bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visualization Teaching of Deformation Monitoring and Data Processing based on MATLAB
Authors: Gao Ning
Published: January 2019

As one of the core professional courses for students majoring in surveying and mapping engineering, deformation monitoring is characterized by strong theories, numerous mathematical formulas, and complicated calculation. Task-driving teaching method in the form of traditional classroom has poor effects due to the one-way learning and strategy. To meet the needs of modern teaching, matrix laboratory (MATLAB) and deformation monitoring teaching are combined in this study. This work first identified the aspects of concepts, principles, and data to visualize boring data and abstract principles through simulation and concepts that are difficult to be understood and establishment of animation models to realize the visualization expression of deformation monitoring data preprocessing, deformation monitoring network adjustment, deformation prediction, and engineering application. A total of 114 students majoring in surveying and mapping engineering in Henan University of Urban Construction during 2014 are selected as test subjects to explore and demonstrate visualization teaching of deformation monitoring. Results show that the visualization teaching of deformation monitoring based on MATLAB enhances the integrity, coherence, and practicability of the course. It also improves students' interest in learning, deepens their understanding on learned knowledge, improves teaching quality, and provides a new way for the teaching mode reform of other courses of the surveying and mapping engineering specialty.
Interculturalidad y proyectos alternativos en Violeta Parra: su encuentro con el canto mapuche
Authors: Herrera. Prof. Paula Miranda
Published: January 2019

Este artículo explica y analiza las formas en que Violeta Parra (1917-1967), desde su arte y sus proyectos, propuso formas alternativas para el diálogo intercultural y para la reinvidicación y difusión de los saberes que la modernidad en el Chile del siglo XX, ha vuelto subalternos. Se analizan las formas atípicas en que llevó a cabo su trabajo de recopilación de las tradiciones poético-musicales del folklore y de la cultura popular chilena. En esta línea se describe en particular y pormenorizadamente su inmersión y trabajo pionero con la cultura mapuche (pueblo originario màs importante de Chile) a fines de los años 50, en base al hallazgo de cuatro cintas en que la compositora entrevista a un cantor y a seis cantoras mapuche y que no habían sido consideradas en ningún trabajo anterior sobre la autora. Se evidencia además, el impacto que tuvo este encuentro en su propia obra y el aporte determinante que significa la obra y proyectos de Violeta Parra para el diálogo intercultural desde posturas alternativas.
Violet(t)a Parra, presente-ausente. Trayectoria de su recepción italiana entre 1964 y 2000
Authors: Gavagnin Stefano
Published: January 2019

El nombre de Violeta Parra se hizo familiar al público italiano a consecuencia de la diáspora cultural chilena después del golpe militar de 1973, hasta adquirir una aura mítica a la que a menudo no corresponde un real conocimiento de su obra. En este artículo, estudio los procesos de la recepción italiana de la obra de Violeta Parra entre 1964 y 2000, apoyándome en las representaciones de la artista ofrecidas por la prensa y en un análisis de la circulación de sus canciones. Una antología mínima de testimonios escogidos pretende a su vez recordar la importancia de la dimensión individual y subjetiva, a la hora de otorgar nuevos sentidos en la escucha.
Geografías humanas y espacios del Chile moderno en las "Décimas" de Violeta Parra
Authors: Vilches Patricia
Published: January 2019

El gran legado artístico de Violeta Parra se evidencia en los diferentes empeños y preocupaciones que se reflejan en sus quehaceres artísticos, entre los que se delinean las Décimas. Autobiografía en versos. La obra poética absorbe los espacios del diario vivir de la artista chilena, tomando en cuenta su niñez, juventud y adultez, en una narración que describe los avatares del Chile de la modernidad a la vez que su vida por suelos extranjeros. De esta manera, este estudio analiza las Décimas bajo ópticas en que se destacan: una búsqueda de la innovación y reafirmación de la tradición; un diario vivir íntimo que se traduce en una narración nacional; y, espacios conflictivos, de género y de enfermedad del cuerpo y la nación.
Emerging Auditing Perspectives in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Authors: Ozturk Mahmut Sami
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the role of audit activities and auditors in Industry 4.0. The preferred methodological approach in the study is a general analysis of auditing in Industry 4.0 in the form of a literature review. According to the purpose of the study, the effect and role of auditing big data, the internet of things, the cloud, artificial intelligence, and other components in Industry 4.0 are investigated. Furthermore, auditing activities that can be implemented in Industry 4.0 are presented as suggestions in the study. The study explains the role of auditing as a whole in Industry 4.0 as a consequence of examining audit activities for each component in Industry 4.0.
Open Source Software in Financial Auditing
Authors: Correia Tânia , Pedrosa Isabel , Costa Carlos J.
Published: January 2019

