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The electromyogram (EMG) signal is desired to be used as a control signal for applications such as multifunction prostheses, wheelchair navigation, gait generation, grasping control, virtual keyboards, and gesture-based interfaces [25]. Several research studies have attempted to relate the electromyogram (EMG) activity of the forearm muscles to the mechanical activity of the wrist, hand and/or fingers [41], [42], [43]. A primary interest is for EMG control of powered upper-limb prostheses and rehabilitation orthotics. Existing commercial EMG-controlled devices are limited to rudimentary control capabilities of either discrete states (e.g. hand close/open), or one degree of freedom proportional control [4], [36]. Classification schemes for discriminating between hand/wrist functions and individual finger movements have demonstrated accuracy up to 95% [38], [39], [29]. These methods may provide for increased amputee function, though continuous control of movement is not generally achieved. This thesis considered proportional control via EMG-based estimation of finger forces with the goal of identifying whether multiple degrees of freedom of proportional control information are available from the surface EMG of the forearm. Electromyogram (EMG) activity from the extensor and flexor muscles of the forearm was sensed with bipolar surface electrodes and related to the force produced at the four fingertips during constant-posture, slowly force-varying contractions from 20 healthy subjects. The contractions ranged between 30% maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) extension and 30% MVC flexion. EMG amplitude sampling rate, least squares regularization, linear vs. nonlinear models and number of electrodes used in the system identification were studied. Results are supportive that multiple degrees of freedom of proportional control information are available from the surface EMG of the forearm, at least in healthy subjects. An EMG amplitude sampling frequency of 4.096 Hz was found to produce models which allowed for good EMG amplitude estimates. Least squares regularization with a pseudo-inverse tolerance of 0.055 resulted in significant improvement in modeling results, with an average error of 4.69% MVC-6.59% MVC (maximum voluntary contraction). Increasing polynomial order did not significantly improve modeling results. Results from smaller electrode arrays remained fairly good with as few as six electrodes, with the average %MVC error ranging from 5.13%-7.01% across the four fingers. This study also identified challenges in the current experimental study design and subsequent system identification when EMG-force modeling is performed with four fingers simultaneously. Methods to compensate for these issues have been proposed in this thesis.

With the trend to globalization and undergone the 2008 Financial Storm, the capital markets worldwide have faced ever changing and unprecedented challenges. Most major futures exchanges have therefore adjusted their structures, changed operation models, acquired their competitors, or partnered with other derivative exchanges. Through these efforts, we know that global futures markets have been marching on an overall revolution. Only through reinforcement of its own advantages, setting a long term strategy, basing on its strength in product research and market promotion, can one ensure its competitiveness in the world. This research focuses on the development of the worldwide futures industry, the positioning and strategics of major exchanges, utilizing tools such as FIVE FORCE model, SWOT model to analyze TAIFEX¡¦s current operation conditions and core value, so as to raise the efficiency and value of TAIFEX. It also refers to the experiences and strategies of other major futures exchanges, setting the long term goal for TAIFEX, in order to gain its competitiveness under the trends of globalization and electronic trading. The research concluded that TAIFEX has currently faced the predicament of products centralization and saturation of domestic demand. Products centralization can be resolved through the continuous launch of more new products. However, the success of the new products lies upon the domestic demand. After careful evaluation, among all the new products that under research that might be launched, currency futures and stock futures can meet the requirements of the local markets. The interest futures is unlikely to be launched in the foreseeable future under the current Central Bank¡¦s policy. Whereas the stock futures has the advantages of simplicity in trading and easy promotion, it might raise the issue of substitution with the the securities loans business. Therefore, this research suggests that TAIFEX should put more efforts on the market promotion and enhancement of the depth and broadness of the existing products. Given that the current market is saturated, other than reinforcing its leading position in the Taiwan market, TAIFEX should collaborate with other futures exchanges and strengthen its cooperation with the Chinese futures industry, so as to open a new era into the future and fulfill its goal of economic efficiency.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Physics, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-53).

