Abstract: The bit error rate (BER) performance for ultra-wide
band (UWB) indoor communication with impact of metallic furniture
is investigated. The impulse responses of different indoor
environments for any transmitter and receiver location are computed
by shooting and bouncing ray/image and inverse Fourier transform
techniques. By using the impulse responses of these multipath
channels, the BER performance for binary pulse amplitude
modulation (BPAM) impulse radio UWB communication system are
calculated. Numerical results have shown that the multi-path effect
by the metallic cabinets is an important factor for BER performance.
Also the outage probability for the UWB multipath environment with
metallic cabinets is more serious (about 18%) than with wooden
cabinets. Finally, it is worth noting that in these cases the present
work provides not only comparative information but also quantitative
information on the performance reduction.
Abstract: In this paper, some practical solid transportation models are formulated considering per trip capacity of each type of conveyances with crisp and rough unit transportation costs. This is applicable for the system in which full vehicles, e.g. trucks, rail coaches are to be booked for transportation of products so that transportation cost is determined on the full of the conveyances. The models with unit transportation costs as rough variables are transformed into deterministic forms using rough chance constrained programming with the help of trust measure. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the proposed models in crisp environment as well as with unit transportation costs as rough variables.
Abstract: In a particular case of behavioural model reduction by ANNs, a validity domain shortening has been found. In mechanics, as in other domains, the notion of validity domain allows the engineer to choose a valid model for a particular analysis or simulation. In the study of mechanical behaviour for a cantilever beam (using linear and non-linear models), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) Backpropagation (BP) networks have been applied as model reduction technique. This reduced model is constructed to be more efficient than the non-reduced model. Within a less extended domain, the ANN reduced model estimates correctly the non-linear response, with a lower computational cost. It has been found that the neural network model is not able to approximate the linear behaviour while it does approximate the non-linear behaviour very well. The details of the case are provided with an example of the cantilever beam behaviour modelling.
Abstract: Population diversification phenomena becomes quite common in villages located in China’s developed coastal area. Based on the analysis of the traditional rural society and its landscape characteristics, and in consideration of diversified landscape requirements due to the population diversification, with dual ideas of heritage and innovation, methods for rural landscape design were explored by taking Duxuao Village in Zhejiang Province of China as an example.
Abstract: The notion of Next Generation Network (NGN) is
based on the Network Convergence concept which refers to
integration of services (such as IT and communication services) over
IP layer. As the most popular implementation of Service Oriented
Architecture (SOA), Web Services technology is known to be the
base for service integration. In this paper, we present a platform to
deliver communication services as web services. We also implement
a sample service to show the simplicity of making composite web
and communication services using this platform. A Service Logic
Execution Environment (SLEE) is used to implement the
communication services. The proposed architecture is in agreement
with Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and also can be integrated
to an Enterprise Service Bus to make a base for NGN Service
Delivery Platform (SDP).
Abstract: The distribution, enrichment, and accumulation of zinc
(Zn) in the sediments of Kaohsiung Ocean Disposal Site (KODS),
Taiwan were investigated. Sediment samples from two outer disposal
site stations and nine disposed stations in the KODS were collected per
quarterly in 2009 and characterized for Zn, aluminum, organic matter,
and grain size. Results showed that the mean Zn concentrations varied
from 48 mg/kg to 456 mg/kg. Results from the enrichment factor (EF)
and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) analyses imply that the sediments
collected from the KODS can be characterized between moderate and
moderately severe degree enrichment and between none and none to
medium accumulation of Zn, respectively. However, results of
potential ecological risk index indicate that the sediment has low
ecological potential risk. The EF, Igeo, and Zn concentrations at the
disposed stations were slightly higher than those at outer disposal site.
This indicated that the disposed area centers may be subjected to the
disposal impaction of harbor dredged sediments.
Abstract: The inphase/quadrature (I/Q) amplitude and phase
imbalance effects are studied in coherent optical orthogonal
frequency division multiplexing (CO-OFDM) systems. An analytical
model for the I/Q imbalance is developed and supported by
simulation results. The results indicate that the I/Q imbalance degrades the BER performance considerably.
Abstract: This paper proposes a “soft systems" approach to
domain-driven design of computer-based information systems. We
propose a systemic framework combining techniques from Soft
Systems Methodology (SSM), the Unified Modelling Language
(UML), and an implementation pattern known as “Naked Objects".
We have used this framework in action research projects that have
involved the investigation and modelling of business processes using
object-oriented domain models and the implementation of software
systems based on those domain models. Within the proposed
framework, Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is used as a guiding
methodology to explore the problem situation and to generate a
ubiquitous language (soft language) which can be used as the basis
for developing an object-oriented domain model. The domain model
is further developed using techniques based on the UML and is
implemented in software following the “Naked Objects"
implementation pattern. We argue that there are advantages from
combining and using techniques from different methodologies in this
way.
