Abstract: Health problems linked to urban growth are current
major concerns of developing countries. In 2002 and 2005, an
interdisciplinary program “Populations et Espaces ├á Risques
SANitaires" (PERSAN) was set up under the patronage of the
Development and Research Institute. Centered on health in
Cameroon-s urban environment, the program mainly sought to (i)
identify diarrhoea risk factors in Yaoundé, (ii) to measure their
prevalence and apprehend their spatial distribution. The crosssectional
epidemiological study that was carried out revealed a
diarrheic prevalence of 14.4% (437 cases of diarrhoea on the 3,034
children examined). Also, among risk factors studied, household
refuse management methods used by city dwellers were statistically
associated to these diarrhoeas. Moreover, it happened that levels of
diarrhoeal attacks varied consistently from one neighbourhood to
another because of the discrepancy urbanization process of the
Yaoundé metropolis.
Abstract: This article presents the results using a parametric approach and a Wavelet Transform in analysing signals emitting from the sperm whale. The extraction of intrinsic characteristics of these unique signals emitted by marine mammals is still at present a difficult exercise for various reasons: firstly, it concerns non-stationary signals, and secondly, these signals are obstructed by interfering background noise. In this article, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of both methods: Auto Regressive models and Wavelet Transform. These approaches serve as an alternative to the commonly used estimators which are based on the Fourier Transform for which the hypotheses necessary for its application are in certain cases, not sufficiently proven. These modern approaches provide effective results particularly for the periodic tracking of the signal's characteristics and notably when the signal-to-noise ratio negatively effects signal tracking. Our objectives are twofold. Our first goal is to identify the animal through its acoustic signature. This includes recognition of the marine mammal species and ultimately of the individual animal (within the species). The second is much more ambitious and directly involves the intervention of cetologists to study the sounds emitted by marine mammals in an effort to characterize their behaviour. We are working on an approach based on the recordings of marine mammal signals and the findings from this data result from the Wavelet Transform. This article will explore the reasons for using this approach. In addition, thanks to the use of new processors, these algorithms once heavy in calculation time can be integrated in a real-time system.
Abstract: This paper reports on investigations into capacity of a
Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless communication
system employing a uniform linear array (ULA) at the transmitter and
either a uniform linear array (ULA) or a uniform circular array (UCA)
antenna at the receiver. The transmitter is assumed to be surrounded by
scattering objects while the receiver is postulated to be free from
scattering objects. The Laplacian distribution of angle of arrival
(AOA) of a signal reaching the receiver is postulated. Calculations of
the MIMO system capacity are performed for two cases without and
with the channel estimation errors. For estimating the MIMO channel,
the scaled least square (SLS) and minimum mean square error
(MMSE) methods are considered.
Abstract: In contemporary global and dynamically developing environment there is a need of the strategic planning fundamental. It is complicated, but at the same time important process from the point of view of continual keeping of competitive advantage. The aim of the paper is formulation of strategic goals for the needs of the small enterprises. There will be used Balanced Scorecard as a balanced system of the indicators for the clearing and transferring vision into particular goals. In particular perspectives the theme will be focused on strategic goals. Consequently will be mention the concept of the competitiveness IDINMOSU. This connect to Balanced Scorecard.
Abstract: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease; its symptoms and appearances are not exclusive in human and its traditional diagnosis is based on culture, serological methods and conventional PCR. For more sensitive, specific detection and differentiation of Brucella spp., the real time PCR method is recommended. This research has performed to determine the presence and prevalence of Brucella spp. and differentiation of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis in house mouse (Mus musculus) in west of Iran. A TaqMan analysis and single-step PCR was carried out in total 326 DNA of Mouse's spleen samples. From the total number of 326 samples, 128 (39.27%) gave positive results for Brucella spp. by conventional PCR, also 65 and 32 out of the 128 specimens were positive for B. melitensis, B. abortus, respectively. These results indicate a high presence of this pathogen in this area and that real time PCR is considerably faster than current standard methods for identification and differentiation of Brucella species. To our knowledge, this study is the first prevalence report of direct identification and differentiation of B. abortus and B. melitensis by real time PCR in mouse tissue samples in Iran.
Abstract: Morphological operators transform the original image
into another image through the interaction with the other image of
certain shape and size which is known as the structure element.
Mathematical morphology provides a systematic approach to analyze
the geometric characteristics of signals or images, and has been
applied widely too many applications such as edge detection,
objection segmentation, noise suppression and so on. Fuzzy
Mathematical Morphology aims to extend the binary morphological
operators to grey-level images. In order to define the basic
morphological operations such as fuzzy erosion, dilation, opening
and closing, a general method based upon fuzzy implication and
inclusion grade operators is introduced. The fuzzy morphological
operations extend the ordinary morphological operations by using
fuzzy sets where for fuzzy sets, the union operation is replaced by a
maximum operation, and the intersection operation is replaced by a
minimum operation.
In this work, it consists of two articles. In the first one, fuzzy set
theory, fuzzy Mathematical morphology which is based on fuzzy
logic and fuzzy set theory; fuzzy Mathematical operations and their
properties will be studied in details. As a second part, the application
of fuzziness in Mathematical morphology in practical work such as
image processing will be discussed with the illustration problems.
