scholarly journals Self-Adaptation of a Heterogeneous Swarm of Mobile Robots to a Covered Area

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3562
Author(s):  
Ján Zelenka ◽  
Tomáš Kasanický ◽  
Marek Bundzel ◽  
Rudolf Andoga

An original swarm-based method for coordination of groups of mobile robots with a focus on the self-organization and self-adaptation of the groups is presented in this paper. The method is a nature-inspired decentralized algorithm that uses artificial pheromone marks and enables the cooperation of different types of independent reactive agents that operate in the air, on the ground, or in the water. The advantages of our solution include scalability, adaptability, and robustness. The algorithm worked with variable numbers of agents in the groups. It was resistant against failures of the individual robots. A transportation control algorithm that ensured the spreading of different types of agents across exploration space with different types of environments was introduced and tested. We established that our swarm control algorithm was able to successfully control three basic behaviors: space exploration, population management, and transportation. The behaviors were able to run simultaneously, and space exploration (the main goal) was never stopped or interrupted. All these features combined in a single algorithmic package represent a framework for future development of swarm-based agent systems applicable in a broad scope of environments. The results confirmed that the algorithm can be applied to monitoring, surveillance, patrolling, or search and rescue tasks.

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (56) ◽  
pp. eabd0272
Author(s):  
J. F. Boudet ◽  
J. Lintuvuori ◽  
C. Lacouture ◽  
T. Barois ◽  
A. Deblais ◽  
...  

A swarm of simple active particles confined in a flexible scaffold is a promising system to make mobile and deformable superstructures. These soft structures can perform tasks that are difficult to carry out for monolithic robots because they can infiltrate narrow spaces, smaller than their size, and move around obstacles. To achieve such tasks, the origin of the forces the superstructures develop, how they can be guided, and the effects of external environment, especially geometry and the presence of obstacles, need to be understood. Here, we report measurements of the forces developed by such superstructures, enclosing a number of mindless active rod-like robots, as well as the forces exerted by these structures to achieve a simple function, crossing a constriction. We relate these forces to the self-organization of the individual entities. Furthermore, and based on a physical understanding of what controls the mobility of these superstructures and the role of geometry in such a process, we devise a simple strategy where the environment can be designed to bias the mobility of the superstructure, giving rise to directional motion. Simple tasks—such as pulling a load, moving through an obstacle course, or cleaning up an arena—are demonstrated. Rudimentary control of the superstructures using light is also proposed. The results are of relevance to the making of robust flexible superstructures with nontrivial space exploration properties out of a swarm of simpler and cheaper robots.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3874
Author(s):  
Dominika Veselinyová ◽  
Jana Mašlanková ◽  
Katarina Kalinová ◽  
Helena Mičková ◽  
Mária Mareková ◽  
...  

We are experiencing rapid progress in all types of imaging techniques used in the detection of various numbers and types of mutation. In situ hybridization (ISH) is the primary technique for the discovery of mutation agents, which are presented in a variety of cells. The ability of DNA to complementary bind is one of the main principles in every method used in ISH. From the first use of in situ techniques, scientists paid attention to the improvement of the probe design and detection, to enhance the fluorescent signal intensity and inhibition of cross-hybrid presence. This article discusses the individual types and modifications, and is focused on explaining the principles and limitations of ISH division on different types of probes. The article describes a design of probes for individual types of in situ hybridization (ISH), as well as the gradual combination of several laboratory procedures to achieve the highest possible sensitivity and to prevent undesirable events accompanying hybridization. The article also informs about applications of the methodology, in practice and in research, to detect cell to cell communication and principles of gene silencing, process of oncogenesis, and many other unknown processes taking place in organisms at the DNA/RNA level.


2021 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
Martin Krockert ◽  
Marvin Matthes ◽  
Torsten Munkelt

1923 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-215
Author(s):  
Raymond G. Gettell

In the introduction to his readings in political philosophy, Professor Coker says, “since the time of Plato there has been, in every philosophic age, some inquiry as to the justification of political organization in general, as to the relative merits of different political forms, and as to the appropriate position and privileges of the individual as master, member, or subject of the political order of society. Why do we have political organization? What in our present condition do we owe to it? What future benefits may we properly expect to derive from it? Are its purposes characteristically manifold and changing, or are they ultimately reducible to a few limited objects or to some single end? What is its best form? Who should control it? What is its proper relation to the ideas and sentiments of the community at its basis? What spheres of individual and social life is it incompetent to enter? Philosophers and publicists of various types have sought to answer these questions in abstract terms.”If an analysis be made of the questions with which political thought has been concerned, it is found that emphasis was placed at various periods upon widely different types of problems. In the medieval period political controversy centered in the contest for supremacy between spiritual and temporal authorities; in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the dominant interest was in the contest between monarchic and democratic theories of political organization; at present, the extent of state activities has come into prominence, and the connection between political and economic interests is especially close. Besides, political conditions have changed so greatly from age to age that the same problem had quite different meanings at different periods.


Author(s):  
A. Yu. Bovsunivska A. Yu.

