Abstract: While OCD is one of the most commonly occurring
psychiatric conditions experienced by older adults, there is a paucity
of research conducted into the treatment of older adults with OCD.
This case study represents the first published investigation of a
cognitive treatment for geriatric OCD. It describes the successful
treatment of an 86-year old man with a 63-year history of OCD using
Danger Ideation Reduction Therapy (DIRT). The client received 14
individual, 50-minute treatment sessions of DIRT over 13 weeks.
Clinician-based Y-BOCS scores reduced 84% from 25 (severe) at
pre-treatment, to 4 (subclinical) at 6-month post-treatment follow-up
interview, demonstrating the efficacy of DIRT for this client. DIRT
may have particular advantages over ERP and pharmacological
approaches, however further research is required in older adults with
OCD.
Abstract: Distant-talking voice-based HCI system suffers from
performance degradation due to mismatch between the acoustic
speech (runtime) and the acoustic model (training). Mismatch is
caused by the change in the power of the speech signal as observed at
the microphones. This change is greatly influenced by the change in
distance, affecting speech dynamics inside the room before reaching
the microphones. Moreover, as the speech signal is reflected, its
acoustical characteristic is also altered by the room properties. In
general, power mismatch due to distance is a complex problem. This
paper presents a novel approach in dealing with distance-induced
mismatch by intelligently sensing instantaneous voice power variation
and compensating model parameters. First, the distant-talking speech
signal is processed through microphone array processing, and the
corresponding distance information is extracted. Distance-sensitive
Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs), pre-trained to capture both
speech power and room property are used to predict the optimal
distance of the speech source. Consequently, pre-computed statistic
priors corresponding to the optimal distance is selected to correct
the statistics of the generic model which was frozen during training.
Thus, model combinatorics are post-conditioned to match the power
of instantaneous speech acoustics at runtime. This results to an
improved likelihood in predicting the correct speech command at
farther distances. We experiment using real data recorded inside two
rooms. Experimental evaluation shows voice recognition performance
using our method is more robust to the change in distance compared
to the conventional approach. In our experiment, under the most
acoustically challenging environment (i.e., Room 2: 2.5 meters), our
method achieved 24.2% improvement in recognition performance
against the best-performing conventional method.
Abstract: The main objective of this study is to test the
relationship between numbers of variables representing the firm
characteristics (market-related variables) and the extent of voluntary
disclosure levels (forward-looking disclosure) in the annual reports of
Egyptian firms listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange. The results
show that audit firm size is significantly positively correlated (in all
the three years) with the level of forward-looking disclosure.
However, industry type variable (which divided to: industries,
cement, construction, petrochemicals and services), is found being
insignificantly association with the level of forward-looking
information disclosed in the annual reports for all the three years.
Abstract: Transesterified vegetable oils (biodiesel) are promising alternative fuel for diesel engines. Used vegetable oils are disposed from restaurants in large quantities. But higher viscosity restricts their direct use in diesel engines. In this study, used cooking oil was dehydrated and then transesterified using an alkaline catalyst. The combustion, performance and emission characteristics of Used Cooking oil Methyl Ester (UCME) and its blends with diesel oil are analysed in a direct injection C.I. engine. The fuel properties and the combustion characteristics of UCME are found to be similar to those of diesel. A minor decrease in thermal efficiency with significant improvement in reduction of particulates, carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons is observed compared to diesel. The use of transesterified used cooking oil and its blends as fuel for diesel engines will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and also decrease considerably the environmental pollution.
Abstract: This paper presents an efficient method of obtaining a straight-line motion in the tool configuration space using an articulated robot between two specified points. The simulation results & the implementation results show the effectiveness of the method.
Abstract: The statistical process control (SPC) is one of the most powerful tools developed to assist ineffective control of quality, involves collecting, organizing and interpreting data during production. This article aims to show how the use of CEP industries can control and continuously improve product quality through monitoring of production that can detect deviations of parameters representing the process by reducing the amount of off-specification products and thus the costs of production. This study aimed to conduct a technological forecasting in order to characterize the research being done related to the CEP. The survey was conducted in the databases Spacenet, WIPO and the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). Among the largest are the United States depositors and deposits via PCT, the classification section that was presented in greater abundance to F.
