Abstract: Image search engines rely on the surrounding textual
keywords for the retrieval of images. It is a tedious work for the
search engines like Google and Bing to interpret the user’s search
intention and to provide the desired results. The recent researches
also state that the Google image search engines do not work well on
all the images. Consequently, this leads to the emergence of efficient
image retrieval technique, which interprets the user’s search intention
and shows the desired results. In order to accomplish this task, an
efficient image re-ranking framework is required. Sequentially, to
provide best image retrieval, the new image re-ranking framework is
experimented in this paper. The implemented new image re-ranking
framework provides best image retrieval from the image dataset by
making use of re-ranking of retrieved images that is based on the
user’s desired images. This is experimented in two sections. One is
offline section and other is online section. In offline section, the reranking
framework studies differently (reference classes or Semantic
Spaces) for diverse user query keywords. The semantic signatures get
generated by combining the textual and visual features of the images.
In the online section, images are re-ranked by comparing the
semantic signatures that are obtained from the reference classes with
the user specified image query keywords. This re-ranking
methodology will increases the retrieval image efficiency and the
result will be effective to the user.
Abstract: Recent research in neural networks science and
neuroscience for modeling complex time series data and statistical
learning has focused mostly on learning from high input space and
signals. Local linear models are a strong choice for modeling local
nonlinearity in data series. Locally weighted projection regression is
a flexible and powerful algorithm for nonlinear approximation in
high dimensional signal spaces. In this paper, different learning
scenario of one and two dimensional data series with different
distributions are investigated for simulation and further noise is
inputted to data distribution for making different disordered
distribution in time series data and for evaluation of algorithm in
locality prediction of nonlinearity. Then, the performance of this
algorithm is simulated and also when the distribution of data is high
or when the number of data is less the sensitivity of this approach to
data distribution and influence of important parameter of local
validity in this algorithm with different data distribution is explained.
Abstract: In this article is reported a construction and some
properties of the 5iD viewer, the system recording simultaneously
5 views of a given experimental object. Properties of the system
are demonstrated on the analysis of fish schooling behaviour. It
is demonstrated the method of instrument calibration which allows
inclusion of image distortion and it is proposed and partly tested
also the method of distance assessment in the case that only two
opposite cameras are available. Finally, we demonstrate how the state
trajectory of the behaviour of the fish school may be constructed from
the entropy of the system.
Abstract: The mechanics of rip currents are complex, involving
interactions between waves, currents, water levels and the bathymetry,
that present particular challenges for numerical models. Here,
the effects of a grid-spacing dependent horizontal mixing on the
wave-current interactions are studied. Near the shore, wave rays
diverge from channels towards bar crests because of refraction by
topography and currents, in a way that depends on the rip current
intensity which is itself modulated by the horizontal mixing. At
low resolution with the grid-spacing dependent horizontal mixing,
the wave motion is the same for both coupling modes because the
wave deviation by the currents is weak. In high resolution case,
however, classical results are found with the stabilizing effect of
the flow by feedback of waves on currents. Lastly, wave-current
interactions and the horizontal mixing strongly affect the intensity
of the three-dimensional rip velocity.
Abstract: The prepreg process among the CFRP (Carbon Fiber
Reinforced Plastic) forming methods is the short term of
‘Pre-impregnation’, which is widely used for aerospace composites
that require a high quality property such as a fiber-reinforced woven
fabric, in which an epoxy hardening resin is impregnated the reality.
However, that this process requires continuous researches and
developments for its commercialization because the delamination
characteristically develops between the layers when a great weight is
loaded from outside to supplement such demerit, three lamination
methods among the prepreg lamination methods of CFRP were
designed to minimize the delamination between the layers due to
external impacts. Further, the newly designed methods and the
existing lamination methods were analyzed through a mechanical
characteristic test, Interlaminar Shear Strength test. The Interlaminar
Shear Strength test result confirmed that the newly proposed three
lamination methods, i.e. the Roll, Half and Zigzag laminations,
presented more excellent strengths compared to the conventional Ply
lamination. The interlaminar shear strength in the roll method with
relatively dense fiber distribution was approximately 1.75% higher
than that in the existing ply lamination method, and in the half method,
it was approximately 0.78% higher.
Abstract: This research study is an exploration of the selfdirected
professional development of teachers who teach in public
schools in an era of democracy and educational change in South
Africa. Amidst an ever-changing educational system, the teachers in
this study position themselves as self-directed teacher-learners where
they adopt particular learning practices which enable change within
the broader discourses of public schooling. Life-story interviews
were used to enter into the private and public spaces of five teachers
which offer glimpses of how particular systems shaped their
identities, and how the meanings of self-directed teacher-learner
shaped their learning practices. Through the Multidimensional
Framework of Analysis and Interpretation the teachers’ stories were
analysed through three lenses: restorying the field texts - the self
through story; the teacher-learner in relation to social contexts, and
practices of self-directed learning. This study shows that as teacherlearners
learn for change through self-directed learning practices,
they develop their agency as transformative intellectuals, which is
necessary for the reworking of South African public schools.
