scholarly journals Design and Performance Evaluation of an Algorithm Based on Source Term Estimation for Odor Source Localization

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faezeh Rahbar ◽  
Ali Marjovi ◽  
Alcherio Martinoli
Keyword(s):  
Source Localization ◽  
Source Term ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
The Other ◽  
Odor Source ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Source Term Estimation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Novel Strategy ◽  
The Impact

Finding sources of airborne chemicals with mobile sensing systems finds applications across safety, security, environmental monitoring, and medical domains. In this paper, we present an algorithm based on Source Term Estimation for odor source localization that is coupled with a navigation method based on partially observable Markov decision processes. We propose a novel strategy to balance exploration and exploitation in navigation. Moreover, we study two variants of the algorithm, one exploiting a global and the other one a local framework. The method was evaluated through high-fidelity simulations and in a wind tunnel emulating a quasi-laminar air flow in a controlled environment, in particular by systematically investigating the impact of multiple algorithmic and environmental parameters (wind speed and source release rate) on the overall performance. The outcome of the experiments showed that the algorithm is robust to different environmental conditions in the global framework, but, in the local framework, it is only successful in relatively high wind speeds. In the local framework, on the other hand, the algorithm is less demanding in terms of energy consumption as it does not require any absolute positioning information from the environment and the robot travels less distance compared to the global framework.

scholarly journals SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madara Apsalone ◽  
Ērika Šumilo
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
External Environment ◽  
International Competitiveness ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
The Other ◽  
Small Open Economies ◽  
Performance Orientation ◽  
Innovation Capacity ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

Socio-cultural factors – shared values, norms and attitudes are significant, but less acknowledged sources of international competitiveness. Previous studies have found socio-cultural factors positively affecting various aspects of international competitiveness – entrepreneurship, innovation, productivity and international cooperation. These factors are more sustainable and less affected by external environment changes in comparison with the traditional factors. Socio-cultural factors provide an opportunity to develop competitiveness strategies based on unique advantages. This research aims to explore the impact of socio-cultural factors on international competiveness in small, open economies. Analysing relationship between 400 socio-cultural indicators and competitiveness indicators such as productivity, economic development, business and government efficiency, innovation capacity and infrastructure in 37 countries, six socio-cultural factors have emerged: Collectivism and Hierarchy; Future, Cooperation and Performance Orientation, Self-expression, Monochronism and Rationality, Economic Orientation and Social structure. The first factor – Collectivism and Hierarchy – tends to reduce the international competitiveness; the other five affect it positively.

scholarly journals Impact of treated sewage on meiobenthic nematodes: a case study from the Tunisian Refining Industries Company

2022 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hedfi ◽  
M. Ben Ali ◽  
A. Noureldeen ◽  
H. Darwish ◽  
T. Saif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
The Other ◽  
Treated Sewage ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Bizerte Bay ◽  
De Man ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The main objective of the current study was to assess the impact of the water taken from the ‘Tunisian Refining Industries Company’ on meiobenthic nematodes, before and after a series of treatments in decantation basins followed by its discharge in Bizerte bay, Tunisia. The comparison of environmental parameters of the two types of water was clearly indicative of an improvement in the quality of treated waters after a significant reduction in their loads in hydrocarbons. Overall, the water retained a good quality after being treated by ‘Tunisian Refining Industries Company’ before discharge in the sea. At the end of the experiment, differential responses were observed according to the richness of sediment in organic matter and hydrocarbons. Thus, it was apparent that the nematode assemblage exposed to the treated waters was closer to controls and associated to higher values of abundance, than that under untreated ones. It was also assumed that the species Microlaimus honestus De Man, 1922, Paramonohystera proteus Wieser, 1956 and Cyartonema germanicum Juario, 1972 are sensitive bioindicators of bad environmental statues and of hydrocarbon presence in the environment. On the other hand, Metoncholaimus pristiurus (Zur Strassen, 1894) Filipjev, 1918 would rather be classified as a positive bioindicative species of this type of pollutants.

Patronage and Performance: Factors in the Political Mobility of Provincial Leaders in Post-Deng China

2012 ◽  
Vol 212 ◽  
pp. 965-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun Kyong Choi
Keyword(s):  
Economic Performance ◽  
Career Mobility ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Political ◽  
Performance Factors ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis paper attempts to estimate the impact of both factional ties and economic performance on the promotion of provincial Party secretaries and governors by analysing a person–year dataset of their career mobility for inclusive years 1989 to 2009. We found that for provincial Party secretaries whose promotion meant rising to a top national position, both factional ties and good economic performance increased their chance for promotion. On the other hand, for provincial governors whose promotion meant rising to a ministry-level position, only economic performance mattered for their promotion. Among provincial Party secretaries, the extent to which performance affected the likelihood of promotion was not different between factional members and non-members. This suggests that even factional members needed to show good performance to enhance the likelihood of their promotion.