Abstract: Several works regarding facial recognition have dealt with methods which identify isolated characteristics of the face or with templates which encompass several regions of it. In this paper a new technique which approaches the problem holistically dispensing with the need to identify geometrical characteristics or regions of the face is introduced. The characterization of a face is achieved by randomly sampling selected attributes of the pixels of its image. From this information we construct a set of data, which correspond to the values of low frequencies, gradient, entropy and another several characteristics of pixel of the image. Generating a set of “p" variables. The multivariate data set with different polynomials minimizing the data fitness error in the minimax sense (L∞ - Norm) is approximated. With the use of a Genetic Algorithm (GA) it is able to circumvent the problem of dimensionality inherent to higher degree polynomial approximations. The GA yields the degree and values of a set of coefficients of the polynomials approximating of the image of a face. By finding a family of characteristic polynomials from several variables (pixel characteristics) for each face (say Fi ) in the data base through a resampling process the system in use, is trained. A face (say F ) is recognized by finding its characteristic polynomials and using an AdaBoost Classifier from F -s polynomials to each of the Fi -s polynomials. The winner is the polynomial family closer to F -s corresponding to target face in data base.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a novel frequency offset
estimation scheme for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
(OFDM) systems. By correlating the OFDM signals within the coherence
phase bandwidth and employing a threshold in the frequency
offset estimation process, the proposed scheme is not only robust to
the timing offset but also has a reduced complexity compared with
that of the conventional scheme. Moreover, a timing offset estimation
scheme is also proposed as the next stage of the proposed frequency
offset estimation. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme
can estimate frequency offset with lower computational complexity
and does not require additional memory while maintaining the same
level of estimation performance.
Abstract: The study of effect of laser scanning speed on
material efficiency in Ti6Al4V application is very important because unspent powder is not reusable because of high temperature oxygen
pick-up and contamination. This study carried out an extensive study
on the effect of scanning speed on material efficiency by varying the
speed between 0.01 to 0.1m/sec. The samples are wire brushed and
cleaned with acetone after each deposition to remove un-melted
particles from the surface of the deposit. The substrate is weighed before and after deposition. A formula was developed to calculate the
material efficiency and the scanning speed was compared with the
powder efficiency obtained. The results are presented and discussed.
The study revealed that the optimum scanning speed exists for this study at 0.01m/sec, above and below which the powder efficiency
will drop
Abstract: In the last two decades radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
has been considered a promising medical procedure for the treatment
of primary and secondary malignancies. However, the needle-based
electrodes so far developed for this kind of treatment are not suitable
for the thermal ablation of tumors located in hollow organs like
esophagus, colon or bile duct. In this work a tubular electrode
solution is presented. Numerical and experimental analyses were
performed to characterize the volume of the lesion induced. Results
show that this kind of electrode is a feasible solution and numerical
simulation might provide a tool for planning RFA procedure with
some accuracy.
Abstract: Webcam systems now function as the new privileged
vantage points from which to view the city. This transformation of
CCTV technology from surveillance to promotional tool is significant
because its'scopic regime' presents, back to the public, a new virtual
'site' that sits alongside its real-time counterpart. Significantly,
thisraw 'image' data can, in fact,be co-optedand processed so as to
disrupt their original purpose. This paper will demonstrate this
disruptive capacity through an architectural project. It will reveal how
the adaption the webcam image offers a technical springboard by
which to initiate alternate urban form making decisions and subvert
the disciplinary reliance on the 'flat' orthographic plan. In so doing,
the paper will show how this 'digital material' exceeds the imagistic
function of the image; shiftingit from being a vehicle of signification
to a site of affect.
