Abstract: Sediment formation and its transport along the river course is considered as important hydraulic consideration in river engineering. Their impact on the morphology of rivers on one hand and important considerations of which in the design and construction of the hydraulic structures on the other has attracted the attention of experts in arid and semi-arid regions. Under certain conditions where the momentum energy of the flow stream reaches a specific rate, the sediment materials start to be transported with the flow. This can usually be analyzed in two different categories of suspended and bed load materials. Sedimentation phenomenon along the waterways and the conveyance of vast volume of materials into the canal networks can potentially influence water abstraction in the intake structures. This can pose a serious threat to operational sustainability and water delivery performance in the canal networks. The situation is serious where ineffective watershed management (poor vegetation cover in the water basin) is the underlying cause of soil erosion which feeds the materials into the waterways that intern would necessitate comprehensive study. The present paper aims to present an analytical investigation of the sediment process in the waterways on one hand and estimation of the sediment load transport into the lined canals using the SHARC software on the other. For this reason, the paper focuses on the comparative analysis of the hydraulic behaviors of the Sabilli main canal that feeds the pumping station with that of the Western canal in the Greater Dezful region to identify effective factors in sedimentation and ways of mitigating their impact on water abstraction in the canal systems. The method involved use of observational data available in the Dezful Dastmashoon hydrometric station along a 6 km waterway of the Sabilli main canal using the SHARC software to estimate the suspended load concentration and bed load materials. Results showed the transport of a significant volume of sediment loads from the waterways into the canal system which is assumed to have arisen from the absence of stilling basin on one hand and the gravity flow on the other has caused serious challenges. This is contrary to what occurs in the Sabilli canal, where the design feature which incorporates a settling basin just before the pumping station is the major cause of reduced sediment load transport into the canal system.Results showed that modification of the present design features by constructing a settling basin just upstream of the western intake structure can considerably reduce the entry of sediment materials into the canal system. Not only this can result in the sustainability of the hydraulic structures but can also improve operational performance of water conveyance and distribution system, all of which are the pre-requisite to secure reliable and equitable water delivery regime for the command area.
Abstract: The use of High Order Statistics (HOS) analysis is
expected to provide so many candidates of features that can be selected for pattern recognition. More candidates of the feature can
be extracted using simple manipulation through a specific mathematical function prior to the HOS analysis. Feature extraction
method using HOS analysis combined with Difference to the Nth-Power manipulation has been examined in application for Automatic
Modulation Recognition (AMR) to perform scheme recognition of three digital modulation signal, i.e. QPSK-16QAM-64QAM in the
AWGN transmission channel. The simulation results is reported
when the analysis of HOS up to order-12 and the manipulation of Difference to the Nth-Power up to N = 4. The obtained accuracy rate
of AMR using the method of Simple Decision obtained 90% in SNR > 10 dB in its classifier, while using the method of Voted Decision is
96% in SNR > 2 dB.
Abstract: Since after the historical moment of Malaysia
Independence Day on the year of 1957, the government had been trying hard in order to find the most efficient methods in learning.
However, it is hard to actually access and evaluate students whom will then be called an excellent student. It because in our realtime
student who excellent is only excel in academic. This evaluation
become a problem because it not balance in our real life interm of to get an excellent student in whole area in their involvement of curiculum and co-curiculum. To overcome this scenario, we
proposed a method called Student Idol to evaluate student through
three categories which are academic, co-curiculum and leadership.
All the categories have their own merit point. Using this method, student will be evaluated more accurate compared to the previously.
So, teacher can easily evaluate their student without having any emotion factor, relation factor and others. As conclustion this method will helps student evaluation more accurate and valid.
Abstract: Today, biogenic magnetite nanoparticles among
magnetic nanoparticles have unique attracted attention because of
their magnetic characteristics and potential applications in various
fields such as therapeutic and diagnostic. A well known example of
these biogenic nanoparticles is magnetosomes of magnetotactic
bacteria. In this research, we used two different types of technique for
the isolation and purification of magnetosome nanoparticles from the
isolated magnetotactic bacterial cells, heat-alkaline treatment and
sonication. Also we evaluated pyrogen content and sterility of
synthesized the isolated individual magnetosome by the Limulus
Amoebocyte Lysate test and direct impedimetric method
respectively.
