Abstract: Digital images are widely used in computer
applications. To store or transmit the uncompressed images
requires considerable storage capacity and transmission bandwidth.
Image compression is a means to perform transmission or storage of
visual data in the most economical way. This paper explains about
how images can be encoded to be transmitted in a multiplexing
time-frequency domain channel. Multiplexing involves packing
signals together whose representations are compact in the working
domain. In order to optimize transmission resources each 4 × 4
pixel block of the image is transformed by a suitable polynomial
approximation, into a minimal number of coefficients. Less than
4 × 4 coefficients in one block spares a significant amount of
transmitted information, but some information is lost. Different
approximations for image transformation have been evaluated as
polynomial representation (Vandermonde matrix), least squares +
gradient descent, 1-D Chebyshev polynomials, 2-D Chebyshev
polynomials or singular value decomposition (SVD). Results have
been compared in terms of nominal compression rate (NCR),
compression ratio (CR) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR)
in order to minimize the error function defined as the difference
between the original pixel gray levels and the approximated
polynomial output. Polynomial coefficients have been later encoded
and handled for generating chirps in a target rate of about two
chirps per 4 × 4 pixel block and then submitted to a transmission
multiplexing operation in the time-frequency domain.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the
relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work
behavior and to evaluate the mediating role of leader-member
exchange relationships (LMX) on the assumed relationship. This
study has focused on the suggestion that LMX might emerge through
transformational leadership behaviors and thus could mediate the
relationship between transformational leadership and innovative
behavior. A cross-sectional survey research has been conducted on
the relationship these leadership approaches and their impact on
organizational HRM-outcomes have been conducted on two
organizations operating in the technical sector in Istanbul-Turkey.
The results of the research have supported the hypotheses.
Transformational leadership was positively related to the innovative
behaviors and LMX emerged to mediate that relationship.
Abstract: In wireless sensor network, sensor node transmits the
sensed data to the sink node in multi-hop communication
periodically. This high traffic induces congestion at the node which is
present one-hop distance to the sink node. The packet transmission
and reception rate of these nodes should be very high, when
compared to other sensor nodes in the network. Therefore, the energy
consumption of that node is very high and this effect is known as the
“funneling effect”. The tree based-data aggregation technique
(TBDA) is used to reduce the energy consumption of the node. The
throughput of the overall performance shows a considerable decrease
in the number of packet transmissions to the sink node. The proposed
scheme, TBDA, avoids the funneling effect and extends the lifetime
of the wireless sensor network. The average case time complexity for
inserting the node in the tree is O(n log n) and for the worst case time
complexity is O(n2).
Abstract: The paper presents a method in which the expert
knowledge is applied to fuzzy inference model. Even a less
experienced person could benefit from the use of such a system, e.g.
urban planners, officials. The analysis result is obtained in a very
short time, so a large number of the proposed locations can also be
verified in a short time. The proposed method is intended for testing
of locations of car parks in a city. The paper shows selected examples
of locations of the P&R facilities in cities planning to introduce the
P&R. The analyses of existing objects are also shown in the paper
and they are confronted with the opinions of the system users, with
particular emphasis on unpopular locations. The results of the
analyses are compared to expert analysis of the P&R facilities
location that was outsourced by the city and the opinions about
existing facilities users that were expressed on social networking
sites. The obtained results are consistent with actual users’ feedback.
The proposed method proves to be good, but does not require the
involvement of a large experts team and large financial contributions
for complicated research. The method also provides an opportunity to
show the alternative location of P&R facilities. Although the results
of the method are approximate, they are not worse than results of
analysis of employed experts. The advantage of this method is ease of
use, which simplifies the professional expert analysis. The ability of
analyzing a large number of alternative locations gives a broader
view on the problem. It is valuable that the arduous analysis of the
team of people can be replaced by the model's calculation. According
to the authors, the proposed method is also suitable for
implementation on a GIS platform.
