Abstract: High precision in motion is required to manipulate the
micro objects in precision industries for micro assembly, cell
manipulation etc. Precision manipulation is achieved based on the
appropriate mechanism design of micro devices such as
microgrippers. Design of a compliant based mechanism is the better
option to achieve a highly precised and controlled motion. This
research article highlights the method of designing a compliant based
three fingered microgripper suitable for holding asymmetric objects.
Topological optimization technique, a systematic method is
implemented in this research work to arrive a topologically optimized
design of the mechanism needed to perform the required micro
motion of the gripper. Optimization technique has a drawback of
generating senseless regions such as node to node connectivity and
staircase effect at the boundaries. Hence, it is required to have post
processing of the design to make it manufacturable. To reduce the
effect of post processing stage and to preserve the edges of the image,
a cubic spline interpolation technique is introduced in the MATLAB
program. Structural performance of the topologically developed
mechanism design is tested using finite element method (FEM)
software. Further the microgripper structure is examined to find its
fatigue life and vibration characteristics.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a novel statistical approach to
corpus-based speech synthesis. Classically, phonetic information is
defined and considered as acoustic reference to be respected. In this
way, many studies were elaborated for acoustical unit classification.
This type of classification allows separating units according to their
symbolic characteristics. Indeed, target cost and concatenation cost
were classically defined for unit selection.
In Corpus-Based Speech Synthesis System, when using large text
corpora, cost functions were limited to a juxtaposition of symbolic
criteria and the acoustic information of units is not exploited in the
definition of the target cost.
In this manuscript, we token in our consideration the unit phonetic
information corresponding to acoustic information. This would be realized
by defining a probabilistic linguistic Bi-grams model basically
used for unit selection. The selected units would be extracted from
the English TIMIT corpora.
Abstract: A numerical method is developed for simulating
the motion of particles with arbitrary shapes in an effectively
infinite or bounded viscous flow. The particle translational and
angular motions are numerically investigated using a fluid-structure
interaction (FSI) method based on the Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian
(ALE) approach and the dynamic mesh method (smoothing and
remeshing) in FLUENT ( ANSYS Inc., USA). Also, the effects of
arbitrary shapes on the dynamics are studied using the FSI method
which could be applied to the motions and deformations of a single
blood cell and multiple blood cells, and the primary thrombogenesis
caused by platelet aggregation. It is expected that, combined with a
sophisticated large-scale computational technique, the simulation
method will be useful for understanding the overall properties of blood
flow from blood cellular level (microscopic) to the resulting
rheological properties of blood as a mass (macroscopic).
Abstract: This paper focuses on testing database of existing
information system. At the beginning we describe the basic problems
of implemented databases, such as data redundancy, poor design of
database logical structure or inappropriate data types in columns of
database tables. These problems are often the result of incorrect
understanding of the primary requirements for a database of an
information system. Then we propose an algorithm to compare the
conceptual model created from vague requirements for a database
with a conceptual model reconstructed from implemented database.
An algorithm also suggests steps leading to optimization of
implemented database. The proposed algorithm is verified by an
implemented prototype. The paper also describes a fuzzy system
which works with the vague requirements for a database of an
information system, procedure for creating conceptual from vague
requirements and an algorithm for reconstructing a conceptual model
from implemented database.
Abstract: In the present paper, active control system is used in
different heights of the building and the most effective part was
studied where the active control system is applied. The mathematical
model of the building is established in MATLAB and in order to
active control the system FLC method was used. Three different
locations of the building are chosen to apply active control system,
namely at the lowest story, the middle height of the building, and at
the highest point of the building with TMD system. The equation of
motion was written for high rise building and it was solved by statespace
method. Also passive control was used with Tuned Mass
Damper (TMD) at the top floor of the building to show the robustness
of FLC method when compared with passive control system.
Abstract: Knowledge is attributed to human whose problemsolving
behavior is subjective and complex. In today-s knowledge
economy, the need to manage knowledge produced by a community
of actors cannot be overemphasized. This is due to the fact that
actors possess some level of tacit knowledge which is generally
difficult to articulate. Problem-solving requires searching and sharing
of knowledge among a group of actors in a particular context.
