Abstract: During signal transmission, the combined effect of the
transmitter filter, the transmission medium, and additive white
Gaussian noise (AWGN) are included in the channel which distort
and add noise to the signal. This causes the well defined signal
constellation to spread causing errors in bit detection. A compact pi
neural network with minimum number of nodes is proposed. The
replacement of summation at each node by multiplication results in
more powerful mapping. The resultant pi network is tested on six
different channels.
Abstract: Nodes in mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) do not
rely on a central infrastructure but relay packets originated by other
nodes. Mobile ad hoc networks can work properly only if the
participating nodes collaborate in routing and forwarding. For
individual nodes it might be advantageous not to collaborate, though.
In this conceptual paper we propose a new approach based on
relationship among the nodes which makes them to cooperate in an
Adhoc environment. The trust unit is used to calculate the trust
values of each node in the network. The calculated trust values are
being used by the relationship estimator to determine the relationship
status of nodes. The proposed enhanced protocol was compared with
the standard DSR protocol and the results are analyzed using the
network simulator-2.
Abstract: Traditional principal components analysis (PCA)
techniques for face recognition are based on batch-mode training
using a pre-available image set. Real world applications require that
the training set be dynamic of evolving nature where within the
framework of continuous learning, new training images are
continuously added to the original set; this would trigger a costly
continuous re-computation of the eigen space representation via
repeating an entire batch-based training that includes the old and new
images. Incremental PCA methods allow adding new images and
updating the PCA representation. In this paper, two incremental
PCA approaches, CCIPCA and IPCA, are examined and compared.
Besides, different learning and testing strategies are proposed and
applied to the two algorithms. The results suggest that batch PCA is
inferior to both incremental approaches, and that all CCIPCAs are
practically equivalent.
Abstract: The fixed partial dentures are mainly used in the frontal
part of the dental arch because of their great esthetics. There are
several factors that are associated with the stress state created in
ceramic restorations, including: thickness of ceramic layers,
mechanical properties of the materials, elastic modulus of the
supporting substrate material, direction, magnitude and frequency of
applied load, size and location of occlusal contact areas, residual
stresses induced by processing or pores, restoration-cement
interfacial defects and environmental defects. The purpose of this
study is to evaluate the capability of Polarization Sensitive Optical
Coherence Tomography (PSOCT) in detection and analysis of
possible material defects in metal-ceramic and integral ceramic fixed
partial dentures. As a conclusion, it is important to have a non
invasive method to investigate fixed partial prostheses before their
insertion in the oral cavity in order to satisfy the high stress
requirements and the esthetic function.
Abstract: One of the robust fault detection filter (RFDF)
designing method is based on sliding-mode theory. The main purpose
of our study is to introduce an innovative simplified reference
residual model generator to formulate the RFDF as a sliding-mode
observer without any manipulation package or transformation matrix,
through which the generated residual signals can be evaluated. So the
proposed design is more explicit and requires less design parameters
in comparison with approaches requiring changing coordinates. To
the best author's knowledge, this is the first time that the sliding
mode technique is applied to detect actuator and sensor faults in a
real boiler. The designing procedure is proposed in a drum boiler in
Synvendska Kraft AB Plant in Malmo, Sweden as a multivariable
and strongly coupled system. It is demonstrated that both sensor and
actuator faults can robustly be detected. Also sensor faults can be
diagnosed and isolated through this method.
Abstract: To understand working features of a micro combustor,
a computer code has been developed to study combustion of
hydrogen–air mixture in a series of chambers with same shape aspect
ratio but various dimensions from millimeter to micrometer level.
The prepared algorithm and the computer code are capable of
modeling mixture effects in different fluid flows including chemical
reactions, viscous and mass diffusion effects. The effect of various
heat transfer conditions at chamber wall, e.g. adiabatic wall, with
heat loss and heat conduction within the wall, on the combustion is
analyzed. These thermal conditions have strong effects on the
combustion especially when the chamber dimension goes smaller and
the ratio of surface area to volume becomes larger.
Both factors, such as larger heat loss through the chamber wall
and smaller chamber dimension size, may lead to the thermal
quenching of micro-scale combustion. Through such systematic
numerical analysis, a proper operation space for the micro-combustor
is suggested, which may be used as the guideline for microcombustor
design. 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 micro-combustor design,
optimization and performance analysis.
Abstract: This paper presents a new adaptive DMC controller
that improves the controller performance in case of plant-model
mismatch. The new controller monitors the plant measured output,
compares it with the model output and calculates weights applied to
the controller move. Simulations show that the new controller can
help improve control performance and avoid instability in case of
severe model mismatches.