Abstract: Searching the “Island of stability” is a topic of
extreme interest in theoretical as well as experimental modern
physics today. This “island of stability” is spanned by superheavy
elements (SHE's) that are produced in the laboratory. SHE's are
believed to exist primarily due to the “magic” stabilizing effects of
nuclear shell structure. SHE synthesis is extremely difficult due to
their very low production cross section, often of the order of pico
barns or less. Stabilizing effects of shell closures at proton number
Z=82 and neutron number N=126 are predicted theoretically. Though
stabilizing effects of Z=82 have been experimentally verified, no
concluding observations have been made with N=126, so far. We
measured and analyzed the total evaporation residue (ER) cross
sections for a number of systems with neutron number around 126 to
explore possible shell closure effects in ER cross sections, in this
work.
Abstract: In this study, Brillouin Gain Spectrum (BGS) is
experimentally analyzed in the Brillouin Optical Time Domain
Reflectometry (BOTDR) and Brillouin Optical Time Domain
Analyzer (BOTDA). For this purpose, the signal level of the
microwave generator is varied and the effects of BGS are
investigated. In the setups, 20 km conventional single mode fiber is
used to both setups and laser wavelengths are selected around 1550
nm. To achieve best results, it can be used between 5 dBm to 15 dBm
signal level of microwave generator for BOTDA and BOTDR setups.
Abstract: Lightweight and efficient structures have the aim to
enhance the efficiency of the components in various industries.
Toward this end, composites are one of the most widely used
materials because of durability, high strength and modulus, and low
weight. One type of the advanced composites is grid-stiffened
composite (GSC) structures, which have been extensively considered
in aerospace, automotive, and aircraft industries. They are one of the
top candidates for replacing some of the traditional components,
which are used here. Although there are a good number of published
surveys on the design aspects and fabrication of GSC structures, little
systematic work has been reported on their material modification to
improve their properties, to our knowledge. Matrix modification
using nanoparticles is an effective method to enhance the flexural
properties of the fibrous composites. In the present study, a silanecoupling
agent (3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane/3-GPTS) was
introduced onto the silica (SiO2) nanoparticle surface and its effects
on the three-point flexural response of isogrid E-glass/epoxy
composites were assessed. Based on the Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectrometer (FTIR) spectra, it was inferred that the 3-GPTS
coupling agent was successfully grafted onto the surface of SiO2
nanoparticles after modification. Flexural test revealed an
improvement of 16%, 14%, and 36% in stiffness, maximum load and
energy absorption of the isogrid specimen filled with 3 wt.% 3-
GPTS/SiO2 compared to the neat one. It would be worth mentioning
that in these structures, considerable energy absorption was observed
after the primary failure related to the load peak. In addition, 3-
GPTMS functionalization had a positive effect on the flexural
behavior of the multiscale isogrid composites. In conclusion, this
study suggests that the addition of modified silica nanoparticles is a
promising method to improve the flexural properties of the gridstiffened
fibrous composite structures.
Abstract: Mineral product, waste concrete (fine aggregates),
waste in the optical field, industry, and construction employ separators
to separate solids and classify them according to their size. Various
sorting machines are used in the industrial field such as those operating
under electrical properties, centrifugal force, wind power, vibration,
and magnetic force. Study on separators has been carried out to
contribute to the environmental industry. In this study, we perform
CFD analysis for understanding the basic mechanism of the separation
of waste concrete (fine aggregate) particles from air with a machine
built with a rotor with blades. In CFD, we first performed
two-dimensional particle tracking for various particle sizes for the
model with 1 degree, 1.5 degree, and 2 degree angle between each
blade to verify the boundary conditions and the method of rotating
domain method to be used in 3D. Then we developed 3D numerical
model with ANSYS CFX to calculate the air flow and track the
particles. We judged the capability of particle separation for given size
by counting the number of particles escaping from the domain toward
the exit among 10 particles issued at the inlet. We confirm that
particles experience stagnant behavior near the exit of the rotating
blades where the centrifugal force acting on the particles is in balance
with the air drag force. It was also found that the minimum particle
size that can be separated by the machine with the rotor is determined
by its capability to stay at the outlet of the rotor channels.
