Abstract: In current common research reports, salient regions
are usually defined as those regions that could present the main
meaningful or semantic contents. However, there are no uniform
saliency metrics that could describe the saliency of implicit image
regions. Most common metrics take those regions as salient regions,
which have many abrupt changes or some unpredictable
characteristics. But, this metric will fail to detect those salient useful
regions with flat textures. In fact, according to human semantic
perceptions, color and texture distinctions are the main characteristics
that could distinct different regions. Thus, we present a novel saliency
metric coupled with color and texture features, and its corresponding
salient region extraction methods. In order to evaluate the
corresponding saliency values of implicit regions in one image, three
main colors and multi-resolution Gabor features are respectively used
for color and texture features. For each region, its saliency value is
actually to evaluate the total sum of its Euclidean distances for other
regions in the color and texture spaces. A special synthesized image
and several practical images with main salient regions are used to
evaluate the performance of the proposed saliency metric and other
several common metrics, i.e., scale saliency, wavelet transform
modulus maxima point density, and important index based metrics.
Experiment results verified that the proposed saliency metric could
achieve more robust performance than those common saliency
metrics.
Abstract: Complexity, as a theoretical background has made it
easier to understand and explain the features and dynamic behavior
of various complex systems. As the common theoretical background
has confirmed, borrowing the terminology for design from the
natural sciences has helped to control and understand urban
complexity. Phenomena like self-organization, evolution and
adaptation are appropriate to describe the formerly inaccessible
characteristics of the complex environment in unpredictable bottomup
systems. Increased computing capacity has been a key element in
capturing the chaotic nature of these systems.
A paradigm shift in urban planning and architectural design has
forced us to give up the illusion of total control in urban
environment, and consequently to seek for novel methods for
steering the development. New methods using dynamic modeling
have offered a real option for more thorough understanding of
complexity and urban processes. At best new approaches may renew
the design processes so that we get a better grip on the complex
world via more flexible processes, support urban environmental
diversity and respond to our needs beyond basic welfare by liberating
ourselves from the standardized minimalism.
A complex system and its features are as such beyond human
ethics. Self-organization or evolution is either good or bad. Their
mechanisms are by nature devoid of reason. They are common in
urban dynamics in both natural processes and gas. They are features
of a complex system, and they cannot be prevented. Yet their
dynamics can be studied and supported.
The paradigm of complexity and new design approaches has been
criticized for a lack of humanity and morality, but the ethical
implications of scientific or computational design processes have not
been much discussed. It is important to distinguish the (unexciting)
ethics of the theory and tools from the ethics of computer aided
processes based on ethical decisions. Urban planning and architecture
cannot be based on the survival of the fittest; however, the natural
dynamics of the system cannot be impeded on grounds of being
“non-human".
In this paper the ethical challenges of using the dynamic models
are contemplated in light of a few examples of new architecture and
dynamic urban models and literature. It is suggested that ethical
challenges in computational design processes could be reframed
under the concepts of responsibility and transparency.
Abstract: Multi-agent system approach has proven to be an effective and appropriate abstraction level to construct whole models of a diversity of biological problems, integrating aspects which can be found both in "micro" and "macro" approaches when modeling this type of phenomena. Taking into account these considerations, this paper presents the important computational characteristics to be gathered into a novel bioinformatics framework built upon a multiagent architecture. The version of the tool presented herein allows studying and exploring complex problems belonging principally to structural biology, such as protein folding. The bioinformatics framework is used as a virtual laboratory to explore a minimalist model of protein folding as a test case. In order to show the laboratory concept of the platform as well as its flexibility and adaptability, we studied the folding of two particular sequences, one of 45-mer and another of 64-mer, both described by an HP model (only hydrophobic and polar residues) and coarse grained 2D-square lattice. According to the discussion section of this piece of work, these two sequences were chosen as breaking points towards the platform, in order to determine the tools to be created or improved in such a way to overcome the needs of a particular computation and analysis of a given tough sequence. The backwards philosophy herein is that the continuous studying of sequences provides itself important points to be added into the platform, to any time improve its efficiency, as is demonstrated herein.
