Abstract: In this paper a novel method was presented for
evaluating the fabric pills using digital image processing techniques. This work provides a novel technique for
detecting pills and also measuring their heights, surfaces and
volumes. Surely, measuring the intensity of defects by human vision is an inaccurate method for quality control; as a result, this problem became a motivation for employing digital image processing techniques for detection of defects of fabric
surface. In the former works, the systems were just limited to measuring of the surface of defects, but in the presented
method the height and the volume of defects were also
measured, which leads to a more accurate quality control. An algorithm was developed to first, find pills and then measure their average intensity by using three criteria of height, surface
and volume. The results showed a meaningful relation
between the number of rotations and the quality of pilled fabrics.
Abstract: Effective employee selection is a critical component
of a successful organization. Many important criteria for personnel
selection such as decision-making ability, adaptability, ambition, and
self-organization are naturally vague and imprecise to evaluate. The
rough sets theory (RST) as a new mathematical approach to
vagueness and uncertainty is a very well suited tool to deal with
qualitative data and various decision problems. This paper provides
conceptual, descriptive, and simulation results, concentrating chiefly
on human resources and personnel selection factors. The current
research derives certain decision rules which are able to facilitate
personnel selection and identifies several significant features based
on an empirical study conducted in an IT company in Iran.
Abstract: Mostly the systems are dealing with time varying
signals. The Power efficiency can be achieved by adapting the system
activity according to the input signal variations. In this context
an adaptive rate filtering technique, based on the level crossing sampling
is devised. It adapts the sampling frequency and the filter order
by following the input signal local variations. Thus, it correlates the
processing activity with the signal variations. Interpolation is required
in the proposed technique. A drastic reduction in the interpolation
error is achieved by employing the symmetry during the interpolation
process. Processing error of the proposed technique is
calculated. The computational complexity of the proposed filtering
technique is deduced and compared to the classical one. Results
promise a significant gain of the computational efficiency and hence
of the power consumption.
Abstract: In this paper, mathematical models for permutation flow shop scheduling and job shop scheduling problems are proposed. The first problem is based on a mixed integer programming model. As the problem is NP-complete, this model can only be used for smaller instances where an optimal solution can be computed. For large instances, another model is proposed which is suitable for solving the problem by stochastic heuristic methods. For the job shop scheduling problem, a mathematical model and its main representation schemes are presented.
Abstract: Numerous experimental tests for post-installed anchor systems drilled in hardened concrete were conducted in order to estimate pull-out and shear strength accounting for uncertainties such as torque ratios, embedment depths and different diameters in demands. In this study, the strength of the systems was significantly changed by the effect of those three uncertainties during pull-out experimental tests, whereas the shear strength of the systems was not affected by torque ratios. It was also shown that concrete cone failure or damage mechanism was generally investigated during and after pull-out tests and in shear strength tests, mostly the anchor systems were failed prior to failure of primary structural system. Furthermore, 3D finite element model for the anchor systems was created by ABAQUS for the numerical analysis. The verification of finite element model was identical till the failure points to the load-displacement relationship specified by the experimental tests.
Abstract: This paper generalizes Yeh Lam-s shock model for
renewal shock arrivals and random threshold. Several interesting
statistical measures are explicitly obtained. A few special cases and
an optimal replacement problem are also discussed.
Abstract: This paper proposes a Web service and serviceoriented
architecture (SOA) for a computer-adaptive testing (CAT)
process on e-learning systems. The proposed architecture is
developed to solve an interoperability problem of the CAT process by
using Web service. The proposed SOA and Web service define all
services needed for the interactions between systems in order to
deliver items and essential data from Web service to the CAT Webbased
application. These services are implemented in a XML-based
architecture, platform independence and interoperability between the
Web service and CAT Web-based applications.
Abstract: In managing healthcare logistics, cost is not the only
factor to be considered. The level of items- criticality used in patient
care services plays an important role as well. A stock-out incident of
a high critical item could threaten a patient's life. In this paper, the
DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) methodology is
used to drive improvement projects based on customer driven critical
to quality characteristics at a Jordanian hospital. This paper shows
how the application of Six Sigma improves the performance of the
case hospital logistics system by reducing the number of stock-out
incidents.
Abstract: Twenty - nine Holstein cows were used to evaluate the effects of different dry period (DP) lengths on milk yield and composition, some blood metabolites, and complete blood count (CBC). Cows were assigned to one of 2 treatments: 1) 60-d dry period, 2) 35-d DP. Milk yield, from calving to 60 days, was not different for cows on the treatments (p =0.130). Cows in the 35-d DP produced more milk protein and SNF compare with cows in treatment 1 (p ≤ 0.05). Serum glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta hydroxyl butyrate acid (BHBA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) were all similar among the treatments. Body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), complete blood count (CBC) and health problems were similar between the treatments. The results of this study demonstrated we can reduce the dry period length to 35 days with no problems.
