Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy
of five herbicides on narrow leaved weeds and growth and yield of
wheat. An experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research
Farm, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The experiment was
laid out in randomized complete block designee (RCBD) with three
replications. Treatments studied were clodinafop (Topic-15 WG) at
37 g a.i. ha-1, clodinafop (Topaz-15 WG) at 45 g a.i. ha-1,
fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (Puma Super-75 EW) at 45 g a.i. ha-1,
fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (Gramicide-6.9 EW) at 85 g a.i. ha-1,
fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (Chinlima-6.9 EW) at 85 g a.i. ha-1 and weedy
check. Plots treated with fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (Puma Super-75 EW)
at 45 g a.i. ha-1 produced relatively less weed biomass, more plant
height, number of spike bearing tillers, number of grains per spike,
1000-grain weight and grain yield (4.20 t ha-1).
Abstract: In inspection and workpiece localization, sampling point data is an important issue. Since the devices for sampling only sample discrete points, not the completely surface, sampling size and location of the points will be taken into consideration. In this paper a method is presented for determining the sampled points size and location for achieving efficient sampling. Firstly, uncertainty analysis of the localization parameters is investigated. A localization uncertainty model is developed to predict the uncertainty of the localization process. Using this model the minimum size of the sampled points is predicted. Secondly, based on the algebra theory an eigenvalue-optimal optimization is proposed. Then a freeform surface is used in the simulation. The proposed optimization is implemented. The simulation result shows its effectivity.
Abstract: An image texture analysis and target recognition approach of using an improved image texture feature coding method (TFCM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) for target detection is presented. With our proposed target detection framework, targets of interest can be detected accurately. Cascade-Sliding-Window technique was also developed for automated target localization. Application to mammogram showed that over 88% of normal mammograms and 80% of abnormal mammograms can be correctly identified. The approach was also successfully applied to Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) images for target detection.
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to determine if a
minimal increase in road light level (luminance) could lead to
improved driving performance among older adults. Older, middleaged
and younger adults were tested in a driving simulator following
vision and cognitive screening. Comparisons were made for the
performance of simulated night driving under two road light
conditions (0.6 and 2.5 cd/m2). At each light level, the effects of self
reported night driving avoidance were examined along with the
vision/cognitive performance. It was found that increasing road light
level from 0.6 cd/m2 to 2.5 cd/m2 resulted in improved recognition of
signage on straight highway segments. The improvement depends on
different driver-related factors such as vision and cognitive abilities,
and confidence. On curved road sections, the results showed that
driver-s performance worsened. It is concluded that while increasing
road lighting may be helpful to older adults especially for sign
recognition, it may also result in increased driving confidence and
thus reduced attention in some driving situations.
Abstract: In this paper, we present an improved fast and robust
search algorithm for copy detection using histogram-based features for
short MPEG video clips from large video database. There are two
types of histogram features used to generate more robust features. The
first one is based on the adjacent pixel intensity difference quantization
(APIDQ) algorithm, which had been reliably applied to human face
recognition previously. An APIDQ histogram is utilized as the feature
vector of the frame image. Another one is ordinal histogram feature
which is robust to color distortion. Furthermore, by Combining with a
temporal division method, the spatial and temporal features of the
video sequence are integrated to realize fast and robust video search
for copy detection. Experimental results show the proposed algorithm
can detect the similar video clip more accurately and robust than
conventional fast video search algorithm.
Abstract: We present a Large-Eddy simulation of a vortex cell
with circular shaped. The results show that the flow field can be sub
divided into four important zones, the shear layer above the cavity,
the stagnation zone, the vortex core in the cavity and the boundary
layer along the wall of the cavity. It is shown that the vortex core
consits of solid body rotation without much turbulence activity. The
vortex is mainly driven by high energy packets that are driven into the
cavity from the stagnation point region and by entrainment of fluid
from the cavity into the shear layer. The physics in the boundary
layer along the cavity-s wall seems to be far from that of a canonical
boundary layer which might be a crucial point for modelling this
flow.
Abstract: This paper provides an exergy analysis of the multistage refrigeration cycle used for C2+ recovery plant. The behavior of an industrial refrigeration cycle with refrigerant propane has been investigated by the exergy method. A computational model based on the exergy analysis is presented for the investigation of the effects of the valves on the exergy losses, the second law of efficiency, and the coefficient of performance (COP) of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The equations of exergy destruction and exergetic efficiency for the main cycle components such as evaporators, condensers, compressors, and expansion valves are developed. The relations for the total exergy destruction in the cycle and the cycle exergetic efficiency are obtained. An ethane recovery unit with its refrigeration cycle has been simulated to prepare the exergy analysis. Using a typical actual work input value; the exergetic efficiency of the refrigeration cycle is determined to be 39.90% indicating a great potential for improvements. The simulation results reveal that the exergetic efficiencies of the heat exchanger and expansion sections get the lowest rank among the other compartments of refrigeration cycle. Refrigeration calculations have been carried out through the analysis of T–S and P–H diagrams where coefficient of performance (COP) was obtained as 1.85. The novelty of this article includes the effect and sensitivity analysis of molar flow, pressure drops and temperature on the exergy efficiency and coefficient of performance of the cycle.