The auditing software is an essential tool to the auditor, being a mechanism that helps to achieve auditing goals to obtain efficiency, quality, and to increase reliability on data analysis and evidence collection. The auditing software can be proprietary software or free and open source software. The purpose of this chapter is to understand which factors affect open source software adoption. To achieve these goals, a survey aimed at financial auditors was carried through, and 64 complete answers were collected. Results indicate that the most used software is the proprietary software and that 43% of the respondents belong to the first stage of open source software assimilation. Additionally, it was verified that the external environment is the macro factor, which positively affects the adoption of open source software in auditing.
Internal Audit Structure and Fraud Risk Assessment From a Regulatory Perspective
Authors: Aslan Lale
Published: January 2019

This chapter aims to depict the role of internal audit in Turkish capital markets by comparing the internal audit structure and its role in detecting fraud in financial institutions and developing a framework for assessing fraud risk in intermediary institutions. The newly constructed regulations concerning banks, intermediary institutions, and portfolio management companies are compared to a global benchmark by using a conceptual and descriptive approach. According to the results of this comparison, it is clear that Turkish legislation needs to be improved in critical areas. “Integrity” should be incorporated as a founding concept of the internal audit function. Certification of internal auditors needs to be encouraged, and internal audit standards need to be adapted. As a result, a fraud risk assessment template influenced by the new regulatory framework is developed for intermediary institutions.
Self-Presentation, Interaction, and Marketing of Chinese Athletes on Social Media
Authors: Yang Yanfan
Published: January 2019

This chapter explored the characteristics of Chinese athletes' self-presentation and para-social interaction on social media using Goffman's self-presentation and para-social interaction theories. With the policies consciously supporting sport promotion in China, how to balance the commercialization and national glories, even the entertainment part is the linchpin of this. A content analysis of 552 Weibo posted by 10 male Chinese table tennis athletes was conducted. Results found that many Weibo posts are about interactivity (33%), especially with their teammates or coaches. Athletes also tend to be more personal on social media by posting amusing or emotional tweets. All showed that they present themselves as more of a marketing one but still under the frame of “the whole nation system.” Only a few Weibo were promotional (9%), indicating that the potential of achieving market objectives has not come to athletes' full awareness. Suggestions are athletes enhance the relationship with fans so as to enlarge the influence of themselves and the sport per se.
City Marketing Using Sport Events
Authors: Barajas Ángel , Sanchez-Fernandez Patricio , Barandela Jesyca Salgado
Published: January 2019

Sport events have become a key element in revitalizing tourism and a valuable instrument for city marketing managers. This is true not only for mega-events but also for medium and small-size events. This chapter focuses on two editions of the same sport event as an example of how it can be used for these purposes. The authors have chosen the Spanish Swimming Master Championship celebrated in the city of Pontevedra in 2011 and 2015. The choice of the city is justified by its concern about celebration of sport events during the last decade as a means of promoting the city and increasing tourism.
An Update on the Marketing of the F1 Singapore Grand Prix Post 2014
Authors: Phua Y. X. P. , Leng H. K.
Published: January 2019

In 2008, the inaugural Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix was held as the first night-time race in the history of Formula One Grand Prix. The purpose of this chapter is to provide readers with a better understanding of how the F1 Singapore Grand Prix markets itself. The chapter begins by examining the history behind motor sports racing events in Singapore. This is followed by a review of the marketing activities of the F1 Singapore Grand Prix. The last section describes an analysis of spectators' blogs. The analysis suggests that the marketing of the event had been successful as there was a high level of awareness of the event. However, the analysis also indicated that there were spectators who were more interested in the concerts held in conjunction with the race. In 2014, there was a change in title sponsor from Singtel to Singapore Airlines. This chapter provides an update on the marketing of the event post 2014 from an earlier version published in Strategies in Sports Marketing: Technologies and Emerging Trends.
Relationship Between Satisfaction and Social Perception of the Negative Impacts of Sporting Events
Authors: Camacho David Parra , Pomar Juan Manuel Núñez , Hervás Josep Crespo
Published: January 2019

Sporting events can be important stimulators of the cities that host them. The aim of this chapter is to find the relationship established between the residents' perception of the negative impacts associated with the holding of three sporting events in the same city and the degree of satisfaction with their hosting them. A total of 567 subjects in Valencia (Spain) were interviewed. A questionnaire composed of nine items about possible negative impacts and an indicator of overall satisfaction with the celebration of the event was used for this work. The results showed that the residents' perception of the possible waste of taxpayers' money associated with the construction of event facilities showed a significant prediction in explaining the degree of satisfaction with the holding of sporting events.
The Marketing Implications of Up-and-Coming Sports and of Official International Sports Rating Systems
Authors: Stefani Raymond T.
Published: January 2019

