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Technical Characteristics (technical + characteristic)
Selected AbstractsWhy Games Will Be the Preeminent Art Form of the 21stCenturyCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 3 2001Chris Hecker Computer games share many artistic and technical characteristics with films of the early 1900s. Games' artistic evolution is hampered by the lack of artistic respect from society at large, and the lack of technical standards that would allow artistic innovation. The same problems affected cinema during its birth. During the early 20th century, film managed to find its way from popular diversion to highly respected art form. Will games follow the same course, or will they be stuck forever in the ghetto of pop culture? What technological and artistic changes need to occur in the medium for games to evolve beyond merely shooting aliens and into an art form worthy of association with painting, music, writing, and film? This talk will pose some of those questions, if not attempt to answer them. [source] Technologies for Energy Saving in Industrial FieldIEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2008Fumio Nakatani Senior Member Abstract This paper summarizes practical and developed techniques and technologies for energy saving in the industrial field. Newly developed high-efficiency electrical equipment or combined technologies, which are about ,power electronics', ,microcomputers' and ,motion control' in addition to the progress of sensing devices and monitoring systems, bring both energy saving and high productivity in the factory. The technology trend of new factory facilities is concerned about changing power sources from pneumatic (compressed air) or hydraulic power (oil system) to electrical direct-driven servomotor systems, which have the technical characteristics of fine-grained and regenerative control. These technologies are able to reduce and recover idling (standby) power consumption during the holding period at the production stage in the factory. The items in this paper were published as Technical Report No. 988 in January 11, 2004 by IEEJ, and that report is reviewed and updated in this paper. Copyright © 2008 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] On optimal cell planning: Case study for a DCS 1800 systemINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 9 2001Stavroula Bouzouki Abstract Micro and pico cell planning strategies are adopted in personal communication systems (PCS) in order to increase their capacity. The usage of the upper UHF band in combination with greater bandwidth is already proposed by telecom engineers in order to achieve the promised service quality and data rates. These strategies are characterized by an increased number of cells in specific geographical areas with the corresponding operating base transceiving stations (BTS) located at relatively low heights above the street level. In this case, the cell planning procedure in linear streets under line-of-sight (LOS) conditions needs further study concerning the technical characteristics of the PCS. In this paper, the propagation characteristics of a DCS 1800 system are investigated on a theoretical and experimental basis in a specific geographical area (center of Patras City in Northern Pelloponesse). An improved RF propagation model is proposed in order to determine the propagation path losses occurring under certain multipath fading conditions. Hence an optimum determination of a system's cellular area can be achieved. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The effect of different sweeteners in low-calorie yogurts , a reviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2005M V S PINHEIRO Recently, increased demand for low-calorie products and foods with alternative sweeteners has gained special attention. Intense sweeteners avoid the problems of health risks associated with caloric sweeteners. This paper presents information about the technical characteristics of the more widely used artificial sweeteners and the possibility of their application in low-calorie yogurts. [source] Protection of FS receivers from the interference produced by HEO FSS satellites in the 18,GHz band: Effect of the roll-off characteristics of the HEO system satellite antenna beamsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING, Issue 3 2008Anna Carolina Finamore Abstract This paper focuses on the protection of fixed service (FS) receivers from the aggregate interference produced by the satellites of multiple highly elliptical orbit satellite systems (HEOs). It analyzes the protection given to FS receivers operating in the 18,GHz frequency band by the power flux-density (pfd) mask contained in Article 21 of the 2003 edition of the Radio Regulations [International Telecommunication Union, 2003.]. This mask establishes the maximum allowable value for the pfd produced by any of the satellites of a non-geostationary system at the Earth's surface. The protection offered to FS receivers by this mask is analyzed in four interfering environments, each containing three identical HEO systems. Four types of HEO systems, with different orbital characteristics, are considered: three having satellites that operate only in the northern hemisphere and one having satellites that operate in both hemispheres. All satellite antennas are assumed to radiate 0.3° spot beams. Each HEO satellite is modelled so that the maximum pfd it produces at the Earth's surface just meets the RR Article 21 mask and the analysis takes into account the roll-off characteristics of the satellite antenna beams. To reflect the multiplicity of possibilities concerning the geographical location and technical characteristics of the victim FS receiver (e.g. latitude, longitude, azimuth and elevation of its receiving antenna, antenna gain, receiver noise temperature, etc.) a number of cases were evaluated. The concept of interference in excess [Int. J. Satellite Commun. Networking 2006; 24: 73,95] was used to combine the results corresponding to FS receivers located at the same latitude and having the same receiving antenna elevation angle but for which the location longitude and the azimuth of the pointing direction of its receiving antenna are randomly chosen. Results are expressed in terms of the cumulative distribution function of the interference in excess. