Abstract: Paper presents simple sixport principle and its frequency bandwidth. The novel multisixport approach is presented with its possibilities, typical parameters and frequency bandwidth. Practical implementation is shown with its measurement parameters and calibration. The bandwidth circa 1:100 is obtained.
Abstract: Complex engineering design problems consist of
numerous factors of varying criticalities. Considering fundamental features of design and inferior details alike will result in an extensive
waste of time and effort. Design parameters should be introduced gradually as appropriate based on their significance relevant to the
problem context. This motivates the representation of design parameters at multiple levels of an abstraction hierarchy. However, developing abstraction hierarchies is an area that is not well
understood. Our research proposes a novel hierarchical abstraction methodology to plan effective engineering designs and processes. It
provides a theoretically sound foundation to represent, abstract and stratify engineering design parameters and tasks according to causality and criticality. The methodology creates abstraction
hierarchies in a recursive and bottom-up approach that guarantees no
backtracking across any of the abstraction levels. The methodology consists of three main phases, representation, abstraction, and layering to multiple hierarchical levels. The effectiveness of the
developed methodology is demonstrated by a design problem.
Abstract: Corporate credit rating prediction using statistical and
artificial intelligence (AI) techniques has been one of the attractive
research topics in the literature. In recent years, multiclass
classification models such as artificial neural network (ANN) or
multiclass support vector machine (MSVM) have become a very
appealing machine learning approaches due to their good
performance. However, most of them have only focused on classifying
samples into nominal categories, thus the unique characteristic of the
credit rating - ordinality - has been seldom considered in their
approaches. This study proposes new types of ANN and MSVM
classifiers, which are named OMANN and OMSVM respectively.
OMANN and OMSVM are designed to extend binary ANN or SVM
classifiers by applying ordinal pairwise partitioning (OPP) strategy.
These models can handle ordinal multiple classes efficiently and
effectively. To validate the usefulness of these two models, we applied
them to the real-world bond rating case. We compared the results of
our models to those of conventional approaches. The experimental
results showed that our proposed models improve classification
accuracy in comparison to typical multiclass classification techniques
with the reduced computation resource.
Abstract: Speedups from mapping four real-life DSP
applications on an embedded system-on-chip that couples coarsegrained
reconfigurable logic with an instruction-set processor are
presented. The reconfigurable logic is realized by a 2-Dimensional
Array of Processing Elements. A design flow for improving
application-s performance is proposed. Critical software parts, called
kernels, are accelerated on the Coarse-Grained Reconfigurable
Array. The kernels are detected by profiling the source code. For
mapping the detected kernels on the reconfigurable logic a prioritybased
mapping algorithm has been developed. Two 4x4 array
architectures, which differ in their interconnection structure among
the Processing Elements, are considered. The experiments for eight
different instances of a generic system show that important overall
application speedups have been reported for the four applications.
The performance improvements range from 1.86 to 3.67, with an
average value of 2.53, compared with an all-software execution.
These speedups are quite close to the maximum theoretical speedups
imposed by Amdahl-s law.
Abstract: The study of human hand morphology reveals that developing an artificial hand with the capabilities of human hand is an extremely challenging task. This paper presents the development of a robotic prosthetic hand focusing on the improvement of a tendon driven mechanism towards a biomimetic prosthetic hand. The design of this prosthesis hand is geared towards achieving high level of dexterity and anthropomorphism by means of a new hybrid mechanism that integrates a miniature motor driven actuation mechanism, a Shape Memory Alloy actuated mechanism and a passive mechanical linkage. The synergy of these actuators enables the flexion-extension movement at each of the finger joints within a limited size, shape and weight constraints. Tactile sensors are integrated on the finger tips and the finger phalanges area. This prosthesis hand is developed with an exact size ratio that mimics a biological hand. Its behavior resembles the human counterpart in terms of working envelope, speed and torque, and thus resembles both the key physical features and the grasping functionality of an adult hand.
Abstract: Concerns about low levels of children-s physical activity and motor skill development, prompted the Ministry of Education to trial a physical activity pilot project (PAPP) in 16 New Zealand primary schools. The project comprised professional development and training in physical education for lead teachers and introduced four physical activity coordinators to liaise with and increase physical activity opportunities in the pilot schools. A survey of generalist teachers (128 baseline, 155 post-intervention) from these schools looked at timetabled physical activity sessions and issues related to teaching physical education. The authors calculated means and standard deviations of data relating to timetabled PE sessions and used a one-way analysis of variance to determine significant differences. Results indicated time devoted to physical activity related subjects significantly increased over the course of the intervention. Teacher-s reported improved confidence and competence, which resulted in an improvement in quality physical education delivered more often.
Abstract: The aim of this paper to characterize a larger set of
wavelet functions for implementation in a still image compression
system using SPIHT algorithm. This paper discusses important
features of wavelet functions and filters used in sub band coding to
convert image into wavelet coefficients in MATLAB. Image quality
is measured objectively using peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and
its variation with bit rate (bpp). The effect of different parameters is
studied on different wavelet functions. Our results provide a good
reference for application designers of wavelet based coder.
