Abstract: One of the most important parameters to develop and
manage urban areas is appropriate selection of land surface to
develop green spaces in these areas. In this study, in order to identify
the most appropriate sites and areas cultivated for ornamental species
in Jiroft, Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images
due to extract the most important effective climatic and adaphic
parameters for growth ornamental species were used. After geometric
and atmospheric corrections applied, to enhance accuracy of multi
spectral (XS) bands, the fusion of Landsat XS bands by IRS-1D
panchromatic band (PAN) was performed. After field sampling to
evaluate the correlation between different factors in surface soil
sampling location and different bands digital number (DN) of ETM+
sensor on the same points, correlation tables formed using the best
computational model and the map of physical and chemical
parameters of soil was produced. Then the accuracy of them was
investigated by using kappa coefficient. Finally, according to
produced maps, the best areas for cultivation of recommended
species were introduced.
Abstract: In this paper as showed a non-invasive 3D eye tracker
for optometry clinical applications. Measurements of biomechanical
variables in clinical practice have many font of errors associated with
traditional procedments such cover test (CT), near point of
accommodation (NPC), eye ductions (ED), eye vergences (EG) and,
eye versions (ES). Ocular motility should always be tested but all
evaluations have a subjective interpretations by practitioners, the
results is based in clinical experiences, repeatability and accuracy
don-t exist. Optometric-lab is a tool with 3 (tree) analogical video
cameras triggered and synchronized in one acquisition board AD.
The variables globe rotation angle and velocity can be quantified.
Data record frequency was performed with 27Hz, camera calibration
was performed in a know volume and image radial distortion
adjustments.
Abstract: Electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) system for
the fuel rate reduction and steering feel improvement is comprised of
ECU including the logic which controls the steering system and BL
DC motor and produces the best suited cornering force, BLDC motor,
high pressure pump integrated module and basic oil-hydraulic circuit
of the commercial HPS system.
Electro-hydraulic system can be studied in two ways such as
experimental and computer simulation. To get accurate results in
experimental study of EHPS system, the real boundary management is
necessary which is difficult task. And the accuracy of the experimental
results depends on the preparation of the experimental setup and
accuracy of the data collection. The computer simulation gives
accurate and reliable results if the simulation is carried out considering
proper boundary conditions. So, in this paper, each component of
EHPS was modeled, and the model-based analysis and control logic
was designed by using AMESim
Abstract: The development of wearable sensing technologies is a great challenge which is being addressed by the Proetex FP6 project (www.proetex.org). Its main aim is the development of wearable sensors to improve the safety and efficiency of emergency personnel. This will be achieved by continuous, real-time monitoring of vital signs, posture, activity, and external hazards surrounding emergency workers. We report here the development of carbon dioxide (CO2) sensing boot by incorporating commercially available CO2 sensor with a wireless platform into the boot assembly. Carefully selected commercially available sensors have been tested. Some of the key characteristics of the selected sensors are high selectivity and sensitivity, robustness and the power demand. This paper discusses some of the results of CO2 sensor tests and sensor integration with wireless data transmission
Abstract: A registration framework for image-guided robotic
surgery is proposed for three emergency neurosurgical procedures,
namely Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring, External Ventricular
Drainage (EVD) and evacuation of a Chronic Subdural Haematoma
(CSDH). The registration paradigm uses CT and white light as
modalities. This paper presents two simulation studies for a
preliminary evaluation of the registration protocol: (1) The loci of the
Target Registration Error (TRE) in the patient-s axial, coronal and
sagittal views were simulated based on a Fiducial Localisation Error
(FLE) of 5 mm and (2) Simulation of the actual framework using
projected views from a surface rendered CT model to represent white
light images of the patient. Craniofacial features were employed as
the registration basis to map the CT space onto the simulated
intraoperative space. Photogrammetry experiments on an artificial
skull were also performed to benchmark the results obtained from the
second simulation. The results of both simulations show that the
proposed protocol can provide a 5mm accuracy for these
neurosurgical procedures.
