Abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition
which affects 2-3% of population around the world. Psoriasis Area
and Severity Index (PASI) is a gold standard to assess psoriasis
severity as well as the treatment efficacy. Although a gold standard,
PASI is rarely used because it is tedious and complex. In practice,
PASI score is determined subjectively by dermatologists, therefore
inter and intra variations of assessment are possible to happen even
among expert dermatologists. This research develops an algorithm to
assess psoriasis lesion for PASI scoring objectively. Focus of this
research is thickness assessment as one of PASI four parameters
beside area, erythema and scaliness. Psoriasis lesion thickness is
measured by averaging the total elevation from lesion base to lesion
surface. Thickness values of 122 3D images taken from 39 patients
are grouped into 4 PASI thickness score using K-means clustering.
Validation on lesion base construction is performed using twelve
body curvature models and show good result with coefficient of
determinant (R2) is equal to 1.
Abstract: Several studies have been carried out, using various techniques, including neural networks, to discriminate vigilance states in humans from electroencephalographic (EEG) signals, but we are still far from results satisfactorily useable results. The work presented in this paper aims at improving this status with regards to 2 aspects. Firstly, we introduce an original procedure made of the association of two neural networks, a self organizing map (SOM) and a learning vector quantization (LVQ), that allows to automatically detect artefacted states and to separate the different levels of vigilance which is a major breakthrough in the field of vigilance. Lastly and more importantly, our study has been oriented toward real-worked situation and the resulting model can be easily implemented as a wearable device. It benefits from restricted computational and memory requirements and data access is very limited in time. Furthermore, some ongoing works demonstrate that this work should shortly results in the design and conception of a non invasive electronic wearable device.
Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of knowledge-based acceleration feedback control integrated with Automatic Generation Control (AGC) to enhance the quality of frequency control of governing system. The Intelligent Acceleration Feedback Controller (IAFC) is proposed to counter the over and under frequency occurrences due to major load change in power system network. Therefore, generator tripping and load shedding operations can be reduced. Meanwhile, the integration of IAFC with AGC, a well known Load-Frequency Control (LFC) is essential to ensure the system frequency is restored to the nominal value. Computer simulations of frequency response of governing system are used to optimize the parameters of IAFC. As a result, there is substantial improvement on the LFC of governing system that employing the proposed control strategy.
Abstract: Owing to extensive use of hydrogen in refining or
petrochemical units, it is essential to manage hydrogen network in
order to make the most efficient utilization of hydrogen. On the other
hand, hydrogen is an important byproduct not properly used through
petrochemical complexes and mostly sent to the fuel system. A few
works have been reported in literature to improve hydrogen network
for petrochemical complexes. In this study a comprehensive analysis
is carried out on petrochemical units using a modified automated
targeting technique which is applied to determine the minimum
hydrogen consumption. Having applied the modified targeting
method in two petrochemical cases, the results showed a significant
reduction in required fresh hydrogen.
Abstract: A theoretical study is conducted to design and explore
the effect of different parameters such as heat loads, the tube size of
piping system, wick thickness, porosity and hole size on the
performance and capability of a Loop Heat Pipe(LHP). This paper
presents a steady state model that describes the different phenomena
inside a LHP. Loop Heat Pipes(LHPs) are two-phase heat transfer
devices with capillary pumping of a working fluid. By their original
design comparing with heat pipes and special properties of the
capillary structure, they-re capable of transferring heat efficiency for
distances up to several meters at any orientation in the gravity field,
or to several meters in a horizontal position. This theoretical model is
described by different relations to satisfy important limits such as
capillary and nucleate boiling. An algorithm is developed to predict
the size of the LHP satisfying the limitations mentioned above for a
wide range of applied loads. Finally, to assess and evaluate the
algorithm and all the relations considered, we have used to design a
new kind of LHP to recover the heat from the exhaust of an actual
Gas Turbine. By finding the results, it showed that we can use the
LHP as a very high efficient device to recover the heat even in high
amount of loads(exhaust of a gas turbine). The sizes of all parts of the
LHP were obtained using the developed algorithm.
