A Boundary Operator for Computing the Homology of Cellular Structures

71 pagesThe paper focuses on homology computation over cellular structures through the computation of incidence numbers. Roughly speaking, if two cells are incident, then their incidence number characterizes how they are attached. Having these numbers naturally leads to the definition of a boundary operator, which induces a cellular homology. More precisely, the two main families of cellular structures (incidence graphs and ordered models) are studied through various models. A boundary operator is then proposed for the most general structure, and is optimized for the other structures. It is proved that, under specific conditions, the cellular boundary operator proposed in this paper defines a cellular homology equivalent to the simplicial one

Globalization and the Texas metropolises: competition and complementarity in the Texas Urban Triangle

This dissertation examines relationships between cities, and more specifically the largest Texas cities, and the global economy. Data on headquarters location and corporation sales over a 20-year period (1984-2004) supported the hypothesis that globalization is not homogeneous, regular or unidirectional, but actually showed contrasted phases. Texas cities have been raising in global rankings, due to corporate relocations and, to lesser extent, the growth of local activities. By year 2004, Dallas and Houston ranked among the top-20 headquarters cities measured by corporation sales The Texas Urban Triangle had one of the major global concentrations of oil- and computer-related corporation headquarters; conversely, key sectors like banking, insurance and automotive were not significant. Standardized employment data in major U.S. metropolitan areas was examined through principal components analyses. Overall, larger places showed higher degrees of diversity, and no trend toward economic convergence. The TUT also presented a degree of intra-regional diversity comparable to other urban regions. Findings confirmed the relevance of oil- and information-related activities, along with construction, and weakness of activities linked to finance and corporate management. Traffic and air linkages in Texas cities were contrasted to other American gateways. Dallas and Houston have been major nodes in global air transportation, with very important roles as transit hubs for domestic (the former) and short international (the latter) flights. For long-haul international traffic both cities were second-level American gateways, with Houston mobilizing better connected to Western Europe and Mesoamerica, and Dallas to South America and East Asia. Dallas central location strengthened its role in the domestic market, as the center of one of the five major subsystems in the country and a top gateway in enplanements, number of linkages and connectivity measures. The Texas air travel network hierarchical organization was relatively unbalanced, with two strong nodes at the top, three little-relevant middle nodes, and several very poorly interconnected gateways at the bottom. Finally, the high supply of regional flights between primary destinations, namely Dallas and Houston, resulted in significant effects of time-space convergence. Such effects were only found between highly-connected major gateways, and completely bypassed other places, independently of their size and relative location

Interaction indirecte en réalité virtuelle à l'aide d'un médiateur

Currently many researches in the field of multimodal interfaces (input, output) have been made in order to be able to achieve complex tasks merely, naturally, and quickly. Expert interfaces should be considering the risks resulting from an ordered action, to prevent any harmful action and to suggest possible alternatives. Taking into account the complexity of the tasks to achieve and exponential growth of information, the adaptive systems are henceforth essential to make possible and facilitate the work of the operator. A good man-machine interface is thus strongly required. We note that multiple interaction and manipulation techniques are currently available, but at this time, the characteristic tools of the WIMP paradigm (Windows, Icons, Menus and Ppointing device) did not find their equivalent in 3D interfaces. There still remains way to make to be able to find the perfect tool and to enforce it as a standard for the 3D interfaces and applications. Therefore, our research was focused gradually towards the proposal for a mediating interface: a very adaptive and functional interface, intended to simplify to the maximum the human interaction in the execution of complex work. The concept of the "mediator" might be clarified in the following way, i.e.: A user in full immersive system named mediator world will be able to control or interact a front distance, through an intermediary haptic devices, on another virtual or real world named controlled world. Let us recall that the Human needs simple tools to be able to achieve complicated tasks. In such a case, one of the ultimate goals is to make the machine adapt to the human instead of forcing the human to adapt to the machine

Mechatronic Systems

Mechatronics, the synergistic blend of mechanics, electronics, and computer science, has evolved over the past twenty five years, leading to a novel stage of engineering design. By integrating the best design practices with the most advanced technologies, mechatronics aims at realizing high-quality products, guaranteeing at the same time a substantial reduction of time and costs of manufacturing. Mechatronic systems are manifold and range from machine components, motion generators, and power producing machines to more complex devices, such as robotic systems and transportation vehicles. With its twenty chapters, which collect contributions from many researchers worldwide, this book provides an excellent survey of recent work in the field of mechatronics with applications in various fields, like robotics, medical and assistive technology, human-machine interaction, unmanned vehicles, manufacturing, and education. We would like to thank all the authors who have invested a great deal of time to write such interesting chapters, which we are sure will be valuable to the readers. Chapters 1 to 6 deal with applications of mechatronics for the development of robotic systems. Medical and assistive technologies and human-machine interaction systems are the topic of chapters 7 to 13.Chapters 14 and 15 concern mechatronic systems for autonomous vehicles. Chapters 16-19 deal with mechatronics in manufacturing contexts. Chapter 20 concludes the book, describing a method for the installation of mechatronics education in schools

Skills Development for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Developing Asia-Pacific

