Abstract: This paper presents the novel Rao-Blackwellised
particle filter (RBPF) for mobile robot simultaneous localization and
mapping (SLAM) using monocular vision. The particle filter is
combined with unscented Kalman filter (UKF) to extending the path
posterior by sampling new poses that integrate the current observation
which drastically reduces the uncertainty about the robot pose. The
landmark position estimation and update is also implemented through
UKF. Furthermore, the number of resampling steps is determined
adaptively, which seriously reduces the particle depletion problem,
and introducing the evolution strategies (ES) for avoiding particle
impoverishment. The 3D natural point landmarks are structured with
matching Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) feature pairs. The
matching for multi-dimension SIFT features is implemented with a
KD-Tree in the time cost of O(log2
N). Experiment results on real robot
in our indoor environment show the advantages of our methods over
previous approaches.
Abstract: Social ideology, cultural values and principles shaping environment are inferred by environment and structural characteristics of construction site. In other words, this inference manifestation also indicates ideology and culture of its foundation and also applies its principles and values and somehow plays an important role in Cultural Revolution. All human behaviors and artifacts are affected and being influenced by culture. Culture is not abstract concept, it is a spiritual domain that an individual and society grow and develop in it. Social behaviors are affected by environmental comprehension, so the architecture work influences on its audience and it is the environment that fosters social behaviors. Indeed, sustainable architecture should be considered as background of culture for establishing optimal sustainable culture. Since unidentified architecture roots in cultural non identity and abnormalities, so the society possesses identity characteristics and life and as a consequence, the society and architecture are changed by transformation of life style. This article aims to investigate the interaction of architecture, society, environment and sustainable architecture formation in its cultural basis and analyzes the results approaching behavior and sustainable culture in recent era.
Abstract: The expectation of network performance from the
early days of ARPANET until now has been changed significantly.
Every day, new advancement in technological infrastructure opens
the doors for better quality of service and accordingly level of
perceived quality of network services have been increased over the
time. Nowadays for many applications, late information has no value
or even may result in financial or catastrophic loss, on the other hand,
demands for some level of guarantee in providing and maintaining
quality of service are ever increasing. Based on this history, having a
QoS aware routing system which is able to provide today's required
level of quality of service in the networks and effectively adapt to the
future needs, seems as a key requirement for future Internet. In this
work we have extended the traditional AntNet routing system to
support QoS with multiple metrics such as bandwidth and delay
which is named Q-Net. This novel scalable QoS routing system aims
to provide different types of services in the network simultaneously.
Each type of service can be provided for a period of time in the
network and network nodes do not need to have any previous
knowledge about it. When a type of quality of service is requested,
Q-Net will allocate required resources for the service and will
guarantee QoS requirement of the service, based on target objectives.
Abstract: The virulent debates that have dogged research on,
and the diffusion of, a wide range of technologies indicate a growing
loss of confidence in what we might call, the techno-scientific
endeavour to reshape the world. Utopian images of a world rendered
ever more amenable to human desires are now closely shadowed by
just as compelling dystopian visions of monstrosity and disaster that
are nevertheless constructed from the same cultural material. The
paper uses the case of the debates over developments in reproductive
technology to offer some observations on the ways in which such
technologies routinely become enmirred in cultural ambivalence.
Abstract: Virtual environments are a hot topic in academia and more importantly in courses offered via distance education. Today-s gaming generation view virtual worlds as strong social and interactive mediums for communicating and socializing. And while institutions of higher education are challenged with increasing enrollment while balancing budget cuts, offering effective courses via distance education become a valid option. Educators can utilize virtual worlds to offer students an enhanced learning environment which has the power to alleviate feelings of isolation through the promotion of communication, interaction, collaboration, teamwork, feedback, engagement and constructivists learning activities. This paper focuses on the use of virtual environments to facilitate interaction in distance education courses so as to produce positive learning outcomes for students. Furthermore, the instructional strategies were reviewed and discussed for use in virtual worlds to enhance learning within a social context.
Abstract: Although electrical motors are still the main devices
used in vehicular exhaust comprises more than 95 percent of the air
pollution in Taiwan's largest city, Taipei. On average, all commuters in Taipei travel 13.6 km daily, while motorcycle commuters travel 12.2 km. The convenience and mobility of motorcycles makes them
irreplaceable in Taiwan city traffic but they add significantly to air pollution problems. In order to improve air pollution conditions, some
new types of vehicles have been proposed, such as fuel cell driven and
hybrid energy vehicles. In this study, we develop a model pneumatic hybrid motorcycle system and simulate its acceleration and mileage
(km/L) performance. The results show that the pneumatic hybrid
motorcycle can improve efficiency.
Abstract: Exposure to ambient air pollution has been linked to a
number of health outcomes, starting from modest transient changes in
the respiratory tract and impaired pulmonary function, continuing to
restrict activity/reduce performance and to the increase emergency
rooms visits, hospital admissions or mortality. The increase of
allergenic symptoms has been associated with air contaminants such
as ozone, particulate matter, fungal spores and pollen.
