Abstract: The approach based on the wavelet transform has
been widely used for image denoising due to its multi-resolution
nature, its ability to produce high levels of noise reduction and the
low level of distortion introduced. However, by removing noise, high
frequency components belonging to edges are also removed, which
leads to blurring the signal features. This paper proposes a new
method of image noise reduction based on local variance and edge
analysis. The analysis is performed by dividing an image into 32 x 32
pixel blocks, and transforming the data into wavelet domain. Fast
lifting wavelet spatial-frequency decomposition and reconstruction is
developed with the advantages of being computationally efficient and
boundary effects minimized. The adaptive thresholding by local
variance estimation and edge strength measurement can effectively
reduce image noise while preserve the features of the original image
corresponding to the boundaries of the objects. Experimental results
demonstrate that the method performs well for images contaminated
by natural and artificial noise, and is suitable to be adapted for
different class of images and type of noises. The proposed algorithm
provides a potential solution with parallel computation for real time
or embedded system application.
Abstract: In this paper we focus on event extraction from Tamil
news article. This system utilizes a scoring scheme for extracting and
grouping event-specific sentences. Using this scoring scheme eventspecific
clustering is performed for multiple documents. Events are
extracted from each document using a scoring scheme based on
feature score and condition score. Similarly event specific sentences
are clustered from multiple documents using this scoring scheme.
The proposed system builds the Event Template based on user
specified query. The templates are filled with event specific details
like person, location and timeline extracted from the formed clusters.
The proposed system applies these methodologies for Tamil news
articles that have been enconverted into UNL graphs using a Tamil to
UNL-enconverter. The main intention of this work is to generate an
event based template.
Abstract: This paper shows the advantages of the material failure process simulation by improve finite elements with embedded discontinuities, using a new definition of traction vector, dependent on the discontinuity length and the angle. Particularly, two families of this kind of elements are compared: kinematically optimal symmetric and statically and kinematically optimal non-symmetric. The constitutive model to describe the behavior of the material in the symmetric formulation is a traction-displacement jump relationship equipped with softening after reaching the failure surface.
To show the validity of this symmetric formulation, representative numerical examples illustrating the performance of the proposed formulation are presented. It is shown that the non-symmetric family may over or underestimate the energy required to create a discontinuity, as this effect is related with the total length of the discontinuity, fact that is not noticed when the discontinuity path is a straight line.
Abstract: DNA microarray technology is widely used by
geneticists to diagnose or treat diseases through gene expression.
This technology is based on the hybridization of a tissue-s DNA
sequence into a substrate and the further analysis of the image
formed by the thousands of genes in the DNA as green, red or yellow
spots. The process of DNA microarray image analysis involves
finding the location of the spots and the quantification of the
expression level of these. In this paper, a tool to perform DNA
microarray image analysis is presented, including a spot addressing
method based on the image projections, the spot segmentation
through contour based segmentation and the extraction of relevant
information due to gene expression.
Abstract: The nanotechnology based on epitaxial systems
includes single or arranged misfit dislocations. In general, whatever
is the type of dislocation or the geometry of the array formed by the
dislocations; it is important for experimental studies to know exactly
the stress distribution for which there is no analytical expression [1,
2]. This work, using a numerical analysis, deals with relaxation of
epitaxial layers having at their interface a periodic network of edge
misfit dislocations. The stress distribution is estimated by using
isotropic elasticity. The results show that the thickness of the two
sheets is a crucial parameter in the stress distributions and then in the
profile of the two sheets.
A comparative study between the case of single dislocation and
the case of parallel network shows that the layers relaxed better when
the interface is covered by a parallel arrangement of misfit.
Consequently, a single dislocation at the interface produces an
important stress field which can be reduced by inserting a parallel
network of dislocations with suitable periodicity.
Abstract: Transnational corporations (TNCs) are playing a major role in global R&D, not only through activities in their home countries but also increasingly abroad. However, the process of R&D offshoring is not yet discussed thoroughly. Based on in-depth case study on Agilent China Communications Operation, this paper presents a stage model for theorizing the R&D offshoring process. This stage model outlines 5 maturity levels of organization and the offshoring process: Subsidiary team, Mirror team, Independent team, Mirror sector and the Independent sector (from software engineering point of view, it is similar to the local team's capability level of maturity model). Moreover, the paper gives a detailed discussion on the relevant characteristics, as well as the ability/responsibility of transfer, priorities and the corresponding organization structure. It also gives the characteristics and key points of different level-s R&D offshoring implementation using actual team practice.
Abstract: Contact stress analysis between two spur gear
teeth was considered in different contact positions,
representing a pair of mating gears during rotation. A
programme has been developed to plot a pair of teeth in contact. This programme was run for each 3° of pinion
rotation from the first location of contact to the last location of
contact to produce 10 cases. Each case was represented a
sequence position of contact between these two teeth. The
programme gives graphic results for the profiles of these teeth
in each position and location of contact during rotation. Finite
element models were made for these cases and stress analysis
was done. The results were presented and finite element
analysis results were compared with theoretical calculations,
wherever available.