Inledning: En stor del av den svenska ekonomin vilar på den svenska banksektorn. I och med den ökande digitaliseringen som blivit än mer påtaglig på senare tid har konkurrenssituationen bidragit till ett nytt utgångsläge än tidigare. Idag talas det om nya konkurrenter i banksektorn, som FinTech bolag, internationella banker och andra aktörer som börjar utmana svenska storbanker om fler marknadsandelar. Syfte och problemformulering: Syftet med arbetet är att identifiera, beskriva och förklara hur svenska storbanker och FinTech bolag uppfattar möjligheterna och hoten i samband med den ökande digitaliseringen inom banksektorn. Detta är för att försöka skapa en förståelse för förändringen av banksektorn i samband med digitaliseringen. Hur uppfattar svenska storbanker och FinTech bolag de möjligheter och hot som uppkommer i samband med den ökande digitaliseringen? Teoretisk referensram: De teorier som har använts under studien är isomorfismen med underbegreppen tvingande, imiterande och normativ isomorfism samt Porters strategiteori, femkraftsmodellen. En SWOT analys har använts för att enklare kunna identifiera bankernas styrkor, svagheter, möjligheter och hot i samband med digitaliseringen. Studien har även använt sig av tidigare forskning och tagit hänsyn till strävan efter legitimitet och krav på kostnadseffektivisering. Detta har använts som stöd till det empiriska resultat som samlats in för att enklare kunna analysera och därmed få problemformuleringen besvarad. Metod: Det empiriska materialet har samlats in med en kvalitativ metod. 5 informanter har medverkat i semistrukturerade intervjuer. Slutsats: Författarna till studien har identifierat och beskrivit flera faktorer till hur de uppfattar de möjligheter och de hot som finns i samband med den ökande digitaliseringen. Informanterna belyste både möjligheter och hot, exempelvis att regelverket PSD2 ökar konkurrensen och förbättrar situationen för mindre aktörer att konkurrera mot de större bankerna. Studien har även begränsats till svenska storbanker och FinTech bolag. / Introduction: A big part of the Swedish economy rests on the shoulders of the Swedish bank sector. Because of the increasing digitalization in recent times, the difference in competition has become substantially more evident and it has received a completely new starting point compared to before. The newest and most recent additions to the competition within the banking sector are examples such as FinTech companies, international banks and other parties that are also starting to compete with the big Swedish banks for market shares. Purpose and problem formulation: The purpose of this study is to describe the way the big Swedish banks and FinTech companies perceive the different opportunities and threats related to the increased digitalization that we see today. This will allow us to try and create an understanding of what the future might look like and what has already changed within the banking sector ever since the introduction of digitalization. How do the big Swedish banks and FinTech companies perceive the different opportunities and threats related to the increased digitalization? Theoretical frame of reference: The theories that have been used during the study are isomorphism with the notion of compelling, imitating and normative isomorphism as well as Porter's strategy theory, the five force model. A SWOT analysis has been used to more easily identify the banks' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats during the digitization. The study has also used previous research and taken into account the quest for legitimacy and demands for cost efficiency. This has become a support for the empirical results that have been collected in order to be able to analyze more easily, reach a conclusion and thus get the problem formulation answered. Method: The empirical material has been collected with a qualitative method. 5 informants have participated in semi-structured interviews. Conclusion: The authors of the study have identified, described and explained several factors as to how they perceive opportunities and threats during the increasing digitization. The informants shared both opportunities and threats, such as the fact that the PSD2 regulations increase competition and improve the situation for smaller players to compete against the big banks. The study has also been limited to big Swedish banks and FinTech companies.

