Abstract: Automated production lines with so called 'hard structures' are widely used in manufacturing. Designers segmented these lines into sections by placing a buffer between the series of machine tools to increase productivity. In real production condition the capacity of a buffer system is limited and real production line can compensate only some part of the productivity losses of an automated line. The productivity of such production lines cannot be readily determined. This paper presents mathematical approach to solving the structure of section-based automated production lines by criterion of maximum productivity.
Abstract: The drastic increase in the usage of SMS technology
has led service providers to seek for a solution that enable users of
mobile devices to access services through SMSs. This has resulted in
the proposal of solutions towards SMS-based service invocation in
service oriented environments. However, the dynamic nature of
service-oriented environments coupled with sudden load peaks
generated by service request, poses performance challenges to
infrastructures for supporting SMS-based service invocation. To
address this problem we adopt load balancing techniques. A load
balancing model with adaptive load balancing and load monitoring
mechanisms as its key constructs is proposed. The load balancing
model then led to realization of Least Loaded Load Balancing
Framework (LLLBF). Evaluation of LLLBF benchmarked with round
robin (RR) scheme on the queuing approach showed LLLBF
outperformed RR in terms of response time and throughput.
However, LLLBF achieved better result in the cost of high
processing power.
Abstract: This paper proposes a system to extract images from web pages and then detect the skin color regions of these images. As part of the proposed system, using BandObject control, we built a Tool bar named 'Filter Tool Bar (FTB)' by modifying the Pavel Zolnikov implementation. The Yahoo! Team provides us with the Yahoo! SDK API, which also supports image search and is really useful. In the proposed system, we introduced three new methods for extracting images from the web pages (after loading the web page by using the proposed FTB, before loading the web page physically from the localhost, and before loading the web page from any server). These methods overcome the drawback of the regular expressions method for extracting images suggested by Ilan Assayag. The second part of the proposed system is concerned with the detection of the skin color regions of the extracted images. So, we studied two famous skin color detection techniques. The first technique is based on the RGB color space and the second technique is based on YUV and YIQ color spaces. We modified the second technique to overcome the failure of detecting complex image's background by using the saturation parameter to obtain an accurate skin detection results. The performance evaluation of the efficiency of the proposed system in extracting images before and after loading the web page from localhost or any server in terms of the number of extracted images is presented. Finally, the results of comparing the two skin detection techniques in terms of the number of pixels detected are presented.
Abstract: In this paper a Public Key Cryptosystem is proposed
using the number theoretic transforms (NTT) over a ring of integer
modulo a composite number. The key agreement is similar to
ElGamal public key algorithm. The security of the system is based on
solution of multivariate linear congruence equations and discrete
logarithm problem. In the proposed cryptosystem only fixed numbers
of multiplications are carried out (constant complexity) and hence the
encryption and decryption can be done easily. At the same time, it is
very difficult to attack the cryptosystem, since the cipher text is a
sequence of integers which are interrelated. The system provides
authentication also. Using Mathematica version 5.0 the proposed
algorithm is justified with a numerical example.
Abstract: An important technique in stability theory for
differential equations is known as the direct method of Lyapunov. In
this work we deal global stability properties of Leptospirosis
transmission model by age group in Thailand. First we consider the
data from Division of Epidemiology Ministry of Public Health,
Thailand between 1997-2011. Then we construct the mathematical
model for leptospirosis transmission by eight age groups. The
Lyapunov functions are used for our model which takes the forms of
an Ordinary Differential Equation system. The globally
asymptotically for equilibrium states are analyzed.
Abstract: Recognition of Indian languages scripts is challenging problems. In Optical Character Recognition [OCR], a character or symbol to be recognized can be machine printed or handwritten characters/numerals. There are several approaches that deal with problem of recognition of numerals/character depending on the type of feature extracted and different way of extracting them. This paper proposes a recognition scheme for handwritten Hindi (devnagiri) numerals; most admired one in Indian subcontinent. Our work focused on a technique in feature extraction i.e. global based approach using end-points information, which is extracted from images of isolated numerals. These feature vectors are fed to neuro-memetic model [18] that has been trained to recognize a Hindi numeral. The archetype of system has been tested on varieties of image of numerals. . In proposed scheme data sets are fed to neuro-memetic algorithm, which identifies the rule with highest fitness value of nearly 100 % & template associates with this rule is nothing but identified numerals. Experimentation result shows that recognition rate is 92-97 % compared to other models.
Abstract: The main purpose of this paper is to prove the intuitionistic fuzzy contraction properties of the Hutchinson-Barnsley operator on the intuitionistic fuzzy hyperspace with respect to the Hausdorff intuitionistic fuzzy metrics. Also we discuss about the relationships between the Hausdorff intuitionistic fuzzy metrics on the intuitionistic fuzzy hyperspaces. Our theorems generalize and extend some recent results related with Hutchinson-Barnsley operator in the metric spaces to the intuitionistic fuzzy metric spaces.