Abstract: Perspective of food security in 21 century showed
shortage of food that production is faced to vital problem. Food
security strategy is applied longtime method to assess required food.
Meanwhile, nanotechnology revolution changes the world face.
Nanotechnology is adequate method utilize of its characteristics to
decrease environmental problems and possible further access to food
for small farmers. This article will show impact of production and
adoption of nanocrops on food security. Population is researchers of
agricultural research center of Esfahan province. The results of study
show that there was a relationship between uses, conversion,
distribution, and production of nanocrops, operative human
resources, operative circumstance, and constrains of usage of
nanocrops and food security. Multivariate regression analysis by
enter model shows that operative circumstance, use, production and
constrains of usage of nanocrops had positive impact on food security
and they determine in four steps 20 percent of it.
Abstract: Numerical simulations are performed for laminar
continuous and pulsed jets impinging on a surface in order to
investigate the effects of pulsing frequency on the heat transfer
characteristics. The time-averaged Nusselt number of pulsed jets is
larger in the impinging jet region as compared to the continuous jet,
while it is smaller in the outer wall jet region. At the stagnation point,
the mean and RMS Nusselt numbers become larger and smaller,
respectively, as the pulsing frequency increases. Unsteady behaviors
of vortical fluid motions and temperature field are also investigated to
understand the underlying mechanisms of heat transfer enhancement.
Abstract: High speed networks provide realtime variable bit rate
service with diversified traffic flow characteristics and quality
requirements. The variable bit rate traffic has stringent delay and
packet loss requirements. The burstiness of the correlated traffic
makes dynamic buffer management highly desirable to satisfy the
Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. This paper presents an
algorithm for optimization of adaptive buffer allocation scheme for
traffic based on loss of consecutive packets in data-stream and buffer
occupancy level. Buffer is designed to allow the input traffic to be
partitioned into different priority classes and based on the input
traffic behavior it controls the threshold dynamically. This algorithm
allows input packets to enter into buffer if its occupancy level is less
than the threshold value for priority of that packet. The threshold is
dynamically varied in runtime based on packet loss behavior. The
simulation is run for two priority classes of the input traffic –
realtime and non-realtime classes. The simulation results show that
Adaptive Partial Buffer Sharing (ADPBS) has better performance
than Static Partial Buffer Sharing (SPBS) and First In First Out
(FIFO) queue under the same traffic conditions.
Abstract: The increased number of automobiles in recent years
has resulted in great demand for fossil fuel. This has led to the
development of automobile by using alternative fuels which include
gaseous fuels, biofuels and vegetables oils as fuel. Energy from
biomass and more specific bio-diesel is one of the opportunities that
could cover the future demand of fossil fuel shortage. Biomass in the
form of cashew nut shell represents a new energy source and
abundant source of energy in India. The bio-fuel is derived from
cashew nut shell oil and its blend with diesel are promising
alternative fuel for diesel engine. In this work the pyrolysis Cashew
Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL)-Diesel Blends (CDB) was used to run the
Direct Injection (DI) diesel engine. The experiments were conducted
with various blends of CNSL and Diesel namely B20, B40, B60, B80
and B100. The results are compared with neat diesel operation. The
brake thermal efficiency was decreased for blends of CNSL and
Diesel except the lower blends of B20. The brake thermal efficiency
of B20 is nearly closer to that of diesel fuel. Also the emission level
of the all CNSL and Diesel blends was increased compared to neat
diesel. The higher viscosity and lower volatility of CNSL leads to
poor mixture formation and hence lower brake thermal efficiency and
higher emission levels. The higher emission level can be reduced by
adding suitable additives and oxygenates with CNSL and Diesel
blends.
Abstract: We propose that Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) should be designed by taking into account the characteristics, the special needs and the specific operating rules of the academic institutions in which they are employed. In this context, we describe a VLE module that extends the support of the organization and delivery of course material by including administration activities related to the various stages of teaching. These include the co-ordination, collaboration and monitoring of the course material development process and institution-specific course material delivery modes. Our specialized module, which enhances VLE capabilities by Helping Educators and Learners through a Laboratory Assistance System, is willing to assist the Greek tertiary technological sector, which includes Technological Educational Institutes (T.E.I.).
