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How to model blind image deblurring that arises when a camera undergoes ego-motion while observing a static and close scene. In particular, this paper aims to detail how the blurry image can be restored under a sequence of the linear model of the point spread function (PSF) that are derived from the 6-degree of freedom (DOF) camera’s accurate path during the long exposure time.

There are two existing techniques, namely, an estimation of the PSF and a blind image deconvolution. Based on online and short-period inertial measurement unit (IMU) self-calibration, this motion path has discretized a sequence of the uniform speed of 3-DOF rectilinear motion, which unites with a 3-DOF rotational motion to form a discrete 6-DOF camera’s path. These PSFs are evaluated through the discrete path, then combine with a blurry image to restoration through deconvolution.

This paper describes to build a hardware attachment, which is composed of a consumer camera, an inexpensive IMU and a 3-DOF motion mechanism to the best of the knowledge, together with experimental results demonstrating its overall effectiveness.

First, the paper proposes that a high-precision 6-DOF motion platform periodically adjusts the speed of a three-axis rotational motion and a three-axis rectilinear motion in a short time to compensate the bias of the gyroscope and the accelerometer. Second, this paper establishes a model of 6-DOF motion and emphasizes on rotational motion, translational motion and scene depth motion. Third, this paper addresses a novel model of the discrete path that the motion during long exposure time is discretized at a uniform speed, then to estimate a sequence of PSFs.

The cybernetic approach differs significantly from the conventional reductionist methods of natural and biological sciences. Norbert Wiener established the theory of cybernetics as a science of control and communication process in living beings (human and animals) and machines. Dutta Majumder in his Norbert Wiener Award winning paper extended the approach to include integrated complex human machine systems and functions with general systems theory as a unitary science laying the mathematical foundation for unifying observing systems, observed systems and the act of observing as indicated in von Foerster’s concept of second‐order cybernetics. Both from the point of view of ontology and that of epistemology the cybernetic approach now enables computer technology to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and expert system (ES) for knowledge based instrumentation for diagnostics and therapy planning. Presents the results of a project for development of a knowledge based framework for combining different modalities of medical image processing such as CT, MR(T₁), MR(T₂), SPECT, PET, USG etc. whichever is relevant for particular pathological investigation for diagnostics and therapeutic planning. Experiments were conducted with (a) Alzheimer’s patient data and (b) detection and grading of malignancy with oncological data for the cancer screening system.

In order to bridge the increasing gap between the micro‐ and nanotechnologies, a European consortium is currently developing and investigating a cluster of mobile, wireless cubic centimetre‐sized microrobots. The control and sensor issues which are to be solved for such a robot system are demanding. This paper describes the work carried out by one of the project partners. An interferometrical principle employing the so‐called “mechanical” interferometer based on the Moiré‐effect is used for the position sensor system. Further sensor systems involve “local” microscope cameras, for which the extraction of depth information is crucial.

Multiple Information Principle (MIP) is reviewed as a method of assigning a prior probability mass of density function to a random variable in the presence of some prior information. It is compared to the Maximum Information (MI) method and shown to be more general and inclusive of prior data available to the investigator. The image restoration problem is outlined as an inverse source problem with insufficient data for yielding a unique solution.

This paper presents an overview of three information‐theoretic methods, which have been used extensively in many areas such as signal/image processing, pattern recognition and statistical inference. These are: the maximum entropy (ME), minimum cross‐entropy (MCE) and mutual information (MI) methods. The development history of these techniques is reviewed, their essential philosophy is explained, and typical applications, supported by simulation results, are discussed.

Purchasing has undergone significant changes in many organisations and has moved from a reactive activity to a strategic one, contributing to a firm’s competitive success. This article charts the development of the purchasing function within a multinational aerospace company as a result of introducing major structural changes. Maister’s Professional Service Firm (PSF) model is then applied in an operational manner to outline the changing roles and responsibilities of the procurement function and to identify potential areas for training and development. Finally, based on the outcomes from the PSF framework, a customised postgraduate diploma for purchasing executives is described and evaluated. It is proposed that this framework not only illustrates how planning and organising issues can be addressed using the concepts developed by Maister, but also provides an illustration of how one model propounded by management educators can provide a foundation for enhancing organisational performance.

