Abstract: Live video streaming is one of the most widely used
service among end users, yet it is a big challenge for the network
operators in terms of quality. The only way to provide excellent
Quality of Experience (QoE) to the end users is continuous
monitoring of live video streaming. For this purpose, there are several
objective algorithms available that monitor the quality of the video in
a live stream. Subjective tests play a very important role in fine
tuning the results of objective algorithms. As human perception is
considered to be the most reliable source for assessing the quality of a
video stream subjective tests are conducted in order to develop more
reliable objective algorithms. Temporal impairments in a live video
stream can have a negative impact on the end users. In this paper we
have conducted subjective evaluation tests on a set of video
sequences containing temporal impairment known as frame freezing.
Frame Freezing is considered as a transmission error as well as a
hardware error which can result in loss of video frames on the
reception side of a transmission system. In our subjective tests, we
have performed tests on videos that contain a single freezing event
and also for videos that contain multiple freezing events. We have
recorded our subjective test results for all the videos in order to give a
comparison on the available No Reference (NR) objective
algorithms. Finally, we have shown the performance of no reference
algorithms used for objective evaluation of videos and suggested the
algorithm that works better. The outcome of this study shows the
importance of QoE and its effect on human perception. The results
for the subjective evaluation can serve the purpose for validating
objective algorithms.
Abstract: Multiple User Interference (MUI) considers the
primary problem in Optical Code-Division Multiple Access
(OCDMA), which resulting from the overlapping among the users. In
this article we aim to mitigate this problem by studying an
interference cancellation scheme called successive interference
cancellation (SIC) scheme. This scheme will be tested on two
different detection schemes, spectral amplitude coding (SAC) and
direct detection systems (DS), using partial modified prime (PMP) as
the signature codes. It was found that SIC scheme based on both SAC
and DS methods had a potential to suppress the intensity noise, that is
to say it can mitigate MUI noise. Furthermore, SIC/DS scheme
showed much lower bit error rate (BER) performance relative to
SIC/SAC scheme for different magnitude of effective power. Hence,
many more users can be supported by SIC/DS receiver system.
Abstract: Nowadays, technological progress is one of the most
important components of economic growth and the efficiency of
R&D activities is particularly essential for countries. This study is an
attempt to analyze the R&D efficiencies of EU countries. The
indicators related to R&D efficiencies should be determined in
advance in order to use DEA. For this reason a list of input and
output indicators are derived from the literature review. Considering
the data availability, a final list is given for the numerical analysis for
future research.
Abstract: In this paper, we consider some integrable Heisenberg
Ferromagnet Equations with self-consistent potentials. We study
their Lax representations. In particular we derive their equivalent
counterparts in the form of nonlinear Schr¨odinger type equations.
We present the integrable reductions of the Heisenberg Ferromagnet
Equations with self-consistent potentials. These integrable Heisenberg
Ferromagnet Equations with self-consistent potentials describe
nonlinear waves in ferromagnets with some additional physical fields.
Abstract: This paper presents an approach of on-line control of
the state of technosphere and environment objects based on the
integration of Data Warehouse, OLAP and Expert systems
technologies. It looks at the structure and content of data warehouse
that provides consolidation and storage of monitoring data. There is a
description of OLAP-models that provide a multidimensional
analysis of monitoring data and dynamic analysis of principal
parameters of controlled objects. The authors suggest some criteria of
emergency risk assessment using expert knowledge about danger
levels. It is demonstrated now some of the proposed solutions could
be adopted in territorial decision making support systems.
Operational control allows authorities to detect threat, prevent natural
and anthropogenic emergencies and ensure a comprehensive safety of
territory.
Abstract: This research aims to identify traditional Mon cuisines
as well as gather and classify traditional cuisines of Mon
communities in Bangkok. The studying of this research is used by
methodology of the quantitative research. Using the questionnaire as
the method in collecting information from sampling totally amount of
450 persons analyzed via frequency, percentage and mean value. The
results showed that a variety of traditional Mon cuisines of Bangkok
could split into 6 categories of meat diet with 54 items and 6
categories of desserts with 19 items.
