Mobile Object-Tracking Approach using A Combination of Fuzzy Logic and Neural Networks

Ability to locate a specific object in a dynamic environment has several practical applications including security surveillance, navigation and search and rescue operations. The objective of this paper is to develop an object-tracking algorithm using a combination of fuzzy logic and neural networks. The aim is to originate an algorithm that matches the history locations of an object and predicts its location when it goes offline. Determining the location of an object on specific trajectory becomes difficult if the mobile object stopped reporting its location and goes offline. Therefore, in this analytical article, a proposed approach relies on estimations from sensor data of historical movement patterns and geometric models, is fed into special Neural Network to get best accurate present or future object locations. Fuzzy logic application is used to overcome the challenge of imprecision in data. Although this approach is complex; but it can be one of the ways to be applied on large area applications with acceptable accuracy (80%) as shown by experiments

Enhancing Seismic Performance of Cable-Stayed Bridges using Tuned Mass Dampers

Enhancing the seismic performance of cable stayed bridges (CSBs) gained increasing attention over the past few decades. A TMD is a comparatively lightweight component consisting of a mass and springs tuned to oscillate at nearly the same frequency of the structure but with a phase shift. Reduction of vibrations is achieved by transferring some of the structural vibration energy to the TMD and dissipating the energy by the inertia. The aim of this paper is to investigate how TMD could enhance the performance of CSBs. Finite element analysis has been performed to assess the optimum value of TMD mass ratio by comparing the performance of the CSB before and after incorporating the TMD under different excitation records. Results shows that, the presence of TMD leads to a noticeable improvement in different responses. For μ values between 0.25% and 0.5%, the bridge shows the best performance. Also, for μ \u3e 1% the efficiency of using the TMD does not show significant increase that warrant the cost and difficulty of implementation which makes no need to increase the mass of TMD

The analysis of stock returns in the London Stock Exchange in the context of the cyclical adjusted price to earnings ratio signals.

This thesis aimed to analyse the signalling capability of the Cyclically Adjusted Price to Earnings (CAPE) ratio and to analyse the performance of asset pricing models in the context of different market sentiments, as highlighted by the CAPE ratio. The behaviour of stock returns in the light of different asset pricing models is evaluated and compared in different subsamples classified as under priced, fairly priced and overpriced markets. The two main models used in this analysis are the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and the Fama and French (1993) three factors model. This framework was also used to evaluate the Efficient Market Hypothesis that postulates that markets are efficient all the time. To achieve the study's aim, the CAPE ratio was applied to the FTSE100 stock market index for the period from December 1998 to December 2017. The CAPE ratio identified the periods where the market was overpriced, fairly priced and under priced. Next, an active investment strategy based on the CAPE ratio signals was tested on the full sample and compared to a passive investment strategy, to examine the effectiveness of using the CAPE ratio as a signalling tool for different trading strategies. The next step was to identify the different phases of the market that can be classified as overpriced, fairly priced and under priced markets, as per the signals of the CAPE ratio. The asset pricing models were employed on stock portfolios and their performance was examined in each one of the three market phases and on the full dataset. The results of this study showed that the trading strategies based on the signals from the CAPE ratio are not likely to produce abnormal returns when compared to a buy and hold trading strategy in the long run. The CAPM test results showed that the subsequent returns were not fully in line with the predictions of the model in longer time periods as compared to shorter time periods, especially when the market was classified as fairly priced by the CAPE ratio. However, the pattern of the portfolios returns in different subsamples was not consistent. Thus, the CAPE ratio does not appear to be a suitable signalling tool in explaining the stocks returns behaviour in the light of the CAPM. The analysis of the Fama and French three factors model tests show that the model was suitable in explaining returns in most cases in the three subsamples and the full sample. The CAPE ratio seemed to have provided a good signal about subsequent returns if stock returns are analysed in the light of multi-factors like the size factor and value factor. However, it was not possible to beat the market based on the CAPE ratio signals. The performance of stock returns was not consistent as predicted by the CAPE ratio hence it was hard to classify any particular trading strategy based on the CAPE ratio's valuation signals. Thus, the Efficient Market Hypothesis stands strong in its conclusion that the markets are efficient and there are no easy arbitrage opportunities that investors can consistently exploit by employing certain ratios like the CAPE ratio to get signals about the future direction of the market

