Abstract: This paper presents a model for the characterization
and selection of beeswaxes for use as base substitute tissue for the
manufacture of objects suitable for external radiotherapy using
megavoltage photon beams. The model of characterization was
divided into three distinct stages: 1) verification of aspects related to
the origin of the beeswax, the bee species, the flora in the vicinity of
the beehives and procedures to detect adulterations; 2) evaluation of
physical and chemical properties; and 3) evaluation of beam
attenuation capacity. The chemical composition of the beeswax
evaluated in this study was similar to other simulators commonly
used in radiotherapy. The behavior of the mass attenuation coefficient
in the radiotherapy energy range was comparable to other simulators.
The proposed model is efficient and enables convenient assessment
of the use of any particular beeswax as a base substitute tissue for
radiotherapy.
Abstract: There were many studies on how to alleviate breast discomfort by reducing breast motion, in which nipple motion was used to represent breast motion. However, this assumption had not been experimentally validated. The aim of this paper was to experimentally validate if nipple can be used as a good indicator of breast. Seven participants (average of 24.4 years old) were recruited to walk and run on the treadmill at 5km h-1 and 10km h-1 respectively. Six markers were pasted on their bodies to collect motion data of different parts of breasts. The results of Friedman test combined with the relationship among the five markers on the same breast revealed that nipple could be used as a good indicator of breast. Wilcoxon test showed that there was no significant (P
Abstract: Process control and energy conservation are the two
primary reasons for using an adjustable speed drive. However,
voltage sags are the most important power quality problems facing
many commercial and industrial customers. The development of
boost converters has raised much excitement and speculation
throughout the electric industry. Now utilities are looking to these
devices for performance improvement and reliability in a variety of
areas. Examples of these include sags, spikes, or transients in supply
voltage as well as unbalanced voltages, poor electrical system
grounding, and harmonics. In this paper, simulations results are
presented for the verification of the proposed boost converter
topology. Boost converter provides ride through capability during
sag and swell. Further, input currents are near sinusoidal. This
eliminates the need of braking resistor also.
Abstract: Automated operations based on voice commands will become more and more important in many applications, including robotics, maintenance operations, etc. However, voice command recognition rates drop quite a lot under non-stationary and chaotic noise environments. In this paper, we tried to significantly improve the speech recognition rates under non-stationary noise environments. First, 298 Navy acronyms have been selected for automatic speech recognition. Data sets were collected under 4 types of noisy environments: factory, buccaneer jet, babble noise in a canteen, and destroyer. Within each noisy environment, 4 levels (5 dB, 15 dB, 25 dB, and clean) of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) were introduced to corrupt the speech. Second, a new algorithm to estimate speech or no speech regions has been developed, implemented, and evaluated. Third, extensive simulations were carried out. It was found that the combination of the new algorithm, the proper selection of language model and a customized training of the speech recognizer based on clean speech yielded very high recognition rates, which are between 80% and 90% for the four different noisy conditions. Fourth, extensive comparative studies have also been carried out.
Abstract: The paper presents a modelling methodology for
small scale multi-source renewable energy systems. Using historical
site-specific weather data, the relationships of cost, availability and
energy form are visualised as a function of the sizing of photovoltaic
arrays, wind turbines, and battery capacity. The specific dependency
of each site on its own particular weather patterns show that unique
solutions exist for each site. It is shown that in certain cases the
capital component cost can be halved if the desired theoretical
demand availability is reduced from 100% to 99%.
Abstract: This paper describes a feasibility study that is
included with the research, development and testing of a micro
communications sonobuoy deployable by Maritime Fixed wing
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (M-UAV) and rotor wing Quad Copters
which are both currently being developed by the University of
Adelaide. The micro communications sonobuoy is developed to act
as a seamless communication relay between an Autonomous
Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and an above water human operator
some distance away. Development of such a device would eliminate
the requirement of physical communication tethers attached to
submersible vehicles for control and data retrieval.
Abstract: Indigenous Knowledge (IK) has many social and
economic benefits. However, IK is at the risk of extinction due to the
difficulties to preserve it as most of the IK largely remains
undocumented. This study aims to design a model of the factors
affecting the adoption of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) for the preservation of IK. The proposed model
is based on theoretical frameworks on ICT adoption. It was designed
following a literature review of ICT adoption theories for households,
and of the factors affecting ICT adoption for IK. The theory that
fitted to the best all factors was then chosen as the basis for the
proposed model. This study found that the Model of Adoption of
Technology in Households (MATH) is the most suitable theoretical
framework for modeling ICT adoption factors for the preservation of
IK.
