Automatic Connection Research Articles

Overarching Control of Flexi Grid Optical Networks: Interworking of GMPLS and OpenFlow Domains

Optical transport networks provide transport, multiplexing, routing, management, supervision, and survivability of optical channels. Within a flexible dense wavelength division multiplexing grid, the optical spectrum can be allocated in multiples of a width granularity, depending on the client signal rate and modulation format. A control plane (CP) can be used for efficient and dynamic provisioning and recovery of flexi-grid connections. Two main CP architectures coexist, with common functions like addressing, automatic topology discovery, network abstraction, path computation, and connection provisioning: a distributed generalized multiprotocol label switching CP (with optional path computation element, PCE path computation and instantiation/modification) and a CP based on software-defined networking, with a logically centralized controller and an open protocol, such as the OpenFlow protocol. Both architectures have their own strengths and weaknesses, and are being extended to address the new requirements associated with the aforementioned emerging optical technologies, such as flexible spectrum allocation, efficient corouted connection setup, and configuration of related optical parameters. However, new use cases such as remote data center interconnection highlight the need for multidomain service provisioning, and heterogeneous CP interworking, potentially requiring an overarching control. Different alternatives, with varying degrees of integration and flexibility, are available: straightforward approaches characterized by the adaptation of one control model to the other or more advanced interworking requiring the definition of common models (e.g., a subset of attributes for network elements) and of coordination and orchestration functions. This paper discusses the main relevant interworking architectures and presents a selected set of use cases and proof-of-concepts.

Drugs Around the Corner: Domestic Drug Markets and Violence in Colombia and Mexico

AbstractOver the past decade, drug consumption has increased in Colombia and Mexico, countries traditionally concerned with drug production and trafficking. Governments and observers have associated this growth with spikes in violence. Drawing on drug consumption surveys and fieldwork in four cities, this study argues that contrary to this perception, there is no automatic connection between domestic drug markets and violence. Violence depends on whether large drug-trafficking organizations (DTOs) control low-level street dealers and on whether those DTOs have a market monopoly at the local level. When dealers are independent, violence might be sporadic, but when DTOs control dealers, violence can explode (given competition between DTOs) or implode (if one organization holds a monopoly). Control over dealers provides DTOs not only income but also informants and armed muscle. This article also shows that domestic drug markets are not new, and have grown incrementally in the past two decades.

Intelligent Autofeedback and Safety Early-Warning for Underground Cavern Engineering during Construction Based on BP Neural Network and FEM

The low efficiency of feedback analysis is one of the main shortcomings in the construction of underground cavern engineering. With this in mind, a method of intelligent autofeedback and safety early-warning for underground cavern is proposed based on BP neural network and FEM. The training sample points are chosen by using uniform test design method, and the autogeneration of FEM calculation file for ABAQUS is realized by using the technique of file partition, information grouping, and orderly numbering. Then, intelligent autoinversion of mechanics parameters is realized, and the automatic connection of parameter inversion, subsequent prediction, and safety early-warning is achieved. The software of intelligent autofeedback and safety early-warning for underground cavern engineering during construction is developed. Finally, the applicability of the proposed method and the developed software is verified through an application example of underground cavern of a pumped-storage power station located in Southwest China.

Promoting a higher retirement age: A prospect‐theoretical approach

Demographic ageing and the necessity of raising the retirement age is one of the most frequently debated topics among European welfare policy experts. This study used prospect theory as developed in behavioural economics to explain public attitudes towards pension reforms. It argues that, in line with prospect theory, negative incentives are more useful in changing people's attitudes in favour of a higher statutory retirement age than are positive incentives. Therefore, in the case of increasing life expectancy, defined‐contribution schemes that apply actuarial formulae linking the level of starting monthly pension benefits to life expectancy are more useful in promoting a higher retirement age than conventional defined‐benefit schemes, which typically do not forge an automatic connection between longevity and starting pensions. The implications of prospect theory for attitudes towards pension reforms were tested using Eurobarometer survey data collected in 2004 and 2009 in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.

Musical space synesthesia: automatic, explicit and conceptual connections between musical stimuli and space.

