Abstract: The purpose of my research proposal is to
demonstrate that there is a relationship between EEG and
endometrial cancer.
The above relationship is based on an Aristotelian Syllogism;
since it is known that the 14-3-3 protein is related to the electrical
activity of the brain via control of the flow of Na+ and K+ ions and
since it is also known that many types of cancer are associated with
14-3-3 protein, it is possible that there is a relationship between EEG
and cancer. This research will be carried out by well-defined
diagnostic indicators, obtained via the EEG, using signal processing
procedures and pattern recognition tools such as neural networks in
order to recognize the endometrial cancer type. The current research
shall compare the findings from EEG and hysteroscopy performed on
women of a wide age range. Moreover, this practice could be
expanded to other types of cancer. The implementation of this
methodology will be completed with the creation of an ontology.
This ontology shall define the concepts existing in this research-s
domain and the relationships between them. It will represent the
types of relationships between hysteroscopy and EEG findings.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity
of a range of EEG indices to time-on-task effects and to a workload
manipulation (cueing), during performance of a resource-limited
vigilance task. Effects of task period and cueing on performance and
subjective state response were consistent with previous vigilance
studies and with resource theory. Two EEG indices – the Task Load
Index (TLI) and global lower frequency (LF) alpha power – showed
effects of task period and cueing similar to those seen with correct
detections. Across four successive task periods, the TLI declined and
LF alpha power increased. Cueing increased TLI and decreased LF
alpha. Other indices – the Engagement Index (EI), frontal theta and
upper frequency (UF) alpha failed to show these effects. However, EI
and frontal theta were sensitive to interactive effects of task period
and cueing, which may correspond to a stronger anxiety response to
the uncued task.
Abstract: In recent years Operational Transconductance Amplifier based high frequency integrated circuits, filters and systems have been widely investigated. The usefulness of OTAs over conventional OP-Amps in the design of both first order and second order active filters are well documented. This paper discusses some of the tunability issues using the Matlab/Simulink® software which are previously unreported for any commercial OTA. Using the simulation results two first order voltage controlled all pass filters with phase tuning capability are proposed.
Abstract: In conventional seedling production, the seedlings are
being grown in the open field under natural conditions. Here they are
susceptible to sudden changes in climate were their quality and yield
is affected. Quality seedlings are essential for good growth and
performance of crops in main field; they serve as a foundation for the
economic returns to the farmer. Producing quality seedling demands
usage of hybrid seeds as they have the ability to result in better yield,
greater uniformity, improved color, disease resistance, and so forth.
Hybrid seed production poses major operational challenge and its
seed use efficiency plays an important role. Thus in order to
overcome the difficulties currently present in conventional seedling
production and to efficiently use hybrid seeds, ITC Limited Agri
Business Divisions - Sustainability Cell as conceptualized a novel
method of seedling production unit for farmers in West Godavari
District of Andhra Pradesh. The “Green House based Float Seedling"
methodology aims at a protected cultivation technique wherein the
micro climate surrounding the plant/seedling body is controlled
partially or fully as per the requirement of the species. This paper
reports on the techno economic evaluation of green house for
cultivation of float based seedling production with experimental
results that was attained from the pilot implementation in West
Godavari District, Rajahmundry region of India.
Abstract: Improving the performance of the QCL through block diagram as well as mathematical models is the main scope of this paper. In order to enhance the performance of the underlined device, the mathematical model parameters are used in a reliable manner in such a way that the optimum behavior was achieved. These parameters play the central role in specifying the optical characteristics of the considered laser source. Moreover, it is important to have a large amount of radiated power, where increasing the amount of radiated power represents the main hopping process that can be predicted from the behavior of quantum laser devices. It was found that there is a good agreement between the calculated values from our mathematical model and those obtained with VisSim and experimental results. These demonstrate the strength of mplementation of both mathematical and block diagram models.