Abstract: Background modeling and subtraction in video
analysis has been widely used as an effective method for moving
objects detection in many computer vision applications. Recently, a
large number of approaches have been developed to tackle different
types of challenges in this field. However, the dynamic background
and illumination variations are the most frequently occurred problems
in the practical situation. This paper presents a favorable two-layer
model based on codebook algorithm incorporated with local binary
pattern (LBP) texture measure, targeted for handling dynamic
background and illumination variation problems. More specifically,
the first layer is designed by block-based codebook combining with
LBP histogram and mean value of each RGB color channel. Because
of the invariance of the LBP features with respect to monotonic
gray-scale changes, this layer can produce block wise detection results
with considerable tolerance of illumination variations. The pixel-based
codebook is employed to reinforce the precision from the output of the
first layer which is to eliminate false positives further. As a result, the
proposed approach can greatly promote the accuracy under the
circumstances of dynamic background and illumination changes.
Experimental results on several popular background subtraction
datasets demonstrate very competitive performance compared to
previous models.
Abstract: Rapid developments in technology in the present age
have made it necessary for communities to follow technological
developments and adapt themselves to these developments. One of
the fields that are most rapidly affected by these developments is
undoubtedly education. Determination of the attitudes of preservice
teachers, who live in an age of technology and get ready to raise
future individuals, is of paramount importance both educationally and
professionally. The purpose of this study was to analyze attitudes of
preservice teachers towards technology and some variables that
predict these attitudes (gender, daily duration of internet use, and the
number of technical devices owned). 329 preservice teachers
attending the education faculty of a large university in central Turkey
participated, on a volunteer basis, in this study, where relational
survey model was used as the research method. Research findings
reveal that preservice teachers’ attitudes towards technology are
positive and at the same time, the attitudes of male preservice
teachers towards technology are more positive than their female
counterparts. As a result of the stepwise multiple regression analysis
where factors predicting preservice teachers’ attitudes towards
technology, it was found that duration of daily internet use was the
strongest predictor of attitudes towards technology.
Abstract: The aim of this work is to study the numerical
implementation of the Hilbert Uniqueness Method for the exact
boundary controllability of Euler-Bernoulli beam equation. This study
may be difficult. This will depend on the problem under consideration
(geometry, control and dimension) and the numerical method used.
Knowledge of the asymptotic behaviour of the control governing the
system at time T may be useful for its calculation. This idea will
be developed in this study. We have characterized as a first step, the
solution by a minimization principle and proposed secondly a method
for its resolution to approximate the control steering the considered
system to rest at time T.
Abstract: This first-attempt study revealed that decolorized
intermediates of azo dyes could act as redox mediators to assist
wastewater (WW) decolorization due to enhancement of
electron-transport phenomena. Electrochemical impedance spectra
indicated that hydroxyl and amino-substituent(s) were functional
group(s) as redox-mediator(s). As azo dyes are usually multiple
benzene-rings structured, their derived decolorized intermediates are
likely to play roles of electron shuttles due to lower barrier of energy
gap for electron shuttling. According to cyclic voltammetric profiles,
redox mediating characteristics of decolorized intermediates of azo
dyes (e.g., RBu171, RR198, RR141, RBk5) were clearly disclosed.
With supplementation of biodecolorized metabolites of RR141 and
198, decolorization performance of could be evidently augmented.
This study also suggested the optimal modes of microbial fuel cell
(MFC)-assisted WW decolorization would be plug-flow or batch
mode of operation with no mix. Single chamber-MFCs would be more
favourable than double chamber MFCs due to non-mixing contacting
reactor scheme for operation.