Virtual Reality Interface Factors in a Power Wheelchair Simulator

Power wheelchairs (PWCs) can improve users’ quality of life by enabling them to participate in the activities of daily living, decreasing their dependence on human assistance. PWC users are faced with restricted environments, with limited space to manoeuvre, and are therefore vulnerable to collisions and injuries. To use a PWC effectively and safely, individuals must undertake training and assessment of their competency. There is significant potential for the use of virtual reality in the training and assessment of PWC users. To date, there is no standard tool available for PWC assessment and training. Rather, clinics use their own observation measurer and assessment is often largely based on guesswork. Several simulators have been developed to help the training of PWC users, yet the study of virtual assessment is an under-researched area. In fact, most simulators offer only very limited functionality and rely solely on client-centric information. For the development of a useful simulator, it is important to identify and evaluate interface factors affecting perception, behaviour, experience, and driving performance from both the user’s and clinician’s perspectives. In this thesis, issues with current PWC simulators were identified and investigated, with the intention of providing a suitable research platform for the advancement of bringing PWC simulator into clinical use. The aspects investigated include the interaction device, perception and behaviour, and virtual assessment. Three systems were developed to test each of these areas by incorporating theories and techniques from computer science and human-computer interaction. The first experiment answered the question, “which input devices are necessary and appropriate, and which virtual input device representations can and should be implemented for PWC simulation?” A proprietary PWC joystick was compared to a standard gaming joystick, and driving performance and experience were measured. Four experimental conditions (comprising two virtual input modalities and their two real-world counterparts) were studied. The findings suggest that performance is enhanced when the PWC joystick is represented and that the gaming joystick is adequate for PWC simulation. The second study investigated the question, “how do immersion factors influence behaviour, perception and sense of presence when navigating a PWC simulator?” The evaluated immersion factors include display type (head mounted display vs. monitor), field of view (changeable vs. static), and avatar presence (present vs. absent). User perception (explicit judgement of doorframe passability) and embedded behaviour (implicit measure of gap passability) were measured, based on the user’s decisions during the experiment. The results show that all three factors affect the user’s sense of presence. The display type affected both perceptual and behavioural measures, whereas field of view only affected behavioural measures. The final experiment explored the question, “how accurately can clinicians assess driving tasks in the virtual environment compared to the real world?” This study evaluated the effect of three observational techniques (viewpoints) on clinician assessment of PWC driving tasks. In addition, perceived ease of use, confidence level, and sense of presence were also examined. Observational techniques include walk, orbit, and standard viewpoints. The findings of this study suggest that clinicians could make accurate judgments and experience a high confidence level when they were able to walk or orbit the viewpoint. The results from all experiments provide general design guidelines for future virtual reality applications, in particular, PWC simulator design

NGOs’ struggle between institutional emptiness and informations’ manipulation

During the past few years, also due to the high speed of information flow, we have witnessed worldwide to an increasing wave of allegations and false accusations against civil society organizations and local/international non-governmental organizations. In fact, we are nowadays used to read about unrealistic cases of NGOs and CSOs linked to corruption, lack of transparency, bribery, incompetence as the events in the Mediterranean Sea may show. In this case, the inaction by governments in the face of such heinous crimes makes it difficult to believe in any declaration of "decisive struggle against trafficking, slavery or criminal traffic of migrants”, leaving the non-governmental actors alone to face this issue.Actually, these are just some of the misrepresentations that the current populist rhetoric has been using to attack CSOs and NGOs

Competitive advantage through after-sales: A cross-cultural comparison of emerging and established markets.

In recent literature researchers have addressed the creation of competitive advantage for retail firms in the context of home appliances. However, based on a review of the literature the researcher believes that research related to after-sales services in the context of home appliances provides a particular focus on the creation of competitive advantage for small-medium retail firms in emerging markets. Furthermore, the researcher believes that addressing the impact of culture on the creation of relationships and adopting method of communication still at a preliminary stage. This thesis aims to examine the role SME retail firms play in the creation of competitive advantage by delivering after-sales services in emerging markets. The thesis also addresses the impact of societal culture on the adoption of communication methods whilst SME retail firms process after-sales in emerging markets and established markets. This research developed a stable framework to create a competitive advantage for SME retail firms in emerging markets in the context of retailing of home appliances (denoted ASSC). An interpretivist approach and qualitative methodology has been adopted in this research. The main methods for data collection employed in this research are interviews and observations in SME retail firms in emerging and established markets. This research is an addition to the rare academic studies that address the role SME retail firms play in the creation of a competitive advantage in the emerging markets. Although SME retail firms have limited resources and lack human skill, the findings of this research indicate that SME retail firms still play an important role in the creation of a competitive advantage by focusing on developing relationships with other participants of ASSC and adopting communication methods that suit the culture in each emerging market. The research also found that broader societal culture has more influence on the creation of relationships of both sides of ASSC. The methodological contribution of this research is apparent in the exceptional effort to tackle the inevitable obstacles and challenges that the researcher faced due to messiness in the field work

Fractal Antennas for Wireless Communications

When the length of the antenna is less than a quarter of the wavelength of the operating frequency, good radiation properties are difficult to obtain. However, size limitations can be overcome in this case using a fractal geometry antenna. The shape is repeated in a limited size such that the total length of the antenna is increased to match, for example, half of the wavelength of the corresponding desired frequency. Many fractal geometries, e.g., the tree, Koch, Minkowski, and Hilbert fractals, are available. This chapter describes the details of designing, simulations, and experimental measurements of fractal antennas. Based on dimensional geometry in terms of desired frequency bands, the characteristics of each iteration are studied carefully to improve the process of designing the antennas. In depth, the surface current distribution is investigated and analyzed to enhance the circular polarization radiation and axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW). Both, simulation and experimental, results are discussed and compared. Two types of fractal antennas are proposed. The first proposed fractal antenna has a new structure configured via a five-stage process. The second proposed fractal antenna has a low profile, wherein the configuration of the antenna was based on three iterations