Abstract: The decoding of Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes is operated over a redundant structure known as the bipartite graph, meaning that the full set of bit nodes is not absolutely necessary for decoder convergence. In 2008, Soyjaudah and Catherine designed a recovery algorithm for LDPC codes based on this assumption and showed that the error-correcting performance of their codes outperformed conventional LDPC Codes. In this work, the use of the recovery algorithm is further explored to test the performance of LDPC codes while the number of iterations is progressively increased. For experiments conducted with small blocklengths of up to 800 bits and number of iterations of up to 2000, the results interestingly demonstrate that contrary to conventional wisdom, the error-correcting performance keeps increasing with increasing number of iterations.
Abstract: Interpretation of aerial images is an important task in
various applications. Image segmentation can be viewed as the essential
step for extracting information from aerial images. Among many
developed segmentation methods, the technique of clustering has been
extensively investigated and used. However, determining the number
of clusters in an image is inherently a difficult problem, especially
when a priori information on the aerial image is unavailable. This
study proposes a support vector machine approach for clustering
aerial images. Three cluster validity indices, distance-based index,
Davies-Bouldin index, and Xie-Beni index, are utilized as quantitative
measures of the quality of clustering results. Comparisons on the
effectiveness of these indices and various parameters settings on the
proposed methods are conducted. Experimental results are provided
to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Abstract: The number of features required to represent an image
can be very huge. Using all available features to recognize objects
can suffer from curse dimensionality. Feature selection and
extraction is the pre-processing step of image mining. Main issues in
analyzing images is the effective identification of features and
another one is extracting them. The mining problem that has been
focused is the grouping of features for different shapes. Experiments
have been conducted by using shape outline as the features. Shape
outline readings are put through normalization and dimensionality
reduction process using an eigenvector based method to produce a
new set of readings. After this pre-processing step data will be
grouped through their shapes. Through statistical analysis, these
readings together with peak measures a robust classification and
recognition process is achieved. Tests showed that the suggested
methods are able to automatically recognize objects through their
shapes. Finally, experiments also demonstrate the system invariance
to rotation, translation, scale, reflection and to a small degree of
distortion.
Abstract: There are three approaches to complete Bayesian
Network (BN) model construction: total expert-centred, total datacentred,
and semi data-centred. These three approaches constitute the
basis of the empirical investigation undertaken and reported in this
paper. The objective is to determine, amongst these three
approaches, which is the optimal approach for the construction of a
BN-based model for the performance assessment of students-
laboratory work in a virtual electronic laboratory environment. BN
models were constructed using all three approaches, with respect to
the focus domain, and compared using a set of optimality criteria. In
addition, the impact of the size and source of the training, on the
performance of total data-centred and semi data-centred models was
investigated. The results of the investigation provide additional
insight for BN model constructors and contribute to literature
providing supportive evidence for the conceptual feasibility and
efficiency of structure and parameter learning from data. In addition,
the results highlight other interesting themes.
Abstract: Active Vibration Control (AVC) is an important
problem in structures. One of the ways to tackle this problem is to
make the structure smart, adaptive and self-controlling. The objective
of active vibration control is to reduce the vibration of a system by
automatic modification of the system-s structural response. This
paper features the modeling and design of a Periodic Output
Feedback (POF) control technique for the active vibration control of
a flexible Timoshenko cantilever beam for a multivariable case with
2 inputs and 2 outputs by retaining the first 2 dominant vibratory
modes using the smart structure concept. The entire structure is
modeled in state space form using the concept of piezoelectric
theory, Timoshenko beam theory, Finite Element Method (FEM) and
the state space techniques. Simulations are performed in MATLAB.
The effect of placing the sensor / actuator at 2 finite element
locations along the length of the beam is observed. The open loop
responses, closed loop responses and the tip displacements with and
without the controller are obtained and the performance of the smart
system is evaluated for active vibration control.
Abstract: This paper demonstrates the bus location system for
the route bus through the experiment in the real environment. A
bus location system is a system that provides information such as
the bus delay and positions. This system uses actual services and
positions data of buses, and those information should match data
on the database. The system has two possible problems. One, the
system could cost high in preparing devices to get bus positions.
Two, it could be difficult to match services data of buses. To avoid
these problems, we have developed this system at low cost and short
time by using the smart phone with GPS and the bus route system.
This system realizes the path planning considering bus delay and
displaying position of buses on the map. The bus location system
was demonstrated on route buses with smart phones for two months.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the self and
decision making levels of students receiving education in schools of
physical training and sports. The population of the study consisted
258 students, among which 152 were male and 106 were female
( X age=19,3713 + 1,6968), that received education in the schools of
physical education and sports of Selcuk University, Inonu University,
Gazi University and Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University. In order to
achieve the purpose of the study, the Melbourne Decision Making
Questionnary developed by Mann et al. (1998) [1] and adapted to
Turkish by Deniz (2004) [2] and the Self-Esteem Scale developed by
Aricak (1999) [3] was utilized. For analyzing and interpreting data
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, t-test and one way anova test were used,
while for determining the difference between the groups Tukey test
and Multiple Linear Regression test were employed and significance
was accepted at P
Abstract: Smart Dust particles, are small smart materials used for generating weather maps. We investigate question of the optimal number of Smart Dust particles necessary for generating precise, computationally feasible and cost effective 3–D weather maps. We also give an optimal matching algorithm for the generalized scenario, when there are N Smart Dust particles and M ground receivers.
