Showing papers in "Acta Polytechnica Hungarica in 2020"

Quality of Institutions in the European Union countries. Application of TOPSIS Based on Entropy Measure for Objective Weighting

Abstract: The relation between the quality of institutions and long term growth is currently an accepted stylized fact, which has good support in empirical literature with regard to both developing and developed countries. In the case of the second group, the quality of intuitions is crucial for keeping their abilities to face quick technological changes, which is a condition for maintaining their international competitiveness. The objective of the article is to analyse the quality of institutions in the European Union countries in the years 20002015 from the perspective of its influence on the speed of resources reallocation. The research touches upon the question of the abilities of the countries to take advantage of the knowledge based-economy potential. The concept of the institutional quality is rooted in the transaction costs theory framework. The phenomenon under evaluation is treated as a multiple-criteria problem. Thus, modified TOPSIS method based on entropy measure for objective weighting is applied here. The research shows institutional disparities between Northern and Southern European countries and confirms significant institutional reforms implemented in the Central European economies, which resulted in an improvement of their institutional quality with regard to knowledge-based economy requirements.

Quantitative Analysis of Relationship Between Visual Attention and Eye-Hand Coordination

Abstract: In perception and activity tasks, continuous visual tracking of the performed activity requires continuous eye motion. Besides writing and reading, the cooperative work of eyes and hands is a key factor when drawing and at certain motions (e.g. ball catching or throwing); during the exact execution of motions, eye-hand coordination has the utmost importance. The development of eye-hand coordination plays a key role in education too, regarding several subjects, i.e. writing, drawing, technique and lifestyle, and of course, at complex motion sequences. Modern info-communication tools play an even more significant role in supporting education, where human-computer interfaces similar to the systems introduced in this paper are very significant. In this paper, by analysing certain features describing computer mouse cursor motion, examined during the execution of the Trail Making Task, what correlation is there between visual attention and eye-hand coordination. Based on the statistical correlation analysis results of data, it was determined, that the fixation parameters of eye and hand motion are in negative correlation with visual attention, while the distance between the look and the mouse cursor's motion are not correlated to each other.

Enhancing Higher Education Student Class Attendance through Gamification

Abstract: This paper presents an electronic system for tracking students’ attendance. “BeHere” was implemented at Subotica Tech – College of Applied Sciences, introducing gamification elements into class attendance tracking. Given that the first year of their studies in higher education is the most crucial time period, it is vital that students are motivated to attend classes regularly. Class attendance is frequently seen as the prime marker of students’ persistence: lower attendance indicates a higher risk of dropout. The gamification module of the system is used to improve student engagement, motivation, attendance, and academic performance. Based on the research results, it is evident that the tested gamification module motivated students to attend classes more regularly during the 2018/19 school year as compared with the previous year.

Ranking and Assessment of the Efficiency of Social Media using the Fuzzy AHP-Z Number Model - Fuzzy MABAC

Abstract: Methods of ranking and evaluation of the effectiveness of Social Media (SM) given and applied in this paper are the basis for the selection of online media that the public administration uses when communicating with citizens. The methodology presented is based on multicircular decision-making using the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process (fuzzy AHP) Z number model Fuzzy Multi-Attributive Border Approximation Area Comparison (fuzzy MABAC), which eliminates the traditional intuitive ratings of PR services. This resulted in poor use of available channels of communication or ineffective communication. Positive results of the application of presented methods are especially evident in increasing the number of channels of communication on the Internet and the realization of communication goals for greater participation of citizens in public administration.

Analyzing the Spatial Skills of University Students with a Virtual Reality Application using a Desktop Display and the Gear VR

Abstract: This paper presents the analyzed results of a virtual reality application which allows measuring spatial skills of the users. The application contains mental rotation tests of three types and can be used on a computer with desktop displays and on Android with the Gear VR device. The authors measured the spatial ability of 61 students with the Gear VR and of 240 students with a desktop display. By investigating the correct answer ratios, comparisons were done between the age, the gender, the primary hand, what the students are majoring in, moreover the display devices. The use of the Gear VR significantly improved on the average performance of female students by 18.02%, on left-handed students by 18.66%, on older students by 7.29% and made the purdue spatial visualization test easier by 17.21% compared to the use of a desktop display. These results also strengthen the fact that education has a future in virtual reality.

