Intersection SPaT Estimation by means of Single-Source Connected Vehicle Data

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version.Current traffic management systems in urban networks require real-time estimation of the traffic states. With the development of in-vehicle and communication technologies, connected vehicle data has emerged as a new data source for traffic measurement and estimation. In this work, a machine learning-based methodology for signal phase and timing information (SPaT) which is highly valuable for many applications such as green light optimal advisory systems and real-time vehicle navigation is proposed. The proposed methodology utilizes data from connected vehicles travelling within urban signalized links to estimate the queue tail location, vehicle accumulation, and subsequently, link outflow. Based on the produced high-resolution outflow estimates and data from crossing connected vehicles, SPaT information is estimated via correlation analysis and a machine learning approach. The main contribution is that the single-source proposed approach relies merely on connected vehicle data and requires neither prior information such as intersection cycle time nor data from other sources such as conventional traffic measuring tools. A sample four-leg intersection where each link comprises different number of lanes and experiences different traffic condition is considered as a testbed. The validation of the developed approach has been undertaken by comparing the produced estimates with realistic micro-simulation results as ground truth, and the achieved simulation results are promising even at low penetration rates of connected vehicles

A Quantisation of Cognitive Learning Process by Computer Graphics-Games: Towards More Efficient Learning Models

Research group of Computer Sciences at DMU, Psychology Research Group at University of Birmingham and Reseach Group of Computer Science at University of Northumbria.With the latest developments in computer technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, more opportunities of cognitive data acquisition and stimulation via game-based systems have become available for computer scientists and psychologists. This may lead to more efficient cognitive learning model developments to be used in different fields of cognitive psychology than in the past. The increasing popularity of computer games among a broad range of age groups leads scientists and experts to seek game domain solutions to cognitive based learning abnormalities, especially for younger age groups and children. One of the major advantages of computer graphics and using game-based techniques over the traditional face-to-face therapies is that individuals, especially children immerse in the game’s virtual environment and consequently feel more open to share their cognitive behavioural characteristics naturally. The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of graphical agents on cognitive behaviours to generate more efficient cognitive models

An Outcome based approach to developing a Belarusian Qualification Framework

http://iesed.esy.es/The Higher Education landscape of Belarus is characterised by high quality institutions offering world class expertise and facilities, and a very high participation rate in higher education. However, it has also been recognised by the state that the degree of individuality and autonomy prevalent in these institutions works against the current mood of globalisation in Higher Education. An obvious example is international exchanges. It is particularly difficult in the case of students since the programmes are usually organised in an insular way and lack a precise specification of the level at which any contributory course is delivered. A stated objective of the Belarusian Ministry of Education is to seek membership of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). To this end a road map (Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, 2017), designed to afford increased international compatibility of the Belarusian Higher Education Framework, has been defined and is being implemented by the Belarusian Ministry of Education. This paper considers how the EU funded project IESED could directly contribute to the realisation of this Road Map

Pathways to sex addiction: Relationships with adverse childhood experience, attachment, narcissism, self-compassion and motivation in a gender-balanced sample

Research about sex addiction and its relationships with other constructs remains unexplored. We recruited a gender-balanced sample (53 men, 51 women) who responded to measures of sex addiction, adverse childhood experience, adult attachment, narcissism, self-compassion and motivation. Sex addiction was found to be statistically significantly associated with these constructs. Anxious attachment statistically significantly mediated the relationship between adverse childhood experience and sex addiction and the relationship between narcissism and sex addiction. Self-compassion did not statistically significantly moderate the relationship between anxious attachment and sex addiction. Therapeutic approaches targeting attachment and narcissism such as relation-based or mindfulness-based interventions are recommended.N/

Molecular identification of Palearctic members of Anopheles maculipennis in northern Iran

BACKGROUND: Members of Anopheles maculipennis complex are effective malaria vectors in Europe and the Caspian Sea region in northern Iran, where malaria has been re-introduced since 1994. The current study has been designed in order to provide further evidence on the status of species composition and to identify more accurately the members of the maculipennis complex in northern Iran. METHODS: The second internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (rDNA-ITS2) was sequenced in 28 out of 235 specimens that were collected in the five provinces of East Azerbayjan, Ardebil, Guilan, Mazandaran and Khorassan in Iran. RESULTS: The length of the ITS2 ranged from 283 to 302 bp with a GC content of 49.33 – 54.76%. No intra-specific variations were observed. Construction of phylogenetic tree based on the ITS2 sequence revealed that the six Iranian members of the maculipennis complex could be easily clustered into three groups: the An. atroparvus – Anopheles labranchiae group; the paraphyletic group of An. maculipennis, An. messeae, An. persiensis; and An. sacharovi as the third group. CONCLUSION: Detection of three species of the An. maculipennis complex including An. atroparvus, An. messae and An. labranchiae, as shown as new records in northern Iran, is somehow alarming. A better understanding of the epidemiology of malaria on both sides of the Caspian Sea may be provided by applying the molecular techniques to the correct identification of species complexes, to the detection of Plasmodium composition in Anopheles vectors and to the status of insecticide resistance by looking to related genes