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VISrec! - Visual-inertial sensor fusion for 3D scene reconstruction
No full textThe self-acting generation of three-dimensional models, by analysing monocular image streams from standard cameras, is one fundamental problem in the field of computer vision. A prerequisite for the scene modelling is the computation of the camera pose for the different frames of the sequence. Several techniques and methodologies have been introduced during the last decade to solve this classical Structure from Motion (SfM) problem, which incorporates camera egomotion estimation and subsequent recovery of 3D scene structure. However the applicability of those approaches to real world devices and applications is still limited, due to non-satisfactorily properties in terms of computational costs, accuracy and robustness. Thus tactile systems and laser scanners are still the predominantly used methods in industry for 3D measurements. This thesis suggests a novel framework for 3D scene reconstruction based on visual-inertial measurements and a corresponding sensor fusion framework. The integration of additional modalities, such as inertial measurements, are useful to compensate for typical problems of systems which rely only on visual information. The complete system is implemented based on a generic framework for designing Multi-Sensor Data Fusion (MSDF) systems. It is demonstrated that the incorporation of inertial measurements into a visual-inertial sensor fusion scheme for scene reconstruction (VISrec!) outperforms classical methods in terms of robustness and accuracy. It can be shown that the combination of visual and inertial modalities for scene reconstruction allows a reduction of the mean reconstruction error of typical scenes by up to 30%. Furthermore, the number of 3D feature points, which can be successfully reconstructed can be nearly doubled. In addition range and RGB-D sensors have been successfully incorporated into the VISrec! scheme proving the general applicability of the framework. By this it is possible to increase the number of 3D points within the reconstructed point cloud by a factor of five hundred if compared to standard visual SfM. Finally the applicability of the VISrec!-sensor to a specific industrial problem, in corporation with a local company, for reverse engineering of tailor-made car racing components demonstrates the usefulness of the developed system
‘I think we’ve done it right’: The curriculum and performative discourse in adult basic education classrooms
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Towards a Sustainable Demand Chain Framework: Successful Product Development Integration and Drivers
No full textThe study seeks to fulfil the ultimate step of the previous researches on demand chain concepts within manufacturing environments, with a specific focus on sustainability criteria. In this case, New Product Development (NPD), Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing act as effective tools towards production of updated products facilitating both business survivability and customer satisfaction. This paper utilizes a brief overview of the literature studies as a knowledge platform and further investigates the case of two German manufacturing companies using a mixed research method. The outcomes and findings will then be analyzed to examine the study hypothesis towards creation of a comprehensive conceptual framework defining interconnections between NPD and Sustainable Demand Chain Management (SDCM) within global manufacturing domain. The novelty of this research is to develop the results of previous stages of this study including comparison of practices within several manufacturing companies in terms of the linkage between SDCM and NPD projects. This will be completed by creation of the main conceptual framework of this study introducing the new concept called sustainable demand-driven product development (SDPD)
Knowledge management in public sector organisations : developing a practice framework for Ghana.
No full text"Accomplishing much is not determined by the possession of splendid talents, but the conscious performance of daily duties" (Adaptation from Prophets & Kings by E.G. White).Knowledge Management emerged in the mid-1990s as a solution to the challenge of managing intellectual assets in the post-industrial era widely known as knowledge economy; which is transforming every sector of the global economy – both private and public. However, the tendency of existing literature to convey Knowledge Management (KM) theories and concepts, and indeed its practices, in predominantly private sector context has created a ‘gap’ and marginalised the transformational impact of this important field. At the same time the slow rate, and, to a large extent, non-adoption of knowledge management practices within the public sector, particularly in developing countries, is a missed opportunity as long as the status quo is not improved.This PhD research traces the emergence of the knowledge economy phenomenon, explores knowledge management as an organisational strategy and focuses on how the public sector in developing economies, especially Ghana, can adopt KM strategies and techniques to enhance public administration and performance. More importantly, a KM practice framework is developed encourage its institutionalisation.Based on the interpretivist research paradigm and a multi-site case study design, seventeen public sector organisations in Ghana and seven in the United Kingdom were studied to collate and synthesize relevant organisational factors and conditions that influence KM. Fifteen factors and conditions were found to provide rationale for KM and to sustain its deployment as a strategic intervention in public sector organisations. These factors and conditions were abstracted into four core categories to define a KM practice framework for the sector.Theoretically, this study is a significant contribution to public sector KM as the developed framework provides context for the field in a new arena. For public administrators in Ghana, it opens up pragmatic strategic options to grow intellectual capabilities to improve efficiency in policy-making and service delivery. Practically, the study is a significant step towards institutionalising KM in Ghana as a direct response to development partners’ calls for efficient public administration and meeting a major component of the New Public Management agenda: public organisations becoming learning institutions
