Abstract: One of the major, difficult tasks in automated video
surveillance is the segmentation of relevant objects in the scene.
Current implementations often yield inconsistent results on average
from frame to frame when trying to differentiate partly occluding
objects. This paper presents an efficient block-based segmentation
algorithm which is capable of separating partly occluding objects and
detecting shadows. It has been proven to perform in real time with a
maximum duration of 47.48 ms per frame (for 8x8 blocks on a
720x576 image) with a true positive rate of 89.2%. The flexible
structure of the algorithm enables adaptations and improvements with
little effort. Most of the parameters correspond to relative differences
between quantities extracted from the image and should therefore not
depend on scene and lighting conditions. Thus presenting a
performance oriented segmentation algorithm which is applicable in
all critical real time scenarios.
Abstract: Controlled release urea has become popular in agricultural industry as it helps to solve environmental issues and increase crop yield. Recently biomass was identified to replace the polymer used as a coating material in the conventional coated urea. In this paper spreading and contact angle of biomass droplet (lignin, cellulose and clay) on urea surface are investigated experimentally. There were two tests were conducted, sessile drop for contact angle measurement and pendant drop for contact angle measurement. A different concentration of biomass droplet was released from 30 mm above a substrate. Glass was used as a controlled substrate. Images were recorded as soon as the droplet impacted onto the urea before completely adsorb into the urea. Digitized droplets were then used to identify the droplet-s surface tension and contact angle. There is large difference observed between the low surface tension and high surface tension liquids, where the wetting and spreading diameter is higher for lower surface tension. From the contact angle results, the data showed that the biomass coating films were possible as wetting liquid (θ < 90º). Contact angle of biomass coating material gives good indication for the wettablity of a liquid on urea surface.
Abstract: In the area where the high quality water is not
available, unconventional water sources are used to irrigate.
Household leachate is one of the sources which are used in dry and
semi dry areas in order to water the barer trees and plants. It meets
the plants needs and also has some effects on the soil, but at the same
time it might cause some problems as well. This study in order to
evaluate the effect of using Compost leachate on the density of soil
iron in form of a statistical pattern called ''Split Plot'' by using two
main treatments, one subsidiary treatment and three repetitions of the
pattern in a three month period. The main N treatments include:
irrigation using well water as a blank treatments and the main I
treatments include: irrigation using leachate and well water
concurrently. Some subsidiary treatments were DI (Drop Irrigation)
and SDI (Sub Drop Irrigation). Then in the established plots, 36
biannual pine and cypress shrubs were randomly grown. Two months
later the treatment begins. The results revealed that there was a
significant variation between the main treatment and the instance
regarding pH decline in the soil which was related to the amount of
leachate injected into the soil. After some time and using leachate the
pH level fell, as much as 0.46 and also increased due to the great
amounts of leachate. The underneath drop irrigation ends in better
results than sub drop irrigation since it keeps the soil texture fixed.
Abstract: A basic conceptual study of TCSC device on Simulink is a teaching aid and helps in understanding the rudiments of the topic. This paper thus stems out from basics of TCSC device and analyzes the impedance characteristics and associated single & multi resonance conditions. The Impedance characteristics curve is drawn for different values of inductance in MATLAB using M-files. The study is also helpful in estimating the appropriate inductance and capacitance values which have influence on multi resonance point in TCSC device. The capacitor voltage, line current, thyristor current and capacitor current waveforms are discussed briefly as simulation results. Simulink model of TCSC device is given and corresponding waveforms are analyzed. The subsidiary topics e.g. power oscillation damping, SSR mitigation and transient stability is also brought out.
Abstract: This paper presents an exact analytical model for
optimizing stability of thin-walled, composite, functionally graded
pipes conveying fluid. The critical flow velocity at which divergence
occurs is maximized for a specified total structural mass in order to
ensure the economic feasibility of the attained optimum designs. The
composition of the material of construction is optimized by defining
the spatial distribution of volume fractions of the material
constituents using piecewise variations along the pipe length. The
major aim is to tailor the material distribution in the axial direction so
as to avoid the occurrence of divergence instability without the
penalty of increasing structural mass. Three types of boundary
conditions have been examined; namely, Hinged-Hinged, Clamped-
Hinged and Clamped-Clamped pipelines. The resulting optimization
problem has been formulated as a nonlinear mathematical
programming problem solved by invoking the MatLab optimization
toolbox routines, which implement constrained function
minimization routine named “fmincon" interacting with the
associated eigenvalue problem routines. In fact, the proposed
mathematical models have succeeded in maximizing the critical flow
velocity without mass penalty and producing efficient and economic
designs having enhanced stability characteristics as compared with
the baseline designs.