Abstract: This paper examines ethical and social issues which
have proved important when initiating and creating educational spaces within a virtual environment. It focuses on one project, identifying the key decisions made, the barriers to new practice
encountered and the impact these had on the project. It demonstrates
the importance of the 'backstage' ethical and social issues involved in
the creation of a virtual education community and offers conclusions,
and questions, which will inform future research and practice in this
area. These ethical issues are considered using Knobel-s framework
of front-end, in-process and back-end concerns, and include
establishing social practices for the islands, allocating access rights,
considering personal safety and supporting researchers appropriately
within this context.
Abstract: Bringing change to the housing industry requires
multiple efforts from various angles especially to overcome any
resistances in the form of technology, human aspects, financial and
resources. The transition from conventional to sustainable approach
consumes time as it requires changes from different facets in the
industry ranging from individual, organisational to industry level. In
Malaysia, there are various efforts to bring green into the industry but
the progress is low-moderate. Will the current efforts bear larger
fruits in the near future? This study examines the perceptions of the
developers in Malaysia on the future of the green housing sector for
the next 5 years. The introduction of GBI rating system, improvement
of awareness and knowledge among the stakeholders, support from
the government and local industry and the effect of competitive
advantage would support brighter future. Meanwhile, the status quo
in rules and regulation, lack of public interest and demand,
organization disinterest, local authority enforcement and project cost
escalation would hinder a faster progress.
Abstract: In order to achieve better road utilization and traffic
efficiency, there is an urgent need for a travel information delivery
mechanism to assist the drivers in making better decisions in the
emerging intelligent transportation system applications. In this paper,
we propose a relayed multicast scheme under heterogeneous networks
for this purpose. In the proposed system, travel information consisting
of summarized traffic conditions, important events, real-time traffic
videos, and local information service contents is formed into layers
and multicasted through an integration of WiMAX infrastructure and
Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANET). By the support of adaptive
modulation and coding in WiMAX, the radio resources can be
optimally allocated when performing multicast so as to dynamically
adjust the number of data layers received by the users. In addition to
multicast supported by WiMAX, a knowledge propagation and
information relay scheme by VANET is designed. The experimental
results validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed
scheme.
Abstract: The development of information and communication
technology, the increased use of the internet, as well as the effects of
the recession within the last years, have lead to the increased use of
cloud computing based solutions, also called on-demand solutions.
These solutions offer a large number of benefits to organizations as
well as challenges and risks, mainly determined by data visualization
in different geographic locations on the internet. As far as the specific
risks of cloud environment are concerned, data security is still
considered a peak barrier in adopting cloud computing. The present
study offers an approach upon ensuring the security of cloud data,
oriented towards the whole data life cycle. The final part of the study
focuses on the assessment of data security in the cloud, this
representing the bases in determining the potential losses and the
premise for subsequent improvements and continuous learning.
Abstract: Cardiac pulse-related artifacts in the EEG recorded
simultaneously with fMRI are complex and highly variable. Their
effective removal is an unsolved problem. Our aim is to develop an
adaptive removal algorithm based on the matching pursuit (MP)
technique and to compare it to established methods using a visual
evoked potential (VEP). We recorded the VEP inside the static
magnetic field of an MR scanner (with artifacts) as well as in an
electrically shielded room (artifact free). The MP-based artifact
removal outperformed average artifact subtraction (AAS) and
optimal basis set removal (OBS) in terms of restoring the EEG field
map topography of the VEP. Subsequently, a dipole model was fitted
to the VEP under each condition using a realistic boundary element
head model. The source location of the VEP recorded inside the MR
scanner was closest to that of the artifact free VEP after cleaning
with the MP-based algorithm as well as with AAS. While none of the
tested algorithms offered complete removal, MP showed promising
results due to its ability to adapt to variations of latency, frequency
and amplitude of individual artifact occurrences while still utilizing a
common template.
Abstract: This paper presents an optimized algorithm for robot localization which increases the correctness and accuracy of the estimating position of mobile robot to more than 150% of the past methods [1] in the uncertain and noisy environment. In this method the odometry and vision sensors are combined by an adapted well-known discrete kalman filter [2]. This technique also decreased the computation process of the algorithm by DKF simple implementation. The experimental trial of the algorithm is performed on the robocup middle size soccer robot; the system can be used in more general environments.
Abstract: Alcohol and water extracts of Cymbopogon citratus
was investigated for anti-bacterial properties and phytochemical
constituents. The extract was screened against four gram-negative
bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris) and two grampositive bacteria Bacillus
subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus at four different concentrations
(1:1, 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20) using disc diffusion method. The antibacterial
examination was by disc diffusion techniques, while the
photochemical constituents were investigated using standard
chemical methods. Results showed that the extracts inhibited the
growth of standard and local strains of the organisms used. The
treatments were significantly different (P = 0.05). The minimum
inhibitory concentration of the extracts against the tested
microorganisms ranged between 150mg/ml and 50mg/ml. The
alcohol extracts were found to be generally more effective than the
water extract. The photochemical analysis revealed the presence of
alkaloids and phenol but absence of cardiac and cyanogenic
glycosides. The presence of alkaloid and phenols were inferred as
being responsible for the anti-bacterial properties of the extracts.