Abstract: In this paper, we considered and applied parametric
modeling for some experimental data of dynamical system. In this
study, we investigated the different distribution of output
measurement from some dynamical systems. Also, with variance
processing in experimental data we obtained the region of
nonlinearity in experimental data and then identification of output
section is applied in different situation and data distribution. Finally,
the effect of the spanning the measurement such as variance to
identification and limitation of this approach is explained.
Abstract: Motion Tracking and Stereo Vision are complicated,
albeit well-understood problems in computer vision. Existing
softwares that combine the two approaches to perform stereo motion
tracking typically employ complicated and computationally expensive
procedures. The purpose of this study is to create a simple and
effective solution capable of combining the two approaches. The
study aims to explore a strategy to combine the two techniques
of two-dimensional motion tracking using Kalman Filter; and depth
detection of object using Stereo Vision. In conventional approaches
objects in the scene of interest are observed using a single camera.
However for Stereo Motion Tracking; the scene of interest is
observed using video feeds from two calibrated cameras. Using two
simultaneous measurements from the two cameras a calculation for
the depth of the object from the plane containing the cameras is made.
The approach attempts to capture the entire three-dimensional spatial
information of each object at the scene and represent it through a
software estimator object. In discrete intervals, the estimator tracks
object motion in the plane parallel to plane containing cameras and
updates the perpendicular distance value of the object from the plane
containing the cameras as depth. The ability to efficiently track
the motion of objects in three-dimensional space using a simplified
approach could prove to be an indispensable tool in a variety of
surveillance scenarios. The approach may find application from high
security surveillance scenes such as premises of bank vaults, prisons
or other detention facilities; to low cost applications in supermarkets
and car parking lots.
Abstract: The contact resistance between source/drain electrodes
and semiconductor layer is an important parameter affecting electron
transporting performance in the thin film transistor (TFT). In this
work, we introduced a transparent and the solution prossable
single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/Al-doped ZnO nano particle
(AZO NP) bilayer electrodes showing low contact resistance with
indium-oxide (In2O3) sol gel thin film. By inserting low work function
AZO NPs into the interface between the SWCNTs and the In2O3 which
has a high energy barrier, we could obtain an electrical Ohmic contact
between them. Finally, with the SWCNT-AZO NP bilayer electrodes,
we successfully fabricated a TFT showing a field effect mobility of
5.38 cm2/V·s at 250°C.
Abstract: Liver disorders are one of the major problems of the
world. Despite its frequent occurrence, high morbidity and high
mortality, its medical management is currently inadequate. This study
was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of saponin
extract of the root of Garcinia kola on the integrity of the liver of
paracetamol induced wistar albino rats. Twenty five (25) male adult
wistar albino rats were divided into five (5) groups. Group I was the
Control group that received distilled water only, group II was the
negative control that received 2 g/kg of paracetamol on the 13th day,
and group III, IV and V were pre-treated with 100, 200 and
400mg/kg of the saponin extract before inducing the liver damage on
the 13th day with 2 g/kg of paracetamol. Twenty four (24) h after
administration, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were
collected. The serum Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate
Transaminase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activities,
Bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin, glucose and protein
concentrations were evaluated. The liver was fixed immediately in
Formalin and was processed and stained in Haematoxylin and Eosin
(H&E). Administration of saponin extract from the root of Garcinia
kola significantly decreased paracetamol induced elevated enzymes
in the test group. Also histological observations showed that saponin
extract of the root of Garcinia kola exhibited a significant liver
protection against the toxicant as evident by the cells trying to return
to normal. Saponin extract from the root of Garcinia kola indicated a
protection of structural integrity of the hepatocytic cell membrane
and regeneration of the damaged liver.
Abstract: The rate of natural gas dissociation from the Coal
Matrix depends on depressurization of reservoir through removing of
the cleat water from the coal seam. These waters are similar to brine
and aged of very long years. For improving the connectivity through
fracking /fracturing, high pressure liquids are pumped off inside the
coal body. A significant quantity of accumulated water, a combined
mixture of cleat water and fracking fluids (back flow water) is
pumped out through gas well. In Queensland, Australia Coal Seam
Gas (CSG) industry is in booming state and estimated of 30,000 wells
would be active for CSG production forecasting life span of 30 years.
