Search Results (34)

This study examines the dynamics of culture-led urban development, focusing on the role of museums and cultural institutions in urban transformation through the case study of Holon, Israel. Reliance on public funding and political support for cultural initiatives exposed this strategy’s fragility. Political transitions and budget reductions highlight the vulnerabilities of cultural institutions to shifting priorities and economic pressures. This study critically examines the interplay between cultural policy, urban branding, and community engagement, exploring how these dynamics contribute to urban renewal and the challenges that jeopardize its sustainability. Drawing on theoretical frameworks of cultural capital and place branding, the research explores how cultural investments can strengthen and destabilize cities’ socioeconomic and symbolic fabric. The study highlights the dual potential and fragility of culture-driven urban regeneration through a mixed-methods approach combining archival research, interviews, and field observations. By analyzing Holon’s trajectory, this research offers valuable insights into the potential and risks of leveraging culture for urban regeneration, emphasizing the need for resilient governance structures and diversified funding strategies to ensure the longevity of culture-led urban development. Full article

A demand response (DR) aggregator is a specialized entity designed to collaborate with electricity producers, facilitating the exchange of energy for numerous stakeholders. This application is a pivotal development within the Russian Energy System as it transitions to a Smart Grid. Its successful operation relies on the advancement and implementation of more efficient strategies to manage emerging energy assets and structures. The holonic approach is a distributed management model used to handle systems characterized by random and dynamic changes. This paper analyzes the specific aspects of the electricity demand management mechanism in Russia, primarily aimed at reducing peak load in the energy system by engaging active consumers who are outside the wholesale market. The DR-Aggregator is considered both a cyber-physical system (CPS) with a cluster structure and a business process. The DR-Aggregator exhibits essential holonic properties, enabling the application of a holonic approach to enhance the efficiency of the DR-Aggregator mechanism. This approach will facilitate greater flexibility in managing the load schedules of individual holon consumers, bolster the reliability of power supply by aligning load schedules among holon consumers within the super-holon cluster, and improve the fault tolerance of the DR-Aggregator structure, providing greater adaptability of demand management services. Full article

Various works propose solutions addressing the sustainability of IoT technologies to reduce their energy consumption, especially in the domain of wireless sensor networks. The diversity of applications, as well as the variability of their long-term constraints, forces them to dynamically adapt the network through time. Accordingly, this study formalizes the SADHoA-WSN framework to tackle the reconfiguration process. This proposal is a dynamic Holonic Control Architecture, linking the physical network evolution to the decisions made by a virtual multi-agent control system. The potential of such an approach is demonstrated by applying this framework to the energy optimization of communicating materials, i.e., materials equipped with inner wireless sensor nodes. The first implemented components of SADHoA-WSN and their related experimental results validate it as a promising energy-efficient dynamic methodology. This work lays the groundwork for optimized energy control in IoT networks. Full article

This paper describes a solution for the image density classification problem (DCP) using an entirely distributed system with only local processing of information named cellular automata (CA). The proposed solution uses two cellular automata’s features, density conserving and translation of the information stored in the cellular automata’s cells through the lattice, in order to obtain the solution for the density classification problem. The motivation for choosing a bio-inspired technique based on CA for solving the DCP is to investigate the principles of self-organizing decentralized computation and to assess the capabilities of CA to achieve such computation, which is applicable to many real-world decentralized problems that require a decision to be taken by majority voting, such as multi-agent holonic systems, collaborative robots, drones’ fleet, image analysis, traffic optimization, forming and then separating clusters with different values. The entire application is coded using the C# programming language, and the obtained results and comparisons between different cellular automata configurations are also discussed in this research. Full article

This research explores the vital role of the ecological footprint as a pivotal indicator in ecological assessments and its significance in advancing environmental sustainability. Investigating the intricate dynamics of human activities, resource consumption, waste management, and ecological impact, this study underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding. Key aspects such as renewable energy, economic growth, biomass capacity, and trade policy within the expanding field of energy consumption are thoroughly examined, with data collected from 624 randomly selected pupils. The research methodology involved pre- and post-activity knowledge assessments. The research places a particular focus on the innovative examination of early childhood education as a potent tool for reducing the ecological footprint. Drawing on insights from prior research, the authors argue that instilling ecological awareness and sustainable practices at a young age can yield lasting benefits. This article highlights successful collaboration between higher education institutions and elementary schools, specifically through the “Green Ambassadors in the Community” course at the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT). This study not only emphasizes the crucial role of educational institutions in fostering sustainable practices but also advocates for the urgent integration of environmental education into early childhood curricula. Full article

