Abstract: In Peer-to-Peer service networks, where peers offer any kind of publicly available services or applications, intuitive navigation through all services in the network becomes more difficult as the number of services increases. In this article, a concept is discussed that enables users to intuitively browse and use large scale P2P service networks. The concept extends the idea of creating virtual 3D-environments solely based on Peer-to-Peer technologies. Aside from browsing, users shall have the possibility to emphasize services of interest using their own semantic criteria. The appearance of the virtual world shall intuitively reflect network properties that may be of interest for the user. Additionally, the concept comprises options for load- and traffic-balancing. In this article, the requirements concerning the underlying infrastructure and the graphical user interface are defined. First impressions of the appearance of future systems are presented and the next steps towards a prototypical implementation are discussed.
Abstract: Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass materials from
poplar, acacia, oak, and fir with different ionic liquids (ILs)
containing 1-alkyl-3-methyl-imidazolium cations and various anions
has been carried out. The dissolved cellulose from biomass was
precipitated by adding anti-solvents into the solution and vigorous
stirring. Commercial cellulases Celluclast 1.5L and Accelerase 1000
have been used for hydrolysis of untreated and pretreated
lignocellulosic biomass. Among the tested ILs, [Emim]COOCH3
showed the best efficiency, resulting in highest amount of liberated
reducing sugars. Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass using
glycerol-ionic liquids combined pretreatment and dilute acid-ionic
liquids combined pretreatment were evaluated and compared with
glycerol pretreatment, ionic liquids pretreatment and dilute acid
pretreatment.
Abstract: In this paper, we apply and compare two generalized estimating equation approaches to the analysis of car breakdowns data in Mauritius. Number of breakdowns experienced by a machinery is a highly under-dispersed count random variable and its value can be attributed to the factors related to the mechanical input and output of that machinery. Analyzing such under-dispersed count observation as a function of the explanatory factors has been a challenging problem. In this paper, we aim at estimating the effects of various factors on the number of breakdowns experienced by a passenger car based on a study performed in Mauritius over a year. We remark that the number of passenger car breakdowns is highly under-dispersed. These data are therefore modelled and analyzed using Com-Poisson regression model. We use the two types of quasi-likelihood estimation approaches to estimate the parameters of the model: marginal and joint generalized quasi-likelihood estimating equation approaches. Under-dispersion parameter is estimated to be around 2.14 justifying the appropriateness of Com-Poisson distribution in modelling underdispersed count responses recorded in this study.
Abstract: A large number of chemical, bio-chemical and pollution-control processes use heterogeneous fixed-bed reactors. The use of finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellets can enhance conversion levels in such reactors. The absence of the pellet core can significantly lower the diffusional resistance associated with the solid phase. This leads to a better utilization of the catalytic material, which is reflected in the higher values for the effectiveness factor, leading ultimately to an enhanced conversion level in the reactor. It is however important to develop a rigorous heterogeneous model for the reactor incorporating the two-dimensional feature of the solid phase owing to the presence of the finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellet. Presently, heterogeneous models reported in the literature invariably employ one-dimension solid phase models meant for spherical catalyst pellets. The objective of the paper is to present a rigorous model of the fixed-bed reactors containing finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellets. The reaction kinetics considered here is the widely used Michaelis–Menten kinetics for the liquid-phase bio-chemical reactions. The reaction parameters used here are for the enzymatic degradation of urea. Results indicate that increasing the height to diameter ratio helps to improve the conversion level. On the other hand, decreasing the thickness is apparently not as effective. This could however be explained in terms of the higher void fraction of the bed that causes a smaller amount of the solid phase to be packed in the fixed-bed bio-chemical reactor.