Integrated water management along with water softening programs is
practiced for subsequent treatment and later on discharge to nearby
surface water catchment. Water treatment is an important part of the
CSG industry. A case study on a CSG site and review on the test
results are discussed for assessing the Standards & Practices for
management of CSG by-product water and their subsequent disposal
activities. This study was directed toward (i) water management and
softening process in Spring Gully CSG field, (ii) Comparative
analysis on experimental study and standards and (iii) Disposal of the
treated water. This study also aimed for alternative usages and their
impact on vegetation, living species as well as long term effects.
Abstract: Composite materials, due to their unique properties
such as high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and impact
resistance have huge potential as structural materials in automotive,
construction and transportation applications. However, these
properties often come at higher cost owing to complex design
methods, difficult manufacturing processes and raw material cost.
Traditionally, tapered laminated composite structures are
manufactured using autoclave manufacturing process by ply drop off
technique. Autoclave manufacturing though very powerful suffers
from high capital investment and higher energy consumption. As per
the current trends in composite manufacturing, Out of Autoclave
(OoA) processes are looked as emerging technologies for
manufacturing the structural composite components for aerospace
and defense applications. However, there is a need for improvement
among these processes to make them reliable and consistent. In this
paper, feasibility of using out of autoclave process to manufacture the
variable thickness cantilever beam is discussed. The minimum weight
design for the composite beam is obtained using constant stress beam
concept by tailoring the thickness of the beam. Ply drop off
techniques was used to fabricate the variable thickness beam from
glass/epoxy prepregs. Experiments were conducted to measure
bending stresses along the span of the cantilever beam at different
intervals by applying the concentrated load at the free end.
Experimental results showed that the stresses in the bean at different
intervals were constant. This proves the ability of OoA process to
manufacture the constant stress beam. Finite element model for the
constant stress beam was developed using commercial finite element
simulation software. It was observed that the simulation results
agreed very well with the experimental results and thus validated
design and manufacturing approach used.
Abstract: Lightweight design represents an important key to
successful implementation of energy-saving, fuel-efficient and
environmentally friendly means of transport in the aerospace and
automotive industry. In this context the use of carbon fibre reinforced
plastics (CFRP) which are distinguished by their outstanding
mechanical properties at relatively low weight, promise significant
improvements. Due to the reduction of the total mass, with the
resulting lowered fuel or energy consumption and CO2 emissions
during the operational phase, commercial aircraft will increasingly be
made of CFRP. An auspicious technology for the efficient and
economic production of high performance thermoset composites and
hybrid structures for future lightweight applications is the
combination of carbon fibre sheet moulding compound, tailored
continuous carbon fibre reinforcements and metallic components in a
one-shot pressing and curing process. This paper deals with a hybrid
composite technology for aerospace industries, which was developed
with the help of a special innovation and development system.
Abstract: Given the dynamic nature of the higher education
landscape, induction programmes for new academics has become the
norm nowadays to support academics negotiate these rough terrain.
This study investigates an induction programme for new academics
in a higher education institution to establish what difference it has
made to participants. The findings revealed that the benefits ranged
from creating safe spaces for collaboration and networking to
fostering reflective practice and contributing to the scholarship of
teaching and learning. The study also revealed that some of the
intentions of the programme may not have been achieved, for
example transformative learning. This led to questioning whether this
intention is an appropriate one given the short duration of the
programme and the long, drawn out process of transformation. It may
be concluded that the academic induction programme in this study
serves to sow the seeds for transformative learning through fostering
critically reflective practice. Recommendations for further study
could include long term impact of the programme on student learning
and success, these being the core business of higher education. It is
also recommended that in addition to an induction programme, the
university invests in a mentoring programme for new staff and extend
the support for academics in order to sustain critical reflection and
which may contribute to transformative educational practice.
Abstract: Wireless mesh networking is rapidly gaining in
popularity with a variety of users: from municipalities to enterprises,
from telecom service providers to public safety and military
organizations. This increasing popularity is based on two basic facts:
ease of deployment and increase in network capacity expressed in
bandwidth per footage; WMNs do not rely on any fixed
infrastructure. Many efforts have been used to maximizing
throughput of the network in a multi-channel multi-radio wireless
mesh network. Current approaches are purely based on either static or
dynamic channel allocation approaches. In this paper, we use a
hybrid multichannel multi radio wireless mesh networking
architecture, where static and dynamic interfaces are built in the
nodes. Dynamic Adaptive Channel Allocation protocol (DACA), it
considers optimization for both throughput and delay in the channel
allocation. The assignment of the channel has been allocated to be codependent
with the routing problem in the wireless mesh network and
that should be based on passage flow on every link. Temporal and
spatial relationship rises to re compute the channel assignment every
time when the pattern changes in mesh network, channel assignment
algorithms assign channels in network. In this paper a computing
path which captures the available path bandwidth is the proposed
information and the proficient routing protocol based on the new path
which provides both static and dynamic links. The consistency
property guarantees that each node makes an appropriate packet
forwarding decision and balancing the control usage of the network,
so that a data packet will traverse through the right path.