To effectively market the major international sports, those sports are identified along with their special characteristics. Further, widely available official ranking information about the best nations and individuals at those sports are located so that the special features of each ranking system can be creatively used to arouse spectator and sponsor interest. The three primary sources of recognition are identified: the International Olympic Committee, which recognizes 122 sports; SportAccord (also known as GAISF), which recognizes those plus another 21 sports; while Wikipedia lists those plus another 26 widely played sports for a total of 169. The immense popularity of the up-and-coming e-sports (electronic sports) strongly suggest opportunities for marketing. The 108 sports with ratings systems are covered in the sequence—36 object sports, 59 independent sports, 9 combat sports, and 4 mind sports—followed by the special implications that present themselves for effective marketing. Marketing guidance is then presented for the 61 sports without a rating system. Links to all 169 sports are identified, providing a wealth of individual and team information along with the official ratings. References, internet links, and definitions of all key terms are listed at the end of this chapter.
The State of Education and Employment of People With Visual Impairment in Malaysia
Authors: Amzat Ismail Hussein , Li Chen Ann
Published: January 2019

This chapter is an in-depth qualitative study using a phenomenological approach in understanding the state of education and employment of people with visual impairment in the Klang Valley, Malaysia to identify the challenges they encounter and to discover the strategies they use in the employment sector. The results showed that people with visual impairment had a positive self-concept towards themselves, family, and friends; perceived that there was still a lot for the society to improve in terms of their awareness; acceptance and daily predicament faced by people with visual impairment. They faced challenges such as insufficiency of facilities provided in schools and employers, personal skills, limited mode of transportation in rural areas, job choice, and too many expectations are required from them. Therefore, proactive recommendations are also made to the respective parties in order to be fully knowledgeable concerning what further supportive and accommodative actions need to be taken to aid those who are visually impaired for better employability and education.
Disability Awareness in Teacher Education in Singapore
Authors: Lim Levan , Thaver Thana
Published: January 2019

As the sole teacher education body in Singapore, the National Institute of Education (NIE), plays a pivotal role in equipping Singaporean teachers with the knowledge and skills to work with and support students with disabilities for both mainstream and special schools through its teacher education programs. In addition to the learning of strategies and skills to work with students with disabilities, it is also imperative for teacher education to promote positive attitudinal change among teachers towards persons with disabilities. This chapter describes the disability-awareness approach adopted by the NIE for its preservice teachers and the rationale behind adopting such an approach to foster inclusive attitudes that is grounded within relevant literature and situates disability within Singapore's socio-historical context.
Teaching Methods and Syllabus Design in Business Strategy Courses
Authors: Aray Yulia , Verkhovskaya Olga , Klemina Tatiana
Published: January 2019

The chapter focuses on a problem that business schools all over the world face and which is connected with the necessity to include concepts and instruments of strategic management valuable for the managers into the syllabi of the courses. It is necessary to define the requirements and expectations of the managers for the syllabus development and methods of studying. The purpose of the study is to determine the existing conformity of strategic management course syllabus and the Russian managers' perceptions of sources of competitive advantage. During the empirical study, a survey of the students of the EMBA program has been conducted. The results of the analysis indicate that managers link the sources of competitive advantage with better position of the company in the external environment that leads to greater interest in learning strategic tools which are appropriate for its detecting. The findings raise serious challenges for strategic management teaching and put into question the usefulness of proactive development of competences in strategic management education.
Academic Misconduct and the Internet
Authors: Ison David
Published: January 2019

This chapter provides a general background on the problem of plagiarism, how the Internet has been implicated as a negative influence on Academic Integrity (AI), empirical study data on the influences of the Internet on plagiarism, reasons why students may conduct plagiarism, and best practices in the use of plagiarism detection. Within the first section, three empirical studies are highlighted to indicate the actual occurrence of plagiarism in graduate education and the role the Internet may play in influencing AI. In the second section, a description of both how and why students conduct plagiarism is presented. Existing literature on the topic is explored to better inform stakeholders on the ‘why' component with suggestions for potential mitigating solutions. The subsequent section describes plagiarism detection software that is commonly in use across the globe including best practices on how to interpret detection results. Lastly, recommendations and calls for future research are provided.
Ethical Issues Underlying the Instructor's Manual for Teaching With Cases
Authors: Sherman Herbert , Dinur Adva Rachel
Published: January 2019

This chapter on case research explores the ethical underpinnings of the writing order of the case/IM, IM authorship and validity, testing the case with a class, and students' plagiarism as well as access to the Internet and the IM. This is then followed by a section entitled “Publish or Perish: The Value of Case Publication,” which addresses the perceived value of publishing teaching cases as well as how the demands for increased publishing (as well as the increased number of publishing outlets) may lead to more pragmatic and perhaps unethical actions by case authors.
International Student Perceptions of Ethics in a Business Pathway Course
Authors: Velliaris Donna M. , Willis Craig R. , Pierce Janine M.
Published: January 2019

