Abstract: In recent years, there has been an increasing interest
toward the use of bovine genotyped embryos for commercial embryo
transfer programs. Biopsy of a few cells in morulla stage is essential
for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Low amount of DNA
have limited performing the several molecular analyses within PGD
analyses. Whole genome amplification (WGA) promises to eliminate
this problem. We evaluated the possibility and performance of an
improved primer extension preamplification (I-PEP) method with a
range of starting bovine genomic DNA from 1-8 cells into the WGA
reaction. We optimized a short and simple I-PEP (ssI-PEP) procedure
(~3h). This optimized WGA method was assessed by 6 loci specific
polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), included restriction fragments
length polymorphism (RFLP). Optimized WGA procedure possesses
enough sensitivity for molecular genetic analyses through the few
input cells. This is a new era for generating characterized bovine
embryos in preimplantation stage.
Abstract: The practical implementation of audio-video coupled speech recognition systems is mainly limited by the hardware complexity to integrate two radically different information capturing devices with good temporal synchronisation. In this paper, we propose a solution based on a smart CMOS image sensor in order to simplify the hardware integration difficulties. By using on-chip image processing, this smart sensor can calculate in real time the X/Y projections of the captured image. This on-chip projection reduces considerably the volume of the output data. This data-volume reduction permits a transmission of the condensed visual information via the same audio channel by using a stereophonic input available on most of the standard computation devices such as PC, PDA and mobile phones. A prototype called VMIKE (Visio-Microphone) has been designed and realised by using standard 0.35um CMOS technology. A preliminary experiment gives encouraged results. Its efficiency will be further investigated in a large variety of applications such as biometrics, speech recognition in noisy environments, and vocal control for military or disabled persons, etc.
Abstract: This paper presents the simulation of fragmentation
warhead using a hydrocode, Autodyn. The goal of this research is to
determine the lethal range of such a warhead. This study investigates
the lethal range of warheads with and without steel balls as
preformed fragments. The results from the FE simulation, i.e. initial
velocities and ejected spray angles of fragments, are further processed
using an analytical approach so as to determine a fragment hit density
and probability of kill of a modelled warhead. In order to simulate a
plenty of preformed fragments inside a warhead, the model requires
expensive computation resources. Therefore, this study attempts to
model the problem in an alternative approach by considering an
equivalent mass of preformed fragments to the mass of warhead
casing. This approach yields approximately 7% and 20% difference
of fragment velocities from the analytical results for one and two
layers of preformed fragments, respectively. The lethal ranges of the
simulated warheads are 42.6 m and 56.5 m for warheads with one and
two layers of preformed fragments, respectively, compared to 13.85
m for a warhead without preformed fragment. These lethal ranges are
based on the requirement of fragment hit density. The lethal ranges
which are based on the probability of kill are 27.5 m, 61 m and 70 m
for warheads with no preformed fragment, one and two layers of
preformed fragments, respectively.
Abstract: This paper describes design of a digital feedback loop
for a low switching frequency dc-dc switching converters. Low
switching frequencies were selected in this design. A look up table
for the digital PID (proportional integrator differentiator)
compensator was implemented using Altera Stratix II with built-in
ADC (analog-to-digital converter) to achieve this hardware
realization. Design guidelines are given for the PID compensator,
high frequency DPWM (digital pulse width modulator) and moving
average filter.
Abstract: This paper presents a model for the evaluation of
energy performance and aerodynamic forces acting on a three-bladed
small vertical axis Darrieus wind turbine depending on blade chord
curvature with respect to rotor axis.
The adopted survey methodology is based on an analytical code
coupled to a solid modeling software, capable of generating the
desired blade geometry depending on the blade design geometric
parameters, which is linked to a finite volume CFD code for the
calculation of rotor performance.