Abstract: The Comparison analysis of the Wald-s and Bayestype sequential methods for testing hypotheses is offered. The merits of the new sequential test are: universality which consists in optimality (with given criteria) and uniformity of decision-making regions for any number of hypotheses; simplicity, convenience and uniformity of the algorithms of their realization; reliability of the obtained results and an opportunity of providing the errors probabilities of desirable values. There are given the Computation results of concrete examples which confirm the above-stated characteristics of the new method and characterize the considered methods in regard to each other.
Abstract: In this paper, an analytical modeling is presentated to
describe the channel noise in GME SGT/CGT MOSFET, based on
explicit functions of MOSFETs geometry and biasing conditions for
all channel length down to deep submicron and is verified with the
experimental data. Results shows the impact of various parameters
such as gate bias, drain bias, channel length ,device diameter and gate
material work function difference on drain current noise spectral
density of the device reflecting its applicability for circuit design
applications.
Abstract: The e-government emerging concept transforms the
way in which the citizens are dealing with their governments. Thus,
the citizens can execute the intended services online anytime and
anywhere. This results in great benefits for both the governments
(reduces the number of officers) and the citizens (more flexibility and
time saving). Therefore, building a maturity model to assess the egovernment
portals becomes desired to help in the improvement
process of such portals. This paper aims at proposing an egovernment
maturity model based on the measurement of the best
practices’ presence. The main benefit of such maturity model is to
provide a way to rank an e-government portal based on the used best
practices, and also giving a set of recommendations to go to the
higher stage in the maturity model.
Abstract: In view of their importance and usefulness in reliability theory and probability distributions, several generalizations of the inverse Gaussian distribution and the Krtzel function are investigated in recent years. This has motivated the authors to introduce and study a new generalization of the inverse Gaussian distribution and the Krtzel function associated with a product of a Bessel function of the third kind )(zKQ and a Z - Fox-Wright generalized hyper geometric function introduced in this paper. The introduced function turns out to be a unified gamma-type function. Its incomplete forms are also discussed. Several properties of this gamma-type function are obtained. By means of this generalized function, we introduce a generalization of inverse Gaussian distribution, which is useful in reliability analysis, diffusion processes, and radio techniques etc. The inverse Gaussian distribution thus introduced also provides a generalization of the Krtzel function. Some basic statistical functions associated with this probability density function, such as moments, the Mellin transform, the moment generating function, the hazard rate function, and the mean residue life function are also obtained.KeywordsFox-Wright function, Inverse Gaussian distribution, Krtzel function & Bessel function of the third kind.
Abstract: Novel acrylated epoxidized hemp oil (AEHO) based
bioresins were successfully synthesised, characterized and applied to
biocomposites reinforced with woven jute fibre. Characterisation of
the synthesised AEHO consisted of acid number titrations and FTIR
spectroscopy to assess the success of the acrylation reaction. Three
different matrices were produced (vinylester (VE), 50/50 blend of
AEHO/VE and 100% AEHO) and reinforced with jute fibre to form
three different types of biocomposite samples. Mechanical properties
in the form of flexural and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) were
investigated and compared for the different samples. Results from the
mechanical tests showed that AEHO and 50/50 based neat bioresins
displayed lower flexural properties compared with the VE samples.
However when applied to biocomposites and compared with VE
based samples, AEHO biocomposites demonstrated comparable
flexural performance and improved ILSS. These results are attributed
to improved fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion due to surface-chemical
compatibility between the natural fibres and bioresin.
Abstract: American public schools should be the place that reflects America-s diverse society. The recent Supreme Court decision to discontinue the use of race as a factor in school admission policies has caused major setbacks in America-s effort to repair its racial divide, to improve public schools, and to provide opportunities for all people, regardless of race or creed. However, educators should not allow such legal decision to hinder their ability to teach children tolerance of others in schools and classrooms in America.
Abstract: Biological Ammonia removal (nitrification), the
oxidation of ammonia to nitrate catalyzed by bacteria, is a key part of
global nitrogen cycling. In the first step of nitrification,
chemolithoautotrophic ammonia oxidizer transform ammonia to
nitrite, this subsequently oxidized to nitrate by nitrite oxidizing
bacteria. This process can be affected by several factors. In this study
the effect of influent COD on biological ammonia removal in a
bench-scale biological reactor was investigated. Experiments were
carried out using synthetic wastewater. The initial ammonium
concentration was 25mgNH4
+-N L-1. The effect of COD between
247.55±1.8 and 601.08±3.24mgL-1 on biological ammonia removal
was investigated by varying the COD loading supplied to reactor.
