Abstract: Securing instream flows for aquatic ecosystems is
critical for sustainable water management and the promotion of
human and environmental health. Using a case study from the semiarid
region of southern Alberta (Canada) this paper considers how
the determination of instream flow standards requires judgments with
respect to: (1) The relationship between instream flow indicators and
assessments of overall environmental health; (2) The indicators used
to determine adequate instream flows, and; (3) The assumptions
underlying efforts to model instream flows given data constraints. It
argues that judgments in each of these areas have an inherently
ethical component because instream flows have direct effects on the
water(s) available to meet obligations to humans and non-humans.
The conclusion expands from the case study to generic issues
regarding instream flows, the growing water ethics literature and
prospects for linking science to policy.
Abstract: Different pseudo-random or pseudo-noise (PN) as well as orthogonal sequences that can be used as spreading codes for code division multiple access (CDMA) cellular networks or can be used for encrypting speech signals to reduce the residual intelligence are investigated. We briefly review the theoretical background for direct sequence CDMA systems and describe the main characteristics of the maximal length, Gold, Barker, and Kasami sequences. We also discuss about variable- and fixed-length orthogonal codes like Walsh- Hadamard codes. The equivalence of PN and orthogonal codes are also derived. Finally, a new PN sequence is proposed which is shown to have certain better properties than the existing codes.
Abstract: In this paper, the dam-reservoir interaction is
analyzed using a finite element approach. The fluid is assumed to be
incompressible, irrotational and inviscid. The assumed boundary
conditions are that the interface of the dam and reservoir is vertical
and the bottom of reservoir is rigid and horizontal. The governing
equation for these boundary conditions is implemented in the
developed finite element code considering the horizontal and vertical
earthquake components. The weighted residual standard Galerkin
finite element technique with 8-node elements is used to discretize
the equation that produces a symmetric matrix equation for the damreservoir
system. A new boundary condition is proposed for
truncating surface of unbounded fluid domain to show the energy
dissipation in the reservoir, through radiation in the infinite upstream
direction. The Sommerfeld-s and perfect damping boundary
conditions are also implemented for a truncated boundary to compare
with the proposed far end boundary. The results are compared with
an analytical solution to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed
formulation and other truncated boundary conditions in modeling the
hydrodynamic response of an infinite reservoir.
Abstract: In this work the effects of uniaxial mechanical stress on a pixel readout circuit are theoretically analyzed. It is the effects of mechanical stress on the in-pixel transistors do not arise at the output, when a correlated double sampling circuit is used. However, mechanical stress effects on the photodiode will directly appear at the readout chain output. Therefore, compensation techniques are needed to overcome this situation. Moreover simulation technique of mechanical stress is proposed and diverse layout as well as design recommendations are put forward, in order to minimize stress related effects on the output of a circuit. he shown, that wever, Moreover, a out
Abstract: The optimal operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) requires good water management which is presented under two forms vapor and liquid. Moreover, fuel cells have to reach higher output require integration of some accessories which need electrical power. In order to analyze fuel cells operation and different species transport phenomena a biphasic mathematical model is presented by governing equations set. The numerical solution of these conservation equations is calculated by Matlab program. A multi-criteria optimization with weighting between two opposite objectives is used to determine the compromise solutions between maximum output and minimal stack size. The obtained results are in good agreement with available literature data.
Abstract: Outlier detection in streaming data is very challenging because streaming data cannot be scanned multiple times and also new concepts may keep evolving. Irrelevant attributes can be termed as noisy attributes and such attributes further magnify the challenge of working with data streams. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised outlier detection scheme for streaming data. This scheme is based on clustering as clustering is an unsupervised data mining task and it does not require labeled data, both density based and partitioning clustering are combined for outlier detection. In this scheme partitioning clustering is also used to assign weights to attributes depending upon their respective relevance and weights are adaptive. Weighted attributes are helpful to reduce or remove the effect of noisy attributes. Keeping in view the challenges of streaming data, the proposed scheme is incremental and adaptive to concept evolution. Experimental results on synthetic and real world data sets show that our proposed approach outperforms other existing approach (CORM) in terms of outlier detection rate, false alarm rate, and increasing percentages of outliers.
