Abstract: Previous the 3D model texture generation from multi-view images and mapping algorithms has issues in the texture chart generation which are the self-intersection and the concentration of the texture in texture space. Also we may suffer from some problems due to the occluded areas, such as inside parts of thighs. In this paper we propose a texture mapping technique for 3D models using multi-view images on the GPU. We do texture mapping directly on the GPU fragment shader per pixel without generation of the texture map. And we solve for the occluded area using the 3D model depth information. Our method needs more calculation on the GPU than previous works, but it has shown real-time performance and previously mentioned problems do not occur.
Abstract: The present study was designed to investigate the
cardio protective role of chronic oral administration of alcoholic
extract of Terminalia arjuna in in-vivo ischemic reperfusion injury
and the induction of HSP72. Rabbits, divided into three groups, and
were administered with the alcoholic extract of the bark powder of
Terminalia arjuna (TAAE) by oral gavage [6.75mg/kg: (T1) and
9.75mg/kg: (T2), 6 days /week for 12 weeks]. In open-chest
Ketamine pentobarbitone anaesthetized rabbits, the left anterior
descending coronary artery was occluded for 15 min of ischemia
followed by 60 min of reperfusion. In the vehicle-treated group,
ischemic-reperfusion injury (IRI) was evidenced by depression of
global hemodynamic function (MAP, HR, LVEDP, peak LV (+) & (-
) (dP/dt) along with depletion of HEP compounds. Oxidative stress
in IRI was evidenced by, raised levels of myocardial TBARS and
depletion of endogenous myocardial antioxidants GSH, SOD and
catalase. Western blot analysis showed a single band corresponding
to 72 kDa in homogenates of hearts from rabbits treated with both the
doses. In the alcoholic extract of the bark powder of Terminalia
arjuna treatment groups, both the doses had better recovery of
myocardial hemodynamic function, with significant reduction in
TBARS, and rise in SOD, GSH, catalase were observed. The results
of the present study suggest that the alcoholic extract of the bark
powder of Terminalia arjuna in rabbit induces myocardial HSP 72
and augments myocardial endogenous antioxidants, without causing
any cellular injury and offered better cardioprotection against
oxidative stress associated with myocardial IR injury.
Abstract: A key to success of high quality software development
is to define valid and feasible requirements specification. We have
proposed a method of model-driven requirements analysis using
Unified Modeling Language (UML). The main feature of our method
is to automatically generate a Web user interface mock-up from UML
requirements analysis model so that we can confirm validity of
input/output data for each page and page transition on the system by
directly operating the mock-up. This paper proposes a support method
to check the validity of a data life cycle by using a model checking tool
“UPPAAL" focusing on CRUD (Create, Read, Update and Delete).
Exhaustive checking improves the quality of requirements analysis
model which are validated by the customers through automatically
generated mock-up. The effectiveness of our method is discussed by a
case study of requirements modeling of two small projects which are a
library management system and a supportive sales system for text
books in a university.
Abstract: This paper considers the effect of heat generation
proportional l to (T - T∞ )p , where T is the local temperature and T∞
is the ambient temperature, in unsteady free convection flow near the
stagnation point region of a three-dimensional body. The fluid is
considered in an ambient fluid under the assumption of a step change
in the surface temperature of the body. The non-linear coupled partial
differential equations governing the free convection flow are solved
numerically using an implicit finite-difference method for different
values of the governing parameters entering these equations. The
results for the flow and heat characteristics when p ≤ 2 show that
the transition from the initial unsteady-state flow to the final steadystate
flow takes place smoothly. The behavior of the flow is seen
strongly depend on the exponent p.
Abstract: We investigated oxidative DNA damage caused by
radio frequency radiation using 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2'-
deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) generated in mice tissues after exposure
to 900 MHz mobile phone radio frequency in three independent
experiments. The RF was generated by a Global System for Mobile
Communication (GSM) signal generator. The radio frequency field
was adjusted to 25 V/m. The whole body specific absorption rate
(SAR) was 1.0 W/kg. Animals were exposed to this field for 30 min
daily for 30 days. 24 h post-exposure, blood serum, brain and spleen
were removed and DNA was isolated. Enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure 8-oxodG
concentration. All animals survived the whole experimental period.
