Abstract: In order to provide existing SOAP (Simple Object
Access Protocol)-based Web services with users who are familiar with
REST (REpresentational State Transfer)-style Web services, this
paper proposes Web service providing method using Web service
transformation. This enables SOAP-based service providers to define
rules for mapping from RESTful Web services to SOAP-based ones.
Using these mapping rules, HTTP request messages for RESTful
services are converted automatically into SOAP-based service
invocations. Web service providers need not develop duplicate
RESTful services and they can avoid programming mediation
modules per service. Furthermore, they need not equip mediation
middleware like ESB (Enterprise Service Bus) only for the purpose of
transformation of two different Web service styles.
Abstract: The Improved Generalized Diversity Index (IGDI)
has been proposed as a tool that can be used to identify areas that
have high conservation value and measure the ecological condition of
an area. IGDI is based on the species relative abundances. This paper
is concerned with particular attention is given to comparisons
involving the MacArthur model of species abundances. The
properties and performance of various species indices were assessed.
Both IGDI and species richness increased with sampling area
according to a power function. IGDI were also found to be acceptable
ecological indicators of conditions and consistently outperformed
coefficient of conservatism indices.
Abstract: Contour filter strips planted with perennial vegetation
can be used to improve surface and ground water quality by reducing
pollutant, such as NO3-N, and sediment outflow from cropland to a
river or lake. Meanwhile, the filter strips of perennial grass with biofuel
potentials also have economic benefits of producing ethanol. In
this study, The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was
applied to the Walnut Creek Watershed to examine the effectiveness
of contour strips in reducing NO3-N outflows from crop fields to the
river or lake. Required input data include watershed topography,
slope, soil type, land-use, management practices in the watershed and
climate parameters (precipitation, maximum/minimum air
temperature, solar radiation, wind speed and relative humidity).
Numerical experiments were conducted to identify potential
subbasins in the watershed that have high water quality impact, and
to examine the effects of strip size and location on NO3-N reduction
in the subbasins under various meteorological conditions (dry,
average and wet). Variable sizes of contour strips (10%, 20%, 30%
and 50%, respectively, of a subbasin area) planted with perennial
switchgrass were selected for simulating the effects of strip size and
location on stream water quality. Simulation results showed that a
filter strip having 10%-50% of the subbasin area could lead to 55%-
90% NO3-N reduction in the subbasin during an average rainfall
year. Strips occupying 10-20% of the subbasin area were found to be
more efficient in reducing NO3-N when placed along the contour
than that when placed along the river. The results of this study can
assist in cost-benefit analysis and decision-making in best water
resources management practices for environmental protection.
Abstract: The liberalization and privatization processes have
forced public utility companies to face new competitive challenges,
implementing strategies to gain market share and, at the same time,
keep the old customers. To this end, many companies have carried
out mergers, acquisitions and conglomerations in order to diversify
their business. This paper focuses on companies operating in the free
energy market in Italy. In the last decade, this sector has undergone
profound changes that have radically changed the competitive
scenario and have led companies to implement diversification
strategies of the business. Our work aims to evaluate the economic
and financial performances obtained by energy companies, following
the beginning of the liberalization process, verifying the possible
relationship with the implemented diversification strategies.
Abstract: This article presents a voltage-mode universal
biquadratic filter performing simultaneous 3 standard functions: lowpass,
high-pass and band-pass functions, employing differential
different current conveyor (DDCC) and current controlled current
conveyor (CCCII) as active element. The features of the circuit are
that: the quality factor and pole frequency can be tuned independently
via the input bias currents: the circuit description is very simple,
consisting of 1 DDCC, 2 CCCIIs, 2 electronic resistors and 2
grounded capacitors. Without requiring component matching
conditions, the proposed circuit is very appropriate to further develop
into an integrated circuit. The PSPICE simulation results are
depicted. The given results agree well with the theoretical
anticipation.
Abstract: In the first part of the research work, an electrolyzer (10.16 cm dia and 24.13 cm height) to produce hydrogen and oxygen was constructed for single slice O2/H2 fuel cell using cation exchange membrane. The electrolyzer performance was tested with 23% NaOH, 30% NaOH, 30% KOH and 35% KOH electrolyte solution with current input 4 amp and 2.84 V from the rectifier. Rates of volume of hydrogen produced were 0.159 cm3/sec, 0.155 cm3/sec, 0.169 cm3/sec and 0.163 cm3/sec respectively from 23% NaOH, 30% NaOH, 30% KOH and 35% KOH solution. Rates of volume of oxygen produced were 0.212 cm3/sec, 0.201 cm3/sec, 0.227 cm3/sec and 0.219 cm3/sec respectively from 23% NaOH, 30% NaOH, 30% KOH and 35% KOH solution (1.5 L). In spite of being tested the increased concentration of electrolyte solution, the gas rate does not change significantly. Therefore, inexpensive 23% NaOH electrolyte solution was chosen to use as the electrolyte in the electrolyzer. In the second part of the research work, graphite serpentine flow plates, fiberglass end plates, stainless steel screen electrodes, silicone rubbers were made to assemble the single slice O2/H2 polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).