After describing and validating the model with experimental data,
the results of numerical simulations are proposed on the bases of two
different blade profile architectures, which are respectively
characterized by a straight chord and by a curved one, having a chord
radius equal to rotor external circumference. A CFD campaign of
analysis is completed for three blade-candidate airfoil sections, that is
the recently-developed DU 06-W-200 cambered blade profile, a
classical symmetrical NACA 0021 and its derived cambered airfoil,
characterized by a curved chord, having a chord radius equal to rotor
external circumference.
The effects of blade chord curvature on angle of attack, blade
tangential and normal forces are first investigated and then the
overall rotor torque and power are analyzed as a function of blade
azimuthal position, achieving a numerical quantification of the
influence of blade camber on overall rotor performance.
Abstract: Mining tailings represent a generating source of rich heavy metal material with a potential danger the public health and the environment, since these metals, under certain conditions, can leach and contaminate aqueous systems that serve like supplying potable water sources. The strategy for this work is based on the observation, experimentation and the simulation that can be obtained by binding real answers of the hydrodynamic behavior of metals leached from mining tailings, and the applied mathematics that provides the logical structure to decipher the individual effects of the general physicochemical phenomenon. The case of study presented herein focuses on mining tailings deposits located in Monte San Nicolas, Guanajuato, Mexico, an abandoned mine. This was considered the contamination source that under certain physicochemical conditions can favor the metal leaching, and its transport towards aqueous systems. In addition, the cartography, meteorology, geology and the hydrodynamics and hydrological characteristics of the place, will be helpful in determining the way and the time in which these systems can interact. Preliminary results demonstrated that arsenic presents a great mobility, since this one was identified in several superficial aqueous systems of the micro watershed, as well as in sediments in concentrations that exceed the established maximum limits in the official norms. Also variations in pH and potential oxide-reduction were registered, conditions that favor the presence of different species from this element its solubility and therefore its mobility.
Abstract: In this paper dynamics of a vapour bubble generated
due to a local energy input inside a vertical rigid cylinder and in the
absence of buoyancy forces is investigated. Different ratios of the
diameter of the rigid cylinder to the maximum radius of the bubble
are considered. The Boundary Integral Equation Method is employed
for numerical simulation of the problem. Results show that during
the collapse phase of the bubble inside a vertical rigid cylinder, two
liquid micro jets are developed on the top and bottom sides of the
vapour bubble and are directed inward. Results also show that
existence of a deposit rib inside the vertical rigid cylinder slightly
increases the life time of the bubble. It is found that by increasing the
ratio of the cylinder diameter to the maximum radius of the bubble,
the rate of the growth and collapse phases of the bubble increases
and the life time of the bubble decreases.
Abstract: The need to implement intelligent highways is much
more emphasized with the growth of vehicle production line as well as vehicle intelligence. The control of intelligent vehicles in order to
reduce human error and boost ease congestion is not accomplished solely by the aid of human resources. The present article is an attempt
to introduce an intelligent control system based on a single central computer. In this project, central computer, without utilizing Global
Positioning System (GPS), is capable of tracking all vehicles, crisis management and control, traffic guidance and recording traffic
crimes along the highway. By the help of RFID technology, vehicles
are connected to computerized systems, intelligent light poles and
other available hardware along the way. By the aid of Wimax
communicative technology, all components of the system are
virtually connected together through local and global networks
devised in them and the energy of the network is provided by the
solar cells installed on the intelligent light poles.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new technique for improving
the efficiency of software testing, which is based on a conventional
attempt to reduce test cases that have to be tested for any given
software. The approach utilizes the advantage of Regression Testing
where fewer test cases would lessen time consumption of the testing
as a whole. The technique also offers a means to perform test case
generation automatically. Compared to one of the techniques in the
literature where the tester has no option but to perform the test case
generation manually, the proposed technique provides a better
option. As for the test cases reduction, the technique uses simple
algebraic conditions to assign fixed values to variables (Maximum,
minimum and constant variables). By doing this, the variables values
would be limited within a definite range, resulting in fewer numbers
of possible test cases to process. The technique can also be used in
program loops and arrays.
Abstract: This work presents a neural network model for the
clustering analysis of data based on Self Organizing Maps (SOM).
