Abstract: The effect of wood vinegar, entomopathogenic
nematodes ((Steinernema thailandensis n. sp.) and fermented organic
substances from four plants such as: Derris elliptica Roxb, Stemona
tuberosa Lour, Tinospora crispa Mier and Azadirachta indica J. were
tested on the five varieties of sweetpotato with potential for
bioethanol production ie. Taiwan, China, PROC No.65-16, Phichit
166-5, and Phichit 129-6. The experimental plots were located at
Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment,
Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand. The aim of this study
was to compare the efficiency of the five treatments for growth, yield
and insect infestation on the five varieties of sweetpotato. Treatment
with entomopathogenic nematodes gave the highest average weight
of sweetpotato tubers (1.3 kg/tuber), followed by wood vinegar,
fermented organic substances and mixed treatment with yields of
0.88, 0.46 and 0.43 kg/tuber, respectively. Also the
entomopathogenic nematode treatment gave significantly higher
average width and length of sweet potato (9.82 cm and 9.45 cm,
respectively). Additionally, the entomopathogenic nematode
provided the best control of insect infestation on sweetpotato leaves
and tubers. Comparison among the varieties of sweetpotato, PROC
NO.65-16 showed the highest weight and length. However, Phichit
129-6 gave significantly higher weight of 0.94 kg/tuber. Lastly, the
lowest sweet potato weevil infestation on leaves and tubers occurred
on Taiwan and Phichit 129-6.
Abstract: In this study, a fuzzy-logic based control system was
designed to ensure that time and energy is saved during the operation
of load elevators which are used during the construction of tall
buildings. In the control system that was devised, for the load
elevators to work more efficiently, the energy interval where the
motor worked was taken as the output variable whereas the amount
of load and the building height were taken as input variables. The
most appropriate working intervals depending on the characteristics
of these variables were defined by the help of an expert. Fuzzy expert
system software was formed using Delphi programming language. In
this design, mamdani max-min inference mechanism was used and
the centroid method was employed in the clarification procedure. In
conclusion, it is observed that the system that was designed is
feasible and this is supported by statistical analyses..
Abstract: LABVIEW is a graphical programming language that has its roots in automation control and data acquisition. In this paper we have utilized this platform to provide a powerful toolset for process identification and control of nonlinear systems based on artificial neural networks (ANN). This tool has been applied to the monitoring and control of a lab-scale distillation column DELTALAB DC-SP. The proposed control scheme offers high speed of response for changes in set points and null stationary error for dual composition control and shows robustness in presence of externally imposed disturbance.
Abstract: A new digital watermarking technique for images that
are sensitive to blocking artifacts is presented. Experimental results
show that the proposed MDCT based approach produces highly
imperceptible watermarked images and is robust to attacks such as
compression, noise, filtering and geometric transformations. The
proposed MDCT watermarking technique is applied to fingerprints
for ensuring security. The face image and demographic text data of
an individual are used as multiple watermarks. An AFIS system was
used to quantitatively evaluate the matching performance of the
MDCT-based watermarked fingerprint. The high fingerprint
matching scores show that the MDCT approach is resilient to
blocking artifacts. The quality of the extracted face and extracted text
images was computed using two human visual system metrics and
the results show that the image quality was high.
Abstract: The weight constrained shortest path problem
(WCSPP) is one of most several known basic problems in
combinatorial optimization. Because of its importance in many areas
of applications such as computer science, engineering and operations
research, many researchers have extensively studied the WCSPP.
This paper mainly concentrates on the reduction of total search space
for finding WCSP using some existing Genetic Algorithm (GA). For
this purpose, some controlled schemes of genetic operators are
adopted on list chromosome representation. This approach gives a
near optimum solution with smaller elapsed generation than classical
GA technique. From further analysis on the matter, a new
generalized schema theorem is also developed from the philosophy
of Holland-s theorem.