Evaluation of Eye-Movement Metrics ina Software DebbugingTask using GP3 Eye Tracker

Abstract: Teaching different programming subjects is an increasing challenge nowadays as because of growing user demands, the latest paradigms and technologies must be taught. Students in higher education now are of the age who were born into the digital world; however, the success of fulfilling programming courses is lagging behind. Humancomputer interface-based research has emerged in numerous fields of science recently, which could lead to the revolutionising of education. These interfaces could also help professors as a support system in transferring knowledge in a more efficient way besides supporting students acquiring adequate home learning methods. In this study, the applicability of eye movement tracking systems in respect of a programming task is examined, in which during the exploration and correction of the errors of an incorrectly functioning algorithm, the eye movement parameters are observed, recorded and evaluated. The test subjects participating in the research were divided into two groups according to some of their characteristic parameters, where the first group during debugging rather applied minor modifications and the more common technique of compile and run, which otherwise is also the most characteristic feature of students studying programming, while the members of the other group increased emphasis on analysing. In the statistic evaluation of the research, the parameters characteristic of the eye movement tracking of the two groups, as well as the efficiency of these groups were analysed. Based on the results, regarding the efficiency and the number of fixations, a significant difference could be shown between the two groups(U=22.5, z=-2.079, p=0.038) and (t(22)=-2.507, p=0.021), while concerning the duration of fixation and the saccade length, the difference shown was infinitesimal(t(22)=0.544, p=0.592) and (t(22)=-1.527, p=0,142).

Model Predictive Control for Automated Vehicle Steering

Abstract: The autonomous vehicle steering system, a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system, is challenging to design using traditional controllers due to the interaction between inputs and outputs. If PID controllers are used the control loops are executed independently of each other as there is no interaction between the loops. Designing a larger system increases the controller parameters requiring tuning. Model Predictive Control (MPC) overcomes this problem, as it is a multi-variable control method taking into account the interactions of the variables in the target system. Achieving a high safety level is also critical for autonomous vehicle systems. This can be provided by an MPC controller, which can handle constraints such as maintaining a safe distance from other cars. Wider applicability of the Model Predictive Controller calls for more efficient hardware architectures for implementation. The aim of this paper is to achieve optimal implementation of the MPC controller by increasing the computational speed in order to reduce execution time for optimization. An MPC controller is used to control the steering system of an autonomous vehicle to keep it on the desired path. A traditional MPC controller is used to control the system where the plant dynamics do not change, whereas an Adaptive MPC controller is used when the system is nonlinear or its characteristics vary with time (the longitudinal velocity changes as the vehicle moves). Results are discussed in terms of performance, resource utilization, cost, and energy-effective implementations taking into consideration a reasonable size number of constraints handled by the controller.

Advanced Assistive Technologies for Elderly People: A Psychological Perspective on Older Users’ Needs and Preferences (Part B)

Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the literature concerning Seniors’ psychological perspective in exploiting assistive robots and the embodied conversational agents. The main theoretical models devoted to assess user’s technology acceptance are briefly reviewed along with a description of the main factors empirically found to be positively/negatively associated with Seniors’ acceptance level. Special attention is reserved to barriers generated by Seniors’ representations of social assistive technologies, such as, a stigma or threat to their autonomy, infantilization, privacy interferences, fear of dehumanization and isolation.

E-learning Spaces to Empower Students Collaborative Work Serving Individual Goals

Abstract: Innovation has an impact on modern society, so it appears as a demand of the learning society in the educational process. However, there are many other factors that need to be taken into account in supporting an individual's success in designing and implementing a learning process, not just technological change. As opportunities are multiplied, technological support for collaborative work is becoming increasingly demanding to effectively utilize these opportunities in everyday student work. The aim of higher education is to support student success. The continuous adaptation of educational environment to student needs is an important element of this need.

Experiencing the Sense of Presence within an Educational Desktop Virtual Reality

Abstract: This study examines the sense of presence in MaxWhere desktop virtual reality. Thirty-one people participated in the research. The participants spend about fifteen minutes in the virtual environment. For measuring presence, the Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ) was used. The results showed that more automatic navigation positively relates to spatial presence. This research also measured the participants' level of experience with the VR software. A significant difference was found in the spatial presence and experienced realism: the more experienced users gave higher ratings on both subscales. At the same time, the involvement and the general presence scores were similar in the two groups, which is advantageous in education as the presence is positively related to the learning outcome.

