Abstract: Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging usually
requires echo data collected continuously pulse by pulse with certain
bandwidth. However in real situation, data collection or part of signal
spectrum can be interrupted due to various reasons, i.e. there will be
gaps in spatial spectrum. In this case we need to find ways to fill out
the resulted gaps and get image with defined resolution. In this paper
we introduce our work on how to apply iterative spatially variant
apodization (Super-SVA) technique to extrapolate the spatial
spectrum in both azimuthal and range directions so as to fill out the
gaps and get correct radar image.
Abstract: The paper deals with the analysis of the dynamic
response of footbridges under human - induced dynamic loads.
This is a frequently occurring and often dominant load for
footbridges as it stems from the very purpose of a footbridge - to
convey pedestrian. Due to the emergence of new materials and
advanced engineering technology, slender footbridges are
increasingly becoming popular to satisfy the modern transportation
needs and the aesthetical requirements of the society. These
structures however are always lively with low stiffness, low mass,
low damping and low natural frequencies. As a consequence, they are
prone to vibration induced by human activities and can suffer severe
vibration serviceability problems, particularly in the lateral direction.
Pedestrian bridges are designed according to first and second limit
states, these are the criteria involved in response to static design load.
However, it is necessary to assess the dynamic response of bridge
design load on pedestrians and assess it impact on the comfort of the
user movement. Usually the load is considered a person or a small
group which can be assumed in perfect motion synchronization.
Already one person or small group can excite significant vibration of
the deck. In order to calculate the dynamic response to the movement
of people, designer needs available and suitable computational model
and criteria. For the calculation program ANSYS based on finite
element method was used.
Abstract: The authors present an optimization algorithm for order reduction and its application for the determination of the relative mapping errors of linear time invariant dynamic systems by the simplified models. These relative mapping errors are expressed by means of the relative integral square error criterion, which are determined for both unit step and impulse inputs. The reduction algorithm is based on minimization of the integral square error by particle swarm optimization technique pertaining to a unit step input. The algorithm is simple and computer oriented. It is shown that the algorithm has several advantages, e.g. the reduced order models retain the steady-state value and stability of the original system. Two numerical examples are solved to illustrate the superiority of the algorithm over some existing methods.
Abstract: This paper is on the general discussion of memory consistency model like Strict Consistency, Sequential Consistency, Processor Consistency, Weak Consistency etc. Then the techniques for implementing distributed shared memory Systems and Synchronization Primitives in Software Distributed Shared Memory Systems are discussed. The analysis involves the performance measurement of the protocol concerned that is Multiple Writer Protocol. Each protocol has pros and cons. So, the problems that are associated with each protocol is discussed and other related things are explored.
Abstract: This article describes a Web pages automatic filtering system. It is an open and dynamic system based on multi agents architecture. This system is built up by a set of agents having each a quite precise filtering task of to carry out (filtering process broken up into several elementary treatments working each one a partial solution). New criteria can be added to the system without stopping its execution or modifying its environment. We want to show applicability and adaptability of the multi-agents approach to the networks information automatic filtering. In practice, most of existing filtering systems are based on modular conception approaches which are limited to centralized applications which role is to resolve static data flow problems. Web pages filtering systems are characterized by a data flow which varies dynamically.
Abstract: Research and development R&D work involves
enormous amount of work that has to do with data measurement and
collection. This process evolves as new information is fed, new
technologies are utilized, and eventually new knowledge is created
by the stakeholders i.e., researchers, clients, and end-users. When
new knowledge is created, procedures of R&D work should evolve
and produce better results within improved research skills and
improved methods of data measurements and collection. This
measurement improvement should then be benchmarked against a
metric that should be developed at the organization. In this paper, we
are suggesting a conceptual metric for R&D work performance
improvement (PI) at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
(KISR). This PI is to be measured against a set of variables in the
suggested metric, which are more closely correlated to organizational
output, as opposed to organizational norms. The paper also mentions
and discusses knowledge creation and management as an addedvalue
to R&D work and measurement improvement. The research
methodology followed in this work is qualitative in nature, based on
a survey that was distributed to researchers and interviews held with
senior researchers at KISR. Research and analyses in this paper also
include looking at and analyzing KISR-s literature.
