Cooperative Capabilities Research Articles

Cooperative Self-Assembled Magnetic Micropaddles at Liquid Surfaces.

Cooperative controls of magnetic microswimmers are desired for complex micromanipulation and microassembly tasks. Self-assembled magnetic micropaddles as microswimmers that can locomote freely and cooperate at liquid surfaces are proposed inspired by the paddling motion. The micropaddles are self-assembled with metallic disks under a rotating magnetic field, and they are endowed with controlled propulsion in the precessing field. The micropaddles can locomote freely with a maximum speed of approximately 3.3 mm/s and manipulate objects at the liquid surface. It is found that the micropaddles reverse moving directions at high frequencies and that those with different lengths can locomote in opposite directions under the same precessing magnetic field. Based on the distinctive motion properties, not only could several micropaddles combine into the longer ones but a single micropaddle could also be disassembled into two cooperative partners. Assemblies of different parts based on their cooperation are realized in this study, which is challenging for other types of magnetic microswimmers. Micropaddles with adjustable length, flexible locomotion, and cooperative capability present a promising avenue for various micromanipulation applications.

Department of Defense Global Health Engagement and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda Can Serve as Mutually Reinforcing Security Cooperation Capabilities to Support U.S. National Security Objectives.

The DoD Global Health Engagement community of policymakers, planners, and implementers-to include Combatant Command Surgeons' offices, humanitarian/civic assistance program managers, and tactical units-is uniquely positioned to be a leader within the wider security cooperation community for integrating Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) principles into existing programming and planning, and for executing WPS activities with partner nations in support of U.S. national security goals. Global Health Engagement and the WPS Agenda together can serve as mutually reinforcing, valuable capabilities to support U.S. security cooperation goals.

Human-Robot Cooperation for Autonomous Vehicles and Human Drivers: Challenges and Solutions

Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) are becoming increasingly feasible, and these vehicles are expected to enhance road safety, traffic throughput, energy efficiency, and human comfort, especially at road intersections and for lane changing, merging, and unprotected turning maneuvers. However, there is likely to be a long transition period before human-driven vehicles are completely replaced by such automated vehicles. To leverage the autonomous driving technologies on public roads, we have to design and develop safe interaction and cooperation for mixed traffic environments, where human-driven and autonomous vehicles cooperate with one another in order to avoid vehicle collisions and possible deadlocks. In this article, we study the requirements and challenges for such safe cooperation of autonomous vehicles and human drivers, and review three prospective components: road infrastructure, vehicular communications, and online recognition and prediction. First, road infrastructure contributes to improving CAV capabilities for safe cooperation as a centralized coordinator. In addition, vehicle-to-vehicle communications might be key to safe cooperation in a decentralized manner that can guarantee road safety for multiple connected vehicles. Online motion prediction and real-time gesture recognition are also essential to develop a safe cooperation system in a decentralized manner with non-connected vehicles. These three approaches are not exclusive, and CAVs may complementarily use them in practice. Finally, we discuss the feasibility and limitations of each approach and conclude with future research directions.

An executable framework for modeling and validating cooperative capability requirements in emergency response system

As the scale of current systems become larger and larger and their complexity is increasing gradually, research on executable models in the design phase becomes significantly important as it is helpful to simulate the execution process and capture defects of a system in advance. Meanwhile, the capability of a system becomes so important that stakeholders tend to emphasize their capability requirements when developing a system. To deal with the lack of official specifications and the fundamental theory basis for capability requirement, we propose a cooperative capability requirements (CCR) meta-model as a theory basis for researchers to refer to in this research domain, in which we provide detailed definition of the CCR concepts, associations and rules. Moreover, we also propose an executable framework, which may enable modelers to simulate the execution process of a system in advance and do well in filling the inconsistency and semantic gaps between stakeholders' requirements and their models. The primary working mechanism of the framework is to transform the Alf activity meta-model into the communicating sequential process (CSP) process meta-model based on some mapping rules, after which the internal communication mechanism between process nodes is designed to smooth the execution of behaviors in a CSP system. Moreover, a validation method is utilized to check the correctness and consistency of the models, and a self-fixing mechanism is used to fix the errors and warnings captured during the validation process automatically. Finally, a validation report is generated and fed back to the modelers for system optimization.