Abstract: Subjective loneliness describes people who feel a
disagreeable or unacceptable lack of meaningful social relationships,
both at the quantitative and qualitative level. The studies to be
presented tested an Italian 18-items self-report loneliness measure,
that included items adapted from scales previously developed,
namely a short version of the UCLA (Russell, Peplau and Cutrona,
1980), and the 11-items Loneliness scale by De Jong-Gierveld &
Kamphuis (JGLS; 1985). The studies aimed at testing the developed
scale and at verifying whether loneliness is better conceptualized as a
unidimensional (so-called 'general loneliness') or a bidimensional
construct, namely comprising the distinct facets of social and
emotional loneliness. The loneliness questionnaire included 2 singleitem
criterion measures of sad mood, and social contact, and asked
participants to supply information on a number of socio-demographic
variables. Factorial analyses of responses obtained in two
preliminary studies, with 59 and 143 Italian participants respectively,
showed good factor loadings and subscale reliability and confirmed
that perceived loneliness has clearly two components, a social and an
emotional one, the latter measured by two subscales, a 7-item
'general' loneliness subscale derived from UCLA, and a 6–item
'emotional' scale included in the JGLS. Results further showed that
type and amount of loneliness are related, negatively, to frequency of
social contacts, and, positively, to sad mood. In a third study data
were obtained from a nation-wide sample of 9.097 Italian subjects,
12 to about 70 year-olds, who filled the test on-line, on the Italian
web site of a large-audience magazine, Focus. The results again
confirmed the reliability of the component subscales, namely social,
emotional, and 'general' loneliness, and showed that they were
highly correlated with each other, especially the latter two.
Loneliness scores were significantly predicted by sex, age, education
level, sad mood and social contact, and, less so, by other variables –
e.g., geographical area and profession. The scale validity was
confirmed by the results of a fourth study, with elderly men and
women (N 105) living at home or in residential care units. The three
subscales were significantly related, among others, to depression, and
to various measures of the extension of, and satisfaction with, social
contacts with relatives and friends. Finally, a fifth study with 315
career-starters showed that social and emotional loneliness correlate
with life satisfaction, and with measures of emotional intelligence.
Altogether the results showed a good validity and reliability in the
tested samples of the entire scale, and of its components.
Abstract: Nowadays, the plant location selection has a critical
impact on the performance of numerous companies. In this paper, a
methodology is presented to solve this problem. The three decision
making methods, namely Delphi, AHP and improved VIKOR, are
hybridized in order to make the best use of information available
based on the decision makers or experts. In this respect, the aim of
using Delphi is to select the most influential criteria by a few decision
makers. The AHP is utilized to give weights of the selected criteria.
Finally, the improved VIKOR method is applied to rank alternatives.
At the end of paper, an application example demonstrates the
applicability of the proposed methodology.
Abstract: This paper examines the implementation of RC5 block cipher for digital images along with its detailed security analysis. A complete specification for the method of application of the RC5 block cipher to digital images is given. The security analysis of RC5 block cipher for digital images against entropy attack, bruteforce, statistical, and differential attacks is explored from strict cryptographic viewpoint. Experiments and results verify and prove that RC5 block cipher is highly secure for real-time image encryption from cryptographic viewpoint. Thorough experimental tests are carried out with detailed analysis, demonstrating the high security of RC5 block cipher algorithm.
Abstract: Out of all visual arts including: painting, sculpture,
graphics, photography, architecture, and others, architecture is by far
the most complex one, because the art category is only one of its
determinants. Architecture, to some extent includes other arts which
can significantly influence the shaping of an urban space (artistic
interventions). These arts largely shape the visual culture in
combination with other categories: film, TV, Internet, information
technologies that are "changing the world" etc. In the area of
architecture and urbanism, visual culture is achieved through the
aspects of visual spatial effects. In this context, a complex visual
deliberation about designing urban areas in order to contribute to the
urban visual culture, and with it restore the cultural identity of the
city, is becoming almost the primary concept of contemporary urban
and architectural practice. Research in this paper relate to the city of
Niksic and its place in the visual urban culture. We are looking at the
city’s existing visual effects and determining the directions of
transformability of its physical structure in order to achieve the visual
realization of an urban area and the renewal of cultural identity of a
modern city.
