Abstract: Studying literature theme in the fields of tourism and
sustainable development and its importance in today world and their
criteria in architecture, here in this article we will also study the area
where the selected site is located; beside the Aab-Ask Village located
in Larijan region in Mazandaran province on the way to Haraz – one
of the tourism routes of Iran. After these studies by analyzing the
site, its strong potentials – such as mineral water springs (hot
springs), geothermal, landscapes and ideal climate - as a tourist
attraction spot in the region, and considering sustainable
development criteria – with regard to limits and available facilities –
a plan was offered that could change the region to provide the needs
of local people and in addition change it to a place where tourism
services is offered to the visitors and make it an acceptable sample of
stable building in Iran. Finally the reason to make design for this
complex is recovery of natural and historical values of Aab-Ask area
regarding development and sustainable architecture criteria in the
form of a functional sample which can be a suitable place to fulfill
this goal for having lots of strong points in attracting cultural and
sustainable tourist.
Abstract: since in natural accidents, facilities that relate to this vita element are underground so, it is difficult to find quickly some right, exact and definite information about water utilities. There fore, this article has done operationally in Boukan city in Western Azarbaijan of Iran and it tries to represent operation and capabilities of Geographical Information system (GIS) in urban water management at the time of natural accidents. Structure of this article is that firstly it has established a comprehensive data base related to water utilities by collecting, entering, saving and data management, then by modeling water utilities we have practically considered its operational aspects related to water utility problems in urban regions.
Abstract: The use of human hand as a natural interface for humancomputer interaction (HCI) serves as the motivation for research in hand gesture recognition. Vision-based hand gesture recognition involves visual analysis of hand shape, position and/or movement. In this paper, we use the concept of object-based video abstraction for segmenting the frames into video object planes (VOPs), as used in MPEG-4, with each VOP corresponding to one semantically meaningful hand position. Next, the key VOPs are selected on the basis of the amount of change in hand shape – for a given key frame in the sequence the next key frame is the one in which the hand changes its shape significantly. Thus, an entire video clip is transformed into a small number of representative frames that are sufficient to represent a gesture sequence. Subsequently, we model a particular gesture as a sequence of key frames each bearing information about its duration. These constitute a finite state machine. For recognition, the states of the incoming gesture sequence are matched with the states of all different FSMs contained in the database of gesture vocabulary. The core idea of our proposed representation is that redundant frames of the gesture video sequence bear only the temporal information of a gesture and hence discarded for computational efficiency. Experimental results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed scheme for key frame extraction, subsequent gesture summarization and finally gesture recognition.
Abstract: The evaluation of conversational agents or chatterbots question answering systems is a major research area that needs much attention. Before the rise of domain-oriented conversational agents based on natural language understanding and reasoning, evaluation is never a problem as information retrieval-based metrics are readily available for use. However, when chatterbots began to become more domain specific, evaluation becomes a real issue. This is especially true when understanding and reasoning is required to cater for a wider variety of questions and at the same time to achieve high quality responses. This paper discusses the inappropriateness of the existing measures for response quality evaluation and the call for new standard measures and related considerations are brought forward. As a short-term solution for evaluating response quality of conversational agents, and to demonstrate the challenges in evaluating systems of different nature, this research proposes a blackbox approach using observation, classification scheme and a scoring mechanism to assess and rank three example systems, AnswerBus, START and AINI.
Abstract: In Data mining, Fuzzy clustering algorithms have
demonstrated advantage over crisp clustering algorithms in dealing
with the challenges posed by large collections of vague and uncertain
natural data. This paper reviews concept of fuzzy logic and fuzzy
clustering. The classical fuzzy c-means algorithm is presented and its
limitations are highlighted. Based on the study of the fuzzy c-means
algorithm and its extensions, we propose a modification to the cmeans
algorithm to overcome the limitations of it in calculating the
new cluster centers and in finding the membership values with
natural data. The efficiency of the new modified method is
demonstrated on real data collected for Bhutan-s Gross National
Happiness (GNH) program.
Abstract: In countries with hot climates, air-conditioning forms
a large proportion of annual peak electrical demand, requiring
expansion of power plants to meet the peak demand, which goes
unused most of the time. Use of well-designed cool storage can offset
the peak demand to a large extent. In this study, an air conditioning
system with naturally stratified storage tank was designed,
constructed and tested. A new type of diffuser was designed and used
in this study. Factors that influence the performance of chilled water
storage tanks were investigated. The results indicated that stratified
storage tank consistently stratified well without any physical barrier.
Investigation also showed that storage efficiency decreased with
increasing flow rate due to increased mixing of warm and chilled
water. Diffuser design and layout primarily affected the mixing near
the inlet diffuser and the extent of this mixing had primary influence
on the shape of the thermocline. The heat conduction through tank
walls and through the thermocline caused widening of mixed volume.
