Abstract: A personal estimate of a health risk may not
correspond to a scientific assessment of the health risk. Hence, there
is a need to investigate perceived health risks in the public. In this
study, a young, educated and healthy group of people from a tertiary
institute were questioned about their health concerns. Ethics
clearance was obtained and data was collected by means of a
questionnaire. 362 students participated in the study. Tobacco use,
heavy alcohol drinking, illicit drugs, unsafe sex and potential
carcinogens were perceived to be the five greatest threats to health in
this cohort. On the other hand natural health products,
unemployment, unmet contraceptive needs, family violence and
homelessness were felt to be the least perceived health risks.
Nutrition-related health risks as well as health risks due to physical
inactivity and obesity were not perceived as major health threats.
Such a study of health perceptions may guide health promotion
campaigns.
Abstract: Negation is useful in the majority of the real world applications. However, its introduction leads to semantic and canonical problems. We propose in this paper an approach based on stratification to deal with negation problems. This approach is based on an extension of predicates nets. It is characterized with two main contributions. The first concerns the management of the whole class of stratified programs. The second contribution is related to usual operations optimizations on stratified programs (maximal stratification, incremental updates ...).
Abstract: Pattern matching based on regular tree grammars have been widely used in many areas of computer science. In this paper, we propose a pattern matcher within the framework of code generation, based on a generic and a formalized approach. According to this approach, parsers for regular tree grammars are adapted to a general pattern matching solution, rather than adapting the pattern matching according to their parsing behavior. Hence, we first formalize the construction of the pattern matches respective to input trees drawn from a regular tree grammar in a form of the so-called match trees. Then, we adopt a recently developed generic parser and tightly couple its parsing behavior with such construction. In addition to its generality, the resulting pattern matcher is characterized by its soundness and efficient implementation. This is demonstrated by the proposed theory and by the derived algorithms for its implementation. A comparison with similar and well-known approaches, such as the ones based on tree automata and LR parsers, has shown that our pattern matcher can be applied to a broader class of grammars, and achieves better approximation of pattern matches in one pass. Furthermore, its use as a machine code selector is characterized by a minimized overhead, due to the balanced distribution of the cost computations into static ones, during parser generation time, and into dynamic ones, during parsing time.
Abstract: In this paper, the process of obtaining Q and R
matrices for optimal pitch aircraft control system has been described.
Since the innovation of optimal control method, the determination of
Q and R matrices for such system has not been fully specified. The
value of Q and R for optimal pitch aircraft control application, have
been simulated and calculated. The suitable results for Q and R have
been observed through the performance index (PI). If the PI is small
“enough", we would say the Q & R values are suitable for that
certain type of optimal control system. Moreover, for the same value
of PI, we could have different Q and R sets. Due to the rule-free
determination of Q and R matrices, a specific method is brought to
find out the rough value of Q and R referring to rather small value of
PI.
Abstract: Network coding has recently attracted attention as an efficient technique in multicast/broadcast services. The problem of finding the optimal network coding mechanism maximizing the bandwidth efficiency is hard to solve and hard to approximate. Lots of network coding-based schemes have been suggested in the literature to improve the bandwidth efficiency, especially network coding-based automatic repeat request (NCARQ) schemes. However, existing schemes have several limitations which cause the performance degradation in resource limited systems. To improve the performance in resource limited systems, we propose NCARQ with overlapping selection (OS-NCARQ) scheme. The advantages of OS-NCARQ scheme over the traditional ARQ scheme and existing NCARQ schemes are shown through the analysis and simulations.
Abstract: An upwind difference approximation is used for a singularly perturbed problem in material science. Based on the discrete Green-s function theory, the error estimate in maximum norm is achieved, which is first-order uniformly convergent with respect to the perturbation parameter. The numerical experimental result is verified the valid of the theoretical analysis.
Abstract: To support mobility in ATM networks, a number of
technical challenges need to be resolved. The impact of handoff
schemes in terms of service disruption, handoff latency, cost
implications and excess resources required during handoffs needs to
be addressed. In this paper, a one phase handoff and route
optimization solution using reserved PVCs between adjacent ATM
switches to reroute connections during inter-switch handoff is
studied. In the second phase, a distributed optimization process is
initiated to optimally reroute handoff connections. The main
objective is to find the optimal operating point at which to perform
optimization subject to cost constraint with the purpose of reducing
blocking probability of inter-switch handoff calls for delay tolerant
traffic. We examine the relation between the required bandwidth
resources and optimization rate. Also we calculate and study the
handoff blocking probability due to lack of bandwidth for resources
reserved to facilitate the rapid rerouting.