Knowledge expressed within the context of a problem resolution
must be capitalized for future reuse. In this paper, an approach that
permits dynamic capitalization of relevant and reliable actors-
knowledge in solving decision problem following Economic
Intelligence process is proposed. Knowledge annotation method and
temporal attributes are used for handling the complexity in the
communication among actors and in contextualizing expressed
knowledge. A prototype is built to demonstrate the functionalities of
a collaborative Knowledge Management system based on this
approach. It is tested with sample cases and the result showed that
dynamic capitalization leads to knowledge validation hence
increasing reliability of captured knowledge for reuse. The system
can be adapted to various domains.
Abstract: This paper proposes a novel stereo vision technique
for top view book scanners which provide us with dense 3d point
clouds of page surfaces. This is a precondition to dewarp bound
volumes independent of 2d information on the page. Our method is
based on algorithms, which normally require the projection of pattern
sequences with structured light. We use image sequences of the
moving stripe lighting of the top view scanner instead of an additional
light projection. Thus the stereo vision setup is simplified without
losing measurement accuracy. Furthermore we improve a surface
model dewarping method through introducing a difference vector
based on real measurements. Although our proposed method is hardly
expensive neither in calculation time nor in hardware requirements
we present good dewarping results even for difficult examples.
Abstract: The direct implementation of interleaver functions
in WiMAX is not hardware efficient due to presence of complex
functions. Also the conventional method i.e. using memories for
storing the permutation tables is silicon consuming. This work
presents a 2-D transformation for WiMAX channel interleaver
functions which reduces the overall hardware complexity to
compute the interleaver addresses on the fly. A fully reconfigurable
architecture for address generation in WiMAX
channel interleaver is presented, which consume 1.1 k-gates in
total. It can be configured for any block size and any modulation
scheme in WiMAX. The presented architecture can run at a
frequency of 200 MHz, thus fully supporting high bandwidth
requirements for WiMAX.
Abstract: Saudi Arabia in recent years has seen drastic increase
in traffic related crashes. With population of over 29 million, Saudi
Arabia is considered as a fast growing and emerging economy. The
rapid population increase and economic growth has resulted in rapid
expansion of transportation infrastructure, which has led to increase
in road crashes. Saudi Ministry of Interior reported more than 7,000
people killed and 68,000 injured in 2011 ranking Saudi Arabia to be
one of the worst worldwide in traffic safety. The traffic safety issues
in the country also result in distress to road users and cause and
economic loss exceeding 3.7 billion Euros annually. Keeping this in
view, the researchers in Saudi Arabia are investigating ways to
improve traffic safety conditions in the country. This paper presents a
multilevel approach to collect traffic safety related data required to do
traffic safety studies in the region. Two highway corridors including
King Fahd Highway 39 kilometre and Gulf Cooperation Council
Highway 42 kilometre long connecting the cities of Dammam and
Khobar were selected as a study area. Traffic data collected included
traffic counts, crash data, travel time data, and speed data. The
collected data was analysed using geographic information system to
evaluate any correlation. Further research is needed to investigate the
effectiveness of traffic safety related data when collected in a
concerted effort.
Abstract: A new design of a planar passive T-micromixer with fin-shaped baffles in the mixing channel is presented. The mixing efficiency and the level of pressure loss in the channel have been investigated by numerical simulations in the range of Reynolds number (Re) 1 to 50. A Mixing index (Mi) has been defined to quantify the mixing efficiency, which results over 85% at both ends of the Re range, what demonstrates the micromixer can enhance mixing using the mechanisms of diffusion (lower Re) and convection (higher Re). Three geometric dimensions: radius of baffle, baffles pitch and height of the channel define the design parameters, and the mixing index and pressure loss are the performance parameters used to optimize the micromixer geometry with a multi-criteria optimization method. The Pareto front of designs with the optimum trade-offs, maximum mixing index with minimum pressure loss, is obtained. Experiments for qualitative and quantitative validation have been implemented.
Abstract: Several models of vulnerability assessment have been proposed. The selection of one of these models depends on the objectives of the study. The classical methodologies for seismic vulnerability analysis, as a part of seismic risk analysis, have been formulated with statistical criteria based on a rapid observation. The information relating to the buildings performance is statistically elaborated. In this paper, we use the European Macroseismic Scale EMS-98 to define the relationship between damage and macroseismic intensity to assess the seismic vulnerability. Applying to Algiers area, the first step is to identify building typologies and to assign vulnerability classes. In the second step, damages are investigated according to EMS-98.
