Abstract: In this study, we propose a novel technique for acoustic
echo suppression (AES) during speech recognition under barge-in
conditions. Conventional AES methods based on spectral subtraction
apply fixed weights to the estimated echo path transfer function
(EPTF) at the current signal segment and to the EPTF estimated until
the previous time interval. However, the effects of echo path changes
should be considered for eliminating the undesired echoes. We
describe a new approach that adaptively updates weight parameters in
response to abrupt changes in the acoustic environment due to
background noises or double-talk. Furthermore, we devised a voice
activity detector and an initial time-delay estimator for barge-in speech
recognition in communication networks. The initial time delay is
estimated using log-spectral distance measure, as well as
cross-correlation coefficients. The experimental results show that the
developed techniques can be successfully applied in barge-in speech
recognition systems.
Abstract: Electric vehicles are one of the most complicated
electric devices to simulate due to the significant number of different
processes involved in electrical structure of it. There are concurrent
processes of energy consumption and generation with different
onboard systems, which make simulation tasks more complicated to
perform. More accurate simulation on energy consumption can
provide a better understanding of all energy management for electric
transport. As a result of all those processes, electric transport can
allow for a more sustainable future and become more convenient in
relation to the distance range and recharging time. This paper
discusses the problems of energy consumption simulations for
electric vehicles using different software packages to provide ideas
on how to make this process more precise, which can help engineers
create better energy management strategies for electric vehicles.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the possible
link between employee and customer satisfaction. The service
provided by employees, help to build a good relationship with
customers and can help at increasing their loyalty. Published data for
job satisfaction and indicators of customer services of banks were
gathered from relevant published works which included data from
five different countries. The scores of customers and employees
satisfaction of the different published works were transformed and
normalized to the scale of 1 to 100. The data were analyzed and a
regression analysis of the two parameters was used to describe the
link between employee’s satisfaction and customer’s satisfaction.
Assuming that employee satisfaction has a significant influence on
customer’s service and the resulting customer satisfaction, the
reviewed data indicate that employee’s satisfaction contributes
significantly on the level of customer satisfaction in the Banking
sector. There was a significant correlation between the two
parameters (Pearson correlation R2=0.52 P
Abstract: Web-based Cognitive Writing Instruction (WeCWI)’s
contribution towards language development can be divided into
linguistic and non-linguistic perspectives. In linguistic perspective,
WeCWI focuses on the literacy and language discoveries, while the
cognitive and psychological discoveries are the hubs in non-linguistic
perspective. In linguistic perspective, WeCWI draws attention to free
reading and enterprises, which are supported by the language
acquisition theories. Besides, the adoption of process genre approach
as a hybrid guided writing approach fosters literacy development.
Literacy and language developments are interconnected in the
communication process; hence, WeCWI encourages meaningful
discussion based on the interactionist theory that involves input,
negotiation, output, and interactional feedback. Rooted in the elearning
interaction-based model, WeCWI promotes online
discussion via synchronous and asynchronous communications,
which allows interactions happened among the learners, instructor,
and digital content. In non-linguistic perspective, WeCWI highlights
on the contribution of reading, discussion, and writing towards
cognitive development. Based on the inquiry models, learners’
critical thinking is fostered during information exploration process
through interaction and questioning. Lastly, to lower writing anxiety,
WeCWI develops the instructional tool with supportive features to
facilitate the writing process. To bring a positive user experience to
the learner, WeCWI aims to create the instructional tool with
different interface designs based on two different types of perceptual
learning style.
Abstract: Higher order ΔΣ Modulator (DSM) is basically an
unstable system. The approximate conditions for stability cannot be
used for the design of a DSM for industrial applications where risk is
involved. The existing second order, single stage, single bit, unity
feedback gain , discrete DSM cannot be used for the normalized full
range (-1 to +1) of an input signal since the DSM becomes unstable
when the input signal is above ±0.55. The stability is also not
guaranteed for input signals of amplitude less than ±0.55. In the
present paper, the above mentioned second order DSM is modified
with input signal dependent forward path gain. The proposed DSM is
suitable for industrial applications where one needs the digital
representation of the analog input signal, during each sampling
period. The proposed DSM can operate almost for the full range of
input signals (-0.95 to +0.95) without causing instability, assuming
that the second integrator output should not exceed the circuit supply
voltage, ±15 Volts.