From the results obtained in this study it could be concluded in the
range of 247.55±1.8 to 351.35±2.05mgL-1, there is a direct
relationship between amount of COD and ammonia removal.
However more than 351.35±2.05 up to 601.08±3.24mgL-1 were
found an indirect relationship between them.
Abstract: An analysis is performed to study the influence of nonuniform double slot suction on a steady laminar boundary layer flow over a rotating sphere when fluid properties such as viscosity and Prandtl number are inverse linear functions of temperature. Nonsimilar solutions have been obtained from the starting point of the streamwise co-ordinate to the exact point of separation. The difficulties arising at the starting point of the streamwise co-ordinate, at the edges of the slot and at the point of separation have been overcome by applying an implicit finite difference scheme in combination with the quasi-linearization technique and an appropriate selection of the finer step sizes along the stream-wise direction. The present investigation shows that the point of ordinary separation can be delayed by nonuniform double slot suction if the mass transfer rate is increased and also if the slots are positioned further downstream. In addition, the investigation reveals that double slot suction is found to be more effective compared to a single slot suction in delaying ordinary separation. As rotation parameter increase the point of separation moves upstream direction.
Abstract: This paper present a MATLAB-SIMULINK model of a single phase 2.5 KVA, 240V RMS controlled PV VSI (Photovoltaic Voltage Source Inverter) inverter using IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor). The behavior of output voltage, output current, and the total harmonic distortion (THD), with the variation in input dc blocking capacitor (Cdc), for linear and non-linear load has been analyzed. The values of Cdc as suggested by the other authors in their papers are not clearly defined and it poses difficulty in selecting the proper value. As the dc power stored in Cdc, (generally placed parallel with battery) is used as input to the VSI inverter. The simulation results shows the variation in the output voltage and current with different values of Cdc for linear and non-linear load connected at the output side of PV VSI inverter and suggest the selection of suitable value of Cdc.
Abstract: This paper investigates the spatial structure of employment in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area (JMA), with reference to the concept of the Southeast Asian extended metropolitan region (EMR). A combination of factor analysis and local Getis-Ord (Gi*) hot-spot analysis is used to identify clusters of employment in the region, including those of the urban and agriculture sectors. Spatial statistical analysis is further used to probe the spatial association of identified employment clusters with their surroundings on several dimensions, including the spatial association between the central business district (CBD) in Jakarta city on employment density in the region, the spatial impacts of urban expansion on population growth and the degree of urban-rural interaction. The degree of spatial interaction for the whole JMA is measured by the patterns of commuting trips destined to the various employment clusters. Results reveal the strong role of the urban core of Jakarta, and the regional CBD, as the centre for mixed job sectors such as retail, wholesale, services and finance. Manufacturing and local government services, on the other hand, form corridors radiating out of the urban core, reaching out to the agriculture zones in the fringes. Strong associations between the urban expansion corridors and population growth, and urban-rural mix, are revealed particularly in the eastern and western parts of JMA. Metropolitan wide commuting patterns are focussed on the urban core of Jakarta and the CBD, while relatively local commuting patterns are shown to be prevalent for the employment corridors.
Abstract: A model of vortex wake is suggested to determine the
induced power during animal hovering flight. The wake is modeled
by a series of equi-spaced rigid rectangular vortex plates, positioned
horizontally and moving vertically downwards with identical speeds;
each plate is generated during powering of the functionally wing
stroke. The vortex representation of the wake considered in the
current theory allows a considerable loss of momentum to occur. The
current approach accords well with the nature of the wingbeat since it
considers the unsteadiness in the wake as an important fluid
dynamical characteristic. Induced power in hovering is calculated as
the aerodynamic power required to generate the vortex wake system.
Specific mean induced power to mean wing tip velocity ratio is
determined by solely the normal spacing parameter (f) for a given
wing stroke amplitude. The current theory gives much higher specific
induced power estimate than anticipated by classical methods.
Abstract: In this paper, we have proposed a Haar wavelet quasilinearization
method to solve the well known Blasius equation. The
method is based on the uniform Haar wavelet operational matrix
defined over the interval [0, 1]. In this method, we have proposed the
transformation for converting the problem on a fixed computational
domain. The Blasius equation arises in the various boundary layer
problems of hydrodynamics and in fluid mechanics of laminar
viscous flows. Quasi-linearization is iterative process but our
proposed technique gives excellent numerical results with quasilinearization
for solving nonlinear differential equations without any
iteration on selecting collocation points by Haar wavelets. We have
solved Blasius equation for 1≤α ≤ 2 and the numerical results are
compared with the available results in literature. Finally, we
conclude that proposed method is a promising tool for solving the
well known nonlinear Blasius equation.