Abstract: Let k, t, d be arbitrary integers with k ≥ 2, t ≥ 0 and
d = k2 - k. In the first section we give some preliminaries from
Pell equations x2 - dy2 = 1 and x2 - dy2 = N, where N be any
fixed positive integer. In the second section, we consider the integer
solutions of Pell equations x2 - dy2 = 1 and x2 - dy2 = 2t. We
give a method for the solutions of these equations. Further we derive
recurrence relations on the solutions of these equations
Abstract: This Classifying Bird Sounds (chip notes) project-s
purpose is to reduce the unwanted noise from recorded bird sound
chip notes, design a scheme to detect differences and similarities
between recorded chip notes, and classify bird sound chip notes. The
technologies of determining the similarities of sound waves have
been used in communication, sound engineering and wireless sound
applications for many years. Our research is focused on the similarity
of chip notes, which are the sounds from different birds. The program
we use is generated by Microsoft Cµ.
Abstract: Results of Chilean wine classification based on the
information provided by an electronic nose are reported in this paper.
The classification scheme consists of two parts; in the first stage,
Principal Component Analysis is used as feature extraction method to
reduce the dimensionality of the original information. Then, Radial
Basis Functions Neural Networks is used as pattern recognition
technique to perform the classification. The objective of this study is
to classify different Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carménère wine
samples from different years, valleys and vineyards of Chile.
Abstract: A key to success of high quality software development
is to define valid and feasible requirements specification. We have
proposed a method of model-driven requirements analysis using
Unified Modeling Language (UML). The main feature of our method
is to automatically generate a Web user interface mock-up from UML
requirements analysis model so that we can confirm validity of
input/output data for each page and page transition on the system by
directly operating the mock-up. This paper proposes a support method
to check the validity of a data life cycle by using a model checking tool
“UPPAAL" focusing on CRUD (Create, Read, Update and Delete).
Exhaustive checking improves the quality of requirements analysis
model which are validated by the customers through automatically
generated mock-up. The effectiveness of our method is discussed by a
case study of requirements modeling of two small projects which are a
library management system and a supportive sales system for text
books in a university.
Abstract: This research work is aimed at speech recognition
using scaly neural networks. A small vocabulary of 11 words were
established first, these words are “word, file, open, print, exit, edit,
cut, copy, paste, doc1, doc2". These chosen words involved with
executing some computer functions such as opening a file, print
certain text document, cutting, copying, pasting, editing and exit.
It introduced to the computer then subjected to feature extraction
process using LPC (linear prediction coefficients). These features are
used as input to an artificial neural network in speaker dependent
mode. Half of the words are used for training the artificial neural
network and the other half are used for testing the system; those are
used for information retrieval.
The system components are consist of three parts, speech
processing and feature extraction, training and testing by using neural
networks and information retrieval.
The retrieve process proved to be 79.5-88% successful, which is
quite acceptable, considering the variation to surrounding, state of
the person, and the microphone type.
Abstract: Researchers have been applying tional intelligence (AI/CI) methods to computer games. In this research field, further researchesare required to compare AI/CI
methods with respect to each game application. In th
our experimental result on the comparison of three evolutionary algorithms – evolution strategy, genetic algorithm, and their hybrid
applied to evolving controller agents for the CIG 2007 Simulated Car Racing competition. Our experimental result shows that, premature
convergence of solutions was observed in the case of ES, and GA outperformed ES in the last half of generations. Besides, a hybrid
which uses GA first and ES next evolved the best solution among the whole solutions being generated. This result shows the ability of GA in
globally searching promising areas in the early stage and the ability of ES in locally searching the focused area (fine-tuning solutions).
Abstract: Despite the recent surge of research in control of
worm propagation, currently, there is no effective defense system
against such cyber attacks. We first design a distributed detection
architecture called Detection via Distributed Blackholes (DDBH).
Our novel detection mechanism could be implemented via virtual
honeypots or honeynets. Simulation results show that a worm can be
detected with virtual honeypots on only 3% of the nodes. Moreover,
the worm is detected when less than 1.5% of the nodes are infected.
We then develop two control strategies: (1) optimal dynamic trafficblocking,
for which we determine the condition that guarantees
minimum number of removed nodes when the worm is contained and
(2) predictive dynamic traffic-blocking–a realistic deployment of
the optimal strategy on scale-free graphs. The predictive dynamic
traffic-blocking, coupled with the DDBH, ensures that more than
40% of the network is unaffected by the propagation at the time
when the worm is contained.