A Home-Based Bilateral Rehabilitation System With sEMG-based Real-Time Variable Stiffness.

Bilateral rehabilitation allows patients with hemiparesis to exploit the cooperative capabilities of both arms to promote the recovery process. Although various approaches have been proposed to facilitate synchronized robot-assisted bilateral movements, few studies have focused on addressing the varying joint stiffness resulting from dynamic motions. This paper presents a novel bilateral rehabilitation system that implements a surface electromyography (sEMG)-based stiffness control to achieve real-time stiffness adjustment based on the user's dynamic motion. An sEMG-driven musculoskeletal model that incorporates the muscle activation and muscular contraction dynamics is developed to provide reference signals for the robot's real-time stiffness control. Preliminary experiments were conducted to evaluate the system performance in tracking accuracy and comfortability, which showed the proposed rehabilitation system with sEMG-based real-time stiffness variation achieved fast adaption to the patient's dynamic movement as well as improving the comfort in robot-assisted bilateral training.

Driving university brand value through social media

In light of higher education's growing reliance on social media interaction, this study proposes a valid mechanism of social media interaction which includes social media use (SMU) and social media validation (SMV) and analyzes its effects on university brand value. The authors also include future orientation (major offering and career warranty) in the proposed relationship. Drawing on the dynamic capability perspective and based on data from 265 universities' Facebook accounts, the authors found that private universities are more actively engaged in social media interactions than public ones. The findings further indicated that SMU and SMV positively influence university brand value more strongly at high levels of career warranty and major offering, respectively, under the controlling condition of international cooperation capability. Accordingly, implications for educational practitioners and theory are discussed.

Development of Smart Distribution Transformer Terminal Based on Software Defined Technology

In order to cope with the development trend of distribution network, the demand for terminal to have the ability of IoT has become increasingly prominent. This paper firstly expounds the development trend of low-voltage distribution network, and emphasizes the technical transformation of the core equipment of low-voltage distribution network-smart terminal; secondly, it puts forward the software and hardware architecture of smart terminal suitable for the IoT, and emphasizes the cooperative capability of the software and hardware platform; and then it introduces the key technologies of the smart terminal, integrates model standardization and virtualization technologies, realizes the plug and play of information flow, and supports application through engineering; finally, it analyzes the work plan of the next stage, and designs to improve the functions of the smart terminal.

Changes in U.S. Security and Defense Strategy toward China: Assessment and Policy Implications

This study analyzes American defense and security strategy towards China and assesses its policy impact on security on the Korean Peninsula and the Asia-Pacific region more generally. The rapid rise of the People’s Republic of China as a geopolitical power and its aggressive foreign policy has considerably heightened fears among U.S. policymakers that China poses a threat. The intensifying strategic rivalry and distrust between Washington and Beijing since the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump in 2017 is leading to worsened relations between the two countries. This trend is likely to continue in the foreseeable future, and it is also expected that the American grand strategy will view China as the new global adversary, drawing down the “War on Terror” in the process. China is indeed fast emerging as the target of sustained deterrence, and this shift in American strategic thinking will likely continue even after the 2020 U.S. Presidential elections. Intensifying Sino-American geopolitical competition is resulting in a new Cold War posture, reflecting in turn a lack of strategic dialogue. As a result, the risk of Sino-American military conflict in geopolitical hotspots around the world (including the Korean Peninsula) is rapidly increasing, and countries in the region are worried about being entangled in a Great Power conflict between the two countries. In the meantime, the United States is soliciting countries in the region to join an “anti-Beijing” grouping of sorts, seeking to integrate pre-existing alliances (e.g., the ROK-U.S. Alliance) into this new grouping. Beijing, for its part, is attempting to weaken those traditional alliances with Washington, through measures such as economic coercion. Seoul is bearing the brunt of such sustained pressure from Beijing and is being pressured by both countries to “pick” one side over the other. Practically speaking, rather than pick sides, Seoul ought to chart a middle course, proceeding with “strategic confidence” that draws on a clear delineation of national interest and backing of the South Korean public. In particular, it would behoove Seoul to provide opportunities for deliberation on Korean Peninsula security issues, enhancing the prospects for meaningful strategic dialogue between Washington and Beijing. Concurrently, Seoul would also benefit from vigilant monitoring of the changing balance of power between United States and China, utilizing insights drawn from keen monitoring to further enhance its defense capabilities. In so doing, it is expected that Seoul will enhance its strategic value and military deterrence capabilities. Concurrently, by way of proactive military-to-military diplomatic engagement with neighboring countries, cooperative deterrence capabilities also would have to be significantly enhanced.