Abstract: Numerical investigation of flow around a square cylinder are presented using the multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann methods at different Reynolds numbers. A detail analysis are given in terms of time-trace analysis of drag and lift coefficients, power spectra analysis of lift coefficient, vorticity contours visualizations, streamlines and phase diagrams. A number of physical quantities mean drag coefficient, drag coefficient, Strouhal number and root-mean-square values of drag and lift coefficients are calculated and compared with the well resolved experimental data and numerical results available in open literature. The Reynolds numbers affected the physical quantities.
Abstract: This paper presents findings from the evaluation study carried out to review the UAE national ID card software. The paper consults the relevant literature to explain many of the concepts and frameworks explained herein. The findings of the evaluation work that was primarily based on the ISO 9126 standard for system quality measurement highlighted many practical areas that if taken into account is argued to more likely increase the success chances of similar system implementation projects.
Abstract: Measurements of radioactivity in the environment is of great importance to monitor and control the levels of radiation to which man is exposed directly or indirectly. It is necessary to show that regardless of working or being close to nuclear power plants, people are daily in contact with some amount of radiation from the actual environment and food that are ingested, contradicting the view of most of them. The aim of this study was to analyze the rate of natural and artificial radiation from radionuclides present in cement, soil and fertilizers used in Sergipe State – Brazil. The radionuclide activitiesmeasured all samples arebelow the Brazilian limit of the exclusion and exemption criteria from the requirement of radiation protection.It was detected Be-7 in organic fertilizers that means a short interval between the brewing processes for use in agriculture. It was also detected an unexpected Cs-137 in some samples; however its activities does not represent risk for the population. Th-231 was also found in samples of soil and cement in the state of Sergipe that is an unprecedented result.
Abstract: Let T and S be a subspace of Cn and Cm, respectively.
Then for A ∈ Cm×n satisfied AT ⊕ S = Cm, the generalized
inverse A(2)
T,S is given by A(2)
T,S = (PS⊥APT )†. In this paper, a
finite formulae is presented to compute generalized inverse A(2)
T,S
under the concept of restricted inner product, which defined as <
A,B >T,S=< PS⊥APT,B > for the A,B ∈ Cm×n. By this
iterative method, when taken the initial matrix X0 = PTA∗PS⊥, the
generalized inverse A(2)
T,S can be obtained within at most mn iteration
steps in absence of roundoff errors. Finally given numerical example
is shown that the iterative formulae is quite efficient.
Abstract: By means of Mawhin’s continuation theorem, we study a kind of third-order p-Laplacian functional differential equation with distributed delay in the form: ϕp(x (t)) = g t, 0 −τ x(t + s) dα(s) + e(t), some criteria to guarantee the existence of periodic solutions are obtained.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a storm water quality improvement strategy plan (WQISP) which assists managers and decision makers of local city councils in enhancing their activities to improve regional water quality. City of Gosnells in Western Australia has been considered as a case study. The procedure on developing the WQISP consists of reviewing existing water quality data, identifying water quality issues in the study areas and developing a decision making tool for the officers, managers and decision makers. It was found that land use type is the main factor affecting the water quality. Therefore, activities, sources and pollutants related to different land use types including residential, industrial, agricultural and commercial are given high importance during the study. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with coordinators of different management sections of the regional councils in order to understand the associated management framework and issues. The issues identified from these interviews were used in preparing the decision making tool. Variables associated with the defined “value versus threat" decision making tool are obtained from the intensive literature review. The main recommendations provided for improvement of water quality in local city councils, include non-structural, structural and management controls and potential impacts of climate change.
Abstract: In this paper, the optimum weight and cost of a laminated composite plate is seeked, while it undergoes the heaviest load prior to a complete failure. Various failure criteria are defined for such structures in the literature. In this work, the Tsai-Hill theory is used as the failure criterion. The theory of analysis was based on the Classical Lamination Theory (CLT). A newly type of Genetic Algorithm (GA) as an optimization technique with a direct use of real variables was employed. Yet, since the optimization via GAs is a long process, and the major time is consumed through the analysis, Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBFNN) was employed in predicting the output from the analysis. Thus, the process of optimization will be carried out through a hybrid neuro-GA environment, and the procedure will be carried out until a predicted optimum solution is achieved.
Abstract: Reduction of Single Input Single Output (SISO) continuous systems into Reduced Order Model (ROM), using a conventional and an evolutionary technique is presented in this paper. In the conventional technique, the mixed advantages of Mihailov stability criterion and continued fraction expansions (CFE) technique is employed where the reduced denominator polynomial is derived using Mihailov stability criterion and the numerator is obtained by matching the quotients of the Cauer second form of Continued fraction expansions. In the evolutionary technique method Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is employed to reduce the higher order model. PSO method is based on the minimization of the Integral Squared Error (ISE) between the transient responses of original higher order model and the reduced order model pertaining to a unit step input. Both the methods are illustrated through numerical example.