Abstract: This contribution presents a friction estimator for
industrial purposes which identifies Coulomb friction in a steering
system. The estimator only needs a few, usually known, steering
system parameters. Friction occurs on almost every mechanical
system and has a negative influence on high-precision position
control. This is demonstrated on a steering angle controller for highly
automated driving. In this steering system the friction induces limit
cycles which cause oscillating vehicle movement when the vehicle
follows a given reference trajectory. When compensating the friction
with the introduced estimator, limit cycles can be suppressed. This
is demonstrated by measurements in a series vehicle.
Abstract: Taiwanese composer Kuo Chih-Yuan (1921-2013)
studied composition at Tokyo University of the Arts and was
influenced by the musical nationalism prevailing in Japan at the time.
Determined to create world-class contemporary works to represent
Taiwan, he created music with elements of traditional Taiwanese
music in ways that had not been done before. The aims of this study
were to examine the traditional elements used in Kuo Chih-Yuan’s
Variations and Fugue on an Ancient Taiwanese Music (1972), and
how an understanding of these elements might guide pianists to
interpret a more proper performance of his work was also presented
in this study.
Abstract: A bauxite ore can be utilized in Bayer Process, if the
mass ratio of Al2O3 to SiO2 is greater than 10. Otherwise, its FexOy
and SiO2 content should be removed. On the other hand, removal of
TiO2 from the bauxite ore would be beneficial because of both
lowering the red mud residue and obtaining a valuable raw material
containing TiO2 mineral. In this study, the low grade diasporic
bauxite ore of Yalvaç, Isparta, Turkey was roasted under reducing
atmosphere and subjected to magnetic separation. According to the
experimental results, 800°C for reduction temperature and 20000
Gauss of magnetic intensity were found to be the optimum
parameters for removal of iron oxide and rutile from the nonmagnetic
ore. On the other hand, 600°C and 5000 Gauss were
determined to be the optimum parameters for removal of silica from
the non-magnetic ore.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the English
version and a Malay translation of the 21-item Learner Awareness
Questionnaire for its application to assess student learning in higher
education. The Learner Awareness Questionnaire, originally written
in English, is a quantitative measure of how and why students learn.
The questionnaire gives an indication of the process and motives to
learn using four scales: survival, establishing stability, approval and
loving to learn. Data in the present study came from 680 university
students enrolled in various programmes in Malaysia. The Malay
version of the questionnaire supported a similar four factor structure
and internal consistency to the English version. The four factors of
the Malay version also showed moderate to strong correlations with
those of the English versions. The results suggest that the Malay
version of the questionnaire is similar to the English version.
However, further refinement to the questions is needed to strengthen
the correlations between the two questionnaires.
Abstract: DNA Barcode provides good sources of needed
information to classify living species. The classification problem has
to be supported with reliable methods and algorithms. To analyze
species regions or entire genomes, it becomes necessary to use the
similarity sequence methods. A large set of sequences can be
simultaneously compared using Multiple Sequence Alignment which
is known to be NP-complete. However, all the used methods are still
computationally very expensive and require significant computational
infrastructure. Our goal is to build predictive models that are highly
accurate and interpretable. In fact, our method permits to avoid the
complex problem of form and structure in different classes of
organisms. The empirical data and their classification performances
are compared with other methods. Evenly, in this study, we present
our system which is consisted of three phases. The first one, is called
transformation, is composed of three sub steps; Electron-Ion
Interaction Pseudopotential (EIIP) for the codification of DNA
Barcodes, Fourier Transform and Power Spectrum Signal Processing.
Moreover, the second phase step is an approximation; it is
empowered by the use of Multi Library Wavelet Neural Networks
(MLWNN). Finally, the third one, is called the classification of DNA
Barcodes, is realized by applying the algorithm of hierarchical
classification.
