Abstract: This paper presents a particle swarm optimization
(PSO) based approach for multiple object tracking based on histogram
matching. To start with, gray-level histograms are calculated to
establish a feature model for each of the target object. The difference
between the gray-level histogram corresponding to each particle in the
search space and the target object is used as the fitness value. Multiple
swarms are created depending on the number of the target objects
under tracking. Because of the efficiency and simplicity of the PSO
algorithm for global optimization, target objects can be tracked as
iterations continue. Experimental results confirm that the proposed
PSO algorithm can rapidly converge, allowing real-time tracking of
each target object. When the objects being tracked move outside the
tracking range, global search capability of the PSO resumes to re-trace
the target objects.
Abstract: The main objective of this article is to present the semi-active vibration control using an electro-rheological fluid embedded sandwich structure for a cantilever beam. ER fluid is a smart material, which cause the suspended particles polarize and connect each other to form chain. The stiffness and damping coefficients of the ER fluid can be changed in 10 micro seconds; therefore, ERF is suitable to become the material embedded in the tunable vibration absorber to become a smart absorber. For the ERF smart material embedded structure, the fuzzy control law depends on the experimental expert database and the proposed self-tuning strategy. The electric field is controlled by a CRIO embedded system to implement the real application. This study investigates the different performances using the Type-1 fuzzy and interval Type-2 fuzzy controllers. The Interval type-2 fuzzy control is used to improve the modeling uncertainties for this ERF embedded shock absorber. The self-tuning vibration controllers using Type-1 and Interval Type-2 fuzzy law are implemented to the shock absorber system. Based on the resulting performance, Internal Type-2 fuzzy is better than the traditional Type-1 fuzzy control for this vibration control system.
Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) hold much promise as a basis for disease-gene association. However, research is limited by the cost of genotyping the tremendous number of SNPs. Therefore, it is important to identify a small subset of informative SNPs, the so-called tag SNPs. This subset consists of selected SNPs of the genotypes, and accurately represents the rest of the SNPs. Furthermore, an effective evaluation method is needed to evaluate prediction accuracy of a set of tag SNPs. In this paper, a genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to tag SNP problems, and the K-nearest neighbor (K-NN) serves as a prediction method of tag SNP selection. The experimental data used was taken from the HapMap project; it consists of genotype data rather than haplotype data. The proposed method consistently identified tag SNPs with considerably better prediction accuracy than methods from the literature. At the same time, the number of tag SNPs identified was smaller than the number of tag SNPs in the other methods. The run time of the proposed method was much shorter than the run time of the SVM/STSA method when the same accuracy was reached.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to discuss the relationship between tourist awareness of environmental issues and their own recreational behaviors in the Taipei Guandu Wetland. A total of 392 questionnaires were gathered for data analysis using descriptive statistics, t-testing, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) post hoc comparisons. The results showed that most of the visitors there enjoying the beautiful scenery are 21 to 30 years old with a college education. The means and standard deviations indicate that tourists express a positive degree of cognition of environmental issues and recreational behaviors. They suggest that polluting the environment is harmful to the natural ecosystem and that the natural resources of ecotourism are fragile, as well as expressing a high degree of recognition of the need to protect wetlands. Most of respondents are cognizant of the regulations proposed by the Guandu Wetland administration which asks that users exercise self-control and follow recommended guidelines when traveling the wetland. There were significant differences in the degree of cognition related to the variables of age, number of visits and reasons for visiting. We found that most respondents with relatively high levels of education would like to learn more about the wetland and are supportive of its conservation.
Abstract: Since polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been
invented, it has emerged as a powerful tool in genetic analysis. The
PCR products are closely linked with thermal cycles. Therefore, to
reduce the reaction time and make temperature distribution uniform in
the reaction chamber, a novel oscillatory thermal cycler is designed.
The sample is placed in a fixed chamber, and three constant isothermal
zones are established and lined in the system. The sample is oscillated
and contacted with three different isothermal zones to complete
thermal cycles. This study presents the design of the geometric
characteristics of the chamber. The commercial software
CFD-ACE+TM is utilized to investigate the influences of various
materials, heating times, chamber volumes, and moving speed of the
chamber on the temperature distributions inside the chamber. The
chamber moves at a specific velocity and the boundary conditions
with time variations are related to the moving speed. Whereas the
chamber moves, the boundary is specified at the conditions of the
convection or the uniform temperature. The user subroutines compiled
by the FORTRAN language are used to make the numerical results
realistically. Results show that the reaction chamber with a rectangular
prism is heated on six faces; the effects of various moving speeds of
the chamber on the temperature distributions are examined. Regarding
to the temperature profiles and the standard deviation of the
temperature at the Y-cut cross section, the non-uniform temperature
inside chamber is found as the moving speed is larger than 0.01 m/s.