Abstract: The bit error rate (BER) performance for ultra-wide
band (UWB) indoor communication with impact of metallic furniture
is investigated. The impulse responses of different indoor
environments for any transmitter and receiver location are computed
by shooting and bouncing ray/image and inverse Fourier transform
techniques. By using the impulse responses of these multipath
channels, the BER performance for binary pulse amplitude
modulation (BPAM) impulse radio UWB communication system are
calculated. Numerical results have shown that the multi-path effect
by the metallic cabinets is an important factor for BER performance.
Also the outage probability for the UWB multipath environment with
metallic cabinets is more serious (about 18%) than with wooden
cabinets. Finally, it is worth noting that in these cases the present
work provides not only comparative information but also quantitative
information on the performance reduction.
Abstract: The main aim of this research is to study the possible
use of recycled fine aggregate made from waste rubble wall to
substitute partially for the natural sand used in the production of
cement and sand bricks. The bricks specimens were prepared by
using 100% natural sand; they were then replaced by recycled fine
aggregate at 25, 50, 75, and 100% by weight of natural sand. A series
of tests was carried out to study the effect of using recycled aggregate
on the physical and mechanical properties of bricks, such as density,
drying shrinkage, water absorption characteristic, compressive and
flexural strength. Test results indicate that it is possible to
manufacture bricks containing recycled fine aggregate with good
characteristics that are similar in physical and mechanical properties
to those of bricks with natural aggregate, provided that the percentage
of recycled fine aggregates is limited up to 50-75%.
Abstract: This paper aims to discuss the influence of resistance
characteristic on the high conductive concrete considering the changes
of voltage and environment. The high conductive concrete with
appropriate proportion is produced to the press-electrode method. The
curve of resistivity with the changes of voltage and environment is
plotted and the changes of resistivity are explored.
Abstract: Population diversification phenomena becomes quite common in villages located in China’s developed coastal area. Based on the analysis of the traditional rural society and its landscape characteristics, and in consideration of diversified landscape requirements due to the population diversification, with dual ideas of heritage and innovation, methods for rural landscape design were explored by taking Duxuao Village in Zhejiang Province of China as an example.
Abstract: A major requirement for Grid application developers is ensuring performance and scalability of their applications. Predicting the performance of an application demands understanding its specific features. This paper discusses performance modeling and prediction of multi-agent based simulation (MABS) applications on the Grid. An experiment conducted using a synthetic MABS workload explains the key features to be included in the performance model. The results obtained from the experiment show that the prediction model developed for the synthetic workload can be used as a guideline to understand to estimate the performance characteristics of real world simulation applications.
Abstract: The cinema in Turkey during the 1940s was shaped
under the Second World War conditions. The amateur film makers
from different socioeconomic roots experienced movie production in
those years. Having similar socioeconomic characteristics and
autobiographies, each of them has a different understanding of
cinema. Nevertheless, they joined in making movies which address
native culture and audience. They narrated indigenous stories with
native music, amateur players and simple settings. Although the
martial law, censorship and economical deficiencies, they started to
produce films in the Second World War. The cinematographers of the
1940s usually called as thetransition period cinematographers in
Turkey, producing in the passage between the period of thetheatre
playersand the period of thenational cinema. But, 1940- 1950 period
of Turkish cinema should be defined not as a transition but a period
of forming the professional conscioussness in cinema.
Abstract: This paper reports optimization of characteristics of bioballistic transformation of spring soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cultivar Raduga) and getting of transgenic plants, carrying pea lectin gene. This gene will let to create new associative wheat symbiosis with nodule bacteria of field pea, which has growth encouraging, fungistatic and other useful characteristics.
