Abstract: In this paper, we intend to study the synthesis of the
multibeam arrays. The synthesis implementation-s method for this
type of arrays permits to approach the appropriated radiance-s
diagram. The used approach is based on neural network that are
capable to model the multibeam arrays, consider predetermined
general criteria-s, and finally it permits to predict the appropriated
diagram from the neural model. Our main contribution in this paper is
the extension of a synthesis model of these multibeam arrays.
Abstract: Non-stationary trend in R-R interval series is
considered as a main factor that could highly influence the evaluation
of spectral analysis. It is suggested to remove trends in order to obtain
reliable results. In this study, three detrending methods, the
smoothness prior approach, the wavelet and the empirical mode
decomposition, were compared on artificial R-R interval series with
four types of simulated trends. The Lomb-Scargle periodogram was
used for spectral analysis of R-R interval series. Results indicated that
the wavelet method showed a better overall performance than the other
two methods, and more time-saving, too. Therefore it was selected for
spectral analysis of real R-R interval series of thirty-seven healthy
subjects. Significant decreases (19.94±5.87% in the low frequency
band and 18.97±5.78% in the ratio (p
Abstract: This paper represents the results of long term strength of mortar incorporating Rice Husk Ash (RHA). For these work mortar samples were made according to ASTM standard C 109/C. OPC cement was partially replaced by RHA at 0, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 percent replacement level. After casting all samples were kept in controlled environment and curing was done up to 90 days. Test of mortar was performed on 3, 7, 28, 90, 365 and 700 days. It is noticed that OPC mortar shows better strength at early age than mortar having RHA but at 90 days and onward the picture is different. At 700 days it is observed that mortar containing 20% RHA shows better result than any other samples.
Abstract: In this paper we propose a method for modeling the
correlation between the received signals by two or more antennas
operating in a multipath environment. Considering the maximum
excess delay in the channel being modeled, an elliptical region
surrounding both transmitter and receiver antennas is produced. A
number of scatterers are randomly distributed in this region and
scatter the incoming waves. The amplitude and phase of incoming
waves are computed and used to obtain statistical properties of the
received signals. This model has the distinguishable advantage of
being applicable for any configuration of antennas. Furthermore the
common PDF (Probability Distribution Function) of received wave
amplitudes for any pair of antennas can be calculated and used to
produce statistical parameters of received signals.
Abstract: This paper explores the opportunity of using tri-axial
wireless accelerometers for supervised monitoring of sports
movements. A motion analysis system for the upper extremities of
lawn bowlers in particular is developed. Accelerometers are placed
on parts of human body such as the chest to represent the shoulder
movements, the back to capture the trunk motion, back of the hand,
the wrist and one above the elbow, to capture arm movements. These
sensors placement are carefully designed in order to avoid restricting
bowler-s movements. Data is acquired from these sensors in soft-real
time using virtual instrumentation; the acquired data is then
conditioned and converted into required parameters for motion
regeneration. A user interface was also created to facilitate in the
acquisition of data, and broadcasting of commands to the wireless
accelerometers. All motion regeneration in this paper deals with the
motion of the human body segment in the X and Y direction, looking
into the motion of the anterior/ posterior and lateral directions
respectively.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a novel approach to accurately
detect text regions including shop name in signboard images with
complex background for mobile system applications. The proposed
method is based on the combination of text detection using edge
profile and region segmentation using fuzzy c-means method. In the
first step, we perform an elaborate canny edge operator to extract all
possible object edges. Then, edge profile analysis with vertical and
horizontal direction is performed on these edge pixels to detect
potential text region existing shop name in a signboard. The edge
profile and geometrical characteristics of each object contour are
carefully examined to construct candidate text regions and classify the
main text region from background. Finally, the fuzzy c-means
algorithm is performed to segment and detected binarize text region.
Experimental results show that our proposed method is robust in text
detection with respect to different character size and color and can
provide reliable text binarization result.
Abstract: This paper describes the design process and the realtime validation of an innovative autonomous mid-air flight and landing system developed by the Italian Aerospace Research Center in the framework of the Italian national funded project TECVOL (Technologies for the Autonomous Flight). In the paper it is provided an insight of the whole development process of the system under study. In particular, the project framework is illustrated at first, then the functional context and the adopted design and testing approach are described, and finally the on-ground validation test rig on purpose designed is addressed in details. Furthermore, the hardwarein- the-loop validation of the autonomous mid-air flight and landing system by means of the real-time test rig is described and discussed.
Abstract: Phytases are enzymes used as an important component
in monogastric animals feeds in order to improve phosphorous
availability, since it is not readily assimilated by these animals in the
form of the phytate presented in plants and grains. As these enzymes
are used in industrial activities, they must retain its catalytic activities
during a certain storage period. This study presents information about
the stability of 4 different phytases, produced by four macromycetes
fungi through solid-state fermentation (SSF). There is a lack of data
in literature concerning phytase from macromycetes shelf-life in
storage conditions at room, cooling and freezing temperatures. The 4
phytases from macromycetes still had enzymatic activities around
100 days of storage at room temperature. At cooling temperature in
146 days of studies, the phytase from G. stipitatum was the most
stable with 44% of the initial activity, in U.gds (units per gram of
dried fermented substrate). The freezing temperature was the best
condition storage for phytases from G. stipitatum and T. versicolor.