Abstract: The steady mixed convection boundary layer flow from
a vertical cone in a porous medium filled with a nanofluid is
numerically investigated using different types of nanoparticles as Cu
(copper), Al2O3 (alumina) and TiO2 (titania). The boundary value
problem is solved by using the shooting technique by reducing it
into an ordinary differential equation. Results of interest for the local
Nusselt number with various values of the constant mixed convection
parameter and nanoparticle volume fraction parameter are evaluated.
It is found that dual solutions exist for a certain range of mixed
convection parameter.
Abstract: Performance of a limited Round-Robin (RR) rule is
studied in order to clarify the characteristics of a realistic sharing
model of a processor. Under the limited RR rule, the processor
allocates to each request a fixed amount of time, called a quantum, in a
fixed order. The sum of the requests being allocated these quanta is
kept below a fixed value. Arriving requests that cannot be allocated
quanta because of such a restriction are queued or rejected. Practical
performance measures, such as the relationship between the mean
sojourn time, the mean number of requests, or the loss probability and
the quantum size are evaluated via simulation. In the evaluation, the
requested service time of an arriving request is converted into a
quantum number. One of these quanta is included in an RR cycle,
which means a series of quanta allocated to each request in a fixed
order. The service time of the arriving request can be evaluated using
the number of RR cycles required to complete the service, the number
of requests receiving service, and the quantum size. Then an increase
or decrease in the number of quanta that are necessary before service is
completed is reevaluated at the arrival or departure of other requests.
Tracking these events and calculations enables us to analyze the
performance of our limited RR rule. In particular, we obtain the most
suitable quantum size, which minimizes the mean sojourn time, for the
case in which the switching time for each quantum is considered.
Abstract: The design of distributed systems involves the
partitioning of the system into components or partitions and the
allocation of these components to physical nodes. Techniques have
been proposed for both the partitioning and allocation process.
However these techniques suffer from a number of limitations. For
instance object replication has the potential to greatly improve the
performance of an object orientated distributed system but can be
difficult to use effectively and there are few techniques that support
the developer in harnessing object replication.
This paper presents a methodological technique that helps
developers decide how objects should be allocated in order to
improve performance in a distributed system that supports
replication. The performance of the proposed technique is
demonstrated and tested on an example system.
Abstract: Application-Specific Instruction (ASI ) set Processors
(ASIP) have become an important design choice for embedded
systems due to runtime flexibility, which cannot be provided by
custom ASIC solutions. One major bottleneck in maximizing ASIP
performance is the limitation on the data bandwidth between the
General Purpose Register File (GPRF) and ASIs. This paper presents
the Implicit Registers (IRs) to provide the desirable data bandwidth.
An ASI Input/Output model is proposed to formulate the overheads of
the additional data transfer between the GPRF and IRs, therefore,
an IRs allocation algorithm is used to achieve the better performance
by minimizing the number of extra data transfer instructions. The
experiment results show an up to 3.33x speedup compared to the
results without using IRs.
Abstract: A numerical analysis used to simulate the effects of wavy surfaces and thermal radiation on natural convection heat transfer boundary layer flow over an inclined wavy plate has been investigated. A simple coordinate transformation is employed to transform the complex wavy surface into a flat plate. The boundary layer equations and the boundary conditions are discretized by the finite difference scheme and solved numerically using the Gauss-Seidel algorithm with relaxation coefficient. Effects of the wavy geometry, the inclination angle of the wavy plate and the thermal radiation on the velocity profiles, temperature profiles and the local Nusselt number are presented and discussed in detail.
Abstract: The protection of parallel transmission lines has been a challenging task due to mutual coupling between the adjacent circuits of the line. This paper presents a novel scheme for detection and classification of faults on parallel transmission lines. The proposed approach uses combination of wavelet transform and neural network, to solve the problem. While wavelet transform is a powerful mathematical tool which can be employed as a fast and very effective means of analyzing power system transient signals, artificial neural network has a ability to classify non-linear relationship between measured signals by identifying different patterns of the associated signals. The proposed algorithm consists of time-frequency analysis of fault generated transients using wavelet transform, followed by pattern recognition using artificial neural network to identify the type of the fault. MATLAB/Simulink is used to generate fault signals and verify the correctness of the algorithm. The adaptive discrimination scheme is tested by simulating different types of fault and varying fault resistance, fault location and fault inception time, on a given power system model. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme for fault diagnosis is able to classify all the faults on the parallel transmission line rapidly and correctly.