Angle‐Only Filtering in Three Dimensions

This paper aims to provide new measures of airline network configuration with a view to analyse effectively the complexity of modern carriers’ network design. It studies network configurations in the airline sector by taking into account both spatial and temporal dimensions. The spatial dimension is measured by using both the Gini index and the Freeman index, which originate from social science research. The temporal dimension is measured by the connectivity ratio, i.e. the share of indirect connections over the total number of connections. According to these indicators, the configuration of the largest full‐service carriers and the largest low‐cost carriers in Europe is investigated. The results show that the temporal dimension provides a clear distinction between full‐service carriers and low‐cost carriers; while the spatial dimension appears useful when identifying the peculiarities within groups.

Reconstruction of parametric images from dynamic single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) data acquired with slow rotating cameras is a challenge because the estimation of the time-activity curves (TACs) may involve fitting data to an inconsistent underdetermined system of equations. This work presents a novel algorithm for the estimation of the blood input function and myocardial TAC with high accuracy and high efficiency directly from these projections. In the proposed dynamic reconstruction method, the information from the segmentation of functional regions from the static reconstructed image was used as a prior to construct a sparse matrix, through which the spatial distribution of the radioactive tracer was represented. Then the temporal distribution of the radioactive tracer was modeled by nonuniform B-spline basis functions which were determined according to a new selection rule. With reduction in both the spatial and temporal dimensions of the reconstructed image, the blood input function and myocardial TAC were estimated using the 4D maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm. The method was validated using data from both digital phantom simulations and an experimental rat study. Compared with the conventional dynamic SPECT reconstruction method without the reduction in spatial dimensions, the proposed method provides more accurate TACs with less computation time in both phantom simulation studies and a rat experimental study. The proposed method is promising in both providing more accurate time-activity curves and reducing the computation time, which makes it practical for small animal studies using clinical systems with slow rotating cameras.

A smart environment system should automatically control the devices according to the sensing information and users' requirements so as to keep the environmental elements (e.g., temperature, light) within the desired range. System control with minimum power is one key issue in such a system. In this paper, we propose a multi-dimension model for system control. In this model, each environmental element is abstracted into a dimension, such that a service with conditions and targets can be formulated as a multi-dimensional service space, and a smart environment with many services may map to a comprehensive multi-dimensional service space through space computation. Based on this model, we propose a minimum power adjustment algorithm for energy-efficient scheduling in smart environment, which transforms the optimal control problem into the problem of the shortest weighted distance of point-to-polygonal in multi-dimensional space. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that the proposed model is effective and efficient in energy-efficient system control. It is important to point out that the proposed algorithms are scalable when the number of dimensions or services increases.

Objective To construct a rational and exact three - dimensional finite element model of the first permanent mandibular molar. Methods The first permanent mandibular molar was scanned by CT and the images were processed by softwares such as PhotoShop. Then special software SolidWorks2010 was used to establish a three - dimensional finite element model . Results A three - dinensional finite element model of the first permanent mandibular molar was established, including enamel, dentin, pulp, alveolar bone and periodontium. Conclusion The modeling method is effective and reliable. The three- dimensional finite element model has favorite similarities in geometry and biomechanics . It' s a simple and precise method for dentists to establish finite element models . Key words: Molar; Three- dimensional finite element; Model

Objective To develop the scale on work values for college students. Methods 63 items were determined through reviewing items in related literatures and scales, experts consulting and panel discussion.528 students from 3 universities in Shanghai were enrolled in the study. The data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis,discrimination analysis,reliability analysis and other statistical analysis methods. Results College students' work values comprises six dimensions: self-value dimension ( including two sub-dimensions: self-esteem dimension and self-realization dimension), social-value dimension, dimension of the working environment, wages and welfare dimension , job stability dimension, and the dimension of social status. 43 items were reserved after exploratory factor analyses. The coefficient of reliability of the 43 items was 0.943, and the item loading of the 43 items was 0. 321 ～ 0. 792. Conclusion The discernment, internal consistency and validity of the scale accord with psychometric demands. Key words: College students; Work values; Scale; Psychometric