Each condition provided a study for each mushroom phytase,
totalizing 12 studies. The phytases showed to be stable for a long
period without the addition of additives.
Abstract: This paper developed the c-Chart based on a Zero- Inflated Poisson (ZIP) processes that approximated by a geometric distribution with parameter p. The p estimated that fit for ZIP distribution used in calculated the mean, median, and variance of geometric distribution for constructed the c-Chart by three difference methods. For cg-Chart, developed c-Chart by used the mean and variance of the geometric distribution constructed control limits. For cmg-Chart, the mean used for constructed the control limits. The cme- Chart, developed control limits of c-Chart from median and variance values of geometric distribution. The performance of charts considered from the Average Run Length and Average Coverage Probability. We found that for an in-control process, the cg-Chart is superior for low level of mean at all level of proportion zero. For an out-of-control process, the cmg-Chart and cme-Chart are the best for mean = 2, 3 and 4 at all level of parameter.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to identify the conditions of
implementation for reconfigurability in summarizing past flexible
manufacturing systems (FMS) research by drawing overall
conclusions from many separate High Performance Manufacturing
(HPM) studies. Meta-analysis will be applied to links between HPM
programs and their practices related to FMS and manufacturing
performance with particular reference to responsiveness performance.
More specifically, an application of meta-analysis will be made with
reference to two of the main steps towards the development of an
empirically-tested theory: testing the adequacy of the measurement of
variables and testing the linkages between the variables.
Abstract: Mathematical and computational modeling of calcium
signalling in nerve cells has produced considerable insights into how
the cells contracts with other cells under the variation of biophysical
and physiological parameters. The modeling of calcium signaling in
astrocytes has become more sophisticated. The modeling effort has
provided insight to understand the cell contraction. Main objective
of this work is to study the effect of voltage gated (Operated)
calcium channel (VOC) on calcium profile in the form of advection
diffusion equation. A mathematical model is developed in the form
of advection diffusion equation for the calcium profile. The model
incorporates the important physiological parameter like diffusion
coefficient etc. Appropriate boundary conditions have been framed.
Finite volume method is employed to solve the problem. A program
has been developed using in MATLAB 7.5 for the entire problem
and simulated on an AMD-Turion 32-bite machine to compute the
numerical results.
Abstract: Rice husk is a lignocellulosic source that can be
converted to ethanol. Three hundreds grams of rice husk was mixed
with 1 L of 0.18 N sulfuric acid solutions then was heated in an
autoclave. The reaction was expected to be at constant temperature
(isothermal), but before that temperature was achieved, reaction has
occurred. The first liquid sample was taken at temperature of 140 0C
and repeated every 5 minute interval. So the data obtained are in the
regions of non-isothermal and isothermal. It was observed that the
degradation has significant effects on the ethanol production. The
kinetic constants can be expressed by Arrhenius equation with the
frequency factors for hydrolysis and sugar degradation of 1.58 x 105
1/min and 2.29 x 108 L/mole/min, respectively, while the activation
energies are 64,350 J/mole and 76,571 J/mole. The highest ethanol
concentration from fermentation is 1.13% v/v, attained at 220 0C.
Abstract: This paper focuses on assessment of air pollution in Umm-Alhyman, Kuwait, which is located south to oil refineries, power station, oil field, and highways. The measurements were made over a period of four days in March and July in 2001, 2004, and 2008. The measured pollutants included methanated and nonmethanated hydrocarbons (MHC, NMHC), CO, CO2, SO2, NOX, O3, and PM10. Also, meteorological parameters were measured, which includes temperature, wind speed and direction, and solar radiation. Over the study period, data analysis showed increase in measured SO2, NOX and CO by factors of 1.2, 5.5 and 2, respectively. This is explained in terms of increase in industrial activities, motor vehicle density, and power generation. Predictions of the measured data were made by the ISC-AERMOD software package and by using the ISCST3 model option. Finally, comparison was made between measured data against international standards.
Abstract: Since 2004, we have been developing an in-situ storage image sensor (ISIS) that captures more than 100 consecutive images at a frame rate of 10 Mfps with ultra-high sensitivity as well as the video camera for use with this ISIS. Currently, basic research is continuing in an attempt to increase the frame rate up to 100 Mfps and above. In order to suppress electro-magnetic noise at such high frequency, a digital-noiseless imaging transfer scheme has been developed utilizing solely sinusoidal driving voltages. This paper presents highly efficient-yet-accurate expressions to estimate attenuation as well as phase delay of driving voltages through RC networks of an ultra-high-speed image sensor. Elmore metric for a fundamental RC chain is employed as the first-order approximation. By application of dimensional analysis to SPICE data, we found a simple expression that significantly improves the accuracy of the approximation. Similarly, another simple closed-form model to estimate phase delay through fundamental RC networks is also obtained. Estimation error of both expressions is much less than previous works, only less 2% for most of the cases . The framework of this analysis can be extended to address similar issues of other VLSI structures.