To attract a growing number of international students, Higher Education (HE) institutions are striving to differentiate themselves from their competitors. The Eynesbury Institute of Business and Technology (EIBT) is part of a growing number of private providers partnering with universities to establish “pathway” programs. EIBT offers a Diploma of Business leading to either The University of Adelaide or the University of South Australia's degree programs in business-related fields. This chapter investigates EIBT students' own perceptions of “ethics” in a major assessment task embedded in a course titled “Business and Society”. The findings, taken from students' reflective papers, reveal their understanding(s) of ethical behaviour and are particularly relevant to contemporary debates surrounding how to improve educational attainment and ethical standards given the emerging importance of partner providers amidst rising numbers of international students seeking HE in Australia and abroad.
Boosting Algorithm and Meta-Heuristic Based on Genetic Algorithms for Textual Plagiarism Detection
Authors: Bouarara Hadj Ahmed , Hamou Reda Mohamed , Rahmani Amine , Amine Abdelmalek
Published: January 2019

Day after day, the plagiarism cases increase and become a crucial problem in the modern world, caused by the quantity of textual information available in the web and the development of communication means such as email service. This paper deals on the unveiling of two plagiarism detection systems: Firstly boosting system based on machine learning algorithm (decision tree C4.5 and K nearest neighbour) composed on three steps (text pre-processing, first detection, and second detection). Secondly using genetic algorithm based on an initial population generated from the dataset used a fitness function fixed and the reproduction rules (selection, crossover, and mutation). For their experimentation, the authors have used the benchmark pan 09 and a set of validation measures (precision, recall, f-measure, FNR, FPR, and entropy) with a variation in configuration of each system; They have compared their results with the performance of other approaches found in literature; Finally, the visualisation service was developed that provides a graphical vision of the results using two methods (3D cub and a cobweb) with the possibility to have a detailed and global view using the functionality of zooming and rotation. The authors' aims are to improve the quality of plagiarism detection systems and preservation of copyright.
Plagiarism, Licensing, and the Proper Use of Digital Textbooks
Authors: Railean Elena
Published: January 2019

This chapter explores ways to avoid plagiarism in digital textbooks' use and development. Traditionally, the plagiarism recommendation refers to books and articles. How about textbooks? However, to avoid plagiarism it is important to make sure that licensing in digital textbooks' use and development is properly used. For licensing to be a benefit for learning, it is important to note that it may impose additional costs. This chapter reflects and includes in discussion the issue on licensing, specifically the Creative Common (CC) license of open educational resources. Secondly, it considers how the Creative Common License could improve the proper use of digital textbooks. Finally, it explores how the use of digital tools can allow students to learn more effectively.
Research Protocols and Ethical Considerations in Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Authors: Mosimege Mogege David
Published: January 2019

Research in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in South Africa has grown at a very high pace in a relatively short period of time. The growth thereof has presented researchers and the knowledge holders with challenges that have never faced them in the same way before. It has necessitated a review of how researchers interact with those who hold the knowledge and has required that protection mechanisms be implemented to safeguard the misuse and misappropriation of the indigenous knowledge. This Chapter outlines the focus on IKS in South Africa since 1995 and reflects on the challenges related to this focus. Specifically the Chapter looks at the challenges related to the recognition of knowledge holders, the ethical issues facing both researchers and knowledge holders, and the protocols that have been designed and used in South Africa and other places. It concludes by indicating the challenges that still remain and how these can be explored further by the research community.
Changing Face of Scholarly Communication and Its Impact on Library and Information Centres
Authors: Saroja G.
Published: January 2019

Scholarly communication involves publishing the research findings by academics and researchers in order to share and make available the academic or research output to the global community of researchers. Emergence of Internet and World Wide Web has brought revolutionary changes in the process of scholarly communication. Increasing price of serial publications, time lag in the publication and readership and other associated problems were addressed by the electronic journals and open access initiatives. Other models like – Consortia and Institutional Repositories have evolved as a cost saving models and improving communication. The social networking sites on the Internet are also promoting scholarly communication to a great extent. In the light of the changing technological environment this chapter depicts the history of scholarly publishing and reviews the changes that took place in the process of scholarly communication. Further, the impact of the changing models on Library and Information Centres (LICs) is examined.
The Ethos of Online Publishing
Authors: Erickson Joe , Blair Kristine
Published: January 2019

