Abstract: In Blind Source Separation (BSS) processing, taking
advantage of scaling factor indetermination and based on the floatingpoint
representation, we propose a scaling technique applied to the
separation matrix, to avoid the saturation or the weakness in the
recovered source signals. This technique performs an Automatic Gain
Control (AGC) in an on-line BSS environment. We demonstrate
the effectiveness of this technique by using the implementation of
a division free BSS algorithm with two input, two output. This
technique is computationally cheaper and efficient for a hardware
implementation.
Abstract: This study attempts to validate the consumer-oriented
criteria list, developed by Wang et al. (2010), for selecting online
travel shopping sites. Based on a sample of 985 respondents,
confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test the factor structure
and assess the reliability and validity of the list. The results support the
list developed by Wang et al. (2010) and claim the list can be further
used to analyze, explain, and understand consumer behaviors about
online travel shopping.
Abstract: Server provisioning is one of the most attractive topics in virtualization systems. Virtualization is a method of running multiple independent virtual operating systems on a single physical computer. It is a way of maximizing physical resources to maximize the investment in hardware. Additionally, it can help to consolidate servers, improve hardware utilization and reduce the consumption of power and physical space in the data center. However, management of heterogeneous workloads, especially for resource utilization of the server, or so called provisioning becomes a challenge. In this paper, a new concept for managing workloads based on user behavior is presented. The experimental results show that user behaviors are different in each type of service workload and time. Understanding user behaviors may improve the efficiency of management in provisioning concept. This preliminary study may be an approach to improve management of data centers running heterogeneous workloads for provisioning in virtualization system.
Abstract: We describe an effective method for image encryption
which employs magnitude and phase manipulation using carrier
images. Although it involves traditional methods like magnitude and
phase encryptions, the novelty of this work lies in deploying the
concept of carrier images for encryption purpose. To this end, a
carrier image is randomly chosen from a set of stored images. One
dimensional (1-D) discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is then carried
out on the original image to be encrypted along with the carrier
image. Row wise spectral addition and scaling is performed between
the magnitude spectra of the original and carrier images by randomly
selecting the rows. Similarly, row wise phase addition and scaling is
performed between the original and carrier images phase spectra by
randomly selecting the rows. The encrypted image obtained by these
two operations is further subjected to one more level of magnitude
and phase manipulation using another randomly chosen carrier image
by 1-D DFT along the columns. The resulting encrypted image is
found to be fully distorted, resulting in increasing the robustness
of the proposed work. Further, applying the reverse process at the
receiver, the decrypted image is found to be distortionless.
Abstract: Supply network management adopts a systematic
and integrative approach to managing the operations and
relationships of various parties in a supply network. The objective
of the manufactures in their supply network is to reduce inventory
costs and increase customer satisfaction levels. One way of doing
that is to synchronize delivery performance. A supply network can
be described by nodes representing the companies and the links
(relationships) between these nodes. Uncertainty in delivery time
depends on type of network relationship between suppliers. The
problem is to understand how the individual uncertainties influence
the total uncertainty of the network and identify those parts of the
network, which has the highest potential for improving the total
delivery time uncertainty.
Abstract: P2P Networks are highly dynamic structures since
their nodes – peer users keep joining and leaving continuously. In the
paper, we study the effects of network change rates on query routing
efficiency. First we describe some background and an abstract system
model. The chosen routing technique makes use of cached metadata
from previous answer messages and also employs a mechanism for
broken path detection and metadata maintenance. Several metrics are
used to show that the protocol behaves quite well even with high rate
of node departures, but above a certain threshold it literally breaks
down and exhibits considerable efficiency degradation.
Abstract: Iris-based biometric authentication is gaining importance
in recent times. Iris biometric processing however, is a complex
process and computationally very expensive. In the overall processing
of iris biometric in an iris-based biometric authentication system,
feature processing is an important task. In feature processing, we extract
iris features, which are ultimately used in matching. Since there
is a large number of iris features and computational time increases
as the number of features increases, it is therefore a challenge to
develop an iris processing system with as few as possible number of
features and at the same time without compromising the correctness.
In this paper, we address this issue and present an approach to feature
extraction and feature matching process. We apply Daubechies D4
wavelet with 4 levels to extract features from iris images. These
features are encoded with 2 bits by quantizing into 4 quantization
levels. With our proposed approach it is possible to represent an
iris template with only 304 bits, whereas existing approaches require
as many as 1024 bits. In addition, we assign different weights to
different iris region to compare two iris templates which significantly
increases the accuracy. Further, we match the iris template based on
a weighted similarity measure. Experimental results on several iris
databases substantiate the efficacy of our approach.