By reducing the heating faces to four, the standard deviation of the
temperature of the reaction chamber is under 1.4×10-3K with the range
of velocities between 0.0001 m/s and 1 m/s. The nature convective
boundary conditions are set at all boundaries while the chamber moves
between two heaters, the effects of various moving velocities of the
chamber on the temperature distributions are negligible at the assigned
time duration.
Abstract: Serial Analysis of Gene Expression is a powerful
quantification technique for generating cell or tissue gene expression
data. The profile of the gene expression of cell or tissue in several
different states is difficult for biologists to analyze because of the large
number of genes typically involved. However, feature selection in
machine learning can successfully reduce this problem. The method
allows reducing the features (genes) in specific SAGE data, and
determines only relevant genes. In this study, we used a genetic
algorithm to implement feature selection, and evaluate the
classification accuracy of the selected features with the K-nearest
neighbor method. In order to validate the proposed method, we used
two SAGE data sets for testing. The results of this study conclusively
prove that the number of features of the original SAGE data set can be
significantly reduced and higher classification accuracy can be
achieved.
Abstract: Twenty seven tektites from the Wenchang area, Hainan
province (south China) and five tektites from the Khon Kaen area
(northeast Thailand) were analyzed for major and trace element
contents and Rb-Sr isotopic compositions. All the samples studied are
splash-form tektites. Tektites of this study are characterized by high
SiO2 contents ranging from 71.95 to 74.07 wt% which is consistent
with previously published analyses of Australasian tektites. The trace
element ratios Ba/Rb (avg. 3.89), Th/Sm (avg. 2.40), Sm/Sc (avg.
0.45), Th/Sc (avg. 0.99) and the rare earth elements (REE) contents of
tektites of this study are similar to the average upper continental crust.
Based on the chemical composition, it is suggested that tektites in this
study are derived from similar parental material and are similar to the
post-Archean upper crustal rocks. The major and trace element
abundances of tektites analyzed indicate that the parental material of
tektites may be a terrestrial sedimentary deposit. The tektites from the
Wenchang area, Hainan Island have high positive εSr(0)
values-ranging from 184.5~196.5 which indicate that the parental
material for these tektites have similar Sr isotopic compositions to old
terrestrial sedimentary rocks and they were not dominantly derived
from recent young sediments (such as soil or loess). Based on Rb-Sr
isotopic data, it has been suggested by Blum (1992) [1]that the
depositional age of sedimentary target materials is close to 170Ma
(Jurassic). According to the model suggested by Ho and Chen
(1996)[2], mixing calculations for various amounts and combinations
of target rocks have been carried out. We consider that the best fit for
tektites from the Wenchang area is a mixture of 47% shale, 23%
sandstone, 25% greywacke and 5% quartzite, and the other tektites
from Khon Kaen area is a mixture of 46% shale, 2% sandstone, 20%
greywacke and 32% quartzite.
Abstract: Micro electromechanical sensors (MEMS) play a vital
role along with global positioning devices in navigation of
autonomous vehicles .These sensors are low cost ,easily available but
depict colored noises and unpredictable discontinuities .Conventional
filters like Kalman filters and Sigma point filters are not able to cope
with nonwhite noises. This research has utilized H∞ filter in nonlinear
frame work both with Kalman filter and Unscented filter for
navigation and self alignment of an airborne vehicle. The system is
simulated for colored noises and discontinuities and results are
compared with not robust nonlinear filters. The results are found
40%-70% more robust against colored noises and discontinuities.
Abstract: In this paper, we establish several oscillation criteria for the nonlinear second-order damped delay dynamic equation r(t)|xΔ(t)|β-1xΔ(t)Δ + p(t)|xΔσ(t)|β-1xΔσ(t) + q(t)f(x(τ (t))) = 0 on an arbitrary time scale T, where β > 0 is a constant. Our results generalize and improve some known results in which β > 0 is a quotient of odd positive integers. Some examples are given to illustrate our main results.
