Significant spatial co-distribution pattern discovery

Given instances (spatial points) of different spatial features (categories), significant spatial co-distribution pattern discovery aims to find subsets of spatial features whose spatial distributions are statistically significantly similar to each other. Discovering significant spatial co-distribution patterns is important for many application domains such as identifying spatial associations between diseases and risk factors in spatial epidemiology. Previous methods mostly associated spatial features whose instances are frequently located together; however, this does not necessarily indicate a similarity in the spatial distributions between different features. Thus, this paper defines the significant spatial co-distribution pattern discovery problem and subsequently develops a novel method to solve it effectively. First, we propose a new measure, dissimilarity index, to quantify the difference between spatial distributions of different features under the spatial neighbor relation and then employ it in a distribution clustering method to detect candidate spatial co-distribution patterns. To further remove spurious patterns that occur accidentally, the validity of each candidate spatial co-distribution pattern is verified through a significance test under the null hypothesis that spatial distributions of different features are independent of each other. To model the null hypothesis, a distribution shift-correction method is presented by randomizing the relationships between different features and maintaining spatial structure of each feature (e.g., spatial auto-correlation). Comparisons with baseline methods using synthetic datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. A case study identifying co-morbidities in central Colorado is also presented to illustrate the real-world applicability of the proposed method.     

Robot learning through task identification

The operation of an autonomous mobile robot in a semi-structured environment is a complex, usually non-linear and partly unpredictable process. Lacking a theory of robot–environment interaction that allows the design of robot control code based on theoretical analysis, roboticists still have to resort to trial-and-error methods in mobile robotics.The RobotMODIC project aims to develop a theoretical understanding of a robot’s interaction with its environment, and uses system identification techniques to identify the system robot–task–environment. In this paper, we present two practical examples of the RobotMODIC process: mobile robot self-localisation and mobile robot training to achieve door traversal.In both examples, a transparent mathematical function is obtained that maps inputs–sensory perception in both cases–to output — location and steering velocity respectively. Analysis of the obtained models reveals further information about the way in which a task is achieved, the relevance of individual sensors, possible ways of obtaining more parsimonious models, etc.     

Applications of electronically facilitated bidding model to preventing construction disputes

When a lump-sum public construction project is implemented, disputes often arise concerning issues around the accuracy of contracted quantities, the acceptability of unit prices of cost items, and whether an “equal (or equivalent)” for a product (equipment or material) can be used. In Taiwan, contracted quantities and unit prices are primarily based on owner's estimations, and the trademarks of a product specified in a tendering documentation are only for reference. A contractor has to struggle for profit when the amount of work completed differs from the contracted amount, when change orders are priced according to the owner's estimates, and when inexpensive equals may be used. This work comprehensively elaborates the background of the current practice, and presents experience of applying an electronically facilitated bidding model to evaluating the bidder's submitted quantities, unit prices and equals in several practical projects in Taiwan. Results of this study indicate that the aforementioned construction disputes can be prevented or at least mitigated.     

一种描述磁流变弹性体滞回特性的分数阶导数改进Bouc?Wen模型

为了准确表征大范围应变幅值、激励频率和磁场下磁流变弹性体(Magnetorheological elastomer, MRE)的力学行为,本文引入黏弹性分数阶导数,提出一种描述磁流变弹性体滞回特性的分数阶导数改进Bouc?Wen模型。分析了各向同性与异性MRE的微观形貌特征,对MRE进行了性能试验,研究发现,MRE的储能和损耗模量随着应变幅值(0～100%)增大先不变后减小,随着频率(0～100 Hz)增大而增大,随着磁场(0～545 mT)增大而增大。在此基础上,基于分数阶导数提出改进Bouc?Wen模型,在Simulink软件中建立仿真模型,利用Oustaloup滤波器算法对分数阶导数项近似计算,对比分析验证了改进模型的有效性,各工况下仿真数据和试验数据的吻合度均高于98%。结果表明:改进Bouc?Wen模型能准确地模拟MRE应力应变滞回曲线,拟合精度较Bouc?Wen模型明显提升,改进模型在较宽的应变幅值、频率和磁场范围内是准确有效的,为实现MRE的工程应用打下基础。      

车路协同环境下基于动态车速的相位差优化模型

针对基于固定路段行驶车速的相位差优化模型在优化双向滤波时存在的不足,本文基于车路协同环境下车辆–信号控制系统双向、实时通信的运行环境,研究并建立了车辆动态速度与交叉口相位差的整合优化模型.首先,基于对上游交叉口流出的两类交通流,即饱和交通流和非饱和交通流运行特征分析,建立了速度与相位差相互影响关系模型,在此基础上,分别针对两种不同的交通流,以干道实时流量与速度乘积最大为目标,考虑初始排队清空时间,可变速度范围,和相位差取值空间等约束条件,建立了车辆速度与相位差的动态优化模型,从而实现干道交通流不停车通过量最大且延误最小的目的.最后,对比分析了本文模型与经典Maxband绿波优化模型及Synchro软件的信号协调控制优化方案,结果表明,相比其他两种典型优化方法,本文模型能显著提高双向绿波带宽并大幅减少停车次数,提高协调控制的效益.     