Background: Dimensional changes of acrylic denture bases after polymerization results in need for further adjustments or even ends with technical failure of the finished dentures. The purpose of this study was to estimate the linear dimensional changes for different palatal depths when using multiple investment materials and polymerization techniques. Materials and methods: Ninety upper complete denture bases were constructed for this study. They were divided into two main groups according to the polymerization methods: conventional water bath and experimental autoclave (short and long cycles). Each main group was further subdivided into three subgroups according to the palatal depth (shallow, medium and deep). Furthermore, for each palatal depth; complete denture bases were invested either with dental stone or laboratory silicone. For each upper complete denture, measurements of linear dimensional changes were done by fixation of metallic screws on the tissue surface of the denture base. The distances were measured by using travelling microscope with an accuracy of 0.001 %. The data were statistically analyzed using three way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for three variables, which were (palatal depth, investments and polymerization techniques), LSD test and student T test for comparisons between groups. Results: There were significant improvements in the dimensional accuracy of denture bases cured with autoclave compared with water bath. Also, silicone investments were a successful alternative to stone, study data shows that short autoclave processing with silicone reduces the magnitude of the linear dimensional changes. On the other hand, long autoclave processing and stone investments were better than silicone in reducing dimensional changes. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicates that the use of autoclave processing in acrylic curing is a promising alternative to the conventional water bath and leads to better dimensional stability for the finished dentures in all oral configurations and palatal depths. Also, Silicone is more preferable than stone, although it's not as strong investing materials when compared with stone.

This paper carries on research surrounding the influences produced by dimensionality reduction on machine learning classification effect. Firstly, paper constructs the analysis architecture of data dimension reduction classification, combines the two different unsupervised dimension reduction methods, locally linear embedding (LLE) and principal component analysis (PCA) with the five machine learning classification methods: Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), Random Forest, Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) and Logistic Regression. And then uses the handwritten digital identification dataset to analyze the classification performance of these five classification methods on different dimension datasets by different dimensionality reduction methods. The analysis shows that using the appropriate dimensionality reduction method for dimensionality reduction classification can effectively improve the classification accuracy; the dimensionality reduction classification effect of non-linear dimensionality reduction method is generally better than the linear dimensionality reduction method; different machine learning classification algorithms have significant differences in the sensitivity of dimensions.

“MEASURING QUALITY SERVICE AT COMMUNITY PHARMACIES IN TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS” Author: Hector Augusto Diaz del Valle Robles Thesis advised by: Professor Nai-Wen Kuo, PhD, MPH BACKGROUND: Throughout the health care industry issues of patient satisfaction with the quality of service received has gained much attention by management and researchers likewise. The study set in Community Retail pharmacies in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, seeks to measure the level of functional service quality utilizing the SERVQUAL, Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Berry (1985) model to explore the gaps between expectation and perception among patients. The study also measures the association of the dimensions with overall patient satisfaction. The research hypothesis is based on the seven dimensions: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, accessibility, organizations image and their ability to in influence the level of patient satisfaction. It was expected that patient satisfaction would be influenced by the seven dimensions as well as other social factors. METHODS: This study was conducted with use of questionnaire. A total of 321 respondents drawn from random arrival to the pharmacies were asked to complete a SERVQUAL questionnaire. The data was analyzed to measure existing gaps utilizing the students’t-test paired differences, the Pearson correlation, and linear regression analysis was used to measure the association between the dimensions and overall satisfaction. RESULTS: The response rate was 91%. Internal reliability Cronbach's alpha was > 0.948 for the 37 item questionnaire. Throughout analyses differences were observed, as expectations exceeded perceptions. Overall, patients’ mean perception score was 4.45 (SD=0.62) and mean expectation scores were 4.56 (SD=0.63) and the existing gap -0.01 was significant (0.001), with t=-3.360. The seven dimensions had a positive correlation with overall satisfaction. While utilizing a stepwise model of regression of 6 dimensions and demographic variables to overall satisfaction only two predictors, empathy and responsiveness explained 25.6% of the variation in overall satisfaction at a 0.05 significance level. CONCLUSION: The results of this research appear to show that the SERVQUAL instrument is a useful measurement tool in assessing and monitoring functional service quality in pharmacies, and enabling management to identify where quality improvements initiatives are needed, from the patients' perspective. As such we can conclude, that should improvement in the overall level of satisfaction be the objective of management, quality improvement initiatives should be undertaken across all dimension however putting greater emphasis on the assurance and responsiveness dimensions.