The International environmental become significant issue for each countries, base on green trend more and more green products launched into market. E-Reader is one of the green product that growing rapidly in recent years due to the internet blooming. There have lot of advantages for people using E-Reader, such as easy to carry and you can own thousand of books content inside the E-Reader, it is amazing convenient for this development. The E-reader in this case study was identified by using electronic paper as the panel material, which is different from the LCD panel screen reader¡]Tablet¡^. So far Taiwan is the biggest OEM/ODM manufacturer area for worldwide E-reader market beause the E-paper source, also Taiwan maker can laverge all manufactuer capabilities coming from electronic and 3C industries and have well integrated supplier resource, that¡¦s why Taiwan maker can control 90% OEM/ODM E-reader manufactureing in the world. The global recession since 2008 has resulted in sharp drop for international business. It is getting more and more difficult for business competition, especially for OEM/ODM model. Although Taiwan E-reader manufacturers still have margin at this moment, but gradually they will face other competitors from China or Kera, on the other hand the threat from Tablet-reader is getting apparent, and the DRM still don¡¦t have well organized by governments, more and more challenges close to E-reader manufacturers. In the case of A company, base on five force model & Resources basic model as it can be aware how A company running his E-reader business under Globalization. The industrial circumstances change rapidly, it is important for Tawian maker to think over how to apply their own resource and make the right business strategy. By reviewing this case of A company, here is some suggestions for Taiwan E-reader industry. 1. Bring up for globalization talents. 2. Global system reinforcement. 3. To have Strong and well finance management. 4. Enchance RD capabilities by using core technology. 5. Process techniques and quality stability. 6. Strengthen the business strategic alliance.

Haptic devices and haptic rendering is an important topic in the burgeoning field of virtual reality applications. In this thesis, I describe the design and implementation of a cutting force model integrating a haptic device, the PHANToM, with a high &ndash / powered computer. My goal was to build a six degree &ndash / of &ndash / freedom force model to allow user to interact with three &ndash / dimensional deformable objects. Methods for haptic rendering including graphical rendering, collision detection and force feedback are illustrated, implementation of haptic rendering system is introduced, and application is evaluated to explore the effectiveness of the system.

The research on tribology and wear of the metals and composites has always been the topic of interest to understand the behavior and life of them. The wear of the materials with three-body contact has been of particular interest because the wear debris generated due to the wear and tear between the contact surfaces in constant motion will aggravate the wear rate of the contact surfaces. Hence it would be interesting to understand the stress distribution inside the materials with three-body contact. The current research presents the stress distribution within the materials which are in three-body contact modeling them as plain-strain problems with three different models viz., point force model, uniform pressure model and Hertzian Pressure model. The stress distribution of all the three cases are numerically computed and compared and the stress intensity factor is calculated in each case.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Efficient face milling of titanium alloys provides a global challenge. Difficult-to-cut super alloys such as Ti-6Al-4V is considered the “workhorse” material for aerospace components. During the machining of aerospace components, 80% – 90% of the material is removed. This requirement drives the innovation for machines and tooling to become more efficient, while driving down costs. In South Africa, this requirement is no different. Due to the historic practice of exporting valuable minerals such as Ilmenite, leucoxene and rutile, South Africa does not enjoy many of financial benefits of producing value added titanium alloy products. The Titanium Centre of Competence (TiCoC) is aimed at creating a South African titanium manufacturing industry by the year 2020. More specifically, the roughing of Ti-6Al-4V aerospace components has been identified as an area for improvement. The thermal conductivity of Ti-6Al-4V is significantly lower than that of other “workhorse” metals such as steel or aluminium. Therefore, heat rapidly builds up in the tool tip during high speed machining resulting in shortened tool life and increased machining costs. Hence the ongoing developments in the field of cooling methods