In musical-space synesthesia, musical pitches are perceived as having a spatially defined array. Previous studies showed that symbolic inducers (e.g., numbers, months) can modulate response according to the inducer's relative position on the synesthetic spatial form. In the current study we tested two musical-space synesthetes and a group of matched controls on three different tasks: musical-space mapping, spatial cue detection and a spatial Stroop-like task. In the free mapping task, both synesthetes exhibited a diagonal organization of musical pitch tones rising from bottom left to the top right. This organization was found to be consistent over time. In the subsequent tasks, synesthetes were asked to ignore an auditory or visually presented musical pitch (irrelevant information) and respond to a visual target (i.e., an asterisk) on the screen (relevant information). Compatibility between musical pitch and the target's spatial location was manipulated to be compatible or incompatible with the synesthetes' spatial representations. In the spatial cue detection task participants had to press the space key immediately upon detecting the target. In the Stroop-like task, they had to reach the target by using a mouse cursor. In both tasks, synesthetes' performance was modulated by the compatibility between irrelevant and relevant spatial information. Specifically, the target's spatial location conflicted with the spatial information triggered by the irrelevant musical stimulus. These results reveal that for musical-space synesthetes, musical information automatically orients attention according to their specific spatial musical-forms. The present study demonstrates the genuineness of musical-space synesthesia by revealing its two hallmarks-automaticity and consistency. In addition, our results challenge previous findings regarding an implicit vertical representation for pitch tones in non-synesthete musicians.

The Experimental Method for Obtaining Input Data for the Design of an Automatic Magnetic Connection Mechanism

This paper describes process of an experimental evaluation of the necessary torque for disconnection of a magnetic connection mechanism. The paper describes basic information of a designed testing stand for an experimental evaluation of mechanical parameters of the automatic connection mechanism based on magnetic principle for use in self-reconfigurable modular robotic system. Also describes processing of measured values. Obtained values were then used in a mechanical design of the testing connection mechanism for verification of its other parameters.

How to model wireless mesh networks topology

The specification of network connectivity model or topology is the beginning of design and analysis in Computer Network researches. Wireless Mesh Networks is an autonomic network that is dynamically self-organised, self-configured while the mesh nodes establish automatic connectivity with the adjacent nodes in the relay network of wireless backbone routers. Researches in Wireless Mesh Networks range from node deployment to internetworking issues with sensor, Internet and cellular networks. These researches require modelling of relationships and interactions among nodes including technical characteristics of the links while satisfying the architectural requirements of the physical network. However, the existing topology generators model geographic topologies which constitute different architectures, thus may not be suitable in Wireless Mesh Networks scenarios. The existing methods of topology generation are explored, analysed and parameters for their characterisation are identified. Furthermore, an algorithm for the design of Wireless Mesh Networks topology based on square grid model is proposed in this paper. The performance of the topology generated is also evaluated. This research is particularly important in the generation of a close-to-real topology for ensuring relevance of design to the intended network and validity of results obtained in Wireless Mesh Networks researches.

Error analysis and prototype testing of deepwater pipe flange connection tool

The key factor for underwater petroleum pipeline flange connection tool is its 20 bolts synchronous lead-in nuts. The alignment accuracy of bolts and nuts is critical for bolts lead-in nuts. In order to analyze the accuracy and design issues of the pipeline flange connection tool, the robot kinematics modeling method is adopted. Using the multi-body kinematics theory to homogeneous transformation matrix, the error model of deepwater pipe flange connection tool is established through total differential of the machinery pose transformation matrix. The error model of the tool is established by computer simulation, and the effect of the structure parameters on the bolt end pose error is analyzed. Based on the method of error matching design, the error in the deepwater pipe flange automatic connection tool is determined. Considering the specific structure of the connection tool, the adjusting mechanism for bolt angle error is also designed. Therefore, the hardware compensation of bolt angle error is achieved successfully, and it improves the positioning accuracy of the bolt end. Tests on bolt lead-in prototype are conducted. The experimental results show that the bolt could successfully lead into the nut and confirm the accuracies of the error model and design of the pipeline flange connection tool.

Research and Policy: Grassroots Inquiry: Reconsidering the Location of Innovation

This column explores a grassroots approach to educational innovation as an alternative to the dominant entrepreneurial model, whereby market solutions are thought to be the best mechanism to spur change. We contend that there is a need to delink automatic connections between innovation and entrepreneurship and to reimagine the location and nature of innovation. Drawing on postcolonial theory and various examples of grassroots communities of inquiry, we highlight how practitioners, parents, and students develop creative ways to address issues relevant to their immediate contexts of teaching and learning. Our model of grassroots innovation espouses cooperation, rather than merely competition, and involves inquiry processes that value a diversity of perspectives, especially from those most directly impacted by educational policies and practices.