Abstract: 16-Mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHDA) and tripeptide glutathione conjugated with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) are characterized by Fourier Transform InfaRared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technique based on FTIR spectroscopy has become an important tool in biophysics, which is perspective for the study of organic compounds. FTIR-spectra of MHDA shows the line at 2500 cm-1 attributed to thiol group which is modified by presence of Au-NPs, suggesting the formation of bond between thiol group and gold. We also can observe the peaks originate from characteristic chemical group. A Raman spectrum of the same sample is also promising. Our preliminary experiments confirm that SERS-effect takes place for MHDA connected with Au-NPs and enable us to detected small number (less than 106 cm-2) of MHDA molecules. Combination of spectroscopy methods: FTIR and SERS – enable to study optical properties of Au- NPs and immobilized bio-molecules in context of a bio-nano-sensors.
Abstract: This contribution deals with the relationship between
communication effectiveness and the extent of communication
among organizational units. To facilitate communication between
employees and to increase the level of understanding, the knowledge
of communication tools is necessary. Recent experience has shown
that personal communication is critical for smooth running of
companies and cannot be fully replaced by any form of technical
communication devices.
Below are presented the outcomes of the research on the
relationship between the extent of communication among
organisational units and its efficiency.
Abstract: A study has been carried out to determine the effect of
coating two commercial glass-ionomer cements in either petroleum
jelly or wax. After coating, specimens were stored in water for 24 or
168 hours, then the coating removed and the surface examined.
Coating in wax was found to increase the surface hardness
significantly compared with the uncoated control, whereas coating
the specimens in petroleum jelly led to only a slight increase in
surface hardness. Coating in wax led to no detectable ion release
after either 24 or 168 hours, though there was some ion release after
the coating had been removed and the specimens exposed to water
for a further 24 hours. This shows that soluble species remained in
these specimens. Overall, this study confirms the idea that immature
glass-ionomers should be protected from early exposure to moisture,
and that the protection offered by petroleum jelly is only modest.
Abstract: In this paper we canvass three case studies of unique
research partnerships between universities and schools in the wider
community. In doing so, we consider those areas of indeterminate
zones of professional practice explored by academics in their
research activities within the wider community. We discuss three
cases: an artist-in-residence program designed to engage primary
school children with new understandings about local Indigenous
Australian issues in their pedagogical and physical landscapes; an
assessment of pedagogical concerns in relation to the use of physical
space in classrooms; and the pedagogical underpinnings of a
costumed museum school program. In doing so, we engage issues of
research as playing an integral part in the development,
implementation and maintenance of academic engagements with
wider community issues.
Abstract: The goal of admission control is to support the Quality
of Service demands of real-time applications via resource reservation
in IP networks. In this paper we introduce a novel Dynamic
Admission Control (DAC) mechanism for IP networks. The DAC
dynamically allocates network resources using the previous network
pattern for each path and uses the dynamic admission algorithm to
improve bandwidth utilization using bandwidth brokers. We evaluate
the performance of the proposed mechanism through trace-driven
simulation experiments in view point of blocking probability,
throughput and normalized utilization.
Abstract: In this paper, the performance of two adaptive
observers applied to interconnected systems is studied. The
nonlinearity of systems can be written in a fractional form. The first
adaptive observer is an adaptive sliding mode observer for a Lipchitz
nonlinear system and the second one is an adaptive sliding mode
observer having a filtered error as a sliding surface. After comparing
their performances throughout the inverted pendulum mounted on a
car system, it was shown that the second one is more robust to
estimate the state.
Abstract: Selecting the data modeling technique for an
information system is determined by the objective of the resultant
data model. Dimensional modeling is the preferred modeling
technique for data destined for data warehouses and data mining,
presenting data models that ease analysis and queries which are in
contrast with entity relationship modeling. The establishment of data
warehouses as components of information system landscapes in
many organizations has subsequently led to the development of
dimensional modeling. This has been significantly more developed
and reported for the commercial database management systems as
compared to the open sources thereby making it less affordable for
those in resource constrained settings. This paper presents
dimensional modeling of HIV patient information using open source
modeling tools. It aims to take advantage of the fact that the most
affected regions by the HIV virus are also heavily resource
constrained (sub-Saharan Africa) whereas having large quantities of
HIV data. Two HIV data source systems were studied to identify
appropriate dimensions and facts these were then modeled using two
open source dimensional modeling tools. Use of open source would
reduce the software costs for dimensional modeling and in turn make
data warehousing and data mining more feasible even for those in
resource constrained settings but with data available.