Abstract: A renewable energy system discussed in this paper is
a stand-alone wind-hydrogen system for a remote island in Australia.
The analysis of an existing wind-diesel power system was performed.
Simulation technique was used to model the power system currently
employed on the island, and simulated different configurations of
additional hydrogen energy system. This study aims to determine the
suitable hydrogen integrated configuration to setting up the prototype
system for the island, which helps to reduce the diesel consumption
on the island. A set of configurations for the hydrogen system and
associated parameters that consists of wind turbines, electrolysers,
hydrogen internal combustion engines, and storage tanks has been
purposed. The simulation analyses various configurations that
perfectly balances the system to meet the demand on the island.
Abstract: This paper aims to fabricated high quality anodic
aluminum oxide (AAO) film by anodization method. AAO pore size,
pore density, and film thickness can be controlled in 10~500 nm,
108~1011 pore．cm-2, and 1~100 μm. AAO volume and surface area can
be computed based on structural parameters such as thickness, pore
size, pore density, and sample size. Base on the thetorical calculation,
AAO has 100 μm thickness with 15 nm, 60 nm, and 500 nm pore
diameters AAO surface areas are 1225.2 cm2, 3204.4 cm2, and 549.7
cm2, respectively. The large unit surface area which is useful for
adsorption application. When AAO adsorbed pH indictor of
bromphenol blue presented a sensitive pH detection of solution
change. This testing method can further be used for the precise
measurement of biotechnology, convenience measurement of
industrial engineering.
Abstract: The information systems with incomplete attribute
values and fuzzy decisions commonly exist in practical problems. On
the base of the notion of variable precision rough set model for
incomplete information system and the rough set model for
incomplete and fuzzy decision information system, the variable rough
set model for incomplete and fuzzy decision information system is
constructed, which is the generalization of the variable precision
rough set model for incomplete information system and that of rough
set model for incomplete and fuzzy decision information system. The
knowledge reduction and heuristic algorithm, built on the method and
theory of precision reduction, are proposed.
Abstract: We design and discuss metal-dielectric antireflection coating on metallic substrates for Solar Selective Absorbers of Concentrating Solar Power Systems. The average reflectance is 8.5% at 400-3000nm and 84.4% at 3000nm-10000nm of the metal-dielectric structure.
Abstract: This paper describes the modeling and simulation of an
underwater robot glider used in the shallow-water environment. We
followed the Equations of motion derived by [2] and simplified
dynamic Equations of motion of an underwater glider according to our
underwater glider. A simulation code is built and operated in the
MATLAB Simulink environment so that we can make improvements
to our testing glider design. It may be also used to validate a robot
glider design.
Abstract: Shadows add great amount of realism to a scene and
many algorithms exists to generate shadows. Recently, Shadow
volumes (SVs) have made great achievements to place a valuable
position in the gaming industries. Looking at this, we concentrate on
simple but valuable initial partial steps for further optimization in SV
generation, i.e.; model simplification and silhouette edge detection
and tracking. Shadow volumes (SVs) usually takes time in generating
boundary silhouettes of the object and if the object is complex then
the generation of edges become much harder and slower in process.
The challenge gets stiffer when real time shadow generation and
rendering is demanded. We investigated a way to use the real time
silhouette edge detection method, which takes the advantage of
spatial and temporal coherence, and exploit the level-of-details
(LOD) technique for reducing silhouette edges of the model to use
the simplified version of the model for shadow generation speeding
up the running time. These steps highly reduce the execution time of
shadow volume generations in real-time and are easily flexible to any
of the recently proposed SV techniques. Our main focus is to exploit
the LOD and silhouette edge detection technique, adopting them to
further enhance the shadow volume generations for real time
rendering.
Abstract: Web usage mining is an interesting application of data
mining which provides insight into customer behaviour on the Internet. An important technique to discover user access and navigation trails is based on sequential patterns mining. One of the
key challenges for web access patterns mining is tackling the problem
of mining richly structured patterns. This paper proposes a novel
model called Web Access Patterns Graph (WAP-Graph) to represent all of the access patterns from web mining graphically. WAP-Graph
also motivates the search for new structural relation patterns, i.e. Concurrent Access Patterns (CAP), to identify and predict more
complex web page requests. Corresponding CAP mining and modelling methods are proposed and shown to be effective in the
search for and representation of concurrency between access patterns
on the web. From experiments conducted on large-scale synthetic
sequence data as well as real web access data, it is demonstrated that
CAP mining provides a powerful method for structural knowledge discovery, which can be visualised through the CAP-Graph model.