Abstract: The dynamics of the Autonomous Underwater
Vehicles (AUVs) are highly nonlinear and time varying and the hydrodynamic coefficients of vehicles are difficult to estimate
accurately because of the variations of these coefficients with
different navigation conditions and external disturbances. This study presents the on-line system identification of AUV dynamics to obtain
the coupled nonlinear dynamic model of AUV as a black box. This black box has an input-output relationship based upon on-line
adaptive fuzzy model and adaptive neural fuzzy network (ANFN)
model techniques to overcome the uncertain external disturbance and
the difficulties of modelling the hydrodynamic forces of the AUVs instead of using the mathematical model with hydrodynamic parameters estimation. The models- parameters are adapted according
to the back propagation algorithm based upon the error between the
identified model and the actual output of the plant. The proposed
ANFN model adopts a functional link neural network (FLNN) as the
consequent part of the fuzzy rules. Thus, the consequent part of the
ANFN model is a nonlinear combination of input variables. Fuzzy
control system is applied to guide and control the AUV using both
adaptive models and mathematical model. Simulation results show
the superiority of the proposed adaptive neural fuzzy network
(ANFN) model in tracking of the behavior of the AUV accurately
even in the presence of noise and disturbance.
Abstract: Ranking of fuzzy numbers play an important role in
decision making, optimization, forecasting etc. Fuzzy numbers must
be ranked before an action is taken by a decision maker. In this
paper, with the help of several counter examples it is proved that
ranking method proposed by Chen and Chen (Expert Systems with
Applications 36 (2009) 6833-6842) is incorrect. The main aim of this
paper is to propose a new approach for the ranking of generalized
trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. The main advantage of the proposed
approach is that the proposed approach provide the correct ordering
of generalized and normal trapezoidal fuzzy numbers and also the
proposed approach is very simple and easy to apply in the real life
problems. It is shown that proposed ranking function satisfies all
the reasonable properties of fuzzy quantities proposed by Wang and
Kerre (Fuzzy Sets and Systems 118 (2001) 375-385).
Abstract: People usually have a telephone voice, which means
they adjust their speech to fit particular situations and to blend in with
other interlocutors. The question is: Do we speak differently to
different people? This possibility has been suggested by social
psychologists within Accommodation Theory [1]. Converging toward
the speech of another person can be regarded as a polite speech
strategy while choosing a language not used by the other interlocutor
can be considered as the clearest example of speech divergence [2].
The present study sets out to investigate such processes in the course
of everyday telephone conversations. Using Joos-s [3] model of
formality in spoken English, the researchers try to explore
convergence to or divergence from the addressee. The results
propound the actuality that lexical choice, and subsequently, patterns
of style vary intriguingly in concordance with the person being
addressed.
Abstract: Internal combustion engines rejects 30-40% of the
energy supplied by fuel to the environment through exhaust gas. thus, there is a possibility for further significant improvement of efficiency with the utilization of exhaust gas energy and its conversion to mechanical energy or electrical energy. The Thermo-Electric
Generator (TEG) will be located in the exhaust system and will make use of an energy flow between the warmer exhaust gas and the external environment. Predict to th optimum position of temperature
distribution and the performance of TEG through numerical analysis.
The experimental results obtained show that the power output significantly increases with the temperature difference between cold
and hot sides of a thermoelectric generator.
Abstract: An experimental study of Reinforced Concrete, RC, columns strengthened using a steel jacketing technique was conducted. The jacketing technique consisted of four steel vertical angles installed at the corners of the column joined by horizontal steel straps confining the column externally. The effectiveness of the technique was evaluated by testing the RC column specimens under eccentric monotonic loading until failure occurred. Strain gauges were installed to monitor the strains in the internal reinforcement as well as the external jacketing system. The effectiveness of the jacketing technique was demonstrated, and the parameters affecting the technique were studied.
Abstract: Although the STL (stereo lithography) file format is
widely used as a de facto industry standard in the rapid prototyping
industry due to its simplicity and ability to tessellation of almost all
surfaces, but there are always some defects and shortcoming in their
usage, which many of them are difficult to correct manually. In
processing the complex models, size of the file and its defects grow
extremely, therefore, correcting STL files become difficult. In this
paper through optimizing the exiting algorithms, size of the files and
memory usage of computers to process them will be reduced. In spite
of type and extent of the errors in STL files, the tail-to-head
searching method and analysis of the nearest distance between tails
and heads techniques were used. As a result STL models sliced
rapidly, and fully closed contours produced effectively and errorless.
