Abstract: In this study, to compress ECG signals, KLT (Karhunen-
Loeve Transform) method has been used. The purpose of this method is to
perform effective ECG coding by a correlation between the length of frames
and the number of vectors of ECG signals.
Abstract: Vermiculite was used to develop inorganic
carrier-based formulations of fluorescent pseudomonad strains
R62 and R81. The effect of bio-inoculation of fluorescent
pseudomonad strains R62 and R81 (plant growth promoting
and biocontrol agent) on growth responses of Vigna-mungo
under field condition was enumerated. The combined bioinoculation
of these two organisms in a formuation increased
the pods yield by 300% in comparison to the control crop.
There was also significant increment in the other plant growth
responses such as dry root weight, dry shoot weight, shoot
length and number of branches per plant.
Abstract: Supply Chain Management (SCM) is the integration
between manufacturer, transporter and customer in order to form one
seamless chain that allows smooth flow of raw materials, information
and products throughout the entire network that help in minimizing
all related efforts and costs. The main objective of this paper is to
develop a model that can accept a specified number of spare-parts
within the supply chain, simulating its inventory operations
throughout all stages in order to minimize the inventory holding
costs, base-stock, safety-stock, and to find the optimum quantity of
inventory levels, thereby suggesting a way forward to adapt some
factors of Just-In-Time to minimizing the inventory costs throughout
the entire supply chain. The model has been developed using Micro-
Soft Excel & Visual Basic in order to study inventory allocations in
any network of the supply chain. The application and reproducibility
of this model were tested by comparing the actual system that was
implemented in the case study with the results of the developed
model. The findings showed that the total inventory costs of the
developed model are about 50% less than the actual costs of the
inventory items within the case study.
Abstract: This paper compares Hilditch, Rosenfeld, Zhang-
Suen, dan Nagendraprasad Wang Gupta (NWG) thinning algorithms
for Javanese character image recognition. Thinning is an effective
process when the focus in not on the size of the pattern, but rather on
the relative position of the strokes in the pattern. The research
analyzes the thinning of 60 Javanese characters.
Time-wise, Zhang-Suen algorithm gives the best results with the
average process time being 0.00455188 seconds. But if we look at
the percentage of pixels that meet one-pixel thickness, Rosenfelt
algorithm gives the best results, with a 99.98% success rate. From the
number of pixels that are erased, NWG algorithm gives the best
results with the average number of pixels erased being 84.12%. It can
be concluded that the Hilditch algorithm performs least successfully
compared to the other three algorithms.
Abstract: fifteen cultivars of Strawberries (Queen Eliza, Sequia,
Paros, Mcdonance, Selva, Chandler, Mrak, Ten beauty, Aliso, Pajero,
Kordestan, Camarosa, Blackmore, Gaviota and Fresno) were
investigated in 2011, under hydroponic system condition. Yield and
fruit Firmness was determinate. Chemical analyses of soluble solids
content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA) and pH
were done. 4 cultivars (Aliso, Selva, Paros and Gaviota) yielded more
than 250 g/plant, while cultivar Black more, Fresno and Kordestan
produced less than 100g/plant. The amounts of fruit firmness
indicated that 'Camarosa' fruit was firmer than others cultivars.
Cultivar 'Fresno' had the highest pH (3.27). Ttitratable acidity varied
from 1.03g/l00g for cultivar 'Sequia' and 'Gaviota' to 1.48g/l00g for
cultivar 'Chandler'. Fresno, Kordestan, Aliso and Chandler showed
the highest soluble solid concentration. Ascorbic acid averaged for
most cultivars between 30.26 and 79.73 mg/100gf.w. Present results
showed that different cultivars of strawberry contain highly variable
in fruit quality.
Abstract: The wireless sensor networks have been extensively
deployed and researched. One of the major issues in wireless sensor
networks is a developing energy-efficient clustering protocol.