Abstract: These Monolayer and multilayer coatings of CrN and
AlCrN deposited on 100Cr6 (AISI 52100) substrate by PVD
magnetron sputtering system. The microstructures of the coatings
were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM
analysis revealed the presence of domes and craters that are
uniformly distributed over all surfaces of the various layers.
Nanoindentation measurement of CrN coating showed maximum
hardness (H) and modulus (E) of 14 GPa and 190 GPa, respectively.
The measured H and E values of AlCrN coatings were found to be 30
GPa and 382 GPa, respectively. The improved hardness in both the
coatings was attributed mainly to a reduction in crystallite size and
decrease in surface roughness. The incorporation of Al into the CrN
coatings has improved both hardness and Young’s modulus.
Abstract: New design of three dimensional (3D) flywheel system
based on gimbal and gyro mechanics is proposed. The 3D flywheel
device utilizes the rotational motion of three spherical shells and the
conservation of angular momentum to achieve planar locomotion.
Actuators mounted to the ring-shape frames are installed within the
system to drive the spherical shells to rotate, for the purpose of steering
and stabilization. Similar to the design of 2D flywheel system, it is
expected that the spherical shells may function like a “flyball” to store
and supply mechanical energy; additionally, in comparison with
typical single-wheel and spherical robots, the 3D flywheel can be used
for developing omnidirectional robotic systems with better mobility.
The Lagrangian method is applied to derive the equation of motion of
the 3D flywheel system, and simulation studies are presented to verify
the proposed design.
Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to address the strategic
risk issues surrounding Hindi film distribution in Mumbai for a film
distributor, who acts as an entrepreneur when launching a product
(movie) in the market (film territory).The paper undertakes a
fundamental review of films and risk in the Hindi film industry and
applies Grounded Theory technique to understand the complex
phenomena of risk taking behavior of the film distributors (both
independent and studios) in Mumbai. Rich in-depth interviews with
distributors are coded to develop core categories through constant
comparison leading to conceptualization of the phenomena of
interest. This paper is a first-of-its-kind-attempt to understand risk
behavior of a distributor, which is akin to entrepreneurial risk
behavior under conditions of uncertainty.
Abstract: This work presents an improved single fiber pull-out
test for fiber/matrix interface characterization. This test has been
used to study the Inter-Facial Shear Strength ‘IFSS’ of hemp fibers
reinforced polypropylene (PP). For this aim, the fiber diameter
has been carefully measured using a tomography inspired method.
The fiber section contour can then be approximated by a circle
or a polygon. The results show that the IFSS is overestimated if
the circular approximation is used. The Influence of the molding
temperature on the IFSS has also been studied. We find that a molding
temperature of 183◦C leads to better interfacial properties. Above or
below this temperature the interface strength is reduced.
Abstract: Distillery spentwash contains high chemical oxygen
demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), color, total
dissolved solids (TDS) and other contaminants even after biological
treatment. The effluent can’t be discharged as such in the surface
water bodies or land without further treatment. Reverse osmosis (RO)
treatment plants have been installed in many of the distilleries at
tertiary level in many of the distilleries in India, but are not properly
working due to fouling problem which is caused by the presence of
high concentration of organic matter and other contaminants in
biologically treated spentwash. In order to make the membrane
treatment a proven and reliable technology, proper pre-treatment is
mandatory. In the present study, ultra-filtration (UF) for pretreatment
of RO at tertiary stage has been performed. Operating
parameters namely initial pH (pHo: 2–10), trans-membrane pressure
(TMP: 4-20 bars) and temperature (T: 15-43°C) were used for
conducting experiments with UF system. Experiments were
optimized at different operating parameters in terms of COD, color,
TDS and TOC removal by using response surface methodology
(RSM) with central composite design. The results showed that
removal of COD, color and TDS was 62%, 93.5% and 75.5%
respectively, with UF, at optimized conditions with increased
permeate flux from 17.5 l/m2/h (RO) to 38 l/m2/h (UF-RO). The
performance of the RO system was greatly improved both in term of
pollutant removal as well as water recovery.