Abstract: In this paper we describe the Levenvberg-Marquardt
(LM) algorithm for identification and equalization of CDMA
signals received by an antenna array in communication channels.
The synthesis explains the digital separation and equalization of
signals after propagation through multipath generating intersymbol
interference (ISI). Exploiting discrete data transmitted and three
diversities induced at the reception, the problem can be composed
by the Block Component Decomposition (BCD) of a tensor of
order 3 which is a new tensor decomposition generalizing the
PARAFAC decomposition. We optimize the BCD decomposition by
Levenvberg-Marquardt method gives encouraging results compared to
classical alternating least squares algorithm (ALS). In the equalization
part, we use the Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) to perform
the presented method. The simulation results using the LM algorithm
are important.
Abstract: Validity, integrity, and impacts of the IT systems of
the US federal courts have been studied as part of the Human Rights
Alert-NGO (HRA) submission for the 2015 Universal Periodic
Review (UPR) of human rights in the United States by the Human
Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations (UN). The current
report includes overview of IT system analysis, data-mining and case
studies. System analysis and data-mining show: Development and
implementation with no lawful authority, servers of unverified
identity, invalidity in implementation of electronic signatures,
authentication instruments and procedures, authorities and
permissions; discrimination in access against the public and
unrepresented (pro se) parties and in favor of attorneys; widespread
publication of invalid judicial records and dockets, leading to their
false representation and false enforcement. A series of case studies
documents the impacts on individuals' human rights, on banking
regulation, and on international matters. Significance is discussed in
the context of various media and expert reports, which opine
unprecedented corruption of the US justice system today, and which
question, whether the US Constitution was in fact suspended. Similar
findings were previously reported in IT systems of the State of
California and the State of Israel, which were incorporated, subject to
professional HRC staff review, into the UN UPR reports (2010 and
2013). Solutions are proposed, based on the principles of publicity of
the law and the separation of power: Reliance on US IT and legal
experts under accountability to the legislative branch, enhancing
transparency, ongoing vigilance by human rights and internet
activists. IT experts should assume more prominent civic duties in the
safeguard of civil society in our era.
Abstract: In this study, the performance analyses of the twenty
five Coal-Fired Power Plants (CFPPs) used for electricity generation
are carried out through various Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)
models. Three efficiency indices are defined and pursued. During the
calculation of the operational performance, energy and non-energy
variables are used as input, and net electricity produced is used as
desired output (Model-1). CO2 emitted to the environment is used as
the undesired output (Model-2) in the computation of the pure
environmental performance while in Model-3 CO2 emissions is
considered as detrimental input in the calculation of operational and
environmental performance. Empirical results show that most of the
plants are operating in increasing returns to scale region and Mettur
plant is efficient one with regards to energy use and environment.
The result also indicates that the undesirable output effect is
insignificant in the research sample. The present study will provide
clues to plant operators towards raising the operational and
environmental performance of CFPPs.
Abstract: Monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) is suggested to
be a candidate gene implicated in many neuropsychiatric disorders,
including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This meta-analytic review
evaluates the relationship between ASD and MAOA markers such as
30 bp variable number tandem repeats in the promoter region
(uVNTR) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by using
findings from recently published studies. It seems that in Caucasian
males, the risk of developing ASD increase with the presence of 4-
repeat allele in the promoter region of MAOA gene whereas no
differences were found between autistic patients and controls in
Egyptian, West Bengal and Korean population. Some studies point to
the importance of specific haplotype groups of SNPs and interaction
of MAOA with others genes (e. g. FOXP2 or SRY). The results of
existing studies are insufficient and further research is needed.