Abstract: In today scenario, to meet enhanced demand imposed
by domestic, commercial and industrial consumers, various
operational & control activities of Radial Distribution Network
(RDN) requires a focused attention. Irrespective of sub-domains
research aspects of RDN like network reconfiguration, reactive
power compensation and economic load scheduling etc, network
performance parameters are usually estimated by an iterative process
and is commonly known as load (power) flow algorithm. In this
paper, a simple mechanism is presented to implement the load flow
analysis (LFA) algorithm. The reported algorithm utilizes graph
theory principles and is tested on a 69- bus RDN.
Abstract: In this article, the flow behavior around a NACA 0012 airfoil which is oscillating with different Reynolds numbers and in various amplitudes has been investigated numerically. Numerical simulations have been performed with ANSYS software. First, the 2- D geometry has been studied in different Reynolds numbers and angles of attack with various numerical methods in its static condition. This analysis was to choose the best turbulent model and comparing the grids to have the optimum one for dynamic simulations. Because the analysis was to study the blades of wind turbines, the Reynolds numbers were not arbitrary. They were in the range of 9.71e5 to 22.65e5. The angle of attack was in the range of -41.81° to 41.81°. By choosing the forward wind speed as the independent parameter, the others like Reynolds and the amplitude of the oscillation would be known automatically. The results show that the SST turbulent model is the best choice that leads the least numerical error with respect the experimental ones. Also, a dynamic stall phenomenon is more probable at lower wind speeds in which the lift force is less.
Abstract: When the shock front (SF) hits the central electrode
axis of plasma focus device, a reflected shock wave moves radially
outwards. The current sheath (CS) results from ionization of filled
gas between two electrodes continues to compress inwards until it
hits the out-going reflected shock front. In this paper the Lagrangian
equations are solved for a parabolic shock trajectory yielding a first
and second approximation for the CS path. To determine the
accuracy of the approximation, the same problem is solved for a
straight shock.
Abstract: Accurate modeling of high speed RLC interconnects
has become a necessity to address signal integrity issues in current
VLSI design. To accurately model a dispersive system of interconnects
at higher frequencies; a full-wave analysis is required.
However, conventional circuit simulation of interconnects with full
wave models is extremely CPU expensive. We present an algorithm
for reducing large VLSI circuits to much smaller ones with similar
input-output behavior. A key feature of our method, called Frequency
Shift Technique, is that it is capable of reducing linear time-varying
systems. This enables it to capture frequency-translation and sampling
behavior, important in communication subsystems such as mixers,
RF components and switched-capacitor filters. Reduction is obtained
by projecting the original system described by linear differential
equations into a lower dimension. Experiments have been carried out
using Cadence Design Simulator cwhich indicates that the proposed
technique achieves more % reduction with less CPU time than the
other model order reduction techniques existing in literature. We
also present applications to RF circuit subsystems, obtaining size
reductions and evaluation speedups of orders of magnitude with
insignificant loss of accuracy.
Abstract: Supplement use is common in athletes. Besides their cost, they may have side effects on health and performance. 250 questionnaires were distributed among female athletes (mean age 27.08 years). The questionnaire aimed to explore the frequency, type, believes, attitudes and knowledge regarding dietary supplements. Knowledge was good in 30.3%, fair in 60.2%, and poor in 9.1% of respondents. 65.3% of athletes did not use supplements regularly. The most widely used supplements were vitamins (48.4%), minerals (42.9%), energy supplements (21.3%), and herbals (20.9%). 68.9% of athletes believed in their efficacy. 34.4% experienced performance enhancement and 6.8% of reported side effects. 68.2% reported little knowledge and 60.9% were eager to learn more. In conclusion, many of the female athletes believe in the efficacy of supplements and think they are an unavoidable part of competitive sports. However, their information is not sufficient. We have to stress on education, consulting sessions, and rational prescription.
Abstract: Strain M was isolated from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis that grow in the rubber farm area of Malaysia Rubber Board. Strain M was tentatively identified as Bacillus sp. Strain M demonstrated high protease production at pH 9, and this was suitable to be applied in rubber processing that was in alkaline conditions. The right and suitable proportion to be used in applying supernatant into the latex was two parts of latex and one part of enzyme. In this proportion, the latex was stable throughout the 72 hours of treatment. The potential of strain M to degrade protein in the natural rubber latex was proven with the reduction of 79.3% nitrogen in 24 hours treatment. Centrifugation process of the latex before undergoing the treatment had increased the protein degradation in latex. Although the centrifugation process did not achieve zero nitrogen content, it had improved the performance of protein denaturing in the natural rubber.
Abstract: This paper describes the use of artificial neural
networks (ANN) for predicting non-linear layer moduli of flexible
airfield pavements subjected to new generation aircraft (NGA)
loading, based on the deflection profiles obtained from Heavy
Weight Deflectometer (HWD) test data. The HWD test is one of the
most widely used tests for routinely assessing the structural integrity
of airport pavements in a non-destructive manner. The elastic moduli
of the individual pavement layers backcalculated from the HWD
deflection profiles are effective indicators of layer condition and are
used for estimating the pavement remaining life. HWD tests were
periodically conducted at the Federal Aviation Administration-s
(FAA-s) National Airport Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF) to
monitor the effect of Boeing 777 (B777) and Beoing 747 (B747) test
gear trafficking on the structural condition of flexible pavement
sections. In this study, a multi-layer, feed-forward network which
uses an error-backpropagation algorithm was trained to approximate
the HWD backcalculation function. The synthetic database generated
using an advanced non-linear pavement finite-element program was
used to train the ANN to overcome the limitations associated with
conventional pavement moduli backcalculation. The changes in
ANN-based backcalculated pavement moduli with trafficking were
used to compare the relative severity effects of the aircraft landing
gears on the NAPTF test pavements.
