6,338 research outputs found
On the Complexity of Randomly Weighted Voronoi Diagrams
In this paper, we provide an bound on the expected
complexity of the randomly weighted Voronoi diagram of a set of sites in
the plane, where the sites can be either points, interior-disjoint convex sets,
or other more general objects. Here the randomness is on the weight of the
sites, not their location. This compares favorably with the worst case
complexity of these diagrams, which is quadratic. As a consequence we get an
alternative proof to that of Agarwal etal [AHKS13] of the near linear
complexity of the union of randomly expanded disjoint segments or convex sets
(with an improved bound on the latter). The technique we develop is elegant and
should be applicable to other problems
GRIDKIT: Pluggable overlay networks for Grid computing
A `second generation' approach to the provision of Grid middleware is now emerging which is built on service-oriented architecture and web services standards and technologies. However, advanced Grid applications have significant demands that are not addressed by present-day web services platforms. As one prime example, current platforms do not support the rich diversity of communication `interaction types' that are demanded by advanced applications (e.g. publish-subscribe, media streaming, peer-to-peer interaction). In the paper we describe the Gridkit middleware which augments the basic service-oriented architecture to address this particular deficiency. We particularly focus on the communications infrastructure support required to support multiple interaction types in a unified, principled and extensible manner-which we present in terms of the novel concept of pluggable overlay networks
Used-habitat calibration plots: a new procedure for validating species distribution, resource selection, and step-selection models
“Species distribution modeling” was recently ranked as one of the top five “research fronts” in ecology and the environmental sciences by ISI's Essential Science Indicators (Renner and Warton 2013), reflecting the importance of predicting how species distributions will respond to anthropogenic change. Unfortunately, species distribution models (SDMs) often perform poorly when applied to novel environments. Compounding on this problem is the shortage of methods for evaluating SDMs (hence, we may be getting our predictions wrong and not even know it). Traditional methods for validating SDMs quantify a model's ability to classify locations as used or unused. Instead, we propose to focus on how well SDMs can predict the characteristics of used locations. This subtle shift in viewpoint leads to a more natural and informative evaluation and validation of models across the entire spectrum of SDMs. Through a series of examples, we show how simple graphical methods can help with three fundamental challenges of habitat modeling: identifying missing covariates, non-linearity, and multicollinearity. Identifying habitat characteristics that are not well-predicted by the model can provide insights into variables affecting the distribution of species, suggest appropriate model modifications, and ultimately improve the reliability and generality of conservation and management recommendations
Microresonator Soliton Dual-Comb Spectroscopy
Rapid characterization of optical and vibrational spectra with high
resolution can identify species in cluttered environments and is important for
assays and early alerts. In this regard, dual-comb spectroscopy has emerged as
a powerful approach to acquire nearly instantaneous Raman and optical spectra
with unprecedented resolution. Spectra are generated directly in the electrical
domain and avoid bulky mechanical spectrometers. Recently, a miniature
soliton-based comb has emerged that can potentially transfer the dual-comb
method to a chip platform. Unlike earlier microcombs, these new devices achieve
high-coherence, pulsed mode locking. They generate broad, reproducible spectral
envelopes, which is essential for dual-comb spectroscopy. Here, dual-comb
spectroscopy is demonstrated using these devices. This work shows the potential
for integrated, high signal-to-noise spectroscopy with fast acquisition rates.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
Graphics simulation and training aids for advanced teleoperation
Graphics displays can be of significant aid in accomplishing a teleoperation task throughout all three phases of off-line task analysis and planning, operator training, and online operation. In the first phase, graphics displays provide substantial aid to investigate work cell layout, motion planning with collision detection and with possible redundancy resolution, and planning for camera views. In the second phase, graphics displays can serve as very useful tools for introductory training of operators before training them on actual hardware. In the third phase, graphics displays can be used for previewing planned motions and monitoring actual motions in any desired viewing angle, or, when communication time delay prevails, for providing predictive graphics overlay on the actual camera view of the remote site to show the non-time-delayed consequences of commanded motions in real time. This paper addresses potential space applications of graphics displays in all three operational phases of advanced teleoperation. Possible applications are illustrated with techniques developed and demonstrated in the Advanced Teleoperation Laboratory at JPL. The examples described include task analysis and planning of a simulated Solar Maximum Satellite Repair task, a novel force-reflecting teleoperation simulator for operator training, and preview and predictive displays for on-line operations
Minkowski Sum Construction and other Applications of Arrangements of Geodesic Arcs on the Sphere
We present two exact implementations of efficient output-sensitive algorithms
that compute Minkowski sums of two convex polyhedra in 3D. We do not assume
general position. Namely, we handle degenerate input, and produce exact
results. We provide a tight bound on the exact maximum complexity of Minkowski
sums of polytopes in 3D in terms of the number of facets of the summand
polytopes. The algorithms employ variants of a data structure that represents
arrangements embedded on two-dimensional parametric surfaces in 3D, and they
make use of many operations applied to arrangements in these representations.
We have developed software components that support the arrangement
data-structure variants and the operations applied to them. These software
components are generic, as they can be instantiated with any number type.
However, our algorithms require only (exact) rational arithmetic. These
software components together with exact rational-arithmetic enable a robust,
efficient, and elegant implementation of the Minkowski-sum constructions and
the related applications. These software components are provided through a
package of the Computational Geometry Algorithm Library (CGAL) called
Arrangement_on_surface_2. We also present exact implementations of other
applications that exploit arrangements of arcs of great circles embedded on the
sphere. We use them as basic blocks in an exact implementation of an efficient
algorithm that partitions an assembly of polyhedra in 3D with two hands using
infinite translations. This application distinctly shows the importance of
exact computation, as imprecise computation might result with dismissal of
valid partitioning-motions.Comment: A Ph.D. thesis carried out at the Tel-Aviv university. 134 pages
long. The advisor was Prof. Dan Halperi
Mapping Thunder Sources by Inverting Acoustic and Electromagnetic Observations
We present a new method of locating current flow in lightning strikes by inversion of thunder recordings constrained by Lightning Mapping Array observations. First, radio frequency (RF) pulses are connected to reconstruct conductive channels created by leaders. Then, acoustic signals that would be produced by current flow through each channel are forward modeled. The recorded thunder is considered to consist of a weighted superposition of these acoustic signals. We calculate the posterior distribution of acoustic source energy for each channel with a Markov Chain Monte Carlo inversion that fits power envelopes of modeled and recorded thunder; these results show which parts of the flash carry current and produce thunder. We examine the effects of RF pulse location imprecision and atmospheric winds on quality of results and apply this method to several lightning flashes over the Magdalena Mountains in New Mexico, USA. This method will enable more detailed study of lightning phenomena by allowing researchers to map current flow in addition to leader propagation
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