Sustainable Textile Marketing

We know that sustainability has become an important topic in every aspect of life. The textile, fashion, and material industries must also be sustainable, which could be imparted in their development, production, or even marketing. The textile industry has a huge market, as clothing is arguably the most important human need after food. Recently, this industry has been labeled as a polluting industry, a label that could be overcome by the proper development of textile goods and careful marketing strategies. There are specific roles that government, entrepreneurs, and even universities can play in properly educating people to make the textile industry cleaner and greener. Several journals focus only on one of the aspects of this key problem, i.e., the production of sustainable materials, textile education, or textile marketing. However, herein, we strive to bring different areas together on one platform to cover different aspects, i.e., production, policy, education, and marketing related to textile fashion and textile materials

A statistical mechanics approach to random searches

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Marcos Gomes E. da LuzTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Exatas, Curso de Pós-Graduação em Física. Defesa: Curitiba, 18/02/2016Inclui referências : f. 105-115Resumo: O tópico desta tese é a aplicação de modelos de busca aleatória em uma coleção de problemas multi-disciplinares. Foram desenvolvidos modelos simples que reproduzem (aproximadamente) o comportamento complexo dos problemas que escolhemos. As primeiras aplicações consideram o problema do forrageamento biológico, onde estudamos numericamente evidências que suportam a otimização por buscas de Lévy. Em seguida, desenvolvemos um modelo de distribuição de alvos dinâmica e estudamos a emergência da estacionariedade neste problema. Um modelo para a otimização computacional de buscas em ambientes homogêneos foi elaborado utilizando ferramentas de paralelização. Numa aplicação direta de buscas aleatórias, estudamos o forrageamento de larvas da mosca da fruta Drosophila melanogaster em um modelo numérico e através de uma abordagem experimental. Utilizamos um procedimento novo para caracterizar a busca aleatória através de processos estocásticos. Um método espectral foi aplicado na reconstrução do ambiente de busca utilizando a matriz de transição do processo. O último trabalho foi um estudo de um modelo que descreve, através da mecânica estatística, um processo evolucionário. Desenvolvemos um tratamento termodinâmico para interpretar as transições de fase do processo, bem como empregamos técnicas de simulated annealing para obter configurações mais robustas do modelo. Palavras-chave: busca aleatória, vôos de Lévy, mecânica estatística, processos estocásticos.Abstract: The topic of this thesis is the application of random search models in a collection of interdisciplinary problems. We developed simple models that can reproduce (at some extent) the complex behavior present in the problems that we have chosen. The first applications concerned animal foraging, where the robustness of the Lévy flight foraging hypothesis was numerically studied. We developed a model of a dynamic distribution of targets and studied the emergence of the stationarity in this new problem. A parallel optimization method was designed to reduce the computational costs in random search simulations, and was proved efficient in homogeneous search environments. In a direct application of random search models, we studied the dual foraging behavior of Drosophila melanogaster larvae with both a numerical and an experimental approach. A new procedure was applied in the study of random searches using a stochastic process formulation. In this problem, a spectral method was developed to reconstruct the geometry of the targets distribution using only the transition matrix of the search process. The last work was the study of a model that describes the evolutionary process using a statistical mechanics approach. We designed a thermodynamics interpretation of the transitions between stasis and hectic phases in the model and applied simulated annealing techniques to reach longer stasis configurations. Keywords: random search, Lévy flights, statistical mechanics, stochastic processes

デジタルデザイン教育における中国の伝統的パターン要素の統合発展に関する研究

Cultural dissemination and artistic heritage represent a highly concentrated database of information in the past, which depends not only on the expansion of emerging digital media but also on the transformation of language and knowledge. Digital design with traditional patterns as elements is a continuous process from creative generation, material selection, and model establishment. The whole process is done based on the digital design course. The author conducts research from three aspects: theoretical knowledge, course operation exercises and after-school questionnaires, which is a process of integrating technology and art. The purpose of this course is not to discover new theories or new technologies, but to provide morphological possibilities for cultural symbols under existing digital technologies. The purpose is to try to construct new ideas and innovative digital technologies for traditional Chinese patterns, to find Possible paths for the inheritance of new traditional culture.北九州市立大