Abstract: The trial in the city, located 170 kilometers from the
Iranian city of Ahvaz was Omidiyeh. The main factor in this project
includes 4 levels in control (without hormones), use of hormones in
the seed, vegetative and flowering stage respectively. And sub-plots
included 3 varieties of vetch in three levels, with local names, was the
jewel in the study of light and Auxin in the vegetative and
reproductive different times in different varieties of vetch was
investigated. This test has been taken in the plots in a randomized
complete block with four replications. In order to study the effects of
the hormone Auxin in the growth stages (seed, vegetative and
flowering) to control (no hormone Auxin) on three local varieties of
vetch, the essence of light and plant height, number of pods per plant,
seed number The pods, seeds per plant, grain weight, grain yield,
plant dry weight and protein content were measured. Among the
vetch varieties for plant height, number of pods per plant, a seed per
plant, grain weight, grain yield, and plant dry weight and protein
levels of 1 percent of plant and seed number per pod per plant at 5%
level of There was no significant difference. Interactions for grain
yield per plant, grain yield and protein levels of 1 percent and the
number of seeds per pod and seed weight are significant differences
in levels 5 and plant height and plant dry weight of the interaction
were INFLUENCE There was no significant difference in them.
Abstract: We propose the use of magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) to realize single-qubit quantum gates. We consider longitudinal and polar MOKE in reflection geometry in which the magnetic field is parallel to both the plane of incidence and surface of the film. MOKE couples incident TE and TM polarized photons and the Hamiltonian that represents this interaction is isomorphic to that of a canonical two-level quantum system. By varying the phase and amplitude of the magnetic field, we can realize Hadamard, NOT, and arbitrary phase-shift single-qubit quantum gates. The principal advantage is operation with magnetically non-transparent materials.
Abstract: Vehicle suspension design must fulfill
some conflicting criteria. Among those is ride comfort
which is attained by minimizing the acceleration
transmitted to the sprung mass, via suspension spring
and damper. Also good handling of a vehicle is a
desirable property which requires stiff suspension and
therefore is in contrast with a vehicle with good ride.
Among the other desirable features of a suspension is
the minimization of the maximum travel of suspension.
This travel which is called suspension working space in
vehicle dynamics literature is also a design constraint
and it favors good ride. In this research a full car 8
degrees of freedom model has been developed and the
three above mentioned criteria, namely: ride, handling
and working space has been adopted as objective
functions. The Multi Objective Programming (MOP)
discipline has been used to find the Pareto Front and
some reasoning used to chose a design point between
these non dominated points of Pareto Front.
Abstract: The traditional Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
(FMEA) uses Risk Priority Number (RPN) to evaluate the risk level
of a component or process. The RPN index is determined by
calculating the product of severity, occurrence and detection indexes.
The most critically debated disadvantage of this approach is that
various sets of these three indexes may produce an identical value of
RPN. This research paper seeks to address the drawbacks in
traditional FMEA and to propose a new approach to overcome these
shortcomings. The Risk Priority Code (RPC) is used to prioritize
failure modes, when two or more failure modes have the same RPN.
A new method is proposed to prioritize failure modes, when there is a
disagreement in ranking scale for severity, occurrence and detection.
An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is used to compare means of
RPN values. SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)
statistical analysis package is used to analyze the data. The results
presented are based on two case studies. It is found that the proposed
new methodology/approach resolves the limitations of traditional
FMEA approach.
Abstract: Resins are used in nuclear power plants for water
ultrapurification. Two approaches are considered in this work:
column experiments and simulations. A software called OPTIPUR
was developed, tested and used. The approach simulates the onedimensional
reactive transport in porous medium with convectivedispersive
transport between particles and diffusive transport within
the boundary layer around the particles. The transfer limitation in the
boundary layer is characterized by the mass transfer coefficient
(MTC). The influences on MTC were measured experimentally. The
variation of the inlet concentration does not influence the MTC; on
the contrary of the Darcy velocity which influences. This is consistent
with results obtained using the correlation of Dwivedi&Upadhyay.
With the MTC, knowing the number of exchange site and the relative
affinity, OPTIPUR can simulate the column outlet concentration
versus time. Then, the duration of use of resins can be predicted in
conditions of a binary exchange.