Abstract: Prediction of highly non linear behavior of suspended
sediment flow in rivers has prime importance in the field of water
resources engineering. In this study the predictive performance of
two Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) namely, the Radial Basis
Function (RBF) Network and the Multi Layer Feed Forward (MLFF)
Network have been compared. Time series data of daily suspended
sediment discharge and water discharge at Pari River was used for
training and testing the networks. A number of statistical parameters
i.e. root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE),
coefficient of efficiency (CE) and coefficient of determination (R2)
were used for performance evaluation of the models. Both the models
produced satisfactory results and showed a good agreement between
the predicted and observed data. The RBF network model provided
slightly better results than the MLFF network model in predicting
suspended sediment discharge.
Abstract: This paper presents an approach for early breast
cancer diagnostic by employing combination of artificial neural
networks (ANN) and multiwaveletpacket based subband image
decomposition. The microcalcifications correspond to high-frequency
components of the image spectrum, detection of microcalcifications
is achieved by decomposing the mammograms into different
frequency subbands,, reconstructing the mammograms from the
subbands containing only high frequencies. For this approach we
employed different types of multiwaveletpacket. We used the result
as an input of neural network for classification. The proposed
methodology is tested using the Nijmegen and the Mammographic
Image Analysis Society (MIAS) mammographic databases and
images collected from local hospitals. Results are presented as the
receiver operating characteristic (ROC) performance and are
quantified by the area under the ROC curve.
Abstract: In this article, the design of a Supply Chain Network
(SCN) consisting of several suppliers, production plants, distribution
centers and retailers, is considered. Demands of retailers are
considered stochastic parameters, so we generate amounts of data via
simulation to extract a few demand scenarios. Then a mixed integer
two-stage programming model is developed to optimize
simultaneously two objectives: (1) minimization the fixed and
variable cost, (2) maximization the service level. A weighting method
is utilized to solve this two objective problem and a numerical
example is made to show the performance of the model.
Abstract: A numerical simulation of vortex-induced vibration of
a 2-dimensional elastic circular cylinder with two degree of freedom
under the uniform flow is calculated when Reynolds is 200.
2-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved
with the space-time finite element method, the equation of the cylinder
motion is solved with the new explicit integral method and the mesh
renew is achieved by the spring moving mesh technology. Considering
vortex-induced vibration with the low reduced damping parameter, the
variety trends of the lift coefficient, the drag coefficient, the
displacement of cylinder are analyzed under different oscillating
frequencies of cylinder. The phenomena of locked-in, beat and
phases-witch were captured successfully. The evolution of vortex
shedding from the cylinder with time is discussed. There are very
similar trends in characteristics between the results of the one degree
of freedom cylinder model and that of the two degree of freedom
cylinder model. The streamwise vibrations have a certain effect on the
lateral vibrations and their characteristics.
Abstract: A pressure-based implicit procedure to solve Navier-
Stokes equations on a nonorthogonal mesh with collocated finite
volume formulation is used to simulate flow around the smart and
conventional flaps of spoiler under the ground effect. Cantilever
beam with uniformly varying load with roller support at the free end
is considered for smart flaps. The boundedness criteria for this
procedure are determined from a Normalized Variable diagram
(NVD) scheme. The procedure incorporates es the k -ε eddyviscosity
turbulence model. The method is first validated against
experimental data. Then, the algorithm is applied for turbulent
aerodynamic flows around a spoiler section with smart and
conventional flaps for different attack angle, flap angle and ground
clearance where the results of two flaps are compared.
Abstract: Magnesium is used implant material potentially for
non-toxicity to the human body. Due to the excellent
bio-compatibility, Mg alloys is applied to implants avoiding removal
second surgery. However, it is found commercial magnesium alloys
including aluminum has low corrosion resistance, resulting
subcutaneous gas bubbles and consequently the approach as
permanent bio-materials. Generally, Aluminum is known to pollution
substance, and it raises toxicity to nervous system. Therefore
especially Mg-35Zn-3Ca alloy is prepared for new biodegradable
materials in this study. And the pulsed power is used in
constant-current mode of DC power kinds of anodization. Based on
the aforementioned study, it examines corrosion resistance and
biocompatibility by effect of current and frequency variation. The
surface properties and thickness were compared using scanning
electronic microscopy. Corrosion resistance was assessed via
potentiodynamic polarization and the effect of oxide layer on the body
was assessed cell viability. Anodized Mg-35Zn-3Ca alloy has good
biocompatibility in vitro by current and frequency variation.