Abstract: Nowadays, organizing a repository of documents and
resources for learning on a special field as Information Technology
(IT), together with search techniques based on domain knowledge or
document-s content is an urgent need in practice of teaching, learning
and researching. There have been several works related to methods of
organization and search by content. However, the results are still
limited and insufficient to meet user-s demand for semantic
document retrieval. This paper presents a solution for the
organization of a repository that supports semantic representation and
processing in search. The proposed solution is a model which
integrates components such as an ontology describing domain
knowledge, a database of document repository, semantic
representation for documents and a file system; with problems,
semantic processing techniques and advanced search techniques
based on measuring semantic similarity. The solution is applied to
build a IT learning materials management system of a university with
semantic search function serving students, teachers, and manager as
well. The application has been implemented, tested at the University
of Information Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and has
achieved good results.
Abstract: In this paper, we employ the approach of linear
programming to propose a new interactive broadcast method. In our
method, a film S is divided into n equal parts and broadcast via k
channels. The user simultaneously downloads these segments from k
channels into the user-s set-top-box (STB) and plays them in order.
Our method assumes that the initial p segments will not have
fast-forwarding capabilities. Every time the user wants to initiate d
times fast-forwarding, according to our broadcasting strategy, the
necessary segments already saved in the user-s STB or are just
download on time for playing. The proposed broadcasting strategy not
only allows the user to pause and rewind, but also to fast-forward.
Abstract: A current mirror (CM) based on self cascode MOSFETs low voltage analog and mixed mode structures has been proposed. The proposed CM has high output impedance and can operate at 0.5 V. P-Spice simulations confirm the high performance of this CM with a bandwidth of 6.0 GHz at input current of 100 μA.
Abstract: Rapid Prototyping (RP) is a technology that produces models and prototype parts from 3D CAD model data, CT/MRI scan data, and model data created from 3D object digitizing systems. There are several RP process like Stereolithography (SLA), Solid Ground Curing (SGC), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), 3D Printing (3DP) among them SLS and FDM RP processes are used to fabricate pattern of custom cranial implant. RP technology is useful in engineering and biomedical application. This is helpful in engineering for product design, tooling and manufacture etc. RP biomedical applications are design and development of medical devices, instruments, prosthetics and implantation; it is also helpful in planning complex surgical operation. The traditional approach limits the full appreciation of various bony structure movements and therefore the custom implants produced are difficult to measure the anatomy of parts and analyze the changes in facial appearances accurately. Cranioplasty surgery is a surgical correction of a defect in cranial bone by implanting a metal or plastic replacement to restore the missing part. This paper aims to do a comparative study on the dimensional error of CAD and SLS RP Models for reconstruction of cranial defect by comparing the virtual CAD with the physical RP model of a cranial defect.
Abstract: Images are important in disease research, education,
and clinical medicine. This paper presents a Web Service Platform
(WSP) for support multiple programming languages to access image
from biomedical databases. The main function WSP is to allow web
users access image from biomedical databases. The WSP will
receive web user-s queries. After that, it will send to Querying
Server (QS) and the QS will search and retrieve data from
biomedical databases. Finally, the information will display to the
web users. Simple application is developed and tested for
experiment purpose. Result from experiment indicated WSP can be
used in biomedical environment.
Abstract: With the increase of economic behavior and the upgrade
of living standar, the ratio for people in Taiwan who own automobiles
and motorcycles have recently increased with multiples. Therefore,
parking issues will be a big challenge to facilitate traffic network and
ensure urban life quality. The Parking Guidance and Information
System is one of important systems for Advanced Traveler Information
Services (ATIS). This research proposes a parking guidance and
information system which integrates GPS and 3G network for a map on
the Geographic Information System to solution inadequate of roadside
information kanban. The system proposed in this study mainly includes
Parking Host, Parking Guidance and Information Server, Geographic
Map and Information System as well as Parking Guidance and
Information Browser. The study results show this system can increase
driver-s efficiency to find parking space and efficiently enhance
parking convenience in comparison with roadside kanban system.
Abstract: As new challenges emerge in power electrical
workplace safety, it is the responsibility of the systems designer to
seek out new approaches and solutions that address them. Design
decisions made today will impact cost, safety and serviceability of
the installed systems for 40 or 50 years during the useful life for the
owner. Studies have shown that this cost is an order of magnitude of
7 to 10 times the installed cost of the power distribution equipment.
This paper reviews some aspects of earthing system design in power
substation surrounded by residential houses. The electrical potential
rise and split factors are discussed and a few recommendations are
provided to achieve a safety voltage in the area beyond the boundary
of the substation.
