Abstract: High resolution images are always desired as they contain the more information and they can better represent the original data. So, to convert the low resolution image into high resolution interpolation is done. The quality of such high resolution image depends on the interpolation function and is assessed in terms of sharpness of image. This paper focuses on Wavelet based Interpolation Techniques in which an input image is divided into subbands. Each subband is processed separately and finally combined the processed subbandsto get the super resolution image.
Abstract: In present study, it was aimed to determine potential
agricultural lands (PALs) in Gokceada (Imroz) Island of Canakkale
province, Turkey. Seven-band Landsat 8 OLI images acquired on
July 12 and August 13, 2013, and their 14-band combination image
were used to identify current Land Use Land Cover (LULC) status.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to three Landsat
datasets in order to reduce the correlation between the bands. A total
of six Original and PCA images were classified using supervised
classification method to obtain the LULC maps including 6 main
classes (“Forest”, “Agriculture”, “Water Surface”, “Residential Area-
Bare Soil”, “Reforestation” and “Other”). Accuracy assessment was
performed by checking the accuracy of 120 randomized points for
each LULC maps. The best overall accuracy and Kappa statistic
values (90.83%, 0.8791% respectively) were found for PCA images
which were generated from 14-bands combined images called 3-
B/JA.
Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with 15 m spatial resolution
(ASTER) was used to consider topographical characteristics. Soil
properties were obtained by digitizing 1:25000 scaled soil maps of
Rural Services Directorate General. Potential Agricultural Lands
(PALs) were determined using Geographic information Systems
(GIS). Procedure was applied considering that “Other” class of
LULC map may be used for agricultural purposes in the future
properties. Overlaying analysis was conducted using Slope (S), Land
Use Capability Class (LUCC), Other Soil Properties (OSP) and Land
Use Capability Sub-Class (SUBC) properties.
A total of 901.62 ha areas within “Other” class (15798.2 ha) of
LULC map were determined as PALs. These lands were ranked as
“Very Suitable”, “Suitable”, “Moderate Suitable” and “Low
Suitable”. It was determined that the 8.03 ha were classified as “Very
Suitable” while 18.59 ha as suitable and 11.44 ha as “Moderate
Suitable” for PALs. In addition, 756.56 ha were found to be “Low
Suitable”. The results obtained from this preliminary study can serve
as basis for further studies.
Abstract: Model transformation, as a pivotal aspect of Modeldriven
engineering, attracts more and more attentions both from
researchers and practitioners. Many domains (enterprise engineering,
software engineering, knowledge engineering, etc.) use model
transformation principles and practices to serve to their domain
specific problems; furthermore, model transformation could also be
used to fulfill the gap between different domains: by sharing and
exchanging knowledge. Since model transformation has been widely
used, there comes new requirement on it: effectively and efficiently
define the transformation process and reduce manual effort that
involved in. This paper presents an automatic model transformation
methodology based on semantic and syntactic comparisons, and
focuses particularly on granularity issue that existed in transformation
process. Comparing to the traditional model transformation
methodologies, this methodology serves to a general purpose: crossdomain
methodology. Semantic and syntactic checking
measurements are combined into a refined transformation process,
which solves the granularity issue. Moreover, semantic and syntactic
comparisons are supported by software tool; manual effort is replaced
in this way.
Abstract: Any signal transmitted over a channel is corrupted by noise and interference. A host of channel coding techniques has been proposed to alleviate the effect of such noise and interference. Among these Turbo codes are recommended, because of increased capacity at higher transmission rates and superior performance over convolutional codes. The multimedia elements which are associated with ample amount of data are best protected by Turbo codes. Turbo decoder employs Maximum A-posteriori Probability (MAP) and Soft Output Viterbi Decoding (SOVA) algorithms. Conventional Turbo coded systems employ Equal Error Protection (EEP) in which the protection of all the data in an information message is uniform. Some applications involve Unequal Error Protection (UEP) in which the level of protection is higher for important information bits than that of other bits. In this work, enhancement to the traditional Log MAP decoding algorithm is being done by using optimized scaling factors for both the decoders. The error correcting performance in presence of UEP in Additive White Gaussian Noise channel (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading are analyzed for the transmission of image with Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) as source coding technique. This paper compares the performance of log MAP, Modified log MAP (MlogMAP) and Enhanced log MAP (ElogMAP) algorithms used for image transmission. The MlogMAP algorithm is found to be best for lower Eb/N0 values but for higher Eb/N0 ElogMAP performs better with optimized scaling factors. The performance comparison of AWGN with fading channel indicates the robustness of the proposed algorithm. According to the performance of three different message classes, class3 would be more protected than other two classes. From the performance analysis, it is observed that ElogMAP algorithm with UEP is best for transmission of an image compared to Log MAP and MlogMAP decoding algorithms.