In the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, many efforts have provided remarkable contributions to construction planning and control processes during work execution. Nevertheless, frequent coordination issues among stakeholders and difficulties in dealing with unexpected events can be explained by the complexity featuring the construction sector. Several approaches to deal with this issue were investigated in the manufacturing area, among which this paper looks at the holonic approach as one of the most promising strategies. This study first analyzes the more fragmented and dynamic nature of the construction industry as compared with the manufacturing one. Secondly, it suggests developing a process-based holonic construction management system based on building information modeling (BIM) and a conceptual architecture for manufacturing control called Product Resource Order Staff Architecture (PROSA). The process-based paradigm ensures exploiting the benefits of BIM towards the development of sustainable and efficient regeneration methods of the built environment. Subsequently, a first management system prototype was developed and tested for the purpose of renovation works management. For the first time, results from an actual implementation of PROSA were applied to a real construction site, and its feasibility was assessed using the data on the field. Key performance indicators (KPIs) evaluated during the onsite demonstration confirmed a good performance of PROSA and the presented holonic approach, which contributed to the overall success of the energy efficient refurbishment project. Full article

Despite considerable scholarly interest in the drivers of and barriers to business model innovation for sustainability transformations, scholars have not yet explored the role of images of human nature in this context. This is surprising because economic decisions are profoundly shaped by assumptions about humanity and its role in the world. Applying conceptual modelling as a methodological approach, this article sheds light on the mutual relationships between images of human nature and business model innovation. The main insights are twofold: First, images of human nature can be drivers of or barriers to business model innovation, as they enable or obstruct the adoption of new business models. Second, images of human nature can be challenged and adjusted through practical experiences with business models. The article concludes that images of human nature as representing an evolving holon have the greatest potential to push forward sustainability transformation by understanding humanity in a post-anthropocentric way and facilitating a profound reconsideration of business and economy. This study contributes to research on business model innovation by answering recent calls to advance theoretical perspectives on the factors that influence decision-making in innovation processes. It also helps research and practice to understand why certain business model innovations are preferred over others. Full article

In order to search for possible residual minor phases in the Y-Ba-Cu-O family, powdered mixtures of Y₂O₃ + BaCO₃ + CuO and, independently, superconducting compound YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x have been treated in evacuated cells and elevated temperatures. YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x was reduced to YBa₂Cu₃O₅ by use of the special home-designed Taconis–Knudsen vacuum device. Subsequent doping by oxygen converts produced insulator YBa₂Cu₃O₅ to semiconductor or metal YBa₂Cu₃O_5+x (0 < x < 0.3). In addition to YBa₂Cu₃O₅, 0.05 volume percent of the minor delafossite phase Y₂Cu₂O₄ was spotted in the powder mixture 1/2 Y₂O₃ + 2BaCO₃ + 6Cu₂O, heated up to 818 °C in an inert gas atmosphere. An attempt to prepare the insulating bulk delafossite samples was successful, and subsequent doping by oxygen produced novel metallic phases. Full article

We propose that one can explain the coexistence in the same range of doping and temperature of gapless Fermi arcs with the metal–insulator crossover of in-plane resistivity in strongly underdoped cuprates in terms of the FL* fractionalized Fermi liquid nature of these systems, and that such coexistence is not due simply to disorder effects in the resistivity. The particle excitations of this FL* system derived from variants of the t-J model are the gapless holon carrying charge with small Fermi momentum proportional to the doping, the gapful spinon carrying spin 1/2, and an emergent gauge field coupling them and the hole as a spinon–holon bound state, or more precisely resonance, due to gauge binding, with a Fermi surface respecting the topological Luttinger theorem. In our proposal, Fermi arcs are determined by the hole resonance, whereas the metal–insulator crossover is dominated by spinon–spinon (with subleading holon–holon) gauge interactions, and this dichotomy is able to explain their coexistence. Full article

In this work, we propose a new distributed, dynamic, and recursive planning approach able to consider the hierarchical nature of the holonic agent and the unpredictable evolution of its behaviour. For each new version of the holonic agent, introduced because of the agent members obtaining new roles to achieve new goals and adapt to the changing environment, the approach generates a new plan that can solve the new planning problem associated with this new version against which the plans, executed by the holonic agent, become obsolete. To do this, the approach starts by generating sub-plans capable of solving the planning subproblems associated with the groups of the holonic agent at its different levels. It then recursively links the sub-plans, according to their hierarchical and behavioural dependency, to obtain a global plan. To generate the sub-plans, the approach exploits the behavioural model of the holonic agent’s groups, thereby minimising the computation rate imposed by other multi-agent planning methods. In our work, we have used a concrete case to show and illustrate the usefulness of our approach. Full article

