Search results for "Focu"
showing 10 items of 1182 documents
MARL-Ped: A multi-agent reinforcement learning based framework to simulate pedestrian groups
2014
Abstract Pedestrian simulation is complex because there are different levels of behavior modeling. At the lowest level, local interactions between agents occur; at the middle level, strategic and tactical behaviors appear like overtakings or route choices; and at the highest level path-planning is necessary. The agent-based pedestrian simulators either focus on a specific level (mainly in the lower one) or define strategies like the layered architectures to independently manage the different behavioral levels. In our Multi-Agent Reinforcement-Learning-based Pedestrian simulation framework (MARL-Ped) the situation is addressed as a whole. Each embodied agent uses a model-free Reinforcement L…
Unraveling the Complexity of Tourist Experience with NFC Technology and Mobile Wallets
2014
By considering the tourist experience as a complex dynamic system, in this paper we depict the traveler as a kybernetes (κυβeρνήτης is the ancient Greek word for ‘sea captain’, ‘steersman’, or ‘governor’) in search of powerful tools to help him or her to obtain directions in the mare magnum of complexity, overcoming the fear of action and taking decisions. We focus our attention on the key role of Near Field Communication technology and mobile wallet as ‘attenuators of complexity’ in the travel and tourism industry.
Steering dynamical systems with finite plans and limited path length
2007
Complex dynamical systems can be steered by using symbolic input plans. These plans must have a finite descriptive length, and can be expressed by means of words chosen in an alphabet of symbols. In this way, such plans can be sent through a limited capacity channel to a remote system, where they are decoded in suitable control actions. The choice of this symbols is essential to efficiently encode steering plans. To this aim, in this paper, we state the problem of finding symbols maximizing the interval of points reachable by the system along paths with constrained length. We focus on the problem with two symbols, and compare the results with those produced by plans not accounting for the l…
Small world theory and the World Wide Web: linking small world properties and website centrality
2016
This qualitative paper aims to point out the incidence of small world characteristics in the World Wide Web. To this end, some theoretical implications of small world theory (SWT) are verified using information from focus groups and in-depth interviews administered to experts and users of the World Wide Web. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether it is possible to apply small world properties to online social networks while pointing out the key variables of website centrality in that context. Building on this, the paper traces possible contributions for better management of the World Wide Web in terms of the professional use of social media to facilitate information or product …
New method for real-time dynamic focusing through interfaces
2013
[EN] In nondestructive evaluation (NDE) a coupling medium (wedge) is frequently inserted between the array probe and the object being evaluated. In this situation, focal law computing is complicated by the refraction effects at the interface. Furthermore, there are not known techniques to perform dynamic focusing by hardware in these conditions. This work addresses these problems by following a two-step procedure. First, a virtual array that operates in a single medium with nearly equivalent time-of-flight to the foci is obtained. Then, simple hardware is proposed to perform dynamic focusing in real-time. It operates with arrays of any geometry as required by the virtual array in presence o…
3D image acquisition system based on shape from focus technique
2013
agent Agrosup Dijon de l'UMREcolDurGEAPSI; This paper describes the design of a 3D image acquisition system dedicated to natural complex scenes composed of randomly distributed objects with spatial discontinuities. In agronomic sciences, the 3D acquisition of natural scene is difficult due to the complex nature of the scenes. Our system is based on the Shape from Focus technique initially used in the microscopic domain. We propose to adapt this technique to the macroscopic domain and we detail the system as well as the image processing used to perform such technique. The Shape from Focus technique is a monocular and passive 3D acquisition method that resolves the occlusion problem affecting…
Quality and Transparency in VET: New Challenges for Public Administrations in Latvia
2014
Abstract The main problem discussed in the paper is the new challenges for public administration of vocational education and training (VET) due to innovations and globalization. Most of the attention in the paper is paid to the readiness of entrepreneurs jointly with municipalities to participate in the preparation of future qualified specialists. Co-operation among various educational establishments, the local government and the employers is crucial. A much neglected aspect still is the co-operation between VET and higher education (HE) institutions – which the authors see as a real driving force for the success of local partnerships to promote regional economic development with respective…
A theoretical and methodological framework for the analysis and measurement of environmental heritage at local level
2017
Abstract The study aims to assess the lived experience and the environmental heritage perceived level by residents of an high complexity rural area, and which is, in this context, the role played by production of renewable energies. The paper introduces the concept of rural capital as an effective tool for environmental heritage analysis and measurement. The proposed theoretical and methodological approach allows, in fact, its analysis in order to understand what dimensions related to territoriality are connected to the perceived level of environmental heritage at local level. Translated into operational terms, the methodology has resulted in an empirical analysis of a rural and inner area …
CAD-Based Training of an Expert System and a Hidden Markov Model for Obstacle Detection in an Industrial Robot Environment
2012
Abstract Deploying industrial robots in harsh outdoor environments require additional functionalities not currently provided. For instance, movement of standard industrial robots are pre-programmed to avoid collision. In dynamic and less structured environments, however, the need for online detection and avoidance of unmodelled objects arises. This paper focus on online obstacle detection using a laser sensor by proposing three different approaches, namely a CAD-based Expert System (ES) and two probabilistic methods based on a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) which requires observation based training. In addition, this paper contributes by providing a comparison between the CAD-based ES and the tw…
A circuit model of a 5kW fuel cell
2013
In the last few years, industrial research has been focused on renewable energy sources. Owing to combined heat-power generation option, fuel cells have attracted much interest for a wide variety of research areas. Household appliances are still the most promising applications. Fuel cell modeling is still a critical topic to focus on, affecting each stage of power system design. This paper describes an empirical method to model a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The modeling approach is applied to a 5kW Nuvera PowerFlow fuel cell. A circuit model is proposed for further applications. PSPICE implementation is described and the parameters tuning procedure is discussed. Simulation and exper…