Une forêt de réalité virtuelle pour la réduction du stress physiologique chez les personnes sans troubles neurodégénératifs

Ce travail de recherche pour la réduction du stress physiologique a été effectué initialement auprès de personnes n'ayant pas de troubles neurodégénératifs en vue de soutenir le projet visant à résorber l'anxiété des personnes atteintes de la maladie d'Alzheimer, qui se trouvent à un stade avancé, qui ont perdu leur motricité et qui ne peuvent donc plus se promener dans la nature, ou en forêt. L'exposition à la nature permet non seulement de se sentir mieux émotionnellement, mais elle contribue également au bien-être physique, en réduisant la tension artérielle, la fréquence cardiaque, la tension musculaire et la production d'hormones de stress. L'exposition à la nature à l'aide de technologies de réalité virtuelle pourrait donc apporter des avantages en termes de bien-être émotionnel aux personnes qui ne peuvent pas accéder à l'extérieur. L'article 1 présente une revue de la littérature, qui montre que bien qu'il existe un corpus comparant les effets entre la nature réelle et la nature virtuelle, il n'y a pas beaucoup d'études qui ont comparé l'effet relatif entre la nature reproduite avec différentes techniques de développement en réalité virtuelle. Plus précisément, si les différences en termes d'exploration active ou passive, la richesse de la scène ou son dynamisme, pourraient affecter le potentiel thérapeutique de ces environnements simulés, n'apparaît pas encore clairement. L'article 2 présente une étude auprès des adultes en bonne santé a été réalisée pour tester les effets de 10 min d'exposition à la nature virtuelle dans une forêt. L'objectif était d'évaluer si l'exploration d'une forêt virtuelle pouvait induire un état de connexion avec la nature, améliorer le confort des utilisateurs et réduire leur stress. Il a été émis l'hypothèse que l'exploration d'un environnement forestier virtuel à travers un visiocasque aurait un effet thérapeutique sur les manifestations de stress physiologique, dans un premier temps, chez l'adulte sans troubles neurodégénératifs.This research work for the reduction of physiological stress was initially carried out with people without neurodegenerative disorders in order to support the project aimed at reducing the anxiety of people with Alzheimer's disease, who are located at an advanced stage, who have lost their motor skills and who can no longer walk in nature, or in the forest. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, but it also contributes to physical well-being, by reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and the production of stress hormones. Exposure to nature using virtual reality technologies could therefore bring emotional well-being benefits to people who cannot access the outdoors. Article 1 presents a review of the literature, which shows that although there is a body of work comparing the effects between real and virtual nature, there are not many studies that have compared the relative effect between nature reproduced with different development techniques in virtual reality. More precisely, whether the differences in terms of active or passive exploration, the richness of the scene or its dynamism, could affect the therapeutic potential of these simulated environments, is not yet clear. Article 2 presents a study in healthy adults was performed to test the effects of 10 min of exposure to virtual nature in a forest. The objective was to assess whether exploring a virtual forest could induce a state of connection with nature, improve user comfort and reduce stress. It was hypothesized that the exploration of a virtual forest environment through a head-mounted display would have a therapeutic effect on the manifestations of physiological stress, initially in adults without neurodegenerative disorders