Abstract: The exploration of this paper will focus on the Cshaped
transition curve. This curve is designed by using the concept
of circle to circle where one circle lies inside other. The degree of
smoothness employed is curvature continuity. The function used in
designing the C-curve is Bézier-like cubic function. This function has
a low degree, flexible for the interactive design of curves and
surfaces and has a shape parameter. The shape parameter is used to
control the C-shape curve. Once the C-shaped curve design is
completed, this curve will be applied to design spur gear tooth. After
the tooth design procedure is finished, the design will be analyzed by
using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). This analysis is used to find
out the applicability of the tooth design and the gear material that
chosen. In this research, Cast Iron 4.5 % Carbon, ASTM A-48 is
selected as a gear material.
Abstract: As part of national epidemiological survey on bovine
viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a total of 274 dejecta samples were
collected from 14 cattle farms in 8 areas of Xinjiang Uygur
Autonomous Region in northwestern China. Total RNA was extracted
from each sample, and 5--untranslated region (UTR) of BVDV
genome was amplified by using two-step reverse
transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The PCR products
were subsequently sequenced to study the genetic variations of BVDV
in these areas. Among the 274 samples, 33 samples were found
virus-positive. According to sequence analysis of the PCR products,
the 33 samples could be arranged into 16 groups. All the sequences,
however, were highly conserved with BVDV Osloss strains. The virus
possessed theses sequences belonged to BVDV-1b subtype by
phylogenetic analysis. Based on these data, we established a typing
tree for BVDV in these areas. Our results suggested that BVDV-1b
was a predominant subgenotype in northwestern China and no
correlation between the genetic and geographical distances could be
observed above the farm level.
Abstract: This paper deals with the problem of constructing
constraints in non safe Petri Nets and then reducing the number of the
constructed constraints. In a system, assigning some linear constraints
to forbidden states is possible. Enforcing these constraints on the
system prevents it from entering these states. But there is no a
systematic method for assigning constraints to forbidden states in non
safe Petri Nets. In this paper a useful method is proposed for
constructing constraints in non safe Petri Nets. But when the number of these constraints is large enforcing them on the system may complicate the Petri Net model. So, another method is proposed for reducing the number of constructed constraints.
Abstract: Palestinian cities face the challenges of land scarcity,
high population growth rates, rapid urbanization, uneven
development and territorial fragmentation. Due to geopolitical
constrains and the absence of an effective Palestinian planning
institution, urban development in Palestinian cities has not followed
any discernable planning scheme. This has led to a number of
internal contradictions in the structure of cities, and adversely
affected land use, the provision of urban services, and the quality of
the living environment.
This paper explores these challenges, and the potential that exists
for introducing a more sustainable urban development pattern in
Palestinian cities. It assesses alternative development approaches
with a particular focus on sustainable development, promoting ecodevelopment
imperatives, limiting random urbanization, and meeting
present and future challenges, including fulfilling the needs of the
people and conserving the scarce land and limited natural resources.
This paper concludes by offering conceptual proposals and guidelines
for promoting sustainable physical development in Palestinian cities.
Abstract: Using logarithmic mean Divisia decomposition technique, this paper analyzes the change in industrial energy intensity of Fujian Province in China, based on data sets of added value and energy consumption for 35 selected industrial sub-sectors from 1999 to 2009. The change in industrial energy intensity is decomposed into intensity effect and structure effect. Results show that the industrial energy intensity of Fujian Province has achieved a reduction of 51% over the past ten years. The structural change, a shift in the mix of industrial sub-sectors, made overwhelming contribution to the reduction. The impact of energy efficiency’s improvement was relatively small. However, the aggregate industrial energy intensity was very sensitive to both the changes in energy intensity and in production share of energy-intensive sub-sectors, such as production and supply of electric power, steam and hot water. Pathway to reduce industrial energy intensity for energy conservation in Fujian Province is proposed in the end.