The proposed systemic framework is overviewed and justified as
multimethodologyusing Mingers multimethodology ideas.
This multimethodology approach is being evaluated through a
series of action research projects based on real-world case studies. A
Peer-Tutoring case study is presented here as a sample of the
framework evaluation process
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a “teachers’
self-efficacy scale for high school physical education teachers
(TSES-HSPET)” in Taiwan. This scale is based on the self-efficacy
theory of Bandura [1], [2]. This study used exploratory and
confirmatory factor analyses to test the reliability and validity. The
participants were high school physical education teachers in Taiwan.
Both stratified random sampling and cluster sampling were used to
sample participants for the study. 350 teachers were sampled in the
first stage and 234 valid scales (male 133, female 101) returned.
During the second stage, 350 teachers were sampled and 257 valid
scales (male 143, female 110, 4 did not indicate gender) returned. The
exploratory factor analysis was used in the first stage, and it got
60.77% of total variance for construct validity. The Cronbach’s alpha
coefficient of internal consistency was 0.91 for sumscale, and
subscales were 0.84 and 0.90. In the second stage, confirmatory factor
analysis was used to test construct validity. The result showed that the
fit index could be accepted (χ2 (75) =167.94, p
Abstract: Digital watermarking in medical images can ensure
the authenticity and integrity of the image. This design paper reviews
some existing watermarking schemes and proposes a reversible
tamper detection and recovery watermarking scheme. Watermark
data from ROI (Region Of Interest) are stored in RONI (Region Of
Non Interest). The embedded watermark allows tampering detection
and tampered image recovery. The watermark is also reversible and
data compression technique was used to allow higher embedding
capacity.
Abstract: Distributed wireless sensor network consist on several
scattered nodes in a knowledge area. Those sensors have as its only
power supplies a pair of batteries that must let them live up to five
years without substitution. That-s why it is necessary to develop
some power aware algorithms that could save battery lifetime as
much as possible. In this is document, a review of power aware
design for sensor nodes is presented. As example of implementations,
some resources and task management, communication, topology
control and routing protocols are named.
Abstract: This paper unifies power optimization approaches in
various energy converters, such as: thermal, solar, chemical, and
electrochemical engines, in particular fuel cells. Thermodynamics
leads to converter-s efficiency and limiting power. Efficiency
equations serve to solve problems of upgrading and downgrading of
resources. While optimization of steady systems applies the
differential calculus and Lagrange multipliers, dynamic optimization
involves variational calculus and dynamic programming. In reacting
systems chemical affinity constitutes a prevailing component of an
overall efficiency, thus the power is analyzed in terms of an active
part of chemical affinity. The main novelty of the present paper in the
energy yield context consists in showing that the generalized heat
flux Q (involving the traditional heat flux q plus the product of
temperature and the sum products of partial entropies and fluxes of
species) plays in complex cases (solar, chemical and electrochemical)
the same role as the traditional heat q in pure heat engines.
The presented methodology is also applied to power limits in fuel
cells as to systems which are electrochemical flow engines propelled
by chemical reactions. The performance of fuel cells is determined by
magnitudes and directions of participating streams and mechanism of
electric current generation. Voltage lowering below the reversible
voltage is a proper measure of cells imperfection. The voltage losses,
called polarization, include the contributions of three main sources:
activation, ohmic and concentration. Examples show power maxima
in fuel cells and prove the relevance of the extension of the thermal
machine theory to chemical and electrochemical systems. The main
novelty of the present paper in the FC context consists in introducing
an effective or reduced Gibbs free energy change between products p
and reactants s which take into account the decrease of voltage and
power caused by the incomplete conversion of the overall reaction.
Abstract: Reduction of Single Input Single Output (SISO) discrete systems into lower order model, using a conventional and an evolutionary technique is presented in this paper. In the conventional technique, the mixed advantages of Modified Cauer Form (MCF) and differentiation are used. In this method the original discrete system is, first, converted into equivalent continuous system by applying bilinear transformation. The denominator of the equivalent continuous system and its reciprocal are differentiated successively, the reduced denominator of the desired order is obtained by combining the differentiated polynomials. The numerator is obtained by matching the quotients of MCF. The reduced continuous system is converted back into discrete system using inverse bilinear transformation. In the evolutionary technique method, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is employed to reduce the higher order model. PSO method is based on the minimization of the Integral Squared Error (ISE) between the transient responses of original higher order model and the reduced order model pertaining to a unit step input. Both the methods are illustrated through numerical example.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present the role of
myotonometry in assessment muscle viscoelasticity by measurement
of force index (IF) and stiffness (S) at thigh muscle groups. The
results are used for improve the muscle training. The method is based
on mechanic impulse on the muscle group, that involve a muscle
response like acceleration, speed and amplitude curves. From these
we have information about elasticity, stiffness beginning from
mechanic oscillations of muscle tissue. Using this method offer the
possibility for monitoring the muscle capacity for produce mechanic
energy, that allows a efficiency of movement with a minimal tissue
deformation.