Abstract: This paper investigates experimentally and
analytically the torsion behavior of steel fibered high strength self
compacting concrete beams reinforced by GFRP bars. Steel fibered
high strength self compacting concrete (SFHSSCC) and GFRP bars
became in the recent decades a very important materials in the
structural engineering field. The use of GFRP bars to replace steel
bars has emerged as one of the many techniques put forward to
enhance the corrosion resistance of reinforced concrete structures.
High strength concrete and GFRP bars attract designers and
architects as it allows improving the durability as well as the esthetics
of a construction. One of the trends in SFHSSCC structures is to
provide their ductile behavior and additional goal is to limit
development and propagation of macro-cracks in the body of
SFHSSCC elements. SFHSSCC and GFRP bars are tough, improve
the workability, enhance the corrosion resistance of reinforced
concrete structures, and demonstrate high residual strengths after
appearance of the first crack. Experimental studies were carried out
to select effective fiber contents. Three types of volume fraction from
hooked shape steel fibers are used in this study, the hooked steel
fibers were evaluated in volume fractions ranging between 0.0%,
0.75% and 1.5%. The beams shape is chosen to create the required
forces (i.e. torsion and bending moments simultaneously) on the test
zone. A total of seven beams were tested, classified into three groups.
All beams, have 200cm length, cross section of 10×20cm,
longitudinal bottom reinforcement of 3
Abstract: In this paper, a new robust audio fingerprinting
algorithm in MP3 compressed domain is proposed with high
robustness to time scale modification (TSM). Instead of simply
employing short-term information of the MP3 stream, the new
algorithm extracts the long-term features in MP3 compressed domain
by using the modulation frequency analysis. Our experiment has
demonstrated that the proposed method can achieve a hit rate of
above 95% in audio retrieval and resist the attack of 20% TSM. It has
lower bit error rate (BER) performance compared to the other
algorithms. The proposed algorithm can also be used in other
compressed domains, such as AAC.
Abstract: This paper presents the characterization and design of a capacitive pressure sensor with LC-based 0.35 µm CMOS readout circuit. SPICE is employed to evaluate the characteristics of the readout circuit and COMSOL multiphysics structural analysis is used to simulate the behavior of the pressure sensor. The readout circuit converts the capacitance variation of the pressure sensor into the frequency output. Simulation results show that the proposed pressure sensor has output frequency from 2.50 to 2.28 GHz in a pressure range from 0.1 to 2 MPa almost linearly. The sensitivity of the frequency shift with respect to the applied pressure load is 0.11 GHz/MPa.
Abstract: Meshless Finite Element Methods, namely element-free Galerkin and point-interpolation method were implemented and tested concerning their applicability to typical engineering problems like electrical fields and structural mechanics. A class-structure was developed which allows a consistent implementation of these methods together with classical FEM in a common framework. Strengths and weaknesses of the methods under investigation are discussed. As a result of this work joint usage of meshless methods together with classical Finite Elements are recommended.
Abstract: This paper proposes a visual cryptography by random
grids scheme with identifiable shares. The method encodes an image
O in two shares that exhibits the following features: (1) each generated
share has the same scale as O, (2) any share singly has noise-like
appearance that reveals no secret information on O, (3) the secrets can
be revealed by superimposing the two shares, (4) folding a share up
can disclose some identification patterns, and (5) both of the secret
information and the designated identification patterns are recognized
by naked eye without any computation. The property to show up
identification patterns on folded shares establishes a simple and
friendly interface for users to manage the numerous shares created by
VC schemes.
Abstract: The aim of the study is to determine the effects of
perceived organizational support on organizational identification. In
accordance with this purpose was applied on 131 family physicians in
Konya. The data obtained by means of the survey method were
analyzed. According to the results of correlation analysis, while
positive relationship between perceived organizational support,
organizational identification and supervisor support was revealed.
Also, with the scope of the research, relationships between these
variables and certain demographic variables were detected.
According to difference analysis results of the research, significant
differences between organizational identification and gender variable
were determined. However, significant differences were not
determined between demographic variables and perceived
organizational support.
Abstract: Thermal water hammer is a special type of water
hammer which rarely occurs in heat exchangers. In biphasic fluids, if
steam bubbles are surrounded by condensate, regarding lower
condensate temperature than steam, they will suddenly collapse. As a
result, the vacuum caused by an extreme change in volume lead to
movement of the condensates in all directions and their collision the
force produced by this collision leads to a severe stress in the pipe
wall. This phenomenon is a special type of water hammer. According
to fluid mechanics, this phenomenon is a particular type of transient
flows during which abrupt change of fluid leads to sudden pressure
change inside the tube. In this paper, the mechanism of abrupt failure
of 80 tubes of 481 tubes of a methanol heat exchanger is discussed.