Physical Connection and Disconnection Control Based on Hot Melt Adhesives

Physical connection and disconnection control has practical meanings for robot applications. Compared to conventional connection mechanisms, bonding involving a thermal process could provide high connection strength, high repeatability, and power-free connection maintenance, etc. In terms of disconnection, an established bond can be easily weakened with a temperature rise of the material used to form the bond. Hot melt adhesives (HMAs) are such material that can form adhesive bonds with any solid surfaces through a thermally induced solidification process. This paper proposes a novel control method for automatic connection and disconnection based on HMAs. More specifically, mathematical models are first established to describe the flowing behavior of HMAs at higher temperatures, as well as the temperature-dependent strength of an established HMA bond. These models are then validated with a specific type of HMA in a minimalistic robot setup equipped with two mechatronic devices for automated material handling. The validated models are eventually used for determining open parameters in a feedback controller for the robot to perform a pick-and-place task. Through a series of trials with different wooden and aluminum parts, we evaluate the performance of the automatic connection and disconnection methods in terms of speed, energy consumption, and robustness.

Allocation of Space Network Accessing Resource Basing on Genetic Algorithm

The space network is a new generation technology of satellites information transmission. It is a fully space based information system which owns the abilities including information automatic connection and retransmission, multiple nodes interconnection. The accessing resource plays an important role in the nodes interconnection. How to efficiently allocate the limited resource of links in space network is an important research subject in this area. This article proposes an improved genetic algorithm to solve the problem. The predictable orbit parameters of satellites are used to optimize the algorithm. The simulation results show that the algorithm achieves a higher user access rate and a lower link switching rate.

Automatic Connection of Components for Dynamic Distributed Applications

Self-management, self-connection and self-configuration capabilities are emerging as important requirements for a generation of large-scale, highly dynamic, distributed applications. We propose a new solution to manage the connection of the components in a distributed application automatically. Each component in the distributed application is equipped with an autonomous connection unit (ACU). The ACU will allocate to its corresponding component an address consisting of an IP address and a port number. This address of the component will be delivered by the ACU to remote components, so that the remote components could communicate with the local component. In addition, the ACU could start up the component software module autonomously according to user settings. This solution is a generic model which could be adapted to many distributed applications. It has been successfully applied to a distributed online judge system for a campus contest in Donghua University.

Automatic Connection of GPIB Communication Protocol for Manufacturing System

Various types of communication were used in the factory. And the manufacturing system, machine, normally use GPIB communication due to their efficiency, cost, and high performance. However the GPIB protocol is different type by their manufacturing company. Therefore the system engineers often spend lots of time to setup and initialized their system for GPIB communication. In this paper, we proposed automatic connection module of GPIB communication for manufacturing system in their factory. The module can find their GPIB type and protocol, and access their communication efficiently. It also can reduce the system fault or communication jam when manufacturing system initialized setup process for GPIB and begin to interface between them.

The Problem of ‘Power’: Metacritical Implications of Aetonormativity for Children’s Literature Research

This article takes as its starting point the concept of aetonormativity (the adult normativity germane to the discourse of children’s literature), coined by Maria Nikolajeva (2010) in an attempt to unify the increasingly power-oriented theories of children’s literature criticism within the past few decades. Acknowledging the usefulness of this concept, but wary of the fact that it could imply an easy transference of “adult” power theory to the study of children’s literature, I argue that an aetonormativity-centred system of children’s literature criticism crucially needs to reconceptualise the notion of “power” which lies at its heart. Any automatic connection between adult normativity and adult “power” would thus be questioned and critiqued. I propose a first conceptual split of “power” into “authority” and “might”, and a consequent redistribution of these two concepts to the adult and child parties in the children’s book. I then investigate the critical and metacritical implications, within the framework of an aetonormativity-centred criticism of children’s literature, of an increased subtlety in the use and handling of the concept of power when referring to the complex medium of the children’s text.

Micro-wires self-assembled and 3D-connected with the help of a nematic liquid crystal

We discuss a method for producing automatic 3D connections at right places between substrates in front of one another. The idea is based on the materialization of disclination lines working as templates. The lines are first created in the nematic liquid crystal (5CB) at the very place where microwires have to be synthesized. Due to their anchoring properties, colloids dispersed into the nematic phase produce orientational distortions around them. These distortions, which may be considered as due to topological charges, result in a nematic force, able to attract the colloids towards the disclinations. Ultimately, the particles get trapped onto them, forming micro- or nano-necklaces. Before being introduced in the nematic phase, the colloids are covered with an adhering and conducting polypyrrole film directly synthesized at the surface of the particles (heterogeneous polymerization). In this manner, the particles become conductive so that we may finally perform an electropolymerization of pyrrole monomers solved in 5CB, and definitely stick the whole necklace. The electric connection thus synthesized is analyzed by AFM, and its strength is checked by means of hydrodynamic tests. This wiring method could allow Moore's law to overcome the limitations that arise when down-sizing the electronic circuits to nanometer scale.