Abstract: Let X be a connected space, X be a space, let p : X -→ X be a continuous map and let (X, p) be a covering space of X. In the first section we give some preliminaries from covering spaces and their automorphism groups. In the second section we derive some algebraic properties of both universal and regular covering spaces (X, p) of X and also their automorphism groups A(X, p).
Abstract: Intermetallic Ni3Al – based alloys belong to a group
of advanced materials characterized by good chemical and physical
properties (such as structural stability, corrosion resistance) which
offer advenced technological applications. The paper presents the
study of catalytic properties of Ni3Al foils (thickness approximately
50 &m) in the methanol and hexane decomposition. The egzamined
material posses microcrystalline structure without any additional
catalysts on the surface. The better catalytic activity of Ni3Al foils
with respect to quartz plates in both methanol and hexane
decomposition was confirmed. On thin Ni3Al foils the methanol
conversion reaches approximately 100% above 480 oC while the
hexane conversion reaches approximately 100% (98,5%) at 500 oC.
Deposit formed during the methanol decomposition is built up of
carbon nanofibers decorated with metal-like nanoparticles.
Abstract: To illustrate diversity of methods used to extract relevant (where the concept of relevance can be differently defined for different applications) visual data, the paper discusses three groups of such methods. They have been selected from a range of alternatives to highlight how hardware and software tools can be complementarily used in order to achieve various functionalities in case of different specifications of “relevant data". First, principles of gated imaging are presented (where relevance is determined by the range). The second methodology is intended for intelligent intrusion detection, while the last one is used for content-based image matching and retrieval. All methods have been developed within projects supervised by the author.
Abstract: Secure electronic payment system is presented in this
paper. This electronic payment system is to be secure for clients such
as customers and shop owners. The security architecture of the
system is designed by RC5 encryption / decryption algorithm. This
eliminates the fraud that occurs today with stolen credit card
numbers. The symmetric key cryptosystem RC5 can protect
conventional transaction data such as account numbers, amount and
other information. This process can be done electronically using RC5
encryption / decryption program written by Microsoft Visual Basic
6.0. There is no danger of any data sent within the system being
intercepted, and replaced. The alternative is to use the existing
network, and to encrypt all data transmissions. The system with
encryption is acceptably secure, but that the level of encryption has
to be stepped up, as computing power increases. Results In order to
be secure the system the communication between modules is
encrypted using symmetric key cryptosystem RC5. The system will
use simple user name, password, user ID, user type and cipher
authentication mechanism for identification, when the user first
enters the system. It is the most common method of authentication in
most computer system.
Abstract: One major issue that is regularly cited as a block to
the widespread use of online assessments in eLearning, is that of the
authentication of the student and the level of confidence that an
assessor can have that the assessment was actually completed by that
student. Currently, this issue is either ignored, in which case
confidence in the assessment and any ensuing qualification is
damaged, or else assessments are conducted at central, controlled
locations at specified times, losing the benefits of the distributed
nature of the learning programme. Particularly as we move towards
constructivist models of learning, with intentions towards achieving
heutagogic learning environments, the benefits of a properly
managed online assessment system are clear. Here we discuss some
of the approaches that could be adopted to address these issues,
looking at the use of existing security and biometric techniques,
combined with some novel behavioural elements. These approaches
offer the opportunity to validate the student on accessing an
assessment, on submission, and also during the actual production of
the assessment. These techniques are currently under development in
the DECADE project, and future work will evaluate and report their
use..
Abstract: In this study, a synthetic pathway was created by
assembling genes from Clostridium butyricum and Escherichia coli
in different combinations. Among the genes were dhaB1 and dhaB2
from C. butyricum VPI1718 coding for glycerol dehydratase (GDHt)
and its activator (GDHtAc), respectively, involved in the conversion
of glycerol to 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA). The yqhD gene
from E.coli BL21 was also included which codes for an NADPHdependent
1,3-propanediol oxidoreductase isoenzyme (PDORI)
reducing 3-HPA to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD). Molecular modeling
analysis indicated that the conformation of fusion protein of YQHD
and DHAB1 was favorable for direct molecular channeling of the
intermediate 3-HPA. According to the simulation results, the yqhD
and dhaB1 gene were assembled in the upstream of dhaB2 to express
a fusion protein, yielding the recombinant strain E. coliBL21
(DE3)//pET22b+::yqhD-dhaB1_dhaB2 (strain BP41Y3). Strain
BP41Y3 gave 10-fold higher 1,3-PD concentration than E. coliBL21
(DE3)//pET22b+::yqhD-dhaB1_dhaB2 (strain BP31Y2) expressing
the recombinant enzymes simultaneously but in a non-fusion mode.