This study explores the professional work of managers in professional service firms (PSFs) by focusing on the relational position of managers as they interface between diverse groups of actors and navigate a multiplicity of accountabilities.

Drawing on an ethnographic study of managers in a Brazilian PSF, this study demonstrates through observations, interviews and shadowing how PSF managers address multiple accountabilities in the conduct of professional work.

To navigate multiple accountabilities, PSF managers perform several forms of boundary work, which the authors conceptualize as “revamping” and “remolding” operations and “translating” and “transforming” understandings. The form of boundary work performed depends on the configuration of two elements of accountability demands: knowledge orientation and extent of exposure. Although analytically distinct, these elements intertwine, suggesting the need for a dynamic perspective on accountability. The analysis shows that professional work extends beyond fixed or passive views of hierarchical and intrinsic accountability to emphasize that managers exude accountability of an adaptive nature.

This study illustrates and theorizes the role of boundary work in PSFs, develops its link to accountability, and identifies its scholarly and practical affordances and limitations for understanding managers’ professional work when navigating multiple accountabilities.

The findings reveal perspectives and behaviors of managers embedded in PSFs, illustrating their unstructured and agentic experiences of accountability and boundary work in practice. The insights can be extended to other contexts where managers face multiple accountabilities in conducting professional work.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the crisis on the pricing of asset quality attributes. This paper uses sales transaction data to examine whether flight from risk phenomena took place in the US office market during the financial crisis of 2007-2009.

Hedonic regression procedures are used to test the hypothesis that the spread between the pricing of low-quality and high-quality characteristics increased during the crisis period compared to the pre-crisis period.

The results of the hedonic regression models suggest that the price spread between Class A and other properties grew significantly during the downturn.

Our results are consistent with the hypothesis of an increased price spread following a market downturn between Class A and non-Class A offices. The evidence suggests that the relationships between the returns on Class A and non-Class A assets changed during the period of market stress or crisis.

These findings have implications for real estate portfolio construction. If regime switches can be predicted and/or responded to rapidly, portfolios may be rebalanced. In crisis periods, portfolios might be reweighted towards Class A properties and in positive market periods, the reweighting would be towards non-Class A assets.

The global financial crisis has demonstrated that real estate markets play a crucial role in modern economies and that negative developments in these markets have the potential to spillover and create contagion for the larger economy, thereby affecting jobs, incomes and ultimately people’s livelihoods.

This is one of the first studies that address the flight to quality phenomenon in commercial real estate markets during periods of financial crisis and market turmoil.

Examines the failure of the City of London office market over the last 30 years to transmit information on impending oversupply to developers as the market moved towards the top of the demand cycle. Notes that the resulting collapse in investment values and the exposure of the banking system to large‐scale non‐performing loans provides a picture of potentially destabilising market failure. Proposes that in order to prevent oversupply occurring and thereby secure investment values, a form of self‐regulation is required.

This paper aims to center on the value of cultivating norms for market orientation (MO) in professional service firms (PSFs). Based on social capital theory, three variables for norm-based behavioral activities of MO were suggested, i.e. leadership support (LS), relationship learning in teams (RLT) and collective engagement (CE). Moreover, three variables were suggested as performance outcomes of norm-based behavioral activities of MO, i.e. employee commitment (EC), service quality provision (SQP) and two dimensions of a firm’s innovative capability (exploratory [EXPLOR] and exploitative innovation [EXPLOIT]).

Using a survey, a conceptual model was developed and empirically tested. All participants were employed in consultancy firms representing the population of PSFs.

The findings reveal that RLT, LS and employee CE are particularly suitable in forming norm-based behavioral activities of MO for PSFs. Moreover, the findings reveal that the two dimensions of a firm’s innovative capability (EXPLOR and EXPLOIT) provide strong performance outcomes for norm-based behavioral activities of MO. Moreover, the results also reveal that norm-based behavioral activities of MO for PSFs influenced both EC and SQP.

Using social capital theory, the study contributes to identifying both forming variables and performance outcomes centered on norm-based behavioral activities of MO for PSFs.