The automaticity level and attention priority/strategy are two major theories that have attempted to explain the mechanism underlying the Stroop effect. Training is an effective way to manipulate the experience with the two dimensions (ink color and color word) in the Stroop task. In order to distinguish the above two factors (the automaticity or attention/strategy), we revised the training paradigm of MacLeod’s study (J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn 14(1):126–135, 1988) by adding a control condition for the Stroop task on Chinese. We found that with training, the changing pattern for the Stroop effect was similar in Stroop tasks in novel symbols and in Chinese, showing markedly increasing interference and marginally decreasing facilitation. The current findings support the strategy-based learning account at early stages of novel learning of written symbols.

Working memory training has been widely used to investigate working memory processes. We have shown previously that visual working memory benefits only from intra-modal visual but not from across-modal auditory working memory training. In the present functional magnetic resonance imaging study we examined whether auditory working memory processes can also be trained specifically and which training-induced activation changes accompany theses effects. It was investigated whether working memory training with strongly distinct auditory materials transfers exclusively to an auditory (intra-modal) working memory task or whether it generalizes to a (across-modal) visual working memory task. We used adaptive n-back training with tonal sequences and a passive control condition. The memory training led to a reliable training gain. Transfer effects were found for the (intra-modal) auditory but not for the (across-modal) visual transfer task. Training-induced activation decreases in the auditory transfer task were found in two regions in the right inferior frontal gyrus. These effects confirm our previous findings in the visual modality and extents intra-modal effects in the prefrontal cortex to the auditory modality. As the right inferior frontal gyrus is frequently found in maintaining modality-specific auditory information, these results might reflect increased neural efficiency in auditory working memory processes. Furthermore, task-unspecific (amodal) activation decreases in the visual and auditory transfer task were found in the right inferior parietal lobule and the superior portion of the right middle frontal gyrus reflecting less demand on general attentional control processes. These data are in good agreement with amodal activation decreases within the same brain regions on a visual transfer task reported previously.

Particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed to solve the vehicle scheduling problem in logistics distribution. According to the limitation of vehicle capability and the route in vehicle scheduling, a new extension-coded particle swarm optimization algorithm which is based on the theory of extension is proposed to solve this problem better. The new algorithm is used to optimize the vehicle routing problems. Compared with the genetic algorithm and the general particle swarm algorithm, the computational results show that the new algorithm can effectively optimize the vehicle scheduling problem in logistics distribution.

Reasonable layout configuration can make full use of existing resources of enterprises. The designation based on modular technology is generally used as a common method. Through the analysis of the module and the layout, the whole configuration should be scientific and rational. But in one module, there exists lots of the individuals, it could be difficult to find the one that suits the demand best, also there comes the situation that all existing individual may not match to the demand, these have become the important problems in the module design area. In this paper, as a new approach for the configurable layout design, the extension-adaptive method which is based on the extension theory is proposed. The whole method could be divided into three steps. Firstly, to the customer's demand, the adaptive function is introduced to evaluate the fitness of the modules and the individuals in the modules. It could see that the individual which has the biggest adaptive value to the demand could be the final result. Secondly, when there comes the situation that all the exist individual may not match to the demand as the adaptive value is less than 0, the extension transformation method is used to settle such problems. Thirdly, calculate the adaptive value of the transform individual again, the final result could be obtained. At last, a configurable layout design example for logistics enterprise is provided which shows that the adaptive design method achieves intelligent configuration in adaptive environment with significant rapidity and variety.

Case-based reasoning (CBR) is an effective method that integrates reasoning methodology and represents related knowledge in a domain. The success of a CBR system largely depends on case retrieval, and the similarity and determination of weight for each case features have a significant influence on the efficiency and accuracy of case retrieval. The aim of the research is to improve the efficiency and accuracy of case retrieval. Analyzing the deficiency of similarity measures based on the classical distance, different similarity measures are proposed for different kinds of attribute values based on the extension distance, especially the similarity model between numerical and set considered the customer’s preference. The standard deviation related with the similarity is introduced to distribute the dynamic attribute’s weights which also considered the customer’s interest, but not the traditional methods that the weight is a constant if determined. The presented methods will enable the system to retrieve the more similar case correctly so that reducing case adaptation. In this study, an electric drill is used as a case to verify the usefulness and effectiveness of the similarity measurements and weight assignments. It is demonstrated that this method is more beneficial to case retrieval compared with other methods.