Abstract: Over the last two decades, externally bonded fiber
reinforced polymer (FRP) composites bonded to concrete substrates
has become a popular method for strengthening reinforced concrete
(RC) highway and railway bridges. Such structures are exposed to
severe cyclic loading throughout their lifetime often resulting in
fatigue damage to structural components and a reduction in the
service life of the structure. Since experimental and numerical results
on the fatigue performance of FRP-to-concrete joints are still limited,
the current research focuses on assessing the fatigue performance of
externally bonded FRP-to-concrete joints using a direct shear test.
Some early results indicate that the stress ratio and the applied cyclic
stress level have a direct influence on the fatigue life of the externally
bonded FRP. In addition, a calibrated finite element model is
developed to provide further insight into the influence of certain
parameters such as: concrete strength, FRP thickness, number of
cycles, frequency, and stiffness on the fatigue life of the FRP-toconcrete
joints.
Abstract: Sewage sludge is a biomass resource that can create a
solid fuel and electricity. Utilizing sewage sludge as a renewable
energy can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases. In Japan,
the "National Plan for the Promotion of Biomass Utilization" and the
“Priority Plan for Social Infrastructure Development" were approved
at cabinet meetings in December 2010 and August 2012, respectively,
to promote the energy utilization of sewage sludge. This study
investigated costs and greenhouse gas emission in different sewage
sludge treatments with technologies for energy from sewage sludge.
Expenses were estimated based on capital costs and O&M costs
including energy consumption of solid fuel plants and biogas power
generation plants for sewage sludge. Results showed that the cost of
sludge digestion treatment with solid fuel technologies was 8% lower
than landfill disposal. The greenhouse gas emission of sludge
digestion treatment with solid fuel technologies was also 6,390t as
CO2 smaller than landfill disposal. Biogas power generation reduced
the electricity of a wastewater treatment plant by 30% and the cost by
5%.
Abstract: English like any other language is rich by means of arbitrary, conventional, symbols which lend it to lot of inconsistencies in spelling, phonology, syntax, and morphology. The research examines the irregularities prevalent in the structure and meaning of some ‘er’ lexical items in English and its implication to vocabulary acquisition. It centers its investigation on the derivational suffix ‘er’, which changes the grammatical category of word. English language poses many challenges to Second Language Learners because of its irregularities, exceptions, and rules. One of the meaning of –er derivational suffix is someone or somebody who does something. This rule often confuses the learners when they meet with the exceptions in normal discourse. The need to investigate instances of such inconsistencies in the formation of –er words and the meanings given to such words by the students motivated this study. For this purpose, some senior secondary two (SS2) students in six randomly selected schools in the metropolis were provided a large number of alphabetically selected ‘er’ suffix ending words, The researcher opts for a test technique, which requires them to provide the meaning of the selected words with- er. The marking of the test was scored on the scale of 1-0, where correct formation of –er word and meaning is scored one while wrong formation and meaning is scored zero. The number of wrong and correct formations of –er words meaning were calculated using percentage. The result of this research shows that a large number of students made wrong generalization of the meaning of the selected -er ending words. This shows how enormous the inconsistencies are in English language and how are affect the learning of English. Findings from the study revealed that though students mastered the basic morphological rules but the errors are generally committed on those vocabulary items that are not frequently in use. The study arrives at this conclusion from the survey of their textbook and their spoken activities. Therefore, the researcher recommends that there should be effective reappraisal of language teaching through implementation of the designed curriculum to reflect on modern strategies of teaching language, identification, and incorporation of the exceptions in rigorous communicative activities in language teaching, language course books and tutorials, training and retraining of teachers on the strategies that conform to the new pedagogy.
Abstract: A Reconfigurable Wilkinson power divider is
proposed in this paper. In existing system only a limited number of
bandwidth is used at the output ports, in the proposed Wilkinson
power divider different band of frequencies are obtained by using
PIN diode. By tuning the PIN diode, different frequencies are
achieved. The size of the power divider is reduced for the operating
frequency and increases the fractional bandwidth.