اهداف: کیفیت زندگی، مفهومی پیچیده و چندبعدی است که تحت تأثیر مولفه هایی چون زمان و مکان، ارزش‌های فردی و اجتماعی از سوی متفکران علوم شهری و سایر اندیشمندان علوم مختلف مطرح و مورد پژوهش قرار گرفته است. تحقیق حاضر با هدف بررسی شاخص‌های کیفیت زندگی و سنجش آن در شهر مرکزی زرین دشت (حاجی‌آباد) بر مبنای 4 گروه شاخص‌های اقتصادی، اجتماعی، خدماتی و کالبدی صورت گرفته است. روش: روش تحقیق، در این مقاله توصیفی- تحلیلی و ابزار آن پرسش‌نامه می‌باشد. روایی پرسش‌نامه با استفاده از نظرات متخصصان و پایایی آن با استفاده از محاسبه آلفای کرونباخ (72%) تعیین شد. جامعۀ آماری در این پژوهش7 محله از شهر حاجی‌آباد (20000نفر) می‌باشد که با استفاده از فرمول کوکران 377 نمونه انتخاب گردید و به‌صورت تصادفی در هر محله پرسش‌نامه توزیع شد. تجزیه و تحلیل پرسش‌نامه با استفاده ازآمار توصیفی، همبستگی و رگرسیون چندگانۀ خطی انجام شد و در نهایت از روش آنتروپی شانون جهت وزن‌دهی شاخص‌ها و تکنیک پرومتی جهت رتبه‌بندی محلات به‌کار گرفته شد. یافته‌ها/نتایج: یافته‌های پژوهش نشان داد که در شهر حاجی‌آباد، محلۀ فرهنگیان بالاترین سطح کیفیت زندگی شهری و محلۀ حسین‌آباد، پایین‌ترین سطح کیفیت را در بین محلات دارد. همچنین در بررسی ابعاد چهارگانۀ شاخص کیفیت زندگی همبستگی مستقیم و معناداری وجود داشته و هر یک از این ابعاد همبستگی معناداری با رضایتمندی نهایی از کیفیت زندگی دارند و از بین شاخص‌های کیفیت زندگی، شاخص اقتصادی بیشترین تأثیر را در کیفیت محلات دارد.

The object of the study is the technique for the formation of characteristic functions and Balyuba-Naidysh coordinates (BN-coordinates) in the composite method of geometric modeling. The existing methods of modeling economic, technological and any other processes on real objects are rather complicated, with significant limitations on the number of incoming factors. One of the most problematic places is the complexity and narrow scope of each of the existing modeling methods, restrains their distribution and practical implementation on real business entities. Hence the need to develop a universal method for modeling multifactor systems. The closest to this is the composite method of geometric modeling (CMGM), the universality of which is ensured, first of all, thanks to the use of the intrinsic technique of generating characteristic functions and BN-coordinates. The use of the Balyuba curves (B-curves) constructed in BN-coordinates in KMGM gives significant advantages to CMGM. One-, two-, three-parameter B-curve can be considered in the n-dimensional Euclidean space E n . As a result, CMGM can be used to solve problems in n-dimensional space, and the result of the solution can be decomposed into n one-dimensional projections, on which it is easy to analyze the solution. This can be used, in particular, in information systems to support management decisions. A feature of the B-curves is that the BN-coordinates p(t); q(t); r(t) are its parametric model, which is a constant. Applying a variety of variants of changing points, it is possible to obtain a lot of variants of B-curves, which is important for carrying out computer experiments in order to increase the adequacy of the constructed geometric model. The principle of the formation of characteristic functions is the operation of multiplying parameters and artificially assigned coefficients. As a result of the definition the product at the node points becomes zero or one, and in the intervals between nodal points it changes from zero to one. The number of factors of the characteristic function is equal to the number of nodal points that the characteristic function interpolates. The BN-coordinates of one B-curve form a system of interrelated fractional-rational functions. Thus, a generalizing technique for the algebraic formation of characteristic functions has been developed, and a transition from characteristic functions to BN-coordinates for the interpolation of three points has been determined. The technique used here can also be used for geometric interpolation of four or more points. The possibility of increasing the number of initial points of a geometric figure for BN-interpolation, extends the capabilities of models of multifactor processes and systems.

A lattice is a discrete subgroup of n-dimensional Euclidean space that serves as a fundamental object of study in Algebra and the Geometry of Numbers. This structure has significant applications in various fields, particularly in lattice-based cryptography and coding theory. This paper aims to present the formal construction of lattices for $n$-dimensional Euclidean space Rn and its linear subspaces by analyzing the formal definitions and essential properties of lattices. The main results of this research lie in two main results which are presented in several propositions. First, the set Zn of standard integer points is proven to be a lattice in n-dimensional space with respect to the standard basis of V \subseteq Rn. Second, the set of integer points whose last component is zero is proven to be a lattice within (n-1)-dimensional non-trivial subspaces. Indeed, in this case, the obtained lattice is not equal to Zn. Moreover, it also discussed the lattices of a non-standard basis for V. Explicitly, this work contributes a rigorous formal verification that integer structures within subspaces, such as Z{n-1}x0, retain fundamental lattice properties even under non-standard basis constructions.