for high speed machining. The latest development in high pressure cooling (HPC) is split tools that deliver coolant into the cutting interface via flat nozzles in the rake face of the insert. Although it has been released recently and limited to a single supplier, this cooling method is commercially available, yet little is known about its performance or application conditions. The operational characteristics of split tools are studied by answering set research questions. A dynamometer was used to measure the tangential cutting forces during 11 cutting experiments that follow a three-factor factorial design at two levels and with three centre points. A second-order model for predicting the tangential cutting force during face milling of Ti-6Al-4V with split tools was fit to the data at 95% confidence level. A predictive cutting force model was developed in terms of the cutting parameters: (1) Axial depth of cut (ADOC), (2) feed per tooth and, (3) cutting speed. The effect of cutting parameters on cutting force including their interactions are investigated. Data for chip evacuation, surface finish and tool wear are examined and discussed. Practical work was done at a selected industry partner to determine: (1) impact of an analytical approach to perform process development for aerospace component roughing, (2) determine the feasibility of implementing split tools to an existing process. A substantial time saving in the roughing time of the selected aerospace component was achieved through analytical improvement methods. Furthermore it was found that the split tools were not a suitable replacement for current tooling. It was established that certain critical operational requirements of the split tools are not met by the existing milling machine at the industry partner. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Doeltreffende masjinering van titaan allooie bied `n wêreldwye uitdaging. Moeilik-om-te-sny super allooie soos Ti-6Al-4V word as die “werksesel” materiaal vir lugvaart komponente beskou. Gedurende die masjinering van lugvaart komponente word 80% - 90% van die materiaal verwyder. Dit is hiérdie behoefte wat die innovering van masjien -en snygereedskap dryf om dit meer doeltreffend en finansieël vatbaar te maak. Die Suid Arikaanse behoefte vir doeltreffende snygereedskap vir Ti-6Al-4V masjinering stem ooreen met hierdie internationale behoefte. Die geskiedkundige Suid Afrikaanse praktyk om onverwerkte, waardevolle minerale soos Ilmeniet, rutiel en leucoxene uit te voer, kniehalter die land se kans om winste uit verwerkte titaan allooi produkte te geniet. Die “Titanium Centre of Competence” (TiCoC) se mikpunt is om `n Suid Afrikaanse titaanproduk vervaardigingsmark op die been te bring teen 2020. Stellenbosch Universiteit se funksie, binne hierdie strategiese raamwerk, fokus op hoë spoed masjinering van Ti-6Al-4V lugvaart komponente. Die hitte geleidingsvermoë van Ti-6Al-4V is noemenswaardig laer as die van ander “werksesel” materiale soos byvoorbeeld staal of alumium. Om hierdie rede word hitte in die freesbeitelpunt gedurende hoë spoed masjinering opgeberg. Dit verkort gereedskap leeftyd en verhoog masjinerings kostes. Daarvandaan deurlopende ontwikkelinge in verkoelingsmetodes vir hoë spoed masjinering. Die mees onlangse ontwikkeling in hoë druk verkoeling is “split tools” wat koelmiddel na die snyoppervlak deur middel van langwerpige gleufies in die hark gesig van die beitelpunt lewer. Hierdie tegnologie is op die mark beskikbaar, maar slegs deur `n enkele verskaffer. Daar is ook geen akademiese publikasies wat oor Ti-6Al-4V masjinering met “split tools” handel nie. Die verrigtings vermoë en toepassings gebied vir die gereedskap is steeds onbekend. 'n Dinamometer is gebruik om die tangensiale snykragte tydens 11 sny eksperimente te meet. Die eksperiment ontwerp is faktoriaal van aard en bevat drie faktore en drie middelpunte oor twee vlakke. `n Kwadratiese model is geskik om die data op 95% vertroue vlak voor te stel en voorspellings mee te maak. Die voorspellingsmodel is ontwikkel in terme van: (1) Diepte van snit, (2) voertempo, en (3) Snyspoed. Die invloed van die drie parameters op die tangentiale snykrag, asook invloed met mekaar word ondersoek. Verdere data in verband met materiaal verwydering, oppervlak afwerking en beitel slytasie word ook bespreek. Praktiese werk is met behulp van `n bedryfsvennoot gedoen om vas te stel: (1) die impak van 'n analitiese benadering en ontwikkelings proses op die uitrof van lugvaart komponente, (2) en om die lewensvatbaarheid van implementering van “split tools“ aan 'n bestaande proses te bepaal. `n Noemenswaardige besparing is sodoende behaal. Dit is verder bevind dat “split tools” nie `n geskikte plaasvervanger vir die huidige snygereedskap is nie. Die rede daarvoor is gedeeltelik omdat die huidige freesmasjien by die bedryfsvennoot nie aan die kritiese operasionele vereistes van die gereedskap vervaardiger voldoen nie.