Abstract: Skin color can provide a useful and robust cue
for human-related image analysis, such as face detection,
pornographic image filtering, hand detection and tracking,
people retrieval in databases and Internet, etc. The major
problem of such kinds of skin color detection algorithms is
that it is time consuming and hence cannot be applied to a real
time system. To overcome this problem, we introduce a new
fast technique for skin detection which can be applied in a real
time system. In this technique, instead of testing each image
pixel to label it as skin or non-skin (as in classic techniques),
we skip a set of pixels. The reason of the skipping process is
the high probability that neighbors of the skin color pixels are
also skin pixels, especially in adult images and vise versa. The
proposed method can rapidly detect skin and non-skin color
pixels, which in turn dramatically reduce the CPU time
required for the protection process. Since many fast detection
techniques are based on image resizing, we apply our
proposed pixel skipping technique with image resizing to
obtain better results. The performance evaluation of the
proposed skipping and hybrid techniques in terms of the
measured CPU time is presented. Experimental results
demonstrate that the proposed methods achieve better result
than the relevant classic method.
Abstract: Although the field of parametric Pattern Recognition (PR) has been thoroughly studied for over five decades, the use of the Order Statistics (OS) of the distributions to achieve this has not been reported. The pioneering work on using OS for classification was presented in [1] for the Uniform distribution, where it was shown that optimal PR can be achieved in a counter-intuitive manner, diametrically opposed to the Bayesian paradigm, i.e., by comparing the testing sample to a few samples distant from the mean. This must be contrasted with the Bayesian paradigm in which, if we are allowed to compare the testing sample with only a single point in the feature space from each class, the optimal strategy would be to achieve this based on the (Mahalanobis) distance from the corresponding central points, for example, the means. In [2], we showed that the results could be extended for a few symmetric distributions within the exponential family. In this paper, we attempt to extend these results significantly by considering asymmetric distributions within the exponential family, for some of which even the closed form expressions of the cumulative distribution functions are not available. These distributions include the Rayleigh, Gamma and certain Beta distributions. As in [1] and [2], the new scheme, referred to as Classification by Moments of Order Statistics (CMOS), attains an accuracy very close to the optimal Bayes’ bound, as has been shown both theoretically and by rigorous experimental testing.
Abstract: Synchronization between 0.1 Hz oscillations in heart rate and blood pressure is studied and its change during vertical tilt is evaluated in 37 myocardial infarction patients. Two groups of patients are identified with decreased and increased, respectively, synchronization of the studied oscillations as a response to a tilt test. It is shown that assessment of synchronization of 0.1 Hz oscillations as a response to vertical tilt can be used as a guideline for selecting optimal dose of beta-blocker treatment in post-myocardial infarction patients.
Abstract: The effect of cross linking of the protein isolates of
three legumes with the microbial enzyme transglutaminase (EC
2.3.2.13) on the functional properties at different NaCl concentration
was studied. The reduction in the total free amino groups (OD340) of
the polymerized protein showed that TGase treatment cross-linking
the protein subunit of each legume. The solubility of the protein
polymer of each legume was greatly improved at high concentration
of NaCl. At 1.2 M NaCl the solubility of the native legumes protein
was significantly decreased but after polymerization slightly
improved. Cross linked proteins were less turbid on heating to higher
temperature as compared to native proteins and the temperature at
which the protein turns turbid also increased in the polymerized
proteins. The emulsifying and foaming properties of the protein
polymer were greatly improved at all concentrations of NaCl for all
legumes.
Abstract: The information on the Web increases tremendously.
A number of search engines have been developed for searching Web
information and retrieving relevant documents that satisfy the
inquirers needs. Search engines provide inquirers irrelevant
documents among search results, since the search is text-based rather
than semantic-based. Information retrieval research area has
presented a number of approaches and methodologies such as
profiling, feedback, query modification, human-computer interaction,
etc for improving search results. Moreover, information retrieval has
employed artificial intelligence techniques and strategies such as
machine learning heuristics, tuning mechanisms, user and system
vocabularies, logical theory, etc for capturing user's preferences and
using them for guiding the search based on the semantic analysis
rather than syntactic analysis. Although a valuable improvement has
been recorded on search results, the survey has shown that still
search engines users are not really satisfied with their search results.
Using ontologies for semantic-based searching is likely the key
solution. Adopting profiling approach and using ontology base
characteristics, this work proposes a strategy for finding the exact
meaning of the query terms in order to retrieve relevant information
according to user needs. The evaluation of conducted experiments
has shown the effectiveness of the suggested methodology and
conclusion is presented.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to propose a dynamic integrated approach, based on modularity concept and on the business ecosystem approach, that exploit different eBusiness services for SMEs under an open business network platform. The adoption of this approach enables firms to collaborate locally for delivering the best product/service to the customers as well as globally by accessing international markets, interrelate directly with the customers, create relationships and collaborate with worldwide actors. The paper will be structured as following: We will start by offering an overview of the state of the art of eBusiness platforms among SME of food and tourism firms and then we discuss the main drawbacks that characterize them. The digital business ecosystem approach and the modularity concept will be described as the theoretical ground in which our proposed integrated model is rooted. Finally, the proposed model along with a discussion of the main value creation potentialities it might create for SMEs will be presented.