Abstract: A new method identifies coupled fluid-structure system with a reduced set of state variables is presented. Assuming that the structural model is known a priori either from an analysis or a test and using linear transformations between structural and aeroelastic states, it is possible to deduce aerodynamic information from sampled time histories of the aeroelastic system. More specifically given a finite set of structural modes the method extracts generalized aerodynamic force matrix corresponding to these mode shapes. Once the aerodynamic forces are known, an aeroelastic reduced-order model can be constructed in discrete-time, state-space format by coupling the structural model and the aerodynamic system. The resulting reduced-order model is suitable for constant Mach, varying density analysis.
Abstract: This study examines the inelastic behavior of adjacent planar reinforced concrete (R.C.) frames subjected to strong ground motions. The investigation focuses on the effects of vertical ground motion on the seismic pounding. The examined structures are modeled and analyzed by RUAUMOKO dynamic nonlinear analysis program using reliable hysteretic models for both structural members and contact elements. It is found that the vertical ground motion mildly affects the seismic response of adjacent buildings subjected to structural pounding and, for this reason, it can be ignored from the displacement and interstorey drifts assessment. However, the structural damage is moderately affected by the vertical component of earthquakes.
Abstract: Recently, there are significant improvements in the
capabilities of mobile devices; rendering large terrain is tedious
because of the constraint in resources of mobile devices. This
paper focuses on the implementation of terrain rendering on
mobile device to observe some issues and current constraints
occurred. Experiments are performed using two datasets with
results based on rendering speed and appearance to ascertain both
the issues and constraints. The result shows a downfall of frame
rate performance because of the increase of triangles. Since the
resolution between computer and mobile device is different, the
terrain surface on mobile device looks more unrealistic compared
to on a computer. Thus, more attention in the development of
terrain rendering on mobile devices is required. The problems
highlighted in this paper will be the focus of future research and
will be a great importance for 3D visualization on mobile device.
Abstract: The study of non-equilibrium systems has attracted
increasing interest in recent years, mainly due to the lack of
theoretical frameworks, unlike their equilibrium counterparts.
Studying the steady state and/or simple systems is thus one of the
main interests. Hence in this work we have focused our attention on
the driven lattice gas model (DLG model) consisting of interacting
particles subject to an external field E. The dynamics of the system
are given by hopping of particles to nearby empty sites with rates
biased for jumps in the direction of E. Having used small two
dimensional systems of DLG model, the stochastic properties at nonequilibrium
steady state were analytically studied. To understand the
non-equilibrium phenomena, we have applied the analytic approach
via master equation to calculate probability function and analyze
violation of detailed balance in term of the fluctuation-dissipation
theorem. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to validate
the analytic results.
Abstract: Many water supply systems in Australia are currently
undergoing significant reconfiguration due to reductions in long term
average rainfall and resulting low inflows to water supply reservoirs
since the second half of the 20th century. When water supply systems
undergo change, it is necessary to develop new operating rules,
which should consider climate, because the climate change is likely
to further reduce inflows. In addition, water resource systems are
increasingly intended to be operated to meet complex and multiple
objectives representing social, economic, environmental and
sustainability criteria. This is further complicated by conflicting
preferences on these objectives from diverse stakeholders. This paper
describes a methodology to develop optimum operating rules for
complex multi-reservoir systems undergoing significant change,
considering all of the above issues. The methodology is demonstrated
using the Grampians water supply system in northwest Victoria,
Australia. Initial work conducted on the project is also presented in
this paper.
Abstract: With previous studies that examined the importance
of functional store image and CSR, this study is aimed at examining
their effects in the self-congruity model in influencing store loyalty.
In particular, this study developed and tested a structural model in the
context of retailing industry on the self-congruity theory. Whilst
much of the self-congruity studies have incorporated functional store
image, there has been lack of studies that examined social
responsibility image of retail stores in the self-congruity studies.
Findings indicate that self-congruity influence on store loyalty was
mediated by both functional store image and social responsibility
image. In influencing store loyalty, the findings have shown that
social responsibility image has a stronger influence on store loyalty
than functional store image. This study offers important findings and
implications for future research as it presents a new framework on
the importance of social responsibility image.