Abstract: In this paper we intend to ascertain the state of the art on multifingered end-effectors, also known as robotic hands or dexterous robot hands, and propose an experimental setup for an innovative task based design approach, involving cutting edge technologies in motion capture. After an initial description of the capabilities and complexity of a human hand when grasping objects, in order to point out the importance of replicating it, we analyze the mechanical and kinematical structure of some important works carried out all around the world in the last three decades and also review the actuators and sensing technologies used. Finally we describe a new design philosophy proposing an experimental setup for the first stage using recent developments in human body motion capture systems that might lead to lighter and always more dexterous robotic hands.
Abstract: One part of the total employee-s reward is apart from basic wages or salary, employee-s benefits and intangible elements also so called contingent (variable) pay. Contingent pay is connected to performance, contribution, capcompetency or skills of individual employees, and to team-s or company-wide performance or to combination of few of the mentioned possibilities. Main aim of this article is to define, based on available information, contingent pay, describe reasons for its implementation and arguments for and against this type of remuneration, but also bring information not only about its extent and level of utilization by organizations of the Czech Republic operating in the field of environmental protection, but also mention their practical experience with this type of remuneration.
Abstract: Expression and secretion of inflammation markers are
disturbed in obesity. Interleukin-6 reduces body fat mass. The
common G-174C polymorphism in the promoter of IL-6 gene has
been reported that effects on transcriptional regulation. The objective
was to investigate association of the common polymorphism G-174C
with obesity in Iranian population. The present study is cross
sectional association study that included 242 individuals (110 men
and 132 women). Serum IL-6 levels, C-reactive protein, fasting
blood glucose and blood lipids profile were measured .BMI and
WHR were calculated. Genotyping is carried out by PCR and RFLP.
The frequencies of G and C allele were 64.5% and 35.5%,
respectively. The G-174C polymorphism was not associated with
BMI and WHR. However in obese individual, fasting blood glucose
was significantly higher in carrier of C allele compared with the noncarrier.
The IL-6 G-174C polymorphism is not a risk factor for
obesity in Iranian population.
Abstract: Through 1980s, management accounting researchers
described the increasing irrelevance of traditional control and
performance measurement systems. The Balanced Scorecard (BSC)
is a critical business tool for a lot of organizations. It is a
performance measurement system which translates mission and
strategy into objectives. Strategy map approach is a development
variant of BSC in which some necessary causal relations must be
established. To recognize these relations, experts usually use
experience. It is also possible to utilize regression for the same
purpose. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), which is one of the
most powerful methods of multivariate data analysis, obtains more
appropriate results than traditional methods such as regression. In the
present paper, we propose SEM for the first time to identify the
relations between objectives in the strategy map, and a test to
measure the importance of relations. In SEM, factor analysis and test
of hypotheses are done in the same analysis. SEM is known to be
better than other techniques at supporting analysis and reporting. Our
approach provides a framework which permits the experts to design
the strategy map by applying a comprehensive and scientific method
together with their experience. Therefore this scheme is a more
reliable method in comparison with the previously established
methods.
Abstract: A new blind gray-level watermarking scheme is described. In the proposed method, the host image is first divided into 4*4 non-overlapping blocks. For each block, two first AC coefficients of its Hadamard transform are then estimated using DC coefficients of its neighbor blocks. A gray-level watermark is then added into estimated values. Since embedding watermark does not change the DC coefficients, watermark extracting could be done by estimating AC coefficients and comparing them with their actual values. Several experiments are made and results suggest the robustness of the proposed algorithm.
Abstract: This paper puts forward one kind of air-fuel ratio
control method with PI controller. With the help of
MATLAB/SIMULINK software, the mathematical model of air-fuel
ratio control system for distributorless CNG engine is constructed.
The objective is to maintain cylinder-to-cylinder air-fuel ratio at a
prescribed set point, determined primarily by the state of the Three-
Way-Catalyst (TWC), so that the pollutants in the exhaust are
removed with the highest efficiency. The concurrent control of airfuel
under transient conditions could be implemented by Proportional
and Integral (PI) controller. The simulation result indicates that the
control methods can easily eliminate the air/fuel maldistribution and
maintain the air/fuel ratio at the stochiometry within minimum
engine events.
Abstract: A number of competing methodologies have been developed
to identify genes and classify DNA sequences into coding
and non-coding sequences. This classification process is fundamental
in gene finding and gene annotation tools and is one of the most
challenging tasks in bioinformatics and computational biology. An
information theory measure based on mutual information has shown
good accuracy in classifying DNA sequences into coding and noncoding.
In this paper we describe a species independent iterative
approach that distinguishes coding from non-coding sequences using
the mutual information measure (MIM). A set of sixty prokaryotes is
used to extract universal training data. To facilitate comparisons with
the published results of other researchers, a test set of 51 bacterial
and archaeal genomes was used to evaluate MIM. These results
demonstrate that MIM produces superior results while remaining
species independent.