Abstract: In this paper a new algorithm to generate random
simple polygons from a given set of points in a two dimensional
plane is designed. The proposed algorithm uses a genetic algorithm to
generate polygons with few vertices. A new merge algorithm is
presented which converts any two polygons into a simple polygon.
This algorithm at first changes two polygons into a polygonal chain
and then the polygonal chain is converted into a simple polygon. The
process of converting a polygonal chain into a simple polygon is
based on the removal of intersecting edges. The experiments results
show that the proposed algorithm has the ability to generate a great
number of different simple polygons and has better performance in
comparison to celebrated algorithms such as space partitioning and
steady growth.
Abstract: Spam is any unwanted electronic message or material
in any form posted too many people. As the world is growing as
global world, social networking sites play an important role in
making world global providing people from different parts of the
world a platform to meet and express their views. Among different
social networking sites Facebook become the leading one. With
increase in usage different users start abusive use of Facebook by
posting or creating ways to post spam. This paper highlights the
potential spam types nowadays Facebook users’ faces. This paper
also provide the reason how user become victim to spam attack. A
methodology is proposed in the end discusses how to handle different
types of spam.
Abstract: Examining existing experimental results for shallow
rigid foundations subjected to vertical centric load (N), accompanied
or not with a bending moment (M), two main non-linear mechanisms
governing the cyclic response of the soil-foundation system can be
distinguished: foundation uplift and soil yielding. A soil-foundation
failure limit, is defined as a domain of resistance in the two
dimensional (2D) load space (N, M) inside of which lie all the
admissible combinations of loads; these latter correspond to a pure
elastic, non-linear elastic or plastic behavior of the soil-foundation
system, while the points lying on the failure limit correspond to a
combination of loads leading to a failure of the soil-foundation
system. In this study, the proposed resistance domain is constructed
analytically based on mechanics. Original elastic limit, uplift
initiation limit and iso-uplift limits are constructed inside this
domain. These limits give a prediction of the mechanisms activated
for each combination of loads applied to the foundation. A
comparison of the proposed failure limit with experimental tests
existing in the literature shows interesting results. Also, the
developed uplift initiation limit and iso-uplift curves are confronted
with others already proposed in the literature and widely used due to
the absence of other alternatives, and remarkable differences are
noted, showing evident errors in the past proposals and relevant
accuracy for those given in the present work.
Abstract: Validity, integrity, and impacts of the IT systems of
the US federal courts have been studied as part of the Human Rights
Alert-NGO (HRA) submission for the 2015 Universal Periodic
Review (UPR) of human rights in the United States by the Human
Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations (UN). The current
report includes overview of IT system analysis, data-mining and case
studies. System analysis and data-mining show: Development and
implementation with no lawful authority, servers of unverified
identity, invalidity in implementation of electronic signatures,
authentication instruments and procedures, authorities and
permissions; discrimination in access against the public and
unrepresented (pro se) parties and in favor of attorneys; widespread
publication of invalid judicial records and dockets, leading to their
false representation and false enforcement. A series of case studies
documents the impacts on individuals' human rights, on banking
regulation, and on international matters. Significance is discussed in
the context of various media and expert reports, which opine
unprecedented corruption of the US justice system today, and which
question, whether the US Constitution was in fact suspended. Similar
findings were previously reported in IT systems of the State of
California and the State of Israel, which were incorporated, subject to
professional HRC staff review, into the UN UPR reports (2010 and
2013). Solutions are proposed, based on the principles of publicity of
the law and the separation of power: Reliance on US IT and legal
experts under accountability to the legislative branch, enhancing
transparency, ongoing vigilance by human rights and internet
activists. IT experts should assume more prominent civic duties in the
safeguard of civil society in our era.
Abstract: The Roma (Gypsies) is a transnational minority with a
high degree of consanguineous marriages. Similar to other
genetically isolated founder populations, the Roma harbor a number
of unique or rare genetic disorders. This paper discusses about a rare
form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease – type 4G (CMT4G), also
called Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy type Russe, an
autosomal recessive disease caused by mutation private to Roma
characterized by abnormally increased density of non-myelinated
axons. CMT4G was originally found in Bulgarian Roma and in 2009
two putative causative mutations in the HK1 gene were identified.
Since then, several cases were reported in Roma families mainly
from Bulgaria and Spain. Here we present a Slovak Roma family in
which CMT4G was diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination
and genetic testing. This case is a further proof of the role of the HK1
gene in pathogenesis of the disease. It confirms that mutation in the
HK1 gene is a common cause of autosomal recessive CMT disease in
Roma and should be considered as a common part of a diagnostic
procedure.