Efficient Removal of Uranium(VI) from Aqueous Solutions by Triethylenetetramine-Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorns.

In the present study, SWCNH–COOH and SWCNH–TETA were fabricated using single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) via carboxylation and grafting with triethylenetetramine (TETA) for uranium (VI) ion [U(VI)] removal. The morpho-structural characterization of as-prepared adsorbing materials was performed by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Several parameters including the pH value of the aqueous solutions, contact time, temperature, and U(VI) concentration were used to evaluate the sorption efficiency of SWCNH–COOH and SWCNH–TETA. The Langmuir isotherm model could well represent the as-obtained adsorption isotherms, and the kinetics was successfully modeled by pseudo-second-order kinetics in the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity of SWCNH–TETA was calculated as 333.13 mg/g considering the Langmuir isotherm model. Thermodynamic studies showed that adsorption proved to be a spontaneous endothermic process. Moreover, SWCNH–TETA exhibited excellent recycling performance and selective adsorption of uranium. Furthermore, the possible mechanism was investigated by XPS and density functional theory calculations, indicating that the excellent adsorption was attributed to the cooperation capability between uranium ions and nitrogen atoms in SWCNH–TETA. This efficient approach can provide a strategy for developing high-performance adsorbents for U(VI) removal from wastewater.

Research on the invulnerability and optimization of the technical cooperation innovation network based on the patent perspective—A case study of new energy vehicles

This paper takes new energy vehicles as the research object, building the technical cooperation innovation network of new energy vehicles based on the patent perspective by establishing the related technology patent search expression, and analyzing the processes of the invulnerability and optimization in the actual technology cooperation innovation network by using the simulation analysis method. The research results show that the harmfulness of the degree value priority attack in the technical cooperation innovation network of new energy vehicles is stronger than the weighted degree value priority attack and random attack, and the attacks of the State Grid and other hub nodes have an important impact on the network invulnerability. During the network optimization process of three types of connection preferences, the “weak”-“weak” connection is the best connection mode given the situation of an unweighted network without considering the weight of the connected edge. However, the “strong”-“weak” connection is the best mode given the situation of a weighted network considering the weight of the connected edge. In addition, compared with the weighted network situation, the “strong”-“weak” connection has better network optimization results given the situation of an unweighted network. Finally, we propose counter measures and suggestions to promote the innovation network invulnerability capabilities of technical cooperation in new energy vehicles.

Does Culture Eat Strategy? The Antecedents of Cooperation Capability in Young ICT Firms

Cooperation enable young firms to access critical resources and skills that lie beyond their internal boundaries. However, to successfully create and capture value from cooperation, firms require the capability to cooperate. While empirical evidence highlights the importance of cooperation capability and its outcomes, research neglected how this dynamic capability emerges in young firms. The present study examines how the individual behavior of decision makers—innovation championing behavior—affects the cooperation capability of young firms. We introduce innovation strategy and innovation culture as the two crucial mechanisms in this relationship transforming the benefits of individual behavior into the organizational capability to cooperate. Drawing on a dataset of 283 young firms in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry, we found that innovation culture is the decisive mediator in the significant positive relationship between innovation championing behavior and firms’ cooperation capability. Surprisingly, innovation strategy, does not directly affect the development of cooperation capability, but rather fosters the development of innovation culture, which in turn increases firms’ capability to cooperate. We report theoretical and managerial implications emphasizing the value of innovation culture and its interplay with innovation strategy to transfer innovation championing behavior into cooperation capability in young ICT firms.