To evaluate key clients comprehensively and objectively, a general comprehensive evaluation system of key clients is defined based on the analysis of the third party logistics enterprises. Then a formalized expression and basic element model of key client comprehensive evaluation problem is given. Furthermore, a key client comprehensive evaluation approach based on extension theory is presented. It adopts the optimal degree evaluation approach from the extension theory, which extends cantor set theory and fuzzy set theory in the semantics. The extension theory based comprehensive evaluation approach consists of three main steps. Firstly we need to determine the measuring weights using the AHP method; Secondly, we need to establish the dependent function, and calculate the qualification degree of each client using this formula, also we should normalize it. Thirdly, we calculate the optimal degree to evaluate the clients. The client with the highest optimal degree is the most important client for enterprise. This approach is implemented as computer program and integrated into the third party logistics intelligent information platform. Results show that the key client comprehensive evaluation approach is effective and efficient.

To deal with mass knowledge with contrary precondition in product family configuration planning more efficiently,a product family configuration planning model was proposed based on extension logic,which consisted of customer requirement acquisition,extension transforming and extension cluster to solve the problems of configuration requirement dynamical increase,configuration threshold value determination,and conflict-resolving.Firstly,the basic requirement elements for a series product were confirmed by conjugating analysis,and the mapping relationship between requirement and product family structure feature was constructed.Then by applying extension rule reasoning,a series of product could satisfy the customers' requirements were obtained from qualitative perspective.Secondly,the basic requirement element was transferred by transfer matrix,and it was output again by customer to calculate the tolerance with the initial basic requirement element.Then the transformation feasibility was determined by the configuration threshold value,which was gotten dynamically by improved genetic algorithm.Finally,the stable module and changeable module in product family were defined by using extension cluster and cluster graph.This method was applied in fridge configuration prototype system design.

Design for product adaptability is one of the techniques used to provide customers with products that exactly meet their requirements. Clustering methods have been used extensively in the study of product adaptability design. Of the clustering methods, the fuzzy clustering method is the most widely in the design field. The three main kinds of fuzzy clustering methods are the transitive closure method, the dynamic direct method and the maximum tree method. The dynamic direct clustering method has been found to produce design solutions with the lowest cost. In this paper, a new approach for obtaining adaptable product designs using the clustering method is proposed. The method consists of three steps. Firstly, the extension distance formula is used to determine the distance between two products in a product database. The product design space and the distances between individuals are used as grouping criteria in this step. Secondly, the minimal distance between products is used to obtain the clustering index. Thirdly, the threshold value is used to divide the products in the database into groups. Customer demands and the results obtained from the adaptable function (based on the extension distance formula) are used to evaluate the fitness of the groups and their corresponding products. The product with the largest adaptable function value to demand ratio is selected product. In order to the show the advantage of using the extension-clustering method, both the extension-clustering method and the dynamic direct method are presented and compared. The comparison indicates that the extension-clustering method leads to quicker evaluations of design alternatives and results that more closely match customers’ demands. An example of the adaptable design of circular saws tools is used to demonstrate that with the extension-clustering design method a high variety of intelligent configurations can be obtained with significant rapidity.

The concept of adaptable design (AD) immensely influences the suitability of a product life-cycle (PLC).The product with more variety, versatility, customization and update will become abstractive and competitive. For the purpose to meet the adaptability, a new extension adaptive design approach (EAD) was carried out by design theory and artificial intelligence research. The modeling methodology based on design basic element (X-J) which is different from the current UML modeling. Through the function extension analysis, the structure would possessed more adaptability in the design process. Finally, example from a CPIM (continuous passive motion) machine design will illustrate the applicability and implementation of selected principles in the area of Computer Aided Product Design.

This paper puts forward a product configuration design model based on extension logic.The method tries to meet the custom demands of a customer.Through analyzing the extension set of product requirements and functions,the extension configuration design rules,constraints,dependent functions and corresponding product structure models that meet the product functions are built.So the kernel problems of configuration design are de- termined.The goal of our study is to build an extension configuration design procedure,eliminate the conflicts between individualized product functions by design transform,and output the initial design schemes.Finally, the model is applied in a configuration process of electrical drill.The resuh shows that this design method can quickly meet the individual requirements of custom design,and it can provide a way for computer to help to solve configuration design contradictory problems.

We report a Monte Carlo investigation on the excitonic diffusion process in semiconductor quantum wells (QW). The rates of interface-roughness scattering and phonon scattering are calculated. By comparing the scattering rates, we find that, in a realistic QW sample with typical well-width and interface quality, the interface-roughness scattering is the dominant mechanism in limiting the diffusivity. Spatiotemporal dynamics of the exciton distribution function are obtained by the simulations and the excitonic diffusivity under different conditions is deduced. We find that the diffusivity increases rapidly with increasing the correlation length of the interface fluctuation and with decreasing the amplitude of the fluctuation. In a typical QW sample, the diffusivity increases exponentially with increasing the width of the well.