Abstract: A technique proposed for the automatic detection
of spikes in electroencephalograms (EEG). A multi-resolution
approach and a non-linear energy operator are exploited. The
signal on each EEG channel is decomposed into three sub bands
using a non-decimated wavelet transform (WT). The WT is a
powerful tool for multi-resolution analysis of non-stationary signal
as well as for signal compression, recognition and restoration.
Each sub band is analyzed by using a non-linear energy operator,
in order to detect spikes. A decision rule detects the presence of
spikes in the EEG, relying upon the energy of the three sub-bands.
The effectiveness of the proposed technique was confirmed by
analyzing both test signals and EEG layouts.
Abstract: In this paper, we study statistical multiplexing of VBR
video in ATM networks. ATM promises to provide high speed realtime
multi-point to central video transmission for telemedicine
applications in rural hospitals and in emergency medical services.
Video coders are known to produce variable bit rate (VBR) signals
and the effects of aggregating these VBR signals need to be
determined in order to design a telemedicine network infrastructure
capable of carrying these signals. We first model the VBR video
signal and simulate it using a generic continuous-data autoregressive
(AR) scheme. We carry out the queueing analysis by the Fluid
Approximation Model (FAM) and the Markov Modulated Poisson
Process (MMPP). The study has shown a trade off: multiplexing
VBR signals reduces burstiness and improves resource utilization,
however, the buffer size needs to be increased with an associated
economic cost. We also show that the MMPP model and the Fluid
Approximation model fit best, respectively, the cell region and the
burst region. Therefore, a hybrid MMPP and FAM completely
characterizes the overall performance of the ATM statistical
multiplexer. The ramifications of this technology are clear: speed,
reliability (lower loss rate and jitter), and increased capacity in video
transmission for telemedicine. With migration to full IP-based
networks still a long way to achieving both high speed and high
quality of service, the proposed ATM architecture will remain of
significant use for telemedicine.
Abstract: In this paper, a single period inventory model with resalable returns has been analyzed in an imprecise and uncertain mixed environment. Demand has been introduced as a fuzzy random variable. In this model, a single order is placed before the start of the selling season. The customer, for a full refund, may return purchased products within a certain time interval. Returned products are resalable, provided they arrive back before the end of the selling season and are found to be undamaged. Products remaining at the end of the season are salvaged. All demands not met directly are lost. The probabilities that a sold product is returned and that a returned product is resalable, both imprecise in a real situation, have been assumed to be fuzzy in nature.
Abstract: A computer cluster is a group of tightly coupled
computers that work together closely so that in many respects they
can be viewed as though they are a single computer. The components
of a cluster are commonly, but not always, connected to each other
through fast local area networks. Clusters are usually deployed to
improve performance and/or availability over that provided by a
single computer, while typically being much more cost-effective than
single computers of comparable speed or availability. This paper
proposed the way to implement the Beowulf Cluster in order to
achieve high performance as well as high availability.
Abstract: This paper considers the benefits gained by using an
efficient quality of service management such as DiffServ technique to
improve the performance of military communications. Low delay and
no blockage must be achieved especially for real time tactical data.
All traffic flows generated by different applications do not need same
bandwidth, same latency, same error ratio and this scalable technique
of packet management based on priority levels is analysed. End to
end architectures supporting various traffic flows and including lowbandwidth
and high-delay HF or SHF military links as well as
unprotected Internet sub domains are studied. A tuning of Diffserv
parameters is proposed in accordance with different loads of various
traffic and different operational situations.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to present the test
results of variable air volume (VAV) air conditioning system
optimized by two objective genetic algorithm (GA). The objective
functions are energy savings and thermal comfort. The optimal set
points for fuzzy logic controller (FLC) are the supply air temperature
(Ts), the supply duct static pressure (Ps), the chilled water
temperature (Tw), and zone temperature (Tz) that is taken as the
problem variables. Supply airflow rate and chilled water flow rate are
considered to be the constraints. The optimal set point values are
obtained from GA process and assigned into fuzzy logic controller
(FLC) in order to conserve energy and maintain thermal comfort in
real time VAV air conditioning system. A VAV air conditioning
system with FLC installed in a software laboratory has been taken for
the purpose of energy analysis. The total energy saving obtained in
VAV GA optimization system with FLC compared with constant air
volume (CAV) system is expected to achieve 31.5%. The optimal
duct static pressure obtained through Genetic fuzzy methodology
attributes to better air distribution by delivering the optimal quantity
of supply air to the conditioned space. This combination enhanced
the advantages of uniform air distribution, thermal comfort and
improved energy savings potential.