Simulation of the behavior of biologically-inspired swarm robots for the autonomous inspection of buried pipes

The use of robots for the inspection of buried pipelines has gained popularity over the past decade. In this paper we move the vision forward by examining what behavior and attributes would be required for these robots to become autonomous and pervasive within buried water pipe infrastructure. We present the results from novel simulations to evidence the inspection capability of autonomous robots, investigating operation, cooperation and communication attributes. The simulation uses a biologically-inspired behavior that provides complete and consistent coverage of real life example clean water distribution management areas. We show that autonomous robots could operate without a centralized controller and benefit from having some degree of in-pipe communication. We evidence the ability to adapt to changes in communication, speed, and flow conditions. The mathematical model that we derive through the simulation is scalable with the change of network length, topology, robots’ speed and number. This work paves the way and sets the specifications for practical development of autonomous pervasive robots for the inspection of complex pipe networks.

La influencia de la capacidad bélica sobre la soberanía nacional en las relaciones internacionales

En el derecho internacional, la doctrina declara que los países son autónomos y soberanos, pero la realidad muestra que las relaciones entre países no suelen ser igualitarias. Hay una relación proporcional entre la capacidad bélica de un país y su influencia en las relaciones internacionales (diplomáticas, económicas, comerciales y políticas), en función de sus posibilidades de cooperación, subordinación, condicionamiento o enfrentamiento con otros países. Aquí se analizan las relaciones entre EE. UU., la Unión Europea, China y Rusia, así como el contexto latinoamericano. Mediante este análisis, se evidencia la influencia de la disposición de capacidad bélica de un país con miras a su política internacional en el contexto actual de la llamada diplomacia de las cañoneras.

Impact of ICT Capability on Real Time Enterprise Capability and Supply Chain Performance

Many companies make considerable efforts in implementing supply chain management systems to increase their competitiveness. In particular, there are significant investments in their ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and supply chain. However, considerable diversity exists in how well firms have been able to assimilate ICT and leverage the business value of it. In addition, studies on supply chains, particularly Real Time Enterprise (RTE) competence, which is cited for rapid information sharing and dynamic capabilities for each role in the supply chain, are insufficient. The purpose of this paper is to explore and evaluate effect of ICT utilization capabilities, including ‘ICT internal cooperative capabilities’ and ‘ICT operational flexibility capabilities’, on RTE capabilities (flexibility, visibility and prediction) and supply chain performance. To validate the research model proposed in the study, survey was conducted on companies using ICT along the supply chain of manufacturing industries. 216 data were used, SPSS and AMOS were used for the analysis methods. Study results showed that ICT internal collaboration capabilities affect agility, one of RTE capabilities, but not visibility and prediction, and ICT operational flexibility capabilities have affected all three RTE capacities. And, RTE capabilities had a huge impact on supply chain performance as expected. In this paper, it has been found that the ICT capabilities in manufacturing are an important factor in improving RTE capabilities that are important in the supply chain and improving the performance of the supply chain.

Affordance-based modeling of a human-robot cooperative system for area exploration

The cooperation of humans and robots is ubiquitous in modern systems, while human ability to cooperate has been limitedly investigated in terms of systems theory. A formal model is proposed to describe the human capability for the cooperation based on the finite state automata (FSA) and the affordances theory. Unlike the previous studies focused on conceptual approaches, real and virtual experiments are conducted to investigate human actions in a cooperative system with a human and a robot. A modeling scheme is provided to implement agent-based simulations for the cooperative system using the proposed affordance-based FSA. The developed simulation for the cooperation problem can reproduce the patterns of the actual experiments in terms of affordances and supervisory capability. The modular architecture of the agent-based framework allows establishing open-ended algorithms for action selections with their isolated effects under physical constraints, which need to be revised to deal with human-involved cooperation problems.