Abstract: Biodiesel production from vegetable oil will produce
glycerol as by-product about 10% of the biodiesel production. The
amount of glycerol that was produced needed alternative way to
handling immediately so as to not become the waste that polluted
environment. One of the solutions was to process glycerol to
polyglycidyl nitrate (PGN). PGN is synthesized from glycerol by
three-step reactions i.e. nitration of glycerol, cyclization of 13-
dinitroglycerine and polymerization of glycosyl nitrate. Optimum
condition of nitration of glycerol with nitric acid has not been known.
Thermodynamic feasibility should be done before run experiments in
the laboratory. The aim of this study was to determine the parameters
those affect nitration of glycerol and nitric acid and chose the
operation condition. Many parameters were simulated to verify its
possibility to experiment under conditions which would get the
highest conversion of 1, 3-dinitroglycerine and which was the ideal
condition to get it. The parameters that need to be studied to obtain
the highest conversion of 1, 3-dinitroglycerine were mol ratio of
nitric acid/glycerol, reaction temperature, mol ratio of
glycerol/dichloromethane and pressure. The highest conversion was
obtained in the range of mol ratio of nitric acid /glycerol between 2/1
– 5/1, reaction temperature of 5-25oC and pressure of 1 atm. The
parameters that need to be studied further to obtain the highest
conversion of 1.3 DNG are mol ratio of nitric acid/glycerol and
reaction temperature.
Abstract: In this study, to clarify the effectiveness of an
aluminum/chromium/tungsten-based-coated tool for cutting sintered
steel, tool wear was experimentally investigated. The sintered steel
was turned with the (Al60,Cr25,W15)N-, (Al60,Cr25,W15)(C,N)- and
(Al64,Cr28,W8)(C,N)-coated cemented carbide tools according to the
physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. Moreover, the tool wear of
the aluminum/chromium/tungsten-based-coated item was compared
with that of the (Al,Cr)N coated tool. Furthermore, to clarify the tool
wear mechanism of the aluminum/chromium/tungsten-coating film for
cutting sintered steel, Scanning Electron Microscope observation and
Energy Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy mapping analysis were
conducted on the abraded surface. The following results were
obtained: (1) The wear progress of the (Al64,Cr28,W8)(C,N)-coated
tool was the slowest among that of the five coated tools. (2) Adding
carbon (C) to the aluminum/chromium/tungsten-based-coating film
was effective for improving the wear-resistance. (3) The main wear
mechanism of the (Al60,Cr25,W15)N-, the (Al60,Cr25,W15)(C,N)-
and the (Al64,Cr28,W8)(C,N)-coating films was abrasive wear.
Abstract: The aim of the present study is to detect the chaotic
behavior in monetary economic relevant dynamical system. The
study employs three different forms of Taylor rules: current, forward,
and backward looking. The result suggests the existence of the
chaotic behavior in all three systems. In addition, the results strongly
represent that using expectations in policy rule especially rational
expectation hypothesis can increase complexity of the system and
leads to more chaotic behavior.
Abstract: Bicycle Level of Service (BLOS) is a measure for
evaluating street conditions for cyclists. Currently, various methods
are proposed for BLOS. These analytical methods however have
some drawbacks: they usually assume cyclists as users that can share
street facilities with motorized vehicles, it is not easy to link them to
design process and they are not easy to follow. In addition, they only
support a narrow range of cycling facilities and may not be applicable
for all situations. Along this, the current paper introduces various
effective design factors for bicycle-friendly streets. This study
considers cyclists as users of streets who have special needs and
facilities. Therefore, the key factors that influence BLOS based on
different cycling facilities that are proposed by developed guidelines
and literature are identified. The combination of these factors
presents a complete set of effective design factors for bicycle-friendly
streets. In addition, the weight of each factor in existing BLOS
models is estimated and these effective factors are ranked based on
these weights. These factors and their weights can be used in further
studies to propose special bicycle-friendly street design model.