Abstract: Psoriasis is a widespread skin disease affecting up to 2% population with plaque psoriasis accounting to about 80%. It can be identified as a red lesion and for the higher severity the lesion is usually covered with rough scale. Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scoring is the gold standard method for measuring psoriasis severity. Scaliness is one of PASI parameter that needs to be quantified in PASI scoring. Surface roughness of lesion can be used as a scaliness feature, since existing scale on lesion surface makes the lesion rougher. The dermatologist usually assesses the severity through their tactile sense, therefore direct contact between doctor and patient is required. The problem is the doctor may not assess the lesion objectively. In this paper, a digital image analysis technique is developed to objectively determine the scaliness of the psoriasis lesion and provide the PASI scaliness score. Psoriasis lesion is modelled by a rough surface. The rough surface is created by superimposing a smooth average (curve) surface with a triangular waveform. For roughness determination, a polynomial surface fitting is used to estimate average surface followed by a subtraction between rough and average surface to give elevation surface (surface deviations). Roughness index is calculated by using average roughness equation to the height map matrix. The roughness algorithm has been tested to 444 lesion models. From roughness validation result, only 6 models can not be accepted (percentage error is greater than 10%). These errors occur due the scanned image quality. Roughness algorithm is validated for roughness measurement on abrasive papers at flat surface. The Pearson-s correlation coefficient of grade value (G) of abrasive paper and Ra is -0.9488, its shows there is a strong relation between G and Ra. The algorithm needs to be improved by surface filtering, especially to overcome a problem with noisy data.
Abstract: Observations and long-term trends indicate that climate
change impacts would be significant and affects Taiwan directly and
severely. Taiwan engages not only in mitigation, but also in adaptation.
However, there are cognitive gaps on adaptation between government
and populace. Besides, a vision of zero-carbon and renewable energy
100% will be adopted in future. Therefore, the objectives of this
article are to 1) hold a National Forum for knowing differences
between the strategies of zero-carbon and renewable energy 100% and
cognitions of general populace, and 2) plan a clear roadmap for the
vision, strategy, and measures. In this forum, we set 5 group topics, 5
presumed themes, and issues mentioned review for concluding the
critical issues. Finally, there are 4 strategies and 14 critical issues
which correlate with the vision and strategy of government and the
cognition of the general populace.
Abstract: This paper studies, maps and explains the interactions between downloaders and uploaders pertaining to the Internet film piracy. This study also covers several motivational factors that influence users to upload or download movies, and thus to engage in film piracy over the Internet. The essay also proposes a model that describes user behavior including their relationships and influences. Moreover, proposed theoretical interactions and motivational factors are applied to the real world scenario, using examples of a data storage webpage server Ulozto.net and webpage Piratebay.org gathering information about downloadable BitTorrents. Moreover, the theory is further supported by description of behavior of real Internet uploaders.
Abstract: Hierarchical Mobile IPv6 (HMIPv6) was designed to
support IP micro-mobility management in the Next Generation
Networks (NGN) framework. The main design behind this protocol is
the usage of Mobility Anchor Point (MAP) located at any level router
of network to support hierarchical mobility management. However,
the distance MAP selection in HMIPv6 causes MAP overloaded and
increase frequent binding update as the network grows. Therefore, to
address the issue in designing MAP selection scheme, we propose a
dynamic load control mechanism integrates with a speed detection
mechanism (DMS-DLC). From the experimental results we obtain
that the proposed scheme gives better distribution in MAP load and
increase handover speed.
Abstract: This paper studies a vital issue in wireless
communications, which is the transmission of images over Wireless
Personal Area Networks (WPANs) through the Bluetooth network. It
presents a simple method to improve the efficiency of error control
code of old Bluetooth versions over mobile WPANs through
Interleaved Error Control Code (IECC) technique. The encoded
packets are interleaved by simple block interleaver. Also, the paper
presents a chaotic interleaving scheme as a tool against bursts of
errors which depends on the chaotic Baker map. Also, the paper
proposes using the chaotic interleaver instead of traditional block
interleaver with Forward Error Control (FEC) scheme. A comparison
study between the proposed and standard techniques for image
transmission over a correlated fading channel is presented.