Abstract: Aquatic and semi aquatic birds as a group are suited to
feed and breed in environments in which water forms a fundamental
part. These birds are biological indicator in aquatic environment,
because these birds belong to the top level of food chain in aquatic
ecosystems. There are 61 species in 14 families of aquatic and semi
aquatic birds in Iran. The birds of the Sattarkhan Lake belong to 16
species in 8 families which include 26.2 percent of total Aquatic and
semi aquatic bird species and 57% of Aquatic and semi aquatic bird's
family of Iran. Study was carried out monthly at Sattarkhan Lake
show the existence of Phalacrocorax carbo, Ardea cinerea, Egretta
alba, Egretta garzetta, Bubulcus ibis, Botaurus stellaris, Sterna
hirundo, Chlidonias leucopterus, Larus minutus, Larus argentatus,
Larus ridibunbus, Alcedo atthis, Ciconia ciconia, Plegadis
falcinellus, Circus aeruginosus, Corvus frugilegus
Abstract: Nowadays, consumption of whole flours and flours
with high extraction rate is recommended, because of their high
amount of fibers, vitamins and minerals. Despite nutritional benefits
of whole flour, concentration of some undesirable components such
as phytic acid is higher than white flour. In this study, effect of
several lactic acid bacteria sourdough on Toast bread is investigated.
Sourdough from lactic acid bacteria (Lb. plantarum, Lb. reuteri) with
different dough yield (250 and 300) is made and incubated at 30°C
for 20 hour, then added to dough in the ratio of 10, 20 and 30%
replacement. Breads that supplemented with Lb. plantarum
sourdough had lower phytic acid. Higher replacement of sourdough
and higher DY cause higher decrease in phytic acid content.
Sourdough from Lb. plantarum, DY = 300 and 30% replacement
cause the highest decrease in phytic acid content (49.63 mg/100g).
As indicated by panelists, Lb. reuteri sourdough can present the
greatest effect on overall quality score of the breads. DY reduction
cause a decrease in bread quality score. Sensory score of Toast bread
is 81.71 in the samples that treated with Lb. reuteri sourdough with
DY = 250 and 20% replacement.
Abstract: A total of twenty tensile biopsies were collected from
children undergoing tonsillectomy from teaching hospital ENT
department and Kurdistan private hospital in sulaimani city. All
biopsies were homogenized and cultured; the obtained bacterial
isolates were purified and identified by biochemical tests and VITEK
2 compact system. Among the twenty studied samples, only one
Pseudomonas putida with probability of 99% was isolated.
Antimicrobial susceptibility was carried out by disk diffusion
method, Pseudomonas putida showed resistance to all antibiotics
used except vancomycin. The isolate further subjected to PCR and
DNA sequence analysis of blaVIM gene using different set of primers
for different regions of VIM gene. The results were found to be PCR
positive for the blaVIM gene. To determine the sequence of blaVIM
gene, DNA sequencing performed. Sequence alignment of blaVIM
gene with previously recorded blaVIM gene in NCBI- database showed
that P. putida isolate have different blaVIM gene.
Abstract: Recent financial international scandals around the world have led to a number of investigations into the effectiveness of corporate governance practices and audit quality. Although evidence of corporate governance practices and audit quality exists from developed economies, very scanty studies have been conducted in Egypt where corporate governance is just evolving. Therefore, this study provides evidence on the effectiveness of corporate governance practices and audit quality from a developing country. The data for analysis are gathered from the top 50 most active companies in the Egyptian Stock Exchange, covering the three year period 2007-2009. Logistic regression was used in investigating the questions that were raised in the study. Findings from the study show that board independence; CEO duality and audit committees significantly have relationship with audit quality. The results also, indicate that institutional investor and managerial ownership have no significantly relationship with audit quality. Evidence also exist that size of the company; complexity and business leverage are important factors in audit quality for companies quoted on the Egypt Stock Exchange.