Abstract: In this paper, an estimation accuracy of multiple moving
talker tracking using a microphone array is improved. The tracking
can be achieved by the adaptive method in which two algorithms are integrated, namely, the PAST (Projection Approximation Subspace
Tracking) algorithm and the IPLS (Interior Point Least Square) algorithm. When either talker begins to speak again after a silent
period, an appropriate feasible region for an evaluation function of
the IPLS algorithm might not be set. Then, the tracking fails due to the incorrect updating. Therefore, if an increment of the number of
active talkers is detected, the feasible region must be reset. Then, a low cost realization is required for the high speed tracking and a high
accuracy realization is desired for the precise tracking. In this paper,
the directions roughly estimated using the delayed-sum-array method
are used for the resetting. Several results of experiments performed in
an actual room environment show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Abstract: Historical monuments as architectural heritage are,
economically and culturally, considered one of the key aspects for
modern communities. Cultural heritage represents a country-s
national identity and pride and maintains and enriches that country-s
culture. Therefore, conservation of the monuments remained from
our ancestors requires everybody-s serious and unremitting effort.
Conservation, renewal, restoration, and technical study of cultural
and historical matters are issues which have a special status among
various forms of art and science in the present century and this is due
to two reasons: firstly, progress of humankind in this century has
created a factor called environmental pollution which not only has
caused new destructive processes of cultural/historical monuments
but also has accelerated the previous destructive processes by several
times, and secondly, the rapid advance of various sciences, especially
chemistry, has lead to the contribution of new methods and materials
to this significant issue.
Abstract: This paper deals optimized model to investigate the
effects of peak current, pulse on time and pulse off time in EDM performance on material removal rate of titanium alloy utilizing copper tungsten as electrode and positive polarity of the electrode. The experiments are carried out on Ti6Al4V. Experiments were
conducted by varying the peak current, pulse on time and pulse off time. A mathematical model is developed to correlate the influences of these variables and material removal rate of workpiece. Design of
experiments (DOE) method and response surface methodology
(RSM) techniques are implemented. The validity test of the fit and adequacy of the proposed models has been carried out through
analysis of variance (ANOVA). The obtained results evidence that as
the material removal rate increases as peak current and pulse on time
increases. The effect of pulse off time on MRR changes with peak ampere. The optimum machining conditions in favor of material removal rate are verified and compared. The optimum machining
conditions in favor of material removal rate are estimated and verified with proposed optimized results. It is observed that the developed model is within the limits of the agreeable error (about
4%) when compared to experimental results. This result leads to desirable material removal rate and economical industrial machining to optimize the input parameters.
Abstract: Software reliability prediction gives a great opportunity to measure the software failure rate at any point throughout system test. A software reliability prediction model provides with the technique for improving reliability. Software reliability is very important factor for estimating overall system reliability, which depends on the individual component reliabilities. It differs from hardware reliability in that it reflects the design perfection. Main reason of software reliability problems is high complexity of software. Various approaches can be used to improve the reliability of software. We focus on software reliability model in this article, assuming that there is a time redundancy, the value of which (the number of repeated transmission of basic blocks) can be an optimization parameter. We consider given mathematical model in the assumption that in the system may occur not only irreversible failures, but also a failure that can be taken as self-repairing failures that significantly affect the reliability and accuracy of information transfer. Main task of the given paper is to find a time distribution function (DF) of instructions sequence transmission, which consists of random number of basic blocks. We consider the system software unreliable; the time between adjacent failures has exponential distribution.
Abstract: The world economic crises and budget constraints
have caused authorities, especially those in developing countries, to
rationalize water quality monitoring activities. Rationalization
consists of reducing the number of monitoring sites, the number of
samples, and/or the number of water quality variables measured. The
reduction in water quality variables is usually based on correlation. If
two variables exhibit high correlation, it is an indication that some of
the information produced may be redundant. Consequently, one
variable can be discontinued, and the other continues to be measured.
Later, the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression technique is
employed to reconstitute information about discontinued variable by
using the continuously measured one as an explanatory variable. In
this paper, two record extension techniques are employed to
reconstitute information about discontinued water quality variables,
the OLS and the Line of Organic Correlation (LOC). An empirical
experiment is conducted using water quality records from the Nile
Delta water quality monitoring network in Egypt. The record
extension techniques are compared for their ability to predict
different statistical parameters of the discontinued variables. Results
show that the OLS is better at estimating individual water quality
records. However, results indicate an underestimation of the variance
in the extended records. The LOC technique is superior in preserving
characteristics of the entire distribution and avoids underestimation
of the variance. It is concluded from this study that the OLS can be
used for the substitution of missing values, while LOC is preferable
for inferring statements about the probability distribution.