Abstract: Environmental impacts of six 3D printers using
various materials were compared to determine if material choice
drove sustainability, or if other factors such as machine type, machine
size, or machine utilization dominate. Cradle-to-grave life-cycle
assessments were performed, comparing a commercial-scale FDM
machine printing in ABS plastic, a desktop FDM machine printing in
ABS, a desktop FDM machine printing in PET and PLA plastics, a
polyjet machine printing in its proprietary polymer, an SLA machine
printing in its polymer, and an inkjet machine hacked to print in salt
and dextrose. All scenarios were scored using ReCiPe Endpoint H
methodology to combine multiple impact categories, comparing
environmental impacts per part made for several scenarios per
machine. Results showed that most printers’ ecological impacts were
dominated by electricity use, not materials, and the changes in
electricity use due to different plastics was not significant compared
to variation from one machine to another. Variation in machine idle
time determined impacts per part most strongly. However, material
impacts were quite important for the inkjet printer hacked to print in
salt: In its optimal scenario, it had up to 1/38th the impacts coreper
part as the worst-performing machine in the same scenario. If salt
parts were infused with epoxy to make them more physically robust,
then much of this advantage disappeared, and material impacts
actually dominated or equaled electricity use. Future studies should
also measure DMLS and SLS processes / materials.
Abstract: It is difficult to study the effect of various variables on
cycle fitting through actual experiment. To overcome such difficulty,
the forward dynamics of a musculoskeletal model was applied to cycle
fitting in this study. The measured EMG data weres compared with the
muscle activities of the musculoskeletal model through forward
dynamics. EMG data were measured from five cyclists who do not
have musculoskeletal diseases during three minutes pedaling with a
constant load (150 W) and cadence (90 RPM). The muscles used for
the analysis were the Vastus Lateralis (VL), Tibialis Anterior (TA),
Bicep Femoris (BF), and Gastrocnemius Medial (GM). Person’s
correlation coefficients of the muscle activity patterns, the peak timing
of the maximum muscle activities, and the total muscle activities were
calculated and compared. BIKE3D model of AnyBody (Anybodytech,
Denmark) was used for the musculoskeletal model simulation. The
comparisons of the actual experiments with the simulation results
showed significant correlations in the muscle activity patterns (VL:
0.789, TA: 0.503, BF: 0.468, GM: 0.670). The peak timings of the
maximum muscle activities were distributed at particular phases. The
total muscle activities were compared with the normalized muscle
activities, and the comparison showed about 10% difference in the VL
(+10%), TA (+9.7%), and BF (+10%), excluding the GM (+29.4%).
Thus, it can be concluded that muscle activities of model &
experiment showed similar results. The results of this study indicated
that it was possible to apply the simulation of further improved
musculoskeletal model to cycle fitting.
Abstract: Modular structural systems are constructed using a
method that they are assembled with prefabricated unit modular
frames on-site. This provides a benefit that can significantly reduce
building construction time. The structural design is usually carried out
under the assumption that their load-carrying mechanism is similar to
that of traditional steel moment-resisting systems. However, both
systems are different in terms of beam-column connection details
which may strongly influence the lateral structural behavior. Specially,
the presence of access holes in a beam-column joint of a unit modular
frame could cause undesirable failure during strong earthquakes.
Therefore, this study carried out finite element analyses (FEMs) of
unit modular frames to investigate the cyclic behavior of beam-column
joints with the access holes. Analysis results show that the unit
modular frames present stable cyclic response with large deformation
capacities and their joints are classified into semi-rigid connections
even if there are access holes.
Abstract: The Simulation based VLSI Implementation of
FELICS (Fast Efficient Lossless Image Compression System)
Algorithm is proposed to provide the lossless image compression and
is implemented in simulation oriented VLSI (Very Large Scale
Integrated). To analysis the performance of Lossless image
compression and to reduce the image without losing image quality
and then implemented in VLSI based FELICS algorithm. In FELICS
algorithm, which consists of simplified adjusted binary code for
Image compression and these compression image is converted in
pixel and then implemented in VLSI domain. This parameter is used
to achieve high processing speed and minimize the area and power.