Abstract: In this paper, we use Generalized Hamiltonian systems approach to synchronize a modified sixth-order Chua's circuit, which generates hyperchaotic dynamics. Synchronization is obtained between the master and slave dynamics with the slave being given by an observer. We apply this approach to transmit private information (analog and binary), while the encoding remains potentially secure.
Abstract: This study sought to uncover the complex role of
stress in the workplace by investigating both positive (eustress) and
negative (distress) stress responses. In particular, the study tested a
mediation model in which organisational stressors (person-job fit and
role overload) influence employee affective wellbeing, both directly
and indirectly through stress responses. Participants were recruited
from retail and finance organisations in Australia and New Zealand,
and asked to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. A total of
140 individuals returned completed questionnaires. The results show
that person-job fit influenced eustress, which in turn had a positive
effect on employee affective wellbeing; and role overload impacted
distress, which in turn held a negative influence on affective
wellbeing. These findings indicate that different organisational
stressors have unique relationships with eustress and distress
responses. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.
Abstract: The research purpose was to evaluate the effect of
Active Imagination Technique (AIT) for bruxism treatment. This
project was approved by the Ethics Committee on Human Research
(CAAE: 05619512.9.0000.0109). Twenty-one volunteers using
interocclusal splint completed the study. Initially they filled in a
questionnaire about their condition, composed of objective questions
on signs and symptoms. Following they were underwent asingle
session of AIT. After 15 days, the volunteers met again the same
initial questionnaire. The results were compared and showed that the
vast majority had pain symptoms, difficulty opening the mouth, pain
when chewing, reduced, some of the participants abandoned the
interocclusal splint during the evaluate period. It is concluded that the
technique can be used in bruxism treatment. Results seem to be
promising and demonstrates the need of highlighting Active
Imagination Technique since it points a possibility of bruxism cure
and that is unprecedented.
Abstract: In this paper Lattice Boltzmann simulation of
turbulent natural convection with large-eddy simulations (LES) in a
square cavity which is filled by water has been investigated. The
present results are validated by finds of other investigations which
have been done with different numerical methods. Calculations were
performed for high Rayleigh numbers of Ra=108 and 109. The results
confirm that this method is in acceptable agreement with other
verifications of such a flow. In this investigation is tried to present
Large-eddy turbulence flow model by Lattice Boltzmann Method
(LBM) with a clear and simple statement. Effects of increase in
Rayleigh number are displayed on streamlines, isotherm counters and
average Nusselt number. Result shows that the average Nusselt
number enhances with growth of the Rayleigh numbers.
Abstract: Numerical studies on race car aerodynamics at wing
in ground effect have been carried out using a steady 3d, double
precision, pressure-based, and standard k-epsilon turbulence model.
Through various parametric analytical studies we have observed that
at a particular speed and ground clearance of the wings a favorable
negative lift was found high at a particular angle of attack for all the
physical models considered in this paper. The fact is that if the
ground clearance height to chord length (h/c) is too small, the
developing boundary layers from either side (the ground and the
lower surface of the wing) can interact, leading to an altered variation
of the aerodynamic characteristics at wing in ground effect. Therefore
a suitable ground clearance must be predicted throughout the racing
for a better performance of the race car, which obviously depends
upon the coupled effects of the topography, wing orientation with
respect to the ground, the incoming flow features and/or the race car
speed. We have concluded that for the design of high performance
and high speed race cars the adjustable wings capable to alter the
ground clearance and the angles of attack is the best design option for
any race car for racing safely with variable speeds.
Abstract: High-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spraying
uses a combustion process to heat the gas flow and coating material.
A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model has been developed to
predict gas dynamic behavior in a HVOF thermal spray gun in which
premixed oxygen and propane are burnt in a combustion chamber
linked to a parallel-sided nozzle. The CFD analysis is applied to
investigate axisymmetric, steady-state, turbulent, compressible,
chemically reacting, subsonic and supersonic flow inside and outside
the gun. The gas velocity, temperature, pressure and Mach number
distributions are presented for various locations inside and outside
the gun. The calculated results show that the most sensitive
parameters affecting the process are fuel-to-oxygen gas ratio and
total gas flow rate. Gas dynamic behavior along the centerline of the
gun depends on both total gas flow rate and fuel-to-oxygen gas ratio.
The numerical simulations show that the axial gas velocity and Mach
number distribution depend on both flow rate and ratio; the highest
velocity is achieved at the higher flow rate and most fuel-rich ratio.
In addition, the results reported in this paper illustrate that the
numerical simulation can be one of the most powerful and beneficial
tools for the HVOF system design, optimization and performance
analysis.