Abstract: The recycling of concrete, bricks and masonry rubble
as concrete aggregates is an important way to contribute to a
sustainable material flow. However, there are still various
uncertainties limiting the widespread use of Recycled Concrete
Aggregates (RCA). The fluctuations in the composition of grade
recycled aggregates and their influence on the properties of fresh and
hardened concrete are of particular concern regarding the use of
RCA. Most of problems occurring while using recycled concrete
aggregates as aggregates are due to higher porosity and hence higher
water absorption, lower mechanical strengths, residual impurities on
the surface of the RCA forming weaker bond between cement paste
and aggregate. So, the reuse of RCA is still limited. Efficient
polymer based treatment is proposed in order to reuse RCA easier.
The silicon-based polymer treatments of RCA were carried out and
were compared. This kind of treatment can improve the properties of
RCA such as the rate of water absorption on treated RCA is
significantly reduced.
Abstract: This document details the process of developing a
wireless device that captures the basic movements of the foot (plantar
flexion, dorsal flexion, abduction, adduction.), and the knee
movement (flexion). It implements a motion capture system by using
a hardware based on optical fiber sensors, due to the advantages in
terms of scope, noise immunity and speed of data transmission and
reception. The operating principle used by this system is the detection
and transmission of joint movement by mechanical elements and
their respective measurement by optical ones (in this case infrared).
Likewise, Visual Basic software is used for reception, analysis and
signal processing of data acquired by the device, generating a 3D
graphical representation in real time of each movement. The result is
a boot in charge of capturing the movement, a transmission module
(Implementing Xbee Technology) and a receiver module for
receiving information and sending it to the PC for their respective
processing.
The main idea with this device is to help on topics such as
bioengineering and medicine, by helping to improve the quality of
life and movement analysis.
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.
Abstract: Building intelligent traffic guide systems has been an
interesting subject recently. A good system should be able to observe
all important visual information to be able to analyze the context of
the scene. To do so, signs in general, and traffic signs in particular,
are usually taken into account as they contain rich information to
these systems. Therefore, many researchers have put an effort on
sign recognition field. Sign localization or sign detection is the most
important step in the sign recognition process. This step filters out
non informative area in the scene, and locates candidates in later
steps. In this paper, we apply a new approach in detecting sign
locations using a new color invariant model. Experiments are carried
out with different datasets introduced in other works where authors
claimed the difficulty in detecting signs under unfavorable imaging
conditions. Our method is simple, fast and most importantly it gives
a high detection rate in locating signs.
Abstract: Electrical Discharge Machine (EDM) is especially
used for the manufacturing of 3-D complex geometry and hard
material parts that are extremely difficult-to-machine by conventional
machining processes. In this paper authors review the research work
carried out in the development of die-sinking EDM within the past
decades for the improvement of machining characteristics such as
Material Removal Rate, Surface Roughness and Tool Wear Ratio. In
this review various techniques reported by EDM researchers for
improving the machining characteristics have been categorized as
process parameters optimization, multi spark technique, powder
mixed EDM, servo control system and pulse discriminating. At the
end, flexible machine controller is suggested for Die Sinking EDM to
enhance the machining characteristics and to achieve high-level
automation. Thus, die sinking EDM can be integrated with Computer
Integrated Manufacturing environment as a need of agile
manufacturing systems.
Abstract: This paper applies fuzzy set theory to evaluate the
service quality of online auction. Service quality is a composition of
various criteria. Among them many intangible attributes are difficult
to measure. This characteristic introduces the obstacles for respondent
in replying to the survey. So as to overcome this problem, we
invite fuzzy set theory into the measurement of performance. By
using AHP in obtaining criteria and TOPSIS in ranking, we found
the most concerned dimension of service quality is Transaction
Safety Mechanism and the least is Charge Item. Regarding to the
most concerned attributes are information security, accuracy and
information.