Abstract: This paper focuses on a technique for identifying the geological boundary of the ground strata in front of a tunnel excavation site using the first order adjoint method based on the optimal control theory. The geological boundary is defined as the boundary which is different layers of elastic modulus. At tunnel excavations, it is important to presume the ground situation ahead of the cutting face beforehand. Excavating into weak strata or fault fracture zones may cause extension of the construction work and human suffering. A theory for determining the geological boundary of the ground in a numerical manner is investigated, employing excavating blasts and its vibration waves as the observation references. According to the optimal control theory, the performance function described by the square sum of the residuals between computed and observed velocities is minimized. The boundary layer is determined by minimizing the performance function. The elastic analysis governed by the Navier equation is carried out, assuming the ground as an elastic body with linear viscous damping. To identify the boundary, the gradient of the performance function with respect to the geological boundary can be calculated using the adjoint equation. The weighed gradient method is effectively applied to the minimization algorithm. To solve the governing and adjoint equations, the Galerkin finite element method and the average acceleration method are employed for the spatial and temporal discretizations, respectively. Based on the method presented in this paper, the different boundary of three strata can be identified. For the numerical studies, the Suemune tunnel excavation site is employed. At first, the blasting force is identified in order to perform the accuracy improvement of analysis. We identify the geological boundary after the estimation of blasting force. With this identification procedure, the numerical analysis results which almost correspond with the observation data were provided.
Abstract: Breast cancer detection techniques have been reported
to aid radiologists in analyzing mammograms. We note that most
techniques are performed on uncompressed digital mammograms.
Mammogram images are huge in size necessitating the use of
compression to reduce storage/transmission requirements. In this
paper, we present an algorithm for the detection of
microcalcifications in the JPEG2000 domain. The algorithm is based
on the statistical properties of the wavelet transform that the
JPEG2000 coder employs. Simulation results were carried out at
different compression ratios. The sensitivity of this algorithm ranges
from 92% with a false positive rate of 4.7 down to 66% with a false
positive rate of 2.1 using lossless compression and lossy compression
at a compression ratio of 100:1, respectively.
Abstract: It is known that the heart interacts with and adapts to its venous and arterial loading conditions. Various experimental studies and modeling approaches have been developed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. This paper presents a model of the left ventricle derived based on nonlinear stress-length myocardial characteristics integrated over truncated ellipsoidal geometry, and second-order dynamic mechanism for the excitation-contraction coupling system. The results of the model presented here describe the effects of the viscoelastic damping element of the electromechanical coupling system on the hemodynamic response. Different heart rates are considered to study the pacing effects on the performance of the left-ventricle against constant preload and afterload conditions under various damping conditions. The results indicate that the pacing process of the left ventricle has to take into account, among other things, the viscoelastic damping conditions of the myofilament excitation-contraction process. The effects of left ventricular dimensions on the hemdynamic response have been examined. These effects are found to be different at different viscoelastic and pacing conditions.
Abstract: This study presents the numerical simulation of
optimum pin-fin heat sink with air impinging cooling by using
Taguchi method. 9 L ( 4 3 ) orthogonal array is selected as a plan for
the four design-parameters with three levels. The governing
equations are discretized by using the
control-volume-based-finite-difference method with a power-law
scheme on the non-uniform staggered grid. We solved the coupling of
the velocity and the pressure terms of momentum equations using
SIMPLEC algorithm. We employ the k −ε two-equations
turbulence model to describe the turbulent behavior. The parameters
studied include fin height H (35mm-45mm), inter-fin spacing a , b ,
and c (2 mm-6.4 mm), and Reynolds number ( Re = 10000- 25000).
The objective of this study is to examine the effects of the fin
spacings and fin height on the thermal resistance and to find the
optimum group by using the Taguchi method. We found that the fin
spacings from the center to the edge of the heat sink gradually
extended, and the longer the fin’s height the better the results. The
optimum group is 3 1 2 3 H a b c . In addition, the effects of parameters are
ranked by importance as a , H , c , and b .
