Topological map induction using neighbourhood information of places

In topological mapping, perceptual aliasing can cause different places to appear indistinguishable to the robot. In case of severely corrupted or non-available odometry information, topological mapping is difficult as the robot is challenged with the loop-closing problem; that is to determine whether it has visited a particular place before.     

Infrared synchrotron radiation from bending magnet and edge radiation sources for the study of orientation and conformation in anisotropic materials

Over the last decade the use of synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy to spatially discriminate chemical and structural features in many different types of materials has grown considerably and has made significant impact in numerous research areas, in particular, in biological sciences and medicine. Although the brightness advantage of the synchrotron infrared (IR) source is well accepted as the key to high spatial discrimination, little attention has been given to measure the polarization properties of the synchrotron light at the sample stage in IR microscopy. In this work the intrinsic polarization of the IR source and its consequences for the study of anisotropic materials are discussed. The polarization characteristics of predominantly bending magnet radiation and predominantly edge radiation sources were measured at the microscope focus and compared. To illustrate the direct use of the intrinsic polarization of these sources in microscopy, the orientation and conformational details of a drawn polymer sample are considered.     

Scenario-based verification in presence of variability using a synchronous approach

This paper presents a new model of scenarios, dedicated to the specification and verification of system be- haviours in the context of software product lines （SPL）. We draw our inspiration from some techniques that are mostly used in the hardware community, and we show how they could be applied to the verification of software components. We point out the benefits of synchronous languages and mod- els to bridge the gap between both worlds.     

Efficient Exact Algorithms on Planar Graphs: Exploiting Sphere Cut Decompositions

We present a general framework for designing fast subexponential exact and parameterized algorithms on planar graphs. Our approach is based on geometric properties of planar branch decompositions obtained by Seymour and Thomas, combined with refined techniques of dynamic programming on planar graphs based on properties of non-crossing partitions. To exemplify our approach we show how to obtain an  $O(2^{6.903\sqrt{n}})We present a general framework for designing fast subexponential exact and parameterized algorithms on planar graphs. Our approach is based on geometric properties of planar branch decompositions obtained by Seymour and Thomas, combined with refined techniques of dynamic programming on planar graphs based on properties of non-crossing partitions. To exemplify our approach we show how to obtain an  O(2^6.903?n)O(2^{6.903\sqrt{n}}) time algorithm solving weighted Hamiltonian Cycle on an n-vertex planar graph. Similar technique solves Planar Graph Travelling Salesman Problem with n cities in time O(2^9.8594?n)O(2^{9.8594\sqrt{n}}) . Our approach can be used to design parameterized algorithms as well. For example, we give an algorithm that for a given k decides if a planar graph on n vertices has a cycle of length at least k in time O(2^13.6?kn+n³)O(2^{13.6\sqrt{k}}n+n^{3}) .     

Designing Technology as an Embedded Resource for Troubleshooting

In this paper we describe a number of technologies which we designed to provide support for customers troubleshooting problems with their office devices. The technologies aim to support both self-conducted and expert-supported troubleshooting and to provide a seamless route from one type of support to another. The designs are grounded in the findings of an ethnographic study of a troubleshooting call centre for office devices. We examine the properties of different assemblies of people, resources, technologies and spaces to inspire design for the different troubleshooting situations. Through our fieldwork and our technology envisionments we uncovered a number of dislocations between various aspects of the troubleshooting assemblies: (1) a physical dislocation between the site of the problem and the site of problem resolution; (2) a conceptual dislocation between the users’ knowledge and the troubleshooting resources and (3) a logical dislocation between the support resources and the status of the ailing device itself. The technologies that we propose attempt to address these dislocations by embedding the troubleshooting resources in the device itself, thus harmonizing the various elements and capturing, where possible, the haecceities—the ‘just thisness’—of each particular troubleshooting situation.     

Adjoint sensitivity related to geometric parameters for mid-high frequency range vibroacoustics

Shape optimization issues under vibroacoustic criteria are considered in present paper. The adjoint-based gradient method was developed to minimize the energy density inside a cavity by changing its geometry parameters. The adjoint equations give the sensitivity information, which is subsequently used in a gradient-based minimization of a prescribed cost functional that models the energy density via Simplified Energy Method. Objective function is obtained by mapping 3D cavity surface on a 2D domain with the help of transformation function. Thus, the remeshing of the geometry is avoided and smoothness of the solution is reached. The optimization process is based on adjoint calculation of the gradient that leads to analytical expressions of the directional derivatives without additional computational cost. The proposed method is validated for the case of rectangular cavity modeled with patches of Bezier surfaces.     

Biologically Inspired Scaffolds for Heart Valve Tissue Engineering via Melt Electrowriting

Heart valves are characterized to be highly flexible yet tough, and exhibit complex deformation characteristics such as nonlinearity, anisotropy, and viscoelasticity, which are, at best, only partially recapitulated in scaffolds for heart valve tissue engineering (HVTE). These biomechanical features are dictated by the structural properties and microarchitecture of the major tissue constituents, in particular collagen fibers. In this study, the unique capabilities of melt electrowriting (MEW) are exploited to create functional scaffolds with highly controlled fibrous microarchitectures mimicking the wavy nature of the collagen fibers and their load‐dependent recruitment. Scaffolds with precisely‐defined serpentine architectures reproduce the J‐shaped strain stiffening, anisotropic and viscoelastic behavior of native heart valve leaflets, as demonstrated by quasistatic and dynamic mechanical characterization. They also support the growth of human vascular smooth muscle cells seeded both directly or encapsulated in fibrin, and promote the deposition of valvular extracellular matrix components. Finally, proof‐of‐principle MEW trileaflet valves display excellent acute hydrodynamic performance under aortic physiological conditions in a custom‐made flow loop. The convergence of MEW and a biomimetic design approach enables a new paradigm for the manufacturing of scaffolds with highly controlled microarchitectures, biocompatibility, and stringent nonlinear and anisotropic mechanical properties required for HVTE.     

Correction to: Using I2P (Invisible Internet Protocol) Encrypted Virtual Tunnels for a Secure and Anonymous Communication in VANets: I2P Vehicular Protocol (IVP)

Wireless Personal Communications -