Abstract: Online auctions are not very popular in Croatia. The
main reason for this is a very limited number of services which can
be used by Croatian users. Until recent times, even selling through
the most popular online auction site eBay wasn't possible because
PayPal services could not make payment to bank or debit card
accounts in Croatia. Furthermore, many foreign sellers do not offer
delivery of their products to Croatia which means that large
quantities of goods initially offered on such sites are not available.
With that in mind, it is necessary to analyze the buying and selling
habits of Croatian users and existing online auction sites, both
Croatian and foreign, and create a model for new domestic site. This
site will have to exploit every positive aspect of existing models and
neutralize every negative perception indicated by users in the survey
so that, hopefully, it would attract new users.
Abstract: Liposomal magnetofection is the most powerful nonviral method for the nucleic acid delivery into the cultured cancer cells and widely used for in vitro applications. Use of the static magnetic field condition may result in non-uniform distribution of aggregate complexes on the surface of cultured cells. To prevent this, we developed the new device which allows to concentrate aggregate complexes under dynamic magnetic field, assisting more contact of these complexes with cellular membrane and, possibly, stimulating endocytosis. Newly developed device for magnetofection under dynamic gradient magnetic field, “DynaFECTOR", was used to compare transfection efficiency of human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 with that obtained by lipofection and magnetofection. The effect of two parameters on transfection efficiency, incubation time under dynamic magnetic field and rotation frequency of magnet, was estimated. Liposomal magnetofection under dynamic gradient magnetic field showed the highest transfection efficiency for HepG2 cells.
Abstract: Continuation of an active call is one of the most important quality measurements in the cellular systems. Handoff process enables a cellular system to provide such a facility by transferring an active call from one cell to another. Different approaches are proposed and applied in order to achieve better handoff service. The principal parameters used to evaluate handoff techniques are: forced termination probability and call blocking probability. The mechanisms such as guard channels and queuing handoff calls decrease the forced termination probability while increasing the call blocking probability. In this paper we present an overview about the issues related to handoff initiation and decision and discuss about different types of handoff techniques available in the literature.
Abstract: One of the essential requirements in order to have a
realistic surgical simulator is real-time interaction by means of a
haptic interface is. In fact, reproducing haptic sensations increases
the realism of the simulation. However, the interaction need to be
performed in real-time, since a delay between the user action and the
system reaction reduces the user immersion. In this paper, we present
a prototype of the coronary stent implant simulator developed in the
HERMES Project; this system allows real-time interactions with a
artery by means of a specific haptic device; thus the user can
interactively navigate in a reconstructed artery and force feedback is
produced when contact occurs between the artery walls and the
medical instruments
Abstract: Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that has peaked to an alarming rate in recent decades. It can be found in tropical and sub-tropical climate. In Malaysia, dengue has been declared as one of the national health threat to the public. This study aimed to map the spatial distributions of dengue cases in the district of Hulu Langat, Selangor via a combination of Geographic Information System (GIS) and spatial statistic tools. Data related to dengue was gathered from the various government health agencies. The location of dengue cases was geocoded using a handheld GPS Juno SB Trimble. A total of 197 dengue cases occurring in 2003 were used in this study. Those data then was aggregated into sub-district level and then converted into GIS format. The study also used population or demographic data as well as the boundary of Hulu Langat. To assess the spatial distribution of dengue cases three spatial statistics method (Moran-s I, average nearest neighborhood (ANN) and kernel density estimation) were applied together with spatial analysis in the GIS environment. Those three indices were used to analyze the spatial distribution and average distance of dengue incidence and to locate the hot spot of dengue cases. The results indicated that the dengue cases was clustered (p < 0.01) when analyze using Moran-s I with z scores 5.03. The results from ANN analysis showed that the average nearest neighbor ratio is less than 1 which is 0.518755 (p < 0.0001). From this result, we can expect the dengue cases pattern in Hulu Langat district is exhibiting a cluster pattern. The z-score for dengue incidence within the district is -13.0525 (p < 0.0001). It was also found that the significant spatial autocorrelation of dengue incidences occurs at an average distance of 380.81 meters (p < 0.0001). Several locations especially residential area also had been identified as the hot spots of dengue cases in the district.
Abstract: In this paper, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is utilized to characterize a prototype biolistic delivery system, the biomedical device based on the contoured-shock-tube design (CST), with the aim at investigating shocks induced flow instabilities within the contoured shock tube. The shock/interface interactions, the growth of perturbation at an interface between two fluids of different density are interrogated. The key features of the gas dynamics and gas-particle interaction are discussed
Abstract: Routing places an important role in determining the
quality of service in wireless networks. The routing methods adopted
in wireless networks have many drawbacks. This paper aims to
review the current routing methods used in wireless networks. This
paper proposes an innovative solution to overcome the problems in
routing. This solution is aimed at improving the Quality of Service.
This solution is different from others as it involves the resuage of the
part of the virtual circuits. This improvement in quality of service is
important especially in propagation of multimedia applications like
video, animations etc. So it is the dire need to propose a new solution
to improve the quality of service in ATM wireless networks for
multimedia applications especially during this era of multimedia
based applications.