Clustering algorithm provides an effective way to prolong the lifetime
of a wireless sensor networks. In the paper, we compare several
clustering protocols which significantly affect a balancing of energy
consumption. And we propose an Energy-Efficient Distributed
Unequal Clustering (EEDUC) algorithm which provides a new way of
creating distributed clusters. In EEDUC, each sensor node sets the
waiting time. This waiting time is considered as a function of residual
energy, number of neighborhood nodes. EEDUC uses waiting time to
distribute cluster heads. We also propose an unequal clustering
mechanism to solve the hot-spot problem. Simulation results show that
EEDUC distributes the cluster heads, balances the energy
consumption well among the cluster heads and increases the network
lifetime.
Abstract: This paper proposes a methodology for analysis of
the dynamic behavior of a robotic manipulator in continuous
time. Initially this system (nonlinear system) will be decomposed
into linear submodels and analyzed in the context of the Linear
and Parameter Varying (LPV) Systems. The obtained linear
submodels, which represent the local dynamic behavior of the
robotic manipulator in some operating points were grouped in
a Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy structure. The obtained fuzzy model was
analyzed and validated through analog simulation, as universal
approximator of the robotic manipulator.
Abstract: In this paper we consider a one-dimensional random
geometric graph process with the inter-nodal gaps evolving according
to an exponential AR(1) process. The transition probability matrix
and stationary distribution are derived for the Markov chains concerning
connectivity and the number of components. We analyze the
algorithm for hitting time regarding disconnectivity. In addition to
dynamical properties, we also study topological properties for static
snapshots. We obtain the degree distributions as well as asymptotic
precise bounds and strong law of large numbers for connectivity
threshold distance and the largest nearest neighbor distance amongst
others. Both exact results and limit theorems are provided in this
paper.
Abstract: The growth of the aquaculture industry has been
associated with negative environmental impacts through the
discharge of raw effluents into the adjacent receiving water bodies.
Macrophytes from natural saline lakes, which have adaptability to the
high salinity, can be suitable for saline effluent treatment. Eight
emergent species from natural saline area were planted in an
experimental gravel bed hydroponic mesocosm (GBH) which was
treated with effluent water from an intensive fish farm using
geothermal water. In order to examine the applicability of the
halophytes in treatment processes, we tested the relative efficacy of
total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), potassium (K), sodium
(Na), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) removal for the saline
wastewater treatment. Four of the eight species, which were
Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, Glyceria maxima, Scirpus
lacustris spp. tabernaemontani could survive and contribute the
experimental treatment.
Abstract: This paper proposes a Particle Swarm Optimization
(PSO) based technique for the optimal allocation of Distributed
Generation (DG) units in the power systems. In this paper our aim is
to decide optimal number, type, size and location of DG units for
voltage profile improvement and power loss reduction in distribution
network. Two types of DGs are considered and the distribution load
flow is used to calculate exact loss. Load flow algorithm is combined
appropriately with PSO till access to acceptable results of this
operation. The suggested method is programmed under MATLAB
software. Test results indicate that PSO method can obtain better
results than the simple heuristic search method on the 30-bus and 33-
bus radial distribution systems. It can obtain maximum loss reduction
for each of two types of optimally placed multi-DGs. Moreover,
voltage profile improvement is achieved.
Abstract: Most of the real queuing systems include special properties and constraints, which can not be analyzed directly by using the results of solved classical queuing models. Lack of Markov chains features, unexponential patterns and service constraints, are the mentioned conditions. This paper represents an applied general algorithm for analysis and optimizing the queuing systems. The algorithm stages are described through a real case study. It is consisted of an almost completed non-Markov system with limited number of customers and capacities as well as lots of common exception of real queuing networks. Simulation is used for optimizing this system. So introduced stages over the following article include primary modeling, determining queuing system kinds, index defining, statistical analysis and goodness of fit test, validation of model and optimizing methods of system with simulation.
Abstract: Innovations in technology have created new ethical
challenges. Essential use of electronic communication in the
workplace has escalated at an astronomical rate over the past decade.