Applying dnn adaptation to reduce the session dependency of ultrasound tongue imaging-based silent speech interfaces

Abstract: Silent Speech Interfaces (SSI) perform articulatory-to-acoustic mapping to convert articulatory movement into synthesized speech. Its main goal is to aid the speech handicapped, or to be used as a part of a communication system operating in silencerequired environments or in those with high background noise. Although many previous studies addressed the speaker-dependency of SSI models, session-dependency is also an important issue due to the possible misalignment of the recording equipment. In particular, there are currently no solutions available, in the case of tongue ultrasound recordings. In this study, we investigate the degree of session-dependency of standard feed-forward DNNbased models for ultrasound-based SSI systems. Besides examining the amount of training data required for speech synthesis parameter estimation, we also show that DNN adaptation can be useful for handling session dependency. Our results indicate that by using adaptation, less training data and training time are needed to achieve the same speech quality over training a new DNN from scratch. Our experiments also suggest that the sub-optimal cross-session behavior is caused by the misalignment of the recording equipment, as adapting just the lower, feature extractor layers of the neural network proved to be sufficient, in achieving a comparative level of performance. G. Gosztolya et al. Applying DNN Adaptation to Reduce the Session Dependency of Ultrasound Tongue Imaging-based Silent Speech Interfaces – 110 –

Student Employment as a Possible Factor of Dropout

Abstract: One of the possible reasons for student dropout, is the attraction of the labor market. Nowadays, the date of employment does not coincide with the date of graduation, sometimes the income of those without a degree are higher than those with a degree. In addition, it may also lead to the interruption of university studies that the students judge negatively the marketability of their studies, in which case, the appeal of the labor market is even more prevalent. During our research, we tried to identify the process of dropout using quantitative and qualitative methods. As a first step, we interviewed dropped out and ’at risk’ students, but in our current analysis, we only processed those interviews where student work played a significant role in the life of the interviewee and this affected their dropouts. In addition, during our quantitative research, we were looking for individuals who had left their higher education studies without graduation in the last 10 years, and finally we worked with a database of 605 people. Both our qualitative and quantitative results show that financial reasons dominate during student employment that make them fall into a vicious circle. The results draw attention to the fact that working during, or instead of the university is an inevitable point of analysis for dropping out.

Comparison of Gabor Filter Bank and Fuzzified Gabor Filter for License Plate Detection

Abstract: This paper presents a comparative study of improvements to the algorithms for license plate extraction from images captured using conventional, modest-quality cameras. It compares the results and efficacy of two similar algorithms which primarily differ in the raw image pre-processing stage of the initial image. One algorithm uses the Gabor filter bank with distinctly crisp parameters; the other relies on the fuzzified Gabor filter bank with fuzzified parameters to facilitate their adjustment. Results indicate that the fuzzy reasoning introduced for Gabor filter parameter adjustment improves the detection of the components of interest in complex images and adds minimal deviation compared to the Gabor filter bank with distinctly crisp parameters.

A Highly Reliable, Modular, Redundant and Self-Monitoring PSU Architecture

Abstract: The production of highly reliable, electronic devices is a source for significant environmental emissions and energy consumption. A modern, cost-effective and modular design can enhance product maintainability and lifetime. Many end-users would certainly be willing to devote more resources (money) for a device they use, if, in return, they could extend the life of the device. This paper introduces the architecture for a high-reliability, modular, end-user-configurable, redundant power supply, based on these principles.

Application of Compensation Algorithms to Control the Movement of a Robot Manipulator

Abstract: This article presents an application-oriented method for the structural synthesis of control systems for multichannel linear objects. It provides a general form, based on the compensation for object dynamics and disturbances. The algorithm is based onalgebraic transformations of the mathematical model of the object and reference systems. The general procedure for the synthesis of a control algorithm is presented by the example of a SISO first-order object. Parametric robustness and correspondence of the system behavior to its own reference filters were derived. The possibility of applying this method to control non-linear objects presented in the form of \"State Dependent Coefficient (SDC)\" is ascertained. A simplified example is given by the synthesis of the motion control of a onelink manipulator with a drive, described by a second-order nonlinear equation. Control of a two-link manipulator represented by its linearized equation is demonstrated. The convenience of the proposed synthesis method for controlling multi-channel objects under certain simplifications allowed by the specifics of the use of objects is shown. The numerical example shows the independence of the system through individual channels, a zero static error in all the modes of operation and the correspondence of the system behavior to given dynamics.

