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We study the following geometric representation problem: Given a graph whose vertices correspond to axis-aligned rectangles with fixed dimensions, arrange the rectangles without overlaps in the plane such that two rectangles touch if the graph contains an edge between them. This problem is called Contact Representation of Word Networks (Crown) since it formalizes the geometric problem behind drawing word clouds in which semantically related words are close to each other. Crown is known to be NP-hard, and there are approximation algorithms for certain graph classes for the optimization version, Max-Crown, in which realizing each desired adjacency yields a certain profit. We present the first O(1)-approximation algorithm for the general case, when the input is a complete weighted graph, and for the bipartite case. Since the subgraph of realized adjacencies is necessarily planar, we also consider several planar graph classes (namely stars, trees, outerplanar, and planar graphs), improving upon the known results. For some graph classes, we also describe improvements in the unweighted case, where each adjacency yields the same profit. Finally, we show that the problem is APX-complete on bipartite graphs of bounded maximum degree.

The purposes of the study were as follows: first, to study the literature in the field of teaching drafting with special reference to the use of instructional aides in presenting orthographic projection concerning the use of a projection box; second, to ascertain the value of the use of a tri-color projection box in teaching orthographic projection to an experimental group of students at the R. L. Turner High School, Carrollton, Texas; and third, to determine if an analysis of these data indicates a justification for the use of this type of an instructional aid in teaching orthographic projection.

Submitted by FERNANDA DA SILVA VON PORSTER (fdsvporster@univates.br) on 2018-01-04T17:02:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) 2017FernandaMarder.pdf: 3448153 bytes, checksum: 2350fde73f91b391dde6a88ee1196174 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Lisboa Monteiro (monteiro@univates.br) on 2018-01-05T19:29:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) 2017FernandaMarder.pdf: 3448153 bytes, checksum: 2350fde73f91b391dde6a88ee1196174 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-05T19:29:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) 2017FernandaMarder.pdf: 3448153 bytes, checksum: 2350fde73f91b391dde6a88ee1196174 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-01 / CAPES / A geração de lodo em Estações de Tratamento de Águas (ETA) convencionais é o subproduto do processo de tratamento formado por sólidos e precipitados químicos decorrentes da adição de coagulantes como os sais de ferro e alumínio. Alternativas ambientais vêm sendo desenvolvidas para realizar o reaproveitamento deste material e não impactar o meio ambiente. Neste trabalho, investigou-se os efeitos do potencial aplicado, tempo de eletrólise e conteúdo de eletrólito sobre a remoção eletrocinética de alumínio e ferro presentes em lodo gerado por ETA usando o planejamento experimental estatístico Box-Behnken. A análise multivariada do alumínio forneceu um modelo significativo estatístico, com p = 0,0509. A parte quadrática, em particular, teve resultados relevantes, justificando assim as experiências de otimização. A superfície de resposta para a remoção de alumínio mostrou um rendimento ótimo previsto de 60,5% para o potencial aplicado de 25 V, tempo de eletrólise de 72 h e quantidade de eletrólito de 90%. Já a análise multivariada para a remediação eletrocinética de ferro não forneceu um modelo significativo, com p = 0,1156730. Assim, esse modelo estatístico não obteve resultados favoráveis, sendo o modelo descartado. Os fatores utilizados não obtiveram êxito, e estes parâmetros não podem ser utilizados em futuras análises. / The generation of sludge in conventional water treatment plants (WTPs) is the byproduct of the treatment process formed by solids and chemical precipitates resulting from the addition of coagulants such as iron and aluminum salts. Environmental alternatives have been developed to realize the reuse of this material and not to impact the environment. In this work, the effects of the applied potential, electrolysis time and electrolyte content on the electrokinetic removal of aluminum and iron present in WTP generated sludge using the Box- Behnken experimental experimental design were investigated. The multivariate analysis of aluminum provided a statistically significant model, with p = 0.0509. The quadratic part, in particular, had relevant results, thus justifying the optimization experiments. The response surface for aluminum removal showed an optimum predicted efficiency of 60.5% for the 25 V applied potential, 72 h electrolysis time and 90% electrolyte quantity. The multivariate analysis for electrokinetic iron remediation did not provide a significant model, with p = 0.1156730. Thus, this statistical model did not obtain favorable results, being the model discarded. The factors used were not successful, and these parameters can’t be used in future analyzes.