Abstract: We discuss a theoretical conceptual framework to help
understand how the new business analytics technologies have
diffused in firms. We draw on three theoretical perspectives for this
purpose. They are innovation diffusion theory, IT Business Value
and the technology-organization-environment theory. We develop a
conceptual framework that helps understand the interlinkages among
factors affecting diffusion of business analytics and its impact on
performance.
Abstract: For the characterization of the weld defect region in the radiographic image, looking for features which are invariant regarding the geometrical transformations (rotation, translation and scaling) proves to be necessary because the same defect can be seen from several angles according to the orientation and the distance from the welded framework to the radiation source. Thus, panoply of geometrical attributes satisfying the above conditions is proposed and which result from the calculation of the geometrical parameters (surface, perimeter, etc.) on the one hand and the calculation of the different order moments, on the other hand. Because the large range in values of the raw features and taking into account other considerations imposed by some classifiers, the scaling of these values to lie between 0 and 1 is indispensable. The principal component analysis technique is used in order to reduce the number of the attribute variables in the aim to give better performance to the further defect classification.
Abstract: In the present work, we have developed a symmetric electrochemical capacitor based on the nanostructured iron oxide (Fe3O4)-activated carbon (AC) nanocomposite materials. The physical properties of the nanocomposites were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The electrochemical performances of the composite electrode in 1.0 M Na2SO3 and 1.0 M Na2SO4 aqueous solutions were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The composite electrode with 4 wt% of iron oxide nanomaterials exhibits the highest capacitance of 86 F/g. The experimental results clearly indicate that the incorporation of iron oxide nanomaterials at low concentration to the composite can improve the capacitive performance, mainly attributed to the contribution of the pseudocapacitance charge storage mechanism and the enhancement on the effective surface area of the electrode. Nevertheless, there is an optimum threshold on the amount of iron oxide that needs to be incorporated into the composite system. When this optimum threshold is exceeded, the capacitive performance of the electrode starts to deteriorate, as a result of the undesired particle aggregation, which is clearly indicated in the SEM analysis. The electrochemical performance of the composite electrode is found to be superior when Na2SO3 is used as the electrolyte, if compared to the Na2SO4 solution. It is believed that Fe3O4 nanoparticles can provide favourable surface adsorption sites for sulphite (SO3 2-) anions which act as catalysts for subsequent redox and intercalation reactions.
Abstract: UML is a collection of notations for capturing a software system specification. These notations have a specific syntax defined by the Object Management Group (OMG), but many of their constructs only present informal semantics. They are primarily graphical, with textual annotation. The inadequacies of standard UML as a vehicle for complete specification and implementation of real-time embedded systems has led to a variety of competing and complementary proposals. The Real-time UML profile (UML-RT), developed and standardized by OMG, defines a unified framework to express the time, scheduling and performance aspects of a system. We present in this paper a framework approach aimed at deriving a complete specification of a real-time system. Therefore, we combine two methods, a semiformal one, UML-RT, which allows the visual modeling of a realtime system and a formal one, CSP+T, which is a design language including the specification of real-time requirements. As to show the applicability of the approach, a correct design of a real-time system with hard real time constraints by applying a set of mapping rules is obtained.
Abstract: Arrack is one of the forms of alcoholic beverage or
liquor which is produced from palm or date juice and commonly
consumed by the lower social class of all religious/ethnic
communities in the north-western villages of Bangladesh. The
purpose of the study was to compare arrack drinking patterns
associated with socio-demographic status among the Muslim, Hindu,
Santal, and Oraon communities in the Rasulpur union of Bangladesh.
A total of 391 respondents (Muslim n-109, Hindu n-103, Santal n-89,
Oraon n-90) selected by cluster random sampling were interviewed
by ADP (Arrack Drinking Pattern) questionnaire. The results of
Pearson Chi-Squire test revealed that arrack drinking patterns were
significantly differed among the Muslim, Hindu, Santal, and Oraon
communities- drinkers. In addition, the results of Spearman-s
bivariate correlation coefficients also revealed that sociodemographic
characteristics of the communities- drinkers were the
significantly positive and negative associations with the arrack
drinking patterns in the Rasulpur union, Bangladesh. The study
suggests that further cross-cultural researches should be conducted
on the consequences of arrack drinking patterns on the communities-
drinkers.