Abstract: Sustainability in rural production system can only be achieved if it can suitably satisfy the local requirement as well as the outside demand with the changing time. With the increased pressure from the food sector in a globalised world, the agrarian economy
needs to re-organise its cultivable land system to be compatible with new management practices as well as the multiple needs of various stakeholders and the changing resource scenario. An attempt has been made to transform this problem into a multi-objective decisionmaking problem considering various objectives, resource constraints and conditional constraints. An interactive fuzzy multi-objective
programming approach has been used for such a purpose taking a
case study in Indian context to demonstrate the validity of the method.
Abstract: Inner class is a specialized class that defined within a
regular outer class. It is used in some programming languages such as
Java to carry out the task which is related to its outer class. The
functional relatedness between inner class and outer class is always
the main concern of defining an inner class. However, excessive use
of inner class could sabotage the class cohesiveness. In addition,
excessive inner class leads to the difficulty of software maintenance
and comprehension. Our research aims at determining the minimum
threshold for the functional relatedness of inner-outer class. Such
minimum threshold is a guideline for removing or relocating the
excessive inner class. Our research provides a feasible way for
software developers to define inner classes which are functionally
related to the outer class.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose an improved 3D star skeleton
technique, which is a suitable skeletonization for human posture representation
and reflects the 3D information of human posture.
Moreover, the proposed technique is simple and then can be performed
in real-time. The existing skeleton construction techniques, such as
distance transformation, Voronoi diagram, and thinning, focus on the
precision of skeleton information. Therefore, those techniques are not
applicable to real-time posture recognition since they are computationally
expensive and highly susceptible to noise of boundary. Although
a 2D star skeleton was proposed to complement these problems,
it also has some limitations to describe the 3D information of the
posture. To represent human posture effectively, the constructed skeleton
should consider the 3D information of posture. The proposed 3D
star skeleton contains 3D data of human, and focuses on human action
and posture recognition. Our 3D star skeleton uses the 8 projection
maps which have 2D silhouette information and depth data of human
surface. And the extremal points can be extracted as the features of 3D
star skeleton, without searching whole boundary of object. Therefore,
on execution time, our 3D star skeleton is faster than the “greedy" 3D
star skeleton using the whole boundary points on the surface. Moreover,
our method can offer more accurate skeleton of posture than the
existing star skeleton since the 3D data for the object is concerned.
Additionally, we make a codebook, a collection of representative 3D
star skeletons about 7 postures, to recognize what posture of constructed
skeleton is.
Abstract: Fatigue tests of specimen-s with numerous holes are
presented. The tests were made up till fatigue cracks have been
created on both sides of the hole. Their extension was stopping with
pressed plastic deformation at the mouth of the detected crack. It is
shown that the moments of occurrence of cracks on holes are
stochastically dependent. This dependence has positive and negative
correlation relations. Shown that the positive correlation is formed
across of the applied force, while negative one – along it. The
negative relationship extends over a greater distance. The
mathematical model of dependence area formation is represented as
well as the estimating of model parameters. The positive correlation
of fatigue cracks origination can be considered as an extension of one
main crack. With negative correlation the first crack locates the place
of its origin, leading to the appearance of multiple cracks; do not
merge with each other.
Abstract: All the available algorithms for blind estimation namely constant modulus algorithm (CMA), Decision-Directed Algorithm (DDA/DFE) suffer from the problem of convergence to local minima. Also, if the channel drifts considerably, any DDA looses track of the channel. So, their usage is limited in varying channel conditions. The primary limitation in such cases is the requirement of certain overhead bits in the transmit framework which leads to wasteful use of the bandwidth. Also such arrangements fail to use channel state information (CSI) which is an important aid in improving the quality of reception. In this work, the main objective is to reduce the overhead imposed by the pilot symbols, which in effect reduces the system throughput. Also we formulate an arrangement based on certain dynamic Artificial Neural Network (ANN) topologies which not only contributes towards the lowering of the overhead but also facilitates the use of the CSI. A 2×2 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system is simulated and the performance variation with different channel estimation schemes are evaluated. A new semi blind approach based on dynamic ANN is proposed for channel tracking in varying channel conditions and the performance is compared with perfectly known CSI and least square (LS) based estimation.
