Abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a new worldwide public
health problem. A diagnosis of this disease using creatinine is still a
problem in clinical practice. Therefore, a measurement of biomarkers
responsible for AKI has received much attention in the past couple
years. Cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) was reported as one of the
early biomarkers for AKI. The most commonly used method to
detect this biomarker is an immunoassay. This study used a planar
platform to perform an immunoassay using fluorescence for
detection. In this study, anti-IL-18 antibody was immobilized onto a
microscope slide using a covalent binding method. Make-up samples
were diluted at the concentration between 10 to 1000 pg/ml to create
a calibration curve. The precision of the system was determined
using a coefficient of variability (CV), which was found to be less
than 10%. The performance of this immunoassay system was
compared with the measurement from ELISA.
Abstract: Every commercial bank optimises its asset portfolio
depending on the profitability of assets and chosen or imposed
constraints. This paper proposes and applies a stylized model for
optimising banks' asset and liability structure, reflecting profitability
of different asset categories and their risks as well as costs associated
with different liability categories and reserve requirements. The level
of detail for asset and liability categories is chosen to create a
suitably parsimonious model and to include the most important
categories in the model. It is shown that the most appropriate
optimisation criterion for the model is the maximisation of the ratio
of net interest income to assets. The maximisation of this ratio is
subject to several constraints. Some are accounting identities or
dictated by legislative requirements; others vary depending on the
market objectives for a particular bank. The model predicts variable
amount of assets allocated to loan provision.
Abstract: Vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) process can be
used for water purification or the desalination of salt water. The
process simply consists of a flat sheet hydrophobic micro porous
PTFE membrane and diaphragm vacuum pump without a condenser
for the water recovery or trap. The feed was used aqueous NaCl
solution. The VMD experiments were performed to evaluate the heat
and mass transfer coefficient of the boundary layer in a membrane
module. The only operating parameters are feed inlet temperature,
and feed flow rate were investigated. The permeate flux was strongly
affected by the feed inlet temperature, feed flow rate, and boundary
layer heat transfer coefficient. Since lowering the temperature
polarization coefficient is essential enhance the process performance
considerable and maximizing the heat transfer coefficient for
maximizes the mass flux of distillate water. In this paper, the results
of VMD experiments are used to measure the boundary layer heat
transfer coefficient, and the experimental results are used to reevaluate
the empirical constants in the Dittus- Boelter equation.
Abstract: Image synthesis is an important area in image processing.
To synthesize images various systems are proposed in
the literature. In this paper, we propose a bio-inspired system to
synthesize image and to study the generating power of the system, we
define the class of languages generated by our system. We call image
as array in this paper. We use a primitive called iso-array to synthesize
image/array. The operation is double splicing on iso-arrays. The
double splicing operation is used in DNA computing and we use
this to synthesize image. A comparison of the family of languages
generated by the proposed self restricted double splicing systems on
iso-arrays with the existing family of local iso-picture languages is
made. Certain closure properties such as union, concatenation and
rotation are studied for the family of languages generated by the
proposed model.
Abstract: The demand of the energy management systems (EMS) set forth by modern power systems requires fast energy management systems. Contingency analysis is among the functions in EMS which is time consuming. In order to handle this limitation, this paper introduces agent based technology in the contingency analysis. The main function of agents is to speed up the performance. Negotiations process in decision making is explained and the issue set forth is the minimization of the operating costs. The IEEE 14 bus system and its line outage have been used in the research and simulation results are presented.
Abstract: In this paper, an improved technique for contingency
ranking using artificial neural network (ANN) is presented. The
proposed approach is based on multi-layer perceptrons trained by
backpropagation to contingency analysis. Severity indices in dynamic
stability assessment are presented. These indices are based on the
concept of coherency and three dot products of the system variables.
It is well known that some indices work better than others for a
particular power system. This paper along with test results using
several different systems, demonstrates that combination of indices
with ANN provides better ranking than a single index. The presented
results are obtained through the use of power system simulation
(PSS/E) and MATLAB 6.5 software.
Abstract: The value of overall oxygen transfer Coefficient
(KLa), which is the best measure of oxygen transfer in water through
aeration, is obtained by a simple approach, which sufficiently
explains the utility of the method to eliminate the discrepancies due
to inaccurate assumption of saturation dissolved oxygen
concentration. The rate of oxygen transfer depends on number of
factors like intensity of turbulence, which in turns depends on the
speed of rotation, size, and number of blades, diameter and
immersion depth of the rotor, and size and shape of aeration tank, as
well as on physical, chemical, and biological characteristic of water.
An attempt is made in this paper to correlate the overall oxygen
transfer Coefficient (KLa), as an independent parameter with other
influencing parameters mentioned above. It has been estimated that
the simulation equation developed predicts the values of KLa and
power with an average standard error of estimation of 0.0164 and
7.66 respectively and with R2 values of 0.979 and 0.989 respectively,
when compared with experimentally determined values. The
comparison of this model is done with the model generated using
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and both the models were
found to be in good agreement with each other.