Abstract: The transformation of vocal characteristics aims at
modifying voice such that the intelligibility of aphonic voice is
increased or the voice characteristics of a speaker (source speaker) to
be perceived as if another speaker (target speaker) had uttered it. In
this paper, the current state-of-the-art voice characteristics
transformation methodology is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed
on voice transformation methodology and issues for improving the
transformed speech quality in intelligibility and naturalness are
discussed. In particular, it is suggested to use the modulation theory
of speech as a base for research on high quality voice transformation.
This approach allows one to separate linguistic, expressive, organic
and perspective information of speech, based on an analysis of how
they are fused when speech is produced. Therefore, this theory
provides the fundamentals not only for manipulating non-linguistic,
extra-/paralinguistic and intra-linguistic variables for voice
transformation, but also for paving the way for easily transposing the
existing voice transformation methods to emotion-related voice
quality transformation and speaking style transformation. From the
perspectives of human speech production and perception, the popular
voice transformation techniques are described and classified them
based on the underlying principles either from the speech production
or perception mechanisms or from both. In addition, the advantages
and limitations of voice transformation techniques and the
experimental manipulation of vocal cues are discussed through
examples from past and present research. Finally, a conclusion and
road map are pointed out for more natural voice transformation
algorithms in the future.
Abstract: The Prediction of aerodynamic characteristics and
shape optimization of airfoil under the ground effect have been carried
out by integration of computational fluid dynamics and the multiobjective
Pareto-based genetic algorithm. The main flow
characteristics around an airfoil of WIG craft are lift force, lift-to-drag
ratio and static height stability (H.S). However, they show a strong
trade-off phenomenon so that it is not easy to satisfy the design
requirements simultaneously. This difficulty can be resolved by the
optimal design. The above mentioned three characteristics are chosen
as the objective functions and NACA0015 airfoil is considered as a
baseline model in the present study. The profile of airfoil is
constructed by Bezier curves with fourteen control points and these
control points are adopted as the design variables. For multi-objective
optimization problems, the optimal solutions are not unique but a set
of non-dominated optima and they are called Pareto frontiers or Pareto
sets. As the results of optimization, forty numbers of non- dominated
Pareto optima can be obtained at thirty evolutions.
Abstract: This paper addresses the problem of building a unified
structure to describe a peer-to-peer system. Our approach uses the
well-known notations in the P2P area, and provides a global
architecture that puts a separation between the platform specific
characteristics and the logical ones. In order to enable the navigation
of the peer across platforms, a roaming layer is added. The latter
provides a capability to define a unique identification of peer and
assures the mapping between this identification and those used in
each platform. The mapping task is assured by special wrapper. In
addition, ontology is proposed to give a clear presentation of the
structure of the P2P system without interesting in the content and the
resource managed by the peer. The ontology is created according to
the web semantic paradigm and using OWL language; so, the
structure of the system is considered as a web resource.
Abstract: This research deals with a flexible flowshop
scheduling problem with arrival and delivery of jobs in groups and
processing them individually. Due to the special characteristics of
each job, only a subset of machines in each stage is eligible to
process that job. The objective function deals with minimization of
sum of the completion time of groups on one hand and minimization
of sum of the differences between completion time of jobs and
delivery time of the group containing that job (waiting period) on the
other hand. The problem can be stated as FFc / rj , Mj / irreg which
has many applications in production and service industries. A
mathematical model is proposed, the problem is proved to be NPcomplete,
and an effective heuristic method is presented to schedule
the jobs efficiently. This algorithm can then be used within the body
of any metaheuristic algorithm for solving the problem.
Abstract: This paper explores university course timetabling
problem. There are several characteristics that make scheduling and
timetabling problems particularly difficult to solve: they have huge
search spaces, they are often highly constrained, they require
sophisticated solution representation schemes, and they usually
require very time-consuming fitness evaluation routines. Thus
standard evolutionary algorithms lack of efficiency to deal with
them. In this paper we have proposed a memetic algorithm that
incorporates the problem specific knowledge such that most of
chromosomes generated are decoded into feasible solutions.
Generating vast amount of feasible chromosomes makes the progress
of search process possible in a time efficient manner. Experimental
results exhibit the advantages of the developed Hybrid Genetic
Algorithm than the standard Genetic Algorithm.