Abstract: In this paper, we propose the pre-processor based on
the Evidence Supporting Measure of Similarity (ESMS) filter and also
propose the unified fusion approach (UFA) based on the general
fusion machine coupled with ESMS filter, which improve the
correctness and precision of information fusion in any fields of
application. Here we mainly apply the new approach to Simultaneous
Localization And Mapping (SLAM) of Pioneer II mobile robots. A
simulation experiment was performed, where an autonomous virtual
mobile robot with sonar sensors evolves in a virtual world map with
obstacles. By comparing the result of building map according to the
general fusion machine (here DSmT-based fusing machine and
PCR5-based conflict redistributor considereded) coupling with ESMS
filter and without ESMS filter, it shows the benefit of the selection of
the sources as a prerequisite for improvement of the information
fusion, and also testifies the superiority of the UFA in dealing with
SLAM.
Abstract: This paper focuses on the experimental impacts of
ultrasonic, carbonate and a combination of them on the quality of
fresh kiwi juice. Today, non-thermal methods like ultrasonic, which
have imperceptible effects on some properties of the juice such as
taste, flavor and color, are commonly used for killing
microorganisms.In this paper, some properties of kiwi fruit juice
under ultrasonic, carbonate and a combination of them has been
researched. Those properties include pH, acidity, transparency and
Brix. Its impact on microorganisms has been studied as well.The
results show that using a combination of carbonate and sonicate make
the cavitation more severe without a perceptible effect on nonactivation
of microorganisms.
Abstract: Degradation of polymeric insulation systems of
electrical equipments increases the space charge density and the
concentration of electrical dipoles. By consequence, the maximum
values and the slopes of absorption/resorption (A/R) currents can
change with insulation systems ageing. In this paper, an analysis of
the nature of the A/R currents and the importance of their
components, especially the polarization current and the current given
by the space charge, is presented. The experimental study concerns
the A/R currents measurements of plane samples (made from
CALMICAGLAS tapes), virgin and thermally accelerated aged. The
obtained results show that the ageing process produces an increase of
the values and a decrease of shapes of the A/R currents. Finally, the
possibility of estimating insulations ageing state and lifetime from
A/R currents measurements is discussed.
Abstract: There have been significant improvements in automatic
voice recognition technology. However, existing systems still face difficulties,
particularly when used by non-native speakers with accents.
In this paper we address a problem of identifying the English accented
speech of speakers from different backgrounds. Once an accent is
identified the speech recognition software can utilise training set from
appropriate accent and therefore improve the efficiency and accuracy
of the speech recognition system. We introduced the Q factor, which
is defined by the sum of relationships between frequencies of the
formants. Four different accents were considered and experimented
for this research. A scoring method was introduced in order to
effectively analyse accents. The proposed concept indicates that the
accent could be identified by analysing their formants.
Abstract: A comprehensive program of laboratory testing on a
compacted kaolin in a modified triaxial cell was perform to
investigate the influence of hydraulic hysteresis on effective stress in
unsaturated soils. The test data are presented on a range of constant
suction shear tests along wetting and drying paths. The values of
effective stress parameter χ at different matric suction were
determined using the test results. The effect of hydraulic hysteresis
phenomenon on the effective stress was observed. The values of
effective stress parameter χ obtained from the experiments were
compared with those obtained from the expressions proposed in
literature.
Abstract: The paper provides biomasses characteristics by
proximate analysis (volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash) and
ultimate analysis (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen) for the
prediction of the heating value equations. The heating value
estimation of various biomasses can be used as an energy evaluation.
Thirteen types of biomass were studied. Proximate analysis was
investigated by mass loss method and infrared moisture analyzer.
Ultimate analysis was analyzed by CHNO analyzer. The heating
values varied from 15 to 22.4MJ kg-1. Correlations of the calculated
heating value with proximate and ultimate analyses were undertaken
using multiple regression analysis and summarized into three and two
equations, respectively. Correlations based on proximate analysis
illustrated that deviation of calculated heating values from
experimental heating values was higher than the correlations based
on ultimate analysis.
Abstract: The present paper deals with the experimental and
computational study of axial collapse of the aluminum metallic shells
having combined tube-frusta geometry between two parallel plates.
Shells were having bottom two third lengths as frusta and remaining
top one third lengths as tube. Shells were compressed to recognize
their modes of collapse and associated energy absorption capability.
An axisymmetric Finite Element computational model of collapse
process is presented and analysed, using a non-linear FE code
FORGE2. Six noded isoparametric triangular elements were used to
discretize the deforming shell. The material of the shells was
idealized as rigid visco-plastic. To validate the computational model
experimental and computed results of the deformed shapes and their
corresponding load-compression and energy-compression curves
were compared. With the help of the obtained results progress of the
axisymmetric mode of collapse has been presented, analysed and
discussed.