Abstract: Exploration and exploitation capabilities are both
important within Operations as means for improvement when
managed separately, and for establishing dynamic improvement
capabilities when combined in balance. However, it is unclear what
exploration and exploitation capabilities imply in improvement and
development work within an Operations context. So, in order to
better understand how to develop exploration and exploitation
capabilities within Operations, the main characteristics of these
constructs needs to be identified and further understood. Thus, the
objective of this research is to increase the understanding about
exploitation and exploration characteristics, to concretize what they
translates to within the context of improvement and development
work in an Operations unit, and to identify practical challenges. A
literature review and a case study are presented. In the literature
review, different interpretations of exploration and exploitation are
portrayed, key characteristics have been identified, and a deepened
understanding of exploration and exploitation characteristics is
described. The case in the study is an Operations unit, and the aim is
to explore to what extent and in what ways exploration and
exploitation activities are part of the improvement structures and
processes. The contribution includes an identification of key
characteristics of exploitation and exploration, as well as an
interpretation of the constructs. Further, some practical challenges are
identified. For instance, exploration activities tend to be given low
priority, both in daily work as in the manufacturing strategy. Also,
the overall understanding about the concepts of exploitation and
exploration (or any similar aspect of dynamic improvement
capabilities) is very low.
Abstract: Damage status of RC buildings is greatly influenced
by the characteristics of the imposed ground motion. Peak Ground
Acceleration and frequency contents are considered the main two
factors that affect ground motion characteristics; hence, affecting the
seismic response of RC structures and consequently their damage
state. A detailed investigation on the combined effects of these two
factors on damage assessment of RC buildings is carried out. Twenty
one earthquake records are analyzed and arranged into three groups,
according to their frequency contents. These records are used in an
investigation to define the expected damage state that would be
attained by RC buildings, if subjected to varying ground motion
characteristics. The damage assessment is conducted through
examining drift ratios and damage indices of the overall structure and
the significant structural components of RC building. Base and story
shear of RC building model, are also investigated, for cases when the
model is subjected to the chosen twenty one earthquake records.
Nonlinear dynamic analyses are performed on a 2-dimensional model
of a 12-story RC building.
Abstract: The article represents the results of clinical researches
of composite herbal medicinal product based on essential oils of
Sedum plants growing in Kazakhstan in commercial reserves at the
territory of Kazakhstan. The results of comparative analysis are
represented in obstetric-gynecologic practice during combined
therapy for postnatal complications, inflammatory infiltrates in the
area of surgical wounds including wounds after caesarean section.
Abstract: In this paper we propose a novel methodology for
extracting a road network and its nodes from satellite images of
Algeria country.
This developed technique is a progress of our previous research
works. It is founded on the information theory and the mathematical
morphology; the information theory and the mathematical
morphology are combined together to extract and link the road
segments to form a road network and its nodes.
We therefore have to define objects as sets of pixels and to study
the shape of these objects and the relations that exist between them.
In this approach, geometric and radiometric features of roads are
integrated by a cost function and a set of selected points of a crossing
road. Its performances were tested on satellite images of Algeria
country.
Abstract: The present study was carried out to investigate the
effect of alloying elements and thermo-mechanical treatment (TMT)
i.e. hot rolling and forging with different reduction ratios on the
hardness (HV) and impact toughness (J) of heat-treated low alloy
steels. An understanding of the combined effect of TMT and alloying
elements and by measuring hardness, impact toughness, resulting
from different heat treatment following TMT of the low alloy steels,
it is possible to determine which conditions yielded optimum
mechanical properties and high strength to weight ratio.
Experimental Correlations between hot work reduction ratio,
hardness and impact toughness for thermo-mechanically heat treated
low alloy steels are analyzed quantitatively, and both regression and
mathematical hardness and impact toughness models are developed.
Abstract: This paper is focused on the CFD simulation of the radiaxial pump (i.e. mixed flow pump) with the aim to detect the reasons of Y-Q characteristic instability. The main reasons of pressure pulsations were detected by means of the analysis of velocity and pressure fields within the pump combined with the theoretical approach. Consequently, the modifications of spiral case and pump suction area were made based on the knowledge of flow conditions and the shape of dissipation function. The primary design of pump geometry was created as the base model serving for the comparison of individual modification influences. The basic experimental data are available for this geometry. This approach replaced the more complicated and with respect to convergence of all computational tasks more difficult calculation for the compressible liquid flow. The modification of primary pump consisted in inserting the three fins types. Subsequently, the evaluation of pressure pulsations, specific energy curves and visualization of velocity fields were chosen as the criterion for successful design.