Abstract: Ciprofloxacin (CIP) and Carbamazepine (CBZ), nonbiodegradable pharmaceutical residues, were become emerging pollutants in several aquatic environments. The objectives of this research were to study the possibility to recover these pharmaceuticals residues from pharmaceutical wastewater by increasing the selective adsorption on synthesized functionalized porous silicate, comparing with powdered activated carbon (PAC). Hexagonal mesoporous silicate (HMS), functionalized HMSs (3- aminopropyltriethoxy, 3- mercaptopropyltrimethoxy and noctyldimethyl) were synthesized and characterized physico-chemical characteristics. Obtained adsorption kinetics and isotherms showed that 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxy functional groups grafted on HMS provided highest CIP and CBZ adsorption capacities; however, it was still lower than that of PAC. The kinetic results were compatible with pseudo-second order. The hydrophobicity and hydrogen bonding might play a key role on the adsorption. Furthermore, the capacities were affected by varying pH values due to the strength of hydrogen bonding between targeted compounds and adsorbents. Electrostatic interaction might not affect the adsorption capacities.
Abstract: We present a general comparison of punctual kriging based image restoration for different neighbourhood sizes. The formulation of the technique under consideration is based on punctual kriging and fuzzy concepts for image restoration in spatial domain. Three different neighbourhood windows are considered to estimate the semivariance at different lags for studying its effect in reduction of negative weights resulted in punctual kriging, consequently restoration of degraded images. Our results show that effect of neighbourhood size higher than 5x5 on reduction in negative weights is insignificant. In addition, image quality measures, such as structure similarity indices, peak signal to noise ratios and the new variogram based quality measures; show that 3x3 window size gives better performance as compared with larger window sizes.
Abstract: The whole work is based on possibility to use Lego Mindstorms robotics systems to reduce costs. Lego Mindstorms consists of a wide variety of hardware components necessary to simulate, programme and test of robotics systems in practice. To programme algorithm, which simulates space using the ultrasonic sensor, was used development environment supplied with kit. Software Matlab was used to render values afterwards they were measured by ultrasonic sensor. The algorithm created for this paper uses theoretical knowledge from area of signal processing. Data being processed by algorithm are collected by ultrasonic sensor that scans 2D space in front of it. Ultrasonic sensor is placed on moving arm of robot which provides horizontal moving of sensor. Vertical movement of sensor is provided by wheel drive. The robot follows map in order to get correct positioning of measured data. Based on discovered facts it is possible to consider Lego Mindstorm for low-cost and capable kit for real-time modelling.
Abstract: In this paper, we introduce a novel platform
encryption method, which modify its keys and random number
generators step by step during encryption algorithms. According to
complexity of the proposed algorithm, it was safer than any other
method.
Abstract: With the presence of a uniform vertical magnetic field and suspended particles, thermocapillary instability in a horizontal liquid layer is investigated. The resulting eigenvalue is solved by the Galerkin technique for various basic temperature gradients. It is found that the presence of magnetic field always has a stability effect of increasing the critical Marangoni number.
Abstract: An international cooperation between educators in
Australia and the US has led to a reconceptualization of the teaching
of a library science course at Appalachian State University. The
pedagogy of Action Learning coupled with a 3D virtual learning
environment immerses students in a social constructivist learning
space that incorporates and supports interaction and reflection. The
intent of this study was to build a bridge between theory and practice
by providing students with a tool set that promoted personal and
social reflection, and created and scaffolded a community of practice.
Besides, action learning is an educational process whereby the fifty
graduate students experienced their own actions and experience to
improve performance.
Abstract: A complex valued neural network is a neural network, which consists of complex valued input and/or weights and/or thresholds and/or activation functions. Complex-valued neural networks have been widening the scope of applications not only in electronics and informatics, but also in social systems. One of the most important applications of the complex valued neural network is in image and vision processing. In Neural networks, radial basis functions are often used for interpolation in multidimensional space. A Radial Basis function is a function, which has built into it a distance criterion with respect to a centre. Radial basis functions have often been applied in the area of neural networks where they may be used as a replacement for the sigmoid hidden layer transfer characteristic in multi-layer perceptron. This paper aims to present exhaustive results of using RBF units in a complex-valued neural network model that uses the back-propagation algorithm (called 'Complex-BP') for learning. Our experiments results demonstrate the effectiveness of a Radial basis function in a complex valued neural network in image recognition over a real valued neural network. We have studied and stated various observations like effect of learning rates, ranges of the initial weights randomly selected, error functions used and number of iterations for the convergence of error on a neural network model with RBF units. Some inherent properties of this complex back propagation algorithm are also studied and discussed.