Abstract: Organizations face challenges supporting knowledge
workers due to their particular requirements for an environment
supportive of their self-guided learning activities which are important
to increase their productivity and to develop creative solutions to
non-routine problems. Face-to-face knowledge sharing remains
crucial in spite of a large number of knowledge management
instruments that aim at supporting a more impersonal transfer of
knowledge. This paper first describes the main criteria for a
conceptual and technical solution targeted at flexible management of
office space that aims at assigning those knowledge workers to the
same room that are most likely to thrive when being brought together
thus enhancing their knowledge work productivity. The paper
reflects on lessons learned from the implementation and operation of
such a solution in a project-focused organization and derives several
implications for future extensions that target to foster problem
solving, informal learning and personal development.
Abstract: The Institute of Product Development is dealing
with the development, design and dimensioning of micro components
and systems as a member of the Collaborative Research
Centre 499 “Design, Production and Quality Assurance of
Molded micro components made of Metallic and Ceramic Materials".
Because of technological restrictions in the miniaturization
of conventional manufacturing techniques, shape and
material deviations cannot be scaled down in the same proportion
as the micro parts, rendering components with relatively
wide tolerance fields. Systems that include such components
should be designed with this particularity in mind, often requiring
large clearance. On the end, the output of such systems
results variable and prone to dynamical instability. To save
production time and resources, every study of these effects
should happen early in the product development process and
base on computer simulation to avoid costly prototypes. A
suitable method is proposed here and exemplary applied to a
micro technology demonstrator developed by the CRC499. It
consists of a one stage planetary gear train in a sun-planet-ring
configuration, with input through the sun gear and output
through the carrier. The simulation procedure relies on ordinary
Multi Body Simulation methods and subsequently adds
other techniques to further investigate details of the system-s
behavior and to predict its response. The selection of the relevant
parameters and output functions followed the engineering
standards for regular sized gear trains. The first step is to
quantify the variability and to reveal the most critical points of
the system, performed through a whole-mechanism Sensitivity
Analysis. Due to the lack of previous knowledge about the system-s
behavior, different DOE methods involving small and
large amount of experiments were selected to perform the SA.
In this particular case the parameter space can be divided into
two well defined groups, one of them containing the gear-s profile
information and the other the components- spatial location.
This has been exploited to explore the different DOE techniques
more promptly. A reduced set of parameters is derived for
further investigation and to feed the final optimization process,
whether as optimization parameters or as external perturbation
collective. The 10 most relevant perturbation factors and 4 to 6
prospective variable parameters are considered in a new, simplified
model. All of the parameters are affected by the mentioned
production variability. The objective functions of interest
are based on scalar output-s variability measures, so the
problem becomes an optimization under robustness and reliability constrains. The study shows an initial step on the development
path of a method to design and optimize complex micro
mechanisms composed of wide tolerated elements accounting
for the robustness and reliability of the systems- output.
Abstract: In this study Homotopy Perturbation Method (HPM) is employed to investigate free vibration of an Euler beam with variable stiffness resting on an elastic foundation. HPM is an easy-to-use and very efficient technique for the solution of linear or nonlinear problems. HPM produces analytical approximate expression which is continuous in the solution domain. This work shows that HPM is a promising method for free vibration analysis of nonuniform Euler beams on elastic foundation. Several case problems have been solved by using the technique and solutions have been compared with those available in the literature.
Abstract: Integral Abutment Bridges (IAB) are defined as
simple or multiple span bridges in which the bridge deck is cast
monolithically with the abutment walls. This kind of bridges are
becoming very popular due to different aspects such as good
response under seismic loading, low initial costs, elimination of
bearings, and less maintenance. However the main issue related to
the analysis of this type of structures is dealing with soil-structure
interaction of the abutment walls and the supporting piles. Various
soil constitutive models have been used in studies of soil-structure
interaction in this kind of structures by researchers. This paper is an
effort to review the implementation of various finite elements model
which explicitly incorporates the nonlinear soil and linear structural
response considering various soil constitutive models and finite
element mesh.