Abstract: Avalanche release of snow has been modeled in the present studies. Snow is assumed to be represented by semi-solid and the governing equations have been studied from the concept of continuum approach. The dynamical equations have been solved for two different zones [starting zone and track zone] by using appropriate initial and boundary conditions. Effect of density (ρ), Eddy viscosity (η), Slope angle (θ), Slab depth (R) on the flow parameters have been observed in the present studies. Numerical methods have been employed for computing the non linear differential equations. One of the most interesting and fundamental innovation in the present studies is getting initial condition for the computation of velocity by numerical approach. This information of the velocity has obtained through the concept of fracture mechanics applicable to snow. The results on the flow parameters have found to be in qualitative agreement with the published results.
Abstract: Agriculture products are being more demanding in
market today. To increase its productivity, automation to produce
these products will be very helpful. The purpose of this work is to
measure and determine the ripeness and quality of watermelon. The
textures on watermelon skin will be captured using digital camera.
These images will be filtered using image processing technique. All
these information gathered will be trained using ANN to determine
the watermelon ripeness accuracy. Initial results showed that the best
model has produced percentage accuracy of 86.51%, when measured
at 32 hidden units with a balanced percentage rate of training dataset.
Abstract: Task of object localization is one of the major
challenges in creating intelligent transportation. Unfortunately, in
densely built-up urban areas, localization based on GPS only
produces a large error, or simply becomes impossible. New
opportunities arise for the localization due to the rapidly emerging
concept of a wireless ad-hoc network. Such network, allows
estimating potential distance between these objects measuring
received signal level and construct a graph of distances in which
nodes are the localization objects, and edges - estimates of the
distances between pairs of nodes. Due to the known coordinates of
individual nodes (anchors), it is possible to determine the location of
all (or part) of the remaining nodes of the graph. Moreover, road
map, available in digital format can provide localization routines
with valuable additional information to narrow node location search.
However, despite abundance of well-known algorithms for solving
the problem of localization and significant research efforts, there are
still many issues that currently are addressed only partially. In this
paper, we propose localization approach based on the graph mapped
distances on the digital road map data basis. In fact, problem is
reduced to distance graph embedding into the graph representing area
geo location data. It makes possible to localize objects, in some cases
even if only one reference point is available. We propose simple
embedding algorithm and sample implementation as spatial queries
over sensor network data stored in spatial database, allowing
employing effectively spatial indexing, optimized spatial search
routines and geometry functions.
Abstract: This paper may be considered as combination of both pervasive computing and Differential GPS (global positioning satellite) which relates to control automatic traffic signals in such a
way as to pre-empt normal signal operation and permit lifesaving vehicles. Before knowing the arrival of the lifesaving vehicles from
the signal there is a chance of clearing the traffic. Traffic signal
preemption system includes a vehicle equipped with onboard computer system capable of capturing diagnostic information and
estimated location of the lifesaving vehicle using the information provided by GPS receiver connected to the onboard computer system
and transmitting the information-s using a wireless transmitter via a
wireless network. The fleet management system connected to a
wireless receiver is capable of receiving the information transmitted
by the lifesaving vehicle .A computer is also located at the
intersection uses corrected vehicle position, speed & direction
measurements, in conjunction with previously recorded data defining
approach routes to the intersection, to determine the optimum time to
switch a traffic light controller to preemption mode so that lifesaving
vehicles can pass safely. In case when the ambulance need to take a
“U" turn in a heavy traffic area we suggest a solution. Now we are
going to make use of computerized median which uses LINKED
BLOCKS (removable) to solve the above problem.
Abstract: The Sphere Method is a flexible interior point algorithm for linear programming problems. This was developed mainly by Professor Katta G. Murty. It consists of two steps, the centering step and the descent step. The centering step is the most expensive part of the algorithm. In this centering step we proposed some improvements such as introducing two or more initial feasible solutions as we solve for the more favorable new solution by objective value while working with the rigorous updates of the feasible region along with some ideas integrated in the descent step. An illustration is given confirming the advantage of using the proposed procedure.
Abstract: In the research field of Rough Set, few papers concern the significance of attribute set. However, there is important relation between the significance of single attribute and that of attribute set, which should not be ignored. In this paper, we draw conclusions by case analysis that (1) the attribute set including single attributes with high significance is certainly significant, while, (2)the attribute set which consists of single attributes with low significance possibly has high significance. We validate the conclusions on discernibility matrix and the results demonstrate the contribution of our conclusions.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to support the application of Open Innovation practices in firms and organizations by the assessment and management of Intellectual Capital. Intellectual Capital constituents are analyzed in order to verify their capability of acting as key drivers of Open Innovation processes and, therefore, of creating value. A methodology is defined to settle a procedure which helps to select the most relevant Intellectual Capital value drivers and to provide Communities of Innovation with strategic and managerial guidelines in sustaining Open Innovation paradigm. An application of the methodology is developed within a specifically addressed project and its results are hereafter examined.