Considering the potential relevance of crossed effects of nonbiological
pollutants and airborne pollens and fungal spores on
allergy worsening, the aim of this work was to evaluate the influence
of non-biological pollutants (O3 and PM10) and meteorological
parameters on the concentrations of pollen and fungal spores using
multiple linear regressions.
The data considered in this study were collected in Oporto which
is the second largest Portuguese city, located in the North. Daily
mean of O3, PM10, pollen and fungal spore concentrations,
temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, wind velocity, pollen
and fungal spore concentrations, for 2003, 2004 and 2005 were
considered. Results showed that the 90th percentile of the adjusted
coefficient of determination, P90 (R2aj), of the multiple regressions
varied from 0.613 to 0.916 for pollen and from 0.275 to 0.512 for
fungal spores. O3 and PM10 showed to have some influence on the
biological pollutants. Among the meteorological parameters
analysed, temperature was the one that most influenced the pollen
and fungal spores airborne concentrations. Relative humidity also
showed to have some influence on the fungal spore dispersion.
Nevertheless, the models for each pollen and fungal spore were
different depending on the analysed period, which means that the
correlations identified as statistically significant can not be, even so,
consistent enough.
Abstract: We compare three categorical data clustering
algorithms with respect to the problem of classifying cultural data
related to the aesthetic judgment of comics artists. Such a
classification is very important in Comics Art theory since the
determination of any classes of similarities in such kind of data will
provide to art-historians very fruitful information of Comics Art-s
evolution. To establish this, we use a categorical data set and we
study it by employing three categorical data clustering algorithms.
The performances of these algorithms are compared each other,
while interpretations of the clustering results are also given.
Abstract: In analyzing large scale nonlinear dynamical systems,
it is often desirable to treat the overall system as a collection of
interconnected subsystems. Solutions properties of the large scale
system are then deduced from the solution properties of the
individual subsystems and the nature of the interconnections. In this
paper a new approach is proposed for the stability analysis of large
scale systems, which is based upon the concept of vector Lyapunov
functions and the decomposition methods. The present results make
use of graph theoretic decomposition techniques in which the overall
system is partitioned into a hierarchy of strongly connected
components. We show then, that under very reasonable assumptions,
the overall system is stable once the strongly connected subsystems
are stables. Finally an example is given to illustrate the constructive
methodology proposed.
Abstract: This paper presents an efficient approach to feeder
reconfiguration for power loss reduction and voltage profile
imprvement in unbalanced radial distribution systems (URDS). In
this paper Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to obtain solution for
reconfiguration of radial distribution systems to minimize the losses.
A forward and backward algorithm is used to calculate load flows in
unbalanced distribution systems. By simulating the survival of the
fittest among the strings, the optimum string is searched by
randomized information exchange between strings by performing
crossover and mutation. Results have shown that proposed algorithm
has advantages over previous algorithms The proposed method is
effectively tested on 19 node and 25 node unbalanced radial
distribution systems.
Abstract: Microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a
relatively green and sustainable soil improvement technique. It
utilizes biochemical process that exists naturally in soil to improve
engineering properties of soils. The calcite precipitation process is
uplifted by the mean of injecting higher concentration of urease
positive bacteria and reagents into the soil. The main objective of this
paper is to provide an overview of the factors affecting the MICP in
soil. Several factors were identified including nutrients, bacteria type,
geometric compatibility of bacteria, bacteria cell concentration,
fixation and distribution of bacteria in soil, temperature, reagents
concentration, pH, and injection method. These factors were found to
be essential for promoting successful MICP soil treatment.
Furthermore, a preliminary laboratory test was carried out to
investigate the potential application of the technique in improving the
shear strength and impermeability of a residual soil specimen. The
results showed that both shear strength and impermeability of
residual soil improved significantly upon MICP treatment. The
improvement increased with increasing soil density.
Abstract: This study is concerned with pH solution detection
using 2 × 4 flexible sensor array based on a plastic polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) substrate that is coated a conductive layer and a
ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) sensitive membrane with the technologies
of screen-printing and RF sputtering. For data analysis, we also
prepared a dynamic measurement system for acquiring the response
voltage and analyzing the characteristics of the working electrodes
(WEs), such as sensitivity and linearity. In this condition, an array
measurement system was designed to acquire the original signal from
sensor array, and it is based on the method of digital signal processing
(DSP). The DSP modifies the unstable acquisition data to a direct
current (DC) output using the technique of digital filter. Hence, this
sensor array can obtain a satisfactory yield, 62.5%, through the design
measurement and analysis system in our laboratory.
Abstract: Strategic alliances generally mean the cooperation or
collaboration between firms which pursue for a synergy that each
member hopes the benefits from the alliances would be much more
than those from individual efforts. Past researches provide us
sufficient theories and considerations for alliance forming in liner
shipping market. This research reviews important academic journals
for the past decade regarding to the most important reasons to form the
alliances. We would explain the motive of alliances and details of
shipping cooperation in literature review.