Abstract: The phylogenetic analysis using the most conservative
portions of 18S rRNA gene revealed the phylogenetic relationship
among the two populations where DNA divergence showed that the
nucleotides diversity value were -0.00838 for the Tanjung Dawai,
Kedah and -0.00708 for the Cherating, Pahang populations
respectively. The net nucleotide divergence among populations (Da)
was -0.0073 indicating a low polymorphism among the populations
studied. Total number of mutations in the Tanjung Dawai, Kedah
samples was higher than Cherating, Pahang samples, which are 73 and
59 respectively while shared mutations across the populations were 8,
and reveal the evolutionary in the genome of Malaysian T. gigas. The
tree topology of both populations inferred using Neigbour-joining
method by comparing 1791 bp of partial 18S rRNA sequence revealed
that T. gigas haplotypes were clustered into seven clades, suggesting
that they are genetically diverse among populations which derived
from a common ancestor.
Abstract: After the development of the Internet a suitable
discipline for trading goods electronically has been emerged.
However, this type of markets is not still mature enough in order to
become independent and get closer to seller/buyer-s needs.
Furthermore, the buyable and sellable goods in these markets still
don-t have essential standards for being well-defined. In this paper,
we will present a model for development of a market which can
contain goods with variable definitions and we will also investigate
its characteristics. Besides, by noticing the fact that people have
different discriminations, it-s figured out that the significance of each
attribute of a specific product may vary from different people-s view
points. Consequently we-ll present a model for weighting and
accordingly different people-s view points could be satisfied. These
two aspects will be discussed completely throughout this paper.
Abstract: An IEC technique is described for a multi-objective
search of conceptual solutions. The survivability of solutions is
influenced by both model-based fitness and subjective human
preferences. The concepts- preferences are articulated via a hierarchy
of sub-concepts. The suggested method produces an objectivesubjective
front. Academic example is employed to demonstrate the
proposed approach.
Abstract: In this study, the density dependent nonlinear reactiondiffusion
equation, which arises in the insect dispersal models, is
solved using the combined application of differential quadrature
method(DQM) and implicit Euler method. The polynomial based
DQM is used to discretize the spatial derivatives of the problem. The
resulting time-dependent nonlinear system of ordinary differential
equations(ODE-s) is solved by using implicit Euler method. The
computations are carried out for a Cauchy problem defined by a onedimensional
density dependent nonlinear reaction-diffusion equation
which has an exact solution. The DQM solution is found to be in a
very good agreement with the exact solution in terms of maximum
absolute error. The DQM solution exhibits superior accuracy at large
time levels tending to steady-state. Furthermore, using an implicit
method in the solution procedure leads to stable solutions and larger
time steps could be used.
Abstract: This paper presents a research conducted to investigate the effect of mixing process on polypropylene (PP) modified bitumen mixed with well graded aggregate to form modified bituminous concrete mix. Two mode of mixing, namely dry and wet with different concentration of polymer polypropylene was used with 80/100 pen bitumen, to evaluate the bituminous concrete mix properties. Three percentages of polymer varying from 1-3% by the weight of bitumen was used in this study. Three mixes namely control mix, wet mix and dry mix were prepared. Optimum binder content was calculated considering Marshall Stability, flow, air voids and Marshall Quotient at different bitumen content varying from 4% - 6.5% for control, dry and wet mix. Engineering properties thus obtained at the calculated optimum bitumen content revealed that wet mixing process is advantageous in comparison to dry mixing as it increases the stiffness of the mixture with the increase in polymer content in bitumen. Stiffness value for wet mix increases with the increase in polymer content which is beneficial in terms of rutting. 1% PP dry mix also shows enhanced stiffness, with the air void content limited to 4%.The flow behaviour of dry mix doesn't indicate any major difference with the increase in polymer content revealing that polymer acting as an aggregate only without affecting the viscosity of the binder in the mix. Polypropylene (PP) when interacted with 80 pen base bitumen enhances its performance characteristics which were brought about by altered rheological properties of the modified bitumen. The decrease in flow with the increase in binder content reflects the increase in viscosity of binder which induces the plastic flow in the mix. Workability index indicates that wet mix were easy to compact up to desired void ratio in comparison to dry mix samples.
Abstract: Among the most fundamental prerequisites for the successful development of electronic Government Services (e- Government) is Citizen Acceptance. Based on the UTAUT model, the paper describes a hypothetical framework that integrates the unique features of E- government to improve our understanding of the acceptance and usage of e-Government Saudi Arabia. The proposed model, based on UTAUT, includes the characteristics of Egovernment, consideration and inclusion of trust, privacy, and Saudi culture and context.