Abstract: The very nonlinear nature of the generator and system
behaviour following a severe disturbance precludes the use of
classical linear control technique. In this paper, a new approach of
nonlinear control is proposed for transient and steady state stability
analysis of a synchronous generator. The control law of the generator
excitation is derived from the basis of Lyapunov stability criterion.
The overall stability of the system is shown using Lyapunov
technique. The application of the proposed controller to simulated
generator excitation control under a large sudden fault and wide
range of operating conditions demonstrates that the new control
strategy is superior to conventional automatic voltage regulator
(AVR), and show very promising results.
Abstract: This paper treats a discrete-time finite buffer batch arrival queue with a single working vacation and partial batch rejection in which the inter-arrival and service times are, respectively, arbitrary and geometrically distributed. The queue is analyzed by using the supplementary variable and the imbedded Markov-chain techniques. We obtain steady-state system length distributions at prearrival, arbitrary and outside observer-s observation epochs. We also present probability generation function (p.g.f.) of actual waiting-time distribution in the system and some performance measures.
Abstract: Business Process Management (BPM) helps in optimizing the business processes inside an enterprise. But BPM architecture does not provide any help for extending the enterprise. Modern business environments and rapidly changing technologies are asking for brisk changes in the business processes. Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) can help in enabling the success of enterprise-wide BPM. SOA supports agility in software development that is directly related to achieve loose coupling of interacting software agents. Agility is a premium concern of the current software designing architectures. Together, BPM and SOA provide a perfect combination for enterprise computing. SOA provides the capabilities for services to be combined together and to support and create an agile, flexible enterprise. But there are still many questions to answer; BPM is better or SOA? and what is the future track of BPM and SOA? This paper tries to answer some of these important questions.
Abstract: The Constraints imposed by non-thermal
leptogenesis on the survival of the neutrino mass models describing
the presently available neutrino mass patterns, are studied
numerically. We consider the Majorana CP violating phases coming
from right-handed Majorana mass matrices to estimate the baryon
asymmetry of the universe, for different neutrino mass models
namely quasi-degenerate, inverted hierarchical and normal
hierarchical models, with tribimaximal mixings. Considering two
possible diagonal forms of Dirac neutrino mass matrix as either
charged lepton or up-quark mass matrix, the heavy right-handed
mass matrices are constructed from the light neutrino mass matrix.
Only the normal hierarchical model leads to the best predictions of
baryon asymmetry of the universe, consistent with observations in
non-thermal leptogenesis scenario.
Abstract: Depressurization and pressurization streams in
industrial systems constitute a work exchange network (WEN). In this
paper, a novel graphical approach for targeting energy conservation
potential of a WEN is proposed. Through constructing the composite
work curves in the pressure-work diagram and assuming all of the
mechanical energy of the depressurization streams is recovered by
expanders, the maximum work target of a WEN can be determined via
the proposed targeting steps. A WEN in an ammonia production
process is used as a case study to illustrate the applicability of the
proposed graphical approach.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel three-phase utility
frequency to high frequency soft switching power conversion circuit
with dual mode pulse width modulation and pulse density modulation
for high power induction heating applications as melting of steel and
non ferrous metals, annealing of metals, surface hardening of steel
and cast iron work pieces and hot water producers, steamers and
super heated steamers. This high frequency power conversion circuit
can operate from three-phase systems to produce high current for
high power induction heating applications under the principles of
ZVS and it can regulate its ac output power from the rated value to a
low power level. A dual mode modulation control scheme based on
high frequency PWM in synchronization with the utility frequency
positive and negative half cycles for the proposed high frequency
conversion circuit and utility frequency pulse density modulation is
produced to extend its soft switching operating range for wide ac
output power regulation. A dual packs heat exchanger assembly is
designed to be used in consumer and industrial fluid pipeline systems
and it is proved to be suitable for the hot water, steam and super
heated steam producers. Experiment and simulation results are given
in this paper to verify the operation principles of the proposed ac
conversion circuit and to evaluate its power regulation and
conversion efficiency. Also, the paper presents a mutual coupling
model of the induction heating load instead of equivalent transformer
circuit model.
Abstract: Quality of school meals is one of the major concerns of governments and international organizations worldwide. This study aims to evaluate nutritional compliance of meals served at a Portuguese primary school considering the portions stated by Portuguese Education Ministry. To evaluate adequacy of portions served, weighing of all meal components offered to students and leftovers was performed during ten consecutive days at two different moments. Plate waste (%) was calculated by the ratio of food discarded and food served to the children. Nutritional evaluation of menus was made using the Portuguese Food Composition Table. Meals evaluated showed a percent contribution to energetic daily intake higher than recommendations. Meals served to children were considered high energy and protein dense. No significant waste of soup was accounted and the main meal components wasted were fish and vegetables. It will be necessary to adjust portions indicated by Ministry of Education in order to comply with recommendations and reduce food waste.