Abstract: The alterations in pancreas gland secretion hormones
following an aerobic and exhausting exercise was the purpose of this
study. Sixteen healthy men participated in the study. The blood
samples of these participants were taken in four stages under fasting
condition. The first sample was taken before Bruce exhausting and
aerobic test, the second sample was taken after Bruce exercise and
the third and forth stages samples were taken 24 and 48 hours after
the exercises respectively. The final results indicated that a strenuous
aerobic exercise can have a significant effect on glucagon and insulin
concentration of blood serum. The increase in blood serum insulin
was higher after 24 and 48 hours. It seems that an intensive exercise
has little effect on changes in glucagon concentration of blood serum.
Also, disorder in secretion in glucagon and insulin concentration of
serum disturbs athletes- exercise.
Abstract: The use of e-business in small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) has been recently received an enormous attention
in information systems research by both academic and practitioners.
With the adoption of new and efficient technologies to enhance
businesses, Thai SMEs should be able to compete worldwide.
Unfortunately, most of the owners are not used to new technologies.
It is clear that most Thai SMEs prefer to work manually rather than
electronically. This paper aims to provide a fundamental conceptual
framework for E-business adoption by Thai SMEs. Rooted in
Knowledge transfer model, several factors are identified, which drive
and enable e-business adoption. By overlooking the benefits
associated with implementing new technologies, it is difficult for
Thai SMEs to perform well enough to compete globally. The paper
also helps Thai SMEs to understand factors related to E-business
adoption.
Abstract: This paper addresses linear quadratic regulation (LQR)
for variable speed variable pitch wind turbines. Because of the
inherent nonlinearity of wind turbine, a set of operating conditions is
identified and then a LQR controller is designed for each operating
point. The feedback controller gains are then interpolated linearly to
get control law for the entire operating region. Besides, the
aerodynamic torque and effective wind speed are estimated online to
get the gain-scheduling variable for implementing the controller. The
potential of the method is verified through simulation with the help of
MATLAB/Simulink and GH Bladed. The performance and
mechanical load when using LQR are also compared with that when
using PI controller.
Abstract: One major difficulty that faces developers of
concurrent and distributed software is analysis for concurrency based
faults like deadlocks. Petri nets are used extensively in the
verification of correctness of concurrent programs. ECATNets are a
category of algebraic Petri nets based on a sound combination of
algebraic abstract types and high-level Petri nets. ECATNets have
'sound' and 'complete' semantics because of their integration in
rewriting logic and its programming language Maude. Rewriting
logic is considered as one of very powerful logics in terms of
description, verification and programming of concurrent systems We
proposed previously a method for translating Ada-95 tasking
programs to ECATNets formalism (Ada-ECATNet) and we showed
that ECATNets formalism provides a more compact translation for
Ada programs compared to the other approaches based on simple
Petri nets or Colored Petri nets. We showed also previously how the
ECATNet formalism offers to Ada many validation and verification
tools like simulation, Model Checking, accessibility analysis and
static analysis. In this paper, we describe the implementation of our
translation of the Ada programs into ECATNets.
Abstract: Environmental contamination is a common problem in ex-industrial and industrial sites. This article gives a brief description of general applied environmental investigation methodologies and possible remediation applications in Latvia. Most of contaminated areas are situated in former and active industrial, military areas and ports. Industrial and logistic activities very often have been with great impact for more than hundred years thus the contamination level with heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants is high and is threatening health and environment in general. 242 territories now are numbered as contaminated and fixed in the National Register of contaminated territories in Latvia. Research and remediation of contamination in densely populated areas are of important environmental policy domain. Four different investigation case studies of contaminated areas are given describing the history of use, environmental quality assessment as well as planned environmental management actions. All four case study locations are situated in Riga - the capital of the Republic of Latvia. The aim of this paper is to analyze the situation and problems with management of contaminated areas in Latvia, give description of field research methods and recommendations for remediation industry based on scientific data and innovations.