The body weight of animals did not change significantly at the end of
the experiment. No statistically significant differences observed in
the levels of oxidative stress. Our results are not in favor of the
hypothesis that 900 MHz RF induces oxidative damage.
Abstract: Researchers have been applying tional intelligence (AI/CI) methods to computer games. In this research field, further researchesare required to compare AI/CI
methods with respect to each game application. In th
our experimental result on the comparison of three evolutionary algorithms – evolution strategy, genetic algorithm, and their hybrid
applied to evolving controller agents for the CIG 2007 Simulated Car Racing competition. Our experimental result shows that, premature
convergence of solutions was observed in the case of ES, and GA outperformed ES in the last half of generations. Besides, a hybrid
which uses GA first and ES next evolved the best solution among the whole solutions being generated. This result shows the ability of GA in
globally searching promising areas in the early stage and the ability of ES in locally searching the focused area (fine-tuning solutions).
Abstract: A ten-year grazing study was conducted at the
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Brandon Research Centre in
Manitoba to study the effect of alfalfa inclusion and fertilizer (N, P,
K, and S) addition on economics and efficiency of non-renewable
energy use in meadow brome grass-based pasture systems for beef
production. Fertilizing grass-only or alfalfa-grass pastures to full soil
test recommendations improved pasture productivity, but did not
improve profitability compared to unfertilized pastures. Fertilizing
grass-only pastures resulted in the highest net loss of any pasture
management strategy in this study. Adding alfalfa at the time of
seeding, with no added fertilizer, was economically the best pasture
improvement strategy in this study. Because of moisture limitations,
adding commercial fertilizer to full soil test recommendations is
probably not economically justifiable in most years, especially with
the rising cost of fertilizer. Improving grass-only pastures by adding
fertilizer and/or alfalfa required additional non-renewable energy
inputs; however, the additional energy required for unfertilized
alfalfa-grass pastures was minimal compared to the fertilized
pastures. Of the four pasture management strategies, adding alfalfa
to grass pastures without adding fertilizer had the highest efficiency
of energy use. Based on energy use and economic performance, the
unfertilized alfalfa-grass pasture was the most efficient and
sustainable pasture system.
Abstract: Nevertheless the widespread application of finite
mixture models in segmentation, finite mixture model selection is
still an important issue. In fact, the selection of an adequate number
of segments is a key issue in deriving latent segments structures and
it is desirable that the selection criteria used for this end are effective.
In order to select among several information criteria, which may
support the selection of the correct number of segments we conduct a
simulation study. In particular, this study is intended to determine
which information criteria are more appropriate for mixture model
selection when considering data sets with only categorical
segmentation base variables. The generation of mixtures of
multinomial data supports the proposed analysis. As a result, we
establish a relationship between the level of measurement of
segmentation variables and some (eleven) information criteria-s
performance. The criterion AIC3 shows better performance (it
indicates the correct number of the simulated segments- structure
more often) when referring to mixtures of multinomial segmentation
base variables.
Abstract: Image Compression using Artificial Neural Networks
is a topic where research is being carried out in various directions
towards achieving a generalized and economical network.
Feedforward Networks using Back propagation Algorithm adopting
the method of steepest descent for error minimization is popular and
widely adopted and is directly applied to image compression.
Various research works are directed towards achieving quick
convergence of the network without loss of quality of the restored
image. In general the images used for compression are of different
types like dark image, high intensity image etc. When these images
are compressed using Back-propagation Network, it takes longer
time to converge. The reason for this is, the given image may
contain a number of distinct gray levels with narrow difference with
their neighborhood pixels. If the gray levels of the pixels in an image
and their neighbors are mapped in such a way that the difference in
the gray levels of the neighbors with the pixel is minimum, then
compression ratio as well as the convergence of the network can be
improved. To achieve this, a Cumulative distribution function is
estimated for the image and it is used to map the image pixels. When
the mapped image pixels are used, the Back-propagation Neural
Network yields high compression ratio as well as it converges
quickly.