Numerical Modeling of the Effects of Leading-Edge Erosion and Trailing-Edge Damage on Wind Turbine Loads and Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Papi ◽  
Lorenzo Cappugi ◽  
Sebastian Perez-Becker ◽  
Alessandro Bianchini
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Future Generation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Lift And Drag ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Wind turbines operate in challenging environmental conditions. In hot and dusty climates, blades are constantly exposed to abrasive particles that, according to many field reports, cause significant damages to the leading edge. On the other hand, in cold climates similar effects can be caused by prolonged exposure to hail and rain. Quantifying the effects of airfoil deterioration on modern multi-MW wind turbines is crucial to correctly schedule maintenance and to forecast the potential impact on productivity. Analyzing the impact of damage on fatigue and extreme loading is also important to improve the reliability and longevity of wind turbines. In this work, a blade erosion model is developed and calibrated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) 10 MW Reference Wind Turbine is selected as the case study, as it is representative of the future generation wind turbines. Lift and Drag polars are generated using the developed model and a CFD numerical setup. Power and torque coefficients are compared in idealized conditions at two wind speeds, i.e., the rated speed and one below it. Full aero-servo-elastic simulations of the turbine are conducted with the eroded polars using NREL's BEM-based code OpenFAST. Sixty-six 10-min simulations are performed for each stage of airfoil damage, reproducing operating conditions specified by the IEC 61400-1 power production DLC-group, including wind shear, yaw misalignment, and turbulence. Aeroelastic simulations are analyzed, showing maximum decreases in CP of about 12% as well as reductions in fatigue and extreme loading.

scholarly journals Ownership governance and performance in Spanish-Moroccan joint ventures

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Victoria Lopez-Perez ◽  
Maria Carmen Perez-Lopez ◽  
Lazaro Rodriguez-Ariza
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Management Team ◽  
International Joint Ventures ◽  
The Other ◽  
International Joint ◽  
Form Part ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

This paper analyses the impact of ownership on performance by SMEs formed as Spanish-Moroccan international joint ventures (IJVs). In such SMEs, the functions and persons involved at different levels of governance – ownership, board and managers – often overlap. The results obtained from 210 SMEs suggest that owners often exert control by participating in the other mechanisms of governance. Their participation as members of the board has a positive influence on performance and thus the success of the IJV, but when owners form part of the management team (a less frequent situation), the influence on performance is negative and not significant. Participation by owners in the management team is not associated with the IJV’s performance.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Technology Ban on Students’ Perceptions and Performance in Introduction to Psychology

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Hutcheon ◽  
Aileen Lian ◽  
Anna Richard
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Liberal Arts ◽  
Liberal Arts College ◽  
The Other ◽  
Final Grade ◽  
Personal Technology ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Grade Performance ◽  
The Impact

To test the impact of the implementation of technology bans on students’ experience within a course, we collected data from four sections of Introduction to Psychology at a small liberal arts college in the northeast. In two sections, students were banned from using personal technology devices during lecture. In the other two sections, students were permitted to use personal technology devices freely during lecture. We found a significant reduction in student engagement but not in reported interest in psychology or perceived professor–student rapport for students in the technology-ban condition relative to students in the technology-permitted condition. In contrast to previous studies, we found no difference in final grade performance across condition. Although further research is needed, these results suggest that instructors should consider the composition of students in their course prior to implementing a technology ban in the classroom.

scholarly journals HOW TO AUGMENT TASK AND CONTEXTUAL PERFORMANCE THROUGH EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilal Khalid
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Contextual Performance ◽  
Middle Level ◽  
The Other ◽  
Manufacturing Organizations ◽  
Service Oriented ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Telecom Sector ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The basic aim of the present study is to examine the impact of vigor and dedication on task as well as on contextual performance of employees in telecom sector of Pakistan. Human asset play their role as backbone in the organization, that’s why organizations in current era focusing on their development and engagement at workplace. Methodology: The present study based on 230 respondents (middle level managers) from private telecom organizations of Islamabad/Rawalpindi. Findings: results of the study show that vigor and dedication positively and significantly affect task and contextual performance of employees. Practical Implication: The present study is beneficial for the management of the Telecom sector within Islamabad/Rawalpindi as well as for other relevant settings. The future study should take into account the other dimensions of engagement and performance, replication of this study in other settings (service oriented / manufacturing organizations) are also recommended.

scholarly journals Firm’s Attribute and Performance of Deposit Money Banks

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-219
Author(s):  
Olusola Olowofela ◽  
◽  
Abiola Tonade ◽  
Benjamin Lisoyi ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
The Other ◽  
Liquidity Management ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Firm Attributes ◽  
Positive Effect

This study investigates the impact of firm attributes on the financial performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria’s financial sector. The scope of this research covered the period 2007 – 2018 using audited financial statements and reports of nine (9) deposit money banks listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The results revealed that bank liquidity has significant negative effect, while bank growth has insignificant negative effect on financial performance. On the other hand, bank size and leverage have insignificant positive effect on the financial performance of banks. It is recommended that banks should pay attention to liquidity management and use this to enhance performance. Also, the management of banks should endeavor to make use of their growth opportunities optimally.

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