Abstract: In this research three methods of Maximum Likelihood, Mahalanobis Distance and Minimum Distance were analyzed in the Western part of Isfahan province in the Iran country. For this purpose, the IRS satellite images and various land preparation uses in region including rangelands, irrigation farming, dry farming, gardens and urban areas were separated and identified. In these methods, matrix error and Kappa index were calculated and accuracy of each method, based on percentages: 53.13, 56.64 and 48.44, were obtained respectively. Considering the low accuracy of these methods to separate land uses due to spread of the land uses, it-s suggested the visual interpretation of the map, to preparing the land use map in this region. The map prepared by visual interpretation is in high accuracy if it will be accompany with the visit of the region.
Abstract: Petri Net (PN) has proven to be effective graphical, mathematical, simulation, and control tool for Discrete Event Systems (DES). But, with the growth in the complexity of modern industrial, and communication systems, PN found themselves inadequate to address the problems of uncertainty, and imprecision in data. This gave rise to amalgamation of Fuzzy logic with Petri nets and a new tool emerged with the name of Fuzzy Petri Nets (FPN). Although there had been a lot of research done on FPN and a number of their applications have been anticipated, but their basic types and structure are still ambiguous. Therefore, in this research, an effort is made to categorize FPN according to their structure and algorithms Further, literature review of the applications of FPN in the light of their classifications has been done.
Abstract: The present study is concerned with effect of exciting
boundary layer on increase in heat transfer from flat surfaces. As any
increase in heat transfer between a fluid inside a face and another one
outside of it can cause an increase in some equipment's efficiency, so
at this present we have tried to increase the wall's heat transfer
coefficient by exciting the fluid boundary layer. By a collision
between flow and the placed block at the fluid way, the flow pattern
and the boundary layer stability will change. The flow way inside the
channel is simulated as a 2&3-dimensional channel by Gambit
TM
software.
With studying the achieved results by this simulation for the flow
way inside the channel with a block coordinating with Fluent
TM
software, it's determined that the figure and dimensions of the exciter
are too important for exciting the boundary layer so that any increase
in block dimensions in vertical side against the flow and any
reduction in its dimensions at the flow side can increase the average
heat transfer coefficient from flat surface and increase the flow
pressure loss. Using 2&3-dimensional analysis on exciting the flow at
the flow way inside a channel by cylindrical block at the same time
with the external flow, we came to this conclusion that the heat flux
transferred from the surface, is increased considerably in terms of the
condition without excitation. Also, the k-e turbulence model is used.
Abstract: Industrial surveys shows that manufacturing
companies define the qualities of thermal removing process based on
the dimension and physical appearance of the cutting material
surface. Therefore, the roughness of the surface area of the material
cut by the plasma arc cutting process and the rate of the removed
material by the manual plasma arc cutting machine was importantly
considered. Plasma arc cutter Selco Genesis 90 was used to cut
Standard AISI 1017 Steel of 200 mm x100 mm x 6 mm manually
based on the selected parameters setting. The material removal rate
(MRR) was measured by determining the weight of the specimens
before and after the cutting process. The surface roughness (SR)
analysis was conducted using Mitutoyo CS-3100 to determine the
average roughness value (Ra). Taguchi method was utilized to
achieve optimum condition for both outputs studied. The
microstructure analysis in the region of the cutting surface is
performed using SEM. The results reveal that the SR values are
inversely proportional to the MRR values. The quality of the surface
roughness depends on the dross peak that occurred after the cutting
process.
Abstract: The rangelands, as one of the largest dynamic biomes
in the world, have very capabilities. Regulation of greenhouse gases
in the Earth's atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide as the main
these gases, is one of these cases. The attention to rangeland, as
cheep and reachable resources to sequestrate the carbon dioxide,
increases after the Industrial Revolution. Rangelands comprise the
large parts of Iran as a steppic area. Rudshur (Saveh), as area index of
steppic area, was selected under three sites include long-term
exclosure, medium-term exclosure, and grazable area in order to the
capable of carbon dioxide’s sequestration of dominated species.
Canopy cover’s percentage of two dominated species (Artemisia
sieberi Besser & Stipa barbata Desf) was determined via establishing
of random 1 square meter plot. The sampling of above and below
ground biomass style was obtained by complete random. After
determination of ash percentage in the laboratory; conversion ratio of
plant biomass to organic carbon was calculated by ignition method.
