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The purpose of this paper is to overcome the shortcomings of the marked method in identifying the number of regions in binary images, and to present a new algorithm to identify the number of bars.

Identifying the number of bars automatically is widely used in the lumbering, iron, and steel industry. The marked methods need complex signing and have to scan the binary image several times. An algorithm that uses two chain lists to identify the number of bars is presented. It uses the characteristic of the chain list. When scanning the binary image, it creates two chain lists and then the number and the central position of the bar based on the relations of created chain lists can be determined.

Test results have indicated this algorithm is feasible and effective on recognizing the number of bars.

When the connected area has too many pixels in the binary images, recognizing its number needs much more time.

The paper presents a very useful approach for identifying the number of the bar, in the lumbering and steel industry.

Discusses the 27 papers in ISEF 1999 Proceedings on the subject of electromagnetisms. States the groups of papers cover such subjects within the discipline as: induction machines; reluctance motors; PM motors; transformers and reactors; and special problems and applications. Debates all of these in great detail and itemizes each with greater in‐depth discussion of the various technical applications and areas. Concludes that the recommendations made should be adhered to.

The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the sponsorship of a gay and lesbian sports event, and whether this differs from the sponsorship of more mainstream sports events. This is achieved by focusing on one particular non-mainstream sport and event, the Gay Softball World Series. It concludes that nonmainstream sports, such as gay and lesbian softball, have become a significant and legitimate, if problematic, cultural force and a desirable magnet for sponsors as corporations attempt to reach new target groups.

This chapter draws on 10 years of ethnographic fieldwork collected in gay bars from three American cities to explore the strategies LGBTQ subcultures deploy to recreate meaningful places within the vestiges of local queer nightlife. As gentrification and social acceptance accelerate the closures of LGBTQ-specific bars and nightclubs worldwide, venues that once served a specific LGBTQ subculture (i.e., leather bars) expand their offerings to incorporate displaced LGBTQ subcultures. Attending to how LGBTQ subcultures might appropriate designated spaces within a gay venue to support community (nightlife complexes), how management and LGBT subcultures temporally circumscribe subcultural practices and traditions to create fleeting, but recurring places (episodic places), and how patrons might disrupt an existing production of place by imposing practices associated with a discrepant LGBTQ subculture(place ruptures), this chapter challenges the notion of “the gay bar” as a singular place catering to a specific subculture. Instead, gay bars increasingly constitute a collection of places within the same space, which may shift depending on its use by patrons occupying the space at any given moment. Beyond the investigation of gay bars, this chapter contributes to the growing sociological literature exploring the multifaceted, unstable, and ephemeral nature of place and place-making in the postmodern city.

Investigates the differences in protocols between arbitral tribunals and courts, with particular emphasis on US, Greek and English law. Gives examples of each country and its way of using the law in specific circumstances, and shows the variations therein. Sums up that arbitration is much the better way to gok as it avoids delays and expenses, plus the vexation/frustration of normal litigation. Concludes that the US and Greek constitutions and common law tradition in England appear to allow involved parties to choose their own judge, who can thus be an arbitrator. Discusses e‐commerce and speculates on this for the future.

Research on choice overload with adult participants has shown that the presence of a brand significantly mitigates the phenomenon. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether these findings can be expanded to a population of adolescents, where it has already been shown that choice overload occurs in a similar way as adults.

Studies 1 and 2 aim to test whether the presence of a brand name mitigates the adverse consequences of choice overload in adolescents. In line with prior research on choice overload, in both studies, the authors compared between-subjects differences in the levels of reported dissatisfaction, difficulty and regret in a choice condition where adolescents chose among either 6 or 24 options associated with brand names and in another choice condition where adolescents chose among the same 6 or 24 options but not associated with brand names.

This paper presents evidence from two studies that when facing either a large or a small amount of choice options that are associated with brand names, choice overload disappears among adolescents. Conversely, when no brands are associated to the choice options, adolescents report choice overload, that is a greater dissatisfaction, difficulties and regret with larger (versus smaller) assortments.