Abstract: The paper aims to specify and build a system, a learning support in radiology-senology (breast radiology) dedicated to help assist junior radiologists-senologists in their radiologysenology- related activity based on experience of expert radiologistssenologists. This system is named SAFRS (i.e. system supporting the training of radiologists-senologists). It is based on the exploitation of radiologic-senologic images (primarily mammograms but also echographic images or MRI) and their related clinical files. The aim of such a system is to help breast cancer screening in education. In order to acquire this expert radiologist-senologist knowledge, we have used the CBR (case-based reasoning) approach. The SAFRS system will promote the evolution of teaching in radiology-senology by offering the “junior radiologist" trainees an advanced pedagogical product. It will permit a strengthening of knowledge together with a very elaborate presentation of results. At last, the know-how will derive from all these factors.
Abstract: We investigated a modified thermal evaporation
method in the growth process of ZnO nanowires. ZnO nanowires
were fabricated on p-type silicon substrates without using a metal
catalyst. A simple horizontal double-tube system along with
chemical vapor diffusion of the precursor was used to grow the ZnO
nanowires. The substrates were placed in different temperature
zones, and ZnO nanowires with different diameters were obtained for
the different substrate temperatures. In addition to the nanowires,
ZnO microdiscs with different diameters were obtained on another
substrate, which was placed at a lower temperature than the other
substrates. The optical properties and crystalline quality of the ZnO
nanowires and microdiscs were characterized by room temperature
photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectrometers. The PL and
Raman studies demonstrated that the ZnO nanowires and microdiscs
grown using such set-up had good crystallinity with excellent optical
properties. Rectifying behavior of ZnO/Si heterostructures was
characterized by a simple DC circuit.
Abstract: Scarcity of resources for biodiversity conservation gives rise to the need of strategic investment with priorities given to the cost of conservation. While the literature provides abundant methodological options for biodiversity conservation; estimating true cost of conservation remains abstract and simplistic, without recognising dynamic nature of the cost. Some recent works demonstrate the prominence of economic theory to inform biodiversity decisions, particularly on the costs and benefits of biodiversity however, the integration of the concept of true cost into biodiversity actions and planning are very slow to come by, and specially on a farm level. Conservation planning studies often use area as a proxy for costs neglecting different land values as well as protected areas. These literature consider only heterogeneous benefits while land costs are considered homogenous. Analysis with the assumption of cost homogeneity results in biased estimation; since not only it doesn’t address the true total cost of biodiversity actions and plans, but also it fails to screen out lands that are more (or less) expensive and/or difficult (or more suitable) for biodiversity conservation purposes, hindering validity and comparability of the results. Economies of scope” is one of the other most neglected aspects in conservation literature. The concept of economies of scope introduces the existence of cost complementarities within a multiple output production system and it suggests a lower cost during the concurrent production of multiple outputs by a given farm. If there are, indeed, economies of scope then simplistic representation of costs will tend to overestimate the true cost of conservation leading to suboptimal outcomes. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to provide first road review of the various theoretical ways in which economies of scope are likely to occur of how they might occur in conservation. Consequently, the paper addresses gaps that have to be filled in future analysis.
Abstract: In this paper we focus on event extraction from Tamil
news article. This system utilizes a scoring scheme for extracting and
grouping event-specific sentences. Using this scoring scheme eventspecific
clustering is performed for multiple documents. Events are
extracted from each document using a scoring scheme based on
feature score and condition score. Similarly event specific sentences
are clustered from multiple documents using this scoring scheme.
The proposed system builds the Event Template based on user
specified query. The templates are filled with event specific details
like person, location and timeline extracted from the formed clusters.
The proposed system applies these methodologies for Tamil news
articles that have been enconverted into UNL graphs using a Tamil to
UNL-enconverter. The main intention of this work is to generate an
event based template.