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Contributions of electrochemical oxidation to waste-water treatment: fundamentals and review of applicationsJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Ángela Anglada Abstract OVERVIEW: This paper provides an overview of some fundamental aspects of electrochemical oxidation and gives updated information on the application of this technology to waste-water treatment. In recent years, electrochemical oxidation has gained increasing interest due to its outstanding technical characteristics for eliminating a wide variety of pollutants normally present in waste-waters such as refractory organic matter, nitrogen species and microorganisms. IMPACT: The strict disposal limits and health quality standards set by legislation may be met by applying electrochemical oxidation. However, treatment costs have to be cut down before full-scale application of this technology. Deployment of electrochemical oxidation in combination with other technologies and the use of renewable sources to power this process are two steps in this direction. APPLICATIONS: Effluents from landfill and a wide diversity of industrial effluents including the agro-industry, chemical, textile, tannery and food industry, have been effectively treated by this technology. Its high efficiency together with its disinfection capabilities makes electro-oxidation a suitable technology for water reuse programs. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Efficacy of plaque removal and learning effect of a powered and a manual toothbrushJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 8 2003D. Lazarescu Abstract Background: Subjects with high plaque and gingivitis scores can profit most from the introduction of new manual or powered tooth brushes. To improve their hygiene, not only the technical characteristics of new brushes but also the learning effect in efficient handling are of importance. Aim: The present study compared the efficacy in plaque removal of an electric and a manual toothbrush in a general population and analysed the learning effect in efficient handling. Method: Eighty healthy subjects, unfamiliar with electric brushes, were divided into two groups: group 1 used the Philips/Jordan HP 735 powered brush and group 2 used a manual brush, Oral-B40+. Plaque index (PI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were assessed at baseline and at weeks 3, 6, 12 and 18. After each evaluation, patients abstained from oral hygiene for 24 h. The next day a 3-min supervised brushing was perfomed. Before and after this brushing, PI was assessed for the estimation of the individual learning effect. The study was single blinded. Results: Over the 18-week period, PI reduced gradually and statistically significantly (p<0.001) in group 1 from 2.9 (±0.38) to 1.5 (±0.24) and in group 2 from 2.9 (±0.34) to 2.2 (±0.23). From week 3 onwards, the difference between groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). The bleeding index decreased in group 1 from 28% (±17%) to 7% (±5%) (p<0.001) and in group 2 from 30% (±12%) to 12% (±6%) (p<0.001). The difference between groups was statistically significant (p<0.001) from week 6 onwards. The learning effect, expressed as the percentage of plaque reduction after 3 min of supervised brushing, was 33% for group 1 and 26% for group 2 at week 0. This percentage increased at week 18 to 64% in group 1 and 44% in group 2 (difference between groups statistically significant: p<0.001). Conclusion: The powered brush was significantly more efficient in removing plaque and improving gingival health than the manual brush in the group of subjects unfamiliar with electric brushes. There was also a significant learning effect that was more pronounced with the electric toothbrush. Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Personen mit einem hohen Plaque- und Gingivitisindex können am meisten von der Einführung einer neuen Hand- oder elektrischen Zahnbürste profitieren. Um ihre Hygiene zu verbessern, sind nicht nur die technischen Charakteristika der neuen Bürste von Wichtigkeit, sondern auch der Lerneffekt für das effiziente Nutzen. Ziel: Die vorliegende Studie vergleicht die Effektivität bei der Plaqueentfernung bei einer elektrischen und einer Handzahnbürste in einer allgemeinen Bevölkerung und analysiert den Lerneffekt bei der effektiven Benutzung. Methoden: 80 gesunde Personen, die nicht an elektrische Zahnbürsten gewöhnt waren, wurden in zwei Gruppen eingeteilt: Gruppe 1 nutzte die Philips/Jordan HP 735 elektrische Bürste und die Gruppe 2 eine Handbürste, Oral-B40+. Der Plaqueindex (PI) und der gingivale Blutungsindex (GBI) wurden zur Basis und zu den Wochen 3, 6, 12 und 18 gemessen. Nach jeder Evaluation enthielten sich die Patienten für 24 Stunden der oralen Hygiene. Am nächsten Tag wurde ein beaufsichtigtes Bürsten durchgeführt. Vor und nach diesem Bürsten wurde der Plaqueindex für die Einschätzung des individuellen Lerneffektes aufgezeichnet. Die Studie war einfach blind. Ergebnisse: Über die 18wöchige Periode reduzierte sich der PI graduell und statistisch signifikant (p<0,001) in der Gruppe 1 von 2.9 (±0.38) auf 1.5 (±0.24) und in der Gruppe 2 von 2.9 (±0.34) auf 2.2 (± 0.23). Von der Woche 3 aufwärts wurde die Differenz zwischen den beiden Gruppen signifikant (p<0.001). Der Blutungsindex verringerte sich in der Gruppe 1 von 28% (± 17%) auf 7% (±5%) (p<0.001) und in der Gruppe 2 von 30% (±12%) auf 12% (±6%) (p<0.001). Die Differenz zwischen den beiden Gruppen war statistisch signifikant (p<0.001) von der 6. Woche an. Der Lerneffekt, ausgedrückt durch