The simplified adjusted binary code reduces the number of arithmetic
operation and achieved high processing speed. The color difference
preprocessing is also proposed to improve coding efficiency with
simple arithmetic operation. Although VLSI based FELICS
Algorithm provides effective solution for hardware architecture
design for regular pipelining data flow parallelism with four stages.
With two level parallelisms, consecutive pixels can be classified into
even and odd samples and the individual hardware engine is
dedicated for each one. This method can be further enhanced by
multilevel parallelisms.
Abstract: This paper describes a novel application of Fiber
Braggs Grating (FBG) sensors in the assessment of human postural
stability and balance on an unstable platform. In this work, FBG
sensor Stability Analyzing Device (FBGSAD) is developed for
measurement of plantar strain to assess the postural stability of
subjects on unstable platforms during different stances in eyes open
and eyes closed conditions on a rocker board. The studies are
validated by comparing the Centre of Gravity (CG) variations
measured on the lumbar vertebra of subjects using a commercial
accelerometer. The results obtained from the developed FBGSAD
depict qualitative similarities with the data recorded by commercial
accelerometer. The advantage of the FBGSAD is that it measures
simultaneously plantar strain distribution and postural stability of the
subject along with its inherent benefits like non-requirement of
energizing voltage to the sensor, electromagnetic immunity and
simple design which suits its applicability in biomechanical
applications. The developed FBGSAD can serve as a tool/yardstick to
mitigate space motion sickness, identify individuals who are
susceptible to falls and to qualify subjects for balance and stability,
which are important factors in the selection of certain unique
professionals such as aircraft pilots, astronauts, cosmonauts etc.
Abstract: In this article, we have elaborated a study over the
nature of financial intermediation in Islamic banks by comparison to
those of conventional ones. We have found a striking difference
between two kinds of intermediation. We tried, from another side, to
study the relationship between the capital level and deficiency risk
relying on econometric model, and we have obtained a positive and
significant relation between the capital and the deficiency risk for the
conventional banks. This means that when the capital of these banks
increases, the deficiency risk increases as well. In return, since the
Islamic banks are constrained to respect the Sharia Committee as well
as customers’ demands that may, in certain contracts, choose to
invest their capitals in projects they are interested in. These
constraints have as effects to reduce the deficiency risk even when
the capital increases.
Abstract: The most important component affecting the
efficiency of photovoltaic power systems are solar panels. In other
words, efficiency of these systems are significantly affected due to
the being low efficiency of solar panel. Thus, solar panels should be
operated under maximum power point conditions through a power
converter. In this study, design of boost converter has been carried
out with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm which is
incremental conductance (Inc-Cond). By using this algorithm,
importance of power converter in MPPT hardware design, impacts of
MPPT operation have been shown. It is worth noting that initial
operation point is the main criteria for determining the MPPT
performance. In addition, it is shown that if value of load resistance is
lower than critical value, failure operation is realized. For these
analyzes, direct duty control is used for simplifying the control.
Abstract: A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the
optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for juvenile fancy carp. Eight
experimental diets were formulated to contain four protein levels (200,
300, 400 and 500 g kg-1) with two lipid levels (70 and 140 g kg-1).
