Hybrid automata dicretising agents for formal modelling of robots

Some of the fundamental capabilities required by autonomous vehicles and systems for their intelligent decision making are: modelling of the environment and forming data abstractions for symbolic, logic based reasoning. The paper formulates a discrete agent framework that abstracts and controls a hybrid system that is a composition of hybrid automata modelled continuous individual processes. Theoretical foundations are laid down for a class of general model composition agents (MCAs) with an advanced subclass of rational physical agents (RPAs). We define MCAs as the most basic structures for the description of complex autonomous robotic systems. The RPA’s have logic based decision making that is obtained by an extension of the hybrid systems concepts using a set of abstractions. The theory presented helps the creation of robots with reliable performance and safe operation in their environment. The paper emphasizes the abstraction aspects of the overall hybrid system that emerges from parallel composition of sets of RPAs and MCAs

Extraction of kinetic freeze-out properties and effect of resonance decays

We present STAR results from identified particle spectra measured in $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 62.4 GeV Au-Au collisions. Particle production and system dynamics are compared to results at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV. We extract kinetic and chemical freeze-out parameters using blast wave model parameterization and statistical model. We discuss the effect of resonance decays on the extracted kinetic freeze-out parameters.Comment: Proceedings of the 21st Winter Workshop on Nuclear Dynamics, Breckenridge, Colorado, February 5-12, 200

Commercial software tools for intelligent autonomous systems

This article identifies some of the commercial software tools that can potentially be examined, or relied upon for their techniques, within new EPSRC projects entitled "Reconfigurable Autonomy" and "Distributed Sensing and Control.." awarded and to be undertaken between Liverpool, Southampton and Surrey Universities in the next 4 years. Although such projects strive to produce new techniques of various kinds, the software reviewed here could also influence, shape and help to integrate the algorithmic outcome of all 16 projects awarded within the EPSRC Autonomous and Intelligent Systems programme early 2012. To avoid mis-representation of technololgies provided by the software producer companies listed, most of this review is based on using quotes from original product descriptions

Development of CMOS pixel sensors for tracking and vertexing in high energy physics experiments

CMOS pixel sensors (CPS) represent a novel technological approach to building charged particle detectors. CMOS processes allow to integrate a sensing volume and readout electronics in a single silicon die allowing to build sensors with a small pixel pitch ($\sim 20 \mu m$) and low material budget ($\sim 0.2-0.3\% X_0$) per layer. These characteristics make CPS an attractive option for vertexing and tracking systems of high energy physics experiments. Moreover, thanks to the mass production industrial CMOS processes used for the manufacturing of CPS the fabrication construction cost can be significantly reduced in comparison to more standard semiconductor technologies. However, the attainable performance level of the CPS in terms of radiation hardness and readout speed is mostly determined by the fabrication parameters of the CMOS processes available on the market rather than by the CPS intrinsic potential. The permanent evolution of commercial CMOS processes towards smaller feature sizes and high resistivity epitaxial layers leads to the better radiation hardness and allows the implementation of accelerated readout circuits. The TowerJazz $0.18 \mu m$ CMOS process being one of the most relevant examples recently became of interest for several future detector projects. The most imminent of these project is an upgrade of the Inner Tracking System (ITS) of the ALICE detector at LHC. It will be followed by the Micro-Vertex Detector (MVD) of the CBM experiment at FAIR. Other experiments like ILD consider CPS as one of the viable options for flavour tagging and tracking sub-systems

The Spread of Nezara viridula (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) Species from its First Occurrence in Romania

Lately in horticultural agroecosystems from Romania joined several insect species autochthonous. Among these is a species of bugs known as southern green stink bugs or Nezara viridula L. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Unlike other new entrants this bug species has a diversified polifagism being present in many plants but obvious damage produce only tomato fruit. The causes are unknown. Can be found in gardens, green spaces and parks. Often is observed in vegetable gardens where populations comprise all stages (egg, larva/nymph, adult). Although it has African origins of a warm area is interesting installation and survival in temperate zones like those in Europe. Presence in Europe appears to be more random which excludes primarily spread through the neighborhood. By observations made in west of Romania, during 2010-2015 we wanted to watch the evolution of the insect from the first point of occurrence (Timișoara, 2010). Also, were monitored tomato crops and ornamentals in gardens and green spaces from 5 counties. Only in four monitored counties it was observed this species. Most adults and larvae were registered in Timis county (5-6 adults or 7-8 larvae/tomato plant and 10 -11 adults or 15-20 larvae/ornamental shrub). In our country the insect has proven to be capable of a rapid spread in a relatively short time interval including surrounding counties