Simulation results reveal the superiority of the proposed chaotic
interleaving scheme to other schemes. Also, the superiority of FEC
with proposed chaotic interleaver to the conventional interleavers
with enhancing the security level with chaotic interleaving packetby-
packet basis.
Abstract: A new generation of manufacturing machines
so-called MIMCA (modular and integrated machine control
architecture) capable of handling much increased complexity in
manufacturing control-systems is presented. Requirement for more
flexible and effective control systems for manufacturing machine
systems is investigated and dimensioned-which highlights a need for
improved means of coordinating and monitoring production
machinery and equipment used to- transport material. The MIMCA
supports simulation based on machine modeling, was conceived by
the authors to address the issues. Essentially MIMCA comprises an
organized unification of selected architectural frameworks and
modeling methods, which include: NISTRCS, UMC and Colored
Timed Petri nets (CTPN). The unification has been achieved; to
support the design and construction of hierarchical and distributed
machine control which realized the concurrent operation of reusable
and distributed machine control components; ability to handle
growing complexity; and support requirements for real- time control
systems. Thus MIMCA enables mapping between 'what a machine
should do' and 'how the machine does it' in a well-defined but
flexible way designed to facilitate reconfiguration of machine
systems.
Abstract: Rooted in the study of social functioning of space in architecture, Space Syntax (SS) and the more recent Network Pattern (NP) researches demonstrate the 'spatial structures' of city, i.e. the hierarchical patterns of streets, junctions and alley ends. Applying SS and NP models, planners can conceptualize the real city-s patterns. Although, both models yield the optimal path of the city their underpinning displays of the city-s spatial configuration differ. The Axial Map analyzes the topological non-distance-based connectivity structure, whereas, the Central-Node Map and the Shortcut-Path Map, in contrast, analyze the metrical distance-based structures. This research contrasts and combines them to understand various forms of city-s structures. It concludes that, while they reveal different spatial structures, Space Syntax and Network Pattern urban models support each the other. Combining together they simulate the global access and the locally compact structures namely the central nodes and the shortcuts for the city.
Abstract: This paper describes a new approach of classification
using genetic programming. The proposed technique consists of
genetically coevolving a population of non-linear transformations on
the input data to be classified, and map them to a new space with a
reduced dimension, in order to get a maximum inter-classes
discrimination. The classification of new samples is then performed
on the transformed data, and so become much easier. Contrary to the
existing GP-classification techniques, the proposed one use a
dynamic repartition of the transformed data in separated intervals, the
efficacy of a given intervals repartition is handled by the fitness
criterion, with a maximum classes discrimination. Experiments were
first performed using the Fisher-s Iris dataset, and then, the KDD-99
Cup dataset was used to study the intrusion detection and
classification problem. Obtained results demonstrate that the
proposed genetic approach outperform the existing GP-classification
methods [1],[2] and [3], and give a very accepted results compared to
other existing techniques proposed in [4],[5],[6],[7] and [8].
Abstract: Realistic 3D face model is more precise in representing
pose, illumination, and expression of face than 2D face model so that it
can be utilized usefully in various applications such as face recognition,
games, avatars, animations, and etc.
In this paper, we propose a 3D face modeling method based on 3D
dense morphable shape model. The proposed 3D modeling method
first constructs a 3D dense morphable shape model from 3D face scan
data obtained using a 3D scanner. Next, the proposed method extracts
and matches facial landmarks from 2D image sequence containing a
face to be modeled, and then reconstructs 3D vertices coordinates of
the landmarks using a factorization-based SfM technique. Then, the
proposed method obtains a 3D dense shape model of the face to be
modeled by fitting the constructed 3D dense morphable shape model
into the reconstructed 3D vertices. Also, the proposed method makes a
cylindrical texture map using 2D face image sequence. Finally, the
proposed method generates a 3D face model by rendering the 3D dense
face shape model using the cylindrical texture map. Through building
processes of 3D face model by the proposed method, it is shown that
the proposed method is relatively easy, fast and precise.
