult in market-driven situations since the product is released on an open market with numerous potential customers and users with various wishes. The quality of the software product is to a large extent determined by the quality of the requirements ...

Sten Ljunggren is worried both by our general proposals for direct democracy and by our advocacy of a system of central planning. This response is in five sections. The first puts the debate into the context of what we see as the key features of the communist mode of production. The second deals with the question of control theory, and replies to Ljunggren’s doubts about the use of computer mod...

In this paper we study algorithms for minimizing the worst-case cost of any agent in a multi-robot team in timecritical missions. We propose a generalized model for flexible mission planning, using hierarchical task networks as the planning framework, and the multiple traveling salesman problem as the cost model for task allocation. Two approximated solutions are provided and compared for this ...

Most hospitals undertake an annual strategic planning process. Medical practices also plan, but less frequently. In fact, sometimes medical practices erroneously depend on a hospital market analysis for their planning. This paper serves as an opportunity to review key concepts in developing an analysis of a “market”. Often a market analysis is a key component of the strategic plan. A detailed m...

conclusions the prevalence of astigmatism was high in children under six years old in this study, and to control amblyopia, it is necessary to consider astigmatism at younger ages. results the prevalence of refractive astigmatism of more than 0.5d in at least one eye was 51.4% (95% confidence interval (ci): 50.7-52.1); 52.1% in girls and 50.7% in boys (p = 0.412). prevalence of astigmatism decr...

researches show that customers attribute different human characters to products. correspondence of this attribution with the personality of customer could have a critical role in product selection and consequent success of a brand. this article is a descriptive survey on comparison of the brand personality of toshiba with four other famous brands in the it market of iran. all needed data is col...