Abstract: In this study, a system of encryption based on chaotic
sequences is described. The system is used for encrypting digital
image data for the purpose of secure image transmission. An image
secure communication scheme based on Logistic map chaotic
sequences with a nonlinear function is proposed in this paper.
Encryption and decryption keys are obtained by one-dimensional
Logistic map that generates secret key for the input of the nonlinear
function. Receiver can recover the information using the received
signal and identical key sequences through the inverse system
technique. The results of computer simulations indicate that the
transmitted source image can be correctly and reliably recovered by
using proposed scheme even under the noisy channel. The
performance of the system will be discussed through evaluating the
quality of recovered image with and without channel noise.
Abstract: Optical character recognition of cursive scripts
presents a number of challenging problems in both segmentation and
recognition processes in different languages, including Persian. In
order to overcome these problems, we use a newly developed Persian
word segmentation method and a recognition-based segmentation
technique to overcome its segmentation problems. This method is
robust as well as flexible. It also increases the system-s tolerances to
font variations. The implementation results of this method on a
comprehensive database show a high degree of accuracy which meets
the requirements for commercial use. Extended with a suitable pre
and post-processing, the method offers a simple and fast framework
to develop a full OCR system.
Abstract: This paper presents anapproach of hybridizing two or more artificial intelligence (AI) techniques which arebeing used to
fuzzify the workstress level ranking and categorize the rating accordingly. The use of two or more techniques (hybrid approach)
has been considered in this case, as combining different techniques may lead to neutralizing each other-s weaknesses generating a
superior hybrid solution. Recent researches have shown that there is a
need for a more valid and reliable tools, for assessing work stress. Thus artificial intelligence techniques have been applied in this
instance to provide a solution to a psychological application. An overview about the novel and autonomous interactive model for analysing work-stress that has been developedusing multi-agent
systems is also presented in this paper. The establishment of the intelligent multi-agent decision analyser (IMADA) using hybridized technique of neural networks and fuzzy logic within the multi-agent based framework is also described.
Abstract: Ethical Education is a compulsorily optional subject in
primary and secondary schools. The Ethical Education objective is
the education of a personality with one´s own identity, with
interiorized ethical standards, with mature moral judgement and
therefore with the behaviour determined by one´s own beliefs; with a
positive attitude to himself/herself and other people and that is why
he/she is able to cooperate and to initiate cooperation. In the paper we
describe the contents and the principles of Ethical education. We also
shows that Ethical education is subject supported primary socialpathological
prevention and education to citizenship. In this context
we try to show that ethical education contributes to the education of
good people who are aware of the necessity to respect social norms
and are able to assume responsibility for their own behaviour in any
situation at present and in the future.
Abstract: It is important to provide possibility of so called
“handover" for the mobile subscriber from GSM network to Wi-Fi
network and back. To solve specified problem it is necessary to
estimate connection time between base station and wireless access
point. Difficulty to estimate this parameter is that it doesn-t described
in specifications of the standard and, hence, no recommended value
is given.
In this paper, the analytical model is presented that allows the
estimating connection time between base station and IEEE 802.11
access point.
Abstract: A new method identifies coupled fluid-structure system with a reduced set of state variables is presented. Assuming that the structural model is known a priori either from an analysis or a test and using linear transformations between structural and aeroelastic states, it is possible to deduce aerodynamic information from sampled time histories of the aeroelastic system. More specifically given a finite set of structural modes the method extracts generalized aerodynamic force matrix corresponding to these mode shapes. Once the aerodynamic forces are known, an aeroelastic reduced-order model can be constructed in discrete-time, state-space format by coupling the structural model and the aerodynamic system. The resulting reduced-order model is suitable for constant Mach, varying density analysis.
Abstract: This study aims to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine the topic to be focused in developing Virtual Laboratory For Biology (VLab-Bio). Samples involved in answering the questionnaire are form five students (equivalent to A-Level) and biology teachers. Time and economical resources for the setting up and construction of scientific laboratories can be solved with the adaptation of virtual laboratories as an educational tool. Thus, it is hoped that the proposed virtual laboratory will help students to learn the abstract concepts in biology. Findings show that the difficult topic chosen is Cell Division and the learning objective to be focused in developing the virtual lab is “Describe the application of knowledge on mitosis in cloning".
Abstract: Bond Graph as a unified multidisciplinary tool is widely
used not only for dynamic modelling but also for Fault Detection and
Isolation because of its structural and causal proprieties. A binary
Fault Signature Matrix is systematically generated but to make the
final binary decision is not always feasible because of the problems
revealed by such method. The purpose of this paper is introducing a
methodology for the improvement of the classical binary method of
decision-making, so that the unknown and identical failure signatures
can be treated to improve the robustness. This approach consists of
associating the evaluated residuals and the components reliability data
to build a Hybrid Bayesian Network. This network is used in two
distinct inference procedures: one for the continuous part and the
other for the discrete part. The continuous nodes of the network are
the prior probabilities of the components failures, which are used by
the inference procedure on the discrete part to compute the posterior
probabilities of the failures. The developed methodology is applied
to a real steam generator pilot process.