Abstract: The objective of the study is to investigate the
effect of a footballer-s postural on selected physical fitness
components. Twenty-one (21) subjects of the university male
footballers under the Sport Excellence Center programme were
photographed using qualitative analysis. The postural variables
were stratified manually into normal and anomalies group and
their flexibility, strength and SAQ performance were
compared using the Mann-Whitney Test. The AROM
assessment and SAQ test reported no significance difference
(Z=-.398, p=0.711, p>0.05), similar to the lower body strength
was shown with no significance different (Z=-.493, p=0.640,
p>0.05). In contrast, only 1 RM strength test for the upper
body strength test shown with a significance different (Z=-
2.537, p=0.009, p
Abstract: In social network analysis the mean nodal degree and
density of the graph can be considered as a measure of the activity of
all actors in the network and this is an important property of a graph
and for making comparisons among networks. Since subjects in a
family or organization are subject to common environment factors, it
is prime interest to study the association between responses.
Therefore, we study the distribution of the mean nodal degree and
density of the graph under correlated binary units. The cross product
ratio is used to capture the intra-units association among subjects.
Computer program and an application are given to show the benefits
of the method.
Abstract: In this paper, a set of experimental data has been used to assess the influence of abrasive water jet (AWJ) process parameters in cutting 6063-T6 aluminum alloy. The process variables considered here include nozzle diameter, jet traverse rate, jet pressure and abrasive flow rate. The effects of these input parameters are studied on depth of cut (h); one of most important characteristics of AWJ. The Taguchi method and regression modeling are used in order to establish the relationships between input and output parameters. The adequacy of the model is evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. In the next stage, the proposed model is embedded into a Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm to optimize the AWJ process parameters. The objective is to determine a suitable set of process parameters that can produce a desired depth of cut, considering the ranges of the process parameters. Computational results prove the effectiveness of the proposed model and optimization procedure.
Abstract: The predictability of masonry arch bridges and their
behaviour is widely considered doubtful due to the lack of knowledge
about the conditions of a given masonry arch bridge. The assessment
methods for masonry arch bridges are MEXE, ARCHIE, RING and
Frame Analysis Method. The material properties of the masonry and
fill material are extremely difficult to determine accurately.
Consequently, it is necessary to examine the effect of load dispersal
angle through the fill material, the effect of variations in the stiffness
of the masonry, the tensile strength of the masonry mortar continuum
and the compressive strength of the masonry mortar continuum. It is
also important to understand the effect of fill material on load
dispersal angle to determine their influence on ratings. In this paper a
series of parametric studies, to examine the sensitivity of assessment
ratings to the various sets of input data required by the frame analysis
method, are carried out.
Abstract: Among many different methods that are used for
optimizing different engineering problems mathematical (numerical)
optimization techniques are very important because they can easily
be used and are consistent with most of engineering problems. Many
studies and researches are done on stability analysis of three
dimensional (3D) slopes and the relating probable slip surfaces and
determination of factors of safety, but in most of them force
equilibrium equations, as in simplified 2D methods, are considered
only in two directions. In other words for decreasing mathematical
calculations and also for simplifying purposes the force equilibrium
equation in 3rd direction is omitted. This point is considered in just a
few numbers of previous studies and most of them have only given a
factor of safety and they haven-t made enough effort to find the most
probable slip surface. In this study shapes of the slip surfaces are
modeled, and safety factors are calculated considering the force
equilibrium equations in all three directions, and also the moment
equilibrium equation is satisfied in the slip direction, and using
nonlinear programming techniques the shape of the most probable
slip surface is determined. The model which is used in this study is a
3D model that is composed of three upper surfaces which can cover
all defined and probable slip surfaces. In this research the meshing
process is done in a way that all elements are prismatic with
quadrilateral cross sections, and the safety factor is defined on this
quadrilateral surface in the base of the element which is a part of the
whole slip surface. The method that is used in this study to find the
most probable slip surface is the non-linear programming method in
which the objective function that must get optimized is the factor of
safety that is a function of the soil properties and the coordinates of
the nodes on the probable slip surface. The main reason for using
non-linear programming method in this research is its quick
convergence to the desired responses. The final results show a good
compatibility with the previously used classical and 2D methods and
also show a reasonable convergence speed.
Abstract: A mammal-s body can be seen as a blood vessel with
complex tunnels. When heart pumps blood periodically, blood runs
through blood vessels and rebounds from walls of blood vessels.
Blood pressure signals can be measured with complex but periodic
patterns. When an artery is clamped during a surgical operation, the
spectrum of blood pressure signals will be different from that of
normal situation. In this investigation, intestinal artery clamping
operations were conducted to a pig for simulating the situation of
intestinal blocking during a surgical operation. Similarity theory is a
convenient and easy tool to prove that patterns of blood pressure
signals of intestinal artery blocking and unblocking are surely
different. And, the algorithm of Hilbert Huang Transform can be
applied to extract the character parameters of blood pressure pattern.
In conclusion, the patterns of blood pressure signals of two different
situations, intestinal artery blocking and unblocking, can be
distinguished by these character parameters defined in this paper.