Role of graphene/metal oxide composites as photocatalysts, adsorbents and disinfectants in water treatment: a review
No full textWith a rapidly growing population, development of new materials, techniques and devices which can provide safe potable water continues to be one of the major research emphases of the scientific community. While the development of new metal oxide catalysts is progressing, albeit at a slower pace, the concurrent and rapid development of high surface area catalyst supports such as graphene and its functionalised derivatives has provided unprecedented promise in the development of multifunctional catalysts. Recent works have shown that metal oxide/graphene composites can perform multiple roles including (but not limited to): photocatalysts, adsorbents and antimicrobial agents making them an effective agent against all major water pollutants including organic molecules, heavy metal ions and water borne pathogens, respectively. This article presents a comprehensive review on the application of metal oxide/graphene composites in water treatment and their role as photocatalyst, adsorbent and disinfectant in water remediation. Through this review, we discuss the current state of the art in metal oxide/graphene composites for water purification and also provide a comprehensive analysis of the nature of interaction of these composites with various types of pollutants which dictates their photocatalytic, adsorptive and antimicrobial activities. The review concludes with a summary on the role of graphene based materials in removal of pollutants from water and some proposed strategies for designing of highly efficient multifunctional metal oxide/graphene composites for water remediation. A brief perspective on the challenges and new directions in the area is also provided for researchers interested in designing advanced water treatment strategies using graphene based advanced materials
What are we playing with? Role-taking, role-play, and story-play with Tolkien's legendarium
No full textThrough examples of role-taking, role-play, and story-play with various artworks that draw against Tolkien's legendarium, this paper develops a distinctive perspective on imaginative play. While ‘playing with’ usually refers to the specific objects used as toys and ‘playing at’ to the roles assumed in such play, examining play situations from the perspective of the make-believe theory of representation (prop theory) suggests a specific relationship between these two aspects of playing. By examining which props are being used in any given play situation, and comparing their metaphorical position in the foreground or background of the imaginary game being played, parallels and distinctions between different kinds of play can be explored and contrasted. The paper offers a phenomenology of imaginative play that helps to clarify exactly what we are playing with when we engage in any kind of imaginings, whether with toys, games, or stories
Chaos ethics
No full textBalance has no meaning for a politics that is merely the continuation of war by other means. Both religious zealots and defenders of scientific fact declare a monopoly on truth and the moral law, while radicals are powerless to resist since they have lost faith that ethics can be anything but arbitrary. Meanwhile, insane bureaucracy devastates life while nations fall into dishonor as they abandon their promises of justice. If the moral law cannot save us, perhaps it is time to try moral chaos.Chaos Ethics collides philosophers such as Kant, Nietzsche, Levinas, Mary Midgley, Alasdair MacInytre, Alain Badiou, Isabelle Stengers, and Bruno Latour with everything from cyberpunk science fiction and the fantasy novels of Michael Moorcock to Google, gay marriage, drone assassinations, and the ethics of cats and dogs. A strange and wondrous journey through morality viewed as a facet of imagination that offers a new perspective in which the diversity of ethics is a strength not a weakness, hesitation is more noble than certainty, and virtue can be expressed in both law and chaos
Injectable biocompatible and biodegradable pH-responsive hollow particle gels containing poly(acrylic acid): the effect of copolymer composition on gel properties
No full textInjectable polymer/cell dispersions have emerged as a superior, non-surgical alternative for tissue regeneration. We have previously explored novel types of pH and redox-responsive poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid)- (PMMA-MAA) and poly(ethyl acrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (PEA-MAA)-based hollow particle gels. The gels had micrometer-scale interconnected porosity, high elasticity and ductility values and are potentially suitable for future use in minimally-invasive tissue repair. Herein we extend considerably our earlier studies with the aim of identifying a system which meets all necessary requirements for soft tissue repair – i.e., high porosity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and adequate mechanical strength. To investigate the effect of tuning hydrophobicity of the copolymer, the glass transition temperature and the pKa of the particles upon the gel morphology, mechanical properties and performance, we studied the structurally related poly(n-butyl acrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (PBA-MAA), poly(methyl acrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (PMA-MAA) and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) (PMMA-AA) copolymers for gel formation. These systems have been chosen to allow a wide range of structural variation for the constituent pH-responsive copolymers. We have established that MMA is the optimal hydrophobic monomer, whereas the use of various COOH-containing monomers, e.g. MAA and AA, will always induce a pH-triggered physical gelation