Abstract: Facing the concern of the population to its environment and to climatic change, city planners are now considering the urban climate in their choices of planning. The urban climate, representing different urban morphologies across central Bangkok metropolitan area (BMA), are used to investigates the effects of both the composition and configuration of variables of urban morphology indicators on the summer diurnal range of urban climate, using correlation analyses and multiple linear regressions. Results show first indicate that approximately 92.6% of the variation in the average maximum daytime near-surface air temperature (Ta) was explained jointly by the two composition variables of urban morphology indicators including open space ratio (OSR) and floor area ratio (FAR). It has been possible to determine the membership of sample areas to the local climate zones (LCZs) using these urban morphology descriptors automatically computed with GIS and remote sensed data. Finally result found the temperature differences among zones of large separation, such as the city center could be respectively from 35.48±1.04ºC (Mean±S.D.) warmer than the outskirt of Bangkok on average for maximum daytime near surface temperature to 28.27±0.21ºC for extreme event and, can exceed as 8ºC. A spatially disaggregation of urban thermal responsiveness map would be helpful for several reasons. First, it would localize urban areas concerned by different climate behavior over summer daytime and be a good indicator of urban climate variability. Second, when overlaid with a land cover map, this map may contribute to identify possible urban management strategies to reduce heat wave effects in BMA.
Abstract: We assert here that there might be some factors that
influence professional identity construction at the university/higher
education stage. In accord, we propose a conceptual framework of
intervening factors in professional identity construction at university
from a literature review and preliminary data from a qualitative pilot
study using focus groups. This model identifies several factors that
might influence university students- professional identity
construction and group them into categories. In turn, we describe
how these factors might contribute in strengthening or weakening
their professional identity. Finally, we discuss the implications of
strengthening students- PI for the university, individuals and
organizations and we provide a roadmap for future empirical work in
this area.
Abstract: Truly successful bloggers, navigating the public to know them, often use their blogs as a way to better communicate with customers. Integrating with marketing tools, storytelling can be regarded as one of the most effective ways that businesses can follow to gain competitive edge. Even though the literature on marketing contains much discussion of traditional vehicles, the issue of business blogs applying storytelling has, as yet, received little attention. In the exploration stage, this paper identifies four storytelling disciplines and then presents a road map to business blogging. This paper also provides a two-path framework for blog storytelling and initiates an issue for further study.
Abstract: Current practice of indigenous Mapping production based on GIS, are mostly produced by professional GIS personnel. Given such persons maintain control over data collection and authoring, it is possible to conceive errors due to misrepresentation or cognitive misunderstanding, causing map production inconsistencies. In order to avoid such issues, this research into tribal GIS interface focuses not on customizing interfaces for individual tribes, but rather generalizing the interface and features based on indigenous tribal user needs. The methods employed differs from the traditional expert top-down approach, and instead gaining deeper understanding into indigenous Mappings and user needs, prior to applying mapping techniques and feature development.
Abstract: Automatic methods of detecting changes through
satellite imaging are the object of growing interest, especially
beca²use of numerous applications linked to analysis of the Earth’s
surface or the environment (monitoring vegetation, updating maps,
risk management, etc...). This work implemented spatial analysis
techniques by using images with different spatial and spectral
resolutions on different dates. The work was based on the principle
of control charts in order to set the upper and lower limits beyond
which a change would be noted. Later, the a contrario approach was
used. This was done by testing different thresholds for which the
difference calculated between two pixels was significant. Finally,
labeled images were considered, giving a particularly low difference
which meant that the number of “false changes” could be estimated
according to a given limit.
Abstract: Drinking water is one of the most valuable resources
available to mankind. The presence of pathogens in drinking water is
highly undesirable. Because of the Lateritic soil, the iron
concentrations were high in ground water. High concentration of iron
and other trace elements could restrict bacterial growth and modify
their metabolic pattern as well. The bacterial growth rate reduced in
the presence of iron in water. This paper presents the results of a
controlled laboratory study conducted to assess the inhibition of
micro-organism (pathogen) in well waters in the presence of
dissolved iron concentrations. Synthetic samples were studied in the
laboratory and the results compared with field samples. Predictive
model for microbial inhibition in the presence of iron is presented. It
was seen that the bore wells, open wells and the field results varied,
probably due to the nature of micro-organism utilizing the iron in
well waters.