Abstract: Automated material handling is given prime
importance in the semi automated and automated facilities since it
provides solution to the gigantic problems related to inventory and
also support the latest philosophies like just in time production JIT
and lean production. Automated storage and retrieval system is an
antidote (if designed properly) to the facility sufferings like getting
the right material , materials getting perished, long cycle times or
many other similar kind of problems. A working model of automated
storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) is designed and developed
under the design parameters specified by Material Handling Industry
of America (MHIA). Later on analysis was carried out to calculate
the throughput and size of the machine. The possible implementation
of this technology in local scenario is also discussed in this paper.
Abstract: Influence diagrams (IDs) are one of the most commonly used graphical decision models for reasoning under uncertainty. The quantification of IDs which consists in defining conditional probabilities for chance nodes and utility functions for value nodes is not always obvious. In fact, decision makers cannot always provide exact numerical values and in some cases, it is more easier for them to specify qualitative preference orders. This work proposes an adaptation of standard IDs to the qualitative framework based on possibility theory.
Abstract: This paper presents a comparative study on
Vanadyl Phthalocyanine (VOPc) thin films deposited by thermal
evaporation and spin coating techniques. The samples
were prepared on cleaned glass substrates and annealed at
various temperatures ranging form 95oC to 155oC. To obtain
the morphological and structural properties of VOPc thin
films, X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and atomic force
microscopy (AFM) have been implied. The AFM topographic
images show a very slight difference in the thermally grown
films, before and after annealing, however best results are
achieved for the spin-cast film annealed at 125oC. The XRD
spectra show no existence of the sharp peaks, suggesting the
material to be amorphous. The humps in the XRD patterns
indicate the presence of some crystallites.
Abstract: Pepper spray use has gained momentum since 1992
and although the active ingredient is readily available, it is considered
a weapon with restricted use in many regions, including The
Bahamas. In light of controversy in the literature regarding the
severity of presenting respiration complaints among individuals postacute
exposure of pepper spray inhalation, this descriptive case series
study was conducted to assess the respiratory status of persons
evaluated during a mass casualty in The Bahamas. Parameters noted
were patients- demographics and respiration severity determined via
clinical examination findings, disposition and follow-up review of the
20 persons. Their most common complaint was difficulty breathing
post exposure. Two required admission and stayed for
Abstract: Sign language is used by the deaf and hard of hearing people for communication. Automatic sign language recognition is a challenging research area since sign language often is the only way of communication for the deaf people. Sign language includes different components of visual actions made by the signer using the hands, the face, and the torso, to convey his/her meaning. To use different aspects of signs, we combine the different groups of features which have been extracted from the image frames recorded directly by a stationary camera. We combine the features in two levels by employing three techniques. At the feature level, an early feature combination can be performed by concatenating and weighting different feature groups, or by concatenating feature groups over time and using LDA to choose the most discriminant elements. At the model level, a late fusion of differently trained models can be carried out by a log-linear model combination. In this paper, we investigate these three combination techniques in an automatic sign language recognition system and show that the recognition rate can be significantly improved.
Abstract: The objective of this work is to produce heterotrophic
microalgal lipid in flask-batch fermentation. Chlorella sp. KKU-S2
supported maximum values of 0.374 g/L/d, 0.478 g lipid/g cells, and
0.112 g/L/d for volumetric lipid production rate, and specific yield of
lipid, and specific rate of lipid production, respectively when culture
was performed on BG-11 medium supplemented with 50g/L glucose.
Among the carbon sources tested, maximum cell yield coefficient
(YX/S, g/L), maximum specific yield of lipid (YP/X, g lipid/g cells) and
volumetric lipid production rate (QP, g/L/d) were found of 0.728,
0.237, and 0.619, respectively, using sugarcane molasses as carbon
source. The main components of fatty acid from extracted lipid were
palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid which similar
to vegetable oils and suitable for biodiesel production.