Abstract: In Grid computing, a data transfer protocol called
GridFTP has been widely used for efficiently transferring a large volume
of data. Currently, two versions of GridFTP protocols, GridFTP
version 1 (GridFTP v1) and GridFTP version 2 (GridFTP v2), have
been proposed in the GGF. GridFTP v2 supports several advanced
features such as data streaming, dynamic resource allocation, and
checksum transfer, by defining a transfer mode called X-block mode.
However, in the literature, effectiveness of GridFTP v2 has not been
fully investigated. In this paper, we therefore quantitatively evaluate
performance of GridFTP v1 and GridFTP v2 using mathematical
analysis and simulation experiments. We reveal the performance
limitation of GridFTP v1, and quantitatively show effectiveness of
GridFTP v2. Through several numerical examples, we show that by
utilizing the data streaming feature, the average file transfer time of
GridFTP v2 is significantly smaller than that of GridFTP v1.
Abstract: Object-oriented programming is a wonderful way to
make programming of huge real life tasks much easier than by using
procedural languages. In order to teach those ideas to students, it
is important to find a good task that shows the advantages of OOprogramming
very naturally. This paper gives an example, the game
Battleship, which seems to work excellent for teaching the OO ideas
(using Java, [1], [2], [3], [4]).
A three-step task is presented for how to teach OO-programming
using just one example suitable to convey many of the OO ideas.
Observations are given at the end and conclusions about how the
whole teaching course worked out.
Abstract: The paper outlines the relevance of computational
geometry within the design and production process of architecture.
Based on two case studies, the digital chain - from the initial formfinding
to the final realization of spatial concepts - is discussed in
relation to geometric principles. The association with the fascinating
complexity that can be found in nature and its underlying geometry
was the starting point for both projects presented in the paper. The
translation of abstract geometric principles into a three-dimensional
digital design model – realized in Rhinoceros – was followed by a
process of transformation and optimization of the initial shape that
integrated aesthetic, spatial and structural qualities as well as aspects
of material properties and conditions of production.
Abstract: In this paper, we present the design and experimental
evaluation of complementary energy path adiabatic logic (CEPAL)
based 1 bit full adder circuit. A simulative investigation on the
proposed full adder has been done using VIRTUOSO SPECTRE
simulator of cadence in 0.18μm UMC technology and its
performance has been compared with the conventional CMOS full
adder circuit. The CEPAL based full adder circuit exhibits the energy
saving of 70% to the conventional CMOS full adder circuit, at 100
MHz frequency and 1.8V operating voltage.
Abstract: The Pulsed Compression Reactor promises to be a
compact, economical and energy efficient alternative to conventional
chemical reactors.
In this article, the production of synthesis gas using the Pulsed
Compression Reactor is investigated. This is done experimentally as
well as with simulations. The experiments are done by means of a
single shot reactor, which replicates a representative, single
reciprocation of the Pulsed Compression Reactor with great control
over the reactant composition, reactor temperature and pressure and
temperature history. Simulations are done with a relatively simple
method, which uses different models for the chemistry and
thermodynamic properties of the species in the reactor. Simulation
results show very good agreement with the experimental data, and
give great insight into the reaction processes that occur within the
cycle.
Abstract: We studied the evolution of elliptic heavy SF6
gas cylinder surrounded by air when accelerated by a planar
Mach 1.25 shock. A multiple dynamics imaging technology has
been used to obtain one image of the experimental initial
conditions and five images of the time evolution of elliptic
cylinder. We compared the width and height of the circular and
two kinds of elliptic gas cylinders, and analyzed the vortex
strength of the elliptic ones. Simulations are in very good
agreement with the experiments, but due to the different initial
gas cylinder shapes, a certain difference of the initial density
peak and distribution exists between the circular and elliptic
gas cylinders, and the latter initial state is more sensitive and
more inenarrable.
Abstract: The zinc and iron environments in different growth
stages have been studied with EXAFS and XANES with Brookhaven
Synchrotron Light Source. Tissue samples included meat, organ,
vegetable, leaf, and yeast. The project studied the EXAFS and
XANES of tissue samples using Zn and Fe K-edges. Duck embryo
samples show that brain and intestine would contain shorter EXFAS
determined Zn-N/O bond; as with the cases of fresh yeast versus
reconstituted live yeast and green leaf versus yellow leaf. The
XANES Fourier transform characteristic-length would be useful as a
functionality index for selected types of tissue samples in various
physical states. The extension to the development of functional
synchrotron imaging for tissue engineering application based on
spectroscopic technique is discussed.
Abstract: As an adult man and woman love each other and come to have faith in each other as their spouse, they marry each other. Recently people-s economic life has become individualized and women are enjoying a high education level and increased participation in social activities, and these changes are creating environment favorable for single life. Thus, an increasing number of people are choosing celibacy, and many people prefer cohabitation to marriage. Nevertheless, marriage is still regarded as a must-to-do in our thought. Most of people throughout the world admit marriage as one of natural processes of life, and is an important passage rite in life that all people experience as we can see everywhere in the world despite the diversity of lifestyles. With regard to wedding ceremony, however, each country and culture has its own unique tradition and style of festival. It is not just a congratulatory ceremony but contains multiple concepts representing the age, country or culture. Moreover, the form and contents of wedding ceremony changes over time, and such features of wedding ceremony are well represented in films. This study took note of the fact that films reflect and reproduce each country-s historicity, culturality and analyzed four films, which are believed to show differences between Eastern and Western wedding ceremonies. The selected films are: A Perfect Match (2002), Marriage Is a Crazy Thing (2001), Bride Wars (2009) and 27 Dresses (2008). The author attempted to examine wedding ceremonies described in the four films, differences between the East and the West suggested by the films, and changes in their societies.