Cognitive Human Modeling in Collaborative Robotics

In today’s INDUSTRY 4.0 context, the growing need to improve performances and sustainability of working environment is looking forward to developing interoperable and service-oriented systems with real time capabilities. This is boosting the installation of decentralized and reliable robotics cells with flexible cooperative capabilities. They enroll smart operators’flexibility and robot productivity in collaborative robotics (properly cobots) applications. This paper consists of a state-of-the-art review on cognitive load in manufacturing with characterization of human-robot collaboration. A simulated analysis of a collaborative working cell is performed. An Agent Based (AB) model is presented with application in the automotive sector. The cell consists of logistics AGVs equipped with a manipulator. They interact with working robots and human operator. Robots collaborate in cell and they cooperate with operator on assisted task using Human Machine Interfaces (HMI). The load of human in the collaborative work-cell– set on state of art - is measured according with Functional states over different Behavioral Structures (FBS). We quantified the load of cognitive factors while reporting interaction analysis. Some factors as age and interface complexity and recovery strategy are investigated while reporting their effect on a dynamic variable, i.e., physical stress properly fatigue. This acts on productivity and operational outcomes.

From Design to Delivery: Teaching Supply Chain Management to IB Majors

ABSTRACTCurricular development is critical for preparing students in a coordinated fashion for life after graduation – especially when their roles will involve cross-border business decisions. The design of specific courses in any curriculum must be purposeful in terms of what is taught, how it is taught, and how all the course components fit together. For a supply chain management course targeted at international business (IB) students, one key purpose is to understand how competitiveness is developed across the extended enterprise, rather than within the confines of individual companies. This “winning together” view helps foster capabilities for connectedness and cooperation in IB environments typically characterized by geographic dispersion and cultural dissimilarities. The objective of this article is to examine how integrating fundamental pedagogical theories (student-centeredness, diversity, reflection, self-direction, experiential learning) in course design can influence the outcomes of a semester-long practice-oriented international supply chain course. The course espouses the winning together view while probing in-depth core supply chain themes, with the aim of producing cohorts of undergraduates that have developed the intuition, aptitude, and methods for co-creating value across business boundaries in cross-border situations. This article’s contribution is in demonstrating the innovativeness of blending multiple pedagogical tools and experiences in a single semester, rather than an entire program of study. The observed positive student learning outcomes are consistent with the integrated course design model. Replicating such course design over a program of study, will multiply the resulting positive outcomes for students, hence preparing them better as prospective global managers.

Pemberdayaan pengelolaan desa wisata berkelanjutan di Desa Tanjung Lanjut Kecamatan Sekernan Kabupaten Muaro Jambi

Desa Tanjung Lanjut kecamatan Sekernan kabupaten Muaro Jambi memiliki potensi di sektor wisata indah yang berwujud berupa danau Tangkas. Danau tersebut memiliki daya tarik tersendiri dengan tumbuhnya pohon Putat berbunga Flanconia Valida berwarna merah yang mekar dan gugur sekitar bulan Juli hingga Agustus setiap tahun. Potensi objek wisata kawasan ini telah dikelola oleh Badan Usaha Milik Desa, akan tetapi belum dikelola secara berkelanjutan yang berdampak pada peningkatan pendapatan bagi masyarakat. Berdasarkan permasalahan di atas, maka rumusan solusi yang diimplemetasikan pada kegiatan pengabdian adalah pendampingan pengelolaan objek wisata dan promosi objek wisata. Pemberdayaan pengelolaan objek wisata dilakukan dengan cara: 1). Transfer pengetahuan pengelolaan berkelanjutan (mencakup aspek ekonomi, sosial dan lingkungan). 2) Pelatihan dan pendampingan peningkatan kemampuan. Berdasarkan hasil kegiatan pengabdian menunjukkan bahwa adanya peningkatan pengetahuan, motivasi, kemampuan manajerial dan kecakapan teknis dalam pengelolaan potensi wisata berkelanjutan yang berdampak pada peningkatan jumlah pengunjung. Bertambahnya jumlah wisatawan melahirkan sumber perekonomian baru atau alternatif bagi masyarakat setempat yang selama ini hanya bergantung pada sektor perkebunan dan pertanian. Temuan lain menunjukkan bahwa pengelola danau Tangkas belum memiliki kemampuan kerjasama dan jejaring yang cukup baik dengan berbagai level mitra, dengan demikian perlu dilakukan pendampingan lebih lanjut dalam peningkatan kemampuan kerjasama dan berjejaring.

