Abstract: The measurements of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K using
gamma spectrometry and radon concentration and exhalation rates
measurements using solid state nuclear track (LR-115, Type-II
plastic) detectors are used to asses a first order exposure risk for the
persons residing in Fatehbad and Hissar districts of Western Haryana,
India. The concentration of Radium, Thorium and Potassium in the
soil samples varies from 13.37 Bq m-3 to 24.67 Bq m-3, 34.67 Bq m-3
to 67.34 Bq m-3 and 298.78 Bq m-3 to 405.67 Bq m-3 respectively
with average values of 18.78, 47.35 and 361.57 Bq m-3 respectively.
The radium equivalent activity (Raeq) calculated for the same soil
samples varies from 92.72 Bq m-3 to 140.6 Bq m-3 with an average
value of 111.80 Bq m-3. The values of absorbed dose and annual
effective dose (indoors and outdoors) are found to vary from 44.18
nGy h-1 to 65.23 nGy h-1, 0.22 mSv y-1 to 0.32 mSv y-1 and 0.05 mSv
y-1 to 0.08 mSv y-1 respectively. The radon concentration and
exhalation rates have also been reported. The radium equivalent
activities in all the soil samples were found to be lower than the limit
(370 Bq kg-1) set in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) report and the value of Hex in all the samples
is less than unity.
Abstract: Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of
the Internet and telecommunication techniques. Information security
is becoming more and more important. Applications such as covert
communication, copyright protection, etc, stimulate the research of
information hiding techniques. Traditionally, encryption is used to
realize the communication security. However, important information
is not protected once decoded. Steganography is the art and science
of communicating in a way which hides the existence of the communication.
Important information is firstly hidden in a host data, such
as digital image, video or audio, etc, and then transmitted secretly
to the receiver.In this paper a data hiding model with high security
features combining both cryptography using finite state sequential
machine and image based steganography technique for communicating
information more securely between two locations is proposed.
The authors incorporated the idea of secret key for authentication
at both ends in order to achieve high level of security. Before the
embedding operation the secret information has been encrypted with
the help of finite-state sequential machine and segmented in different
parts. The cover image is also segmented in different objects through
normalized cut.Each part of the encoded secret information has been
embedded with the help of a novel image steganographic method
(PMM) on different cuts of the cover image to form different stego
objects. Finally stego image is formed by combining different stego
objects and transmit to the receiver side. At the receiving end different
opposite processes should run to get the back the original secret
message.
Abstract: There is wide range of scientific workflow systems
today, each one designed to resolve problems at a specific level. In
large collaborative projects, it is often necessary to recognize the
heterogeneous workflow systems already in use by various partners
and any potential collaboration between these systems requires
workflow interoperability. Publish/Subscribe Scientific Workflow
Interoperability Framework (PS-SWIF) approach was proposed to
achieve workflow interoperability among workflow systems. This
paper evaluates the PS-SWIF approach and its system to achieve
workflow interoperability using Web Services with asynchronous
notification messages represented by WS-Eventing standard. This
experiment covers different types of communication models provided
by Workflow Management Coalition (WfMC). These models are:
Chained processes, Nested synchronous sub-processes, Event
synchronous sub-processes, and Nested sub-processes
(Polling/Deferred Synchronous). Also, this experiment shows the
flexibility and simplicity of the PS-SWIF approach when applied to a
variety of workflow systems (Triana, Taverna, Kepler) in local and
remote environments.
Abstract: The research is to minimize environmental damage
pertinent to maritime activities about the operation of lighter boat
anchorage and its tugboat. The guidance on upgrading current
harbor service and infrastructure has been provided to Kho Sichang
Municpality. This will involve a study of the maritime logistics of
the water area under jurisdiction of the Sichang island Municipality
and possible recommendations may involve charging taxes,
regulations and fees. With implementing these recommendations will
help in protection of the marine environment and in increasing
operator functionality. Additionally, our recommendation is to
generate a consistent revenue stream to the municipality. The action
items contained in this research are feasible and effective, the success
of these initiatives are heavily dependent upon successful promotion
and enforcement. Promoting new rules and regulations effectively
and peacefully can be done through theories and techniques used in
the psychology of persuasion. In order to assure compliance with the
regulations, the municipality must maintain stringent patrols and
fines for violators. In order to become success, the Municipality
must preserve a consistent, transparent and significant enforcement
system. Considering potential opportunities outside of the current
state of the municipality, the authors recommend that Koh Sichang be
given additional jurisdiction to capture value from the master vessels,
as well as to confront the more significant environmental challenges
these vessels pose. Finally, the authors recommend that the Port of
Koh Sichang Island obtain a free port status in order to increase
economic viability and overall sustainability.