The analytical section of this paper deals with theoretical knowledge, considering the latest trends in the subject area. To achieve the successful implementation of cobots based on operating systems in manufacturing systems, it is necessary to pay attention specifically to the interfacing of Robot Operating Systems with the control systems of manufacturing systems at the process level of an enterprise. In the practical section, an algorithm with well-defined steps towards the successful implementation of cobots in holonic manufacturing processes is proposed. By setting up an experimental workstation in a laboratory, the proposed procedures are verified at the end of the paper. The creation of a design for the implementation of a collaborative robot with a human represents the missing link in the whole chain of commercial applications of the latest trends from the field of robotic systems in the industrial sphere. The main contributions of this study include the establishment of a communication channel between cobots and programmable logic PLCs (Programmable logic controllers), and an experimental verification of the proposed solution for the implementation of a cooperating robot with a human in a manufacturing system in the laboratory. Another advantage of this paper is the creation of a new procedure for conducting a risk analysis of cooperating robots and multipurpose autonomous devices. Full article

Manufacturing companies face a significant challenge when developing their master production schedule, navigating unforeseen disruptions during daily operations. Moreover, fluctuations in demand pose a substantial risk to scheduling and are the main cause of instability and uncertainty in the system. To address these challenges, employing flexible systems to mitigate uncertainty without incurring additional costs and generate sustainable responses in industrial applications is crucial. This paper proposes a product-driven system to complement the master production plan generated by a mathematical model. This system incorporates intelligent agents that make production decisions with a function capable of reducing uncertainty without significantly increasing production costs. The agents modify or determine the forecasted production quantities for each cycle or period. In the case study conducted, a master production plan was established for 12 products over a one-year time horizon. The proposed solution achieved an 11.42% reduction in uncertainty, albeit with a 2.39% cost increase. Full article

This paper provides a classification of manufacturing types in terms of new technological tools provided in the Industry 5.0 framework. The manufacturing types agile, holonic, flexible and reconfigurable benefit from and are potentially changed by Industry 4.0 technologies and the human-centric focus of Industry 5.0. Furthermore, the use of Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) provides a holistic method for estimating the true value of emissions emitted during the carrying out of manufacturing decisions. As a result, LCA may be used as a central guiding framework, in addition to the use of Circular Economy metrics, for decisions in manufacturing whose results could be presented to humans as part of a scenario-generation system using visualisations within a Digital Twin environment. This enables a decision maker to make informed decisions regarding current and future production needs. Regardless of the size of production facility, this integrated approach is perhaps the most significant gap in research identified by this survey of manufacturing types and systems when viewed through the lens of Industry 5.0. This paper makes the contribution of providing an assessment of the major manufacturing types in the context of Industry 5.0, highlighting the gaps in the current research and providing a sustainable and human-centric agenda supported by LCA use with modern production methodologies. Full article

The point of departure for this essay, which reflects on the religious, anthropological and ethical meaning of the act of blessing, is the multifaceted tradition of all kinds of blessings in the Catholic faith community, both in a sacramental and non-sacramental context. To properly understand the act of blessing, it is necessary to outline the existential and religious background of the blessing as an experience and condition. Starting from the general biblical background of blessing as an earthly reality, attention is paid to the transition from the implicit to the explicit religious meaning of blessing as a gift. Subsequently, the act of blessing in its bi-dimensional modality, namely as word and gesture, receives the necessary attention. This is accomplished by a shift from a theological to a philosophical understanding; this is anthropological and existential understanding of blessing. First, the specificity of the blessing as a language event is examined. Then, the bodily and possibly material form of the act of blessing is explored phenomenologically. Thus, it will appear that what is specifically Christian also has universal significance, is literally “catholic”, that is, “kat’ holon”, meaningful “for everyone”. Last but not least, consideration is given to the “power” of the act of blessing, both its “founding” power and the risk of magical derailment. Full article

Standing on the brink of the fourth industrial revolution, Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) are considered the basic components of the Smart Factory. One important challenge in cyber physical production systems is dynamic scheduling that can handle random disruptions such as failures, raw material shortages and quality defects. To achieve dynamic scheduling, we have proposed a Supervised and Distributed Holonic architecture we called SUDIHA. This architecture incorporates three Holons: Product Holon, Resource Holon and Order Holon and combines global supervision, achieved by Product Holon, with dynamic local control, achieved by Resource Holon. The Digital Twin (DT) concept is generally used to design CPS; it is virtual copies of the system that can interact with the physical counterparts in a bi-directional way. It seems to be promising to tackle the complexity and increase manufacturing system flexibility. In this paper, we use a DT Model to improve the SUDIHA architecture. We propose a Digital Twin based SUDIHA architecture (DT-SUDIHA). The paper will describe Digital Twins’ configuration of each Holon of the SUDIHA Architecture, and the intelligent and real time data driven operation control of this architecture. A case study is carried out at the ENSAM-Meknes flexible workshop to prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Full article