基于logit模型的生物质供应链集成优化

针对农户的选择偏好,引入基于logit的离散计量分析模型,以研究秸秆收购价格、成本及政府补贴对农户生物质供应选择行为的影响。在此基础上,应用Stackelberg博弈模型对生物质供应链中加工厂、收集站和农户等不同利益主体之间的决策进行分析,确定了最优的生物质收购价格及收集站的服务半径。最后,通过算例分析验证了上述优化决策模型的有效性。研究表明,农户供应模式的选择与其对效用的敏感程度有关;政府实行补贴激励不仅能提高农户将秸秆直接送至加工厂的积极性,对加工厂和收集站的利益也有不同程度的提高。     

Set methods of left-turn waiting zone at signalized intersection

To maximize the number of vehicles passing by the stop-line in a cycle and improve the operation efficiency of intersection in China,the settlement of left-turn lane waiting-zone is becoming prevailing. Based on conflicting-point method,the internal mechanism of left-turn flow after stopping line was analyzed through taking postposition left-turn lane waiting-zone intersection for instance. The relationship between the first left-turn vehicle and the last vehicle of previous phase passing the conflicting point was expounded. According to the time of successive arriving of two vehicle flows at conflicting-point,the reasonable layout for waiting area of left-turn vehicles was researched when the clearance index was less than 0. The results suggest that the appropriate layout for waiting area of left-turning vehicles can improve the operation efficiency of intersections.     

Formation mechanism of aerodynamic drag of high-speed train and some reduction measures

Aerodynamic drag is proportional to the square of speed. With the increase of the speed of train, aerodynamic drag plays an important role for high-speed train. Thus, the reduction of aerodynamic drag and energy consumption of high-speed train is one of the essential issues for the development of the desirable train system. Aerodynamic drag on the traveling train is divided into pressure drag and friction one. Pressure drag of train is the force caused by the pressure distribution on the train along the reverse running direction. Friction drag of train is the sum of shear stress, which is the reverse direction of train running direction. In order to reduce the aerodynamic drag, adopting streamline shape of train is the most effective measure. The velocity of the train is related to its length and shape. The outer wind shields can reduce train’s air drag by about 15%. At the same time, the train with bottom cover can reduce the air drag by about 50%, compared with the train without bottom plate or skirt structure. Foundation item: Project(2001AA505000) supported by the National High-Tech Research and Development of China     

Bi-level programming model for reconstruction of urban branch road network

Considering the decision-making variables of the capacities of branch roads and the optimization targets of lowering the saturation of arterial roads and the reconstruction expense of branch roads, the bi-level programming model for reconstructing the branch roads was set up. The upper level model was for determining the enlarged capacities of the branch roads, and the lower level model was for calculating the flows of road sections via the user equilibrium traffic assignment method. The genetic algorithm for solving the bi-level model was designed to obtain the reconstruction capacities of the branch roads. The results show that by the bi-level model and its algorithm, the optimum scheme of urban branch roads reconstruction can be gained, which reduces the saturation of arterial roads apparently, and alleviates traffic congestion. In the data analysis the arterial saturation decreases from 1.100 to 0.996, which verifies the micro-circulation transportation’s function of urban branch road network. Foundation item: Project(2006CB705507) supported by the National Basic Research and Development Program of China; Project(20060533036) supported by the Specialized Research Foundation for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China     

公路面层脱硫石膏—粉煤灰混凝土试验研究与应用

脱硫石膏和粉煤灰按比例混合后,掺入适量改性剂复合而成一种新型活性矿物掺合料,并制备C30～C40脱硫石膏-粉煤灰混凝土,试验研究其主要技术性能。结果表明,脱硫石膏-粉煤灰按质量比例掺入30%以上,混凝土不离析、不泌水,施工和易性优于普通混凝土;力学性能满足公路面层设计要求;180d干缩率小于450×10-6、磨耗量仅为标准限值的60%左右,抗冻等级大于D300。脱硫石膏-粉煤灰混凝土成功应用于常德桃花源-花岩溪旅游公路路面试验段施工,社会经济和环保效益显著。