Technological learning modelling towards sustainable energy planning

PurposeObviously, the development of a robust optimization framework is the main step in energy and climate policy. In other words, the challenge of energy policy assessment requires the application of approaches which recognize the complexity of energy systems in relation to technological, social, economic and environmental aspects. This paper aims to develop a two-sided multi-agent based modelling framework which endogenizes the technological learning mechanism to determine the optimal generation plan. In this framework, the supplier agents try to maximize their income while complying with operational, technical and market penetration rates constraints. A case study is used to illustrate the application of the proposed planning approach. The results showed that considering the endogenous technology cost reduction moves optimal investment timings to earlier planning years and influences the competitiveness of technologies. The proposed integrated approach provides not only an economical generation expansion plan but also a cleaner one compared to the traditional approach.Design/methodology/approachTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, so far there has not been any agent-based generation expansion planning (GEP) incorporating technology learning mechanism into the modelling framework. The main contribution of this paper is to introduce a multi-agent based modelling for long-term GEP and undertakes to show how incorporating technological learning issues in supply agents behaviour modelling influence on renewable technology share in the optimal mix of technologies. A case study of the electric power system of Iran is used to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed planning approach and also to demonstrate its efficiency.FindingsAs seen, the share of the renewable technology agents (geothermal, hydropower, wind, solar, biomass and photovoltaic) in expanding generation increases from 10.2% in the traditional model to 13.5% in the proposed model over the planning horizon. Also, to incorporate technological learning in the supply agent behaviour leads to earlier involving of renewable technologies in the optimal plan. This increased share of the renewable technology agents is reasonable due to their decreasing investment cost and capability of cooperation in network reserve supply which leads to a high utilization factor.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, so far there hasn’t been any agent-based GEP paying attention to this integrated approach. The main contribution of this paper is to introduce a multi-agent based modelling for long-term GEP and undertakes to show how incorporating technological learning issues in supply agents behaviour modelling influence on renewable technology share in the optimal mix of technologies. A case study of the electric power system of Iran is used to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed planning approach and also to demonstrate its efficiency.

Innovative ICT solutions and/within/for changing security environment. Case study – NATO DEEP ADL Portal and Social Media

The Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) is a vehicle for reform, providing tailored practical support to individual countries in developing and reforming their professional military education institutions. Through faculty development, curriculum development and peer-to-peer consultations, the DEEP Programme fosters defence capacity building, cooperative capability development and standardisation and promotes interoperability of processes and methodologies to enhance democratic institutions. With the support of more than 350 experts from approximately 75 defence education institutions in NATO member and partner countries, DEEP provides host countries with the assistance needed to respond to the most pressing requirements for modernisation and reform. In this context and based on requests from the ADL expert community in DEEP Partner countries, IS-PASP has taken the initiative to provide a NATO/DEEP-owned Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Portal to the DEEP community. The purpose of the DEEP ADL Portal is two-fold: (1) serve as a repository/ catalogue of online courses used by the professional military education institutions in NATO Allies and DEEP Partner countries; (2) facilitate ADL Designers in NATO Allied and DEEP Partner countries in the design of online courses by enabling them to: (1) exchange their expertise, knowledge and ideas on ADL; and (2) design online courses. The Portal aims at being a comprehensive solution that will not only allow the deepening of cooperation within the DEEP Programme, but also influence the dissemination of ideas in defence education and thus increase the reach of the programme. At the same time, it will create a compendium of expertise in the use and implementation of new technologies in defence education and training. Working together with Partners and sharing resources and courses will empower NATO in its objective of modernising and reforming military education institutions.