Abstract: This paper presents the region based segmentation method for ultrasound images using local statistics. In this segmentation approach the homogeneous regions depends on the image granularity features, where the interested structures with dimensions comparable to the speckle size are to be extracted. This method uses a look up table comprising of the local statistics of every pixel, which are consisting of the homogeneity and similarity bounds according to the kernel size. The shape and size of the growing regions depend on this look up table entries. The algorithms are implemented by using connected seeded region growing procedure where each pixel is taken as seed point. The region merging after the region growing also suppresses the high frequency artifacts. The updated merged regions produce the output in formed of segmented image. This algorithm produces the results that are less sensitive to the pixel location and it also allows a segmentation of the accurate homogeneous regions.
Abstract: Solid fuel transient burning behavior under oxidizer
gas flow is numerically investigated. It is done using analysis of the
regression rate responses to the imposed sudden and oscillatory
variation at inflow properties. The conjugate problem is considered
by simultaneous solution of flow and solid phase governing
equations to compute the fuel regression rate. The advection
upstream splitting method is used as flow computational scheme in
finite volume method. The ignition phase is completely simulated to
obtain the exact initial condition for response analysis. The results
show that the transient burning effects which lead to the combustion
instabilities and intermittent extinctions could be observed in solid
fuels as the solid propellants.
Abstract: It well recognized that one feature that makes a
successful company is its ability to successfully align its business goals with its information communication technologies platform.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems contribute to achieve better performance by integrating various business functions and
providing support for information flows. However, the technological
systems complexity is known to prevent the business users to exploit in an efficient way the Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP).
This paper aims to investigate the role of training in improving the
usage of ERP systems. To this end, we have designed an instrument
survey to employees of a Norwegian multinational global provider of
technology solutions. Based on the analysis of collected data, we have delineated a training model that could be high relevance for
both researchers and practitioners as a step towards a better
understanding of ERP system implementation.
Abstract: This paper present the harmonic elimination of hybrid
multilevel inverters (HMI) which could be increase the number of
output voltage level. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) is one of the
most important requirements concerning performance indices.
Because of many numbers output levels of HMI, it had numerous
unknown variables of eliminate undesired individual harmonic and
THD nonlinear equations set. Optimized harmonic stepped waveform
(OHSW) is solving switching angles conventional method, but most
complicated for solving as added level. The artificial intelligent
techniques are deliberation to solve this problem. This paper presents
the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique for solving
switching angles to get minimum THD and eliminate undesired
individual harmonics of 15-levels hybrid multilevel inverters.
Consequently it had many variables and could eliminate numerous
harmonics. Both advantages including high level of inverter and
Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) are used as powerful tools for
harmonics elimination.
Abstract: Urban disaster risks and vulnerabilities are great problems for Turkey. The annual loss of life and property through disaster in the world-s major metropolitan areas is increasing. Urban concentrations of the poor and less-informed in environmentally fragile locations suffer the impact of disaster disproportionately. Gecekondu (squatter) developments will compound the inherent risks associated with high-density environments, in appropriate technologies, and inadequate infrastructure. On the other hand, there are many geological disadvantages such as sitting on top of active tectonic plate boundaries, and why having avalanche, flood, and landslide and drought prone areas in Turkey. However, this natural formation is inevitable; the only way to survive in such a harsh geography is to be aware of importance of these natural events and to take political and physical measures. The main aim of this research is to bring up the magnitude of natural hazard risks in Izmir built-up zone, not being taken into consideration adequately. Because the dimensions of the peril are not taken seriously enough, the natural hazard risks, which are commonly well known, are not considered important or they are being forgotten after some time passes. Within this research, the magnitude of natural hazard risks for Izmir is being presented in the scope of concrete and local researches over Izmir risky areas.
Abstract: Transport and land use are two systems that are
mutually influenced. Their interaction is a complex process
associated with continuous feedback. The paper examines the
existing land use around an under construction metro station of the
new metro network of Thessaloniki, Greece, through the use of field
investigations, around the station-s predefined location. Moreover,
except from the analytical land use recording, a sampling
questionnaire survey is addressed to several selected enterprises of
the study area. The survey aims to specify the characteristics of the
enterprises, the trip patterns of their employees and clients, as well as
the stated preferences towards the changes the new metro station is
considered to bring to the area. The interpretation of the interrelationships
among selected data from the questionnaire survey takes
place using the method of Principal Components Analysis for
Categorical Data. The followed methodology and the survey-s results
contribute to the enrichment of the relevant bibliography concerning
the way the creation of a new metro station can have an impact on the
land use pattern of an area, by examining the situation before the
operation of the station.