Abstract: Molodstov-s soft sets theory was originally proposed
as general mathematical tool for dealing with uncertainty problems. The matrix form has been introduced in soft set and some of its
properties have been discussed. However, the formulation of soft
matrix in group decision making problem only with equal importance
weights of criteria, which does not show the true opinion of decision maker on each criteria. The aim of this paper is to propose a method
for solving group decision making problem incorporating the importance of criteria by using soft matrices in a more objective manner. The weight of each criterion is calculated by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. An example of house
selection process is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Abstract: This paper is taken into consideration the problem of cryptanalysis of stream ciphers. There is some attempts need to improve the existing attacks on stream cipher and to make an attempt to distinguish the portions of cipher text obtained by the encryption of plain text in which some parts of the text are random and the rest are non-random. This paper presents a tutorial introduction to symmetric cryptography. The basic information theoretic and computational properties of classic and modern cryptographic systems are presented, followed by an examination of the application of cryptography to the security of VoIP system in computer networks using LFSR algorithm. The implementation program will be developed Java 2. LFSR algorithm is appropriate for the encryption and decryption of online streaming data, e.g. VoIP (voice chatting over IP). This paper is implemented the encryption module of speech signals to cipher text and decryption module of cipher text to speech signals.
Abstract: Polyurethanes (PURs) are very versatile polymeric
materials with a wide range of physical and chemical properties.
PURs have desirable properties such as high abrasion resistance, tear
strength, shock absorption, flexibility and elasticity. Although they
have relatively poor thermal stability, this can be improved by using
treated clay. Polyurethane/clay nanocomposites have been
synthesized from renewable sources. A polyol for the production of
polyurethane by reaction with an isocyanate was obtained by the
synthesis of palm oil-based oleic acid with glycerol. Dodecylbenzene
sulfonic acid (DBSA) was used as catalyst and emulsifier. The
unmodified clay (kunipia-F) was treated with cetyltrimethyl
ammonium bromide (CTAB-mont) and octadodecylamine (ODAmont).
The d-spacing in CTAB-mont and ODA-mont were 1.571 nm
and 1.798 nm respectively and larger than that of the pure-mont
(1.142 nm). The organoclay was completely intercalated in the
polyurethane, as confirmed by a wide angle x-ray diffraction
(WAXD) pattern.
The results showed that adding clay demonstrated better thermal
stability in comparison with the virgin polyurethane. Onset
degradation of pure PU is at 200oC, and is lower than that of the
CTAB-mont PU and ODA-mont PU which takes place at about
318oC and 330oC, respectively. The mechanical properties (including
the dynamic mechanical properties) of pure polyurethane (PU) and
PU/clay nanocomposites, were measured. The modified organoclay
had a remarkably beneficial effect on the strength and elongation at
break of the nanocomposites, which both increased with increasing
clay content with the increase of the tensile strength of more than
214% and 267% by the addition of only 5 wt% of the
montmorillonite CTAB-mont PU and ODA-mont PU, respectively.
Abstract: Nonlinear finite element method and Serendipity eight
nodes element are used for determining of ground surface settlement
due to tunneling. Linear element with elastic behavior is used for
modeling of lining. Modified Generalized plasticity model with nonassociated
flow rule is applied for analysis of a tunnel in Sao Paulo –
Brazil. The tunnel had analyzed by Lades- model with 16 parameters.
In this work modified Generalized Plasticity is used with 10
parameters, also Mohr-Coulomb model is used to analysis the tunnel.
The results show good agreement with observed results of field data
by modified Generalized Plasticity model than other models. The
obtained result by Mohr-Coulomb model shows less settlement than
other model due to excavation.
Abstract: Development of intelligent assembly cell conception includes new solution kind of how to create structures of automated and flexible assembly system. The current trend of the final product quality increasing is affected by time analysis of the entire manufacturing process. The primary requirement of manufacturing is to produce as many products as soon as possible, at the lowest possible cost, but of course with the highest quality. Such requirements may be satisfied only if all the elements entering and affecting the production cycle are in a fully functional condition. These elements consist of sensory equipment and intelligent control elements that are essential for building intelligent manufacturing systems. Intelligent behavior of the system as the control system will repose on monitoring of important parameters of the system in the real time. Intelligent manufacturing system itself should be a system that can flexibly respond to changes in entering and exiting the process in interaction with the surroundings.
Abstract: Ionic liquids are well known as green solvents, reaction media and catalysis. Here, three different sulfonic acid functional ionic liquids prepared in the laboratory are used as catalysts in alkylation of p-cresol with tert-butyl alcohol. The kinetics on each of the catalysts was compared and a kinetic model was developed based on the product distribution over these catalysts. The kinetic parameters were estimated using Marquadt's algorithm to minimize the error function. The Arrhenius plots show a curvature which is best interpreted by the extended Arrhenius equation.