Prior research on choice overload has led to recommendations that marketers and other choice architects should simply reduce choice options or assortments to improve consumers’ satisfaction. However, our finding suggests that this recommendation may be invalidated when brands are present, at least for certain age groups. Adolescents cope indeed very well with large assortments of branded products.

The research adds to the existing understanding of choice overload, demonstrating that the brand is a moderator of the phenomenon for adolescents, who currently represent a large portion of the market. A second important contribution of this work is that it extends prior research on choice overload to real-world consumer scenarios, where consumers choose among products with a brand, rather than among products described only by technical characteristics or nutritional values, as in classical studies on choice overload.

This paper aims to use a derivative of genetic programming to predict the bond strength of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars in concrete under the effects of design guidelines. In developing bond strength prediction models, this paper prioritized simplicity and meaningfulness over extreme accuracy.

Assessing the bond strength of GFRP bars in concrete is a critical issue in designing and building reinforced concrete structures.

Ultimately, the equation of a linear form of a particular design guideline was suggested as the optimal prediction model. Improvements to the current design guidelines suggested by this model include setting a 1.31 magnification and considering the effects of the three significant parameters of bar diameter (db), minimum cover-to-bar diameter (C/db) and development length to bar diameter (l/db) under an acceptable root mean square error accuracy of around 2 MPa. Furthermore, the model suggests that the original influence parameter of concrete compressive strength (f_c) may be removed from bond strength calculations.

The model suggests that the original influence parameter of concrete compressive strength (f_c) may be removed from bond strength calculations.

The corrosion of reinforcing steel bars reduces significantly the life and durability of concrete structures. This critical concern causes great losses to the economy and industry. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the effects of corrosion on the tensile mechanical properties of embedded steel bars B500c in concrete.

The concept is based on the curve fitting modelling, as well the mathematical correlation of the tensile mechanical properties between corroded bare and corroded embedded steel bars. In order to achieve this, extensive experiments were carried out on both bare (Ø8, 10, 12, 16 and 18 mm) and embedded (Ø8 mm) steel bars B500c, which were subjected to artificially accelerated corrosive conditions in a chloride‐rich atmosphere for several exposure times.

The research results show that the estimation method is available and effective in simulating the tensile mechanical behaviour of corroded reinforcing steel bars B500c.

As far as is known, this is the first time that an advanced data processing technique has been employed to try to find the mathematical correlation of the existing corrosion damage on the residual tensile properties between bare and embedded steel bars. It is argued that these models can be developed in order to reduce the need for expensive experimental investigation in materials.

The purpose of this study is to develop a system that detects warp breakage in manual looms using simple mechanisms combined with electronic circuitry.

This study used the universal design methodology model where results from observations and interviews aided in designing the appropriate blueprints for the mechanism.

Testing procedures revealed that the conductivity of steel bars coupled with the weight of the droppers affected the efficiency of the mechanism. Additionally, the weight of the drop wires influenced the rising of the warp threads during shedding. Considering this, a plate thickness of 0.06 mm was ideal for the droppers which did not affect warp shedding. Test outcomes at the weaving shed proved the workability of the mechanism for timely or prompt repair of a broken warp by weavers that ensured fabric quality.

The issue of warp breaks remains a critical problem at weaving on manual looms which influence the quality of fabrics. These looms are used by craftsmen in producing interesting fabrics for the market of which they depend on for their living. Premise on this, a two-way (light + sound) alert system was developed to assist weavers to effectively locate and repair broken yarns. Additionally, weavers with special needs (blind people) would be notified on a warp break for immediate repair from someone. This would limit the unnecessary challenges associated with broken warp yarns during weaving.

A decade of growth in the health food market is typified by the case of cereal bars. They have undoubtedly benefited from an increased consumer awareness about healthier ways to eat, but to what extent do consumers perceive these bars to be the “healthy alternative snack”, and how healthy are they? The results of a consumer survey (n=200) are reported which suggests that cereal bars are perceived as being healthy. Chemical analysis revealed that on sugar, fat, salt and fibre content, these bars were only marginally better than favourite traditional snacks. Sensory analysis showed that consumers much preferred cereal bars which contain chocolate but that these were not the healthiest. The gap between consumers′ perception of product benefits and actual benefits is something which should be further investigated in other products within the health food market.