Abstract: Independent component analysis (ICA) is a computational method for finding underlying signals or components from multivariate statistical data. The ICA method has been successfully applied in many fields, e.g. in vision research, brain imaging, geological signals and telecommunications. In this paper, we apply the ICA method to an analysis of mass spectra of oligomeric species emerged from aluminium sulphate. Mass spectra are typically complex, because they are linear combinations of spectra from different types of oligomeric species. The results show that ICA can decomposite the spectral components for useful information. This information is essential in developing coagulation phases of water treatment processes.
Abstract: Baltic competitiveness is quite controversial. In a
situation with the rapid structural changes, economy develops in
balance very rarely - in different fields will always be more rapid
changes in another more stagnation.
Analyzing different economic indices developed by international
organizations the situation in three Baltic countries are described
from a different competitiveness positions highlighting strengths and
weaknesses of each country.
Exploring the openness of the economy, it is possible to observe
certain risks included in the reports describing situation of
competitiveness where government policies competing in the tax
system, the rates of labour market policies, investment environment,
etc. This is a very important factor resulting in competitive
advantage.
Baltic countries are still at a weak position from a technological
perspective, and need to borrow the knowledge and technology from
more developed countries.
Abstract: This research was carried out to determine the
possible effects of low electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure to the
developing mice fetuses. Pregnant mice were exposed to EMF
exposure at 0mT (sham) and 1.2 mT for six hours per session, carried
out on gestation day 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15. Samples from the stillborn
offspring were observed for morphological defects. The heart didn-t
show progressive cellular damage, the lungs were congested and
emphysemics. The bones were in advance stage of hypertrophy.
Spectrums of morphological defects were observed over 70% of the
surviving offspring. These results indicate that even at lower
exposure to low EMF, is enough to induce morphological defects in
prenatal mice.
Abstract: A lateral trench-gate power metal-oxide-semiconductor on 4H-SiC is proposed. The device consists of two separate trenches in which two gates are placed on both sides of P-body region resulting two parallel channels. Enhanced current conduction and reduced-surface-field effect in the structure provide substantial improvement in the device performance. Using two dimensional simulations, the performance of proposed device is evaluated and compare of with that of the conventional device for same cell pitch. It is demonstrated that the proposed structure provides two times higher output current, 11% decrease in threshold voltage, 70% improvement in transconductance, 70% reduction in specific ON-resistance, 52% increase in breakdown voltage, and nearly eight time improvement in figure-of-merit over the conventional device.
Abstract: The challenge for software development house in
Bangladesh is to find a path of using minimum process rather than CMMI or ISO type gigantic practice and process area. The small and medium size organization in Bangladesh wants to ensure minimum
basic Software Process Improvement (SPI) in day to day operational
activities. Perhaps, the basic practices will ensure to realize their company's improvement goals. This paper focuses on the key issues in basic software practices for small and medium size software
organizations, who are unable to effort the CMMI, ISO, ITIL etc. compliance certifications. This research also suggests a basic software process practices model for Bangladesh and it will show the mapping of our suggestions with international best practice. In this IT
competitive world for software process improvement, Small and medium size software companies that require collaboration and
strengthening to transform their current perspective into inseparable global IT scenario. This research performed some investigations and analysis on some projects- life cycle, current good practice, effective approach, reality and pain area of practitioners, etc. We did some
reasoning, root cause analysis, comparative analysis of various
approach, method, practice and justifications of CMMI and real life. We did avoid reinventing the wheel, where our focus is for minimal
practice, which will ensure a dignified satisfaction between
organizations and software customer.
Abstract: The world-s largest Pre-stressed Concrete Cylinder
Pipe (PCCP) water supply project had a series of pipe failures which
occurred between 1999 and 2001. This has led the Man-Made River
Authority (MMRA), the authority in charge of the implementation
and operation of the project, to setup a rehabilitation plan for the
conveyance system while maintaining the uninterrupted flow of
water to consumers. At the same time, MMRA recognized the need
for a long term management tool that would facilitate repair and
maintenance decisions and enable taking the appropriate preventive
measures through continuous monitoring and estimation of the
remaining life of each pipe. This management tool is known as the
Pipe Risk Management System (PRMS) and now in operation at
MMRA. Both the rehabilitation plan and the PRMS require the
availability of complete and accurate pipe construction and
manufacturing data
This paper describes a systematic approach of data collection,
analysis, evaluation and correction for the construction and
manufacturing data files of phase I pipes which are the platform for
the PRMS database and any other related decision support system.
Abstract: the aim of this study was to analyze ethnopsychological content of “Aitys" as a process of creative competition in Kazakh traditional folklore by means of Transaction analysis (three types of Ego states are Parent, Adult and Child). “Aitys" is as sources of Kazakh national self-consciousness and form of oral Kazakh national creativity. Comparative psychological analysis of classical and modern “aityses" is carried out. Empirical proved that the victory in “Aitys" is provided with a position of egostate “Adult".