Focusing on the Asia-Pacific region, which in recent years has been the engine of global economic growth , this volume surveys trends and prospects in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) with particular reference to achieving inclusive growth and the greening of economies. Underlying the increasing pressure for new models of TVET provision is the rapid pace of technological change, demand for a work force which is highly responsive to evolving needs and a transforming market place that calls for higher order skills and lifelong learning. The book proposes a re-engineered, modernized TVET system that fosters an innovative approach which enhances the employability of workers as well as the sustainability of their livelihoods. The book includes contributions from leading policy makers, researchers, and practitioners, including those in the private sector in analyzing and forecasting the most urgent priorities in skills development. The book argues for creative approaches to TVET design and delivery particularly with a view to improve job prospects , and meeting the goals of inclusion, sustainable development and social cohesion. Addressing issues such as the chronic mismatches between skills acquired and actual skills required in the work place, the volume proposes diversified approaches towards workforce development and partnerships with the private sector to improve the quality and relevance of skills development . The new imperatives created by ‘greening’ economies and responses required in skills development and training are addressed. Developing TVET is a high priority for governments in the Asia Pacific region as they seek to achieve long-term sustainable growth since the .continued success of their economic destinies depend on it. The volume also includes an emerging framework for skills development for inclusive and sustainable growth in the Asia and Pacific region

May 1999

DEPARTMENTS AND COLUMNS AT DEADLINE ............................................................................................ .3 EDITORIAL COMMENTARY .................................................................. 6 CLOSE UP: DR. B. LYN BEHRENS ......................................................... 7 PRO/CON ..................................................................................................... 8 CORPORATE PROFILE: ASSOCIATED ENGINEERS ....................... 9 MANAGING ............................................................................................... 10 GETTING ORGANIZED .......................................................................... 11 COMPUTERS/SOFTWARE ..................................................................... 12 EMPLOYER\u27S GROUP ............................................................................ 13 CORNER ON THE MARKET ................................................................. l4 LAW ............................................................................................................. 15 FACES IN BUSINESS ............................................................................... l8 LIST: EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AGENCIES ..................... 32, 34 & 36 LIST: LAW FIRMS ............................................................................. 45 & 46 DUFF & PHELPS, LLC STOCK SHEET ............................................... 5l DESERT BUSINESS JOURNAL ............................................................. 55 LIST: DENTAL PLANS ........................................................................... 57 MANAGER\u27S BOOKSHELF ................................................................... 61 RESTAURANT REVIEW ......................................................................... 62 MEAD ON WINE ...................................................................................... 63 CALENDAR ............................................................................................... 77 EXECUTIVE TIME OUT ......................................................................... 78 NEWS AND FEATURES ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WINS MERCURY AWARD…………………….5 BUSINESS STUDENTS GRAB TWO AWARDS……………………………………………5 FROM WELFARE TO WORK: SUITING UP WOMEN…………………………………….20 TENT POLES, COOKlES AND KAPER CHARTS………………………………………22 WHERE ARE ALL THE WORKERS?………………………………………………………28 INTERVIEWING 101: 3 KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW……………………….30 PROTECT THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF YOUR COMPANY: ACTIVELY MANAGE YOUR EMPLOYMENT RISK……………………………………………………30 INVENTION ASSIGNMENT CLAUSES PROTECT EMPLOYERS\u27 RIGHTS…………….47 PACER TECHNOLOGY TRIES TO STICK TOGETHER DURING TURMOIL………….51 DEVELOPING THE DESERT IS NO MlRAGE …………………………………………67 FLEETWOOD DONATES RVS TO RACING OUTREACH PROGRAM………………….67 PVHMC STEPS UP BIOPSY TECHNOLOGY……………………………………………..67 INSURANCE! ARE YOU COVERED? …………………………………………………6

Expressing Tacit Material Sensations from a Robo-Sculpting Process by Communicating Shared Haptic Experiences

A sculptor's sense of touch is paramount because we experience sculpting in the iterative process of making new objects. Making sculpture is a process of expressing the inner 'tacit-self' by way of tangible material interactions that become shared artefacts. The existence of tacit- tactile awareness indicates a natural world of personal haptic experience that this thesis will attempt to unpack. Tele-haptic solutions are presented in the form of two robotic sculptures, Touchbot #1 and Touchbot #2. Touchbots (collectively) are the study objects that this practice- based art-research thesis produced, to ask the question: Is it possible to create a machine that could capture and retransmit tacit-tactile experiences within the artistic act of sculpting, through material engagement, from a sculptor's hand to a non-sculptor's hand? Research, conducted and presented, aims to demonstrate that robotic haptic feedback is a vehicle for communicating 'touch' messages through mechanical transmission during sculptural actions (demonstrated through participant interviews and video observation analysis). Additionally, an epistemological context for exploring 'hands-on' knowledge and practice deficits in machine-assisted object modelling is presented including: Michael Polanyi's Tacit Dimension (Polanyi, 2009), David Gooding's Thing Knowledge (Gooding, 2004, p. 1) and Lambros Malafouris' "Material Agency" and material culture (Malafouris, 2008, pp. 19-36). Intersecting bodies of knowledge weave a common thread to support developing a method of communicating tacit sculptural information using haptic touch experience. Unfortunately, there exists more tele-haptics and telerobotics technology for industrial applications than artworks using the same technology. For instance, 'rapid prototyping' technology—such as 3D printers—is removing human tactile-material interaction from object making altogether. In response to the technological obstacle of expanding contemporary interactive sculpture, haptics is applied to include real-time, iterative, robotically assisted object modelling. A review of contemporary haptic technology demonstrates a gap in our understanding iii of embodied knowledge transference. A shortlist of contemporary artists and their works that address the communication of tacit-haptic experiences is also offered, highlighting the importance of exploring embodied knowledge transfer