Abstract: Two-dimensional heat conduction within a composed solid material with a constant internal heat generation has been investigated numerically in a sector of the rotor a generator. The heat transfer between two adjacent materials is assumed to be purely conduction. Boundary conditions are assumed to be forced convection on the fluid side and adiabatic on symmetry lines. The control volume method is applied for the diffusion energy equation. Physical coordinates are transformed to the general curvilinear coordinates. Then by using a line-by-line method, the temperature distribution in a sector of the rotor has been determined. Finally, the results are normalized and the effect of cooling fluid on the maximum temperature of insulation is investigated.
Abstract: This paper introduces an adaptive control scheme to synchronize two identical Chua's systems. Introductory part of the paper is presented in the first part of the paper and then in the second part, a new theorem is proposed based on which an adaptive control scheme is developed to synchronize two identical modified Chua's circuit. Finally, numerical simulations are included to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Abstract: The Malaysia Highway Authority (MHA) was
established by the Government in 1980 for the purpose of designing,
constructing and maintaining toll highways in Malaysia that include
the North-South Expressway and the Penang Bridge, which were
procured using the publicly-funded traditional procurement. However
following a recession in the mid 80-s, the operations of these tolledhighways
had been privatized to ensure that their operational services
continue through private financing as a result of long-term
concession agreement concurred between the Malaysian Government
and private operators. The change in the contract strategy for
highway projects in Malaysia would have a great tendency to dictate
a significant risk exposure towards the key parties involved,
particularly the Malaysian Government as project principal, unless
operational risks are clearly identified and managed via appropriate
mitigation measures prior to a contract signing.
This research identifies potential operational risks that have a
possibility to occur in highway projects in Malaysia from the
perspective of public sector clients. Since this research focuses on the
operational risks for highway projects in Malaysia, the initial results
acquired from literature review on the operational risks of highway
projects in some Asian countries are then justified by a number of
key individuals from the MHA through interviews. As a result,
among key operational risks that have possibility to occur in the
highway projects in Malaysia include initial toll-tariff decided by the
Government, traffic congestion, change of road network and overloaded
freight transportation, which could cause damage to the road
surface and hence affecting the operation of a particular highway.
Abstract: This paper shows the advantages of the material failure process simulation by improve finite elements with embedded discontinuities, using a new definition of traction vector, dependent on the discontinuity length and the angle. Particularly, two families of this kind of elements are compared: kinematically optimal symmetric and statically and kinematically optimal non-symmetric. The constitutive model to describe the behavior of the material in the symmetric formulation is a traction-displacement jump relationship equipped with softening after reaching the failure surface.
To show the validity of this symmetric formulation, representative numerical examples illustrating the performance of the proposed formulation are presented. It is shown that the non-symmetric family may over or underestimate the energy required to create a discontinuity, as this effect is related with the total length of the discontinuity, fact that is not noticed when the discontinuity path is a straight line.
Abstract: In this paper, we proposed the robust mobile object
detection method for light effect in the night street image block based
updating reference background model using block state analysis.
Experiment image is acquired sequence color video from steady
camera. When suddenly appeared artificial illumination, reference
background model update this information such as street light, sign
light. Generally natural illumination is change by temporal, but
artificial illumination is suddenly appearance. So in this paper for
exactly detect artificial illumination have 2 state process. First process
is compare difference between current image and reference
background by block based, it can know changed blocks. Second
process is difference between current image-s edge map and reference
background image-s edge map, it possible to estimate illumination at
any block. This information is possible to exactly detect object,
artificial illumination and it was generating reference background
more clearly. Block is classified by block-state analysis. Block-state
has a 4 state (i.e. transient, stationary, background, artificial
illumination). Fig. 1 is show characteristic of block-state respectively
[1]. Experimental results show that the presented approach works well
in the presence of illumination variance.