Thermal efficiency of stratified storage tanks was as high as 90
percent, which indicates that stratified tanks can effectively be used
as a load management technique.
Abstract: This paper presents and discusses the numerical simulations of transient laminar natural convection cooling of high Prandtl number fluids in cubical cavities, in which the six walls of the cavity are subjected to a step change in temperature. The effect of the fluid Prandtl number on the heat transfer coefficient is studied for three different fluids (Golden Syrup, Glycerin and Glycerin-water solution 50%). The simulations are performed at two different Rayleigh numbers (5·106 and 5·107) and six different Prandtl numbers (3 · 105 ≥Pr≥ 50). Heat conduction through the cavity glass walls is also considered. The propsed correlations of the averaged heat transfer coefficient (N u) showed that it is dependant on the initial Ra and almost independent on P r. The instantaneous flow patterns, temperature contours and time evolution of volume averaged temperature and heat transfer coefficient are presented and analyzed.
Abstract: This research deals with investigations on the “Active
Generator" under rotor speed variations and output frequency
control. It runs at turbine speed and it is connected to a three phase
electrical power grid which has its own frequency different from
turbine frequency. In this regard the set composed of a four phase
synchronous generator and a natural commutated matrix converter
(NCMC) made with thyristors, is called active generator. It replaces a
classical mechanical gearbox which introduces many drawbacks. The
main idea in this article is the presentation of frequency control at
grid side when turbine runs at variable speed. Frequency control has
been done by linear and step variations of the turbine speed. Relation
between turbine speed (frequency) and main grid zero sequence
voltage frequency is presented.
Abstract: The overall objective of this paper is to retrieve soil
surfaces parameters namely, roughness and soil moisture related to
the dielectric constant by inverting the radar backscattered signal
from natural soil surfaces.
Because the classical description of roughness using statistical
parameters like the correlation length doesn't lead to satisfactory
results to predict radar backscattering, we used a multi-scale
roughness description using the wavelet transform and the Mallat
algorithm. In this description, the surface is considered as a
superposition of a finite number of one-dimensional Gaussian
processes each having a spatial scale. A second step in this study
consisted in adapting a direct model simulating radar backscattering
namely the small perturbation model to this multi-scale surface
description. We investigated the impact of this description on radar
backscattering through a sensitivity analysis of backscattering
coefficient to the multi-scale roughness parameters.
To perform the inversion of the small perturbation multi-scale
scattering model (MLS SPM) we used a multi-layer neural network
architecture trained by backpropagation learning rule. The inversion
leads to satisfactory results with a relative uncertainty of 8%.
Abstract: This paper describes a 2.4 GHz passive switch mixer
and a 5/2.5 GHz voltage-controlled negative Gm oscillator (VCO)
with an inversion-mode MOS varactor. Both circuits are implemented
using a 1P8M 0.13 μm process. The switch mixer has an input
referred 1 dB compression point of -3.89 dBm and a conversion
gain of -0.96 dB when the local oscillator power is +2.5 dBm.
The VCO consumes only 1.75 mW, while drawing 1.45 mA from a
1.2 V supply voltage. In order to reduce the passives size, the VCO
natural oscillation frequency is 5 GHz. A clocked CMOS divideby-
two circuit is used for frequency division and quadrature phase
generation. The VCO has a -109 dBc/Hz phase noise at 1 MHz
frequency offset and a 2.35-2.5 GHz tuning range (after the frequency
division), thus complying with ZigBee requirements.
Abstract: Information society is an absolutely new public formation at which the infrastructure and the social relations correspond to the socialized essence of «information genotype» mankind. Information society is a natural social environment which allows the person to open completely the information nature, to use intelligence for joint creation with other people of new information on the basis of knowledge earlier saved up by previous generations.
Abstract: Random and natural textures classification is still
one of the biggest challenges in the field of image processing and
pattern recognition. In this paper, texture feature extraction using
Slant Hadamard Transform was studied and compared to other
signal processing-based texture classification schemes. A
parametric SHT was also introduced and employed for natural
textures feature extraction. We showed that a subtly modified
parametric SHT can outperform ordinary Walsh-Hadamard
transform and discrete cosine transform. Experiments were carried
out on a subset of Vistex random natural texture images using a
kNN classifier.
Abstract: In a pilot plant scale of a fluidized bed reactor, a
reduction reaction of sodium sulfate by natural gas has been
investigated. Natural gas is applied in this study as a reductant. Feed
density, feed mass flow rate, natural gas and air flow rate
(independent parameters)and temperature of bed and CO
concentration in inlet and outlet of reactor (dependent parameters)
were monitored and recorded at steady state. The residence time was
adjusted close to value of traditional reaction [1]. An artificial neural
network (ANN) was established to study dependency of yield and
carbon gradient on operating parameters. Resultant 97% accuracy of
applied ANN is a good prove that natural gas can be used as a
reducing agent. Predicted ANN model for relation between other
sources carbon gradient (accuracy 74%) indicates there is not a
meaningful relation between other sources carbon variation and
reduction process which means carbon in granule does not have
significant effect on the reaction yield.