The article is devoted to the study of pragmatic aspects of the use of phraseology in the textual space of Carlos Ruiz Safón’s novel «Prisoner of Heaven». One of the defining features of the individual style of this well-known modern Spanish writer is the metaphoricity and figuration of aristic expression, the saturation of the text with phraseological units that play a significant role in creating a pragmatic charge of the work of art. Along with general linguistic phraseological units, which include commonly-used vocabulary, the author uses dialectal and authorial phraseological units, which is a feature of his individual style. All three designated groups of phraseological units mostly reflect the negative psychophysical and emotional state of the characters. The author uses dialectal, individually-authorial and modified phraseological units, which is a feature of his individual style. It is determined that transformation is one of the most productive and most effective ways to update linguistic means in works of art. Author’s modification of FU leads to a change in the semantics and structure of expression, gives it a more expressive or emotional coloring. Transformed phraseology is limited to individual usage and is subject to the context of the work. Modified FUs in the Zafón’s artistic space acquire certain aesthetic and artistic qualities. Their modification is mainly to create the desired stylistic effect – to achieve emotional or expressive expression, which increases the reader’s interest, focuses on the content, issues of the work, as well as reveals the potential expressive potential of the Spanish language. In the transformed FUs, not just a new meaning is traced, but a combination of the well-known and the occasional. The unique combination of different types of phraseological units in the novel is considered a manifestation of individual style and makes a representation of the individually-authorial linguistic picture of the world more expressive.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
Anjana Karmacharya ◽  
Dashrath Kafle ◽  
Ram Bhakta Adhikari ◽  
Nirjalla Malla

Introduction: Retainers are used after all orthodontic treatment, to prevent or minimize relapse and recurrence. Among various retainers used, Hawley retainer and ‘invisible’ retainers are the most common. Most of the orthodontists favored permanent retention. It is obvious that the retention procedures are variable and depended largely on personal preferences, and there does not seem to be any consistent pattern in the application of retention methodologies. The  purpose of this study was to survey the retention protocols among orthodontists in Nepal. Materials and Method: The complete lists of the names and addresses of orthodontists in Nepal was obtained from the ODOAN. The questionnaire was sent to them which consisted of multiple-choice questions and short answer, related to background information of the individual orthodontist, retention use in general, the frequency of different types of bonded or removable retainers that are used, the retention protocol, the type of retainer used in specific situation. All statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 12.0.1 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Illinois, USA) Result: The survey questionnaires were completed by 90.42% of the 94 orthodontists of Nepal, 58.8% males and 41.2% females with a mean age of 36.7 years. Most of the orthodontists used a clear (vacuum) retainer (80%) in the maxilla and fixed bonded retainer in the mandible. Most of them prefer the use of retainer for a continuous 24 hours except during eating and brushing for 6 months to 1 year (56.5%) and if possible, for 1 to 2 years (28.2%). Conclusion: Majority of Nepalese orthodontists provide vacuum formed retainer on maxillary arch and bonded retainer in mandibular arch. There is no specific consensus on other type of retainers, duration of wear and follow up visits which is affected by various other factors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-728
Author(s):  
T. A. Klimova ◽  

Introduction. The paper addresses the issue of support of the students involved in a fully online retraining program, which imposes special requirements on the development of the self-education ability. The study aims to establish the conditions for organizing the support of self-education in a digital educational environment. Materials and methods. The study relies on the methodology proposed by G.N. Prozumentova for reconstructing the innovative experience to analyze the reflexive text materials of the Logbook of students of the retraining program; to identify the points of stress, misunderstanding, breaks, and transitions during training; and make an analytical generalization. Results of the study. Categories of difficulties encountered by students of the program in their self-educational activity were identified, and the conditions necessary to support self-education were established. These are points of self-determination, professional trials, points of reflection, and individual educational route. Conclusion. In the context of restrictive measures during the pandemic and the transition to the online educational process, self-skills related to self-education, i.e., self-organization, independence, and self-determination, become essential. These competences are an indispensable part of the work of a tutor. However, before the tutor can support someone, they need to build these self skills themselves. The established conditions in the retraining programs will facilitate this process. At the same time, additional studies are required to reveal in more detail the individual progress of a person under these conditions for building a model for supporting the development of self-education ability, and to determine the methods for tutors to provide the support of this progress. Keywords. Self-education, self-determination, individual educational route, professional retraining, tutor, digital environment, self skills.


Author(s):  
S. A. Yudin

The paper considers various approaches to studying the self-organization of students’ educational activity, the assumption about the interrelation of self-organization of educational activity and time perspective of the individual is made. The importance of self-organization of educational activity in the modern education system of higher education institutions comes to light. Stages of formation of self-organization and possible difficulties which a person can face are sorted out. Results of basic research of the time perspective and self-organization of university students are stated. The interrelation between commitment and alloted time is defined, as well as regularity, emotional coloring of time, structure of time and feeling of time. The received results specify the possible directions of the organization of forms of psychological support of university students having problems with self-organization of time in the educational process.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 258-261
Author(s):  
Bedanta Sarma ◽  
Shreemanta Kumar Dash ◽  
Pankaj Suresh Ghormade

Work related fall from height many a times causes fatal injuries and death amongst working in various construction sites. It leads to different types of fatal bodily injuries including spinal injuries causing economic burden to the family. Although, they have been provided with protective gears and proper training for its use; it has been observed that workers are not using these in a proper ways. They eventually met with accidents which can easily be prevented. Accidental compression of neck by safety harness following fall from height has rarely been described leading to death of the individual. A case was brought for autopsy following accidental compression of neck structure causing fracture of cervical spine and transaction of spinal cord. In this paper, the case has been described with its autopsy findings.


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