Turku Centre for Computer Science – Annual Report 2013

Due to a major reform of organization and responsibilities of TUCS, its role, activities, and even structures have been under reconsideration in 2013. The traditional pillar of collaboration at TUCS, doctoral training, was reorganized due to changes at both universities according to the renewed national system for doctoral education. Computer Science and Engineering and Information Systems Science are now accompanied by Mathematics and Statistics in newly established doctoral programs at both University of Turku and &Aring;bo Akademi University. Moreover, both universities granted sufficient resources to their respective programmes for doctoral training in these fields, so that joint activities at TUCS can continue. The outcome of this reorganization has the potential of proving out to be a success in terms of scientific profile as well as the quality and quantity of scientific and educational results.&nbsp; International activities that have been characteristic to TUCS since its inception continue strong. TUCS&rsquo; participation in European collaboration through EIT ICT Labs Master&rsquo;s and Doctoral School is now more active than ever. The new double degree programs at MSc and PhD level between University of Turku and Fudan University in Shaghai, P.R.China were succesfully set up and are&nbsp; now running for their first year. The joint students will add to the already international athmosphere of the ICT House.&nbsp; The four new thematic reseach programmes set up acccording to the decision by the TUCS Board have now established themselves, and a number of events and other activities saw the light in 2013. The TUCS Distinguished Lecture Series managed to gather a large audience with its several prominent speakers. The development of these and other research centre activities continue, and&nbsp; new practices and structures will be initiated to support the tradition of close academic collaboration.&nbsp; The TUCS&rsquo; slogan Where Academic Tradition Meets the Exciting Future has proven true throughout these changes. Despite of the dark clouds on the national and European economic sky, science and higher education in the field have managed to retain all the key ingredients for success. Indeed, the future of ICT and Mathematics in Turku seems exciting.</p

European Union Timber Regulation Impact on International Timber Markets

The trade of illegal timber, often from illegal logging, has severe environmental, social and economic consequences. The EU’s response to this problem came with the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan, with its specific goal to end illegal logging, thereby improving sustainability of forest resources. In March 2013, an additional step was taken by implementing the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). The EUTR requires proof of timber’s origin and legality to ensure that no illegal timber is imported into the EU. To this end the EU intends to block imports of any wood or wood product which comes from unknown sources. Certification of sustainable forest management will help EU importers minimize risk, which is an essential part of their required due diligence system. Monitoring organizations are established to assist trade associations and businesses to construct comprehensive due diligence systems. National competent authorities are designated to follow the trade of the new FLEGT-licensed timber and timber products. In the first year of the EUTR there are positive impacts, of which the most important is awareness of the disastrous situation with illegal logging, driven by exports of illegal timber. Another positive development is tropical timber exporters documenting the legality of their wood exports. Yet another positive feature is establishment of due diligence systems by EU importers. However, there are considerable problems for ensuring legal trade; for example the lack of comprehensive documentation of origin and legality. Analysis of recent trends establishes changes in the European timber trade in terms of sourcing, substitution, diversion to less-demanding countries. Short-term forecasts of market trends and changes will enable further policy assessment to achieve the objectives of improved legality in international timber markets.JRC.H.3-Forest Resources and Climat

Impasses of the Post-Global: Theory in the Era of Climate Change, Vol. 2

The diverse materials comprising Impasses of the Post-Global take as their starting point an interrelated, if seemingly endless sequence of current ecological, demographic, socio-political, economic, and informational disasters. These include the contemporary discourses of deconstruction, climate change, ecological imbalance and despoilment, sustainability, security, economic bailout, auto-immunity, and globalization itself. With essays by James H. Bunn, Rey Chow, Bruce Clarke, Tom Cohen, Randy Martin, Yates McKee, Alberto Moreiras, Haun Saussy, Tian Song, Henry Sussman, Samuel Weber, Ewa P. Ziarek, and Kryzsztof Ziarek

Proposal for improving computer aid to interior architectural design

Ankara : The Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design and the Institute of Fine Arts of Bilkent University, 1993.Thesis (Master's) -- Bilkent University, 1993.Includes bibliographical refences.In this work, several proposals are put forth in order to render computer-aid to interior architecture more efficient and easy-to-use. Considering the role of computer in architecture as a design assistant, the factors establishing this position have been discussed. Based on these factors and aspects of interior architecture, proposals are introduced. The proposals aim firstly at creating an interactive design environment where designers do not have to be specialized ‘in computers’, but ‘with the aid of computers’; secondly, at drawing attention to potential areas of study in computer-aid in design related to aspects particular to the profession of interior architecture. Finally, the expected contributions of the proposals introduced are discussed in terms of interior architectural practice and education, discussing the new definition of the profession and future trends.Şenyapılı, BurcuM.S