Abstract: Although, lanthanum carbonate has not been approved
by the FDA for treatment of hyperphosphatemia, we prospectively
evaluated the efficacy of the combination of Calcium hydroxyapatite
(CHAp) and Lanthanum Carbonate (LaC) for the treatment of
hyperphosphatemia on mice. CHAp was prepared by co-precipitation
method using Ca(OH)2, H3PO4, NH4OH with calcination at 1200ºC.
Lanthanum carbonate was prepared by chemical method using
NaHCO3 and LaCl3 at low pH environment, below 4.0. The
structures were characterized by FTIR spectra and SEM -EDX
analysis. The study group included 16 subjects-mice divided into four
groups according to the administered substance: lanthanum carbonate
(group A), CHAp (group B), lanthanum carbonate + CHAp (group C)
and salt water (group D). The results indicate a phosphate decrease
when subjects (mice) were treated with CHAp and lanthanum
carbonate (0.5% CMC), in a single dose of 1500 mg/kg. Serum
phosphate concentration decreased [(from 4.5 ± 0.8 mg/dL) to
4.05 ± 0.2 mg/dL), P < 0.01] in group A and in group C (to 3.6
± 0.2 mg/dL) at 12 hours from the administration. The combination
of CHAp and lanthanum carbonate is a suitable regimen for
hyperphosphatemia treatment because it avoids both the
hypercalcemia of CaCO3 and the adverse effects of CHAp.
Abstract: High performance turf reinforcement mat (HPTRM) is
one of the most advanced flexible armoring technologies for severe
erosion challenges. The effect of turbulence on the slope stability of
an earthen levee strengthened by high performance turf reinforcement
mat (HPTRM) is investigated in this study for combined storm surge
and wave overtopping conditions. The results show that turbulence
has strong influence on the slope stability during the combined storm
surge and wave overtopping conditions. Among the surge height,
peak wave force and turbulent force. The turbulent force has the
ability to stabilize the earthen levee at the large wave force the
turbulent force has strongest effect on the FS. The surge storm acts as
an independent force on the slope stability of the earthen levee. It just
adds to the effects of the turbulent force and wave force on the slope
stability of HPTRM strengthened levee.
Abstract: This paper presents effects of distilled water, seawater
and sustained bending strains of 30% and 50% ultimate strain at
room temperature, on the durability of unidirectional pultruded
carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates. In this study,
dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) was used to investigate the
synergic effects of the immersions and bending strains on the viscoelastic
properties of (CFRP) such as storage modulus, tan delta and
glass transition temperature. The study reveals that the storage
modulus and glass transition temperature increase while tan delta
peak decreases in the initial stage of both immersions due to the
progression of curing. The storage modulus and Tg subsequently
decrease and tan delta increases due to the matrix plasticization. The
blister induced damages in the unstrained seawater samples enhance
water uptake and cause more serious degradation of Tg and storage
modulus than in water immersion. Increasing sustained bending
decreases Tg and storage modulus in a long run for both immersions
due to resin matrix cracking and debonding. The combined effects of
immersions and strains are not clearly reflected due to the statistical
effects of DMA sample sizes and competing processes of molecular
reorientation and postcuring.
Abstract: An artificial neural network is a mathematical model
inspired by biological neural networks. There are several kinds of
neural networks and they are widely used in many areas, such as:
prediction, detection, and classification. Meanwhile, in day to day life,
people always have to make many difficult decisions. For example,
the coach of a soccer club has to decide which offensive player
to be selected to play in a certain game. This work describes a
novel Neural Network using a combination of the General Regression
Neural Network and the Probabilistic Neural Networks to help a
soccer coach make an informed decision.
Abstract: The main aim of the presented experiments is to
improve behaviour of sandwich structures under dynamic loading,
such as crash or explosion. This paper describes experimental
investigation on the response of new advanced materials to low and
high velocity load. Blast wave energy absorbers were designed using
two types of porous lightweight raw particle materials based on
expanded glass and ceramics with dimensions of 0.5-1 mm,
combined with polymeric binder. The effect of binder amount on the
static and dynamic properties of designed materials was observed.
Prism shaped specimens were prepared and loaded to obtain physicomechanical
parameters – bulk density, compressive and flexural
strength under quasistatic load, the dynamic response was determined
using Split Hopkinson Pressure bar apparatus. Numerical
investigation of the material behaviour in sandwich structure was
performed using implicit/explicit solver LS-Dyna. As the last step,
the developed material was used as the interlayer of blast resistant
litter bin, and it´s functionality was verified by real field blast tests.
