An indoor logical network qualitatively represents abstract relationships between indoor spaces, and it can be used for path computation. In this paper, we concentrate on the logical network that does not have notions for metrics. Instead, it relies on the semantics and properties of indoor spaces. A navigation path can be computed by deriving parameters from these semantics and minimizing them in routing algorithms. Although previous studies have adopted semantic approaches to build logical networks, routing methods are seldom elaborated. The main issue with such networks is to derive criteria for path computation using the semantics of spaces. Here, we present a routing mechanism that is based on a dedicated space classification and a set of routing criteria. The space classification reflects characteristics of spaces that are important for navigation, such as horizontal and vertical directions, doors and windows, etc. Six routing criteria are introduced, and they involve: (1) the spaces with the preferred semantics; and/or (2) their centrality in the logical network. Each criterion is encoded as the weights to the nodes or edges of the logical network by considering the semantics of spaces. Logical paths are derived by a traditional shortest-path algorithm that minimizes these weights. Depending on the building’s interior configuration, one criterion may result in several logical paths. Therefore, we introduce a priority ordering of criteria to support path selection and decrease the possible number of logical paths. We provide a proof-of-concept implementation for several buildings to demonstrate the usability of such a routing. The main benefit of this routing method is that it does not need geometric information to compute a path. The logical network can be created using verbal descriptions only, and this routing method can be applied to indoor spaces derived from any building subdivision.
Abstract. In the era of ‘Smart Cities’, Planning Support Systems play an important role in providing a suite of digital tools to support evidenced based planning and design (Pettit et al. 2019). Planning Support Theatres vary from the traditional City Command Control Centres which are used to manage the real-time city (Kitchin 2014) in that they look at planning and design of future of cities and regions through collaboration (Healey 2003) between various stakeholders. Such methodologies which lend themselves to collaborative planning and design including Geo-design (Steinitz 2012; Pettit et al. 2019) and Co-design (Punt et al. 2020). There has been a plethora of virtual learning environments applicable to any discipline-specific application, each with their own names, terminology, feature sets and degrees of interoperability. In addition to providing the regular set of advantages such as ease of use across large geographies, improving collaboration between diverse set of stakeholders, these virtual platforms have become essential in the current world with travel restrictions and social distancing. In this context, it is imperative to explore the use of virtual systems for the purpose designing and implementing planning support theatre for city planning and design. This research builds a prototype for web based, 3D, immersive, planning support theatre and evaluates its functionality against similar physical theatres.
A critical review of the literature relating to government policy and behavioural aspects relevant to the uptake and application of microgeneration in the UK is presented. Given the current policy context aspiring to zero-carbon new homes by 2016 and a variety of minimum standards and financial policy instruments supporting microgeneration in existing dwellings, it appears that this class of technologies could make a significant contribution to UK energy supply and low-carbon buildings in the future. Indeed, achievement of a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 80% (the UK government's 2050 target) for the residential sector may entail substantial deployment of microgeneration. Realisation of the large potential market for microgeneration relies on a variety of inter-related factors such as microeconomics, behavioural aspects, the structure of supporting policy instruments and well-informed technology development. This article explores these issues in terms of current and proposed policy instruments in the UK. Behavioural aspects associated with both initial uptake of the technology and after purchase are also considered.
To compare the occurrence of visual field independence/dependence in healthy subjects with patients who are post-stroke using the Rod and Frame Test, and determine whether increased visual dependence is reflected in their postural responses when immersed in a moving visual environment. Eight older and twelve young adults, and twelve patients with cortical or sub-cortical stroke, were asked to align a rod enclosed in a tilted frame to vertical and horizontal. Angular deviations of rod position were calculated and compared. Center-of-mass (COM) of the body was calculated for two patients and two young adults standing in the dark and in an immersive virtual environment to examine their postural responses. Balance of the patients did not appear different from healthy subjects when standing in the dark suggesting they were not dependent on the presence of vision, but more rapid and larger COM displacements emerged in the patients when immersed in a moving visual scene. Patients also exhibited greater errors when aligning the rod compared to both healthy groups. Thus, patients with stroke may be more dependent on visual inputs when they are present, and have more difficulty resolving conflict between the visual and somatosensory cues compared to healthy young or older subjects. This impaired conflict resolution may underlie the rapid instability observed in patients when they were placed in a moving visual environment.
Abstract. Providing information to emergency responders and citizens is one of the most critical aspects during bushfire events. In many cases ground-based infrastructure might be malfunctioning or destroyed and satellite communication might appear the only option. This paper concentrates on the use of the QZSS satellites to provide short messages early warning. The paper provides a preliminary overview of the initial investigations, development and testing of an emergency management system for preparedness and response to extreme bushfire events in Australia. We examine how emergency modelling data can be used to assist a central command centre in generating location-based information during a crisis.
Although there is considerable evidence that strength training causes adaptations in the central nervous system, many details remain unclear. Here we studied neuromuscular responses to strength training of the wrist by recording electromyographic and twitch responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and cervicomedullary stimulation of the corticospinal tract.Seventeen participants performed 4 weeks (12 sessions) of strength training for the radial deviator (RD) muscles of the wrist (n = 8) or control training without external load (n = 9). TMS recruitment curves were constructed from stimuli at five to eight intensities ranging between 15% below resting motor threshold and maximal stimulator output, both at rest and during isometric wrist extension (EXT) and RD at 10% and 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Responses to weak TMS and cervicomedullary stimulation (set to produce a response of 10% maximal M wave amplitude during 10% MVC EXT contraction) were also compared at contraction strengths ranging from 10% to 75% MVC.Isometric strength increased following strength training (10.7% for the RD MVC, 8.8% for the EXT MVC), but not control training. Strength training also significantly increased the amplitude of TMS- and cervicomedullary-evoked twitches during low-force contractions. Increases in the force-generating capacity of the wrist extensor muscles are unlikely to account for this finding because training did not affect the amplitude of twitches elicited by supra-maximal nerve stimulation.The data suggest that strength training induces adaptations that increase the net gain of corticospinal-motor neuronal projections to the trained muscles.
Collision avoidance requires that an observer accurately and continuously track the expansion of an approaching object's image. Based on an investigation of the visual system's dynamic response characteristics for this task, we derived a detection model consisting of a linear bandpass filter and a nonlinear criterion detector (presented at VSS 2004). The filter exhibited a biphasic impulse response. In a subsequent set of experiments this model was placed at risk by investigating the implications of the biphasic response characteristic. Experiments were performed in which a circle (representing the outline of a looming object) was presented on an x−y driven CRT. Its radius was subjected to either a pair of pulsed expansions (“PP Pulse”), or an expansion/contraction (“PC Pulse”). If the model is accurate, then the filter's response to two pulses of the circle's radius presented D sec apart will be the sum of the responses to each individual pulse. For certain values of D the individual responses of a PP pulse will reinforce one another, owing to the biphasic nature of the response, while for others they will cancel one another. Thus a PP pulse should be easier to detect for some values of D and more difficult for others. Three observers (all having normal vision) were tested at each of four different separation time intervals D. A two interval forced choice experiment was conducted in which the circle radius was subjected to either a PP or a PC pulse in one interval and left unchanged in the other. The observers' task was to detect which interval the circle radius was pulsed in. For each observer, threshold pulse amplitude as a function of separation time was obtained using an adaptive staircase algorithm. The experimental results were consistent with the model's predictions. Additional analysis indicated that criterion detection schemes based on either the peak output of the filter or its maximum peak-to-minimum peak output accurately predicted observer performance.
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