den Prozentsatz der Plaquereduktion nach 3 Minuten beaufsichtigtem Putzen, war 33% bei der Gruppe 1 und 26% bei der Gruppe 2 zur Woche 0. Dieser Prozentsatz vergrößerte sich zur Woche 18 auf 64% in der Gruppe 1 und auf 44% in der Gruppe 2 (Differenzen zwischen den Gruppen statistisch signifikant: p<0.001). Schlussfolgerung: Die elektrische Zahnbürste war signifikant mehr effektiv in der Plaqueentfernung und Verbesserung der gingivalen Gesundheit als die Handbürste in dieser Gruppe von Personen, die nicht an elektrische Bürsten gewöhnt waren. Es gab auch einen signifikanten Lerneffekt, welcher bei der Nutzung der elektrischen Zahnbürste größer war. Résumé Contexte: Des sujets présentant des scores de plaque et de gingivite élevés peuvent bénéficier de façon importante de l'apparition de nouvelles brosses manuelles et électriques. Pour améliorer leur hygiène, les caractéristiques techniques, mais aussi les instructions pour une manipulation efficace sont des éléments importants. But: Cette étude compare l'efficacité d'élimination de la plaque d'une brosse à dent manuelle et électrique dans une population générale et analyse l'effet de l'apprentissage pour une manipulation efficace. Méthode: 80 sujets sains, pas habitués aux brosses électrique, ont été divisés en deux groupes : Le groupe 1 utilisa la brosse Philips/Jordan HP 735 électrique et le groupe 2, une brosse manuelle Oral-B40+. L'indice de plaque (PI) et l'indice de saignement gingival (GBI) furent enregistrés initialement et à 3, 6, 12 et 18 semaines. Après chaque évaluation, les patients arrêtaient l'hygiène buccale pendant 24 heures. Le jour suivant, un brossage surveillé de 3 minutes était réalisé. Avant et après ce brossage, l'indice de plaque était relevé en vue de l'estimation de l'effet de l'apprentissage. L'étude était en aveugle simple. Résultats: Pendant la période de 18 semaines, le PI diminuait graduellement et de façon statistiquement significative (p<0.001) dans le groupe 1, de 2.9 (±0.38) à 1.5 (±0.24) et dans le groupe 2 de 2.9 (±0.34) à 2.2 (±0.23). A partir de la troisième semaine, la différence était déjà significative (p<0.001). L'indice de saignement diminuait dans le groupe 1 de 28% (±17%) à 7% (±5%) (p<0.001) et dans le groupe 2, de 30% (±12%) à 12% (±6%) (p<0.001). La différence entre les groupes était statistiquement significative à partir de la sixième semaine. L'effet de l'apprentissage, exprimé en pourcentage de la réduction de plaque après un brossage de 3 minutes surveillé fut de 33% pour le groupe 1 et de 26 % pour le groupe 2 initialement et augmentait lors de la semaine 18 jusqu'à 64% dans le groupe 1 et 44% dans le groupe 2 (différence entre les groupes significative: p<0.001). [source] The software maintenance project effort estimation model based on function pointsJOURNAL OF SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND EVOLUTION: RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, Issue 2 2003Yunsik Ahn Abstract In this study, software maintenance size is discussed and the software maintenance project effort estimation model (SMPEEM) is proposed. The SMPEEM uses function points to calculate the volume of the maintenance function. Ten value adjustment factors (VAF) are considered and grouped into three categories of maintenance characteristics, that is the engineer's skill (people domain), its technical characteristics (product domain) and the maintenance environment (process domain). Finally, we suggest an exponential function model which can show the relationships among the maintenance efforts, maintenance environment factors, and function points of the software maintenance project. Regression analysis of some small maintenance projects demonstrates the significance of the SMPEEM model. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Energy-dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy at LNLS: investigation on strongly correlated metal oxidesJOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION, Issue 1 2010Júlio C. Cezar An energy-dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy beamline mainly dedicated to X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and material science under extreme conditions has been implemented in a bending-magnet port at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory. Here the beamline technical characteristics are described, including the most important aspects of the mechanics, optical elements and detection set-up. The beamline performance is then illustrated through two case studies on strongly correlated transition metal oxides: an XMCD insight into the modifications of the magnetic properties of Cr-doped manganites and the structural deformation in nickel perovskites under high applied pressure. [source] Using emotional benefits as a differentiation strategy in saturated marketsPSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING, Issue 11 2009Ramo Barrena The high level of product substitution in most consumer markets often makes it difficult to match supply with demand, especially in sectors with mature, saturated markets with intense competition and a high degree of product differentiation. The difficulty of using technical characteristics such as quality and/or price to differentiate products suggests that marketers could profit from gaining more insight into the way in which consumers' purchase decisions are influenced by their perceived emotions. This paper investigates this issue in the wine market, a highly saturated market with homogeneous supply, obtaining results that appear to support the notion that emotions do indeed play a part in consumer choice structures, which show a higher degree of abstraction in those segments that report a greater number of perceived emotions. This considerably complicates the task of creating a differentiated marketing strategy, in the sense that suppliers need to give much greater consideration to consumers' self-awareness. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||