Abstract: This work describes the aerodynamic characteristic for
aircraft wing model with and without bird feather like winglet. The
aerofoil used to construct the whole structure is NACA 653-218
Rectangular wing and this aerofoil has been used to compare the
result with previous research using winglet. The model of the
rectangular wing with bird feather like winglet has been fabricated
using polystyrene before design using CATIA P3 V5R13 software
and finally fabricated in wood. The experimental analysis for the
aerodynamic characteristic for rectangular wing without winglet,
wing with horizontal winglet and wing with 60 degree inclination
winglet for Reynolds number 1.66×105, 2.08×105 and 2.50×105 have
been carried out in open loop low speed wind tunnel at the
Aerodynamics laboratory in Universiti Putra Malaysia. The
experimental result shows 25-30 % reduction in drag coefficient and
10-20 % increase in lift coefficient by using bird feather like winglet
for angle of attack of 8 degree.
Abstract: Modeling transfer phenomena in several chemical
engineering operations leads to the resolution of partial differential
equations systems. According to the complexity of the operations
mechanisms, the equations present a nonlinear form and analytical
solution became difficult, we have then to use numerical methods
which are based on approximations in order to transform a
differential system to an algebraic one.Finite element method is one
of numerical methods which can be used to obtain an accurate
solution in many complex cases of chemical engineering.The packed
columns find a large application like contactor for liquid-liquid
systems such solvent extraction. In the literature, the modeling of this
type of equipment received less attention in comparison with the
plate columns.A mathematical bidimensionnal model with radial and
axial dispersion, simulating packed tower extraction behavior was
developed and a partial differential equation was solved using the
finite element method by adopting the Galerkine model. We
developed a Mathcad program, which can be used for a similar
equations and concentration profiles are obtained along the column.
The influence of radial dispersion was prooved and it can-t be
neglected, the results were compared with experimental concentration
at the top of the column in the extraction system:
acetone/toluene/water.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to understand the main
sources of copper (Cu) accumulation in target organs of tilapia
(Oreochromis mossambicus) and to investigate how the organism
mediate the process of Cu accumulation under prolonged conditions.
By measuring both dietary and waterborne Cu accumulation and total
concentrations in tilapia with biokinetic modeling approach, we were
able to clarify the biokinetic coping mechanisms for the long term Cu
accumulation. This study showed that water and food are both the
major source of Cu for the muscle and liver of tilapia. This implied
that control the Cu concentration in these two routes will be correlated
to the Cu bioavailability for tilapia. We found that exposure duration
and level of waterborne Cu drove the Cu accumulation in tilapia. The
ability for Cu biouptake and depuration in organs of tilapia were
actively mediated under prolonged exposure conditions. Generally,
the uptake rate, depuration rate and net bioaccumulation ability in all
selected organs decreased with the increasing level of waterborne Cu
and extension of exposure duration.Muscle tissues accounted for over
50%of the total accumulated Cu and played a key role in buffering the
Cu burden in the initial period of exposure, alternatively, the liver
acted a more important role in the storage of Cu with the extension of
exposures. We concluded that assumption of the constant biokinetic
rates could lead to incorrect predictions with overestimating the
long-term Cu accumulation in ecotoxicological risk assessments.
Abstract: Dust storms are one of the most costly and destructive
events in many desert regions. They can cause massive damages both
in natural environments and human lives. This paper is aimed at
presenting a preliminary study on dust storms, as a major natural
hazard in arid and semi-arid regions. As a case study, dust storm
events occurred in Zabol city located in Sistan Region of Iran was
analyzed to diagnose and predict dust storms. The identification and
prediction of dust storm events could have significant impacts on
damages reduction. Present models for this purpose are complicated
and not appropriate for many areas with poor-data environments. The
present study explores Gamma test for identifying inputs of ANNs
model, for dust storm prediction. Results indicate that more attempts
must be carried out concerning dust storms identification and
segregate between various dust storm types.
Abstract: The more recent satellite projects/programs makes
extensive usage of real – time embedded systems. 16 bit processors
which meet the Mil-Std-1750 standard architecture have been used in
on-board systems. Most of the Space Applications have been written
in ADA. From a futuristic point of view, 32 bit/ 64 bit processors are
needed in the area of spacecraft computing and therefore an effort is
desirable in the study and survey of 64 bit architectures for space
applications. This will also result in significant technology
development in terms of VLSI and software tools for ADA (as the
legacy code is in ADA).
