INSIGMA: an intelligent transportation system for urban mobility enhancement

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) aim to improve safety, mobility and environmental performance of road transport. The INSIGMA project provides a fresh look at the possible innovations in this field, by enhancing the functionality and accuracy of ITS in urban environments. This paper describes the architecture, sensors, processing algorithms, output modules and advantages of the developed system. A comparison of existing ITS systems has been provided as background. Special attention has been given to performance and privacy issues, as the system includes social aspects such as location monitoring.     

Path Loss Modelling for Location Service Applications

The aim of this paper is the path loss modelling for the radiolocation services in radio communication networks, particularly in cellular networks. The main results of the measurements obtained in the physical layer of the UMTS are introduced. A new method for the utilization of the multipath propagation phenomenon to improve the estimation of the distance between the MS （mobile station） and the BS （base station） is outlined. This method significantly increases the quality of location services in systems which use a radio interface with DS （direct sequence） CDMA （code division multiple access）.     

Deterministic convergence of conjugate gradient method for feedforward neural networks

Conjugate gradient methods have many advantages in real numerical experiments, such as fast convergence and low memory requirements. This paper considers a class of conjugate gradient learning methods for backpropagation neural networks with three layers. We propose a new learning algorithm for almost cyclic learning of neural networks based on PRP conjugate gradient method. We then establish the deterministic convergence properties for three different learning modes, i.e., batch mode, cyclic and almost cyclic learning. The two deterministic convergence properties are weak and strong convergence that indicate that the gradient of the error function goes to zero and the weight sequence goes to a fixed point, respectively. It is shown that the deterministic convergence results are based on different learning modes and dependent on different selection strategies of learning rate. Illustrative numerical examples are given to support the theoretical analysis.     

Object query optimization through detecting independent subqueries

The problem of query optimization in object-oriented databases is addressed. We follow the Stack-Based Approach to query languages, which employs the naming-scoping-binding paradigm of programming languages rather than traditional database concepts such as relational/object algebras or calculi. The classical environment stack is a semantic basis for definitions of object query operators, such as selection, projection/navigation, dependent join, and quantifiers. We describe a general object data model and define a formalized OQL-like query language SBQL. Optimization by rewriting concerns queries containing so-called independent subqueries. It consists in detecting them and then factoring outside loops implied by query operators. The idea is based on the formal static analysis of scoping rules and binding names occurring in a query. It is more general than the classical pushing selections/projections before joins.     

Determination of Analytical Wavelength in Derivative Spectrophotometry

Abstract

The work presents two methods for preliminary determination of analytical wavelength when a binary system is analysed by derivative spectrophotometry. “The method of disturbing effect” involves the recording of derivative spectra of a series of two-component solutions where the concentration of one component of the mixture remains unchanged, whereas the concentration of the other changes. “The method of sixteen solutions” involves the recording of derivative spectra of a series of 16 solutions, in which to four concentrations of the one component correspond four different concentrations of the other component of the mixture.     

A Chamber for Testing the Release of Volatile Substances Secreted by Animals,Especially Mammals,as Exemplified by Substances Released by Rats in Response to Stress

Abstract

The success of the testing of volatile organic compounds emitted by animals is dependent on the creation of appropriate conditions for air sampling subsequently used to assay and identify the compounds. These conditions play a particularly important role in the investigation of pheromones, which are secreted in extremely low concentrations. The authors have not come across any previous work which offers constructional solutions, which would allow avoidance of contamination of the air samples containing volatile substances secreted by animals.

A constructional solution was developed, which provides optimal conditions for their sampling and isolation. Its main advantages are as follows: the exposure chamber (the chamber in which the animal is studied) is filled with synthetic air; the exposure chamber is separated from the atmospheric air with a synthetic air “jacket”; the exposure chamber has been constructed using materials which do not release chemicals and absorb them in trace quantities.     

Sets of Piezoelectric Probeheads for Stress Evaluation with Subsurface Waves

This paper discusses the development of piezoelectric ultrasonic probeheads for measurements of time of flight of subsurface or surface wave ultrasonic pulses. Sets of such probes found application in ultrasonic stress evaluation. In precise measurements of time of flight using piezoelectric transducers, the main source of time scatter proved to be variation in the condition of liquid couplant layers. The thickness of this couplant layer depends on surface roughness of the sample being evaluated. Paper describes a new configuration of probes, composed of two transmitting and four receiving probes arranged along one line, designed to reduce coupling influence on readings. Presented is comparison of readings obtained with known sets of probes and with a new one. Also presented are results of residual stress evaluation performed with various 6-transducer sets of probes on railroad rails, monoblock railroad wheels and pillars of hydraulic press. All measurements were performed in industrial conditions, without any special surface preparation.     

Synthesis and Characterization Superabsorbent Polymers Made of Starch,Acrylic Acid,Acrylamide, Poly(Vinyl Alcohol), 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate, 2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropane Sulfonic Acid

Three polymers with excellent absorption properties were synthesized by graft polymerization: soluble starch-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl alcohol)/potato starch-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide), poly(vinyl alcohol)/potato starch-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide-co-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid). Ammonium persulfate and potassium persulfate were used as initiators, while N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide was used as the crosslinking agent. The molecular structure of potato and soluble starch grafted by synthetic polymers was characterized by means of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of the resulting materials was studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Thermal stability was tested by thermogravimetric measurements. The absorption properties of the obtained biopolymers were tested in deionized water, sodium chroma solutions of various concentrations and in buffer solutions of various pH.     

Evaluation of a pressure head and pressure zones in water distribution systems by artificial neural networks

Neural Computing and Applications - Water distribution system design is inherently associated with hydraulic calculations that require thorough evaluation of obtained results and accuracy of the...