Abstract: Internet computer games turn to be more and more
attractive within the context of technology enhanced learning.
Educational games as quizzes and quests have gained significant
success in appealing and motivating learners to study in a different
way and provoke steadily increasing interest in new methods of
application. Board games are specific group of games where figures
are manipulated in competitive play mode with race conditions on a
surface according predefined rules. The article represents a new,
formalized model of traditional quizzes, puzzles and quests shown as
multimedia board games which facilitates the construction process of
such games. Authors provide different examples of quizzes and their
models in order to demonstrate the model is quite general and does
support not only quizzes, mazes and quests but also any set of
teaching activities. The execution process of such models is
explained and, as well, how they can be useful for creation and
delivery of adaptive e-learning courseware.
Abstract: In the present work we model a Multiquantum Well
structure Separate Absorption and Charge Multiplication Avalanche
Photodiode (MQW-SACM-APD), while the Absorption region
coincide with the MQW. We consider the nonuniformity of electric
field using split-step method in active region. This model is based on
the carrier rate equations in the different regions of the device. Using
the model we obtain the photocurrent, and dark current. As an
example, InGaAs/InP SACM-APD and MQW-SACM-APD are
simulated. There is a good agreement between the simulation and
experimental results.
Abstract: Most CT reconstruction system x-ray computed
tomography (CT) is a well established visualization technique in
medicine and nondestructive testing. However, since CT scanning
requires sampling of radiographic projections from different viewing
angles, common CT systems with mechanically moving parts are too
slow for dynamic imaging, for instance of multiphase flows or live
animals. A large number of X-ray projections are needed to
reconstruct CT images, so the collection and calculation of the
projection data consume too much time and harmful for patient. For
the purpose of solving the problem, in this study, we proposed a
method for tomographic reconstruction of a sample from a limited
number of x-ray projections by using linear interpolation method. In
simulation, we presented reconstruction from an experimental x-ray
CT scan of a Aluminum phantom that follows to two steps: X-ray
projections will be interpolated using linear interpolation method and
using it for CT reconstruction based upon Ordered Subsets
Expectation Maximization (OSEM) method.
Abstract: A new conceptual architecture for low-level neural
pattern recognition is presented. The key ideas are that the brain
implements support vector machines and that support vectors are
represented as memory patterns in competitive queuing memories. A
binary classifier is built from two competitive queuing memories
holding positive and negative valence training examples respectively.
The support vector machine classification function is calculated in
synchronized evaluation cycles. The kernel is computed by bisymmetric
feed-forward networks feed by sensory input and by
competitive queuing memories traversing the complete sequence of
support vectors. Temporary summation generates the output
classification. It is speculated that perception apparatus in the brain
reuses structures that have evolved for enabling fluent execution of
prepared action sequences so that pattern recognition is built on
internalized motor programmes.
Abstract: The transformation of vocal characteristics aims at
modifying voice such that the intelligibility of aphonic voice is
increased or the voice characteristics of a speaker (source speaker) to
be perceived as if another speaker (target speaker) had uttered it. In
this paper, the current state-of-the-art voice characteristics
transformation methodology is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed
on voice transformation methodology and issues for improving the
transformed speech quality in intelligibility and naturalness are
discussed. In particular, it is suggested to use the modulation theory
of speech as a base for research on high quality voice transformation.
This approach allows one to separate linguistic, expressive, organic
and perspective information of speech, based on an analysis of how
they are fused when speech is produced. Therefore, this theory
provides the fundamentals not only for manipulating non-linguistic,
extra-/paralinguistic and intra-linguistic variables for voice
transformation, but also for paving the way for easily transposing the
existing voice transformation methods to emotion-related voice
quality transformation and speaking style transformation. From the
perspectives of human speech production and perception, the popular
voice transformation techniques are described and classified them
based on the underlying principles either from the speech production
or perception mechanisms or from both. In addition, the advantages
and limitations of voice transformation techniques and the
experimental manipulation of vocal cues are discussed through
examples from past and present research. Finally, a conclusion and
road map are pointed out for more natural voice transformation
algorithms in the future.
Abstract: Games can be classified as games of skill, games of chance or otherwise be classified as mixed. This paper deals with the topic of scientifically classifying mixed games as more reliant on elements of chance or elements of skill and ways to scientifically measure the amount of skill involved. This is predominantly useful for classification of games as legal or illegal in deferent jurisdictions based on the local gaming laws. We propose a novel measure of skill to chance ratio called the Game Skill Measure (GSM) and utilize it to calculate the skill component of a popular variant of Poker.