Abstract: This paper addresses the problems encountered by conventional distance relays when protecting double-circuit transmission lines. The problems arise principally as a result of the mutual coupling between the two circuits under different fault conditions; this mutual coupling is highly nonlinear in nature. An adaptive protection scheme is proposed for such lines based on application of artificial neural network (ANN). ANN has the ability to classify the nonlinear relationship between measured signals by identifying different patterns of the associated signals. One of the key points of the present work is that only current signals measured at local end have been used to detect and classify the faults in the double circuit transmission line with double end infeed. The adaptive protection scheme is tested under a specific fault type, but varying fault location, fault resistance, fault inception angle and with remote end infeed. An improved performance is experienced once the neural network is trained adequately, which performs precisely when faced with different system parameters and conditions. The entire test results clearly show that the fault is detected and classified within a quarter cycle; thus the proposed adaptive protection technique is well suited for double circuit transmission line fault detection & classification. Results of performance studies show that the proposed neural network-based module can improve the performance of conventional fault selection algorithms.
Abstract: An innovative approach utilizing highly alkaline oil
shale waste ash and carbon dioxide gas (CO2), associated with power
production, as a resource for production of precipitated calcium
carbonate (PCC) is introduced in this paper. The specifics and
feasibility of the integrated ash valorization and CO2 sequestration
process by indirect aqueous carbonation of lime-consisting ash were
elaborated and the main parameters established. Detailed description
of the formed precipitates was included. Complimentary carbonation
experiments with commercial CaO fine powder were conducted for
comparative characterization of the final products obtained on the
basis of two different raw materials. Finally, the expected CO2
uptake was evaluated.
Abstract: The C3 plants are frequently suffering from exposure
to high temperature stress which limits the growth and yield of these
plants. This study seeks to clarify the physiological mechanisms of
heat tolerance in relation to oxidative stress in C3 species. Fifteen C3
species were exposed to prolonged moderately high temperature
stress 36/30°C for 40 days in a growth chamber. Chlorophyll
fluorescence (Fv/Fm) showed great difference among species at 40
days of the stress. The species showed decreases in Fv/Fm and
increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) content under stress condition
as well as negative correlation between Fv/Fm and MDA (r = -0.61*)
at 40 days of the stress. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content before
and after stress in addition to its response under stress showed great
differences among species. The results suggest that the difference in
heat tolerance among C3 species is closely associated with the ability
to suppress oxidative damage but not with the content of reactive
oxygen species (ROS) which is regulated by complex network.
Abstract: When studying electronics, hands-on experience is considered to be very valuable for a better understanding of the concepts of electricity and electronics. Students lacking sufficient time in the lab are often put at disadvantage. A way to overcome this, is by using interactive multimedia in a virtual environment. Instead of proposing another new ad-hoc simulator for e-learning, we propose in this paper an e-learning platform integrating the SPICE simulator as a web service. This enables to make use of all the functions of the de-facto standard simulator SPICE inelectronics when developing new simulations.
Abstract: A wide spectrum of systems require reliable
personal recognition schemes to either confirm or determine the
identity of an individual person. This paper considers multimodal
biometric system and their applicability to access control,
authentication and security applications. Strategies for feature
extraction and sensor fusion are considered and contrasted. Issues
related to performance assessment, deployment and standardization
are discussed. Finally future directions of biometric systems
development are discussed.
Abstract: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) initially introduced
during WW-II, has revolutionized the world with its numerous
benefits and plethora of implementations in diverse areas ranging
from manufacturing to agriculture to healthcare to hotel management.
This work reviews the current research in this area with emphasis
on applications for supply chain management and to develop a
taxonomic framework to classify literature which will enable swift
and easy content analysis and also help identify areas for future
research.