Abstract: In this study, a double-sided linear switched reluctance
motor (LSRM) drive was investigated as an alternative actuator for
vertical linear transportation applications such as a linear elevator
door, hospital and subway doors which move linearly and where
accurate position control and rapid response is requested. A prototype
sliding elevator door that is focused on a home elevator with LSRMs
is designed. The motor has 6/4 poles, 3 phases, 8A, 24V, 250 W and
250 N pull forces. Air gap between rotor and translator poles of the
designed motor and phase coil-s ideal inductance profile are obtained
in compliance with the geometric dimensions. Operation and
switching sections as motor and generator has been determined from
the inductance profile.
Abstract: Stage bus operated in the mixed traffic might always meet many problems about low quality and reliability of services. The low quality and reliability of bus service can make the system not attractive and directly reduce the interest of using bus service. This paper presents the result of field investigation and analysis of on-time performance and service regularity of stage bus in mixed traffic. Data for analysis was collected from the field by on-board observation along the Ipoh-Lumut corridor in Perak, Malaysia. From analysis and discussion, it can be concluded that on-time performance and service regularity varies depend on station, typical day, time period, operation characteristics of bus and characteristics of traffic. The on-time performance and service regularity of stage bus in mixed traffic can be derived by using data collected by onboard survey. It is clear that on-time performance and service regularity of the existing stage bus system was low.
Abstract: This paper describes WiPoD (Wireless Position
Detector) which is a pure software based location determination and
tracking (positioning) system. It uses empirical signal strength measurements from different wireless access points for mobile user
positioning. It is designed to determine the location of users having
802.11 enabled mobile devices in an 802.11 WLAN infrastructure
and track them in real time. WiPoD is the first main module in our
LBS (Location Based Services) framework. We tested K-Nearest
Neighbor and Triangulation algorithms to estimate the position of a
mobile user. We also give the analysis results of these algorithms for
real time operations. In this paper, we propose a supportable, i.e.
understandable, maintainable, scalable and portable wireless
positioning system architecture for an LBS framework. The WiPoD
software has a multithreaded structure and was designed and implemented with paying attention to supportability features and real-time constraints and using object oriented design principles. We also describe the real-time software design issues of a wireless positioning system which will be part of an LBS framework.
Abstract: We study different types of aggregation operators and
the decision making process with minimization of regret. We analyze
the original work developed by Savage and the recent work
developed by Yager that generalizes the MMR method creating a
parameterized family of minimal regret methods by using the ordered
weighted averaging (OWA) operator. We suggest a new method that
uses different types of geometric operators such as the weighted
geometric mean or the ordered weighted geometric operator (OWG)
to generalize the MMR method obtaining a new parameterized family
of minimal regret methods. The main result obtained in this method
is that it allows to aggregate negative numbers in the OWG operator.
Finally, we give an illustrative example.
Abstract: In this paper the problems associated with immunity
of embedded systems used in Motor-Drive systems are investigated
and appropriate solutions are presented. Integration of VSD motor
systems (Integral Motor) while partially reducing some of these
effects, adds to immunity problem of their embedded systems. Fail
safe operation of an Integral Motor in arduous industrial
environments is considered. In this paper an integral motor with a
unique design is proposed to overcome critical issues such as heat,
vibration and electromagnetic interference which are damaging to
sensitive electronics without requirement of any additional cooling
system. Advantages of the proposed Integral motor are compactness
of combo motor and drive system with no external cabling/wiring.