Abstract: This paper describes the optimization of a complex
dairy farm simulation model using two quite different methods of
optimization, the Genetic algorithm (GA) and the Lipschitz
Branch-and-Bound (LBB) algorithm. These techniques have been
used to improve an agricultural system model developed by Dexcel
Limited, New Zealand, which describes a detailed representation of
pastoral dairying scenarios and contains an 8-dimensional parameter
space. The model incorporates the sub-models of pasture growth and
animal metabolism, which are themselves complex in many cases.
Each evaluation of the objective function, a composite 'Farm
Performance Index (FPI)', requires simulation of at least a one-year
period of farm operation with a daily time-step, and is therefore
computationally expensive. The problem of visualization of the
objective function (response surface) in high-dimensional spaces is
also considered in the context of the farm optimization problem.
Adaptations of the sammon mapping and parallel coordinates
visualization are described which help visualize some important
properties of the model-s output topography. From this study, it is
found that GA requires fewer function evaluations in optimization
than the LBB algorithm.
Abstract: The model-based approach to user interface design relies on developing separate models that are capturing various aspects about users, tasks, application domain, presentation and dialog representations. This paper presents a task modeling approach for user interface design and aims at exploring the mappings between task, domain and presentation models. The basic idea of our approach is to identify typical configurations in task and domain models and to investigate how they relate each other. A special emphasis is put on application-specific functions and mappings between domain objects and operational task structures. In this respect, we will distinguish between three layers in the task decomposition: a functional layer, a planning layer, and an operational layer.
Abstract: In this research, a part of Aghche basin in Isfahan
province with an area about 2000 hectars, was chosen to be obtain
curve number coefficient runoff and W indicator in second Cook
method By using aerial photos 1968 and 1995, the satellite data of
the IRS in 2008. Then the process of land use changes in the period
of study and its effect on the changes of curve number (CN), W
indicator and surface runoff coefficient (C) of the basin was
investigated. These results showed that on the track of these land use
changes the weight averages curve number (CN), surface runoff
coefficient (C) and W indicator of the basin were increased to 0.92,
0.02 and 0.78 unit in the first period of study and 1.18, 0.03, 0.99
Unit in the second period of study respectively.
Abstract: This work presents a fusion of Log Gabor Wavelet
(LGW) and Maximum a Posteriori (MAP) estimator as a speech
enhancement tool for acoustical background noise reduction. The
probability density function (pdf) of the speech spectral amplitude is
approximated by a Generalized Laplacian Distribution (GLD).
Compared to earlier estimators the proposed method estimates the
underlying statistical model more accurately by appropriately
choosing the model parameters of GLD. Experimental results show
that the proposed estimator yields a higher improvement in
Segmental Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S-SNR) and lower Log-Spectral
Distortion (LSD) in two different noisy environments compared to
other estimators.
Abstract: Tool Tracker is a client-server based application. It is essentially a catalogue of various network monitoring and management tools that are available online. There is a database maintained on the server side that contains the information about various tools. Several clients can access this information simultaneously and utilize this information. The various categories of tools considered are packet sniffers, port mappers, port scanners, encryption tools, and vulnerability scanners etc for the development of this application. This application provides a front end through which the user can invoke any tool from a central repository for the purpose of packet sniffing, port scanning, network analysis etc. Apart from the tool, its description and the help files associated with it would also be stored in the central repository. This facility will enable the user to view the documentation pertaining to the tool without having to download and install the tool. The application would update the central repository with the latest versions of the tools. The application would inform the user about the availability of a newer version of the tool currently being used and give the choice of installing the newer version to the user. Thus ToolTracker provides any network administrator that much needed abstraction and ease-ofuse with respect to the tools that he can use to efficiently monitor a network.