Abstract: A novel and versatile numerical technique to solve a self-stress equilibrium state is adopted herein as a form-finding procedure for an irregular tensegrity structure. The numerical form-finding scheme of a tensegrity structure uses only the connectivity matrix and prototype tension coefficient vector as the initial guess solution. Any information on the symmetrical geometry or other predefined initial structural conditions is not necessary to get the solution in the form-finding process. An eight-node initial condition example is presented to demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed method in the form-finding of an irregular tensegrity structure. Based on the conception from the form-finding of an eight-node irregular tensegrity structure, a monumental object is designed by considering the real world situation such as self-weight, wind and earthquake loadings.
Abstract: In this paper, a multi-branch power line is modeled using ABCD matrix to show its worth as a communication channel. The model is simulated using MATLAB in an effort to investigate the effects of multiple loading, multipath, and those as a result of load mismatching. The channel transfer function is obtained and investigated using different cable lengths, and different number of bridge taps under given loading conditions.
Abstract: This paper presents the experimental results of the
investigation of various properties related to the durability and longterm
performance of mortars made of Fly Ash blended cement, FA
and Ordinary Portland cement, OPC. The properties that were
investigated in an experimental program include; equilibration of
specimen in different relative humidity, determination of total
porosity, compressive strength, chloride permeability index, and
electrical resistivity. Fly Ash blended cement mortar specimens
exhibited 10% to 15% lower porosity when measured at equilibrium
conditions in different relative humidities as compared to the
specimens made of OPC mortar, which resulted in 6% to 8% higher
compressive strength of FA blended cement mortar specimens. The
effects of ambient relative humidity during sample equilibration on
porosity and strength development were also studied. For specimens
equilibrated in higher relative humidity conditions, such as 75%, the
total porosity of different mortar specimens was between 35% to 50%
less than the porosity of samples equilibrated in 12% relative
humidity, consequently leading to higher compressive strengths of
these specimens.A valid statistical correlation between values of
compressive strength, porosity and the degree of saturation was
obtained. Measured values of chloride permeability index of fly ash
blended cement mortar were obtained as one fourth to one sixth of
those measured for OPC mortar specimens, which indicates high
resistance against chloride ion penetration in FA blended cement
specimens, hence resulting in a highly durable mortar.
Abstract: Bacterial molecular chaperone DnaK plays an essential role in protein folding, stress response and transmembrane targeting of proteins. DnaKs from many bacterial species, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Haemophilus infleunzae are the molecular targets for the insect-derived antimicrobial peptide pyrrhocoricin. Pyrrhocoricin-like peptides bind in the substrate recognition tunnel. Despite the high degree of crossspecies sequence conservation in the substrate-binding tunnel, some bacteria are not sensitive to pyrrhocoricin. This work addresses the molecular mechanism of resistance of Helicobacter pylori DnaK to pyrrhocoricin. Homology modelling, structural and sequence analysis identify a single aminoacid substitution at the interface between the lid and the β-sandwich subdomains of the DnaK substrate-binding domain as the major determinant for its resistance.
Abstract: The paper suggests for the first time the use of dynamic programming techniques for optimal risk reduction in the railway industry. It is shown that by using the concept ‘amount of removed risk by a risk reduction option’, the problem related to optimal allocation of a fixed budget to achieve a maximum risk reduction in the railway industry can be reduced to an optimisation problem from dynamic programming. For n risk reduction options and size of the available risk reduction budget B (expressed as integer number), the worst-case running time of the proposed algorithm is O (n x (B+1)), which makes the proposed method a very efficient tool
for solving the optimal risk reduction problem in the railway industry.
Abstract: Calcium [Ca2+] is an important second messenger
which plays an important role in signal transduction. There are
several parameters that affect its concentration profile like buffer
source etc. The effect of stationary immobile buffer on Ca2+
concentration has been incorporated which is a very important
parameter needed to be taken into account in order to make the
model more realistic. Interdependence of all the important parameters
like diffusion coefficient and influx over [Ca2+] profile has been
studied. Model is developed in the form of advection diffusion
equation together with buffer concentration. A program has been
developed using finite volume method for the entire problem and
simulated on an AMD-Turion 32-bit machine to compute the
numerical results.
Abstract: Application of Expert System in the area of agriculture would take the form of Integrated Crop Management decision aids and would encompass water management, fertilizer management, crop protection systems and identification of implements. In order to remain competitive, the modern farmer often relies on agricultural specialists and advisors to provide information for decision-making. An expert system normally composed of a knowledge base (information, heuristics, etc.), inference engine (analyzes knowledge base), and end user interface (accepting inputs, generating outputs). Software named 'CROP-9-DSS' incorporating all modern features like, graphics, photos, video clippings etc. has been developed. This package will aid as a decision support system for identification of pest and diseases with control measures, fertilizer recommendation system, water management system and identification of farm implements for leading crops of Kerala (India) namely Coconut, Rice, Cashew, Pepper, Banana, four vegetables like Amaranthus, Bhindi, Brinjal and Cucurbits. 'CROP-9-DSS' will act as an expert system to agricultural officers, scientists in the field of agriculture and extension workers for decision-making and help them in suggesting suitable recommendations.