Abstract: Modern managements of water distribution system
(WDS) need water quality models that are able to accurately predict
the dynamics of water quality variations within the distribution system
environment. Before water quality models can be applied to solve
system problems, they should be calibrated. Although former
researchers use GA solver to calibrate relative parameters, it is
difficult to apply on the large-scale or medium-scale real system for
long computational time. In this paper a new method is designed
which combines both macro and detailed model to optimize the water
quality parameters. This new combinational algorithm uses radial
basis function (RBF) metamodeling as a surrogate to be optimized for
the purpose of decreasing the times of time-consuming water quality
simulation and can realize rapidly the calibration of pipe wall reaction
coefficients of chlorine model of large-scaled WDS. After two cases
study this method is testified to be more efficient and promising, and
deserve to generalize in the future.
Abstract: Development of motor car safety devices has reduced
fatality rates in car accidents. Yet despite this increase in car safety,
neck injuries resulting from rear impact collisions, particularly at low
speed, remain a primary concern. In this study, FEA(Finite Element
Analysis) of seat was performed to evaluate neck injuries in rear
impact. And the FEA result was verified by comparison with the actual
test results. The dummy used in FE model and actual test is BioRID II
which is regarded suitable for rear impact collision analysis. A
threshold of the BioRID II neck injury indicators was also proposed to
upgrade seat performance in order to reduce whiplash injury. To
optimize the seat for a low-speed rear impact collision, a method was
proposed, which is multi-objective optimization idea using DOE
(Design of Experiments) results.
Abstract: The pedagogy project has been proven as an active
learning method, which is used to develop learner-s skills and
knowledge.The use of technology in the learning world, has filed
several gaps in the implementation of teaching methods, and online
evaluation of learners. However, the project methodology presents
challenges in the assessment of learners online.
Indeed, interoperability between E-learning platforms (LMS) is
one of the major challenges of project-based learning assessment.
Firstly, we have reviewed the characteristics of online assessment
in the context of project-based teaching. We addressed the
constraints encountered during the peer evaluation process.
Our approach is to propose a meta-model, which will describe a
language dedicated to the conception of peer assessment scenario in
project-based learning. Then we illustrate our proposal by an
instantiation of the meta-model through a business process in a
scenario of collaborative assessment on line.
Abstract: The benefits of rooftop greenery systems (such as
energy savings, reduction of greenhouse gas emission for mitigating
climate change and maintaining sustainable development, indoor
temperature control etc.) in buildings are well recognized, however
there remains very little research conducted for quantifying the
benefits in subtropical climates such as in Australia. This study
mainly focuses on measuring/determining temperature profile and air
conditioning energy savings by implementing rooftop greenery
systems in subtropical Central Queensland in Australia. An
experimental set-up was installed at Rockhampton campus of Central
Queensland University, where two standard shipping containers (6m
x 2.4m x 2.4m) were converted into small offices, one with green
roof and one without. These were used for temperature, humidity and
energy consumption data collection. The study found that an energy
savings of up to 11.70% and temperature difference of up to 4°C can
be achieved in March in subtropical Central Queensland climate in
Australia. It is expected that more energy can be saved in peak
summer days (December/February) as temperature difference
between green roof and non-green roof is higher in December-
February.
Abstract: In this paper we present a new multichannel high
voltage driver box to connect up to six MOEMS mirror devices to it that have resonant and also quasistatically driven actuating electrodes. It is possible to drive all resonant axes synchronously
while the amplitude of them can individually be controlled by separate microcontrollers that also operate the quasistatic axes.
Circuit simulations are compared with the measurements done on the
real system and also show the robust driving performance of a
MOEMS mirror.