Initially, due to excessive temperature differences between heat
transfer fluids and simultaneous failure of 80 tubes, thermal shock
was presupposed as the reason of failure. Deeper investigation on
cross-section of failed tubes showed that failure was, ductile type of
failure, so the first hypothesis was rejected. Further analysis and more
accurate experiments revealed that failure of tubes caused by thermal
water hammer. Finally, the causes of thermal water hammer and
various solutions to avoid such mechanism are discussed.
Abstract: The research focuses on the effects of polyphenols
extracted from Sambucus nigra fruit, using an experimental arterial
hypertension pattern, as well as their influence on the oxidative
stress. The results reveal the normalization of the reduced glutathion
concentration, as well as a considerable reduction in the
malondialdehide serum concentration by the polyphenolic protection.
The rat blood pressure values were recorded using a CODATM
system, which uses a non-invasive blood pressure measuring method.
All the measured blood pressure components revealed a biostatistically
significant (p
Abstract: From year to year, the incidence of different diseases is increasing in humans, and the cause is inadequate intake of dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals. One of the possibilities to take care of your health preventively is including in the diet products with increased dietary fibre, vitamin, and mineral content.Jerusalem artichoke powder (JAP) made from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L) roots is a valuable product. By adding it to pastry goods, we can obtain a fibre-rich food that could be healthier and an excellent alternative to the classical pastry products of this kind.Experiments were carried out at the Faculty of Food Technology of Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU). Results of experiments showed that addition of Jerusalem artichoke powder has significant impact on all the studied pastry products nutritional value (p
Abstract: In this paper, mesh-free element free Galerkin (EFG) method is extended to solve two-dimensional potential flow problems. Two ideal fluid flow problems (i.e. flow over a rigid cylinder and flow over a sphere) have been formulated using variational approach. Penalty and Lagrange multiplier techniques have been utilized for the enforcement of essential boundary conditions. Four point Gauss quadrature have been used for the integration on two-dimensional domain (Ω) and nodal integration scheme has been used to enforce the essential boundary conditions on the edges (┌). The results obtained by EFG method are compared with those obtained by finite element method. The effects of scaling and penalty parameters on EFG results have also been discussed in detail.
Abstract: The Zung self-depression scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to study the depression and anxiety levels of Armenian Crohn's disease patients, as well as to reveal the relation between emotional status and placebo effect of these patients. Despite of registered high levels of depression and anxiety, the high placebo rate during investigations was described. The importance of use of psychotherapies for optimal outcomes during treatments of Crohn's disease is obvious.
Abstract: The scale dependence of the strength of virtually homogeneous rock is usually considered to be insignificant but the spectrum of discontinuities plays a very important role for the strength of differently sized rock elements and also controls the rock creep strain. Large-scale load tests comprised recording of the creep strain rate that was found to be strongly retarded and negligible for stresses lower than about 1/3 of the failure load. For higher stresses creep took place according to a log time law representing secondary creep that ultimately changed to tertiary creep and failure.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a novel spatiotemporal fuzzy
based algorithm for noise filtering of image sequences. Our proposed algorithm uses adaptive weights based on a triangular membership
functions. In this algorithm median filter is used to suppress noise.
Experimental results show when the images are corrupted by highdensity
Salt and Pepper noise, our fuzzy based algorithm for noise filtering of image sequences, are much more effective in suppressing
noise and preserving edges than the previously reported algorithms such as [1-7]. Indeed, assigned weights to noisy pixels are very
adaptive so that they well make use of correlation of pixels. On the other hand, the motion estimation methods are erroneous and in highdensity noise they may degrade the filter performance. Therefore, our
proposed fuzzy algorithm doesn-t need any estimation of motion trajectory. The proposed algorithm admissibly removes noise without having any knowledge of Salt and Pepper noise density.
Abstract: Psoriasis is a widespread skin disease affecting up to 2% population with plaque psoriasis accounting to about 80%. It can be identified as a red lesion and for the higher severity the lesion is usually covered with rough scale. Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scoring is the gold standard method for measuring psoriasis severity. Scaliness is one of PASI parameter that needs to be quantified in PASI scoring. Surface roughness of lesion can be used as a scaliness feature, since existing scale on lesion surface makes the lesion rougher. The dermatologist usually assesses the severity through their tactile sense, therefore direct contact between doctor and patient is required. The problem is the doctor may not assess the lesion objectively. In this paper, a digital image analysis technique is developed to objectively determine the scaliness of the psoriasis lesion and provide the PASI scaliness score. Psoriasis lesion is modelled by a rough surface. The rough surface is created by superimposing a smooth average (curve) surface with a triangular waveform. For roughness determination, a polynomial surface fitting is used to estimate average surface followed by a subtraction between rough and average surface to give elevation surface (surface deviations). Roughness index is calculated by using average roughness equation to the height map matrix. The roughness algorithm has been tested to 444 lesion models. From roughness validation result, only 6 models can not be accepted (percentage error is greater than 10%). These errors occur due the scanned image quality. Roughness algorithm is validated for roughness measurement on abrasive papers at flat surface. The Pearson-s correlation coefficient of grade value (G) of abrasive paper and Ra is -0.9488, its shows there is a strong relation between G and Ra. The algorithm needs to be improved by surface filtering, especially to overcome a problem with noisy data.