Abstract: In this paper, we proposed a method to reduce
quantization error. In order to reduce quantization error, low pass
filtering is applied on neighboring samples of current block in
H.264/AVC. However, it has a weak point that low pass filtering is
performed regardless of prediction direction. Since it doesn-t consider
prediction direction, it may not reduce quantization error effectively.
Proposed method considers prediction direction for low pass filtering
and uses a threshold condition for reducing flag bit. We compare our
experimental result with conventional method in H.264/AVC and we
can achieve the average bit-rate reduction of 1.534% by applying the
proposed method. Bit-rate reduction between 0.580% and 3.567% are
shown for experimental results.
Abstract: Service quality has become a centerpiece for airline companies in vying with one another and keeps their image in the minds of passengers. Many airlines have pushed service quality through service personalization which includes both ground and on board especially from the viewpoint of retaining satisfied passengers and attracting new ones. Besides those, in-flight meals/food service is another important aspect of the airline operation. The in flight meals/food services now are seen as part of marketing strategies in attracting business or leisure travelers. This study reports the outcomes of the investigation on in-flight meals/food attributes toward passengers- level of satisfaction and re-flying intention. Taste, freshness, appearance of in-flight meals/food served and menu choices are important to the airlines passengers especially for the long haul flight. Food not only contributes to the prediction of the airline passengers- levels of satisfaction but besides other factors slightly influence passengers- re- flying intention. Airline companies therefore should not ignore this element but take the opportunity to create more attractive and acceptable in-flight meals/food along with other matter as marketing tools in attracting passengers to re-flying with them.
Abstract: The RK5GL3 method is a numerical method for solving
initial value problems in ordinary differential equations, and is
based on a combination of a fifth-order Runge-Kutta method and
3-point Gauss-Legendre quadrature. In this paper we describe an
effective local error control algorithm for RK5GL3, which uses local
extrapolation with an eighth-order Runge-Kutta method in tandem
with RK5GL3, and a Hermite interpolating polynomial for solution
estimation at the Gauss-Legendre quadrature nodes.
Abstract: In the queueing theory, it is assumed that customer
arrivals correspond to a Poisson process and service time has the
exponential distribution. Using these assumptions, the behaviour of
the queueing system can be described by means of Markov chains
and it is possible to derive the characteristics of the system. In the
paper, these theoretical approaches are presented on several types of
systems and it is also shown how to compute the characteristics in a
situation when these assumptions are not satisfied
Abstract: This paper analyses the unsteady, two-dimensional
stagnation point flow of an incompressible viscous fluid over a flat
sheet when the flow is started impulsively from rest and at the same
time, the sheet is suddenly stretched in its own plane with a velocity
proportional to the distance from the stagnation point. The partial
differential equations governing the laminar boundary layer forced
convection flow are non-dimensionalised using semi-similar
transformations and then solved numerically using an implicit finitedifference
scheme known as the Keller-box method. Results
pertaining to the flow and heat transfer characteristics are computed
for all dimensionless time, uniformly valid in the whole spatial region
without any numerical difficulties. Analytical solutions are also
obtained for both small and large times, respectively representing the
initial unsteady and final steady state flow and heat transfer.
Numerical results indicate that the velocity ratio parameter is found
to have a significant effect on skin friction and heat transfer rate at
the surface. Furthermore, it is exposed that there is a smooth
transition from the initial unsteady state flow (small time solution) to
the final steady state (large time solution).
Abstract: A physically based, spatially-distributed water quality model is being developed to simulate spatial and temporal distributions of material transport in the Great Lakes Watersheds of the U.S. Multiple databases of meteorology, land use, topography, hydrography, soils, agricultural statistics, and water quality were used to estimate nonpoint source loading potential in the study watersheds. Animal manure production was computed from tabulations of animals by zip code area for the census years of 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002. Relative chemical loadings for agricultural land use were calculated from fertilizer and pesticide estimates by crop for the same periods. Comparison of these estimates to the monitored total phosphorous load indicates that both point and nonpoint sources are major contributors to the total nutrient loads in the study watersheds, with nonpoint sources being the largest contributor, particularly in the rural watersheds. These estimates are used as the input to the distributed water quality model for simulating pollutant transport through surface and subsurface processes to Great Lakes waters. Visualization and GIS interfaces are developed to visualize the spatial and temporal distribution of the pollutant transport in support of water management programs.
