scholarly journals Development of an Autonomous Driving Smart Wheelchair for the Physically Weak

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Hye-Yeon Ryu ◽  
Je-Seong Kwon ◽  
Jeong-Hak Lim ◽  
A-Hyeon Kim ◽  
Su-Jin Baek ◽  
...  

People who have difficulty moving owing to problems in walking spend their lives assisted by wheelchairs. In the past, research has been conducted regarding the application of various technologies to electric wheelchairs for user convenience. In this study, we evaluated a method of applying an autonomous driving function and developed an autonomous driving function using ROS. An electric wheelchair with a control unit designed to enable autonomous driving was used to test the basic performance of autonomous driving. The effectiveness of the technology was confirmed by comparing the results of autonomous driving with those of manual driving on the same route. It is expected that the evaluation and improvement of the usability and ride quality as well as additional studies will help improve the mobility convenience of physically disabled persons.

Author(s):  
Dana Ganor-Stern

Past research has shown that numbers are associated with order in time such that performance in a numerical comparison task is enhanced when number pairs appear in ascending order, when the larger number follows the smaller one. This was found in the past for the integers 1–9 ( Ben-Meir, Ganor-Stern, & Tzelgov, 2013 ; Müller & Schwarz, 2008 ). In the present study we explored whether the advantage for processing numbers in ascending order exists also for fractions and negative numbers. The results demonstrate this advantage for fraction pairs and for integer-fraction pairs. However, the opposite advantage for descending order was found for negative numbers and for positive-negative number pairs. These findings are interpreted in the context of embodied cognition approaches and current theories on the mental representation of fractions and negative numbers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 315
Author(s):  
Malte Schäfer ◽  
Manuel Löwer

With the intent of summing up the past research on ecodesign and making it more accessible, we gather findings from 106 existing review articles in this field. Five research questions on terminology, evolution, barriers and success factors, methods and tools, and synergies, guide the clustering of the resulting 608 statements extracted from the reference. The quantitative analysis reveals that the number of review articles has been increasing over time. Furthermore, most statements originate from Europe, are published in journals, and address barriers and success factors. For the qualitative analysis, the findings are grouped according to the research question they address. We find that several names for similar concepts exist, with ecodesign being the most popular one. It has evolved from “end-of-pipe” pollution prevention to a more systemic concept, and addresses the complete life cycle. Barriers and success factors extend beyond the product development team to management, customers, policymakers, and educators. The number of ecodesign methods and tools available to address them is large, and more reviewing, testing, validation, and categorization of the existing ones is necessary. Synergies between ecodesign and other research disciplines exist in theory, but require implementation and testing in practice.


Water Policy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 768-788
Author(s):  
Nitin Bassi ◽  
Guido Schmidt ◽  
Lucia De Stefano

Abstract The main objective of this research paper is to assess the extent to which the concept of water accounting has been applied for water management at the river basin scale in India. For this, the study first assesses the importance given to the use of water accounting for water management in India's national water policy. It then analyses the evolution of water accounting approaches in India through a systematic review of the past research studies on the theme. Further, it looks at their contribution to decision-making concerning allocation of water resources and resolving conflicts over water sharing. Finally, it identifies the existing gaps in the methodologies for water accounting so far used in India.


2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timofey Agarin ◽  
Miķelis Grīviņš

The paper investigates the dynamics and volution of issues on the agenda of Baltic environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) since the collapse of communism. The past research on Baltic environment activism suggests that these enjoy high visibility because they tapped the core societal views of natural environment as a crucial asset of a nation. As we demonstrate in this paper, the changes in agendas of Baltic environmental non-governmental organisations (ENGOs) make clear that the rhetorical toolbox of ‘national environment’ is often used to mainly achieve greater financial gains for individual members, rather than for society at large. We illustrate how the dearth of economic opportunities for domestic public has impacted perceptions of ‘nature’ advocated by the environmental activists, focussing specifically on national perceptions of ownership and the resulting actions appropriating ‘nature’ as a source for economic development, only tangentially attaining environmental outcomes on the way. The vision that the ‘environment’ is an economic resource allowed ENGO activists to cooperate with the domestic policymaking, while tapping international networks and donors for funding. Throughout the past decades they worked to secure their own and their members’ particularistic economic interests and, as we demonstrate, remained disengaged from the political process and failed to develop broader reproach with publics.


Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 371 (6533) ◽  
pp. 1014-1019
Author(s):  
Michael E. Mann ◽  
Byron A. Steinman ◽  
Daniel J. Brouillette ◽  
Sonya K. Miller

Past research argues for an internal multidecadal (40- to 60-year) oscillation distinct from climate noise. Recent studies have claimed that this so-termed Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation is instead a manifestation of competing time-varying effects of anthropogenic greenhouse gases and sulfate aerosols. That conclusion is bolstered by the absence of robust multidecadal climate oscillations in control simulations of current-generation models. Paleoclimate data, however, do demonstrate multidecadal oscillatory behavior during the preindustrial era. By comparing control and forced “Last Millennium” simulations, we show that these apparent multidecadal oscillations are an artifact of pulses of volcanic activity during the preindustrial era that project markedly onto the multidecadal (50- to 70-year) frequency band. We conclude that there is no compelling evidence for internal multidecadal oscillations in the climate system.


Author(s):  
Ishowriya Yumnam

In this review article the usage of waste sewage sludge and the biomass ash for improving the engineering and non-engineering properties’ of both concrete and soil are discussed in detail. Numerous past research works were studied in detail so as to predict the behavior of biomass ash and waste sewage sludge when used for the stabilization process of soil and concrete. Past studies related to the usage of stabilized sewage sludge and biomass ash were studied in a detailed manner and depending upon the past studies several conclusions has been drawn which are discussed further. Several studies related to the usage of the waste sewage sludge for improving soil physical, chemical and biological properties showed that the usage of waste sewage sludge improve the physical properties, chemical properties, macro-nutriential properties and micro-nutriential properties up to a great extent. Depending upon the results of the past studies it can be concluded that the usage of sewage sludge has positive impact over all the properties of soil and this waste should be utilized in improving the properties of soil rather than dumping. Numerous studies related to the usage of the biomass ash showed that biomass ash has positive impact over both soil as well as concrete. Studies related to the usage of the biomass ash in soil showed that there was a positive response of the stabilized soil after its stabilization with the biomass ash. Studies related to the usage of the biomass ash in concrete showed that the biomass ash can be used up to 10 percent replacement of the ordinary Portland cement so as to attain maximum strength results from it.


Author(s):  
G. Walter Rosenberger ◽  
Peter E. Klauser ◽  
George P. Binns ◽  
Gary P. Wolf

A project to design and implement suspension improvements to Amtrak’s F-40 Non-Powered Control Unit (NPCU) cars is described. The cars, built from former F-40 locomotives, had a history of poor ride quality. Rail Sciences Inc. (RSI) inspected one of the cab cars and measured its ride quality. Peter Klauser modeled the vehicle in NUCARS™ and validated the model against the test data. The vehicle response was primarily in pitch and bounce modes. To optimize the suspension, Klauser simulated vehicle response for a range of four suspension parameters: primary stiffness and damping, and secondary stiffness and damping. Nearly 2600 suspension combinations were considered. Simulation file setup and data analysis were performed automatically using parameter analysis software interacting with NUCARS™. The result was a five-dimensional response contour for each output variable, such as the engineer’s seat vertical and lateral accelerations, and car body acceleration. The most cost effective stiffness and damping parameters were selected from the response contour and translated into component specifications. RSI then provided Amtrak with new axle box springs and dampers, and re-tested the vehicle. The test result closely followed the predicted results from the simulation. Engineer’s seat vertical and cab lateral accelerations improved by 42% and 32% respectively for the worst-case conditions in the test territory.


1988 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary C. Gilly

In the past, research has found that the portrayal of sex roles in advertising has not reflected equality or reality. Further, studies typically have examined only U.S. advertising, leaving open the question of cultural influence on advertising's sex role portrayals. The author offers a new analysis of sex roles in advertising and compares content analysis findings for U.S., Australian, and Mexican television advertisements. Results reveal differences in the portrayal of the sexes in U.S. advertisements. Australian advertisements show somewhat fewer sex role differences and Mexican advertisements show slightly more sex role differences than U.S. advertisements. Stereotypes are found in the advertising of all three countries, but are manifested in different ways.


2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherylynn Bassani

This paper discusses changes in Japanese parenting over the past two generations. Using an inductive approach to the understanding of Japanese families, 10 separate families were theoretically sampled in the Kansai area during the summer of 2000. Concepts surrounding changing parenting emerged from talks with parents. Four interrelated concepts are eminent in the interviews: the rise of individual ethics in parenting, changing parental roles, impacts of changes on children, and romanticized parenting. Key generational and gender differences are apparent across all four concepts. Concepts that emerged from these interviews reflect changes in society and the family that past research has addressed.


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