Abstract: Markov games can be effectively used to design
controllers for nonlinear systems. The paper presents two novel
controller design algorithms by incorporating ideas from gametheory
literature that address safety and consistency issues of the
'learned' control strategy. A more widely used approach for
controller design is the H∞ optimal control, which suffers from high
computational demand and at times, may be infeasible. We generate
an optimal control policy for the agent (controller) via a simple
Linear Program enabling the controller to learn about the unknown
environment. The controller is facing an unknown environment and
in our formulation this environment corresponds to the behavior rules
of the noise modeled as the opponent. Proposed approaches aim to
achieve 'safe-consistent' and 'safe-universally consistent' controller
behavior by hybridizing 'min-max', 'fictitious play' and 'cautious
fictitious play' approaches drawn from game theory. We empirically
evaluate the approaches on a simulated Inverted Pendulum swing-up
task and compare its performance against standard Q learning.
Abstract: Electro Discharge Sawing is a hybrid process
combining the features of SEDM and ECM. Its major characteristic is
extremely fast erosion rate compare to either of the above processes.
This paper brings out its relative feature of SEDM and EDS about
their erosion rates, surface roughness, and morphology of machined
surfaces.
Abstract: Variational methods for optical flow estimation are
known for their excellent performance. The method proposed by Brox
et al. [5] exemplifies the strength of that framework. It combines
several concepts into single energy functional that is then minimized
according to clear numerical procedure. In this paper we propose
a modification of that algorithm starting from the spatiotemporal
gradient constancy assumption. The numerical scheme allows to
establish the connection between our model and the CLG(H) method
introduced in [18]. Experimental evaluation carried out on synthetic
sequences shows the significant superiority of the spatial variant of
the proposed method. The comparison between methods for the realworld
sequence is also enclosed.
Abstract: The way music is interpreted by the human brain is a very interesting topic, but also an intricate one. Although this domain has been studied for over a century, many gray areas remain in the understanding of music. Recent advances have enabled us to perform accurate measurements of the time taken by the human brain to interpret and assimilate a sound. Cognitive computing provides tools and development environments that facilitate human cognition simulation. ACT-R is a cognitive architecture which offers an environment for implementing human cognitive tasks. This project combines our understanding of the music interpretation by a human listener and the ACT-R cognitive architecture to build SINGER, a computerized simulation for listening and recalling songs. The results are similar to human experimental data. Simulation results also show how it is easier to remember short melodies than long melodies which require more trials to be recalled correctly.
Abstract: This paper describes an interfacing of C and the
TMS320C6713 assembly language which is crucially important for
many real-time applications. Similarly, interfacing of C with the
assembly language of a conventional microprocessor such as
MC68000 is presented for comparison. However, it should be noted
that the way the C compiler passes arguments among various
functions in the TMS320C6713-based environment is totally
different from the way the C compiler passes arguments in a
conventional microprocessor such as MC68000. Therefore, it is very
important for a user of the TMS320C6713-based system to properly
understand and follow the register conventions when interfacing C
with the TMS320C6713 assembly language subroutine. It should be
also noted that in some cases (examples 6-9) the endian-mode of the
board needs to be taken into consideration. In this paper, one method
is presented in great detail. Other methods will be presented in the
future.
Abstract: This paper presents a silicon controller rectifier (SCR)
based ESD protection circuit for IC. The proposed ESD protection
circuit has low trigger voltage and high holding voltage compared with
conventional SCR ESD protection circuit. Electrical characteristics of
the proposed ESD protection circuit are simulated and analyzed using
TCAD simulator. The proposed ESD protection circuit verified
effective low voltage ESD characteristics with low trigger voltage and
high holding voltage.
Abstract: We have studied the migration of a charged permeable aggregate in electrolyte under the influence of an axial electric field and pressure gradient. The migration of the positively charged aggregate leads to a deformation of the anionic cloud around it. The hydrodynamics of the aggregate is governed by the interaction of electroosmotic flow in and around the particle, hydrodynamic friction and electric force experienced by the aggregate. We have computed the non-linear Nernest-Planck equations coupled with the Dracy- Brinkman extended Navier-Stokes equations and Poisson equation for electric field through a finite volume method. The permeability of the aggregate enable the counterion penetration. The penetration of counterions depends on the volume charge density of the aggregate and ionic concentration of electrolytes at a fixed field strength. The retardation effect due to the double layer polarization increases the drag force compared to an uncharged aggregate. Increase in migration sped from the electrophretic velocity of the aggregate produces further asymmetry in charge cloud and reduces the electric body force exerted on the particle. The permeability of the particle have relatively little influence on the electric body force when Double layer is relatively thin. The impact of the key parameters of electrokinetics on the hydrodynamics of the aggregate is analyzed.