The model evolves during the training stage towards a hierarchical
structure according to the input requirements. The hierarchical structure
symbolizes a specialization tool that provides refinements of the
classification process. The structure behaves like a single map with
different resolutions depending on the region to analyze. The benefits
and performance of the algorithm are discussed in application to the
Iris dataset, a classical example for pattern recognition.
Abstract: The production of devices in nanoscale with specific
molecular rectifying function is one of the most significant goals in
state-of-art technology. In this work we show by ab initio quantum
mechanics calculations coupled with non-equilibrium Green
function, the design of an organic two-terminal device. These
molecular structures have molecular source and drain with several
bridge length (from five up to 11 double bonds). Our results are
consistent with significant features as a molecular rectifier and can be
raised up as: (a) it can be used as bi-directional symmetrical rectifier;
(b) two devices integrated in one (FET with one operational region,
and Thyristor thiristor); (c) Inherent stability due small intrinsic
capacitance under forward/reverse bias. We utilize a scheme for the
transport mechanism based on previous properties of ¤Ç bonds type
that can be successfully utilized to construct organic nanodevices.
Abstract: In this paper, RSA encryption algorithm and its hardware
implementation in Xilinx-s Virtex Field Programmable Gate
Arrays (FPGA) is analyzed. The issues of scalability, flexible performance,
and silicon efficiency for the hardware acceleration of
public key crypto systems are being explored in the present work.
Using techniques based on the interleaved math for exponentiation,
the proposed RSA calculation architecture is compared to existing
FPGA-based solutions for speed, FPGA utilization, and scalability.
The paper covers the RSA encryption algorithm, interleaved multiplication,
Miller Rabin algorithm for primality test, extended Euclidean
math, basic FPGA technology, and the implementation details of
the proposed RSA calculation architecture. Performance of several
alternative hardware architectures is discussed and compared. Finally,
conclusion is drawn, highlighting the advantages of a fully flexible
& parameterized design.
Abstract: In this paper, we are presenting a new type of pointing interface for computers which provides mouse functionalities with near surface haptic feedback. Further, it can be configured as a haptic display where users may feel the basic geometrical shapes in the GUI by moving the finger on top of the device surface. These functionalities are achieved by tracking three dimensional positions of the neodymium magnet using Hall Effect sensors grid and generating like polarity haptic feedback using an electromagnet array. This interface brings the haptic sensations to the 3D space where previously it is felt only on top of the buttons of the haptic mouse implementations.
Abstract: Islamic banking is one the most blossoming doctrine in
economic system of the world. The Fast growing awareness about
Islamic financial system has brought strong feeling to Muslims to
confront the western interest-based economic cycle. The Islamic
economic system is emerging as a reliable alternative to the interest
based system. This study is proposed to ascertain the motivational
factors encouraging people to go for Islamic banking in Pakistan.
These pulsing factors are determined by generation of hypothesis that
there are certain factors which are urging people to opt Islamic
banking system and to see the differences in their ranking by applying
Friedman test. These factors include: Economically derived factors
such as stability of Islamic banks in crisis, profit and loss sharing
doctrine and equity sharing etc. This study also highlights the
religiously derived factors such as interest free banking, Shariah
tenets and supervisory of Islamic Shariah board and sociopsychological
factors.
Abstract: Routing security is a major concerned in Wireless
Sensor Network since a large scale of unattended nodes is deployed
in ad hoc fashion with no possibility of a global addressing due to a
limitation of node-s memory and the node have to be self organizing
when the systems require a connection with the other nodes. It
becomes more challenging when the nodes have to act as the router
and tightly constrained on energy and computational capabilities
where any existing security mechanisms are not allowed to be fitted
directly. These reasons thus increasing vulnerabilities to the network
layer particularly and to the whole network, generally. In this paper,
a Dynamic Window Secured Implicit Geographic Forwarding
(DWSIGF) routing is presented where a dynamic time is used for
collection window to collect Clear to Send (CTS) control packet in
order to find an appropriate hoping node. The DWIGF is expected to
minimize a chance to select an attacker as the hoping node that
caused by a blackhole attack that happen because of the CTS rushing
attack, which promise a good network performance with high packet
delivery ratios.