Abstract: The objective of this research is to develop an advanced driver assistance system characterized with the functions of lane departure warning (LDW), forward collision warning (FCW) and adaptive front-lighting system (AFS). The system is mainly configured a CCD/CMOS camera to acquire the images of roadway ahead in association with the analysis made by an image-processing unit concerning the lane ahead and the preceding vehicles. The input image captured by a camera is used to recognize the lane and the preceding vehicle positions by image detection and DROI (Dynamic Range of Interesting) algorithms. Therefore, the system is able to issue real-time auditory and visual outputs of warning when a driver is departing the lane or driving too close to approach the preceding vehicle unwittingly so that the danger could be prevented from occurring. During the nighttime, in addition to the foregoing warning functions, the system is able to control the bending light of headlamp to provide an immediate light illumination when making a turn at a curved lane and adjust the level automatically to reduce the lighting interference against the oncoming vehicles driving in the opposite direction by the curvature of lane and the vanishing point estimations. The experimental results show that the integrated vehicle image system is robust to most environments such as the lane detection and preceding vehicle detection average accuracy performances are both above 90 %.
Abstract: By incorporating a prey refuge, this paper proposes new discrete Leslie–Gower predator–prey systems with and without Allee effect. The existence of fixed points are established and the stability of fixed points are discussed by analyzing the modulus of characteristic roots.
Abstract: Temperature, relative humidity and overhygroscopic
moisture fields in a sandstone wall provided with interior thermal
insulation were calculated in order to assess the hygric performance
of the retrofitted wall. Computational simulations showed that during
the time period of 10 years which was subject of investigation no
overhygroscopic moisture appeared in the analyzed building
envelope so that it performed in a satisfactory way from the hygric
point of view.
Abstract: We present the results of a case study aiming to assess the reflection of the tourism community in the Web and its usability to propose new ways to communicate visually. The wealth of information contained in the Web and the clear facilities to communicate personals points of view makes of the social web a new space of exploration. In this way, social web allow the sharing of information between communities with similar interests. However, the tourism community remains unexplored as is the case of the information covered in travel stories. Along the Web, we find multiples sites allowing the users to communicate their experiences and personal points of view of a particular place of the world. This cultural heritage is found in multiple documents, usually very little supplemented with photos, so they are difficult to explore due to the lack of visual information. This paper explores the possibility of analyzing travel stories to display them visually on maps and generate new knowledge such as patterns of travel routes. This way, travel narratives published in electronic formats can be very important especially to the tourism community because of the great amount of knowledge that can be extracted. Our approach is based on the use of a Geoparsing Web Service to extract geographic coordinates from travel narratives in order to draw the geo-positions and link the documents into a map image.
Abstract: Post cracking behavior and load –bearing capacity of
the steel fiber reinforced high-strength concrete (SFRHSC) are
dependent on the number of fibers are crossing the weakest crack
(bridged the crack) and their orientation to the crack surface. Filling
the mould by SFRHSC, fibers are moving and rotating with the
concrete matrix flow till the motion stops in each internal point of the
concrete body. Filling the same mould from the different ends
SFRHSC samples with the different internal structures (and different
strength) can be obtained. Numerical flow simulations (using Newton
and Bingham flow models) were realized, as well as single fiber
planar motion and rotation numerical and experimental investigation
(in viscous flow) was performed. X-ray pictures for prismatic
samples were obtained and internal fiber positions and orientations
were analyzed. Similarly fiber positions and orientations in cracked
cross-section were recognized and were compared with numerically
simulated. Structural SFRHSC fracture model was created based on
single fiber pull-out laws, which were determined experimentally.
Model predictions were validated by 15x15x60cm prisms 4 point
bending tests.
Abstract: Recognizing behavioral patterns of financial markets
is essential for traders. Japanese candlestick chart is a common tool to
visualize and analyze such patterns in an economic time series. Since
the world was introduced to Japanese candlestick charting, traders
saw how combining this tool with intelligent technical approaches
creates a powerful formula for the savvy investors.
This paper propose a generalization to box counting method of
Grassberger-Procaccia, which is based on computing the correlation
dimension of Japanese candlesticks instead commonly used 'close'
points. The results of this method applied on several foreign
exchange rates vs. IRR (Iranian Rial). Satisfactorily show lower
chaotic dimension of Japanese candlesticks series than regular
Grassberger-Procaccia method applied merely on close points of
these same candles. This means there is some valuable information
inside candlesticks.
Abstract: In competitive electricity markets all over the world, an adoption of suitable transmission pricing model is a problem as transmission segment still operates as a monopoly. Transmission pricing is an important tool to promote investment for various transmission services in order to provide economic, secure and reliable electricity to bulk and retail customers. The nodal pricing based on SRMC (Short Run Marginal Cost) is found extremely useful by researchers for sending correct economic signals. The marginal prices must be determined as a part of solution to optimization problem i.e. to maximize the social welfare. The need to maximize the social welfare subject to number of system operational constraints is a major challenge from computation and societal point of views. The purpose of this paper is to present a nodal transmission pricing model based on SRMC by developing new mathematical expressions of real and reactive power marginal prices using GA-Fuzzy based optimal power flow framework. The impacts of selecting different social welfare functions on power marginal prices are analyzed and verified with results reported in literature. Network revenues for two different power systems are determined using expressions derived for real and reactive power marginal prices in this paper.