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to provide an empirical
evidence about the effects that the management of continuous
training have on employability (or employment stability) in the
Spanish labour market. With this purpose a binary logit model with
interaction effect is been used. The dependent variable includes two
situations of the active workers: continuous and discontinuous
employability. To distinguish between them an Employability Index
Stability (ESI) was calculated taking into account two factors: time
worked and job security. Various aspects of the continuous training
and personal workers data are used as independent variables. The
data obtained from a survey of a sample of 918 employed have
revealed a relationship between the likelihood of continuous
employability and continuous training received. The empirical results
support the positive and significant relationship between various
aspects of the training provided by firms and employability
likelihood of the workers, postulate alike from a theoretical point of
view.
Abstract: In this work, we study the impact of dynamically changing link slowdowns on the stability properties of packetswitched networks under the Adversarial Queueing Theory framework. Especially, we consider the Adversarial, Quasi-Static Slowdown Queueing Theory model, where each link slowdown may take on values in the two-valued set of integers {1, D} with D > 1 which remain fixed for a long time, under a (w, p)-adversary. In this framework, we present an innovative systematic construction for the estimation of adversarial injection rate lower bounds, which, if exceeded, cause instability in networks that use the LIS (Longest-in- System) protocol for contention-resolution. In addition, we show that a network that uses the LIS protocol for contention-resolution may result in dropping its instability bound at injection rates p > 0 when the network size and the high slowdown D take large values. This is the best ever known instability lower bound for LIS networks.
Abstract: Whole genome duplication (WGD) increased the
number of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes from 8 to
16. In spite of retention the number of chromosomes in the genome
of this organism after WGD to date, chromosomal rearrangement
events have caused an evolutionary distance between current genome
and its ancestor. Studies under evolutionary-based approaches on
eukaryotic genomes have shown that the rearrangement distance is an
approximable problem. In the case of S. cerevisiae, we describe that
rearrangement distance is accessible by using dedoubled adjacency
graph drawn for 55 large paired chromosomal regions originated
from WGD. Then, we provide a program extracted from a C program
database to draw a dedoubled genome adjacency graph for S.
cerevisiae. From a bioinformatical perspective, using the duplicated
blocks of current genome in S. cerevisiae, we infer that genomic
organization of eukaryotes has the potential to provide valuable
detailed information about their ancestrygenome.
Abstract: In this study, effects of premixed and equivalence
ratios on CO and HC emissions of a dual fuel HCCI engine are
investigated. Tests were conducted on a single-cylinder engine with
compression ratio of 17.5. Premixed gasoline is provided by a
carburetor connected to intake manifold and equipped with a screw
to adjust premixed air-fuel ratio, and diesel fuel is injected directly
into the cylinder through an injector at pressure of 250 bars. A heater
placed at inlet manifold is used to control the intake charge
temperature. Optimal intake charge temperature results in better
HCCI combustion due to formation of a homogeneous mixture,
therefore, all tests were carried out over the optimum intake
temperature of 110-115 ºC. Timing of diesel fuel injection has a great
effect on stratification of in-cylinder charge and plays an important
role in HCCI combustion phasing. Experiments indicated 35 BTDC
as the optimum injection timing. Varying the coolant temperature in
a range of 40 to 70 ºC, better HCCI combustion was achieved at 50
ºC. Therefore, coolant temperature was maintained 50 ºC during all
tests. Simultaneous investigation of effective parameters on HCCI
combustion was conducted to determine optimum parameters
resulting in fast transition to HCCI combustion. One of the
advantages of the method studied in this study is feasibility of easy
and fast transition of typical diesel engine to a dual fuel HCCI
engine. Results show that increasing premixed ratio, while keeping
EGR rate constant, increases unburned hydrocarbon (UHC)
emissions due to quenching phenomena and trapping of premixed
fuel in crevices, but CO emission decreases due to increase in CO to
CO2 reactions.
Abstract: In the recent years multimedia traffic and in particular
VoIP services are growing dramatically. We present a new algorithm
to control the resource utilization and to optimize the voice codec
selection during SIP call setup on behalf of the traffic condition
estimated on the network path.
The most suitable methodologies and the tools that perform realtime
evaluation of the available bandwidth on a network path have
been integrated with our proposed algorithm: this selects the best
codec for a VoIP call in function of the instantaneous available
bandwidth on the path. The algorithm does not require any explicit
feedback from the network, and this makes it easily deployable over
the Internet. We have also performed intensive tests on real network
scenarios with a software prototype, verifying the algorithm
efficiency with different network topologies and traffic patterns
between two SIP PBXs.
The promising results obtained during the experimental validation
of the algorithm are now the basis for the extension towards a larger
set of multimedia services and the integration of our methodology
with existing PBX appliances.
Abstract: A diamond-like carbon (DLC) based solid-lubricant
film was designed and DLC films were successfully prepared using a
microwave plasma enhanced magnetron sputtering deposition
technology. Post-test characterizations including Raman
spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, nano-indentation test, adhesion test,
friction coefficient test were performed to study the influence of
substrate bias voltage on the mechanical properties of the W- and
S-doped DLC films. The results indicated that the W- and S-doped
DLC films also had the typical structure of DLC films and a better
mechanical performance achieved by the application of a substrate
bias of -200V.