Abstract: Bonding has become a routine procedure in several
dental specialties – from prosthodontics to conservative dentistry and
even orthodontics. In many of these fields it is important to be able to
investigate the bonded interfaces to assess their quality. All currently
employed investigative methods are invasive, meaning that samples
are destroyed in the testing procedure and cannot be used again. We
have investigated the interface between human enamel and bonded
ceramic brackets non-invasively, introducing a combination of new
investigative methods – optical coherence tomography (OCT),
fluorescence OCT and confocal microscopy (CM). Brackets were
conventionally bonded on conditioned buccal surfaces of teeth. The
bonding was assessed using these methods. Three dimensional
reconstructions of the detected material defects were developed using
manual and semi-automatic segmentation. The results clearly prove
that OCT, fluorescence OCT and CM are useful in orthodontic
bonding investigations.
Abstract: Decomposition processes take place in landfill
generate leachates that can be categorized mainly of acetogenic and
methanogenic in nature. BOD:COD ratio computed in this study for a
landfill site over a 3 years duration revealed as a good indicator to
identify acetogenic leachate from methanogenic leachate. Correlation
relationships to predict pollutant level taking into consideration of
climatic condition are derived.
Abstract: Data mining uses a variety of techniques each of which is useful for some particular task. It is important to have a deep understanding of each technique and be able to perform sophisticated analysis. In this article we describe a tool built to simulate a variation of the Kohonen network to perform unsupervised clustering and support the entire data mining process up to results visualization. A graphical representation helps the user to find out a strategy to optmize classification by adding, moving or delete a neuron in order to change the number of classes. The tool is also able to automatically suggest a strategy for number of classes optimization.The tool is used to classify macroeconomic data that report the most developed countries? import and export. It is possible to classify the countries based on their economic behaviour and use an ad hoc tool to characterize the commercial behaviour of a country in a selected class from the analysis of positive and negative features that contribute to classes formation.
Abstract: This paper describes the development of an electronic
instrument that looks like a flute, which is able to sense the basic musical notes being executed by a specific user. The principal function of the instrument is to teach how to play a flute. This device
will generate a significant academic impact, in a field of virtual reality interactive that combine art and technology. With this example is expected to contribute in research and implementation of teaching devices around the world.
Abstract: The p53 tumor suppressor gene plays two important
roles in genomic stability: blocking cell proliferation after DNA
damage until it has been repaired, and starting apoptosis if the
damage is too critical. Codon 72 exon4 polymorphism (Arg72Pro) of
the P53 gene has been implicated in cancer risk. Various studies have
been done to investigate the status of p53 at codon 72 for arginine
(Arg) and proline (Pro) alleles in different populations and also the
association of this codon 72 polymorphism with various tumors. Our
objective was to investigate the possible association between P53
Arg72Pro polymorphism and susceptibility to colorectal cancer
among Isfahan and Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari (a part of south west
of Iran) population. We investigated the status of p53 at codon 72 for
Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro allele polymorphisms in blood
samples from 145 colorectal cancer patients and 140 controls by
Nested-PCR of p53 exon 4 and digestion with BstUI restriction
enzyme and the DNA fragments were then resolved by
electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel. The Pro allele was 279 bp, while
the Arg allele was restricted into two fragments of 160 and 119 bp.
Among the 145 colorectal cancer cases 49 cases (33.79%) were
homozygous for the Arg72 allele (Arg/Arg), 18 cases (12.41%) were
homozygous for the Pro72 allele (Pro/Pro) and 78 cases (53.8%)
found in heterozygous (Arg/Pro).
In conclusion, it can be said that p53Arg/Arg genotype may be
correlated with possible increased risk of this kind of cancers in south
west of Iran.
Abstract: Levan, an exopolysaccharide, was produced by
Microbacterium laevaniformans and its yield was characterized as a
function of concentrations of date syrup, sucrose and the fermentation
time. The optimum condition for levan production from sucrose was
at concentration of 20% sucrose for 48 h and for date syrup was 25%
for 48 h. The results show that an increase in fermentation time
caused a decrease in the levan production at all concentrations of date
syrup tested. Under these conditions after 48 h in sucrose medium,
levan production reached 48.9 g/L and for date syrup reached 10.48
g/L . The effect of pH on the yield of the purified levan was examined
and the optimum pH for levan production was determined to be 6.0.