Abstract: The problem of agricultural-soil pollution is closely
linked to the production of ecologically pure foodstuffs and to human health. An important task, therefore, is to rehabilitate agricultural
soils with the help of state-of-the-art biotechnologies, based on the use of metal-accumulating plants. In this work, on the basis of
literature data and the results of prior research from this laboratory, plants were selected for which the growing technology is well
developed and which are widespread locally: sugar sorghum (Sorghum saccharatum), sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense (Piper.)
Stapf.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). I report on laboratory
experiments designed to study the influence of synthetic indole-3-
acetic acid and the extracellular indole-3-acetic acid released by the
plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 on growth of and arsenic accumulation by these plants.
Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate whether
chlorophyll meter readings (SPAD) can be used as criterion of singleplant
selection in maize breeding. Experimentation was performed at
the ultra-low density of 0.74 plants/m2 in order the potential yield per
plant to be fully expressed. R-31 honeycomb experiments were
conducted in three different areas in Greece (Thessaloniki, Giannitsa
and Florina) using 30 inbred lines at well-watered and water-stressed
conditions during the 2012 growing season. The chlorophyll meter
readings had higher rates at dry conditions, except location of
Giannitsa where differences were not significant. Genotypes of
highest chlorophyll meter readings were consistent across areas,
emphasizing on the character’s stability. A positive correlation
between the chlorophyll meter readings and grain yield was
strengthening over time and culminated at the physiological maturity
stage. There was a clear sign that the chlorophyll meter readings has
the potential to be used for the selection of stress-adaptive genotypes
and may permit modern maize to be grown at wider range of
environments addressing the climate change scenarios.
Abstract: On a such wide-area environment as a Grid, data
placement is an important aspect of distributed database systems. In
this paper, we address the problem of initial placement of database
no-replicated fragments in Grid architecture. We propose a graph
based approach that considers resource restrictions. The goal is to
optimize the use of computing, storage and communication
resources. The proposed approach is developed in two phases: in the
first phase, we perform fragment grouping using knowledge about
fragments dependency and, in the second phase, we determine an
efficient placement of the fragment groups on the Grid. We also
show, via experimental analysis that our approach gives solutions
that are close to being optimal for different databases and Grid
configurations.
Abstract: A novel low-cost impedance control structure is
proposed for monitoring the contact force between end-effector and
environment without installing an expensive force/torque sensor.
Theoretically, the end-effector contact force can be estimated from the
superposition of each joint control torque. There have a nonlinear
matrix mapping function between each joint motor control input and
end-effector actuating force/torques vector. This new force control
structure can be implemented based on this estimated mapping matrix.
First, the robot end-effector is manipulated to specified positions, then
the force controller is actuated based on the hall sensor current
feedback of each joint motor. The model-free fuzzy sliding mode
control (FSMC) strategy is employed to design the position and force
controllers, respectively. All the hardware circuits and software
control programs are designed on an Altera Nios II embedded
development kit to constitute an embedded system structure for a
retrofitted Mitsubishi 5 DOF robot. Experimental results show that PI
and FSMC force control algorithms can achieve reasonable contact
force monitoring objective based on this hardware control structure.
Abstract: This study shows the effect of carbon towards
molybdenum carbide alloy when exposed to Microwave. This
technique is also known as Microwave Induced Alloying (MIA) for
the preparation of molybdenum carbide. In this study ammonium
heptamolybdate solution and carbon black powder were
heterogeneously mixed and exposed to microwave irradiation for 2
minutes. The effect on amount of carbon towards the produced alloy
on morphological and oxidation states changes during microwave is
presented. In this experiment, it is expected carbon act as a reducing
agent with the ratio 2:7 molybdenum to carbon as the optimum for
the production of molybdenum carbide alloy. All the morphological
transformations and changes in this experiment were followed and
characterized using X-Ray Diffraction and FESEM.
Abstract: Time series forecasting is an important and widely
popular topic in the research of system modeling. This paper
describes how to use the hybrid PSO-RLSE neuro-fuzzy learning
approach to the problem of time series forecasting. The PSO
algorithm is used to update the premise parameters of the
proposed prediction system, and the RLSE is used to update the
consequence parameters. Thanks to the hybrid learning (HL)
approach for the neuro-fuzzy system, the prediction performance
is excellent and the speed of learning convergence is much faster
than other compared approaches. In the experiments, we use the
well-known Mackey-Glass chaos time series. According to the
experimental results, the prediction performance and accuracy in
time series forecasting by the proposed approach is much better
than other compared approaches, as shown in Table IV. Excellent
prediction performance by the proposed approach has been
observed.