Abstract: Architecture as a form of art, whilst actively
developing, finds new methods and conceptions. Currently,
architectural animation is actively developing as a step, successive to
architectural visualization. Interesting vistas of architectural ideas
were discovered by artists of Japanese animation, in which there are
traditional spirits, kami, and imaginary spaces relating to them.
Anime art should be considered abstract painting, another kind of an
architectural workshop, where new architectural ideas are generated.
Abstract: The effect of concentration of reduction agent of
sodium borohydrate (NaBH4) on the properties of silicon
nanoparticles synthesized via microemulsion route is reported. In
this work, the concentration of the silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) that
served as silicon source with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and
polyethylene glycol (PEG) as stabilizer and surfactant, respectively,
are keep fixed. Four samples with varied concentration of NaBH4
from 0.05 M to 0.20 M were synthesized. It was found that the lowest
concentration of NaBH4 gave better formation of silicon
nanoparticles.
Abstract: In this article, by means of examination of Bolshevists
Turkistanskie Vedomosti" newspaper and “Erikti Oylar Organi" and
“Turkistanskyi Vestnik" newspapers which had been published
during 1917-1918, the fact that “Turkistan Governorship" established
in city of Kokand in November of 1917, within the framework of
former tsarist Russia Turkistan general-governorship, was the legal
government formed as a requisition of people of Turkistan was
proved. An examination of these two newspapers providing
information regarding history of “Turkistan Autonomy" but having
opposite to each other views makes it possible to obtain valuable data
concerning history of autonomy which was inappropriately
misrepresented during Soviet period.
Abstract: The present work is motivated by the idea that the
layer deformation in anisotropic elasticity can be estimated from the
theory of interfacial dislocations. In effect, this work which is an
extension of a previous approach given by one of the authors
determines the anisotropic displacement fields and the critical
thickness due to a complex biperiodic network of MDs lying just
below the free surface in view of the arrangement of dislocations.
The elastic fields of such arrangements observed along interfaces
play a crucial part in the improvement of the physical properties of
epitaxial systems. New results are proposed in anisotropic elasticity
for hexagonal networks of MDs which contain intrinsic and extrinsic
stacking faults. We developed, using a previous approach based on
the relative interfacial displacement and a Fourier series formulation
of the displacement fields, the expressions of elastic fields when
there is a possible dissociation of MDs. The numerical investigations
in the case of the observed system Si/(111)Si with low twist angles
show clearly the effect of the anisotropy and thickness when the
misfit networks are dissociated.
Abstract: We report the electronic structure and optical
properties of NdF3 compound. Our calculations are based on density
functional theory (DFT) using the full potential linearized augmented
plane wave (FPLAPW) method with the inclusion of spin orbit
coupling. We employed the local spin density approximation (LSDA)
and Coulomb-corrected local spin density approximation, known for
treating the highly correlated 4f electrons properly, is able to
reproduce the correct insulating ground state. We find that the
standard LSDA approach is incapable of correctly describing the
electronic properties of such materials since it positions the f-bands
incorrectly resulting in an incorrect metallic ground state. On the
other hand, LSDA + U approximation, known for treating the highly
correlated 4f electrons properly, is able to reproduce the correct
insulating ground state. Interestingly, however, we do not find any
significant differences in the optical properties calculated using
LSDA, and LSDA + U suggesting that the 4f electrons do not play a
decisive role in the optical properties of these compounds. The
reflectivity for NdF3 compound stays low till 7 eV which is
consistent with their large energy gaps. The calculated energy gaps
are in good agreement with experiments. Our calculated reflectivity
compares well with the experimental data and the results are analyzed
in the light of band to band transitions.
Abstract: We present an explicit expression to estimate driving voltage attenuation through RC networks representation of an ultrahigh- speed image sensor. Elmore delay metric for a fundamental RC chain is employed as the first-order approximation. By application of dimensional analysis to SPICE simulation data, we found a simple expression that significantly improves the accuracy of the approximation. Estimation error of the resultant expression for uniform RC networks is less than 2%. Similarly, another simple closed-form model to estimate 50 % delay through fundamental RC networks is also derived with sufficient accuracy. The framework of this analysis can be extended to address delay or attenuation issues of other VLSI structures.