Abstract: The nonlinear damping behavior is usually ignored in
the design of a miniature moving-coil loudspeaker. But when the
loudspeaker operated in air, the damping parameter varies with the
voice-coil displacement corresponding due to viscous air flow. The
present paper presents an identification model as inverse problem to
identify the nonlinear damping parameter in the lumped parameter
model for the loudspeaker. Theoretical results for the nonlinear
damping are verified by using laser displacement measurement
scanner. These results indicate that the damping parameter has the
greatly different nonlinearity between in air and vacuum. It is believed
that the results of the present work can be applied in diagnosis and
sound quality improvement of a miniature loudspeaker.
Abstract: Never has a revolution affected all aspects of
humanity as the communication revolution during the past two
decades. This revolution, with all its advances and utilities, swept the
world thus becoming an integral part of our lives, hence giving way
to emerging applications at the social, economic, political, and
educational levels. More specifically, such applications have changed
the delivery system through which learning is acquired by students.
Interaction with educators, accessibility to content, and creative
delivery options are but a few facets of the new learning experience
now being offered through the use of technology in the educational
field. With different success rates, third world countries have tried to
pace themselves with use of educational technology in advanced
parts of the world. One such country is the small rich-oil state of
Kuwait which has tried to adopt the e-educational model, however,
an evaluation of such trial is yet to be done. This study aimed to fill
the void of research conducted around that topic. The study explored
students' acceptance of incorporating communication technologies in
higher education in Kuwait. Students' responses to survey questions
presented an overview of the e-learning experience in this country,
and drew a framework through which implications and suggestions
for future research were discussed to better serve the advancement of
e-education in developing countries.
Abstract: Risk response planning is of importance for software project risk management (SPRM). In CMMI, risk management was in the third capability maturity level, which provides a framework for software project risk identification, assessment, risk planning, risk control. However, the CMMI-based SPRM currently lacks quantitative supporting tools, especially during the process of implementing software project risk planning. In this paper, an economic optimization model for selecting risk reduction actions in the phase of software project risk response planning is presented. Furthermore, an example taken from a Chinese software industry is illustrated to verify the application of this method. The research provides a risk decision method for project risk managers that can be used in the implementation of CMMI-based SPRM.
Abstract: In this work, Experimental tie-line results and
solubility (binodal) curves were obtained for the ternary systems
(water + acetic acid + methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)), (water +
lactic acid+ methyl isobutyl ketone) at T = 294.15K and atmospheric
pressure. The consistency of the values of the experimental tie-lines
was determined through the Othmer-Tobias and Hands correlations.
For the extraction effectiveness of solvents, the distribution and
selectivity curves were plotted. In addition, these experimental tieline
data were also correlated with NRTL model. The interaction
parameters for the NRTL model were retrieved from the obtained
experimental results by means of a combination of the homotopy
method and the genetic algorithms.
Abstract: At present, intelligent planning in the Graphplan framework is a focus of artificial intelligence. While the Creating or Destroying Objects Planning (CDOP) is one unsolved problem of this field, one of the difficulties, too. In this paper, we study this planning problem and bring forward the idea of transforming objects to propositions, based on which we offer an algorithm, Creating or Destroying Objects in the Graphplan framework (CDOGP). Compared to Graphplan, the new algorithm can solve not only the entire problems that Graphplan do, but also a part of CDOP. It is for the first time that we introduce the idea of object-proposition, and we emphasize the discussion on the representations of creating or destroying objects operator and an algorithm in the Graphplan framework. In addition, we analyze the complexity of this algorithm.