Abstract: In this study, we investigated the effects of ginger and
L-carnitine on the reproductive performance of male rats with respect
to semen parameters, male sex hormones and the testicular
antioxidant system. A total of sixty mature male albino rats were
divided into four groups of fifteen rats. The control group received
saline, whereas the other three groups received ginger (100 mg kg-1 d-
1.), L-carnitine (150 mg kg-1 d-1.) or a combination of both ginger
(100 mg kg-1 d-1.) and L-carnitine (150 mg kg-1 d-1.) via a stomach
tube daily for one month. At the end of the treatment period, the rats
were sacrificed, and their sperm characteristics (count, motility and
viability), antioxidant enzyme factors levels (reduced glutathione,
catalase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity) and sex
hormone levels (testosterone, Follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) and
luteinizing hormone (LH) were analysed. Our results showed that the
three experimental treatments improved sperm parameters,
antioxidant enzyme activity and testosterone hormone levels; the
most pronounced positive effects were observed in the group that
received a combination of both ginger and L-carnitine. Therefore, the
administration of a combination of ginger and L-carnitine may be
beneficial for improving male sexual performance.
Abstract: ECG analysis method was developed using ROC
analysis of PVC detecting algorithm. ECG signal of MIT-BIH
arrhythmia database was analyzed by MATLAB. First of all, the
baseline was removed by median filter to preprocess the ECG signal.
R peaks were detected for ECG analysis method, and normal VCG
was extracted for VCG analysis method. Four PVC detecting
algorithm was analyzed by ROC curve, which parameters are
maximum amplitude of QRS complex, width of QRS complex, r-r
interval and geometric mean of VCG. To set cut-off value of
parameters, ROC curve was estimated by true-positive rate
(sensitivity) and false-positive rate. sensitivity and false negative rate
(specificity) of ROC curve calculated, and ECG was analyzed using
cut-off value which was estimated from ROC curve. As a result, PVC
detecting algorithm of VCG geometric mean have high availability,
and PVC could be detected more accurately with amplitude and width
of QRS complex.
Abstract: In this article an evolutionary technique has been used
for the solution of nonlinear Riccati differential equations of fractional order. In this method, genetic algorithm is used as a tool for
the competent global search method hybridized with active-set algorithm for efficient local search. The proposed method has been
successfully applied to solve the different forms of Riccati
differential equations. The strength of proposed method has in its
equal applicability for the integer order case, as well as, fractional
order case. Comparison of the method has been made with standard
numerical techniques as well as the analytic solutions. It is found
that the designed method can provide the solution to the equation
with better accuracy than its counterpart deterministic approaches.
Another advantage of the given approach is to provide results on
entire finite continuous domain unlike other numerical methods
which provide solutions only on discrete grid of points.
Abstract: The present study was done primarily to address two major research gaps: firstly, development of an empirical measure of life meaningfulness for substance users and secondly, to determine the psychosocial determinants of life meaningfulness among the substance users. The study is classified into two phases: the first phase which dealt with development of Life Meaningfulness Scale and the second phase which examined the relationship between life meaningfulness and social support, abstinence self efficacy and depression. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used for framing items. A Principal Component Analysis yielded three components: Overall Goal Directedness, Striving for healthy lifestyle and Concern for loved ones which collectively accounted for 42.06% of the total variance. The scale and its subscales were also found to be highly reliable. Multiple regression analyses in the second phase of the study revealed that social support and abstinence self efficacy significantly predicted life meaningfulness among 48 recovering inmates of a de-addiction center while level of depression failed to predict life meaningfulness.
Abstract: Surface metrology with image processing is a challenging task having wide applications in industry. Surface roughness can be evaluated using texture classification approach. Important aspect here is appropriate selection of features that characterize the surface. We propose an effective combination of features for multi-scale and multi-directional analysis of engineering surfaces. The features include standard deviation, kurtosis and the Canny edge detector. We apply the method by analyzing the surfaces with Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DT-CWT). We used Canberra distance metric for similarity comparison between the surface classes. Our database includes the surface textures manufactured by three machining processes namely Milling, Casting and Shaping. The comparative study shows that DT-CWT outperforms DWT giving correct classification performance of 91.27% with Canberra distance metric.