This motor provides a perfect shielding for least amount of radiated
emission. It has an inbuilt filter for EMC compliance and has been
designed to provide lower EMC noise for immunity of the internal
electronics as well as the other neighbouring systems.
Abstract: we propose a new normalized LMS (NLMS) algorithm, which gives satisfactory performance in certain applications in comaprison with con-ventional NLMS recursion. This new algorithm can be treated as a block based simplification of NLMS algorithm with significantly reduced number of multi¬ply and accumulate as well as division operations. It is also shown that such a recursion can be easily implemented in block floating point (BFP) arithmetic, treating the implementational issues much efficiently. In particular, the core challenges of a BFP realization to such adaptive filters are mainly considered in this regard. A global upper bound on the step size control parameter of the new algorithm due to BFP implementation is also proposed to prevent overflow in filtering as well as weight updating operations jointly.
Abstract: Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is one of the most
widely used technique for evaluating the relative efficiency of a set
of homogeneous decision making units. Traditionally, it assumes that
input and output variables are known in advance, ignoring the critical
issue of data uncertainty. In this paper, we deal with the problem
of efficiency evaluation under uncertain conditions by adopting the
general framework of the stochastic programming. We assume that
output parameters are represented by discretely distributed random
variables and we propose two different models defined according to a
neutral and risk-averse perspective. The models have been validated
by considering a real case study concerning the evaluation of the
technical efficiency of a sample of individual firms operating in
the Italian leather manufacturing industry. Our findings show the
validity of the proposed approach as ex-ante evaluation technique
by providing the decision maker with useful insights depending on
his risk aversion degree.
Abstract: This article first summarizes reasons why current approaches supporting Open Learning and Distance Education need to be complemented by tools permitting lecturers, researchers and students to cooperatively organize the semantic content of Learning related materials (courses, discussions, etc.) into a fine-grained shared semantic network. This first part of the article also quickly describes the approach adopted to permit such a collaborative work. Then, examples of such semantic networks are presented. Finally, an evaluation of the approach by students is provided and analyzed.
Abstract: Digital watermarking is one of the techniques for
copyright protection. In this paper, a normalization-based robust
image watermarking scheme which encompasses singular value
decomposition (SVD) and discrete cosine transform (DCT)
techniques is proposed. For the proposed scheme, the host image is
first normalized to a standard form and divided into non-overlapping
image blocks. SVD is applied to each block. By concatenating the
first singular values (SV) of adjacent blocks of the normalized image,
a SV block is obtained. DCT is then carried out on the SV blocks to
produce SVD-DCT blocks. A watermark bit is embedded in the highfrequency
band of a SVD-DCT block by imposing a particular
relationship between two pseudo-randomly selected DCT
coefficients. An adaptive frequency mask is used to adjust local
watermark embedding strength. Watermark extraction involves
mainly the inverse process. The watermark extracting method is blind
and efficient. Experimental results show that the quality degradation
of watermarked image caused by the embedded watermark is visually
transparent. Results also show that the proposed scheme is robust
against various image processing operations and geometric attacks.
Abstract: The use of neural networks is popular in various
building applications such as prediction of heating load, ventilation
rate and indoor temperature. Significant is, that only few papers deal
with indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) prediction which is a very good
indicator of indoor air quality (IAQ). In this study, a data-driven
modelling method based on multilayer perceptron network for indoor
air carbon dioxide in an apartment building is developed.
Temperature and humidity measurements are used as input variables
to the network. Motivation for this study derives from the following
issues. First, measuring carbon dioxide is expensive and sensors
power consumptions is high and secondly, this leads to short
operating times of battery-powered sensors. The results show that
predicting CO2 concentration based on relative humidity and
temperature measurements, is difficult. Therefore, more additional
information is needed.
Abstract: The tracing methods determine the contribution the
power system sources have in their supplying. The methods can be used
to assess the transmission prices, but also to recover the transmission
fixed cost. In this paper is presented the influence of the modification of
commons structure has on the specific price of transfer. The operator
must make use of a few basic principles about allocation. Most
tracing methods are based on the proportional sharing principle. In this
paper Kirschen method is used. In order to illustrate this method, the 25-
bus test system is used, elaborated within the Electrical Power
Engineering Department, from Timisoara, Romania.