Abstract: Brain Computer Interface (BCI) has been recently
increased in research. Functional Near Infrared Spectroscope (fNIRs)
is one the latest technologies which utilize light in the near-infrared
range to determine brain activities. Because near infrared technology
allows design of safe, portable, wearable, non-invasive and wireless
qualities monitoring systems, fNIRs monitoring of brain
hemodynamics can be value in helping to understand brain tasks. In
this paper, we present results of fNIRs signal analysis indicating that
there exist distinct patterns of hemodynamic responses which
recognize brain tasks toward developing a BCI. We applied two
different mathematics tools separately, Wavelets analysis for
preprocessing as signal filters and feature extractions and Neural
networks for cognition brain tasks as a classification module. We
also discuss and compare with other methods while our proposals
perform better with an average accuracy of 99.9% for classification.
Abstract: Building life cycle will never be excused from the existence of defects and deterioration. They are common problems in building, existed in newly build or in aged building. Buildings constructed from wood are indeed affected by its agent and serious defects and damages can reduce values to a building. In repair works, it is important to identify the causes and repair techniques that best suites with the condition. This paper reviews the conservation of traditional timber mosque in Malaysia comprises the concept, principles and approaches of mosque conservation in general. As in conservation practice, wood in historic building can be conserved by using various restoration and conservation techniques which this can be grouped as Fully and Partial Replacement, Mechanical Reinforcement, Consolidation by Impregnation and Reinforcement, Removing Paint and also Preservation of Wood and Control Insect Invasion, as to prolong and extended the function of a timber in a building. It resulted that the common techniques adopted in timber mosque conservation are from the conventional ways and the understanding of the repair technique requires the use of only preserve wood to prevent the future immature defects.
Abstract: A new fast correlation algorithm for calibrating the
wavelength of Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSAs) was introduced
in [1]. The minima of acetylene gas spectra were measured and
correlated with saved theoretical data [2]. So it is possible to find the
correct wavelength calibration data using a noisy reference spectrum.
First tests showed good algorithmic performance for gas line spectra
with high noise. In this article extensive performance tests were made
to validate the noise resistance of this algorithm. The filter and
correlation parameters of the algorithm were optimized for improved
noise performance. With these parameters the performance of this
wavelength calibration was simulated to predict the resulting
wavelength error in real OSA systems. Long term simulations were
made to evaluate the performance of the algorithm over the lifetime
of a real OSA.
Abstract: Speckled images arise when coherent microwave,
optical, and acoustic imaging techniques are used to image an object, surface or scene. Examples of coherent imaging systems include synthetic aperture radar, laser imaging systems, imaging sonar
systems, and medical ultrasound systems. Speckle noise is a form of object or target induced noise that results when the surface of the object is Rayleigh rough compared to the wavelength of the illuminating radiation. Detection and estimation in images corrupted
by speckle noise is complicated by the nature of the noise and is not
as straightforward as detection and estimation in additive noise. In
this work, we derive stochastic models for speckle noise, with an emphasis on speckle as it arises in medical ultrasound images. The
motivation for this work is the problem of segmentation and tissue classification using ultrasound imaging. Modeling of speckle in this
context involves partially developed speckle model where an underlying Poisson point process modulates a Gram-Charlier series
of Laguerre weighted exponential functions, resulting in a doubly
stochastic filtered Poisson point process. The statistical distribution of partially developed speckle is derived in a closed canonical form.
It is observed that as the mean number of scatterers in a resolution cell is increased, the probability density function approaches an
exponential distribution. This is consistent with fully developed speckle noise as demonstrated by the Central Limit theorem.
Abstract: Knowledge-based e-mail systems focus on
incorporating knowledge management approach in order to enhance
the traditional e-mail systems. In this paper, we present a knowledgebased
e-mail system called KS-Mail where people do not only send
and receive e-mail conventionally but are also able to create a sense
of knowledge flow. We introduce semantic processing on the e-mail
contents by automatically assigning categories and providing links to
semantically related e-mails. This is done to enrich the knowledge
value of each e-mail as well as to ease the organization of the e-mails
and their contents. At the application level, we have also built
components like the service manager, evaluation engine and search
engine to handle the e-mail processes efficiently by providing the
means to share and reuse knowledge. For this purpose, we present the
KS-Mail architecture, and elaborate on the details of the e-mail
server and the application server. We present the ontology mapping
technique used to achieve the e-mail content-s categorization as well
as the protocols that we have developed to handle the transactions in
the e-mail system. Finally, we discuss further on the implementation
of the modules presented in the KS-Mail architecture.