Triplicate groups of fish (initial weight, 12.1±0.2 g fish-1) were
hand-fed the diets to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. Fish growth
performance, feed utilization and feed intake were significantly
(P0.05). Weight gain and feed efficiency ratio tended to
increase as dietary protein level increased up to 400 and 500 g kg-1,
respectively. Daily feed intake of fish decreased with increasing
dietary protein level and that of fish fed diet contained 500 g kg-1
protein was significantly lower than other fish groups. The protein
efficiency ratio of fish fed 400 and 500 g kg-1 protein was lower than
that of fish fed 200 and 300 g kg-1 protein. Moisture, crude protein and
crude lipid contents of muscle and liver were significantly affected by
dietary protein, but not by dietary lipid level (P>0.05). The increase in
dietary lipid level resulted in an increase in linoleic acid in liver and
muscle paralleled with a decrease in n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids
content in muscle of fish. In considering these results, it was concluded
that the diet containing 400 g kg-1 protein with 70 g kg-1 lipid level is
optimal for growth and efficient feed utilization of juvenile fancy carp.
Abstract: This paper presents optimization of makespan for ‘n’
jobs and ‘m’ machines flexible job shop scheduling problem with
sequence dependent setup time using genetic algorithm (GA)
approach. A restart scheme has also been applied to prevent the
premature convergence. Two case studies are taken into
consideration. Results are obtained by considering crossover
probability (pc = 0.85) and mutation probability (pm = 0.15). Five
simulation runs for each case study are taken and minimum value
among them is taken as optimal makespan. Results indicate that
optimal makespan can be achieved with more than one sequence of
jobs in a production order.
Abstract: Since large part of electricity is generated by using
fossil based resources, energy is an important agenda for countries. In
this context, renewable energy sources are alternative to conventional
sources due to the depletion of fossil resources, increasing awareness
of climate change and global warming concerns. Solar, wind and
hydropower energy are the main renewable energy sources. Among
of them, since installed capacity of wind power has increased
approximately eight times between 2008 - November of 2014, wind
energy is a promising source for Turkey. Furthermore, signing of
Kyoto Protocol can be accepted as a milestone for Turkey's energy
policy. Turkish Government has announced Vision 2023 (energy
targets by 2023) in 2010-2014 Strategic Plan prepared by Ministry of
Energy and Natural Resources (MENR). Energy targets in this plan
can be summarized as follows: Share of renewable energy sources in
electricity generation is 30% of total electricity generation by 2023.
Installed capacity of wind energy will be 20 GW by 2023. Other
renewable energy sources such as solar, hydropower and geothermal
are encouraged with new incentive mechanisms. Dependence on
foreign energy is reduced for sustainability and energy security. On
the other hand, since Turkey is surrounded by three coastal areas,
wind energy potential is convenient for wind power application. As
of November of 2014, total installed capacity of wind power plants is
3.51 GW and a lot of wind power plants are under construction with
capacity 1.16 GW. Turkish government also encourages the locally
manufactured equipments. In this context, one of the projects funded
by private sector, universities and TUBİTAK names as MILRES is
an important project aimed to promote the use wind energy in
electricity generation. Within this project, wind turbine with 500 kW
power has been produced and will be installed at the beginning of the
2015. After that, by using the experience obtained from the first
phase of the project, a wind turbine with 2.5 MW power will be
manufactured in an industrial scale.
Abstract: Due to water shortage, application of saline water for
irrigation is an urgent in agriculture. In this study the effect of
calcium and potassium application as additive in saline root media for
reduce salinity adverse effects was investigated on tomato growth in
a hydroponic system with unequal distribution of salts in the root
media, which was divided in to two equal parts containing full
Johnson nutrient solution and 40 mMNaCl solution, alone or in
combination with KCl (6 mM), CaCl2 (4 mM), K+Ca (3+2 mM) or
half-strength Johnson nutrient solution. The root splits were
exchanged every 7 days. Results showed that addition of calcium,
calcium-potassium and nutrition elements equivalent to half the
concentration of Johnson formula to the saline-half of culture media
minimized the reduction in plant growth caused by NaCl, although
addition of potassium to culture media wasn’t effective. The greatest
concentration of sodium was observed at the shoot of treatments
which had smallest growth. According to the results of this study, in
case of dynamic and non-uniform distribution of salts in the root
media, by addition of additive to the saline solution, it would be
possible to use of saline water with no significant growth reduction.