Abstract: This work offers a study of new simple compact model
of dual-drain Magnetic Field Effect Transistor (MAGFET) including
geometrical effects and biasing dependency. An explanation of the
sensitivity is investigated, involving carrier deflection as the dominant
operating principle. Finally, model verification with simulation results
is introduced to ensure that acceptable error of 2% is achieved.
Abstract: This paper describes a segmentation algorithm based
on the cooperation of an optical flow estimation method with edge
detection and region growing procedures.
The proposed method has been developed as a pre-processing
stage to be used in methodologies and tools for video/image indexing
and retrieval by content. The addressed problem consists in
extracting whole objects from background for producing images of
single complete objects from videos or photos. The extracted images
are used for calculating the object visual features necessary for both
indexing and retrieval processes.
The first task of the algorithm exploits the cues from motion
analysis for moving area detection. Objects and background are then
refined using respectively edge detection and region growing
procedures. These tasks are iteratively performed until objects and
background are completely resolved.
The developed method has been applied to a variety of indoor and
outdoor scenes where objects of different type and shape are
represented on variously textured background.
Abstract: In this era of competitiveness, there is a growing need for supply chains also to become competitive enough to handle pressures like varying customer’s expectations, low cost high quality products to be delivered at the minimum time and the most important is throat cutting competition at world wide scale. In the recent years, supply chain competitiveness has been, therefore, accepted as one of the most important philosophies in the supply chain literature. Various researchers and practitioners have tried to identify and implement strategies in supply chains which can bring competitiveness in the supply chains i.e. supply chain competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to suggest select strategies for supply chain competitiveness in the Indian manufacturing sector using an integrated approach of literature review and exploratory interviews with eminent professionals from the supply chain area in various industries, academia and research. The aim of the paper is to highlight the important area of competitiveness in the supply chain and to suggest recommendations to the industry and managers of manufacturing sector.
Abstract: Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have gained
tremendous attention in recent years due to their numerous
applications. Due to the limited energy resource, energy efficient
operation of sensor nodes is a key issue in wireless sensor networks.
Cooperative caching which ensures sharing of data among various
nodes reduces the number of communications over the wireless
channels and thus enhances the overall lifetime of a wireless sensor
network. In this paper, we propose a cooperative caching scheme
called ZCS (Zone Cooperation at Sensors) for wireless sensor
networks. In ZCS scheme, one-hop neighbors of a sensor node form a
cooperative cache zone and share the cached data with each other.
Simulation experiments show that the ZCS caching scheme achieves
significant improvements in byte hit ratio and average query latency
in comparison with other caching strategies.
Abstract: Two commercial proteases from Bacillus
licheniformis (Alcalase 2.4 L FG and Alcalase 2.5 L, Type DX) were
screened for the production of Z-Ala-Phe-NH2 in batch reaction.
Alcalase 2.4 L FG was the most efficient enzyme for the C-terminal
amidation of Z-Ala-Phe-OMe using ammonium carbamate as
ammonium source. Immobilization of protease has been achieved by
the sol-gel method, using dimethyldimethoxysilane (DMDMOS) and
tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) as precursors (unpublished results). In
batch production, about 95% of Z-Ala-Phe-NH2 was obtained at
30°C after 24 hours of incubation. Reproducibility of different
batches of commercial Alcalase 2.4 L FG preparations was also
investigated by evaluating the amidation activity and the entrapment
yields in the case of immobilization. A packed-bed reactor (0.68 cm
ID, 15.0 cm long) was operated successfully for the continuous
synthesis of peptide amides. The immobilized enzyme retained the
initial activity over 10 cycles of repeated use in continuous reactor at
ambient temperature. At 0.75 mL/min flow rate of the substrate
mixture, the total conversion of Z-Ala-Phe-OMe was achieved after 5
hours of substrate recycling. The product contained about 90%
peptide amide and 10% hydrolysis byproduct.