Abstract: In this paper, we consider the control of time delay system
by Proportional-Integral (PI) controller. By Using the Hermite-
Biehler theorem, which is applicable to quasi-polynomials, we seek
a stability region of the controller for first order delay systems. The
essence of this work resides in the extension of this approach to
second order delay system, in the determination of its stability region
and the computation of the PI optimum parameters. We have used
the genetic algorithms to lead the complexity of the optimization
problem.
Abstract: The Neuro-Fuzzy hybridization scheme has become
of research interest in pattern classification over the past decade. The
present paper proposes a novel Modified Adaptive Fuzzy Inference
Engine (MAFIE) for pattern classification. A modified Apriori
algorithm technique is utilized to reduce a minimal set of decision
rules based on input output data sets. A TSK type fuzzy inference
system is constructed by the automatic generation of membership
functions and rules by the fuzzy c-means clustering and Apriori
algorithm technique, respectively. The generated adaptive fuzzy
inference engine is adjusted by the least-squares fit and a conjugate
gradient descent algorithm towards better performance with a
minimal set of rules. The proposed MAFIE is able to reduce the
number of rules which increases exponentially when more input
variables are involved. The performance of the proposed MAFIE is
compared with other existing applications of pattern classification
schemes using Fisher-s Iris and Wisconsin breast cancer data sets and
shown to be very competitive.
Abstract: Among the many promising nanomaterials with antifungal properties, metal nanoparticles (silver nanoparticles) stand out due to their high chemical activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against Phomopsis sp. AgNPs were synthesized by silver nitrate reduction with sodium citrate and stabilized with ammonia. The synthesized AgNPs have further been characterized by UV/Visible spectroscopy, Biophysical techniques like Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The average diameter of the prepared silver colloidal nanoparticles was about 52 nm. Absolute inhibitions (100%) were observed on treated with a 270 and 540 µg ml-1 concentration of AgNPs. The results from the study of the AgNPs antifungal effect are significant and suggest that the synthesized silver nanoparticles may have an advantage compared with conventional fungicides.
Abstract: The introduction of mass-customization has enabled
new ways to treat patients within medicine. However, the
introduction of industrialized treatments has also meant new
obstacles. The purpose of this study was to introduce and
theoretically test a method for improving dental crown fit. The
optimization method allocates support points in order to check the
final variation for dental crowns. Three different types of geometries
were tested and compared. The three geometries were also divided
into three sub-geometries: Current method, Optimized method and
Feasible method. The Optimized method, using the whole surface for
support points, provided the best results. The results support the
objective of the study. It also seems that the support optimization
method can dramatically improve the robustness of dental crown
treatments.
Abstract: This paper compares the recent transformerless ACDC
power converter architectures and provides an assessment of
each. A prototype of one of the transformerless AC-DC converter
architecture is also presented depicting the feasibility of a small form
factor, power supply design. In this paper component selection
guidelines to achieve high efficiency AC-DC power conversion are
also discussed.
Abstract: Medical services are usually provided in hospitals; however, in developing country, some rural residences have fewer opportunities to access in healthcare services due to the limitation of transportation communication. Therefore, in Thailand, there are charitable organizations operating to provide medical treatments to these people by shifting the medical services to operation sites; this is commonly known as mobile medical service. Operation routing is important for the organization to reduce its transportation cost in order to focus more on other important activities; for instance, the development of medical apparatus. VRP is applied to solve the problem of high transportation cost of the studied organization with the searching techniques of saving algorithm to find the minimum total distance of operation route and satisfy available time constraints of voluntary medical staffs.
Abstract: This paper shows the results obtained in the analysis
of the impact of distributed generation (DG) on distribution losses
and presents a new algorithm to the optimal allocation of distributed
generation resources in distribution networks. The optimization is
based on a Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm
Optimization (HGAPSO) aiming to optimal DG allocation in
distribution network. Through this algorithm a significant
improvement in the optimization goal is achieved. With a numerical
example the superiority of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated in
comparison with the simple genetic algorithm.
Abstract: The State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will hold two important events in the nearby future. In 2014 it will have the final game of the Football World Cup, and in 2016 it will be holding the Olympic Games. Therefore, the public transportation system (mainly buses) is of a major concern to the Rio de Janeiro State authorities-. The main objective of this work is to compare the quality of service of the bus companies operating in the cities of ItaperunaandCampos, both cities situated in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The outcome of thiscomparison, based on the opinion of the bus users, has shownthemdispleased with the quality of the service provided by the bus companies operating in both cities. It is urgent the need to find possible practical alternatives to minimize the consequences of the main problems detected in this work. With these practical alternatives available, we will be able to offer to the Rio de Janeiro State authorities- suggestions about possible solutions to the main problems identified in this survey, as well as the time of implantation and costs of these solutions.
