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Combining multiple criteria decision making with vector manipulation to decide on the direction for a powered wheelchair
No full textThe application of the Weighed Aggregated Sum Product ASsessment (WASPAS) method to suggest a direction for a powered wheelchair is described. The method considers five directions as alternatives. The ultrasonic sensors readings are used as criteria weights. The overall score of the alternatives is converted to vector magnitudes and the directions of the alternatives are considered as vector angles. The suggested direction is represented as a resultant vector formed from the vector manipulation of the vectors magnitudes and angles. The suggested direction tends to move a powered wheelchair away from obstacles. The entire system supports disabled wheelchair users to maneuver their powered wheelchairs using a decision-making technique. This research presents that technique along with a new method of selecting the best compromised route. Three cases are considered, and a best compromised direction is suggested in each case. The suggestions from WASPAS could be over-ridden by the user through holding a steering joystick in a set position
Disaster Management in High Risk Regions: A Case Study of the Indian Himalayas Region
Get PDFThe occurrence of several cases of natural disaster and its impact on high-risk regions remains an issue that continues to attract continued research, most especially from a global perspective. Despite the devastating impact of several known natural phenomenon such as flooding, tsunamis, earthquakes, glaciers and tornadoes, there seem not to be well-structured disaster management approach from stakeholders in high-risk disaster-prone regions to cope with eventual disaster cases. The Indian Himalayan region under review within this research article has been conducted investigated, and a review on how the build of poorly constructed residences have impacted the lives of people living within this region. This article addresses this problem in a line with well-structured thematic sections that examines community resilience, effective stakeholder communication and community preparedness can result in effective disaster management approach
Analysis of reaction times and time-delays introduced into an intelligent HCI for a smart wheelchair
No full textTime-delays are introduced to an intelligent HCI for an intelligent wheelchair and the effects of time-delays are investigated. The ability for wheelchair users to complete tasks is considered. Two systems and two different ways for drivers to interact with their wheelchairs are considered in various situations. Wheelchair drivers were scrutinized while they completed a task with their wheelchair. Time-delay was introduced and wheelchair users undertook tests with and without sensors and a computer system connected in order to assist the driver. As the delay was extended then more failures were recorded. When the time-delay was longer or when the wheelchair was moving through more complex situations then users did better when assisted by a sensor system. The effect of introducing a delay between a joystick and a motor controller is investigated. It is suggested that in simpler situations with a shorter time-delay then little sensor assistance was required but more assistance was needed in more complicated situations or when the time-delay was longer. So it might be better to vary the sensor support provided depending on the difficulties being encountered
Intelligent approach to minimizing power consumption in a cloud-based system collecting sensor data and monitoring the status of powered wheelchairs
No full textThis paper proposes an intelligent approach to minimizing power consumption in a cloud-based system collecting sensor data and monitoring the status of powered wheelchairs. The powered wheelchairs will be equipped with sensors and the system collects sensor data to track daily activities and locations. The proposed cloud-based system will allow caregivers real-time access to information generated by the wheelchairs. Cloud computing has emerged as the leading paradigm for information technology. The recent growth of the internet and significant innovation have accelerated the development of many distributed computing schemes and cloud computing has gained wide acceptance. There are still some draw backs though. For example, cloud network power consumption is increasing. This has led to providers increasing the sizes and numbers of data centres. The high-power consumption of each data centre is concerning so an improved method with some level of intelligence is used to minimize power used in the data centre network. Power models are mathematically represented. The mechanism described will be able to regulate activities in a centre and switch-off inactive switches and links. Servers and network activities will be consolidated to make them more energy efficient
Miro2 tethers the ER to mitochondria to promote mitochondrial fusion in tobacco leaf epidermal cells
Get PDFMitochondria are highly pleomorphic, undergoing rounds of fission and fusion. Mitochondria are essential for energy conversion, with fusion favouring higher energy demand. Unlike fission, the molecular components involved in mitochondrial fusion in plants are unknown. Here, we show a role for the GTPase Miro2 in mitochondria interaction with the ER and its impacts on mitochondria fusion and motility. Mutations in AtMiro2’s GTPase domain indicate that the active variant results in larger, fewer mitochondria which are attached more readily to the ER when compared with the inactive variant. These results are contrary to those in metazoans where Miro predominantly controls mitochondrial motility, with additional GTPases affecting fusion. Synthetically controlling mitochondrial fusion rates could fundamentally change plant physiology by altering the energy status of the cell. Furthermore, altering tethering to the ER could have profound effects on subcellular communication through altering the exchange required for pathogen defence
On the ‘Disclosure Initiative – Principles of Disclosure’: The EAA Financial Reporting Standards Committee’s View
Get PDFThis paper summarises the contents of a comment letter produced by a working group of 12academics in response to the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) Discussion Paper on principles of disclosure. The comment letter was submitted by the Financial Reporting Standards Committee (FRSC) of the European Accounting Association (EAA). The work includes reviews of relevant academic literature of areas related to the various questions posed by the IASB in the Discussion Paper, including the ‘disclosure problem’ and the objective of the project, the suggested principles of effective communication, the roles of the primary financial statements and notes, the location of information and the use of performance measures. The paper also discusses the disclosure of accounting policies, the objectives of centralised disclosure, and the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board staff’s approach to disclosure