The autoregressive-integrated moving average (AMIRA) process plays an essential role in time series models. Classical method of finding the maximum likelihood (ML) estimate of the parameters in an ARIMA(p; d; q) model consists of evaluating the likelihood function through the Box-Jenkins approach or the Innovations Algorithm and optimizing it by numerical methods such as the quasi-Newton algorithms. However, these approaches have several drawbacks. The quasi-Newton methods tend to be unstable when the likelihood function is highly nonlinear. In this paper, we consider a state space representation of the ARIMA(p; d; q) process. The likelihood function can be easily expressed by the Kalman filter and the ML estimates can be obtained through a combination of Kalman smoother and the EM Algorithm. The updating equations in the EM algorithm possess a simple analytical form. A quasi-Newton scheme has also been implemented to accelerate the convergence of the EM Algorithm. The simulations studies show that the EM algorithm is more robust to starting values and the number of parameters, and the quasi-Newton acceleration scheme significantly improves the convergence rate of the EM algorithm. / 差分自回歸移動平均(AMIRA)模型在時間序列模型中有著重要地位。ARIMA模型的傳統極大似然估計方法通過Box-Jenkins方法或者新息算法(Innovations Algorithm)計算出似然函數，再通過擬牛頓(quasi-Newton)法等數值方法將之極大化，從而得到參數的極大似然估計。然而，此類方法在一定條件下存在缺陷。例如，當似然函數高度非線性時，擬牛頓法表現出不穩定的現象。本文考慮ARIMA模型的一種狀態空間(state-space)模型表示。在此表示下，參數的似然函數可以通過卡爾曼濾波算法計算，而參數的極大似然估計可以通過卡爾曼平滑和EM算法簡單得出。本問題中EM算法的迭代公式有簡潔的解析形式。同時，我們進一步考慮了一個擬牛頓加速算法來加快EM算法的收斂速度。通過模擬實驗我們發現，對於不同的初始值和參數個數，EM算法比擬牛頓法更為穩健。同時，擬牛頓的加速算法可以顯著加快EM算法的收斂速度。 / Huang, Rui. / Thesis M.Phil. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2015. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-58). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 06, October, 2016). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