Results of the paired t-test showed that the amount of carbon
sequestration in above ground and underground biomass of Artemisia
sieberi Besser & Stipa barbata Desf is different in three regions. It,
of course, hasn’t any difference between under and surface ground’s
biomass of Artemisia sieberi Besser in long-term exclosure. The
independent t-test results indicate differences between underground
biomass corresponding each other in the studied sites. Carbon
sequestration in the Stipa barbata Desf was totally more than
Artemisia sieberi Besser. Altogether, the average sequestration of the
long-term exclosure was 5.842gr/m², the medium-term exclosure was
4.115gr/m², and grazable area was 5.975gr/m² so that there isn’t
valuable statistical difference in term of total amount of carbon
sequestration to three sites.
Abstract: We present in this paper an acquisition and treatment system designed for semi-analog Gamma-camera. It consists of a nuclear medical Image Acquisition, Treatment and Display chain(IATD) ensuring the acquisition, the treatment of the signals(resulting from the Gamma-camera detection head) and the scintigraphic image construction in real time. This chain is composed by an analog treatment board and a digital treatment board. We describe the designed systems and the digital treatment algorithms in which we have improved the performance and the flexibility. The digital treatment algorithms are implemented in a specific reprogrammable circuit FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).interface for semi-analog cameras of Sopha Medical Vision(SMVi) by taking as example SOPHY DS7. The developed system consists of an Image Acquisition, Treatment and Display (IATD) ensuring the acquisition and the treatment of the signals resulting from the DH. The developed chain is formed by a treatment analog board and a digital treatment board designed around a DSP [2]. In this paper we have presented the architecture of a new version of our chain IATD in which the integration of the treatment algorithms is executed on an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)
Abstract: This paper presents the identification of the impact
force acting on a simply supported beam. The force identification is
an inverse problem in which the measured response of the structure is
used to determine the applied force. The identification problem is
formulated as an optimization problem and the genetic algorithm is
utilized to solve the optimization problem. The objective function is
calculated on the difference between analytical and measured
responses and the decision variables are the location and magnitude
of the applied force. The results from simulation show the
effectiveness of the approach and its robustness vs. the measurement
noise and sensor location.
Abstract: Coagulation of water involves the use of coagulating
agents to bring the suspended matter in the raw water together for
settling and the filtration stage. Present study is aimed to examine the
effects of aluminum sulfate as coagulant in conjunction with Moringa
Oleifera Coagulant Protein as coagulant aid on turbidity, hardness,
and bacteria in turbid water. A conventional jar test apparatus was
employed for the tests. The best removal was observed at a pH of 7
to 7.5 for all turbidities. Turbidity removal efficiency was resulted
between % 80 to % 99 by Moringa Oleifera Coagulant Protein as
coagulant aid. Dosage of coagulant and coagulant aid decreased with
increasing turbidity. In addition, Moringa Oleifera Coagulant Protein
significantly has reduced the required dosage of primary coagulant.
Residual Al+3 in treated water were less than 0.2 mg/l and meets the
environmental protection agency guidelines. The results showed that
turbidity reduction of % 85.9- % 98 paralleled by a primary
Escherichia coli reduction of 1-3 log units (99.2 – 99.97%) was
obtained within the first 1 to 2 h of treatment. In conclusions,
Moringa Oleifera Coagulant Protein as coagulant aid can be used for
drinking water treatment without the risk of organic or nutrient
release. We demonstrated that optimal design method is an efficient
approach for optimization of coagulation-flocculation process and
appropriate for raw water treatment.
Abstract: Delivering course material via a virtual environment
is beneficial to today-s students because it offers the interactivity,
real-time interaction and social presence that students of all ages
have come to accept in our gaming rich community. It is essential
that the Net Generation also known as Generation Why, have
exposure to learning communities that encompass interactivity to
form social and educational connections. As student and professor
become interconnected through collaboration and interaction in a
virtual learning space, relationships develop and students begin to
take on an individual identity. With this in mind the research project
was developed to investigate the use of virtual environments on
student satisfaction and the effectiveness of course delivery.
Furthermore, the project was designed to integrate both interactive
(real-time) classes conducted in the Virtual Reality (VR)
environment while also creating archived VR sessions for student use
in retaining and reviewing course content.