• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2005

This paper describes the area of intelligent systems research as funded by the Civil and Mechanical Systems (CMS) Division of the National Science Foundation (NSF). With developments in computer science, information technology, sensing and control the design of typical machines and structures by civil and mechanical engineers is evolving toward intelligent systems that can sense, decide and act. This trend toward electro-mechanical design is well-established in modern machines (e.g. vehicles, robots, disk drives) and often referred to as mechatronics. More recently intelligent systems design is becoming an important aspect of structures, such as buildings and bridges. We briefly review recent developments in structural control, including the role that NSF has played in their development, and discuss on-going CMS activities in this area. In particular, we highlight the interdisciplinary initiative on Sensors and Sensor Networks and the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES). NEES is a distributed cyberinfrastructure to support earthquake engineering research, and provides the pioneering NEES grid computing environment for simulation, teleoperation, data collection and archiving, etc.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.373-392
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• 2011

Periodic and quasi-periodic Timoshenko beams on Pasternak foundation are investigated using the differential quadrature method. Not only band gaps in the beams but also the dynamic response of them is analyzed. Numerical results show that vibration in periodic beams can be dramatically attenuated when the exciting frequency falls into band gaps. Different from the band structures of periodic beams without foundation, the so-called critical frequency was found because of the Pasternak foundation. Its physical meaning was explained in detail and a useful formula was given to calculate the critical frequency. Additionally, a comprehensive parameter study is conducted to highlight the influence of foundation modulus on the band gaps.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.173-187
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• 2018

Performance evaluation of RC frame building by nonlinear static pushover analysis that accounts for elastic and post elastic behavior is becoming very popular as a valid decision making tool in seismic hazard resistant designs. Available literature suggests great amount of interest has shown by researchers in suggesting refinements to geometric and material modelling to bridge the gap between analytical predictions and observed performances. Notwithstanding the attempts gaps still exists. Sequence of plastic hinge formation which has great influence on pushover analysis results is an area less investigated. This paper attempts to highlight the importance of hinge sequence considerations to make analysis results more meaningful. Variation in analysis results due to different hinge sequences have been quantified, compared and bounds on analysis results have been presented.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.603-616
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• 2018

In this study, the acceleration vector in each time step is assumed to be a mth order time polynomial. By using the initial conditions, satisfying the equation of motion at both ends of the time step and minimizing the square of the residual vector, the m+3 unknown coefficients are determined. The order of accuracy for this approach is m+1, and it has a very low dispersion error. Moreover, the period error of the new technique is almost zero, and it is considerably smaller than the members of the Newmark method. The proposed scheme has an appropriate domain of stability, which is greater than that of the central difference and linear acceleration techniques. The numerical tests highlight the improved performance of the new algorithm over the fourth-order Runge-Kutta, central difference, linear and average acceleration methods.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1067-1074
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• 2014

In Morocco, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women and a major public health problem. Several Moroccan studies have focused on studying this disease, but more are needed, especially at the genetic and molecular levels. It is therefore interesting to establish the genetic and molecular profile of Moroccan patients with breast cancer. In this paper, we will highlight some pertinent hypotheses that may enhance breast cancer care in Moroccan patients. This review will give a precise description of breast cancer in Morocco and propose some new markers for detection and prediction of breast cancer prognosis.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.231-236
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• 2017

Solid waste disposal and management is a critical problem in Nigeria. Annually, a huge quantity of municipal solid waste is generated in Aba. Municipal solid waste disposal in Aba poses severe challenge to environmental safety, public health and welfare of citizens. The situation is made worse by the indiscriminate dumping of refuse at roadsides, streets, waterways and empty lands. The impact of this waste management practice in Aba is environmental deterioration. Efforts to improve waste management in Aba have not recorded significant success. This paper therefore aims to highlight the challenges facing the waste management sector in Aba and proffer solutions on how to improve the sector.

• Proceedings of the Korea Multimedia Society Conference
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• 1998.04a
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• pp.385-388
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• 1998

The main interest of previous researches for shape from shading was only on Lambertian surface which consists of diffuse reflectance surface. In practice, natural objects have hybrid reflectance, which limits the recovery of shape from intensity distribution[1][2]. In this paper, we propose the method of determining shape using neural network and diffuse illumination. The segmented region of sphere surface is used for training set, which can be determined by shadow line and edge of surface. Diffuse illumination is used to avoid specular spike and highlight which usually cause many problems such as intensity disparities. Diffuse illumination method using flat paper allows us to reduce these phenomena with simple scheme. Neural network and Diffuse illumination method are useful for shape from shading, because it can be applied to objects of unknown reflectance properties, but it is applied only to Torrance-Sparrow style reflectance.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Navigation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.75-87
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• 1997

Chinese seafarers have begun to be employed by foreign shipowners since 14979. Recognizing the benefits of overseas seafarers employment , Chinese goverment has implemented policy for seafarers' education and supply. Over the past two decades, the goverment has expanded and improved seafarer training facilities. As a result a number of seafarers have been educated, who are now available for employment on Chinese and foreign flag vessels. In 1995, about 20,000 Chinese seafarers served on foregin shipowner's vessels and the total foreign currency they earned was approximately US ＄300 million. This paper aims to describe the education system for Chinese seafarers and the mechanism of Chinese overseas seafarers employment and to highlight main problems occurred in the mechanism of their overseas employment. It takes the fact-finding research method with literature survey and interview.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.17-36
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• 2012

With wide recognition of significant roles of venture companies in economic and industrial developments, substantial academic attention has been paid to understanding venture success and numerous policy measures have been made to help them. A serious problem, however, is that only a few limited number of venture could successfully grow to be large firm. The goal of this paper is to identify critical factors to drive 'leapfrogging' growth of venture companies by analyzing the success cases in Daejeon area. The theoretical analysis and case study suggest 1) founders' entrepreneurship continuity as a significant internal organization factor for growth and highlight importance of 2) exploring foreign markets and globalization of business operation in the early stage of growth. Furthermore, the research results identify two critical innovation strategies, 3) ambidextrous R&D strategy and 4) open innovation strategy, for entrepreneurial founders to effectively catch the business chances brought by environment change.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1189-1196
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• 2014

A modular multilevel-clamped composited multilevel converter ($M-MC^2$) is proposed. $M-MC^2$ enables topology reconfiguration, power device reuse, and composited clamping. An advanced five-level converter ($5L-M-MC^2$) is derived from the concept of $M-MC^2$. $5L-M-MC^2$ integrates dual three-level T-type modules and one three-level neutral point clamped module. This converter can also integrate dual three-level T-type modules and one passive diode module by utilizing the device reuse scheme. The operation principle and SPWM modulation are discussed to highlight converter performance. The proposed $M-MC^2$ is comprehensively compared with state-of-the-art five-level converters. Finally, simulations and experimental results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the main contributions of this study.