Abstract: Owing the fact that optimization of business process
is a crucial requirement to navigate, survive and even thrive in
today-s volatile business environment, this paper presents a
framework for selecting a best-fit optimization package for solving
complex business problems. Complexity level of the problem and/or
using incorrect optimization software can lead to biased solutions of
the optimization problem. Accordingly, the proposed framework
identifies a number of relevant factors (e.g. decision variables,
objective functions, and modeling approach) to be considered during
the evaluation and selection process. Application domain, problem
specifications, and available accredited optimization approaches are
also to be regarded. A recommendation of one or two optimization
software is the output of the framework which is believed to provide
the best results of the underlying problem. In addition to a set of
guidelines and recommendations on how managers can conduct an
effective optimization exercise is discussed.
Abstract: In molecular biology, microarray technology is widely and successfully utilized to efficiently measure gene activity. If working with less studied organisms, methods to design custom-made microarray probes are available. One design criterion is to select probes with minimal melting temperature variances thus ensuring similar hybridization properties. If the microarray application focuses on the investigation of metabolic pathways, it is not necessary to cover the whole genome. It is more efficient to cover each metabolic pathway with a limited number of genes. Firstly, an approach is presented which minimizes the overall melting temperature variance of selected probes for all genes of interest. Secondly, the approach is extended to include the additional constraints of covering all pathways with a limited number of genes while minimizing the overall variance. The new optimization problem is solved by a bottom-up programming approach which reduces the complexity to make it computationally feasible. The new method is exemplary applied for the selection of microarray probes in order to cover all fungal secondary metabolite gene clusters for Aspergillus terreus.
Abstract: Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene
(DBT) in a high pressure batch reactor was done at 320 °C on
CoMoS/Al2O3-B2O3 (4, 10, and 16 wt. % of Boria) using nhexadecane
as solvent, dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) in tetradecane as
sulfur agent, and stirring at 1000 rpm. The effects of boria were
investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Temperature
programmed desorption (TPD) of ammonia, and Brunauer-Emmet-
Teller (BET) experiments. The results showed that the catalyst
prepared with low boria content (4 wt. %) had HDS activity (in
pseudo first order kinetic constant basis) value ~1.45 times higher to
that of CoMoS/Al2O3 catalyst.
Abstract: This paper aims at a new challenge of customer
satisfaction on mobile customer relationship management. In this
paper presents a conceptualization of mCRM on its unique
characteristics of customer satisfaction. Also, this paper develops an
empirical framework in conception of customer satisfaction in
mCRM. A single-case study is applied as the methodology. In order to
gain an overall view of the empirical case, this paper accesses to
invisible and important information of company in this investigation.
Interview is the key data source form the main informants of the
company through which the issues are identified and the proposed
framework is built. It supports the development of customer
satisfaction in mCRM; links this theoretical framework into practice;
and provides the direction for future research. Therefore, this paper is
very useful for the industries as it helps them to understand how
customer satisfaction changes the mCRM structure and increase the
business competitive advantage. Finally, this paper provides a
contribution in practice by linking a theoretical framework in
conception of customer satisfaction in mCRM for companies to a
practical real case.
Abstract: The objective of present work is to stimulate the
machining of material by electrical discharge machining (EDM) to
give effect of input parameters like discharge current (Ip), pulse on
time (Ton), pulse off time (Toff) which can bring about changes in the
output parameter, i.e. material removal rate. Experimental data was
gathered from die sinking EDM process using copper electrode and
Medium Carbon Steel (AISI 1040) as work-piece. The rules of
membership function (MF) and the degree of closeness to the
optimum value of the MMR are within the upper and lower range of
the process parameters. It was found that proposed fuzzy model is in
close agreement with the experimental results. By Intelligent, model
based design and control of EDM process parameters in this study
will help to enable dramatically decreased product and process
development cycle times.
Abstract: The PH curve can be constructed by given parameters, but the shape of the curve is not so easy to image from the value of the parameters. On the contract, Bézier curve can be constructed by the control polygon, and from the control polygon, we can image the figure of the curve. In this paper, we want to use the hodograph of Bézier curve to construct PH curve by selecting part of the control vectors, and produce other control vectors, so the property of PH curve exists.