A general mathematical formulation of the n £ n proper Orthogonal matrix, that corresponds to a rigid rotation in n-dimensional real Euclidean space, is given here. It is shown that a rigid rotation depends on an angle (principal angle) and on a set of (ni2) principal axes. The latter, however, can be more conveniently replaced by only 2 Orthogonal directions that identify the plane of rotation. The inverse problem, that is, how to compute these principal rotation parameters from the rotation matrix, is also treated. In this paper, the Euler Theorem is extended to rotations in n-dimensional spaces by a constructive proof that establishes the relationship between orientation of the displaced Orthogonal axes in n dimensions and a minimum sequence of rigid rotations. This fundamental relationship, which introduces a new decomposition for proper Orthogonal matrices (those identifying an orientation), can be expressed either by a product or a sum of the same rotation matrices. A similar decomposition in terms of the Skew-Symmetric matrices is also given. The extension of the rigid rotation formulation to n-dimensional complex Euclidean spaces, is also provided. Finally, we introduce the Ortho-Skew real matrices, which are simultaneously proper Orthogonal and Skew-Symmetric and which exist in even dimensional spaces only, and the Ortho-Skew-Hermitian complex matrices which are Orthogonal and Skew-Hermitian. The Ortho-Skew and the Ortho-SkewHermitian matrices represent the extension of the scalar imaginary to the matrix fleld. ⁄ Work previously presented in part at the Second International Conference on Non Linear Prob

In this article we present a comparison of the performance between a metaheuristic optimization method, Game of Patterns (GofP), so-called by the author, and the well-known genetic algorithms (GAs), through two implementations, namely: the GA of Scilab (SGA); and the GA of the R Project for Statistical Computing (RGA). For this purpose, we have selected a set of multimodal objective functions in the n-dimensional Euclidean space \(\mathbb {R}^{n}\) with a unique global minimum. For comparing both metaheuristic optimization approaches, a performance indicator of quality, denoted Q(p, n, s), was defined, which allows us to measure the quality of the obtained global optimal solution for each pth problem, in the n-dimensional space, when it is solved by each metaheuristic optimization method \(s\in \{\texttt {GofP},\texttt {SGA},\texttt {RGA}\}\). The indicator Q(p, n, s) then depends on: the number of evaluations of the pth optimization problem in the Euclidean space \(\mathbb {R}^{n}\), which has required the s metaheuristic optimization method for identifying the global minimum; and the distance between the location of its respective unique global minimum and the location of the minimum that has been identified by the s metaheuristic optimization method. The paper also offers a brief explanation of the GofP method, which has been developed for solving unconstrained mixed integer problems in the \(n\times m\)-dimensional Euclidean space \(\mathbb {R}^{n}\times \mathbb {Z}^{m}\).

This paper advocates an epistemological turn in the field of digital art history and cultural heritage studies. This epistemological turn is understood as the elaboration of a new (or renewed) epistemic apparatus that allows us to understand and interpret cultural phenomena from the perspective of a different order of thought. This epistemological labor is conceived of as an «epistemological technical practice», which means integrating epistemological reflection and production into technical making and design. Within this framework of discussion, this paper introduces the idea of a techno-concept, which is defined as a co-production between the machine rationale and the human thought/imagination. As particular cases, this paper argues that the mathematical concepts of n-dimensional, vector and latent spaces constitute examples of techno-concepts that can be reappropriated and reworked for cultural analysis and interpretation. This paper offers a preliminary inquiry, in which certain epistemological propositions are exposed as open gates for further discussions.

A finite new algorithm is proposed for clustering m given points in n-dimensional real space into k clusters by generating k planes that constitute a local solution to the nonconvex problem of minimizing the sum of squares of the 2-norm distances between each point and a nearest plane. The key to the algorithm lies in a formulation that generates a plane in n-dimensional space that minimizes the sum of the squares of the 2-norm distances to each of m1 given points in the space. The plane is generated by an eigenvector corresponding to a smallest eigenvalue of an n × n simple matrix derived from the m1 points. The algorithm was tested on the publicly available Wisconsin Breast Prognosis Cancer database to generate well separated patient survival curves. In contrast, the k-mean algorithm did not generate such well-separated survival curves.