This is the first report using a gene fusion approach to enhance the
biological conversion of glycerol to the value added compound 1,3-
PD.
Abstract: Business continuity management (BCM) identifies
potential external and internal threats to an organization and their
impacts to business operations. The goal of the article is to identify,
based on the analysis of employee turnover in organizations in the
Czech Republic, the role of personnel planning in BCM. The article
is organized as follows. The first part of the article concentrates on
the theoretical background of the topic. The second part of the article
is dedicated to the evaluation of the outcomes of the survey
conducted (questionnaire survey), focusing on the analysis of
employee turnover in organizations in the Czech Republic. The final
part of the article underlines the role of personnel planning in BCM,
since poor planning of staff needs in an organization can represent
a future threat for business continuity ensuring.
Abstract: We present a method for fast volume rendering using
graphics hardware (GPU). To our knowledge, it is the first implementation
on the GPU. Based on the Shear-Warp algorithm, our
GPU-based method provides real-time frame rates and outperforms
the CPU-based implementation. When the number of slices is not
sufficient, we add in-between slices computed by interpolation. This
improves then the quality of the rendered images. We have also
implemented the ray marching algorithm on the GPU. The results
generated by the three algorithms (CPU-based and GPU-based Shear-
Warp, GPU-based Ray Marching) for two test models has proved that
the ray marching algorithm outperforms the shear-warp methods in
terms of speed up and image quality.
Abstract: In this paper, we proposed a method for detecting consistency violation between UML state machine diagrams and communication diagrams using Alloy. Using input language of Alloy, the proposed method expresses system behaviors described by state machine diagrams, message sequences described by communication diagrams, and a consistency property. As a result of application for an example system, we confirmed that consistency violation could be detected using Alloy correctly.
Abstract: The performance and complexity of QoS routing depends on the complex interaction between a large set of parameters. This paper investigated the scaling properties of source-directed link-state routing in large core networks. The simulation results show that the routing algorithm, network topology, and link cost function each have a significant impact on the probability of successfully routing new connections. The experiments confirm and extend the findings of other studies, and also lend new insight designing efficient quality-of-service routing policies in large networks.
Abstract: Iterative learning control aims to achieve zero tracking
error of a specific command. This is accomplished by iteratively
adjusting the command given to a feedback control system, based on
the tracking error observed in the previous iteration. One would like
the iterations to converge to zero tracking error in spite of any error
present in the model used to design the learning law. First, this need
for stability robustness is discussed, and then the need for robustness
of the property that the transients are well behaved. Methods of
producing the needed robustness to parameter variations and to
singular perturbations are presented. Then a method involving
reverse time runs is given that lets the world behavior produce the
ILC gains in such a way as to eliminate the need for a mathematical
model. Since the real world is producing the gains, there is no issue
of model error. Provided the world behaves linearly, the approach
gives an ILC law with both stability robustness and good transient
robustness, without the need to generate a model.
Abstract: Electrocardiogram (ECG) segmentation is necessary to help reduce the time consuming task of manually annotating ECG's. Several algorithms have been developed to segment the ECG automatically. We first review several of such methods, and then present a new single lead segmentation method based on Adaptive piecewise constant approximation (APCA) and Piecewise derivative dynamic time warping (PDDTW). The results are tested on the QT database. We compared our results to Laguna's two lead method. Our proposed approach has a comparable mean error, but yields a slightly higher standard deviation than Laguna's method.
Abstract: Termination Mechanism is an indispensible part of the
emergency management mechanism. Despite of its importance in both
theory and practice, it is almost a brand new field for researching. The
concept of termination mechanism is proposed firstly in this paper,
and the design and implementation which are helpful to guarantee the
effect and integrity of emergency management are discussed secondly.
Starting with introduction of the problems caused by absent
termination and incorrect termination, the essence of termination
mechanism is analyzed, a model based on Optimal Stopping Theory is
constructed and the termination index is given. The model could be
applied to find the best termination time point.. Termination decision
should not only be concerned in termination stage, but also in the
whole emergency management process, which makes it a dynamic
decision making process. Besides, the main subjects and the procedure
of termination are illustrated after the termination time point is given.
Some future works are discussed lastly.