Abstract: Fuzzy Load forecasting plays a paramount role in the operation and management of power systems. Accurate estimation of future power demands for various lead times facilitates the task of generating power reliably and economically. The forecasting of future loads for a relatively large lead time (months to few years) is studied here (long term load forecasting). Among the various techniques used in forecasting load, artificial intelligence techniques provide greater accuracy to the forecasts as compared to conventional techniques. Fuzzy Logic, a very robust artificial intelligent technique, is described in this paper to forecast load on long term basis. The paper gives a general algorithm to forecast long term load. The algorithm is an Extension of Short term load forecasting method to Long term load forecasting and concentrates not only on the forecast values of load but also on the errors incorporated into the forecast. Hence, by correcting the errors in the forecast, forecasts with very high accuracy have been achieved. The algorithm, in the paper, is demonstrated with the help of data collected for residential sector (LT2 (a) type load: Domestic consumers). Load, is determined for three consecutive years (from April-06 to March-09) in order to demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm and to forecast for the next two years (from April-09 to March-11).
Abstract: Measurements of capacitance C and dissipation
factor tand of the stator insulation system provide useful information
about internal defects within the insulation. The index k is defined as
the proportionality constant between the changes at high voltage of
capacitance DC and of the dissipation factor Dtand . DC and
Dtand values were highly correlated when small flat defects were
within the insulation and that correlation was lost in the presence of
large narrow defects like electrical treeing. The discrimination
between small and large defects is made resorting to partial discharge
PD phase angle analysis. For the validation of the results, C and tand
measurements were carried out in a 15MVA 4160V steam turbine
turbogenerator placed in a sugar mill. In addition, laboratory test
results obtained by other authors were analyzed jointly. In such
laboratory tests, model coil bars subjected to thermal cycling resulted
highly degraded and DC and Dtand values were not correlated. Thus,
the index k could not be calculated.
Abstract: In this paper, we proposed a new framework to incorporate an intelligent agent software robot into a crisis communication portal (CCNet) in order to send alert news to subscribed users via email and other mobile services such as Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and General Packet Radio Services (GPRS). The content on the mobile services can be delivered either through mobile phone or Personal Digital Assistance (PDA). This research has shown that with our proposed framework, the embodied conversation agents system can handle questions intelligently with our multilayer architecture. At the same time, the extended framework can take care of delivery content through a more humanoid interface on mobile devices.
Abstract: The quantum mechanics simulation was applied for
calculating the interaction force between 2 molecules based on atomic level. For the simple extractive distillation system, it is ternary
components consisting of 2 closed boiling point components (A,lower boiling point and B, higher boiling point) and solvent (S). The
quantum mechanics simulation was used to calculate the intermolecular force (interaction force) between the closed boiling
point components and solvents consisting of intermolecular between
A-S and B-S.
The requirement of the promising solvent for extractive distillation
is that solvent (S) has to form stronger intermolecular force with only
one component than the other component (A or B). In this study, the
systems of aromatic-aromatic, aromatic-cycloparaffin, and paraffindiolefin
systems were selected as the demonstration for solvent
selection. This study defined new term using for screening the solvents called relative interaction force which is calculated from the
quantum mechanics simulation. The results showed that relative
interaction force gave the good agreement with the literature data
(relative volatilities from the experiment). The reasons are discussed. Finally, this study suggests that quantum mechanics results can improve the relative volatility estimation for screening the solvents leading to reduce time and money consuming
Abstract: A game animals – elk (Alces alces), deer (Cervus
elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) or wild boar (Sus scrofa
scrofa) - every autumn and winter period provide an excellent
investment, diversification of many consumer meals. In last years
consumption and assortiment of game meat products significantly
increase. Investigations about biochemical composition of game meat
are not very much. The meat of wild animals is more favourable for
human health because it has lower saturated fatty acids content, but
higher content of protein. Therefore the aim of investigations was to
compare biochemical composition of ungulates obtained in
Latvia.Investigations were carried out in wild animals different
regions of Latvia. In the studied samples protein, intramuscular fat,
fatty acids and cholesterol were determined. The biochemical
analysis of 54 samples were done. Results of analysis showed that
protein content 22.36 – 22.92% of all types of meat samples is not
different statistically, significantly lower fat content 1.33 ± 0.88%
had elk meat samples and 1.59 ± 0.59% roe deer samples. Content of
cholesterol was various 64.41 – 95.07% in the ruminant meat
samples of different species. From the dietetic point of view the best
composition of fatty acids has meat samples of roe deer.