This chapter argues that online academic journals are not only a legitimate venue and sustainable source of disciplinary inquiry, but an important professional development opportunity for graduate students as future faculty and are therefore crucial to maintaining a discipline's ethos. The authors begin by reviewing the ethos of individually produced print publications in the humanities, paying particular attention to the value such publications hold in helping scholars earn tenure and promotion. The authors then posit that efforts within the rhetoric and writing scholarly community to recognize the collaborative nature of multimodal digital texts and to advocate for the collaborative production of such digital texts, which has helped such scholarship achieve a higher level of ethos over the past two decades. Emphasizing the role of graduate students in these ongoing efforts, the authors conclude by recommending three benchmarks developing and advanced scholars should implement to increase their own professional development and thus the ethos of online academic publishing: curricular development, team development, and dissertation research.
Integration of Automation and Clinical Decision Support Systems
Authors: Nallas Ronnel , Moon Jane
Published: January 2019

As the world of pathology and laboratory medicine has increasingly headed in the direction of automation, implementation of Clinical Decision Support Systems are becoming a vital part of the process. The advances in technology and costs of human resources are factors pushing for automation. This chapter addresses the advantages and issues encountered during the installation of the new automated system Roche Cobas 8000 and Middleware IT3000 for the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory of one of the major teaching hospitals in Australia. The input and cooperation of Laboratory staff, Clinicians, Roche Diagnostics and LEAN processes has resulted in a fine example of how automation and clinical decision support systems play a major role in Improving Health Management.
Design and Implementation of a Step-Traversing Two-Wheeled Robot
Authors: Yap Huei Ee , Hashimoto Shuji
Published: January 2019

In this chapter, the authors present the design and implementation of a step-traversing two-wheeled robot. Their proposed approach aims to extend the traversable workspace of a conventional two-wheeled robot. The nature of the balance problem changes as the robot is in different phases of motion. Maintaining balance with a falling two-wheeled robot is a different problem than balancing on flat ground. Active control of the drive wheels during flight is used to alter the flight of the robot to ensure a safe landing. State dependent feedback controllers are used to control the dynamics of the robot on ground and in air. Relationships between forward velocity, height of step, and landing angle are investigated. A physical prototype has been constructed and used to verify the viability of the authors' control scheme. This chapter discusses the design attributes and hardware specifications of the developed prototype. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme has been confirmed through experiments on single- and continuous-stepped terrains.
Walking Control of Humanoid Robots on Uneven Ground Using Fuzzy Algorithm
Authors: Abdolshah Saeed , Abdolshah Mohammad , Abdolshah Majid , Hashemi S. Vahid
Published: January 2019

Walking control of humanoid robots is a challenging issue. In this chapter, a method for modeling humanoid robots is presented considering the human being indices such as DOFs, mass and the moment of inertia of the segments. In the next step, a walking pattern on the flat ground is generated and the robot motion is simulated in the MSC. Visual Nastran 4D™ software. ZMP trajectory of the simulated humanoid robot in walking cycle has been obtained. An uneven ground is generated in the software, where the robot falls down during the motion. A fuzzy algorithm is employed to balance the robot; input is defined as the differences between the projections of ZMP in flat and uneven ground and output is a compensative signal to make the robot follow the flat ground ZMP pattern to refuse the robot falling. Output signal is distributed in different joints to make faster and more effective compensation. Although the type of uneven ground can be important, but the robot could successfully pass the designed uneven ground in MSC.Visual Nastran 4D.
Optimization of Focused Wave Front Algorithm in Unknown Dynamic Environment for Multi-Robot Navigation
Authors: Meel Priyanka , Tiwari Ritu , Shukla Anupam
Published: January 2019

Robotics is a field which includes multiple disciplines such as environment mapping, localization, path planning, path execution, area exploration etc. Path planning is the elementary requirement for all the above mentioned diversified fields. This paper presents a new method for motion planning of mobile robots which carry forward the best features of Focused Wave Front and other wave front based path planners, at the same time optimizes the algorithm in terms of path length, energy consumption and memory requirements. This research introduces a method of choosing every next step in grid based environment and also proposes a backtracking procedure to minimize turns by means of identifying landmark points in the path. Further, the authors have enhanced the functionality of Focused Wave Front algorithm by applying it in uncertain dynamic environment. The proposed method is a combination of global and local path planning as well as online and offline navigation process. A new method based on bidirectional wave propagation along the walls of obstacle and wall following behavior is being proposed for avoiding uncertain static obstacles. Considering the criticalness of moving obstacles a colored safety zone is assumed to have around them and the robot is equipped with color sensitivity. Based on the particular color (red, green, yellow) that has sensed the robot will make intelligent decisions to avoid them. The simulation result reflects how the proposed method has efficiently and safely navigates a robot towards its destination by avoiding all known and unknown obstacles. Finally the algorithms are extended for multi-robot environment.
Swarm Intelligent Optimization Algorithms and Its Application in Mobile Robot Path Planning
Authors: Lei Xiujuan , Wang Fei , Tan Ying
Published: January 2019