Box-Ironbark forests occur on the inland hills of the Great Dividing Range in Australia, from western Victoria to southern Queensland. These dry, open forests are characteristically dominated by Eucalyptus species such as Red Ironbark E. tricarpa, Mugga Ironbark E. sideroxylon and Grey Box E. microcarpa. Within these forests, several Eucalyptus species are a major source of nectar for the blossom-feeding birds and marsupials that form a distinctive component of the fauna. In Victoria, approximately 83% of the original pre - European forests of the Box-Ironbark region have been cleared, and the remaining fragmented forests have been heavily exploited for gold and timber. This exploitation has lead to a change in the structure of these forests, from one dominated by large 80-100 cm diameter, widely -spaced trees to mostly small (≥40 cm DBH), more densely - spaced trees. This thesis examines the flowering ecology of seven Eucalyptus species within a Box-Ironbark community. These species are characteristic of Victorian Box-Ironbark forests; River Red Gum E. camaldulensis, Yellow Gum E. leucoxylon, Red Stringybark E. macrorhyncha, Yellow Box E. melliodora, Grey Box E. microcarpa, Red Box E. polyanthemos and Red Ironbark E. tricarpa. Specifically, the topics examined in this thesis are: (1) the floral character traits of species, and the extent to which these traits can be associated with syndromes of bird or insect pollination; (2) the timing, frequency, duration, intensity, and synchrony of flowering of populations and individual trees; (3) the factors that may explain variation in flowering patterns of individual trees through examination of the relationships between flowering and tree-specific factors of individually marked trees; (4) the influence of tree size on the flowering patterns of individually marked trees, and (5) the spatial and temporal distribution of the floral resources of a dominant species, E. tricarpa. The results are discussed in relation to the evolutionary processes that may have lead to the flowering patterns, and the likely effects of these flowering patterns on blossom-feeding fauna of the Box-Ironbark region. Flowering observations were made for approximately 100 individually marked trees for each species (a total of 754 trees). The flower cover of each tree was assessed at a mean interval of 22 (+ 0.6) days for three years; 1997, 1998 and 1999. The seven species of eucalypt each had characteristic flowering seasons, the timing of which was similar each year. In particular, the timing of peak flowering intensity was consistent between years. Other spatial and temporal aspects of flowering patterns for each species, including the percentage of trees that flowered, frequency of flowering, intensity of flowering and duration of flowering, displayed significant variation between years, between forest stands (sites) and between individual trees within sites. All seven species displayed similar trends in flowering phenology over the study, such that 1997 was a relatively 'poor' flowering year, 1998 a 'good' year and 1999 an 'average' year in this study area. The floral character traits and flowering seasons of the seven Eucalyptus species suggest that each species has traits that can be broadly associated with particular pollinator types. Differences between species in floral traits were most apparent between 'summer' and 'winter' flowering species. Winter - flowering species displayed pollination syndromes associated with bird pollination and summer -flowering species displayed syndromes more associated with insect pollination. Winter - flowering E. tricarpa and E. leucoxylon flowers, for example, were significantly larger, and contained significantly greater volumes of nectar, than those of the summer flowering species, such as E. camaldulensis and E. melliodom. An examination of environmental and tree-specific factors was undertaken to investigate relationships between flowering patterns of individually marked trees of E. microcarpa and E. tricarpa and a range of measures that may influence the observed patterns. A positive association with tree-size was the most consistent explanatory variable for variation between trees in the frequency and intensity of flowering. Competition from near-neighbours, tree health and the number of shrubs within the canopy area were also explanatory variables. The relationship between tree size and flowering phenology was further examined by using the marked trees of all seven species, selected to represent five size-classes. Larger trees (≥40 cm DBH) flowered more frequently, more intensely, and for a greater duration than smaller trees. Larger trees provide more abundant floral resources than smaller trees because they have more flowers per unit area of canopy, they have larger canopies in which more flowers can be supported, and they provide a greater abundance of floral resources over the duration of the flowering season. Heterogeneity in the distribution of floral resources was further highlighted by the study of flowering patterns of E. tricarpa at several spatial and temporal scales. A total of approximately 5,500 trees of different size classes were sampled for flower cover along transects in major forest blocks at each of five sample dates. The abundance of flowers varied between forest blocks, between transects and among tree size - classes. Nectar volumes in flowers of E. tricarpa were sampled. The volume of nectar varied significantly among flowers, between trees, and between forest stands. Mean nectar volume per flower was similar on each sample date. The study of large numbers of individual trees for each of seven species was useful in obtaining quantitative data on flowering patterns of species' populations and individual trees. The timing of flowering for a species is likely to be a result of evolutionary selective forces tempered by environmental conditions. The seven species' populations showed a similar pattern in the frequency and intensity of flowering between years (e.g. 1998 was a 'good' year for most species) suggesting that there is some underlying environmental influence acting on these aspects of flowering. For individual trees, the timing of flowering may be influenced by tree-specific factors that affect the ability of each tree to access soil moisture and nutrients. In turn, local weather patterns, edaphic and biotic associations are likely to influence the available soil moisture. The relationships between the timing of flowering and environmental conditions are likely to be complex. There was no evidence that competition for pollinators has a strong selective influence on the timing of flowering. However, as there is year-round flowering in this community, particular types of pollinators may be differentiated along a temporal gradient (e.g. insects in summer, birds in winter). This type of differentiation may have resulted in the co-evolution of floral traits and pollinator types, with flowers displaying adaptations that match the morphologies and energy requirements of the most abundant pollinators in any particular season. Spatial variation in flowering patterns was evident at several levels. This is likely to occur because of variation in climate, weather patterns, soil types, degrees of disturbance and biotic associations, which vary across the Box-Ironbark region. There was no consistency among sites between years in flowering patterns suggesting that factors affecting flowering at this level are complex. Blossom-feeding animals are confronted with a highly spatially and temporally patchy resource. This patchiness has been increased with human exploitation of these forests leading to a much greater abundance of small trees and fewer large trees. Blossom-feeding birds are likely to respond to this variation in different ways, depending upon diet-breadth, mobility and morphological and behavioural characteristics. Future conservation of the blossom-feeding fauna of Box-Ironbark forests would benefit from the retention of a greater number of large trees, the protection and enhancement of existing remnants, and revegetation with key species, such as E. leucoxylon, E. microcarpa and E. tricarpa. The selective clearing of summer flowering species, which occur on the more fertile areas, may have negatively affected the year-round abundance and distribution of floral resources. The unpredictability of the spatial distribution of flowering patches within the region means that all remnants are likely to be important foraging areas in some years.

