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 peel of dragon fruit is a byproduct left over after consuming. Normally, the use of plants as antioxidant source must be dried before further process. Therefore, the aim of this study is interesting to dry the peel by heat pump dryer (45 ºC) and fluidized bed dryer (110 º C) compared with the sun drying method. The sample with initial moisture content of about 85-91% wet basis was dried down to about 10% wet basis where it took 620 and 25 min for heat pump dryer and fluidized bed dryer, respectively. However, the sun drying took about 900 min to dry the peel. After that, sample was evaluated antioxidant activity, -carotene and betalains contents. The results found that the antioxidant activity and betalains contents of dried peel obtained from heat pump and fluidized bed dryings were significantly higher than that sun drying (p 0.05). Moreover, the drying by heat pump provided the highest -carotene content.
Abstract: It is important for an autonomous mobile robot to know
where it is in any time in an indoor environment. In this paper, we
design a relative self-localization algorithm. The algorithm compare
the interest point in two images and compute the relative displacement
and orientation to determent the posture. Firstly, we use the SURF
algorithm to extract the interest points of the ceiling. Second, in order
to reduce amount of calculation, a replacement SURF is used to extract
orientation and description of the interest points. At last, according to
the transformation of the interest points in two images, the relative
self-localization of the mobile robot will be estimated greatly.
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: In this study, fuzzy rule-based classifier is used for the
diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Congenital heart diseases are
defined as structural or functional heart disease. Medical data sets
were obtained from Pediatric Cardiology Department at Selcuk
University, from years 2000 to 2003. Firstly, fuzzy rules were
generated by using medical data. Then the weights of fuzzy rules
were calculated. Two different reasoning methods as “weighted vote
method" and “singles winner method" were used in this study. The
results of fuzzy classifiers were compared.
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: 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 order to survive in a rapidly changing business environment, Malaysian business firms must improve their own business practices and procedures. This paper describes the impact of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) during the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementations using the responses from 151 organizations that completed or are in the process of completing an ERP implementation and identifying the key benefits of ERP implementation in the firm. The importance of these factors was investigated within Malaysian companies using questionnaire survey method. Our results provide advice to management on how best to utilize their limited resources to choose those CSFs that are most likely to have an impact upon the implementation of the ERP system.
Abstract: A model of (4, 4) single-walled boron-nitride nanotube as a representative of armchair boron-nitride nanotubes studied. At first the structure optimization performed and then Nuclear Magnetic Resonance parameters (NMR) by Density Functional Theory (DFT) method at 11B and 15N nuclei calculated. Resulted parameters evaluation presents electrostatic environment heterogeneity along the nanotube and especially at the ends but the nuclei in a layer feel the same electrostatic environment. All of calculations carried out using Gaussian 98 Software package.
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.
Abstract: High pressure adsorption of carbon dioxide on zeolite
13X was investigated in the pressure range (0 to 4) Mpa and
temperatures 298, 308 and 323K. The data fitting is accomplished
with the Toth, UNILAN, Dubinin-Astakhov and virial adsorption
models which are generally used for micro porous adsorbents such as
zeolites. Comparison with experimental data from the literature
indicated that the virial model would best determine results. These
results may be partly attributed to the flexibility of the virial model
which can accommodate as many constants as the data warrants.
Abstract: An experimental investigation was performed on pulp
liquid flow in straight ducts with a square cross section. Fully
developed steady flow was visualized and the fiber concentration was
obtained using a light-section method developed by the author et al.
The obtained results reveal quantitatively, in a definite form, the
distribution of the fiber concentration. From the results and
measurements of pressure loss, it is found that the flow characteristics
of pulp liquid in ducts can be classified into five patterns. The
relationships among the distributions of mean and fluctuation of fiber
concentration, the pressure loss and the flow velocity are discussed,
and then the features for each pattern are extracted. The degree of
nonuniformity of the fiber concentration, which is indicated by the
standard deviation of its distribution, is decreased from 0.3 to 0.05
with an increase in the velocity of the tested pulp liquid from 0.4 to
0.8%.
Abstract: The following paper shows an interactive tool which
main purpose is to teach how to play a flute. It consists of three
stages the first one is the instruction and teaching process through a
software application, the second is the practice part when the user
starts to play the flute (hardware specially designed for this
application) this flute is capable of capturing how is being played the
flute and the final stage is the one in which the data captured are sent
to the software and the user is evaluated in order to give him / she a
correction or an acceptance