Abstract: In this paper, we consider a risk model involving two independent classes of insurance risks and random premium income. We assume that the premium income process is a Poisson Process, and the claim number processes are independent Poisson and generalized Erlang(n) processes, respectively. Both of the Gerber- Shiu functions with zero initial surplus and the probability generating functions (p.g.f.) of the Gerber-Shiu functions are obtained.
Abstract: Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is the engine
driving high-throughput protein identification. Protein mixtures possibly
representing thousands of proteins from multiple species are
treated with proteolytic enzymes, cutting the proteins into smaller
peptides that are then analyzed generating MS/MS spectra. The
task of determining the identity of the peptide from its spectrum
is currently the weak point in the process. Current approaches to de
novo sequencing are able to compute candidate peptides efficiently.
The problem lies in the limitations of current scoring functions. In this
paper we introduce the concept of proteome signature. By examining
proteins and compiling proteome signatures (amino acid usage) it is
possible to characterize likely combinations of amino acids and better
distinguish between candidate peptides. Our results strongly support
the hypothesis that a scoring function that considers amino acid usage
patterns is better able to distinguish between candidate peptides. This
in turn leads to higher accuracy in peptide prediction.
Abstract: The fault current levels through the electric devices
have a significant impact on failure probability. New fault current
results in exceeding the rated capacity of circuit breaker and switching
equipments and changes operation characteristic of overcurrent relay.
In order to solve these problems, SFCL (Superconducting Fault
Current Limiter) has rising as one of new alternatives so as to improve
these problems. A fault current reduction differs depending on
installed location. Therefore, a location of SFCL is very important.
Also, SFCL decreases the fault current, and it prevents surrounding
protective devices to be exposed to fault current, it then will bring a
change of reliability. In this paper, we propose method which
determines the optimal location when SFCL is installed in power
system. In addition, the reliability about the power system which
SFCL was installed is evaluated. The efficiency and effectiveness of
this method are also shown by numerical examples and the reliability
indices are evaluated in this study at each load points. These results
show a reliability change of a system when SFCL was installed.
Abstract: Evolvable Hardware (EHW) has been regarded as adaptive system acquired by wide application market. Consumer market of any good requires diversity to satisfy consumers- preferences. Adaptation of EHW is a key technology that could provide individual approach to every particular user. This situation raises a question: how to set target for evolutionary algorithm? The existing techniques do not allow consumer to influence evolutionary process. Only designer at the moment is capable to influence the evolution. The proposed consumer-triggered evolution overcomes this problem by introducing new features to EHW that help adaptive system to obtain targets during consumer stage. Classification of EHW is given according to responsiveness, imitation of human behavior and target circuit response. Home intelligent water heating system is considered as an example.
Abstract: This paper provides a replacement policy for warranty products with different failure rate from the consumer-s viewpoint. Assume that the product is replaced once within a finite planning horizon, and the failure rate of the second product is lower than the failure rate of the first product. Within warranty period (WP), the failed product is corrected by minimal repair without any cost to the consumers. After WP, the failed product is repaired with a fixed repair cost to the consumers. However, each failure incurs a fixed downtime cost to the consumers over a finite planning horizon. In this paper, we derive the model of the expected total disbursement cost within a finite planning horizon and some properties of the optimal replacement policy under some reasonable conditions are obtained. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate the features of the optimal replacement policy under various maintenance costs.
Abstract: Infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPA) sensors, due to
their high sensitivity, high frame frequency and simple structure, have
become the most prominently used detectors in military applications.
However, they suffer from a common problem called the fixed pattern
noise (FPN), which severely degrades image quality and limits the
infrared imaging applications. Therefore, it is necessary to perform
non-uniformity correction (NUC) on IR image. The algorithms of
non-uniformity correction are classified into two main categories, the
calibration-based and scene-based algorithms. There exist some
shortcomings in both algorithms, hence a novel non-uniformity
correction algorithm based on non-linear fit is proposed, which
combines the advantages of the two algorithms. Experimental results
show that the proposed algorithm acquires a good effect of NUC with
a lower non-uniformity ratio.
Abstract: Object-oriented simulation is considered one of the most sophisticated techniques that has been widely used in planning, designing, executing and maintaining construction projects. This technique enables the modeler to focus on objects which is extremely important for thorough understanding of a system. Thus, identifying an object is an essential point of building a successful simulation model. In a maintenance process an object is a maintenance work order (MWO). This study demonstrates a maintenance simulation model for the building maintenance division of Saudi Consolidated Electric Company (SCECO) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The model focused on both types of maintenance processes namely: (1) preventive maintenance (PM) and (2) corrective maintenance (CM). It is apparent from the findings that object-oriented simulation is a good diagnostic and experimental tool. This is because problems, limitations, bottlenecks and so forth are easily identified. These features are very difficult to obtain when using other tools.