Abstract: Electronic nose (array of chemical sensors) are widely
used in food industry and pollution control. Also it could be used to
locate or detect the direction of the source of emission odors. Usually
this task is performed by electronic nose (ENose) cooperated with
mobile vehicles, but when a source is instantaneous or surrounding is
hard for vehicles to reach, problem occurs. Thus a method for
stationary ENose to detect the direction of the source and locate the
source will be required. A novel method which uses the ratio between
the responses of different sensors as a discriminant to determine the
direction of source in natural wind surroundings is presented in this
paper. The result shows that the method is accurate and easily to be
implemented. This method could be also used in movably, as an
optimized algorithm for robot tracking source location.
Abstract: We propose a new perspective on speech
communication using blind source separation. The original speech is
mixed with key signals which consist of the mixing matrix, chaotic
signals and a random noise. However, parts of the keys (the mixing
matrix and the random noise) are not necessary in decryption. In
practice implement, one can encrypt the speech by changing the noise
signal every time. Hence, the present scheme obtains the advantages
of a One Time Pad encryption while avoiding its drawbacks in key
exchange. It is demonstrated that the proposed scheme is immune
against traditional attacks.
Abstract: The paper presents the design of a mini-UAV attitude
controller using the backstepping method. Starting from the nonlinear
dynamic equations of the mini-UAV, by using the backstepping
method, the author of this paper obtained the expressions of the
elevator, rudder and aileron deflections, which stabilize the UAV, at
each moment, to the desired values of the attitude angles. The attitude
controller controls the attitude angles, the angular rates, the angular
accelerations and other variables that describe the UAV longitudinal
and lateral motions. To design the nonlinear controller, by using the
backstepping technique, the nonlinear equations and the Lyapunov
analysis have been directly used. The designed controller has been
implemented in Matlab/Simulink environment and its effectiveness
has been tested with a campaign of numerical simulations using data
from the UAV flight tests. The obtained results are very good and
they are better than the ones found in previous works.
Abstract: We present a novel scheme to recognize isolated speech
signals using certain statistical parameters derived from those signals.
The determination of the statistical estimates is based on extracted
signal information rather than the original signal information in
order to reduce the computational complexity. Subtle details of
these estimates, after extracting the speech signal from ambience
noise, are first exploited to segregate the polysyllabic words from
the monosyllabic ones. Precise recognition of each distinct word is
then carried out by analyzing the histogram, obtained from these
information.
Abstract: This work deals with the design of the robotic assembly
system for the roller clamps. The task is characterized by high speed,
high yield and safety engagement. This paper describes the design of
different parts of an automated high speed machine to assemble the
parts of roller clamps. The roller clamp robotic assembly system
performs various processes in the assembly line which include clamp
body and roller feeding, inserting the roller into the clamp body, and
dividing the rejected clamp and successfully assembled clamp into
their own tray. The electrical/electronics design of the machine is
discussed. The target is to design a cost effective, minimum
maintenance and high speed machine for the industry applications.
Abstract: Text Mining is an important step of Knowledge
Discovery process. It is used to extract hidden information from notstructured
o semi-structured data. This aspect is fundamental because
much of the Web information is semi-structured due to the nested
structure of HTML code, much of the Web information is linked,
much of the Web information is redundant. Web Text Mining helps
whole knowledge mining process to mining, extraction and
integration of useful data, information and knowledge from Web
page contents.
In this paper, we present a Web Text Mining process able to
discover knowledge in a distributed and heterogeneous multiorganization
environment. The Web Text Mining process is based on
flexible architecture and is implemented by four steps able to
examine web content and to extract useful hidden information
through mining techniques. Our Web Text Mining prototype starts
from the recovery of Web job offers in which, through a Text Mining
process, useful information for fast classification of the same are
drawn out, these information are, essentially, job offer place and
skills.
Abstract: In this study the elastic-plastic stress distribution in
weld-bonded joint, fabricated from austenitic stainless steel (AISI
304) sheet of 1.00 mm thickness and Epoxy adhesive Araldite 2011,
subjected to axial loading is investigated. This is needed to improve
design procedures and welding codes, and saving efforts in the
cumbersome experiments and analysis. Therefore, a complete 3-D
finite element modelling and analysis of spot welded, bonded and
weld-bonded joints under axial loading conditions is carried out. A
comprehensive systematic experimental program is conducted to
determine many properties and quantities, of the base metals and the
adhesive, needed for FE modelling, such like the elastic – plastic
properties, modulus of elasticity, fracture limit, the nugget and heat
affected zones (HAZ) properties, etc. Consequently, the finite
element models developed, for each case, are used to evaluate
stresses distributions across the entire joint, in both the elastic and
plastic regions. The stress distribution curves are obtained,
particularly in the elastic regions and found to be consistent and in
excellent agreement with the published data. Furthermore, the
stresses distributions are obtained in the weld-bonded joint and
display the best results with almost uniform smooth distribution
compared to spot and bonded cases. The stress concentration peaks at
the edges of the weld-bonded region, are almost eliminated resulting
in achieving the strongest joint of all processes.