Abstract: Simulation accuracy by recent dynamic vehicle
simulation multidimensional expression significantly has progressed
and acceptable results not only for passive vehicles but also for
active vehicles normally equipped with advanced electronic
components is also provided. Recently, one of the subjects that has it
been considered, is increasing the safety car in design. Therefore,
many efforts have been done to increase vehicle stability especially
in the turn. One of the most important efforts is adjusting the camber
angle in the car suspension system. Optimum control camber angle in
addition to the vehicle stability is effective in the wheel adhesion on
road, reducing rubber abrasion and acceleration and braking. Since
the increase or decrease in the camber angle impacts on the stability
of vehicles, in this paper, a car suspension system mechanism is
introduced that could be adjust camber angle and the mechanism is
application and also inexpensive. In order to reach this purpose, in
this paper, a passive double wishbone suspension system with
variable camber angle is introduced and then variable camber
mechanism designed and analyzed for study the designed system
performance, this mechanism is modeled in Visual Nastran software
and kinematic analysis is revealed.
Abstract: Rough set theory is a very effective tool to deal with granularity and vagueness in information systems. Covering-based rough set theory is an extension of classical rough set theory. In this paper, firstly we present the characteristics of the reducible element and the minimal description covering-based rough sets through downsets. Then we establish lattices and topological spaces in coveringbased rough sets through down-sets and up-sets. In this way, one can investigate covering-based rough sets from algebraic and topological points of view.
Abstract: This paper reviews the greenhouse gas emissions of prefabrication elements for residential development in Hong Kong. Prefabrication becomes a common practice in residential development in Hong Kong and is considered as a green approach. In Hong Kong, prefabrication took place at factories in Pearl River Delta. Although prefabrication reduces construction wastage, it might generate more greenhouse gas emission from transportation and manufacturing processes. This study attempts to measure the “cradle to site" greenhouse gas emission from prefabrication elements for a public housing development in Kai Tak area. The findings could help further reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through process improvement.
Abstract: This study deals with a multi-criteria optimization
problem which has been transformed into a single objective
optimization problem using Response Surface Methodology (RSM),
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Grey Relational Analyses
(GRA) approach. Grey-RSM and Grey-ANN are hybrid techniques
which can be used for solving multi-criteria optimization problem.
There have been two main purposes of this research as follows.
1. To determine optimum and robust fiber dyeing process
conditions by using RSM and ANN based on GRA,
2. To obtain the best suitable model by comparing models
developed by different methodologies.
The design variables for fiber dyeing process in textile are
temperature, time, softener, anti-static, material quantity, pH,
retarder, and dispergator. The quality characteristics to be evaluated
are nominal color consistency of fiber, maximum strength of fiber,
minimum color of dyeing solution. GRA-RSM with exact level
value, GRA-RSM with interval level value and GRA-ANN models
were compared based on GRA output value and MSE (Mean Square
Error) performance measurement of outputs with each other. As a
result, GRA-ANN with interval value model seems to be suitable
reducing the variation of dyeing process for GRA output value of the
model.
Abstract: Ambient Intelligence (AmI) environments bring
significant potential to exploit sophisticated computer technology in
everyday life. In particular, the educational domain could be
significantly enhanced through AmI, as personalized and adapted
learning could be transformed from paper concepts and prototypes to
real-life scenarios. In this paper, an integrated framework is
presented, named ClassMATE, supporting ubiquitous computing and
communication in a school classroom. The main objective of
ClassMATE is to enable pervasive interaction and context aware
education in the technologically augmented classroom of the future.
Abstract: It has been proven that early establishment of
microbial flora in digestive tract of ruminants, has a beneficial effect
on their health condition and productivity. A probiotic compound,
made from five bacteria isolated from adult bovine cattle, was dosed
to 15 Holstein newborn calves in order to measure its capacity of
improving body weight gain and reduce diarrhea incidence. The test
was performed in the municipality of Cajicá (Colombia), at 2580
m.a.s.l., throughout rainy season, with environmental temperature
that oscillated between 4 to 25 °C. Five calves were allotted to
control (no addition of probiotic). Treatments 1, and 2 (5 calves per
group) received 10 ml Probiotic mix 1 and 2, respectively. Probiotic
mixes 1 and 2 where similar in microbial composition but different in
production process. Probiotics were added to the morning milk and
dosed on a daily basis by a month and then on a weekly basis for
three additional months. Diarrhea incidence was measured by
observance of number of animals affected in each group; each animal
was weighed up on a daily basis for obtaining weight gain and rumen
fluid samples were extracted with oro-esophageal catheter for
determining level of fiber and grain consumption.