Abstract: "Bazaar" is a Persian word from the language of Iranians of 2500 years ago which has entered the languages of other countries. “Bazaar", the trading or marketing place with the architectural principles and concerns, was formed in Iran because of the long experience of marketing. This has become a valuable inheritance of Islamic ideological civilization and Iranian advanced architecture and a model of Islamic-marketing places with spectacular elements and parts, and the place for economical, social and cultural exchanges. “Bazaars" are found in cities of Iran and many Islamic countries in west of Asia and north of Africa. With the stable structure and function as a symbol of social values, this place has become the economic center and the illustration of stable architecture and advanced principles. “Bazaars" as the heart of Iranian cities economy with several major and minor rows of shops, in closed and open areas, along a fixed line or branches with beautiful arcs, patios, and frameworks are among the main national inheritance of Iran and one of the important Iranian architectural treasures because of its Iranian nobility.
Abstract: The purpose of this work was to study the effect of the
irrigation using waste water with various electric conductivities (T(0,92ds/m), EC3 (3ds/m) and EC6 (6ds/m) on three varieties of
quinoa cultivated in a field south of Morocco. The follow up of the evolution of the chemical and agronomic parameters throughout the
culture made it possible to determine the responses to the saline stress in arid conditions. Results showed that the salinity caused the
depression of plant-s height, and reduced the fresh and dry weight in
the different parts of the three varieties plants. The increase of the irrigation water EC didn-t affect the yield for the varieties. Thus,
quinoa resisted to salinity and proved a behavior of a facultative halophyte crop. In fact, the cultivation of this using treated wastewater is feasible especially in arid areas for a sustainable use of
water resources.
Abstract: This paper starts with a critical view of beautiful female images in the mass media being frequently generated by a stereotypical Korean concept of beauty. Several female beauty myths have evolved in Korea during the present decade. Nearly all of them have formed due to a deeply-ingrained androcentric ideology which objectifies women. Mass media causes the public to hold a distorted concept about female beauty. There is a huge gap between women in reality and representative women in the mass media. It is essential to have an unbiased perception of female images presented in the mass media. Due to cosmetic advertisements projecting contemporary images of female beauty to promote products, cosmetics images will be examined in regard to female beauty myths portrayed by the mass media. This paper will analyze features of female beauty myths in Korea and their intrinsic characteristics.
Abstract: Protein residue contact map is a compact
representation of secondary structure of protein. Due to the
information hold in the contact map, attentions from researchers in
related field were drawn and plenty of works have been done
throughout the past decade. Artificial intelligence approaches have
been widely adapted in related works such as neural networks,
genetic programming, and Hidden Markov model as well as support
vector machine. However, the performance of the prediction was not
generalized which probably depends on the data used to train and
generate the prediction model. This situation shown the importance
of the features or information used in affecting the prediction
performance. In this research, support vector machine was used to
predict protein residue contact map on different combination of
features in order to show and analyze the effectiveness of the
features.
Abstract: The advancement in wireless technology with the wide
use of mobile devices have drawn the attention of the research and
technological communities towards wireless environments, such as
Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Wireless Wide Area
Networks (WWANs), and mobile systems and ad-hoc networks.
Unfortunately, wired and wireless networks are expressively different
in terms of link reliability, bandwidth, and time of propagation delay
and by adapting new solutions for these enhanced
telecommunications, superior quality, efficiency, and opportunities
will be provided where wireless communications were otherwise
unfeasible. Some researchers define 4G as a significant improvement
of 3G, where current cellular network’s issues will be solved and data
transfer will play a more significant role. For others, 4G unifies
cellular and wireless local area networks, and introduces new routing
techniques, efficient solutions for sharing dedicated frequency bands,
and an increased mobility and bandwidth capacity. This paper
discusses the possible solutions and enhancements probabilities that
proposed to improve the performance of Transmission Control
Protocol (TCP) over different wireless networks and also the paper
investigated each approach in term of advantages and disadvantages.