Abstract: Inorganic nanoparticles filled polymer composites
have extended their multiple functionalities to various applications,
including mechanical reinforcement, gas barrier, dimensional
stability, heat distortion temperature, flame-retardant, and thermal
conductivity. Sodium stearate-modified calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
nanoparticles were prepared using surface modification method. The
results showed that sodium stearate attached to the surface of CaCO3
nanoparticles with the chemical bond. The effect of modified CaCO3
nanoparticles on thermal properties of polypropylene (PP) was
studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that CaCO3
significantly affected the crystallization temperature and
crystallization degree of PP. Effect of the modified CaCO3 content on
mechanical properties of PP/CaCO3 nanocomposites was also
studied. The results showed that the modified CaCO3 can effectively
improve the mechanical properties of PP. In comparison with PP, the
impact strength of PP/CaCO3 nanocomposites increased by about
65% and the hardness increased by about 5%.
Abstract: Let (U;D) be a Gr-covering approximation space
(U; C) with covering lower approximation operator D and covering
upper approximation operator D. For a subset X of U, this paper
investigates the following three conditions: (1) X is a definable subset
of (U;D); (2) X is an inner definable subset of (U;D); (3) X is an
outer definable subset of (U;D). It is proved that if one of the above
three conditions holds, then the others hold. These results give a
positive answer of an open problem for definable subsets of covering
approximation spaces.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the solubility of selected volatile organic compounds in water and silicon oil using the simple static headspace method. The experimental design allowed equilibrium achievement within 30 – 60 minutes. Infinite dilution activity coefficients and Henry-s law constants for various organics representing esters, ketones, alkanes, aromatics, cycloalkanes and amines were measured at 303K. The measurements were reproducible with a relative standard deviation and coefficient of variation of 1.3x10-3 and 1.3 respectively. The static determined activity coefficients using shaker flasks were reasonably comparable to those obtained using the gas liquid - chromatographic technique and those predicted using the group contribution methods mainly the UNIFAC. Silicon oil chemically known as polydimethysiloxane was found to be better absorbent for VOCs than water which quickly becomes saturated. For example the infinite dilution mole fraction based activity coefficients of hexane is 0.503 and 277 000 in silicon oil and water respectively. Thus silicon oil gives a superior factor of 550 696. Henry-s law constants and activity coefficients at infinite dilution play a significant role in the design of scrubbers for abatement of volatile organic compounds from contaminated air streams. This paper presents the phase equilibrium of volatile organic compounds in very dilute aqueous and polymeric solutions indicating the movement and fate of chemical in air and solvent. The successful comparison of the results obtained here and those obtained using other methods by the same authors and in literature, means that the results obtained here are reliable.
Abstract: Conjugate natural convection in a differentially heated
square enclosure containing a polygon shaped object is studied numerically in this article. The effect of various polygon types on the
fluid flow and thermal performance of the enclosure is addressed for
different thermal conductivities. The governing equations are modeled
and solved numerically using the built-in finite element method of COMSOL software. It is found that the heat transfer rate remains
stable by varying the polygon types.
Abstract: Despite the recent surge of research in control of
worm propagation, currently, there is no effective defense system
against such cyber attacks. We first design a distributed detection
architecture called Detection via Distributed Blackholes (DDBH).
Our novel detection mechanism could be implemented via virtual
honeypots or honeynets. Simulation results show that a worm can be
detected with virtual honeypots on only 3% of the nodes. Moreover,
the worm is detected when less than 1.5% of the nodes are infected.
We then develop two control strategies: (1) optimal dynamic trafficblocking,
for which we determine the condition that guarantees
minimum number of removed nodes when the worm is contained and
(2) predictive dynamic traffic-blocking–a realistic deployment of
the optimal strategy on scale-free graphs. The predictive dynamic
traffic-blocking, coupled with the DDBH, ensures that more than
40% of the network is unaffected by the propagation at the time
when the worm is contained.