Mobile robot path planning is generally a kind of optimal problems, which is to find a best path of a track between a starting point to a goal point in the constraint conditions. Mobile robot path planning can be divided into two categories according to different environment planning awareness information: one is the global path planning and the other is the local path planning. We employed ACO, PSO, FA, FOA, FWA and ABC swarm intelligent optimization algorithms to optimize the global and local path planning of mobile robot, and gave the detailed implement steps and the comparing results to show the feasibility of using swarm intelligence optimization algorithms to solve the robot path planning problems.
Run-Time Compositional Software Platform for Autonomous NXT Robots
Authors: Gui Ning , De Florio Vincenzo , Blondia Chris
Published: January 2019

Autonomous Robots normally perform tasks in unstructured environments, with little or no continuous human guidance. This calls for context-aware, self-adaptive software systems. This paper aims at providing a flexible adaptive middleware platform to seamlessly integrate multiple adaptation logics during the run-time. To support such an approach, a reconfigurable middleware system “ACCADA” was designed to provide compositional adaptation. During the run-time, context knowledge is used to select the most appropriate adaptation modules so as to compose an adaptive system best-matching the current exogenous and endogenous conditions. Together with a structure modeler, this allows robotic applications' structure to be autonomously (re)-constructed and (re)-configured. This paper applies this model on a Lego NXT robot system. A remote NXT model is designed to wrap and expose native NXT devices into service components that can be managed during the run-time. A dynamic UI is implemented which can be changed and customized according to system conditions. Results show that the framework changes robot adaptation behavior during the run-time.
Simulator for Teaching Robotics, ROS and Autonomous Driving in a Competitive Mindset
Authors: Costa Valter , Rossetti Rosaldo J.F. , Sousa Armando
Published: January 2019

Interest in robotics field as a teaching tool to promote the STEM areas has grown in the past years. The search for solutions to promote robotics is a major challenge and the use of real robots always increases costs. An alternative is the use of a simulator. The construction of a simulator related with the Portuguese Autonomous Driving Competition using Gazebo as 3D simulator and ROS as a middleware connection to promote, attract, and enthusiasm university students to the mobile robotics challenges is presented. It is intended to take advantage of a competitive mindset to overcome some obstacles that appear to students when designing a real system. The proposed simulator focuses on the autonomous driving competition task, such as semaphore recognition, localization, and motion control. An evaluation of the simulator is also performed, leading to an absolute error of 5.11% and a relative error of 2.76% on best case scenarios relating to the odometry tests, an accuracy of 99.37% regarding to the semaphore recognition tests, and an average error of 1.8 pixels for the FOV tests performed.
Mini-Robots as Smart Gadgets
Authors: Ray Beverly B. , Faure Caroline E.
Published: January 2019

The chapter proposes to outline best practices in the use of a set of mini-robots (i.e., smart gadgets) to promote active and meaningful learning in the Social Sciences. Key K-12 social science skills supported by their use include coding, sequencing, including time lining, map making, planning, organizing, peer collaboration, and the comprehension and interpretation of maps and written texts. The theoretical foundation supporting the use in the Social Sciences of is examined in this chapter. Next, barriers to use are explored before moving into an examination of one strategy for integration into the Social Sciences. Finally, the chapter concludes with an exploration of issues and recommendations for mitigating those issues will be discussed along with linkage of use to specific Social Science concept (i.e., discovery, exploration, and technology).
An Advanced Human-Robot Interaction Interface for Collaborative Robotic Assembly Tasks
Authors: Papadopoulos Christos , Mariolis Ioannis , Topalidou-Kyniazopoulou Angeliki , Piperagkas Grigorios , Ioannidis Dimosthenis , Tzovaras Dimitrios
Published: January 2019

This article introduces an advanced human-robot interaction (HRI) interface that allows teaching new assembly tasks to collaborative robotic systems. Using advanced perception and simulation technologies, the interface provides the proper tools for a non-expert user to teach a robot a new assembly task in a short amount of time. An RGBD camera is used to allow the user to demonstrate the task and the system extracts the needed information for the assembly to be simulated and performed by the robot, while the user guides the process. The HRI interface is integrated with the ROS framework and is built as a web application allowing operation through portable devices, such as a tablet PC. The interface is evaluated with user experience rating from test subjects that are requested to teach a folding assembly task to the robot.
Real-Time Scheduling and Control of Single-Arm Cluster Tools With Residency Time Constraint and Activity Time Variation by Using Resource-Oriented Petri Nets
Authors: Qiao Yan , Wu NaiQi , Zhou MengChu
Published: January 2019