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to remove and recover Ni, Cu and Fe from a mixed metal system using sodium hypophosphite as a reducing agent and nickel powder as seeding material. The metal systems studied consisted of Ni-Cu, Ni-Fe and Ni-Cu-Fe solutions. A 5 L batch reactor was used to conduct experiments where 100 mg/l of each respective metal was used. It was found that the metals were reduced to their elemental form with removal efficiencies of over 80%. The removal efficiency decreased in the order Fe>Ni>Cu. The metal powder obtained contained between 97-99% Ni and was almost spherical and porous. Size enlargement by aggregation was the dominant particulate process.
Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases, principally atherosclerosis, are responsible for 30% of world deaths. Atherosclerosis is due to the formation of plaque. The fatty plaque may be at risk of rupture, leading typically to stroke and heart attack. The plaque is usually associated with a high degree of lumen reduction, called a stenosis.It is increasingly recognized that the initiation and progression of disease and the occurrence of clinical events is a complex interplay between the local biomechanical environment and the local vascular biology. The aim of this study is to investigate the flow behavior through a stenosed artery. A physical experiment was performed using an artery model and blood analogue fluid. An axisymmetric model constructed consists of contraction and expansion region that follow a mathematical form of cosine function. A 30% diameter reduction was used in this study. The flow field was measured using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Spherical particles with 20μm diameter were seeded in a water-glycerol-NaCl mixture. Steady flow Reynolds numbers are 250. The area of interest is the region after the stenosis where the flow separation occurs. The velocity field was measured and the velocity gradient was investigated. There was high particle concentration in the recirculation zone. High velocity gradient formed immediately after the stenosis throat created a lift force that enhanced particle migration to the flow separation area.
Abstract: Although lots of research work has been done for
human pose recognition, the view-point of cameras is still critical
problem of overall recognition system. In this paper, view-point
insensitive human pose recognition is proposed. The aims of the
proposed system are view-point insensitivity and real-time processing.
Recognition system consists of feature extraction module, neural
network and real-time feed forward calculation. First, histogram-based
method is used to extract feature from silhouette image and it is
suitable for represent the shape of human pose. To reduce the
dimension of feature vector, Principle Component Analysis(PCA) is
used. Second, real-time processing is implemented by using Compute
Unified Device Architecture(CUDA) and this architecture improves
the speed of feed-forward calculation of neural network. We
demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach with experiments on
real environment.
Abstract: In this paper, a new approach for quality assessment
tasks in lossy compressed digital video is proposed. The research
activity is based on the visual fixation data recorded by an eye
tracker. The method involved both a new paradigm for subjective
quality evaluation and the subsequent statistical analysis to match
subjective scores provided by the observer to the data obtained from
the eye tracker experiments. The study brings improvements to the
state of the art, as it solves some problems highlighted in literature.
The experiments prove that data obtained from an eye tracker can be
used to classify videos according to the level of impairment due to
compression. The paper presents the methodology, the experimental
results and their interpretation. Conclusions suggest that the eye
tracker can be useful in quality assessment, if data are collected and
analyzed in a proper way.
Abstract: A group of Stellite alloys are studied in consideration
of temperature effects on their hardness and wear resistance. The
hardness test is conducted on a micro-hardness tester with a hot stage
equipped that allows heating the specimen up to 650°C. The wear
resistance of each alloy is evaluated using a pin-on-disc tribometer
with a heating furnace built-in that provides the temperature capacity
up to 450°C. The experimental results demonstrate that the hardness
and wear resistance of Stellite alloys behave differently at room
temperature and at high temperatures. The wear resistance of Stellite
alloys at room temperature mainly depends on their carbon content and
also influenced by the tungsten content in the alloys. However, at high
temperatures the wear mechanisms of Stellite alloys become more
complex, involving multiple factors. The relationships between
chemical composition, microstructure, hardness and wear resistance of
these alloys are studied, with focus on temperature effect on these
relations.
Abstract: Tool wear and surface roughness prediction plays a
significant role in machining industry for proper planning and control
of machining parameters and optimization of cutting conditions. This
paper deals with developing an artificial neural network (ANN)
model as a function of cutting parameters in turning steel under
minimum quantity lubrication (MQL). A feed-forward
backpropagation network with twenty five hidden neurons has been
selected as the optimum network. The co-efficient of determination
(R2) between model predictions and experimental values are 0.9915,
0.9906, 0.9761 and 0.9627 in terms of VB, VM, VS and Ra
respectively. The results imply that the model can be used easily to
forecast tool wear and surface roughness in response to cutting
parameters.
Abstract: Renewable and non-renewable resource constraints have been vast studied in theoretical fields of project scheduling problems. However, although cumulative resources are widespread in practical cases, the literature on project scheduling problems subject to these resources is scant. So in order to study this type of resources more, in this paper we use the framework of a resource constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) with finish-start precedence relations between activities and subject to the cumulative resources in addition to the renewable resources. We develop a branch and bound algorithm for this problem customizing precedence tree algorithm of RCPSP. We perform extensive experimental analysis on the algorithm to check its effectiveness and performance for solving different instances of the problem in question.