Abstract: In this paper, an approach for finding optimized
layouts for connecting PV units delivering maximum array output
power is suggested. The approach is based on considering the
different varying parameters of PV units that might be extracted from
a general two-diode model. These are mainly, solar irradiation,
reverse saturation currents, ideality factors, series and shunt
resistances in addition to operating temperature. The approach has
been tested on 19 possible 2×3 configurations and allowed to
determine the optimized configurations as well as examine the effects
of the different units- parameters on the maximum output power.
Thus, using this approach, standard arrays with n×m units can be
configured for maximum generated power and allows designing PV
based systems having reduced surfaces to fit specific required power,
as it is the case for solar cars and other mobile systems.
Abstract: Investigating language acquisition is one of the most
challenging problems in the area of studying language. Syllable
learning as a level of language acquisition has a considerable
significance since it plays an important role in language acquisition.
Because of impossibility of studying language acquisition directly
with children, especially in its developmental phases, computer
models will be useful in examining language acquisition. In this
paper a computer model of early language learning for syllable
learning is proposed. It is guided by a conceptual model of syllable
learning which is named Directions Into Velocities of Articulators
model (DIVA). The computer model uses simple associational and
reinforcement learning rules within neural network architecture
which are inspired by neuroscience. Our simulation results verify the
ability of the proposed computer model in producing phonemes
during babbling and early speech. Also, it provides a framework for
examining the neural basis of language learning and communication
disorders.
Abstract: This paper explores the features of political economy in the dynamics of representative politics in India. Politics is seen as enhancing economic benefits through acquiring and maintenance of power in the realm of democratic set up. The system of representation is riddled with competitive populism. Emerging leaders and parties are forced to accommodate their ideologies in coping with competitive politics. Electoral politics and voting behaviour reflect series of influences mooted by the politicians. Voters are accustomed to expect benefits outs of state exchequer. The electoral competitors show a changing phase of investment and return policy. Every elector has to spend and realize his costs in his tenure. In the case of defeated electors, even the cost recovery is not possible directly; there are indirect means to recover their costs. The series of case studies show the method of party funding, campaign financing, electoral expenditure, and cost recovery. Regulations could not restrict the level of spending. Several cases of disproportionate accumulation of wealth by the politicians reveal that money played a major part in electoral process. The political economy of representative politics hitherto ignores how a politician spends and recovers his cost and multiples his wealth. To be sure, the acquiring and maintenance of power is to enhance the wealth of the electors.
Abstract: In this study three commercial semiconductor devices
were characterized in the laboratory for computed tomography
dosimetry: one photodiode and two phototransistors. It was evaluated
four responses to the irradiation: dose linearity, energy dependence,
angular dependence and loss of sensitivity after X ray exposure. The
results showed that the three devices have proportional response with
the air kerma; the energy dependence displayed for each device
suggests that some calibration factors would be applied for each one;
the angular dependence showed a similar pattern among the three
electronic components. In respect to the fourth parameter analyzed,
one phototransistor has the highest sensitivity however it also showed
the greatest loss of sensitivity with the accumulated dose. The
photodiode was the device with the smaller sensitivity to radiation,
on the other hand, the loss of sensitivity after irradiation is negligible.
Since high accuracy is a desired feature for a dosimeter, the
photodiode can be the most suitable of the three devices for
dosimetry in tomography. The phototransistors can also be used for
CT dosimetry, however it would be necessary a correction factor due
to loss of sensitivity with accumulated dose.
Abstract: Four different colors of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)
(black, white, red and black/white speckled) and red kidney bean
(Phaseolus vulgaris) were used to evaluate proximate compositions,
starch content, and pasting properties. There were no significant
differences of moisture, protein, ash, fat, and carbohydrate contents
of all bean types. The kidney bean had significantly lower amounts of
total starch and solubilized starch compared to those of other
cowpeas (p ≤ 0.05), whereas the red cowpea and red kidney bean had
highest content of resistant starch (9-10%). Decortication indicated
no significant effect on the proximate compositions of all samples,
but it significantly decreased the resistant starch content in cowpeas
and increased the solubilized starch and total starch content in all
types of cowpeas. The highest values of pasting properties, generally
observed in flours obtained from black and black/white speckled
cowpea.