Abstract: The photoluminescence (PL) at 1.55 μm from
semiconducting β-FeSi2 has attracted a noticeable interest for
silicon-based optoelectronic applications. Moreover, its high optical
absorption coefficient (higher than 105 cm-1 above 1.0 eV) allows this
semiconducting material to be used as photovoltanics devices.
A clear PL spectrum for β-FeSi2 was observed by Cu or Au coating
on Si(001). High-crystal-quality β-FeSi2 with a low-level nonradiative
center was formed on a Cu- or Au- reated Si layer. This method of
deposition can be applied to other materials requiring high crystal
quality.
Abstract: This research is aimed to compare the percentages of correct classification of Empirical Bayes method (EB) to Classical method when data are constructed as near normal, short-tailed and long-tailed symmetric, short-tailed and long-tailed asymmetric. The study is performed using conjugate prior, normal distribution with known mean and unknown variance. The estimated hyper-parameters obtained from EB method are replaced in the posterior predictive probability and used to predict new observations. Data are generated, consisting of training set and test set with the sample sizes 100, 200 and 500 for the binary classification. The results showed that EB method exhibited an improved performance over Classical method in all situations under study.
Abstract: Planning community has been long discussing emerging paradigms within the planning theory in the face of the changing conditions of the world order. The paradigm shift concept was introduced by Thomas Kuhn, in 1960, who claimed the necessity of shifting within scientific knowledge boundaries; and following him in 1970 Imre Loktas also gave priority to the emergence of multi-paradigm societies [24]. Multi-paradigm is changing our predetermined lifeworld through uncertainties. Those uncertainties are reflected in two sides, the first one is uncertainty as a concept of possibility and creativity in public sphere and the second one is uncertainty as a risk. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a resilience planning approach to be more dynamic in controlling uncertainties which have the potential to transfigure present time and space definitions. In this way, stability of system can be achieved. Uncertainty is not only an outcome of worldwide changes but also a place-specific issue, i.e. it changes from continent to continent, a country to country; a region to region. Therefore, applying strategic spatial planning with respect to resilience principle contributes to: control, grasp and internalize uncertainties through place-specific strategies. In today-s fast changing world, planning system should follow strategic spatial projects to control multi-paradigm societies with adaptability capacities. Here, we have selected two alternatives to demonstrate; these are; 1.Tehran (Iran) from the Middle East 2.Bath (United Kingdom) from Europe. The study elaborates uncertainties and particularities in their strategic spatial planning processes in a comparative manner. Through the comparison, the study aims at assessing place-specific priorities in strategic planning. The approach is to a two-way stream, where the case cities from the extreme end of the spectrum can learn from each other. The structure of this paper is to firstly compare semi-periphery (Tehran) and coreperiphery (Bath) cities, with the focus to reveal how they equip to face with uncertainties according to their geographical locations and local particularities. Secondly, the key message to address is “Each locality requires its own strategic planning approach to be resilient.--
Abstract: In recent years, rapid advances in software and hardware in the field of information technology along with a digital imaging revolution in the medical domain facilitate the generation and storage of large collections of images by hospitals and clinics. To search these large image collections effectively and efficiently poses significant technical challenges, and it raises the necessity of constructing intelligent retrieval systems. Content-based Image Retrieval (CBIR) consists of retrieving the most visually similar images to a given query image from a database of images[5]. Medical CBIR (content-based image retrieval) applications pose unique challenges but at the same time offer many new opportunities. On one hand, while one can easily understand news or sports videos, a medical image is often completely incomprehensible to untrained eyes.
Abstract: In this paper an average number of re-handlings
analysis is proposed to solve the problem of finding bays
configuration in small container terminal in Gliwice, Poland.
Rehandlings in this terminal can be performed only by reachstackers.
The goal of the heuristic is to plan the reachstacter moves in the
terminal, assuming that the target containers are reached and the
number of re-handings is minimized. The real situation requires also
to take into account the model of the problem environment
uncertainty caused by the fact that many containers are not delivered
to the terminal on time, or can not be sent on scheduled time. To
enable this, the heuristic uses some assumptions to simplify problem
analysis.