Development of an operational fitness test for the Royal Air Force

Since 2002, the Royal Air Force (RAF) has been working towards developing role-related physical tests for use as an operational fitness test (OFT). The purpose of this study was to establish reliability of the OFT (comprising four tests), investigate gym-based tests as predictors of performance and establish performance standards. Fifty-eight RAF personnel performed the OFT on three occasions. A separate cohort carried out fitness and anthropometric tests before performing the OFT, by way of establishing performance predictors. Documented evidence and views of an expert panel were used to determine OFT standards. Reliability ranged from moderate to good for three tests, with one test (Dig) showing poor reliability. The 95% limits of agreement for the prediction models ranged from good to poor (6.7-34.2%). The prediction models were not sufficiently accurate to estimate confidently OFT performance, but could be used as a guide to quantify likely outcome and training needs.     

Performance analysis challenges and framework for high-performance reconfigurable computing

Reconfigurable computing (RC) applications employing both microprocessors and FPGAs have potential for large speedup when compared with traditional (software) parallel applications. However, this potential is marred by the additional complexity of these dual-paradigm systems, making it difficult to identify performance bottlenecks and achieve desired performance. Performance analysis concepts and tools are well researched and widely available for traditional parallel applications but are lacking in RC, despite being of great importance due to the applications’ increased complexity. In this paper, we explore challenges and present new techniques in automated instrumentation, runtime measurement, and visualization of RC application behavior. We also present ideas for integration with conventional performance analysis tools to create a unified tool for RC applications as well as our initial framework for FPGA instrumentation and measurement. Results from a case study are provided using a prototype of this new tool.     

Mining partial periodic correlations in time series

Recently, periodic pattern mining from time series data has been studied extensively. However, an interesting type of periodic pattern, called partial periodic (PP) correlation in this paper, has not been investigated. An example of PP correlation is that power consumption is high either on Monday or Tuesday but not on both days. In general, a PP correlation is a set of offsets within a particular period such that the data at these offsets are correlated with a certain user-desired strength. In the above example, the period is a week (7 days), and each day of the week is an offset of the period. PP correlations can provide insightful knowledge about the time series and can be used for predicting future values. This paper introduces an algorithm to mine time series for PP correlations based on the principal component analysis (PCA) method. Specifically, given a period, the algorithm maps the time series data to data points in a multidimensional space, where the dimensions correspond to the offsets within the period. A PP correlation is then equivalent to correlation of data when projected to a subset of the dimensions. The algorithm discovers, with one sequential scan of data, all those PP correlations (called minimum PP correlations) that are not unions of some other PP correlations. Experiments using both real and synthetic data sets show that the PCA-based algorithm is highly efficient and effective in finding the minimum PP correlations. Zhen He is a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at La Trobe University. His main research areas are database systems optimization, time series mining, wireless sensor networks, and XML information retrieval. Prior to joining La Trobe University, he worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the University of Vermont. He holds Bachelors, Honors and Ph.D degrees in Computer Science from the Australian National University. X. Sean Wang received his Ph.D degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California in 1992. He is currently the Dorothean Chair Professor in Computer Science at the University of Vermont. He has published widely in the general area of databases and information security, and was a recipient of the US National Science Foundation Research Initiation and CAREER awards. His research interests include database systems, information security, data mining, and sensor data processing. Byung Suk Lee is associate professor of Computer Science at the University of Vermont. His main research areas are database systems, data modeling, and information retrieval. He held positions in industry and academia: Gold Star Electric, Bell Communications Research, Datacom Global Communications, University of St. Thomas, and currently University of Vermont. He was also a visiting professor at Dartmouth College and a participating guest at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He served on international conferences as a program committee member, a publicity chair, and a special session organizer, and also on US federal funding proposal review panel. He holds a BS degree from Seoul National University, MS from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and Ph.D from Stanford University. Alan C. H. Ling is an assistant professor at Department of Computer Science in University of Vermont. His research interests include combinatorial design theory, coding theory, sequence designs, and applications of design theory.     

Siting park-and-ride facilities using a multi-objective spatial optimization model

Park-and-ride services are an important component of many public transportation systems in the United States. Locating park-and-ride facilities is an essential step when planning for these services. In this research we focus on three major siting/modeling concerns that need to be addressed when siting park-and-ride facilities: covering as much potential demand as possible, locating park-and-ride facilities as close as possible to major roadways, and siting such facilities in the context of an existing system. Unfortunately, existing models do not enable each of these concerns to be simultaneously addressed. This paper presents a multi-objective spatial optimization model for integrating these considerations. This model is applied for siting park-and-ride facilities in Columbus, Ohio. Application results show the usefulness of the developed model in supporting transit planning in an urban region.     

