Models to predict the deformation modulus and the coefficient of subgrade reaction for earth filling structures

Determination of deformation modulus and coefficient of subgrade reaction of soils have major importance, whether the projects are in design, and construction or compaction assessment stage of earth filling structures. Plate load test is one of the frequently used method to directly determine the parameters but the method is both costly and time consuming. For this reason, this paper is concerned with the applications of artificial neural networks (ANN) and simple-multiple regression analysis to predict deformation modulus and coefficient of subgrade reaction of compacted soils from compaction parameters (such as maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC), field dry density (FDD), and field moisture content (FMC)). Regression analysis and artificial neural network estimation indicated that there are acceptable correlations between deformation modulus and coefficient of subgrade reaction and these parameters. Artificial neural networks model exhibits higher performance than traditional statistical model for predicting deformation modulus and coefficient of subgrade reaction.     

Interface feature prioritization for web services: Case of online flight reservations

Acceptance, utility, and usability of system designs have become a focal interest in human–computer interaction (HCI) research, yet at present there is a lack detailed understandings of which system design features influence them. The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of five product design features; customization, adaptive behavior, memory load, content density, and speed on user preference through an experimental study by using conjoint analysis. In experimental study, instead of classical conjoint cards, prototypes were generated for products. Besides, desirability and market segments of product prototypes were identified. In line with the results, among the five product design features, speed is the most and customization is the least important features that affect user preference. Contrary to the expectations, customization has a relatively small importance value in this research. Subsequent design features that influence user preference after speed are minimal memory load, adaptive behavior, and content density, respectively. According to findings, interfaces that have high-speed, minimal memory load, adaptive behavior, low content density, and customization features are more preferable than those that do not.     

基于入度调整的结构化P2P网络拥塞控制算法

针对结构化对等网络中存在的由查询负载不均衡所导致的拥塞问题,提出一种基于动态入度调整的拥塞控制算法。算法根据节点查询负载的情况,动态判定出可能存在的热点,并将热点周围的节点组织起来,通过调整每个节点入连接的数量对负载进行调整。为了克服节点处理能力的异构性,算法将热点组中的节点进一步划分为多个能力组,并在能力组内和组间分别进行调整。模拟结果表明,该算法在处理突发流量的过程中可以有效地减少查询失败的次数,降低拥塞产生的影响。     

一种基于触发机制的轮转算法

在负载平衡技术中,必须使用合适的算法进行成员选择,以决定由哪个副本对象处理到来的客户请求。传统轮转负载平衡算法只能在某些特定条件下平衡负载。针对该缺点,结合普通轮转算法和加权算法的优点,提出一种基于触发机制的轮转算法。实验结果表明,该算法能感知后段资源。     

WSN中基于LEACH的多层分簇路由方案

针对传统分簇路由中存在的节点能耗严重失衡问题,提出一种新的成簇路由方案。在参考LEACH路由算法的基础上,融合多层分簇的思想,通过在网络拓扑的底层构建具有多个簇头节点的簇集合、在拓扑的顶层构建多跳转发机制,提出能量高效的多层分簇路由算法。仿真结果表明,该算法在网络生存时间和负载均衡方面较已有算法有较大的提高。     

基于差分蜂群算法的电力系统经济负荷分配

针对电力系统经济负荷分配问题,提出一种有效的差分蜂群算法．受差分进化算法的启发,该算法基于差分进化操作改进了雇佣蜂的搜索方式,提高了探索能力和收敛速度．此外,提出一种有效的修复机制以保证新个体的可行性．该算法在带有阀点效应和多燃料特征的典型电力系统经济负荷分配问题上进行了测试．仿真结果验证了所提算法的有效性．     

Note on “Unrelated parallel-machine scheduling with deteriorating maintenance activities”

In this note, we prove that both problems studied by Cheng et al. [Cheng, T. C. E., Hsu, C.-J., & Yang, D.-L. (2011). Unrelated parallel-machine scheduling with deteriorating maintenance activities. Computers and Industrial Engineering, 60, 602–605] can be solved in O(n^m+3) time no matter what the processing time of a job after a maintenance activity is greater or less than its processing time before the maintenance activity, where m is the number of machines and n is the number of jobs.     

RESEARCH ON HUMAN FACTORS IN ROAD TRANSPORT

The paper attempts to list the most important fields in which research on human factors in road transport is required.

The importance of improving the efficiency of road transport is emphasized, and the figures for road casualties are quoted to demonstrate the need to study the behaviour of cyclists, motor-cyclists and pedestrians as well as motorists.

The problems on which research is required are grouped under the six headings of perception, communication of information, control of the vehicle, comfort, protection of occupants, and behaviour of drivers. Subjects regarded as of particular interest are (1) the communication of information to the driver, (2) the design of the vehicle to improve control by the driver, (3) crash injury protection for the motorist and for the motor-cyclist, and (4) the study of the driving task.     

Movements with Lateral Constraint

Abstract

The literature on terminal control tasks and continuous tracking tasks suggests a possible model for tasks where the subject must guide a vehicle at his own speed along a course defined by a tolerance band. The model predicts a linear relationship between the average velocity and the width of the tolerance band. Throe experiments are described which simulate vehicle guidance by pencil-and-paper experiments for courses consisting of straight lines and circles. The predictions of the model were confirmed, suggesting that a general measure for the ease of control of a vehicle (or other controlled system) is possible using this technique.     

The effects of a lower body exoskeleton load carriage assistive device on limits of stability and postural sway

The study investigated the effects of using a lower body prototype exoskeleton (EXO) on static limits of stability and postural sway. Measurements were taken with participants, 10 US Army enlisted men, standing on a force platform. The men were tested with and without the EXO (15 kg) while carrying military loads of 20, 40 and 55 kg. Body lean to the left and right was significantly less and postural sway excursions and maximal range of movement were significantly reduced when the EXO was used. Hurst values indicated that body sway was less random over short-term time intervals and more random over long-term intervals with the EXO than without it. Feedback to the user's balance control mechanisms most likely was changed with the EXO. The reduced sway and relatively small changes in sway with increasing load weights suggest that the EXO structure may have functioned to provide a bracing effect on the body.