In semiconductor manufacturing, when a wafer is processed, it requires unloading from its process module in a given time interval, otherwise it is scraped. This requirement is called wafer residency time constraints. Thus, it is crucial to schedule a cluster tool such that the wafer sojourn time in a process module is within a given time window to satisfy the wafer residency time constraints. Besides wafer residency time constraints, in a cluster tool, the activity time is subject to variation. The activity time variation can make a feasible schedule obtained under the assumption of deterministic activity times become infeasible. To solve this problem, it is important to reveal the wafer sojourn time fluctuations with bounded activity time variation. Such an issue is addressed in this chapter for single-arm cluster tools. A single-arm cluster tool is modeled by a resource-oriented Petri net to describe the wafer fabrication processes. Based on it, a real-time control policy is proposed such that it offsets the effect of the activity time variation as much as possible. Then, the wafer sojourn time delay in a process module is analyzed and analytical expressions are derived to calculate the upper bound. With the help of the real-time control policy and wafer sojourn time delay analysis results, schedulability conditions and scheduling algorithms for an off-line schedule are presented in this chapter. The schedulability conditions can be analytically checked. If schedulable, an off-line schedule can be analytically found. The off-line schedule together with the real-time control policy forms the real-time schedule for the system. It is optimal in terms of cycle time minimization. Examples are given to show the application of the proposed approach.
Fundamental Control for a Manta-Like Fish Robot
Authors: Ikeda Masaaki , Watanabe Keigo , Nagai Isaku
Published: January 2019

This chapter analyzes a propulsive force generated from pectoral fins for a manta-like fish robot, which is one of rajiform-type fish robot in a classification of swimming mechanism of fishes, from fluid dynamics aspects. The fishes of this type swim underwater with two pectoral fins. A diving method is proposed, assuming that some front fin rays are fixed with a constant angle. The usefulness of the method is demonstrated by numerical simulations and an experiment with an actual robot system.
Silicon Micro-Robot With Neural Networks
Authors: Saito Ken , Takato Minami , Sekine Yoshifumi , Uchikoba Fumio
Published: January 2019

Insect type 4.0, 2.7, 2.5 mm. width, length, height size silicon micro-robot system with active hardware neural networks locomotion controlling system is presented in this chapter. The micro-robot system was made from a silicon wafer fabricated by Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. The mechanical system of the robot equipped with millimeter-size rotary type actuators, link mechanisms, and six legs to realize the insect-like switching behavior. In addition, the authors constructed the active hardware neural networks by analog CMOS circuits as a locomotion controlling system. Hardware neural networks consisted of pulse-type hardware neuron models as basic components. Pulse-type hardware neuron model has same basic features of biological neurons such as threshold, refractory period, spatio-temporal summation characteristics, and enables the generation of continuous action potentials. The hardware neural networks output the driving pulses using synchronization phenomena such as biological neural networks. Four output signal ports are extracted from hardware neural networks, and they are connected to the actuators. The driving pulses can operate the actuators of silicon micro-robot directly. Therefore, the hardware neural networks realize the robot control without using any software programs or A/D converters. The micro-robot emulates the locomotion method and the neural networks of an insect with rotary type actuators, link mechanisms, and hardware neural networks. The micro-robot performs forward and backward locomotion, and also changes direction by inputting an external trigger pulse. The locomotion speed was 26.4 mm/min when the step width was 0.88 mm.
Formal Modeling and Analysis of Collaborative Humanoid Robotics
Authors: Fu Yujian , Dong Zhijiang , He Xudong
Published: January 2019

A humanoid robot is inherently complex due to the heterogeneity of accessory devices and to the interactions of various interfaces, which will be exponentially increased in multiple robotics collaboration. Therefore, the design and implementation of multiple humanoid robotics (MHRs) remains a very challenging issue. It is known that formal methods provide a rigorous analysis of the complexity in both design of control and implementation of systems. This article presents an agent-based framework of formal modeling on the design of communication and control strategies of a team of autonomous robotics, to attain the specified tasks in a coordinated manner. To ensure a successful collaboration of multiple robotics, this formal agent-based framework captures behaviors in Petri Net models and specifies collaboration operations in four defined operations. To validate the framework, a non-trivial soccer bot set was implemented and simulation results were discussed.
An Autonomous Robot-to-Group Exercise Coach at a Senior Living Community
Authors: Lewis Lundy , Metzler Ted , Cook Linda
Published: January 2019

A NAO humanoid robot is programmed to act as an autonomous exercise instructor at a senior living community. In an on-site session, the robot does (i) a warm-up routine in which the robot directs participants to ask it to perform various tasks such as dancing and reciting poems and (ii) an exercise routine in which the robot guides participants through various physical exercises such as leg, hand, and neck exercises. The participants include six elderly residents, three nurses/caregivers, and two administrators. The elderly group is categorized with respect to cognitive awareness and physical capability. The session is videoed and then analyzed to measure several dimensions of human-robot interaction with these diverse participants, including affective reaction, effective reaction, and group responsiveness. Following the exercise session, a focus group session is conducted with the seniors and a separate focus group session conducted with the nurses and administrators to glean further data.
Behavioral Analysis of Human-Human Remote Social Interaction Mediated by an Interactive Robot in a Cooperative Game Scenario
Authors: Papadopoulos Fotios , Dautenhahn Kerstin , Ho Wan Ching
Published: January 2019