Abstract: Public housing is a vital factor in community
development. Successful city, housing and eco system regeneration
design is essential in providing positive community development.
This concerns work places, nice dwellings, providing premises for
child care, care of the elderly, providing qualitative premises for
different kinds of commercial service, providing a nice built
environment and housing areas and not the least activating tenants.
The public housing companies give value to society by stimulating
people, renovating socially and economically sustainable as well as
being partners to local business and authorities. By their activities the
housing companies contribute to sustainable local and regional
growth and the identity and reputation of cities. A Social, Economic
and Ecological Reputation Effect (SEERE) model for actions to
promote housing and community reputation is presented. The model
emphasizes regenerative actions to restore natural eco systems as part
of housing renewal strategies and to strengthen municipality
reputation.
Abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are a class of
structural and functional related enzymes involved in altering the
natural elements of the extracellular matrix. Most of the MMP
structures are cristalographycally determined and published in
WorldWide ProteinDataBank, isolated, in full structure or bound to
natural or synthetic inhibitors. This study proposes an algorithm to
replace missing crystallographic structures in PDB database. We
have compared the results of a chosen docking algorithm with a
known crystallographic structure in order to validate enzyme sites
reconstruction there where crystallographic data are missing.
Abstract: The degradation of selected pharmaceuticals in some
water matrices was studied by using several chemical treatments. The
pharmaceuticals selected were the beta-blocker metoprolol, the
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory naproxen, the antibiotic amoxicillin,
and the analgesic phenacetin; and their degradations were conducted
by using UV radiation alone, ozone, Fenton-s reagent, Fenton-like
system, photo-Fenton system, and combinations of UV radiation and
ozone with H2O2, TiO2, Fe(II), and Fe(III). The water matrices, in
addition to ultra-pure water, were a reservoir water, a groundwater,
and two secondary effluents from two municipal WWTP. The results
reveal that the presence of any second oxidant enhanced the
oxidation rates, with the systems UV/TiO2 and O3/TiO2 providing the
highest degradation rates. It is also observed in most of the
investigated oxidation systems that the degradation rate followed the
sequence: amoxicillin > naproxen > metoprolol > phenacetin. Lower
rates were obtained with the pharmaceuticals dissolved in natural
waters and secondary effluents due to the organic matter present
which consume some amounts of the oxidant agents.
Abstract: In this paper we describe the recognition process of Greek compound words using the PC-KIMMO software. We try to show certain limitations of the system with respect to the principles of compound formation in Greek. Moreover, we discuss the computational processing of phenomena such as stress and syllabification which are indispensable for the analysis of such constructions and we try to propose linguistically-acceptable solutions within the particular system.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the capacity
of natural Turkish zeolite for NH4-N removal from landfill leachate.
The effects of modification and initial concentration on the removal
of NH4-N from leachate were also investigated. The kinetics of
adsorption of NH4-N has been discussed using three kinetic models,
i.e., the pseudo-second order model, the Elovich equation, the
intraparticle diffuion model. Kinetic parameters and correlation
coefficients were determined. Equilibrium isotherms for the
adsorption of NH4-N were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich and
Tempkin isotherm models. Langmuir isotherm model was found to
best represent the data for NH4-N.
Abstract: A new mechanism responsible for structural life
consumption due to resonant fatigue in turbine blades, or vanes, is
presented and explained. A rotating blade or vane in a gas turbine can
change its contour due to erosion and/or material build up, in any of
these instances, the surface pressure distribution occurring on the
suction and pressure sides of blades-vanes can suffer substantial
modification of their pressure and temperatures envelopes and flow
characteristics. Meanwhile, the relative rotation between the blade
and duct vane while the pressurized gas flows and the consequent
wake crossings, will induce a fluctuating thrust force or lift that will
excite the blade.
An actual totally used up set of vane-blade components in a HP
turbine power stage in a gas turbine is analyzed. The blade suffered
some material erosion mostly at the trailing edge provoking a
peculiar surface pressure envelope which evolved as the relative
position between the vane and the blade passed in front of each other.
Interestingly preliminary modal analysis for this eroded blade
indicates several natural frequencies within the aeromechanic power
spectrum, moreover, the highest frequency component is 94% of one
natural frequency indicating near resonant condition.
Independently of other simultaneously occurring fatigue cycles
(such as thermal, centrifugal stresses).
Abstract: In this paper, an alternating implicit block method for
solving two dimensional scalar wave equation is presented. The
new method consist of two stages for each time step implemented
in alternating directions which are very simple in computation. To
increase the speed of computation, a group of adjacent points is
computed simultaneously. It is shown that the presented method
increase the maximum time step size and more accurate than the
conventional finite difference time domain (FDTD) method and other
existing method of natural ordering.