Abstract: Emerging Adulthood, the period during ages 18 to 25,
is a new conceptualitation proposed by Arnett which is especially
prevalent in the industrialized countries. Turkey is basically a
developing country having a young population structure.
Investigating the presence of such a life period in such a culture
might be helpful in understanding educational and psychological
needs of people who are in their twenties. With the aim of
investigating Emerging Adulthood in Turkey, a well-known
instrument (IDEA, 2003) was adapted to Turkish language and
Turkish culture. The scale was administered to 296 participants
between 15 and 34 ages and validity and reliability were conducted.
Exploratory factor analysis revealed three subscales. Reliability
coefficients of the scale (Cronbach a) was found as .69. Test-retest
reliability coefficients was found for the scale as .81. Finally, “The
IDEA" with 20 items was obtained to be used in the Turkish
population. The instrument is ready to be administered among
Turkish young people for the investigation of transition to adulthood,
and whether such a emerging adulthood period really existed.
Abstract: This paper presents a comparative study of Ant Colony and Genetic Algorithms for VLSI circuit bi-partitioning. Ant colony optimization is an optimization method based on behaviour of social insects [27] whereas Genetic algorithm is an evolutionary optimization technique based on Darwinian Theory of natural evolution and its concept of survival of the fittest [19]. Both the methods are stochastic in nature and have been successfully applied to solve many Non Polynomial hard problems. Results obtained show that Genetic algorithms out perform Ant Colony optimization technique when tested on the VLSI circuit bi-partitioning problem.
Abstract: DSTATCOM is one of the equipments for voltage sag mitigation in power systems. In this paper a new control method for balanced and unbalanced voltage sag mitigation using DSTATCOM is proposed. The control system has two loops in order to regulate compensator current and load voltage. Delayed signal cancellation has been used for sequence separation. The compensator should protect sensitive loads against different types of voltage sag. Performance of the proposed method is investigated under different types of voltage sags for linear and nonlinear loads. Simulation results show appropriate operation of the proposed control system.
Abstract: The object of this work is the probabilistic performance evaluation of safety instrumented systems (SIS), i.e. the average probability of dangerous failure on demand (PFDavg) and the average frequency of failure (PFH), taking into account the uncertainties related to the different parameters that come into play: failure rate (λ), common cause failure proportion (β), diagnostic coverage (DC)... This leads to an accurate and safe assessment of the safety integrity level (SIL) inherent to the safety function performed by such systems. This aim is in keeping with the requirement of the IEC 61508 standard with respect to handling uncertainty. To do this, we propose an approach that combines (1) Monte Carlo simulation and (2) fuzzy sets. Indeed, the first method is appropriate where representative statistical data are available (using pdf of the relating parameters), while the latter applies in the case characterized by vague and subjective information (using membership function). The proposed approach is fully supported with a suitable computer code.
Abstract: The method described in this paper deals with the problems of T-wave detection in an ECG. Determining the position of a T-wave is complicated due to the low amplitude, the ambiguous and changing form of the complex. A wavelet transform approach handles these complications therefore a method based on this concept was developed. In this way we developed a detection method that is able to detect T-waves with a sensitivity of 93% and a correct-detection ratio of 93% even with a serious amount of baseline drift and noise.
Abstract: This paper has examined the energy consumption characteristics in six different buildings including apartments, offices, commercial buildings, hospitals, hotels and educational facilities. Then 5-hectare (50000m2) development site for respective building-s type has been assumed as case study to evaluate the introduction effect of Combined Heat and Power (CHP). All kinds of CHP systems with different distributed generation technologies including Gas Turbine (GT), Gas Engine (GE), Diesel Engine (DE), Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC), have been simulated by using HEATMAP, CHP system analysis software. And their primary energy utilization efficiency, energy saving ratio and CO2 reduction ratio have evaluated and compared respectively. The results can be summarized as follows: Various buildings have their special heat to power ratio characteristics. Matching the heat to power ratio demanded from an individual building with that supplied from a CHP system is very important. It is necessary to select a reasonable distributed generation technologies according to the load characteristics of various buildings. Distributed generation technologies with high energy generating efficiency and low heat to power ratio, like SOFC and PEFC is more reasonable selection for Building Combined Heat and Power (BCHP). CHP system is an attractive option for hotels, hospitals and apartments in Japan. The users can achieve high energy saving and environmental benefit by introducing a CHP systems. In others buildings, especially like commercial buildings and offices, the introduction of CHP system is unreasonable.