As such, legal and ethical dilemmas confronted by both the employer
and the employee concerning managerial control and ownership of einformation
have increased dramatically in the USA. From the
employer-s perspective, ownership and control of all information
created for the workplace is an undeniable source of economic
advantage and must be monitored zealously. From the perspective of
the employee, individual rights, such as privacy, freedom of speech,
and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, continue to be
stalwart legal guarantees that employers are not legally or ethically
entitled to abridge in the workplace. These issues have been the
source of great debate and the catalyst for legal reform. The fine line
between ethical and legal has been complicated by emerging
technologies. This manuscript will identify and discuss a number of
specific legal and ethical issues raised by the dynamic electronic
workplace and conclude with suggestions that employers should
follow to respect the delicate balance between employees- legal
rights to privacy and the employer's right to protect its knowledge
systems and infrastructure.
Abstract: Mapping between local and global coordinates is an
important issue in finite element method, as all calculations are
performed in local coordinates. The concern arises when subparametric
are used, in which the shape functions of the field variable
and the geometry of the element are not the same. This is particularly
the case for C* elements in which the extra degrees of freedoms
added to the nodes make the elements sub-parametric. In the present
work, transformation matrix for C1* (an 8-noded hexahedron
element with 12 degrees of freedom at each node) is obtained using
equivalent C0 elements (with the same number of degrees of
freedom). The convergence rate of 8-noded C1* element is nearly
equal to its equivalent C0 element, while it consumes less CPU time
with respect to the C0 element. The existence of derivative degrees
of freedom at the nodes of C1* element along with excellent
convergence makes it superior compared with it equivalent C0
element.
Abstract: In this paper, we introduce an e-collaborative learning circles methodology which utilizes the information and communication technologies (ICTs) in e-educational processes. In e-collaborative learning circles methodology, the teachers and students announce their research projects on various mailing lists and discussion boards using available ICTs. The teachers & moderators and students who are already members of the e-forums, discuss the project proposals in their classrooms sent out by the potential global partner schools and return the requested feed back to the proposing school(s) about their level of the participation and contribution in the research. In general, an e-collaborative learning circle project is implemented with a small and diverse group (usually 8-10 participants) from around the world. The students meet regularly over a period of weeks/months through the ICTs during the ecollaborative learning process. When the project is completed, a project product (e-book / DVD) is prepared and sent to the circle members. In this research, when taking into account the interests and motivation of the participating students with the facilitating role of the teacher(s), the students in each circle do research to obtain new data and information, thus enabling them to have the opportunity to meet both different cultures and international understandings across the globe. However, while the participants communicate along with the members in the circle they also practice and develop their communication language skills. Finally, teachers and students find the possibility to develop their skills in using the ICTs as well.
Abstract: This paper seeks to explore the actual classroom
setting, to examine its role for students- learning, and attitude in the
class. It presents a theoretical approach of the classroom as system to
be explored and examines the concrete reality of Greek secondary
education students, under the light of the above approach. Based on
the findings of a quantitative and qualitative research, authors
propose a rather ontological approach of the classroom and underline
what the key-elements for such approach should be. The paper
explores extensively the theoretical dimensions for the change of
paradigm required and addresses the new issues to be considered.
Abstract: Since primary school trips usually start from home,
attention by many scholars have been focused on the home end for
data gathering. Thereafter category analysis has often been relied
upon when predicting school travel demands. In this paper, school
end was relied on for data gathering and multivariate regression for
future travel demand prediction. 9859 pupils were surveyed by way
of questionnaires at 21 primary schools. The town was divided into 5
zones. The study was carried out in Skudai Town, Malaysia. Based
on the hypothesis that the number of primary school trip ends are
expected to be the same because school trips are fixed, the choice of
trip end would have inconsequential effect on the outcome. The
study compared empirical data for home and school trip end
productions and attractions. Variance from both data results was
insignificant, although some claims from home based family survey
were found to be grossly exaggerated. Data from the school trip ends
was relied on for travel demand prediction because of its
completeness. Accessibility, trip attraction and trip production were
then related to school trip rates under daylight and dry weather
conditions. The paper concluded that, accessibility is an important
parameter when predicting demand for future school trip rates.