Abstract: This paper aims at identifying and analyzing the
knowledge transmission channels in textile and clothing clusters
located in Brazil and in Europe. Primary data was obtained through
interviews with key individuals. The collection of primary data was
carried out based on a questionnaire with ten categories of indicators
of knowledge transmission. Secondary data was also collected
through a literature review and through international organizations
sites. Similarities related to the use of the main transmission channels
of knowledge are observed in all cases. The main similarities are:
influence of suppliers of machinery, equipment and raw materials;
imitation of products and best practices; training promoted by
technical institutions and businesses; and cluster companies being
open to acquire new knowledge. The main differences lie in the
relationship between companies, where in Europe the intensity of this
relationship is bigger when compared to Brazil. The differences also
occur in importance and frequency of the relationship with the
government, with the cultural environment, and with the activities of
research and development. It is also found factors that reduce the
importance of geographical proximity in transmission of knowledge,
and in generating trust and the establishment of collaborative
behavior.
Abstract: Deaths from cardiovascular diseases have decreased substantially over the past two decades, largely as a result of advances in acute care and cardiac surgery. These developments have produced a growing population of patients who have survived a myocardial infarction. These patients need to be continuously monitored so that the initiation of treatment can be given within the crucial golden hour. The available conventional methods of monitoring mostly perform offline analysis and restrict the mobility of these patients within a hospital or room. Hence the aim of this paper is to design a Portable Cardiac Telemedicine System to aid the patients to regain their independence and return to an active work schedule, there by improving the psychological well being. The portable telemedicine system consists of a Wearable ECG Transmitter (WET) and a slightly modified mobile phone, which has an inbuilt ECG analyzer. The WET is placed on the body of the patient that continuously acquires the ECG signals from the high-risk cardiac patients who can move around anywhere. This WET transmits the ECG to the patient-s Bluetooth enabled mobile phone using blue tooth technology. The ECG analyzer inbuilt in the mobile phone continuously analyzes the heartbeats derived from the received ECG signals. In case of any panic condition, the mobile phone alerts the patients care taker by an SMS and initiates the transmission of a sample ECG signal to the doctor, via the mobile network.
Abstract: The ElectroEncephaloGram (EEG) is useful for
clinical diagnosis and biomedical research. EEG signals often
contain strong ElectroOculoGram (EOG) artifacts produced
by eye movements and eye blinks especially in EEG recorded
from frontal channels. These artifacts obscure the underlying
brain activity, making its visual or automated inspection
difficult. The goal of ocular artifact removal is to remove
ocular artifacts from the recorded EEG, leaving the underlying
background signals due to brain activity. In recent times,
Independent Component Analysis (ICA) algorithms have
demonstrated superior potential in obtaining the least
dependent source components. In this paper, the independent
components are obtained by using the JADE algorithm (best
separating algorithm) and are classified into either artifact
component or neural component. Neural Network is used for
the classification of the obtained independent components.
Neural Network requires input features that exactly represent
the true character of the input signals so that the neural
network could classify the signals based on those key
characters that differentiate between various signals. In this
work, Auto Regressive (AR) coefficients are used as the input
features for classification. Two neural network approaches
are used to learn classification rules from EEG data. First, a
Polynomial Neural Network (PNN) trained by GMDH (Group
Method of Data Handling) algorithm is used and secondly,
feed-forward neural network classifier trained by a standard
back-propagation algorithm is used for classification and the
results show that JADE-FNN performs better than JADEPNN.
Abstract: Certifications such as the Passive House Standard aim to reduce the final space heating energy demand of residential buildings. Space conditioning, notably heating, is responsible for nearly 70% of final residential energy consumption in Europe. There is therefore significant scope for the reduction of energy consumption through improvements to the energy efficiency of residential buildings. However, these certifications totally overlook the energy embodied in the building materials used to achieve this greater operational energy efficiency. The large amount of insulation and the triple-glazed high efficiency windows require a significant amount of energy to manufacture. While some previous studies have assessed the life cycle energy demand of passive houses, including their embodied energy, these rely on incomplete assessment techniques which greatly underestimate embodied energy and can lead to misleading conclusions. This paper analyses the embodied and operational energy demands of a case study passive house using a comprehensive hybrid analysis technique to quantify embodied energy. Results show that the embodied energy is much more significant than previously thought. Also, compared to a standard house with the same geometry, structure, finishes and number of people, a passive house can use more energy over 80 years, mainly due to the additional materials required. Current building energy efficiency certifications should widen their system boundaries to include embodied energy in order to reduce the life cycle energy demand of residential buildings.