Levan was composed mainly of fructose residues when analyzed by
TLC and FT-IR spectroscopy. Date syrup is a cheap substrate widely
available in Iran and has potential for levan production. The thermal
stability of levan was assessed by Thermo Gravimetric Analysis
(TGA) that revealed the onset of decomposition near to 49°C for the
levan produced from sucrose and 51°C for the levan from date syrup.
DSC results showed a single Tg at 98°C for levan produced from
sucrose and 206 °C for levan from date syrup.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of the experimental
tests of the cooling performance of a 12,000-Btu/h modified air
conditioner (referred to as M-AC) that use the ground as a heat sink
of a condenser. In the tests, cooling capacity of M-AC with an
optimal length of a condensing coil as well as life expectancy of
copper coil buried underground were investigated. The lengths of
copper coil fabricated and used as condenser coil of M-AC were set
at 67, 50, 40 and 30 m whereas that of a 12,000-Btu/h conventional
split-type air conditioner (referred to as C-AC) was about 22 m. The
results showed that the ground can absorb heat rejected from a
condenser of M-AC. The coefficient of performance (COP) of C-AC
was about 2.5 whereas those of M-AC were found to be higher. It
was found that the values of COP of M-AC with condensing coils of
67, 50 and 40 m long were about 6.9, 5.5 and 3.3, respectively, while
that of 30-m-long one was found to be about 2.1. The electrical
consumptions of M-AC were found lower than that of C-AC in the
range of 11.5 – 15.5%. Additionally, life expectancy of underground
condensing coil of M-AC was found to be over 7 years.
Abstract: 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) is a synthetic estrogen
used as a key ingredient in an oral contraceptives pill. EE2 is an
endocrine disrupting compound, high in estrogenic potency.
Although EE2 exhibits low degree of biodegradability with common
microorganisms in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), this
compound can be biotransformed by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria
(AOB) via a co-metabolism mechanism in WWTPs. This study
aimed to investigate the effect of real wastewater on
biotransformation of EE2 by AOB. A preliminary experiment on the
effect of nitrite and pH levels on abiotic transformation of EE2
suggested that the abiotic transformation occurred at only pH
Abstract: We aimed to investigate how can target and optimize
pulmonary delivery distribution by changing physicochemical
characteristics of instilled liquid.Therefore, we created a new liquids
group:
a. eligible for desired distribution within lung because of
assorted physicochemical characteristics
b. capable of being augmented with a broad range of
chemicals inertly
c. no interference on respiratory function
d. compatible with airway surface liquid
We developed forty types of new liquid,were composed of
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium,Glycerin and different types of
Polysorbates.Viscosity was measured using a Programmable
Rheometer and surface tension by KRUSS Tensiometer.We
subsequently examined the liquids and delivery protocols by simple
and branched glass capillary tube models of airways.Eventually,we
explored pulmonary distribution of liquids being augmented with
technetium-99m in mechanically ventilated rabbits.We used a single
head large field of view gamma camera.Kinematic viscosity between
0.265Stokes and 0.289Stokes,density between 1g/cm3 and 1.5g/cm3
and surface tension between 25dyn/cm and 35dyn/cm were the most
acceptable.
Abstract: Let R be a ring and n a fixed positive integer, we
investigate the properties of n-strongly Gorenstein projective, injective
and flat modules. Using the homological theory , we prove that
the tensor product of an n-strongly Gorenstein projective (flat) right
R -module and projective (flat) left R-module is also n-strongly
Gorenstein projective (flat). Let R be a coherent ring ,we prove that
the character module of an n -strongly Gorenstein flat left R -module
is an n-strongly Gorenstein injective right R -module . At last, let
R be a commutative ring and S a multiplicatively closed set of R ,
we establish the relation between n -strongly Gorenstein projective
(injective , flat ) R -modules and n-strongly Gorenstein projective
(injective , flat ) S−1R-modules. All conclusions in this paper is
helpful for the research of Gorenstein dimensions in future.