Abstract: A given polynomial, possibly with multiple roots, is
factored into several lower-degree distinct-root polynomials with
natural-order-integer powers. All the roots, including multiplicities,
of the original polynomial may be obtained by solving these lowerdegree
distinct-root polynomials, instead of the original high-degree
multiple-root polynomial directly.
The approach requires polynomial Greatest Common Divisor
(GCD) computation. The very simple and effective process, “Monic
polynomial subtractions" converted trickily from “Longhand
polynomial divisions" of Euclidean algorithm is employed. It
requires only simple elementary arithmetic operations without any
advanced mathematics.
Amazingly, the derived routine gives the expected results for the
test polynomials of very high degree, such as p( x) =(x+1)1000.
Abstract: Previous studies have shown that there are arguments
regarding the reliability and validity of the Ashworth and Modified
Ashworth Scale towards evaluating patients diagnosed with upper
limb disorders. These evaluations depended on the raters’ experiences.
This initiated us to develop an upper limb disorder part-task trainer
that is able to simulate consistent upper limb disorders, such as
spasticity and rigidity signs, based on the Modified Ashworth Scale to
improve the variability occurring between raters and intra-raters
themselves. By providing consistent signs, novice therapists would be
able to increase training frequency and exposure towards various
levels of signs. A total of 22 physiotherapists and occupational
therapists participated in the study. The majority of the therapists
agreed that with current therapy education, they still face problems
with inter-raters and intra-raters variability (strongly agree 54%; n =
12/22, agree 27%; n = 6/22) in evaluating patients’ conditions. The
therapists strongly agreed (72%; n = 16/22) that therapy trainees
needed to increase their frequency of training; therefore believe that
our initiative to develop an upper limb disorder training tool will help
in improving the clinical education field (strongly agree and agree
63%; n = 14/22).
Abstract: Hemorrhage Disease of Grass Carp (HDGC) is a kind
of commonly occurring illnesses in summer, and the extremely high
death rate result in colossal losses to aquaculture. As the complex
connections among each factor which influences aquiculture diseases,
there-s no quit reasonable mathematical model to solve the problem at
present.A BP neural network which with excellent nonlinear mapping
coherence was adopted to establish mathematical model;
Environmental factor, which can easily detected, such as breeding
density, water temperature, pH and light intensity was set as the main
analyzing object. 25 groups of experimental data were used for
training and test, and the accuracy of using the model to predict the
trend of HDGC was above 80%. It is demonstrated that BP neural
network for predicating diseases in HDGC has a particularly
objectivity and practicality, thus it can be spread to other aquiculture
disease.
Abstract: We measured the major and trace element contents
and Rb-Sr isotopic compositions of 12 tektites from the Maoming
area, Guandong province (south China). All the samples studied are
splash-form tektites which show pitted or grooved surfaces with
schlieren structures on some surfaces. The trace element ratios Ba/Rb
(avg. 4.33), Th/Sm (avg. 2.31), Sm/Sc (avg. 0.44), Th/Sc (avg. 1.01) ,
La/Sc (avg. 2.86), Th/U (avg. 7.47), Zr/Hf (avg. 46.01) and the rare
earth elements (REE) contents of tektites of this study are similar to the
average upper continental crust. From the chemical composition, it is
suggested that tektites in this study are derived from similar parental
terrestrial sedimentary deposit which may be related to post-Archean
upper crustal rocks. The tektites from the Maoming area have high
positive εSr(0) values-ranging from 176.9~190.5 which indicate that
the parental material for these tektites have similar Sr isotopic
compositions to old terrestrial sedimentary rocks and they were not
dominantly derived from recent young sediments (such as soil or
loess). The Sr isotopic data obtained by the present study support the
conclusion proposed by Blum et al. (1992)[1] that the depositional age
of sedimentary target materials is close to 170Ma (Jurassic). Mixing
calculations based on the model proposed by Ho and Chen (1996)[2]
for various amounts and combinations of target rocks indicate that the
best fit for tektites from the Maoming area is a mixture of 40% shale,
30% greywacke, 30% quartzite.