Abstract: Encryption protects communication partners from
disclosure of their secret messages but cannot prevent traffic analysis
and the leakage of information about “who communicates with
whom". In the presence of collaborating adversaries, this linkability
of actions can danger anonymity. However, reliably providing
anonymity is crucial in many applications. Especially in contextaware
mobile business, where mobile users equipped with PDAs
request and receive services from service providers, providing
anonymous communication is mission-critical and challenging at the
same time. Firstly, the limited performance of mobile devices does
not allow for heavy use of expensive public-key operations which are
commonly used in anonymity protocols. Moreover, the demands for
security depend on the application (e.g., mobile dating vs. pizza
delivery service), but different users (e.g., a celebrity vs. a normal
person) may even require different security levels for the same
application. Considering both hardware limitations of mobile devices
and different sensitivity of users, we propose an anonymity
framework that is dynamically configurable according to user and
application preferences. Our framework is based on Chaum-s mixnet.
We explain the proposed framework, its configuration
parameters for the dynamic behavior and the algorithm to enforce
dynamic anonymity.
Abstract: It has been shown that in most accidents the driver is responsible due to being distracted or misjudging the situation. In order to solve such problems research has been dedicated to developing driver assistance systems that are able to monitor the traffic situation around the vehicle. This paper presents methods for recognizing several circumstances on a road. The methods use both the in-vehicle warning systems and the roadside infrastructure. Preliminary evaluation results for fog and ice-on-road detection are presented. The ice detection results are based on data recorded in a test track dedicated to tyre friction testing. The achieved results anticipate that ice detection could work at a performance of 70% detection with the right setup, which is a good foundation for implementation. However, the full benefit of the presented cooperative system is achieved by fusing the outputs of multiple data sources, which is the key point of discussion behind this publication.
Abstract: Field experiments were conducted at Annamalai University Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy; to device suitable weed control measures for direct seeded puddled rice and to study the effect of the weed control measures on the soil microbial population. The treatments comprised of incorporation of pressmud @ 6.25 t ha-1 and application of herbicide butachlor @1.5 kg a. i. ha- 1 with and without safener 4 days after sowing (DAS), 8 DAS alone and also in conjunction with hand weeding at 30 DAS. Hand weeding twice and a weedy check were also maintained. At maximum tillering stage, the population of bacteria was significantly reduced by butachlor application. The injury to microbes caused by herbicide disappeared with the advancement of crop's age and at flowering stage of crop, there was no significant difference among the treatments. The fungal and actinomycetes population remained unaltered by weed control treatments at both the stages of observation.
Abstract: Pearson-s correlation coefficient and sequential path
analysis has been used for determining the interrelationship among
yield, yield components, soil minerals and aroma of Khao Dawk Mali
(KDML) 105 rice grown in the area of Tungkularonghai in Roi-Et
province, located in the northeast of Thailand. Pearson-s correlation
coefficient in this study showed that the number of panicles was the
only factor that had positive significant (0.790**) effect on grain
yield. Sequential path analysis revealed that the number of panicles
followed by the number of fertile spikelets and 100-grain weight
were the first-order factors which had positive direct effects on grain
yield. Whereas, other factors analyzed had indirect effects
influencing grain yield. This study also indicated that no significant
relationship was found between the aroma level and any of the
factors analyzed.
Abstract: Ratio and regression type estimators have been used by previous authors to estimate a population mean for the principal variable from samples in which both auxiliary x and principal y variable data are available. However, missing data are a common problem in statistical analyses with real data. Ratio and regression type estimators have also been used for imputing values of missing y data. In this paper, six new ratio and regression type estimators are proposed for imputing values for any missing y data and estimating a population mean for y from samples with missing x and/or y data. A simulation study has been conducted to compare the six ratio and regression type estimators with a previous estimator of Rueda. Two population sizes N = 1,000 and 5,000 have been considered with sample sizes of 10% and 30% and with correlation coefficients between population variables X and Y of 0.5 and 0.8. In the simulations, 10 and 40 percent of sample y values and 10 and 40 percent of sample x values were randomly designated as missing. The new ratio and regression type estimators give similar mean absolute percentage errors that are smaller than the Rueda estimator for all cases. The new estimators give a large reduction in errors for the case of 40% missing y values and sampling fraction of 30%.