Abstract: Virtually all existing networked system management
tools use a Manager/Agent paradigm. That is, distributed agents are
deployed on managed devices to collect local information and report
it back to some management unit. Even those that use standard
protocols such as SNMP fall into this model. Using standard protocol
has the advantage of interoperability among devices from different
vendors. However, it may not be able to provide customized
information that is of interest to satisfy specific management needs.
In this dissertation work, different approaches are used to
collect information regarding the devices attached to a Local Area
Network. An SNMP aware application is being developed that will
manage the discovery procedure and will be used as data collector.
Abstract: In this paper, a numerical study has been made to
analyze the transient 2-D flows of a viscous incompressible fluid
through channels with forward or backward constriction. Problems
addressed include flow through sudden contraction and sudden
expansion channel geometries with rounded and increasingly sharp
reentrant corner. In both the cases, numerical results are presented for
the separation and reattachment points, streamlines, vorticity and
flow patterns. A fourth order accurate compact scheme has been
employed to efficiently capture steady state solutions of the
governing equations. It appears from our study that sharpness of the
throat in the channel is one of the important parameters to control the
strength and size of the separation zone without modifying the
general flow patterns. The comparison between the two cases shows
that the upstream geometry plays a significant role on vortex growth
dynamics.
Abstract: Currently, there is no database or local norms for the
physical performance of Malaysian rugby players. This database or
norms are vital for Malaysian-s sports development as programs can
be setup to improve the current status. This pilot study was
conducted to evaluate the status of our semi professional rugby
players. The rugby players were randomly selected from the
Malaysian National team and several clubs in the Klang valley, Kuala
Lumpur Malaysia. 54 male rugby players (Age: 24.41 ± 4.06 years)
were selected for this pilot study. Height, bodyweight, percentage
body fat and body mass index (BMI) and several other physical tests
were performed. Results from the BLEEP test revealed an average of
level 9, shuttle 2 for the players. Interestingly, forwards were taller,
heavier, and had lower maximal aerobic power than backs in the
same team. In conclusion, the physical characteristics of the rugby
players were much lower when compared to international players
from other countries. From this pilot study, the physical performance
of the Malaysian team must be improved in order to further develop
the sports.
Abstract: Free and open source software is gaining popularity at
an unprecedented rate of growth. Organizations despite some
concerns about the quality have been using them for various
purposes. One of the biggest concerns about free and open source
software is post release software defects and their fixing. Many
believe that there is no appropriate support available to fix the bugs.
On the contrary some believe that due to the active involvement of
internet user in online forums, they become a major source of
communicating the identification and fixing of defects in open source
software. The research model of this empirical investigation
establishes and studies the relationship between open source software
defects and online public forums. The results of this empirical study
provide evidence about the realities of software defects myths of
open source software. We used a dataset consist of 616 open source
software projects covering a broad range of categories to study the
research model of this investigation. The results of this investigation
show that online forums play a significant role identifying and fixing
the defects in open source software.
Abstract: Properly sized capacitor banks are connected across induction motors for several reasons including power factor correction, reducing distortions, increasing capacity, etc. Total harmonic distortion (THD) and power factor (PF) are used in such cases to quantify the improvements obtained through connection of the external capacitor banks. On the other hand, one of the methods for assessing the motor internal condition is by the use of Park-s pattern analysis. In spite of taking adequate precautionary measures, the capacitor banks may sometimes malfunction. Such a minor fault in the capacitor bank is often not apparently discernible. This may however, give rise to substantial degradation of power factor correction performance and may also damage the supply profile. The case is more severe with the fact that the Park-s pattern gets distorted due to such external capacitor faults, and can give anomalous results about motor internal fault analyses. The aim of this paper is to present simulation and hardware laboratory test results to have an understanding of the anomalies in harmonic distortion and Park-s pattern analyses in induction motors due to capacitor bank defects.