Abstract: Principally, plants grown in soilless culture may be
attacked by the same pests and diseases as cultivated traditionally in
soil. The most destructive phytopathogens are fungi, such as
Phythium, Phytophthora and Fusarium, followed by viruses, bacteria
and nematodes. We investigated effect of carbon nanotube filters on
disease management of soilless culture. Tomato seedlings transplant
in plastic pots filled with a soilless media of vermiculite. The crop
irrigated and fertilized using a hydroponic nutrient solution. We used
carbon nanotube filters for nutrient solution disinfection. Our results
show that carbon nanotube filtration significantly reduces pathogens
on tomato plants. Fungal elimination (Fusarium oxysporum and
Pythium spp.) was usually successful at about 96 to 99.9% all over
the cultural season. It is seem that in tomato soilless culture,
nanofiltration constitutes a reliable method that allows control of the
development of diseases caused by pathogenic fungi
Abstract: In this paper, four carbazole-based D-D-π-A organic
dyes code as CCT2A, CCT3A, CCT1PA and CCT2PA were reported.
A series of these organic dyes containing identical donor and
acceptor group but different π-system. The effect of replacing of
thiophene by phenyl thiophene as π-system on the physical
properties has been focused. The structural, energetic properties and
absorption spectra were theoretically investigated by means of
Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Density
Functional Theory (TD-DFT). The results show that nonplanar
conformation due to steric hindrance in donor part (cabazolecarbazole
unit) of dye molecule can prevent unfavorable dye
aggregation. By means of the TD-DFT method, the absorption
spectra were calculated by B3LYP and BHandHLYP to study the
affect of hybrid functional on the excitation energy (Eg). The results
revealed the increasing of thiophene units not only resulted in
decreasing of Eg, but also found the shifting of absorption spectra to
higher wavelength. TD-DFT/BHandHLYP calculated results are
more strongly agreed with the experimental data than B3LYP
functions. Furthermore, the adsorptions of CCT2A and CCT3A on the
TiO2 anatase (101) surface were carried out by mean of the chemical
periodic calculation. The result exhibit the strong adsorption energy.
The calculated results provide our new organic dyes can be
effectively used as dye for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSC).
Abstract: Phytases are enzymes used as an important component
in monogastric animals feeds in order to improve phosphorous
availability, since it is not readily assimilated by these animals in the
form of the phytate presented in plants and grains. As these enzymes
are used in industrial activities, they must retain its catalytic activities
during a certain storage period. This study presents information about
the stability of 4 different phytases, produced by four macromycetes
fungi through solid-state fermentation (SSF). There is a lack of data
in literature concerning phytase from macromycetes shelf-life in
storage conditions at room, cooling and freezing temperatures. The 4
phytases from macromycetes still had enzymatic activities around
100 days of storage at room temperature. At cooling temperature in
146 days of studies, the phytase from G. stipitatum was the most
stable with 44% of the initial activity, in U.gds (units per gram of
dried fermented substrate). The freezing temperature was the best
condition storage for phytases from G. stipitatum and T. versicolor.
Each condition provided a study for each mushroom phytase,
totalizing 12 studies. The phytases showed to be stable for a long
period without the addition of additives.
Abstract: The objective of the study is to investigate the
effect of a footballer-s postural on selected physical fitness
components. Twenty-one (21) subjects of the university male
footballers under the Sport Excellence Center programme were
photographed using qualitative analysis. The postural variables
were stratified manually into normal and anomalies group and
their flexibility, strength and SAQ performance were
compared using the Mann-Whitney Test. The AROM
assessment and SAQ test reported no significance difference
(Z=-.398, p=0.711, p>0.05), similar to the lower body strength
was shown with no significance different (Z=-.493, p=0.640,
p>0.05). In contrast, only 1 RM strength test for the upper
body strength test shown with a significance different (Z=-
2.537, p=0.009, p
Abstract: Interaction of inorganic water-soluble salts and building stones is studied in the paper. Two types of sandstone and one type of spongillite as representatives of materials used in historical masonry are subjected to experimental testing. Within the performed experiments, measurement of moisture and chloride concentration profiles is done in order to get input data for computational inverse analysis. Using the inverse analysis, moisture diffusivity and chloride diffusion coefficient of investigated materials are accessed. Additionally, the effect of salt presence on water vapor storage is investigated using dynamic vapor sorption device. The obtained data represents valuable information for restoration of historical masonry and give evidence on the performance of studied stones in contact with water soluble salts.