Time-dependent Hyperstar algorithm for robust vehicle navigation

The vehicle navigation problem studied in Bell (2009) is revisited and a time-dependent reverse Hyperstar algorithm is presented. This minimises the expected time of arrival at the destination, and all intermediate nodes, where expectation is based on a pessimistic (or risk-averse) view of unknown link delays. This may also be regarded as a hyperpath version of the Chabini and Lan (2002) algorithm, which itself is a time-dependent A^* algorithm. Links are assigned undelayed travel times and maximum delays, both of which are potentially functions of the time of arrival at the respective link. Probabilities for link use are sought that minimise the driver’s maximum exposure to delay on the approach to each node, leading to the determination of a pessimistic expected time of arrival at the destination and all intermediate nodes. Since the context considered is vehicle navigation, the probability of link use measures link attractiveness, so a link with a zero probability of use is unattractive while a link with a probability of use equal to one will have no attractive alternatives. A solution algorithm is presented and proven to solve the problem provided the node potentials are feasible and a FIFO condition applies to undelayed link travel times. The paper concludes with a numerical example.     

International trade in marine species: Is CITES a useful control mechanism?

Abstract

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was created to prevent species becoming threatened through international trade. It generally prohibits international commercial trade in seriously threatened species but permits trade in a regulated manner in species vulnerable to exploitation but not yet at risk of extinction. CITES covers comparatively few marine taxa, reflecting the fact that most marine species have much greater ranges and fecundity than terrestrial species and so are more resilient to exploitation. Exceptions are to be found in the higher vertebrates. Several marine mammals may have benefited from CITES controls, although their popular appeal, commercial importance, and extreme vulnerability have meant that other treaties and conservation activities have been adopted to control their exploitation. Marine turtles Cheloniidae and the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) certainly have benefited from CITES controls. Many commercially important fishes and invertebrates are covered by international and regional fishery agreements; a few, with life histories making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation, are subject to CITES controls. The structure of CITES limits its utility as a conservation tool for marine species, but where other mechanisms fail or are absent, it plays a useful role, and it is particularly valuable as an international trade monitoring mechanism.     

Duplin river estuarine sanctuary—a description

Abstract

The Duplin River Estuarine Sanctuary was dedicated by Governor George Busbee of Georgia in December 1976. The sanctuary includes the entire Duplin river, related wetlands, and much of the contributing uplands, which extend over 7500 acres. Much of the upland lies on Sapelo Island, neighboring a state wildlife management area, a state natural area, and a community of black families that have lived and worked on the island for many generations. The sanctuary was acquired, in part, with funds from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and will be managed for research and educational purposes. The management policy will be designed to avoid artificial or manipulative management control, to protect natural processes and systems, and to promote attainment of scientific objectives.     

Electromagnetic valve train for gasoline engine exhaust system

Electromagnetic valve train (EMVT) in camless engine offers large potential for both part load fuel economy and high load engine torque. However, it is more difficult to be applied on exhaust system than intake system. Because the gas pressure brings high demands for driving force, especially at high engine speed and full load. Based on the working characters of actuator, a method by increasing the transient currents in windings during valve’s opening motion is suggested to overcome the gas pressure. But this will cause more energy losses and heat. In order to make the EMVT used on exhaust system better, quantitative analysis is carried out against the additional power consumption caused by gas pressure under different conditions. Furthermore, an approach is introduced to define the optimal exhaust valve opening motion at full load conditions. It aims at making a better compromise between the engine power output and exhaust valves’ power consumption, thus both the efficiency of EMVT and engine performance are enhanced.     

Practical safety considerations for short headway automated transit systems

Continued interest in Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems as one solution to urban traffic congestion emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the safety of short headway automated transit systems. Current approaches to the determination of safe headways are reviewed. The reduction in headway which could be achieved by improved braking and signaling hardware is outlined. Improved design of emergency brakes is the most important single factor in the reduction of safe headways.

Very short headway systems are reviewed from a safety standpoint. Such systems might be safely operated if operation at intermediate headways (separations on the order of the stopping distance) can be avoided.     

Shoreline Management Plans and Coastal Cells in Scotland

Coastal sediment cells have been identified for the Scottish coast and, following the example of England and Wales, a trend is emerging towards the production of shoreline management plans (SMPs) for parts the Scottish coast. However, much of the Scottish coast does not have the degree of intracoastal sediment exchange that gives coastal sediment cells their integrity, and so a cell-based strategy for coastal management may not be a suitable response. This article examines the nature of the sediment cells in Scotland, questions whether the adoption of SMPs for all sections of the coastline is an appropriate management response, and suggests alternatives that may better link to integrated coastal zone management.     

Variation of households<Emphasis Type="Bold">’</Emphasis> car ownership across time: application of a panel data model

For economic and environmental policy formulation and with the effort of creating less car dependent societies, it is important to study the changing characteristics of car ownership in a household through time as well as factors responsible of these variations. There is a vast body of literature on empirical studies of car ownership and use. These studies have investigated the socio-economic background of the decision maker, the built environment and the perception associated with owning a car as determinant factors of car ownership and use. In most cases, these analyses have been carried out using cross-sectional data sets. However, the analysis of factors determining changes in travel behavior of an individual or household requires information on their behavior over time (longitudinal data set). In this study, the German Mobility Panel (1996–2006) is used to examine variation of car ownership through time and across households. The panel data modeling results showed that there are variations of car ownership between households whereas changes in car ownership of a given household over time (within household variations) are insignificant. The influence of other factors such as the households’ socio-economic background, the availability of public transportation and shopping/leisure facilities, perception on parking difficulties and satisfaction with existing public transportation services on the car owning characteristics of households is also presented and discussed in this paper.

Symbolic dynamics and entropies of copepod behaviour under non-turbulent and turbulent conditions

We consider here behavioural activity of copepods as a succession of symbols associated with swimming states: slow swimming, fast swimming, break and grooming. We characterise these symbolic sequences using tools from symbolic dynamics: probability density function of the residence times in each state; transition probability at each time step; Shannon entropy and dynamic entropy. This approach is applied to the swimming behaviour of Centropages hamatus which we have analyzed as an example of application, in order to stress the differences associated with turbulent and non-turbulent conditions. We characterise in this theoretical framework the behavioural changes exhibited by the copepod under turbulent conditions.     

船舶结构气幕减振的模型试验研究

对船舶结构气幕减振的模型试验研究作了介绍和讨论。试验模型为铝质,平底,尖首,方尾,开口薄壁型船模,试验在循环水槽中进行,通过2种吃水,2种喷气孔径,5种喷气流量,2种水流速度的选择组合,研究了气幕对船模自由振动,强迫振动和振动阻尼的影响,试验结果表明,气幕对船舶结构的强迫振动响应有较大的抑制作用,有明显的降噪效果,气幕减振有重要的应用前景。