Abstract: EcoDam is an adenine-N6 DNA methyltransferase
that methylates the GATC sites in the Escherichia coli genome.
DNA-adenine methylation is not present in higher eukaryotes
including humans. These observations raise the possibility that dam
inhibitors may be used as anti-microbial agents. Polyphosphate
(Poly(P)) is an important metabolite and signaling molecule in
prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Here, by using gel retardation
experiments to investigate the competition of DNA binding by
EcoDam in the presence of polyphosphate, we found that Poly (P)
strongly interferes with DNA binding by EcoDam, while same
concentration of monophosphate does not. In addition, we
demonstrated that Poly (P) binding inhibits the activity of EcoDam
and our results suggest that Poly (P) led to strong inhibition of the
EcoDam catalytic activity, while monophosphate had only moderate
effect.
Abstract: Evolvable hardware (EHW) refers to a selfreconfiguration
hardware design, where the configuration is under
the control of an evolutionary algorithm (EA). A lot of research has
been done in this area several different EA have been introduced.
Every time a specific EA is chosen for solving a particular problem,
all its components, such as population size, initialization, selection
mechanism, mutation rate, and genetic operators, should be selected
in order to achieve the best results. In the last three decade a lot of
research has been carried out in order to identify the best parameters
for the EA-s components for different “test-problems". However
different researchers propose different solutions. In this paper the
behaviour of mutation rate on (1+λ) evolution strategy (ES) for
designing logic circuits, which has not been done before, has been
deeply analyzed. The mutation rate for an EHW system modifies
values of the logic cell inputs, the cell type (for example from AND
to NOR) and the circuit output. The behaviour of the mutation has
been analyzed based on the number of generations, genotype
redundancy and number of logic gates used for the evolved circuits.
The experimental results found provide the behaviour of the mutation
rate to be used during evolution for the design and optimization of
logic circuits. The researches on the best mutation rate during the last
40 years are also summarized.
Abstract: This paper invites to dialogue and reflections on
innovation and entrepreneurship by presenting concepts of innovation
leading to the introduction of a complex theoretical framework;
Cooperative Innovation (CO-IN). CO-IN is a didactic model
enhancing and scaffolding processes of cooperation creating
innovation drawing on a Scandinavian tradition.
CO-IN is based on a cross-sectorial and multidisciplinary
approach. We introduce the concept of complementarity to help
capture the validity of diversity and we suggest the concept of “the
space in between" to understand the creation of identity as a
collective mind. We see dialogue and the use of multi modal
techniques as essential tools for conceptualizations giving possibility
for clarification of the complexity and diversity leading to decision
making based on knowledge as commons.
We introduce the didactic design and present our empirical
findings from an innovation workshop in Argentina. In a final
paragraph we reflect on the design as a support of the development of
common ground, collective mind and collective action and the
creation of knowledge as commons to facilitate innovation and
entrepreneurship.
Abstract: The overriding goal of software engineering is to
provide a high quality system, application or a product. To achieve
this goal, software engineers must apply effective methods coupled
with modern tools within the context of a mature software process
[2]. In addition, it is also must to assure that high quality is realized.
Although many quality measures can be collected at the project
levels, the important measures are errors and defects. Deriving a
quality measure for reusable components has proven to be
challenging task now a days. The results obtained from the study are
based on the empirical evidence of reuse practices, as emerged from
the analysis of industrial projects. Both large and small companies,
working in a variety of business domains, and using object-oriented
and procedural development approaches contributed towards this
study. This paper proposes a quality metric that provides benefit at
both project and process level, namely defect removal efficiency
(DRE).
Abstract: In this paper we present the modeling, design, and
experimental testing of a nerve cuff multi-electrode system for
diameter-selective vagus nerve stimulation.