Mathability and Creative Problem Solving in the MaTech Math Competition

Abstract: The Klebelsberg Center and the University of Dunaújváros, as a professional partner, organized the national MaTech math competition for the second time in 2019. The main goal of this competition is to develop creativity, creative problem solving, teamwork, and apply of digital knowledge in real mathematical problems when the mathematical capabilities co-evolving with human-ICT systems. This work presents an analysis identifying the characteristics of the mathematical knowledge and the relationship with the skill of creative presentation and performance.

Dynamic Simulation of a Prototype Race Car Driven by Series Wound DC Motor in Matlab- Simulink

Abstract: In the last decade student teams at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Debrecen have designed and constructed several race cars with alternative (electric or pneumatic) drives and took part and achieved successes in domestic and international competitions. For more successful racing a simulation program has been developed in Matlab for the calculation of the vehicle dynamic functions of the cars from their technical data. Currently, it has become a prerequisite of successful racing because of the large number of the possible values of technical data we can select the optimal ones by applying the above program combined with an optimizing procedure. The detailed description of the developed dynamic model and simulation program, together with the vehicle dynamics functions generated by the program are presented here. The description of the optimizing procedure will be presented elsewhere.

An Efficient Routing Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks based on Centrality Measures

Abstract: A routing algorithm for wireless sensor networks with a random distribution in a target observation area is proposed. In practice, selecting a path to route data from a source node to a destination node in a sensor network is very useful. An investigation is carried out on the combination of centrality measures and a routing algorithm to determine whether this can improve the route selected by the network’s decision. Various measures of centrality are used and the network’s response is evaluated with regards to the route selected by the network’s decision when some nodes fail. It is demonstrated through simulations that controlling sensor nodes efficiently with a high measure of centrality gives a network the ability to resist node failures or attacks. Furthermore, this provides the network with high failure tolerance. In this paper, a routing algorithm that uses centrality measures to select the shortest path (a low-energy path between the source and destination node) is implemented.

A Simple and Effective Heuristic Control System for the Heliostat Field of Solar Power Tower Plants

Abstract: Solar power tower plants use large arrays of mirrors, known as heliostats, to concentrate solar radiation on their receiver and heat the working fluid inside them. However, receivers must not be under thermal stress. Otherwise, their life expectancy is reduced, which affects the cost and viability of production plant. Controlling the flux distributions on receivers requires selecting the active heliostats and their target points. It is a challenging task that should not be under the responsibility and expertise of human operators only. This work defines a closed-loop controller to keep the setpoint or desired flux map under certain conditions. It combines real measurements and an ad-hoc analytical model of the target field with a set of heuristic rules that covers how to activate, deactivate, and re-aim heliostats. The proposed system has been applied to a model of the CESA-I field at the Solar Platform of Almería. The open-source ray-tracer Tonatiuh represents the reality. The initial operation point has been determined with a theoretical flux distribution optimizer. According to the experimentation, the controller improves the initial and modelbased flux distribution by raising its power from 708.4 to 736.4 kW (with a setpoint of 739.6 kW).

Selected Problems of Family Business: A Case Study from Slovakia

Abstract: The scientific paper deals with a part of the business sector, which is made up of family businesses. The paper presents the current status of such businesses from the perspective of positive and negative factors which will be linked to the problem areas. In this article, we have focused our attention on some aspects of family business, especially the managerial aspects, because the management of a family business has various differences and specifics compared to other types of businesses. In the theoretical part, we present the current state of the issue, while the empirical part of the article is based on a survey conducted among family businesses using a questionnaire. This article does not aim to highlight the contentious areas of family business. However, it brings valuable findings of business practice. More than 400 enterprises were approached, the resulting sample consisted of 185 family enterprises. Therefore, we understand the results as a case study from Slovakia. Our findings were subject to statistical analysis using several quantitative methods (t-test, regression models) and we present them in the empirical part. Based on our results, we bring the most valuable findings and ideas for further research.