The paper also empirically investigates the key service quality
requirements improved through alliances by using quality function
deployment (QFD). Moreover, the research investigates famous
shipping reports, shipping consultant websites and most recent
shipping publications to find out the executive-s viewpoint of several
leading carriers among top 20 to assess current shipping strategic
alliance on Asia/Europe route. These comments provide meaningful
managerial reasons to consider alliance formations and search if there
is any gap between the theories and industrial practice. Analysis of the
empirical investigation and top management-s perspective on current
market situation will contribute us some meaningful managerial
suggestions to evaluate these theories applied to current strategic
alliances.
Abstract: This paper presents the prediction of air flow,
humidity and temperature patterns in a co-current pilot plant spray
dryer fitted with a pressure nozzle using a three dimensional model.
The modelling was done with a Computational Fluid Dynamic
package (Fluent 6.3), in which the gas phase is modelled as
continuum using the Euler approach and the droplet/ particle phase is
modelled by the Discrete Phase model (Lagrange approach).Good
agreement was obtained with published experimental data where the
CFD simulation correctly predicts a fast downward central flowing
core and slow recirculation zones near the walls. In this work, the
effects of the air flow pattern on droplets trajectories, residence time
distribution of droplets and deposition of the droplets on the wall also
were investigated where atomizing of maltodextrin solution was
used.
Abstract: In this paper, a higher order nonlinear neutral functional differential equation with distributed delay is studied by using the continuation theorem of coincidence degree theory. Some new results on the existence of periodic solutions are obtained.
Abstract: How to maintain the service speeds for the business
to make the biggest profit is a problem worthy of study, which is
discussed in this paper with the use of queuing theory. An M/M/1/N
queuing model with variable input rates, variable service rates and
impatient customers is established, and the following conclusions
are drawn: the stationary distribution of the model, the relationship
between the stationary distribution and the probability that there are n
customers left in the system when a customer leaves (not including
the customer who leaves himself), the busy period of the system,
the average operating cycle, the loss probability for the customers
not entering the system while they arriving at the system, the mean
of the customers who leaves the system being for impatient, the
loss probability for the customers not joining the queue due to the
limited capacity of the system and many other indicators. This paper
also indicates that the following conclusion is not correct: the more
customers the business serve, the more profit they will get. At last,
this paper points out the appropriate service speeds the business
should keep to make the biggest profit.
Abstract: Load balancing in distributed computer systems is the
process of redistributing the work load among processors in the
system to improve system performance. Most of previous research in
using fuzzy logic for the purpose of load balancing has only
concentrated in utilizing fuzzy logic concepts in describing
processors load and tasks execution length. The responsibility of the
fuzzy-based load balancing process itself, however, has not been
discussed and in most reported work is assumed to be performed in a
distributed fashion by all nodes in the network. This paper proposes a
new fuzzy dynamic load balancing algorithm for homogenous
distributed systems. The proposed algorithm utilizes fuzzy logic in
dealing with inaccurate load information, making load distribution
decisions, and maintaining overall system stability. In terms of
control, we propose a new approach that specifies how, when, and by
which node the load balancing is implemented. Our approach is
called Centralized-But-Distributed (CBD).
Abstract: The future of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) depend on their ability to attract and retain students, increase recognition and prestige. In order to respond to the 'customers' increasingly demanding, HEI need to identify the key factors that influence the satisfaction of a 'customers', thereby creating competitive advantages. These determinants of satisfaction are important elements that guide the strategy of an institution and allow the successful achievement of strategic plans, both teaching and administrative, to offer their ‘costumers’ services and products with higher quality. Following this way of thinking, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction with the service quality of the School of Technology and Management of Bragança (ESTiG), of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, identifying, thus, the dimensions related to the quality of services that might influence students' satisfaction. The results showed that, in general, the students are satisfied with the performance of ESTiG.
Abstract: Hollywood has produced various blockbusters on the
subject of disasters. Entering the 2000s, disaster films began to be
produced in the East Asian region as well, and as most of them were
successful, disaster films have settled as a popular genre in the region.
East Asian disaster films utilize a plot structure similar to Hollywood
films but, at the same time, represent East Asian people-s unique value
system. East Asian people-s social behavior pattern defined as
collectivism is a characteristic that distinguishes this region from other
cultural regions. In order to examine Confucian culture in disaster
films on the premise of the difference, the author conducts this
research as follows.This study first reviews the concepts disaster and
disaster film, and understands the genre through analyzing the
narrative structure and style. In addition, it discusses collectivism, a
characteristic of the East Asian region distinguished from the West,
and investigates Confucian culture in films and examines differences
among Korean, Chinese and Japanese Confucianism. Films selected
for this study are Tidal Wave (Korea, 2009), After Shock (China,
2006), and The Sinking of Japan (Japan, 2006). Using the characters in
these films, we analyze how Confucian thought is described and
reproduced.
Abstract: In this paper, our concern is the management of mobile transactions in the shared area among many servers, when the mobile user moves from one cell to another in online partiallyreplicated distributed mobile database environment. We defined the concept of transaction and classified the different types of transactions. Based on this analysis, we propose an algorithm that handles the disconnection due to moving among sites.