This book chapter describes the implementation, testing, and evaluation of the first prototype of the “AIBOcom” system, which allows remote users to play an interactive game cooperatively each using a pet-like robot as a social mediator. An exploratory pilot study tested this remote communication system with 10 pairs of participants who were exposed to two experimental conditions characterised by two different modes of synchronisation between the two robots that each interacts locally with the participant. In one mode, the robots incrementally affected each other's behaviour, while in the other, the robots mirrored each other's behaviour. Instruments used in this study include questionnaires, video observations and log files for the game state. The authors used various techniques to measure engagement and synchronization such as quantitative (e.g. rate of occurrence and average values) as well as qualitative measurements. In an exploratory data analysis, these multiple sources of data reflecting participant performance and characteristics were analyzed. Significant correlations were found and presented between the participants as well as participants' preferences and overall acceptance of such communication media. Findings indicate that participants preferred the mirroring mode, and that in this pilot study, robot-assisted remote communication was considered desirable and acceptable to the participants. Furthermore, the existence of interaction variations among different demographic groups was found, while this chapter lists and interprets the most significant effects.
Effects of Multi-Robot Team Formations on Distributed Area Coverage
Authors: Dasgupta Prithviraj , Whipple Taylor , Cheng Ke
Published: January 2019

This paper examines the problem of distributed coverage of an initially unknown environment using a multi-robot system. Specifically, focus is on a coverage technique for coordinating teams of multiple mobile robots that are deployed and maintained in a certain formation while covering the environment. The technique is analyzed theoretically and experimentally to verify its operation and performance within the Webots robot simulator, as well as on physical robots. Experimental results show that the described coverage technique with robot teams moving in formation can perform comparably with a technique where the robots move individually while covering the environment. The authors also quantify the effect of various parameters of the system, such as the size of the robot teams, the presence of localization, and wheel slip noise, as well as environment related features like the size of the environment and the presence of obstacles and walls on the performance of the area coverage operation.
Analyzing an Impact of Industry 4.0 on Logistics and Supply Chain
Authors: Jirsak Petr
Published: January 2019

The chapter presents an impact of Industry 4.0 transformation on logistics and supply chain management. Logistics and later supply chain management discipline has gone through a number of changes in the last 50 years, namely transition among mass, lean, agile, resilient, and green. All of them are paradigm changes as each significantly reshapes the orientation of the discipline in the source of competitiveness, risk concern, customer services, productivity, process management, externalities, costs, and other aspects of the disciplines. The author presents findings gained in the exploration of these fundamental changes and provides a comparison with a previous change of paradigm. The chapter proposes a transformation that the company supply chain system has to go through to re-establish its competitive position at the time of Industry 4.0. The chapter provides a case study of 3PL perception of Industry 4.0 based on in-depth interviews conducted among the major global 3PLs operating in the Czech Republic.
An Organizational Study into the Concept of “Automation Policy” in a Safety Critical Socio-Technical System
Authors: Amaldi Paola , Smoker Anthony
Published: January 2019

Although automation has been introduced in all areas of public life, what seems to be missing is a reflection at the organizational or societal level about a policy of automation. By this the authors intend appropriate declarations made at the level of rationale, future plans and strategies to achieve intended goals and most importantly how those achievements will impact on various aspects of societal life, from legal responsibilities to moral and socio economic issues. Implicit in this is what is expected of both the human and technical system actors. In some public spheres these issues are becoming quite controversial because automation opens up possibilities of profound structural re-organization; however, people lack a discussion across and within different work domains to help us review methods or even methodological principles needed to gather and organize knowledge towards the construction of automation policies. This paper uses the UK Air Navigation Service Provider in the Air Traffic Management Domain known as NATS, as a case study to illustrate an example of an organization currently undertaking critical self-reflection about automation policy or the lack of such, along with the illustration of some unresolved deep concerns raised by the development, introduction, and continued use of automation.
Automated Testing
Authors: Asbach Lennart , Hungar Hardi , Meyer zu Hörste Michael
Published: January 2019

The need for time- and cost-efficient tests is highly relevant for state-of-the-art safety-related train control and rail traffic management systems. Those systems get increasingly more complex and so testing becomes a more and more and important cost factor. This chapter discusses some approaches to relocate tests from the field to the lab, reduce cost and duration while improving quality of lab tests. The European Train Control System (ETCS) is used as an example, but the approaches and results can be applied to other systems as well, for instance interlocking.