Abstract: In the present research, whole meal barley flour
(WBF) was supplemented with gelatinized corn flour (GCF) in 0 and
30%. Whole meal wheat flour (WWF) was mixed with defatted rice
bran (DRB) to produce 0, 20, 25, and 30% replacement levels.
Rheological properties of dough were studied. Thermal properties
and starch crystallinity of flours were evaluated. Flat bread, balady
bread and pie were prepared from the different flour blends. The
different bakeries were sensory evaluated. Color of raw materials and
crust of bakery products were determined. Nutrients contents of raw
flours and food products were assessed. Results showed that addition
of GCF to WBF increased the viscosity and falling number of the
produced dough. Water absorption, dough development time and
dough stability increased with increasing the level of DRB in dough
while, weakening and mixing tolerance index decreased.
Extensibility and energy decreased, while, resistance to extension
increased as DRB level increased. Gelatinized temperature of WWF,
WBF, GCF, and DRB were 13.26, 35.09, 28.33, and 39.63,
respectively. Starch crystallinity was affected when DRB was added
to WWF. The highest protein content was present in balady bread
made from 70% WWF and 30% DRB. The highest calcium,
phosphorus, and potassium levels were present in products made
from 100% WBF. Sensory attributes of the products were slightly
affected by adding DRB and GCF. Conclusion: Addition of DRB or
GCF to WWF or WBF, respectively affect the physical, chemical,
rheological and sensory properties of balady bread, flat bread, and pie
while improved their nutritive values.
Abstract: Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
technology is the most promising technology for the proper
utilization of huge raw bandwidth provided by an optical fiber. One
of the key problems in implementing the all-optical WDM network is
the packet contention. This problem can be solved by several
different techniques. In time domain approach the packet contention
can be reduced by incorporating Fiber Delay Lines (FDLs) as optical
buffer in the switch architecture. Different types of buffering
architectures are reported in literatures. In the present paper a
comparative performance analysis of three most popular FDL
architectures are presented in order to obtain the best contention
resolution performance. The analysis is further extended to consider
the effect of different fiber non-linearities on the network
performance.
Abstract: Online measurement of the product quality is a
challenging task in cement production, especially in the production of
Celitement, a novel environmentally friendly hydraulic binder. The
mineralogy and chemical composition of clinker in ordinary Portland
cement production is measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and
X-ray fluorescence (XRF), where only crystalline constituents can be
detected. But only a small part of the Celitement components can be
measured via XRD, because most constituents have an amorphous
structure. This paper describes the development of algorithms
suitable for an on-line monitoring of the final processing step of
Celitement based on NIR-data. For calibration intermediate products
were dried at different temperatures and ground for variable
durations. The products were analyzed using XRD and
thermogravimetric analyses together with NIR-spectroscopy to
investigate the dependency between the drying and the milling
processes on one and the NIR-signal on the other side. As a result,
different characteristic parameters have been defined. A short
overview of the Celitement process and the challenging tasks of the
online measurement and evaluation of the product quality will be
presented. Subsequently, methods for systematic development of
near-infrared calibration models and the determination of the final
calibration model will be introduced. The application of the model on
experimental data illustrates that NIR-spectroscopy allows for a quick
and sufficiently exact determination of crucial process parameters.
Abstract: This paper describes the development of new class of
epoxy based rice husk filled jute reinforced composites. Rice husk
flour is added in 0%, 1%, 3%, 5% by weight. Epoxy resin and
triethylenetetramine (T.E.T.A) is used as matrix and hardener
respectively. It investigates the mechanical properties of the
composites and a comparison is done for monolithic jute composite
and the filled ones. The specimens are prepared according to the
ASTM standards and experimentation is carried out using INSTRON
8801. The result shows that with the increase of filler percentage the
tensile properties increases but compressive and flexural properties
decreases.