The multi-electrode system contained ninety-nine platinum
electrodes embedded within a self-curling spiral silicone sheet. The
electrodes were organized in a matrix having nine parallel groups,
each containing eleven electrodes.
Preliminary testing of the nerve cuff was performed in an isolated
segment of a swinish left cervical vagus nerve. For selective vagus
nerve stimulation, precisely defined current quasitrapezoidal,
asymmetric and biphasic stimulating pulses were applied to
preselected locations along the left vagus segment via appointed
group of three electrodes within the cuff. Selective stimulation was
obtained by anodal block. However, these pulses may not be safe for
a long-term application because of a frequently used high imbalance
between the cathodic and anodic part of the stimulating pulse.
Preliminary results show that the cuff was capable of exciting A
and B-fibres, and, that for a certain range of parameters used in
stimulating pulses, the contribution of A-fibres to the CAP was
slightly reduced and the contribution of B-fibres was slightly larger.
Results also showed that measured CAPs are not greatly
influenced by the imbalance between a charge Qc injected in cathodic
and Qa in anodic phase of quasitrapezoidal, asymmetric and biphasic
pulses.
Abstract: In this paper, the implementation of low power,
high throughput convolutional filters for the one dimensional
Discrete Wavelet Transform and its inverse are presented. The
analysis filters have already been used for the implementation of a
high performance DWT encoder [15] with minimum memory
requirements for the JPEG 2000 standard. This paper presents the
design techniques and the implementation of the convolutional filters
included in the JPEG2000 standard for the forward and inverse DWT
for achieving low-power operation, high performance and reduced
memory accesses. Moreover, they have the ability of performing
progressive computations so as to minimize the buffering between
the decomposition and reconstruction phases. The experimental
results illustrate the filters- low power high throughput characteristics
as well as their memory efficient operation.
Abstract: Our results showed that treatment with both
cyclooxygenase (COX1 or COX2) inhibitors impair reproduction
parameters of the medaka. Resveratrol (COX1 inhibitor) caused an
decrease in the number of spawning females at the first week of
feeding fish with experimental diets. In the group treated with NS-
398 (COX2 inhibitor) we found the lowest sperm velocity parameters
and decreased linearity of movement. The ovaries of the medaka fed
feed supplemented with Resveratrol or NS-398 were confirmed to
have a lower share of matured oocytes however during the
experiment (four weeks) the number of eggs spawned by females was
similar. Both inhibitors in fish diet (20 mg/kg body weight/day)
caused a decrease in the embryo survival. Our results revealed that
for the medaka female reproduction, activity of both COX enzymes
might be necessary whereas males reproduction competence, as
expressed by sperm motility parameters, might be related to COX2
activity.
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to demonstrate that differentiation of infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA) strategy using different ELISA tests is possible when a subunit vaccine (Haemagglutinin protein) is used to prevent Avian influenza. Special emphasis was placed on the differentiation in the serological response to different components of the AIV (Nucleoprotein, Neuraminidase, Haemagglutinin, Nucleocapsid) between chickens that were vaccinated with a whole virus kill vaccine and recombinant vaccine. Furthermore, the potential use of this DIVA strategy using ELISA assays to detect Neuraminidase 1 (N1) was analyzed as strategy in countries where the field virus is H5N1 and the vaccine used is formulated with H5N2. Detection of AIV-s antibodies to any component in serum was negative for all animals on the study days 0-13. At study day 14 the titers of antibodies against Nucleoprotein (NP) and Nucleocapsid (NC) rose in the experimental groups vaccinated with Volvac® AI KV and were negatives during all the trial in the experimental groups vaccinated with a subunit H5; significant statistically differences were observed between these groups (p < 0.05). The seroconversion either Haemagglutinin or Neuraminidase was evident after 21 days post-vaccination in the experimental groups vaccinated with the respective viral fraction. Regarding the main aim of this study and according with the results that were obtained, use a combination of different ELISA test as a DIVA strategy is feasible when the vaccination is carry out with a subunit H5 vaccine. Also is possible to use the ELISA kit to detect Neuraminidase (either N1 or N2) as a DIVA concept in countries where H5N1 is present and the vaccination programs are done with H5N2 vaccine.