Abstract: When dealing with safety in structures, the connections between structural components play an important role. Robustness of a structure as a whole depends both on the load- bearing capacity of the structural component and on the structures capacity to resist total failure, even though a local failure occurs in a component or a connection between components. To avoid progressive collapse it is necessary to be able to carry out a design for connections. A connection may be executed with anchors to withstand local failure of the connection in structures built with prefabricated components. For the design of these anchors, a model is developed for connections in structures performed in prefabricated autoclaved aerated concrete components. The design model takes into account the effect of anchors placed close to the edge, which may result in splitting failure. Further the model is developed to consider the effect of reinforcement diameter and anchor depth. The model is analytical and theoretically derived assuming a static equilibrium stress distribution along the anchor. The theory is compared to laboratory test, including the relevant parameters and the model is refined and theoretically argued analyzing the observed test results. The method presented can be used to improve safety in structures or even optimize the design of the connections
Abstract: This paper presents a multi-objective formulation for
optimal siting and sizing of distributed generation (DG) resources in
distribution systems in order to minimize the cost of power losses
and energy not supplied. The implemented technique is based on
particle swarm optimization (PSO) and weight method that employed
to obtain the best compromise between these costs. Simulation
results on 33-bus distribution test system are presented to
demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.
Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterized
by abnormalities in social interaction and communication, as well as
repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Although various studies have
been conducted in ASDs etiology across the world, it seems that they
are still unknown in Middle East. Some scientific researches have
been conducted on ASDs in Middle East (ME) especially in
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
A systematic literature review was performed to identify the ASDs
studies in KSA. Accordingly, PubMed, ISI web of Science and
Google were searched to find KSA and ME studies in ASDs. The
main focus of this review work is to outline an improved
understanding of the underpinnings of ASD in order to achieve
therapeutic interventions and we will discuss the main problem we
waiting for solution with reference with role of Transcranial
Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to modulate cortical activity improve
understanding ASD.
Abstract: Nowadays, keyless entry systems are widely adopted
for vehicle immobilizer systems due to both advantages of security and
convenience. Keyless entry systems could overcome brute-force key
guessing attack, statistics attack and masquerade attack, however,
they can't prevent from thieves stealing behavior. In this paper, we
proposed a new architecture try to improve the existent flaws. The
integration of the keyless entry system and the fingerprint
identification technology is more suitable to implement on the
portable transponder to achieve higher security needs. We also adopt
and modify AES security protocol for life expectancy and security of
the portable transponder. In addition, the identification of a driver's
fingerprint makes the service of automatic reinstatement of a driver's
preferences become possible. Our design can satisfy not only the three
kinds of previous illegal attacks, but also the stealing situation.
Furthermore, many practical factors, such as costs, life expectancy and
performance, have been well considered in the design of portable
transponder.
Abstract: Recent fifteen years witnessed fast improvements in the field of humanoid robotics. The human-like robot structure is
more suitable to human environment with its supreme obstacle avoidance properties when compared with wheeled service robots.
However, the walking control for bipedal robots is a challenging task
due to their complex dynamics. Stable reference generation plays a very important role in control.
Linear Inverted Pendulum Model (LIPM) and the Zero Moment Point (ZMP) criterion are applied in a number of studies for stable
walking reference generation of biped walking robots. This paper follows this main approach too. We propose a natural and continuous ZMP reference trajectory for a stable and human-like walk. The ZMP reference trajectories move forward under the sole of the support foot when the robot body is supported by a single leg. Robot center of mass trajectory is obtained
from predefined ZMP reference trajectories by a Fourier series
approximation method. The Gibbs phenomenon problem common with Fourier approximations of discontinuous functions is avoided by employing continuous ZMP references. Also, these ZMP reference
trajectories possess pre-assigned single and double support phases,
which are very useful in experimental tuning work.
The ZMP based reference generation strategy is tested via threedimensional
full-dynamics simulations of a 12-degrees-of-freedom
biped robot model. Simulation results indicate that the proposed reference trajectory generation technique is successful.
Abstract: This work proposes a set of actions to assist redesign
procedure in existing products of Electric and Electronic Equipment
(EEE). The aim is to improve their environmental behavior after their
withdrawal in the End-of-Life (EOL) phase. In the beginning data
collection takes place. Then follows selection and implementation of
the optimal EOL Treatment Strategy (EOL_TS) and its results-
evaluation concerning the environment. In parallel, product design
characteristics that can be altered are selected based on their
significance for the environment in the EOL stage. All results from
the previous stages are combined and possible redesign actions are
formulated for further examination and afterwards configuration in
the design stage. The applied method to perform these tasks is Lean
Thinking (LT). At the end, results concerning the application of the
proposed method on a distribution transformer are presented.
Abstract: The commercial white tyres are usually used for forklifts in food and medicine industries. Conventionally, silica is used as reinforcement in the tyres. However, the adhesion between silica particles and rubber is remarkably poor. To improve the problem of adhesion and hence enhance wear resistance, modification of silica surface is one of the solutions. In this work, the natural rubber compound blending with polyisoprene-coated silica prepared by admicellar polymerization technique was studied to compare with the natural rubber compound of unmodified silica. The surface characterization of modified silica was also examined by SEM, FTIR, and TGA. The results show that polyisoprene-coated silica/natural rubber compound gave better overall mechanical properties, especially wear resistance with the improvement of the adhesion between silica and natural rubber matrix that can be seen in the SEM micrograph.