Abstract: The purpose of the present work was to develop an
innovative food product with nutritional properties as well as
appealing organoleptic qualities. The product, a jam, was prepared
with the beans’ cooking water combined with fresh apple or carrot,
without the addition of any conservatives. Three different jams were
produced: bean and carrot, bean and apple and bean, apple and
cinnamon. The developed products underwent a sensorial analysis
that revealed that the bean, apple and cinnamon jam was globally
better accepted. However, with this study, the consumers determined
that the bean and carrot jam had the most attractive color and the
bean and apple jam the better consistency. Additionally, it was
possible to analyze the jams for their chemical components, namely
fat, fiber, protein, sugars and antioxidant activity. The obtained
results showed that the bean and carrot jam had the highest lipid
content, while the bean, apple and cinnamon jam had the highest
fiber content, when compared to the other two jams. Regarding the
sugar content, both jams with apple revealed similar sugar values,
which were higher than the sugar content of the bean and carrot jam.
The antioxidant activity was on average 10 mg TE/g.
Abstract: In this paper, effects of using Alumina-water
nanofluid on the rate of heat transfer have been investigated
numerically. Physical model is a square enclosure with insulated top
and bottom horizontal walls, while the vertical walls are kept at
different constant temperatures. Two appropriate models are used to
evaluate the viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanofluid. The
governing stream-vorticity equations are solved using a second order
central finite difference scheme, coupled to the conservation of mass
and energy. The study has been carried out for the Richardson
number 0.1 to 10 and the solid volume fraction 0 to 0.04. Results are
presented by isotherms lines, average Nusselt number and normalized
Nusselt number in different range of φ and Ri for forced, combined
and natural convection dominated regime. It is found that higher heat
transfer rate is predicted when the effects of nanoparticle is taken into
account.
Abstract: Development of a method to estimate gene functions is
an important task in bioinformatics. One of the approaches for the
annotation is the identification of the metabolic pathway that genes are
involved in. Since gene expression data reflect various intracellular
phenomena, those data are considered to be related with genes’
functions. However, it has been difficult to estimate the gene function
with high accuracy. It is considered that the low accuracy of the
estimation is caused by the difficulty of accurately measuring a gene
expression. Even though they are measured under the same condition,
the gene expressions will vary usually. In this study, we proposed a
feature extraction method focusing on the variability of gene
expressions to estimate the genes' metabolic pathway accurately. First,
we estimated the distribution of each gene expression from replicate
data. Next, we calculated the similarity between all gene pairs by KL
divergence, which is a method for calculating the similarity between
distributions. Finally, we utilized the similarity vectors as feature
vectors and trained the multiclass SVM for identifying the genes'
metabolic pathway. To evaluate our developed method, we applied the
method to budding yeast and trained the multiclass SVM for
identifying the seven metabolic pathways. As a result, the accuracy
that calculated by our developed method was higher than the one that
calculated from the raw gene expression data. Thus, our developed
method combined with KL divergence is useful for identifying the
genes' metabolic pathway.
Abstract: The performance and analysis of speech recognition
system is illustrated in this paper. An approach to recognize the
English word corresponding to digit (0-9) spoken by 2 different
speakers is captured in noise free environment. For feature extraction,
speech Mel frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) has been used
which gives a set of feature vectors from recorded speech samples.
Neural network model is used to enhance the recognition
performance. Feed forward neural network with back propagation
algorithm model is used. However other speech recognition
techniques such as HMM, DTW exist. All experiments are carried
out on Matlab.
Abstract: Fluid viscous damping systems are well suited for
many air vehicles subjected to shock and vibration. These damping
system work with the principle of viscous fluid throttling through the
orifice to create huge pressure difference between compression and
rebound chamber and obtain the required damping force. One
application of such systems is its use in aircraft door system to
counteract the door’s velocity and safely stop it. In exigency
situations like crash or emergency landing where the door doesn’t
open easily, possibly due to unusually tilting of fuselage or some
obstacles or intrusion of debris obstruction to move the parts of the
door, such system can be combined with other systems to provide
needed force to forcefully open the door and also securely stop it
simultaneously within the required time i.e. less than 8 seconds. In
the present study, a hydraulic system called snubber along with other
systems like actuator, gas bottle assembly which together known as
emergency power assist system (EPAS) is designed, built and
experimentally studied to check the magnitude of angular velocity,
damping force and time required to effectively open the door.
Whenever needed, the gas pressure from the bottle is released to
actuate the actuator and at the same time pull the snubber’s piston to
operate the emergency opening of the door. Such EPAS installed in
the suspension arm of the aircraft door is studied explicitly changing
parameters like orifice size, oil level, oil viscosity and bypass valve
gap and its spring of the snubber at varying temperature to generate
the optimum design case. Comparative analysis of the EPAS at
several cases is done and conclusions are made. It is found that
during emergency condition, the system opening time and angular
velocity, when snubber with 0.3mm piston and shaft orifice and
bypass valve gap of 0.5 mm with its original spring is used, shows
significant improvement over the old ones.