Abstract: The design of a pattern classifier includes an attempt
to select, among a set of possible features, a minimum subset of
weakly correlated features that better discriminate the pattern classes.
This is usually a difficult task in practice, normally requiring the
application of heuristic knowledge about the specific problem
domain. The selection and quality of the features representing each
pattern have a considerable bearing on the success of subsequent
pattern classification. Feature extraction is the process of deriving
new features from the original features in order to reduce the cost of
feature measurement, increase classifier efficiency, and allow higher
classification accuracy. Many current feature extraction techniques
involve linear transformations of the original pattern vectors to new
vectors of lower dimensionality. While this is useful for data
visualization and increasing classification efficiency, it does not
necessarily reduce the number of features that must be measured
since each new feature may be a linear combination of all of the
features in the original pattern vector. In this paper a new approach is
presented to feature extraction in which feature selection, feature
extraction, and classifier training are performed simultaneously using
a genetic algorithm. In this approach each feature value is first
normalized by a linear equation, then scaled by the associated weight
prior to training, testing, and classification. A knn classifier is used to
evaluate each set of feature weights. The genetic algorithm optimizes
a vector of feature weights, which are used to scale the individual
features in the original pattern vectors in either a linear or a nonlinear
fashion. By this approach, the number of features used in classifying
can be finely reduced.
Abstract: A new approach based on the consideration that electroencephalogram (EEG) signals are chaotic signals was presented for automated diagnosis of electroencephalographic changes. This consideration was tested successfully using the nonlinear dynamics tools, like the computation of Lyapunov exponents. This paper presented the usage of statistics over the set of the Lyapunov exponents in order to reduce the dimensionality of the extracted feature vectors. Since classification is more accurate when the pattern is simplified through representation by important features, feature extraction and selection play an important role in classifying systems such as neural networks. Multilayer perceptron neural network (MLPNN) architectures were formulated and used as basis for detection of electroencephalographic changes. Three types of EEG signals (EEG signals recorded from healthy volunteers with eyes open, epilepsy patients in the epileptogenic zone during a seizure-free interval, and epilepsy patients during epileptic seizures) were classified. The selected Lyapunov exponents of the EEG signals were used as inputs of the MLPNN trained with Levenberg- Marquardt algorithm. The classification results confirmed that the proposed MLPNN has potential in detecting the electroencephalographic changes.
Abstract: Wireless Sensor networks have a wide spectrum of civil and military applications that call for secure communication such as the terrorist tracking, target surveillance in hostile environments. For the secure communication in these application areas, we propose a method for generating a hierarchical key structure for the efficient group key management. In this paper, we apply A* algorithm in generating a hierarchical key structure by considering the history data of the ratio of addition and eviction of sensor nodes in a location where sensor nodes are deployed. Thus generated key tree structure provides an efficient way of managing the group key in terms of energy consumption when addition and eviction event occurs. A* algorithm tries to minimize the number of messages needed for group key management by the history data. The experimentation with the tree shows efficiency of the proposed method.
Abstract: In this study, a nickel film with nano-crystalline grains,
high hardness and smooth surface was electrodeposited using a post
supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) mixed Watts electrolyte. Although
the hardness was not as high as its Sc-CO2 counterpart, the thin coating
contained significantly less number of nano-sized pinholes. By
measuring the escape concentration of the dissolved CO2 in post
Sc-CO2 mixed electrolyte with the elapsed time, it was believed that
the residue of dissolved CO2 bubbles should closely relate to the
improvement in hardness and surface roughness over its conventional
plating counterpart. Therefore, shortening the duration of
electroplating with the raise of current density up to 0.5 A/cm2 could
effectively retain more post Sc-CO2 mixing effect. This study not only
confirms the roles of dissolved CO2 bubbles in electrolyte but also
provides a potential process to overcome most issues associated with
the cost in building high-pressure chamber for large size products and
continuous plating using supercritical method.