Abstract: An experiment was performed in the south of
Morocco in order to evaluate the effect of deficit irrigation by treated
wastewater on chickpea production. We applied six irrigation
treatments on a local variety of chickpea by supplying alternatively
50 or 100% of ETm in a completely randomized design.
We found a highly significant difference between treatments in
terms of biomass production. Drought stress during the vegetative
period showed highest yield with 6.5 t/ha which was more than the
yield obtained for the control (4.9 t/ha). The optimal crop stage in
which deficit irrigation can be applied is the vegetative growth stage,
as the crop has a chance to develop its root system, to be able to
cover the plant needs for water and nutrient supply during the rest of
cycle, and non stress conditions during the flowering and seed filling
stages allow the plant to optimize its photosynthesis and carbon
translocation, therefore increase its productivity.
Abstract: In the upgrade process of enterprise information
systems, how to deal with and utilize those legacy systems affects the
efficiency of construction and development of the new system. We
propose an evaluation system, which comprehensively describes the
capacity of legacy information systems in five aspects. Then we
propose a practical legacy systems evaluation method. Base on the
evaluation result, we can determine the current state of legacy system
which was evaluated.
Abstract: In this paper, a new automated methodology to detect the optic disc (OD) automatically in retinal images from patients with risk of being affected by Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Macular Edema (ME) is presented. The detection procedure comprises two independent methodologies. On one hand, a location methodology obtains a pixel that belongs to the OD using image contrast analysis and structure filtering techniques and, on the other hand, a boundary segmentation methodology estimates a circular approximation of the OD boundary by applying mathematical morphology, edge detection techniques and the Circular Hough Transform. The methodologies were tested on a set of 1200 images composed of 229 retinographies from patients affected by DR with risk of ME, 431 with DR and no risk of ME and 540 images of healthy retinas. The location methodology obtained 98.83% success rate, whereas the OD boundary segmentation methodology obtained good circular OD boundary approximation in 94.58% of cases. The average computational time measured over the total set was 1.67 seconds for OD location and 5.78 seconds for OD boundary segmentation.
Abstract: In the present paper the extreme shear stresses with the corresponding planes are established using the freely available computer tools like the Gnuplot, Sage, R, Python and Octave. In order to support these freely available computer tools, their strong symbolical and graphical abilities are illustrated. The nature of the stationary points obtained by the Method of Lagrangian Multipliers can be determined using freely available computer symbolical tools like Sage. The characters of the stationary points can be explained in the easiest way using freely available computer graphical tools like Gnuplot, Sage, R, Python and Octave. The presented figures improve the understanding of the problem and the obtained solutions for the majority of students of civil or mechanical engineering.
Abstract: A new design approach for three-stage operational
amplifiers (op-amps) is proposed. It allows to actually implement a
symmetrical push-pull class-AB amplifier output stage for wellestablished
three-stage amplifiers using a feedforward
transconductance stage. Compared with the conventional design
practice, the proposed approach leads to a significant
improvement of the symmetry between the positive and the
negative op-amp step response, resulting in similar values of the
positive/negative settling time. The new approach proves to be very
useful in order to fully exploit the potentiality allowed by the op-amp
in terms of speed performances. Design examples in a commercial
0.35-μm CMOS prove the effectiveness of theproposed strategy.
Abstract: In this paper, a new design technique for enhancing
bandwidth that improves the performance of a conventional
microstrip patch antenna is proposed. This paper presents a novel
wideband probe fed inverted slotted microstrip patch antenna. The
design adopts contemporary techniques; coaxial probe feeding,
inverted patch structure and slotted patch. The composite effect of
integrating these techniques and by introducing the proposed patch,
offer a low profile, broadband, high gain, and low cross-polarization
level. The results for the VSWR, gain and co-and cross-polarization
patterns are presented. The antenna operating the band of 1.80-2.36
GHz shows an impedance bandwidth (2:1 VSWR) of 27% and a gain
of 10.18 dBi with a gain variation of 1.12 dBi. Good radiation
characteristics, including a cross-polarization level in xz-plane less
than -42 dB, have been obtained.
Abstract: In data mining, the association rules are used to search
for the relations of items of the transactions database. Following the
data is collected and stored, it can find rules of value through
association rules, and assist manager to proceed marketing strategy
and plan market framework. In this paper, we attempt fuzzy partition
methods and decide membership function of quantitative values of
each transaction item. Also, by managers we can reflect the
importance of items as linguistic terms, which are transformed as
fuzzy sets of weights. Next, fuzzy weighted frequent pattern growth
(FWFP-Growth) is used to complete the process of data mining. The
method above is expected to improve Apriori algorithm for its better
efficiency of the whole association rules. An example is given to
clearly illustrate the proposed approach.