Abstract: In this paper we propose segmentation approach based
on Vector Quantization technique. Here we have used Kekre-s fast
codebook generation algorithm for segmenting low-altitude aerial
image. This is used as a preprocessing step to form segmented
homogeneous regions. Further to merge adjacent regions color
similarity and volume difference criteria is used. Experiments
performed with real aerial images of varied nature demonstrate that
this approach does not result in over segmentation or under
segmentation. The vector quantization seems to give far better results
as compared to conventional on-the-fly watershed algorithm.
Abstract: Sensitive and predictive DILI (Drug Induced Liver
Injury) biomarkers are needed in drug R&D to improve early
detection of hepatotoxicity. The discovery of DILI biomarkers that
demonstrate the predictive power to identify individuals at risk to
DILI would represent a major advance in the development of
personalized healthcare approaches. In this healthy volunteer
acetaminophen study (4g/day for 7 days, with 3 monitored nontreatment
days before and 4 after), 450 serum samples from 32
subjects were analyzed using protein profiling by antibody
suspension bead arrays. Multiparallel protein profiles were generated
using a DILI target protein array with 300 antibodies, where the
antibodies were selected based on previous literature findings of
putative DILI biomarkers and a screening process using pre dose
samples from the same cohort. Of the 32 subjects, 16 were found to
develop an elevated ALT value (2Xbaseline, responders). Using the
plasma profiling approach together with multivariate statistical
analysis some novel findings linked to lipid metabolism were found
and more important, endogenous protein profiles in baseline samples
(prior to treatment) with predictive power for ALT elevations were
identified.
Abstract: The application of stability theory has led to detailed studies of different types of vessels; however, the shortage of information relating to multihull vessels demanded further investigation. This study shows that the position of the hulls has a very influential effect on both the transverse and longitudinal stability of the tricore. HSC stability code is applied for the optimisation of the hull configurations. Such optimization criteria would undoubtedly aid the performance of the vessel for both commercial or leisure purposes
Abstract: Saturated two-phase fluid flows are often subject to
pressure induced oscillations. Due to compressibility the vapor
bubbles act as a spring with an asymmetric non-linear characteristic.
The volume of the vapor bubbles increases or decreases differently if
the pressure fluctuations are compressing or expanding;
consequently, compressing pressure fluctuations in a two-phase pipe
flow cause less displacement in the direction of the pipe flow than
expanding pressure fluctuations. The displacement depends on the
ratio of liquid to vapor, the ratio of pressure fluctuations over average
pressure and on the exciting frequency of the pressure fluctuations.
In addition, pressure fluctuations in saturated vapor bubbles cause
condensation and evaporation within the bubbles and change
periodically the ratio between liquid to vapor, and influence the
dynamical parameters for the oscillation. The oscillations are
conforming to an isenthalpic process at constant enthalpy with no
heat transfer and no exchange of work.
The paper describes the governing non-linear equation for twophase
fluid oscillations with condensation and evaporation, and
presents steady state approximate solutions for free and for pressure
induced oscillations. Resonance criteria and stability are discussed.
Abstract: Project selection problems on management
information system (MIS) are often considered a multi-criteria
decision-making (MCDM) for a solving method. These problems
contain two aspects, such as interdependencies among criteria and
candidate projects and qualitative and quantitative factors of projects.
However, most existing methods reported in literature consider these
aspects separately even though these two aspects are simultaneously
incorporated. For this reason, we proposed a hybrid method using
analytic network process (ANP) and fuzzy logic in order to represent
both aspects. We then propose a goal programming model to conduct
an optimization for the project selection problems interpreted by a
hybrid concept. Finally, a numerical example is conducted as
verification purposes.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to develop models that would enable predicting student success. These models could improve allocation of students among colleges and optimize the newly introduced model of government subsidies for higher education. For the purpose of collecting data, an anonymous survey was carried out in the last year of undergraduate degree student population using random sampling method. Decision trees were created of which two have been chosen that were most successful in predicting student success based on two criteria: Grade Point Average (GPA) and time that a student needs to finish the undergraduate program (time-to-degree). Decision trees have been shown as a good method of classification student success and they could be even more improved by increasing survey sample and developing specialized decision trees for each type of college. These types of methods have a big potential for use in decision support systems.