The gear type transmissions has good performance. And it can offer the proper rotating ratio to make the dynamical system and transmission of the vehicle obtain the good match result. Apply to the transmissions of various kinds of vehicles extensively. The purpose of this research lies in the five-speed gear type transmissions. And sets up the theory of a systematized design method. The type of carrying on the transmissions by way of systematization is designed, cam mechanism to design, shifter mechanism to design and dispose overallly systematically. At first, sum up the function that the transmissions and basic characteristic to the transmissions of existing motorcycle. Set up the design specification form of the transmissions. Secondly propose a systematized designing program and carrying on the design of the gear box. And then to the gear type transmissions, cylinder cam and shifter mechanism. And carry on the innovation of handling the organization to design with movement route analytic approach and morphology matrix. Dispose overallly the five-speed gear type transmissions. Finally, set up the type picture collection of the gear type transmissions, in order to benefit the design of the motorcycle gear type transmissions. The achievement of this research contributes to the cart the innovation of the five-speed gear type transmissions designed.

Manufacturing is becoming a crucial part of now-a-days fast growing economies and increase of earth’s population. Recently manufacturing is changing rapidly, different manufacturing strategies are being implemented, the conceptual understanding for manufacturing is changed, and new ways of producing products are showing up. Automation has been the essential term regarding the modern manufacturing processes. The humanmachine sharing is playing a major role in the production systems, and the most elegant thing is to create and design the appropriate level for interaction between them depending on the desired outcome in the production area. Technological innovation is the implementation of new more efficient production method by achieving qualitative improvements of the goods and services in a specific area in this paper’s case is a production system. This paper is regarding the importance of the correct production system being chosen for an organization regarding the right level of automation (LoA) being used, which is a way of controlling the overall effectiveness of the system.  Different approaches and methods are going to be used for demonstrating the choice of  the exact and right level of automation and the possibility of changing it by introducing and implementing the ongoing DYNAMO research on a different conceptual solutions for a foundry application in Factory-in-a-Box. The main objective of the research is to develop a method and system for supporting sustainable flexible and reconfigurable production system providing competitive industrial characteristics in the fast developing world. / ProViking, Factory-in-a-box, Dynamo

Mega-retailers are widely criticized as causing devastation among smaller retailers, particularly in mid-sized markets in the United States. Others argue that small retailers can survive “in the shadow of the retail giants,” by offering levels of customer service that the mega-retailers can’t provide due to their very size. This paper reports the findings of an empirical study of the perceived impact of the recent opening of box-retailers, such as Costco and Home Depot on locally owned/operated small retailers in the northeastern Ontario city of Greater Sudbury, Canada from 1999 to 2003. The sample included 78 smaller store owners, on average in operation for the last 21 years. Aggregate results confirmed the hypotheses that small retailers suffered lower sales and clientele since the arrival of mega-retailers, and could clearly identify their and mega-retailers’ respective competitive advantages and disadvantages as compared to each other. Respondents had a significant perception of having an advantage over their mega-competitors in the areas of Store Cleanliness, Value for the Customer, Products’ Quality, and Store Layout. While a number of respondents suffered lower sales, about one-third of them (the Resisting Retailers) had average sales growth of over 21%. Differentiation and Niche Marketing were the main aspects of a successful competing strategy adopted by resisting retailers against mega-retailers. Some of the strategic moves adopted by resisting retailers amounted to a “Vacuum Strategy,” which includes the refusal to carry brands available at mega-stores, and the refusal to service such brands or to have anything to do with megaretailers, refusing any alliance with them and making it known to customers.

The study is based on the thirty years operation experience from the author. The author enhance the enterprise management and improve the product innovation ability by investigating the enterprise management strategy and resource employ theory. Through the motivation, process and turn-key solution development by the innovated product, the author generalize the knowledge of strategy management and response the challenge of global industry competition. In Chapter 3, the author describe the development history and status analysis of the gear industry. The author also indicate the focal point and core advantage of the innovated product. With ECO-Friendly¡BEnergy Saving properties design, the product had been affirmed by the customers and acquired the 2010 Taiwan Innovation Research and Development First Prize Award¡B2010 Taiwan Nation Gold Medal¡B2011 Taiwan Excellence Award¡B2011 Switzerland Geneva Invention Gold Medal and 2011 Italy Catania Invention Gold Medal. The author study the global market opportunity and further plan the new development strategy for market expansion. In Chapter 4, the author divided the research method into the case analysis method and the grounded theory method. The author use apply the practical data collection method and strict qualitative analysis method to verify the accuracy of the collected data, then draw out the effective management strategy. In Chapter 5, the author compare the difference between the innovated product V.S. the traditional product and figure out its competitive advantage. Through the actual testing data illustration, the author explain the contribution of the innovated product and the relationship between the enterprise responsibility afford and the enterprise sustainable operation. The author expect to strength the company's innovated strategy management ability via the innovated product development. At the same time, the author wish to inspire the the passion of machinery industry innovated design and encourage the new designer to be more creative and implement their good design idea.