Adaptive Cloud Refinement (ACR) - Adaptation in Meshless Framework

AbstractIn the present work adaptation in meshless framework is proposed. The grid adaptation or mesh adaptation is quite well developed area in case of conventional grid based solvers and is popularly known as Adaptive mesh refinement (AMR). In such cases the adaptation is done by subdividing the cells or elements into finer cells or elements. In case of meshless methods there are no cells or elements but only a cloud of points. In this work we propose to achieve the meshless adaptation by locally refining the point density in the regions demanding higher resolution. This results into an adaptive enriched cloud of points. We call this method as Adaptive Cloud Refinement (ACR). The meshless solvers need connectivity information, which is a set of neighboring nodes. It is crucial part of meshless solvers. Obviously because of refining point density, the connectivity of nodes in such regions gets modified and hence has to be updated. An efficient connectivity update must exploit the fact that the node distribution would be largely unaffected except the region of adaptation. Hence connectivity updating needs to be done locally, only in these regions. In this paper we also present an extremely fast algorithm to update connectivity over adapted cloud called as ACU (Automatic Connectivity Update).

상수도강관 용접접합의 방법별 비교분석

The welded connection is known as an essential factor for establishing qualified construction and/or maintenance of wrapped steel pipe. In this study, welded connection conditions in the coated pipes with large diameter (over 700 mm) in Korea water distribution systems were estimated for suggesting technically and economically available welded connection method. For the study analysis, current steel pipe usage and accident cases were investigated. In addition, the characteristics of each welded connection method and automatic or manual connection techniques were also compared and estimated. As results, automatic welded connection method is superior than manual welded connection method in aspect of pure construction cost (average 9%) or pure welded connection cost (average 13.5%). When the poor welding-working situations in Korea are considered such as high tolerance of out-of-roundness in KS regulation, a number of lap joint welded connections, the real cost benefits of automatic welded connection should be much higher than those of manual welded connections.

Mapping Functional Connectivity between Neuronal Ensembles with Larval Zebrafish Transgenic for a Ratiometric Calcium Indicator

The ability to map functional connectivity is necessary for the study of the flow of activity in neuronal circuits. Optical imaging of calcium indicators, including FRET-based genetically encoded indicators and extrinsic dyes, is an important adjunct to electrophysiology and is widely used to visualize neuronal activity. However, techniques for mapping functional connectivities with calcium imaging data have been lacking. We present a procedure to compute reduced functional couplings between neuronal ensembles undergoing seizure activity from ratiometric calcium imaging data in three steps: (1) calculation of calcium concentrations and neuronal firing rates from ratiometric data; (2) identification of putative neuronal populations from spatio-temporal time-series of neural bursting activity; and then, (3) derivation of reduced connectivity matrices that represent neuronal population interactions. We apply our method to the larval zebrafish central nervous system undergoing chemoconvulsant-induced seizures. These seizures generate propagating, central nervous system-wide neural activity from which population connectivities may be calculated. This automatic functional connectivity mapping procedure provides a practical and user-independent means for summarizing the flow of activity between neuronal ensembles.

MICROCONTROLLER-BASED SYNCHRONOSCOPE IMPLEMENTED

In this study a Synchronoscope based on microcontroller has been developed to show phase equality, synchronization time and frequency equality while connecting an alternator and grid in parallel. Voltage signals belongs to alternator and grid are converted to certain levels using a measurement circuit developed and then transformed to square waveform by zero crossing detecting circuit. These signals are analyzed in PIC16F877 microcontroller using the program written in C language. Later on phase differences between signals are defined and related LED on the front panel turns on depending on phase difference. This process continuous till synchronizing time and then the related LED indicating the synchronization become on continuously. After that, synchronization relay is energized. So that, Synchronoscope equipment based on a microcontroller has been developed and a new automatic parallel connection system for alternators has been introduced.

Self-Connected 3D Architecture of Microwires

A defect or disclination line, prepared at a designed place in a nematic liquid crystal, is used as a template for realizing a microwire directly connected to the electrodes with an accuracy of a few microm. The line attracts and traps silica particles, until self-assembling a complete micronecklace. We then fix the colloids in the necklace by means of pyrrole electropolymerization. The process may be extended to connect many microwires simultaneously. This provides a new route for manufacturing automatic 3D connections, which could be important for electronic applications as Moore's law now seems to reach some limit in 2D.