There are several basic requirements for a special processor for
this purpose. They include Radiation Hardened (RadHard) devices,
very low power dissipation, compatibility with existing operational
systems, scalable architectures for higher computational needs,
reliability, higher memory and I/O bandwidth, predictability, realtime
operating system and manufacturability of such processors.
Further on, these may include selection of FPGA devices, selection
of EDA tool chains, design flow, partitioning of the design, pin
count, performance evaluation, timing analysis etc.
This project deals with a brief study of 32 and 64 bit processors
readily available in the market and designing/ fabricating a 64 bit
RISC processor named RISC MicroProcessor with added
functionalities of an extended double precision floating point unit
and a 32 bit signal processing unit acting as co-processors. In this
paper, we emphasize the ease and importance of using Open Core
(OpenSparc T1 Verilog RTL) and Open “Source" EDA tools such as
Icarus to develop FPGA based prototypes quickly. Commercial tools
such as Xilinx ISE for Synthesis are also used when appropriate.
Abstract: In the context of computer numerical control (CNC) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM), the capabilities of programming languages such as symbolic and intuitive programming, program portability and geometrical portfolio have special importance. They allow to save time and to avoid errors during part programming and permit code re-usage. Our updated literature review indicates that the current state of art presents voids in parametric programming, program portability and programming flexibility. In response to this situation, this article presents a compiler implementation for EGCL (Extended G-code Language), a new, enriched CNC programming language which allows the use of descriptive variable names, geometrical functions and flow-control statements (if-then-else, while). Our compiler produces low-level generic, elementary ISO-compliant Gcode, thus allowing for flexibility in the choice of the executing CNC machine and in portability. Our results show that readable variable names and flow control statements allow a simplified and intuitive part programming and permit re-usage of the programs. Future work includes allowing the programmer to define own functions in terms of EGCL, in contrast to the current status of having them as library built-in functions.
Abstract: We address the balancing problem of transfer lines in
this paper to find the optimal line balancing that minimizes the nonproductive
time. We focus on the tool change time and face
orientation change time both of which influence the makespane. We
consider machine capacity limitations and technological constraints
associated with the manufacturing process of auto cylinder heads.
The problem is represented by a mixed integer programming model
that aims at distributing the design features to workstations and
sequencing the machining processes at a minimum non-productive
time. The proposed model is solved by an algorithm established using
linearization schemes and Benders- decomposition approach. The
experiments show the efficiency of the algorithm in reaching the
exact solution of small and medium problem instances at reasonable
time.
Abstract: A high energy dual-wavelength extracavity KTA
optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with excellent stability and beam
quality, which is pumped by a Q-switched single-longitudinal-mode
Nd:YAG laser, has been demonstrated based on a type II noncritical
phase matching (NCPM) KTA crystal. The maximum pulse energy of
10.2 mJ with the output stability of better than 4.1% rms at 3.467 μm is
obtained at the repetition rate of 10 Hz and pulse width of 2 ns, and the
11.9 mJ of 1.535 μm radiation is obtained simultaneously. This
extracavity NCPM KTA OPO is very useful when high energy, high
beam quality and smooth time domain are needed.
Abstract: Some believe that stigma is the worst side effect of the
people who have mental illness. Mental illness researchers have
focused on the influence of mass media on the stigmatization of the
people with mental illness. However, no studies have investigated the
effects of the interactive media, such as blogs, on the stigmatization
of mentally ill people, even though the media have a significant
influence on people in all areas of life. The purpose of this study is to
investigate the use of interactivity in destigmatization of the mentally
ill and the moderating effect of self-construal (independent versus
interdependent self-construal) on the relation between interactivity
and destigmatization. The findings suggested that people in the
human-human interaction condition had less social distance toward
people with mental illness. Additionally, participants with higher
independence showed more favorable affection and less social
distance toward mentally ill people. Finally, direct contact with
mentally ill people increased a person-s positive affect toward people
with mental illness. The current study should provide insights for
mental health practitioners by suggesting how they can use
interactive media to approach the public that stigmatizes the mentally
ill.