Transfer in variable-reward hierarchical reinforcement learning

Transfer learning seeks to leverage previously learned tasks to achieve faster learning in a new task. In this paper, we consider transfer learning in the context of related but distinct Reinforcement Learning (RL) problems. In particular, our RL problems are derived from Semi-Markov Decision Processes (SMDPs) that share the same transition dynamics but have different reward functions that are linear in a set of reward features. We formally define the transfer learning problem in the context of RL as learning an efficient algorithm to solve any SMDP drawn from a fixed distribution after experiencing a finite number of them. Furthermore, we introduce an online algorithm to solve this problem, Variable-Reward Reinforcement Learning (VRRL), that compactly stores the optimal value functions for several SMDPs, and uses them to optimally initialize the value function for a new SMDP. We generalize our method to a hierarchical RL setting where the different SMDPs share the same task hierarchy. Our experimental results in a simplified real-time strategy domain show that significant transfer learning occurs in both flat and hierarchical settings. Transfer is especially effective in the hierarchical setting where the overall value functions are decomposed into subtask value functions which are more widely amenable to transfer across different SMDPs.     

Line patterning of graphite and the fabrication of cheap, inexpensive, “throw-away” sensors

A new simple method (“line patterning technique”) using only standard office equipment is described whereby clearly defined, electrically conducting patterns of graphite can be deposited on polymer (plastic) or paper substrates. The properties of the conductive patterns have been characterized by electrical conductivity and SEM measurements. Sensors were constructed by using interdigitated patterns of graphite deposited on plastic and paper, and coated with a thin film of conducting electronic polymer, e.g. polyaniline emeraldine salt.     

Advanced product planning: a comprehensive process for systemic definition of new product requirements

This paper reports results of research into the definition of requirements for new consumer products––specifically, electro-mechanical products. The research dealt with the derivation of design requirements that are demonstrably aligned with stakeholder needs. The paper describes a comprehensive process that can enable product development teams to deal with statements of product requirements, as originally collected through market research activities, in a systematic and traceable manner from the early, fuzzy front end, stages of the design process. The process described has been based on principles of systems engineering. A case study from its application and evaluation drawn from the power sector is described in this paper. The case study demonstrates how the process can significantly improve product quality planning practices through revision of captured product requirements, analysis of stakeholder requirements and derivation of design requirements. The paper discusses benefits and issues from the use of the process by product development teams, and identifies areas for further research. Finally, the conclusions drawn from the reported research are presented.

通过在线客户体验来推动销售

21世纪的消费者在消费体验方面更有自己的主张,直复营销也有了发展。尤其是那些已推出在线业务的企业,已有能力与个人进行互动。     

Integrating scientific modeling and supporting dynamic hazard management with a GeoAgent-based representation of human–environment interactions: A drought example in Central Pennsylvania, USA

Recent natural disasters indicate that modern technologies for environmental monitoring, modeling, and forecasting are not well integrated with cross-level social responses in many hazard-management systems. This research addresses this problem through a Java-based multi-agent prototype system, GeoAgent-based Knowledge System (GeoAgentKS). This system allows: (1) computer representation of institutional regulations and behavioral rules used by multiple social institutions and individuals in cross-level human–environment interactions, (2) integration of this representation with scientific modeling of dynamic hazard development, and (3) application of automated reasoning that suggests to users the appropriate actions for supporting cooperative social responses. This paper demonstrates the software architecture of GeoAgentKS and presents such an integrated approach by modeling the drought management processes in Central Pennsylvania, USA. The results show that it is possible to use GeoAgentKS to represent multilevel human–environment interactions and to use those interactions as input to decision making in hazard management.     

Business process management with the user requirements notation

A number of recent initiatives in both academia and industry have sought to achieve improvements in e-businesses through the utilization of Business Process Management (BPM) methodologies and tools. However there are still some inadequacies that need to be addressed when it comes to achieving alignment between business goals and business processes. The User Requirements Notation (URN), recently standardized by ITU-T, has some unique features and capabilities beyond what is available in other notations that can help address alignment issues. In this paper, a URN-based framework and its supporting toolset are introduced which provide business process monitoring and performance management capabilities integrated across the BPM lifecycle. The framework extends the URN notation with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and other concepts to measure and align processes and goals. An example process for controlling access to a healthcare data warehouse is used to illustrate and evaluate the framework. Early results indicate the feasibility of the approach.