Abstract: Consumer electronics are pervasive. It is impossible to
imagine a household or office without DVD players, digital cameras,
printers, mobile phones, shavers, electrical toothbrushes, etc. All
these devices operate at different voltage levels ranging from 1.8 to
20 VDC, in the absence of universal standards. The voltages
available are however usually 120/230 VAC at 50/60 Hz. This
situation makes an individual electrical energy conversion system
necessary for each device. Such converters usually involve several
conversion stages and often operate with excessive losses and poor
reliability. The aim of the project presented in this paper is to design
and implement a multi-channel DC/DC converter system,
customizing the output voltage and current ratings according to the
requirements of the load. Distributed, multi-agent techniques will be
applied for the control of the DC/DC converters.
Abstract: For most image fusion algorithms separate
relationship by pixels in the image and treat them more or less
independently. In addition, they have to be adjusted different
parameters in different time or weather. In this paper, we propose a
region–based image fusion which combines aspects of feature and
pixel-level fusion method to replace only by pixel. The basic idea is
to segment far infrared image only and to add information of each
region from segmented image to visual image respectively. Then we
determine different fused parameters according different region. At
last, we adopt artificial neural network to deal with the problems of
different time or weather, because the relationship between fused
parameters and image features are nonlinear. It render the fused
parameters can be produce automatically according different states.
The experimental results present the method we proposed indeed
have good adaptive capacity with automatic determined fused
parameters. And the architecture can be used for lots of applications.
Abstract: The Beshar River is one aquatic ecosystem, which is
located next to the city of Yasuj in southern Iran. The Beshar river
has been contaminated by industrial factories such as effluent of
sugar factory, agricultural and other activities in this region such as,
Imam Sajjad hospital, drainage from agricultural farms, Yasuj urban
surface runoff and effluent of wastewater treatment plants ,specially
Yasuj waste water treatment plant. In order to evaluate the effects of
these pollutants on the quality of the Beshar river, five monitoring
stations were selected along its course. The first station is located
upstream of Yasuj near the Dehnow village; stations 2 to 4 are
located east, south and west of city; and the 5th station is located
downstream of Yasuj. Several water quality parameters were
sampled. These include pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen
demand (BOD), temperature, conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved
solids and discharge or flow measurements. Water samples from the
five stations were collected and analyzed to determine the following
physicochemical parameters: EC, pH, T.D.S, T.H, No2, DO, BOD5,
COD during 2008 to 2010. The study shows that the BOD5 value of
station 1 is at a minimum (1.7 ppm) and increases downstream from
stations 2 to 4 to a maximum (11.6 ppm), and then decreases at
station 5. The DO values of station 1 is a maximum (8.45 ppm),
decreases downstream to stations 2 - 4 which are at a minimum (3.1
ppm), before increasing at station 5. The amount of BOD and TDS
are highest at the 4th station and the amount of DO is lowest at this
station, marking the 4th station as more highly polluted than the
other stations .This study shows average amount of the water quality
parameters in first year of sampling (2008) have had a better quality
relation to third year in 2010 because of recent drought in this region
and pollutant increasing .As the Beshar river path after 5th station
goes through the mountain area with more slope and flow velocity
,so the physicochemical parameters improve at the 5th station due to
pollutant degradation and dilution. Finally the point and nonpoint
pollutant sources of Beshar river were determined and compared to
the monitoring results.
Abstract: An array antenna system with innovative signal
processing can improve the resolution of a source direction of arrival
(DoA) estimation. High resolution techniques take the advantage of
array antenna structures to better process the incoming waves. They
also have the capability to identify the direction of multiple targets.
This paper investigates performance of the DOA estimation
algorithm namely; Capon and MUSIC on the uniform linear array
(ULA). The simulation results show that in Capon and MUSIC
algorithm the resolution of the DOA techniques improves as number
of snapshots, number of array elements, signal-to-noise ratio and
separation angle between the two sources θ increases.
Abstract: A new conserving approach in the context of Immersed Boundary Method (IBM) is presented to simulate one dimensional, incompressible flow in a moving boundary problem. The method employs control volume scheme to simulate the flow field. The concept of ghost node is used at the boundaries to conserve the mass and momentum equations. The Present method implements the conservation laws in all cells including boundary control volumes. Application of the method is studied in a test case with moving boundary. Comparison between the results of this new method and a sharp interface (Image Point Method) IBM algorithm shows a well distinguished improvement in both pressure and velocity fields of the present method. Fluctuations in pressure field are fully resolved in this proposed method. This approach expands the IBM capability to simulate flow field for variety of problems by implementing conservation laws in a fully Cartesian grid compared to other conserving methods.