Abstract: Monitoring and control of cane sugar crystallization
processes depend on the stability of the supersaturation (σ ) state.
The most widely used information to represent σ is the electrical
conductivity κ of the solutions. Nevertheless, previous studies point
out the shortcomings of this approach: κ may be regarded as
inappropriate to guarantee an accurate estimation of σ in impure
solutions. To improve the process control efficiency, additional
information is necessary. The mass of crystals in the solution ( c m )
and the solubility (mass ratio of sugar to water / s w m m ) are relevant
to complete information. Indeed, c m inherently contains information
about the mass balance and / s w m m contains information about the
supersaturation state of the solution. The main problem is that c m
and / s w m m are not available on-line. In this paper, a model based
soft-sensor is presented for a final crystallization stage (C sugar).
Simulation results obtained on industrial data show the reliability of
this approach, c m and the crystal content ( cc ) being estimated with
a sufficient accuracy for achieving on-line monitoring in industry
Abstract: Investigation of soil properties like Cation Exchange
Capacity (CEC) plays important roles in study of environmental
reaserches as the spatial and temporal variability of this property
have been led to development of indirect methods in estimation of
this soil characteristic. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) provide an
alternative by estimating soil parameters from more readily available
soil data. 70 soil samples were collected from different horizons of
15 soil profiles located in the Ziaran region, Qazvin province, Iran.
Then, multivariate regression and neural network model (feedforward
back propagation network) were employed to develop a
pedotransfer function for predicting soil parameter using easily
measurable characteristics of clay and organic carbon. The
performance of the multivariate regression and neural network model
was evaluated using a test data set. In order to evaluate the models,
root mean square error (RMSE) was used. The value of RMSE and
R2 derived by ANN model for CEC were 0.47 and 0.94 respectively,
while these parameters for multivariate regression model were 0.65
and 0.88 respectively. Results showed that artificial neural network
with seven neurons in hidden layer had better performance in
predicting soil cation exchange capacity than multivariate regression.
Abstract: Determining reasonable fees is the main objective of designing the cost estimation and payment systems for consultant contracts. However, project clients utilize different cost estimation and payment systems because of their varying views on the reasonableness of consultant fees. This study reviews the cost estimation and payment systems of consultant contracts for five countries, including the US (Washington State Department of Transportation), Japan (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), China (Engineering Design Charging Standard) and UK (Her Majesty's Treasure). Specifically, this work investigates the budgeting process, contractor selection method, contractual price negotiation process, cost review, and cost-control concept of the systems used in these countries. The main finding indicates that that project client-s view on whether the fee is high will affect the way he controls it. In the US, the fee is commonly considered to be high. As a result, stringent auditing system (low flexibility given to the consultant) is then applied. In the UK, the fee is viewed to be low by comparing it to the total life-cycle project cost. Thus, a system that has high flexibility in budgeting and cost reviewing is given to the consultant. In terms of the flexibility allowed for the consultant, the systems applied in Japan and China fall between those of the US and UK. Both the US and UK systems are helpful in determining a reasonable fee. However, in the US system, rigid auditing standards must be established and additional cost-audit manpower is required. In the UK system, sufficient historical cost data should be needed to evaluate the reasonableness of the consultant-s proposed fee
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy to estimation fetal weight by Johnson-s method and compares it with actual birth weight. The sample group was 126 infants delivered in Dan KhunThot hospital from January March 2012. Fetal weight was estimated by measuring fundal height according to Johnson-s method. The information was collected by studying historical delivery records and then analyzed by using the statistics of frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Finally, the difference was analyzed by a paired t-test.The results showed had an average birth weight was 3093.57 ± 391.03 g (mean ± SD) and 3,455 ± 454.55 g average estimated fetal weight by Johnson-s method higher than average actual birth weight was 384.09 grams. When classifying the infants according to birth weight found that low birth weight ( 4000 g) actual birth weight was more than estimated fetal weight. The difference was found between actual birth weight and estimation fetal weight of the minimum weight in high birth weight ( > 4000 g) , the appropriate birth weight (2500-3999g) and low birth weight (
Abstract: This paper presents a new method for estimating the nonstationary
noise power spectral density given a noisy signal. The
method is based on averaging the noisy speech power spectrum using
time and frequency dependent smoothing factors. These factors are
adjusted based on signal-presence probability in individual frequency
bins. Signal presence is determined by computing the ratio of the
noisy speech power spectrum to its local minimum, which is updated
continuously by averaging past values of the noisy speech power
spectra with a look-ahead factor. This method adapts very quickly to
highly non-stationary noise environments. The proposed method
achieves significant improvements over a system that uses voice
activity detector (VAD) in noise estimation.
Abstract: The automatic construction of large, high-resolution
image vistas (mosaics) is an active area of research in the fields of
photogrammetry [1,2], computer vision [1,4], medical image
processing [4], computer graphics [3] and biometrics [8]. Image
stitching is one of the possible options to get image mosaics. Vista
Creation in image processing is used to construct an image with a
large field of view than that could be obtained with a single
photograph. It refers to transforming and stitching multiple images
into a new aggregate image without any visible seam or distortion in
the overlapping areas. Vista creation process aligns two partial
images over each other and blends them together. Image mosaics
allow one to compensate for differences in viewing geometry. Thus
they can be used to simplify tasks by simulating the condition in
which the scene is viewed from a fixed position with single camera.
While obtaining partial images the geometric anomalies like rotation,
scaling are bound to happen. To nullify effect of rotation of partial
images on process of vista creation, we are proposing rotation
invariant vista creation algorithm in this paper. Rotation of partial
image parts in the proposed method of vista creation may introduce
some missing region in the vista. To correct this error, that is to fill
the missing region further we have used image inpainting method on
the created vista. This missing view regeneration method also
overcomes the problem of missing view [31] in vista due to cropping,
irregular boundaries of partial image parts and errors in digitization
[35]. The method of missing view regeneration generates the missing
view of vista using the information present in vista itself.
Abstract: Performance of vehicle depends on driving patterns
and vehicle drive train configuration. Driving patterns depends on
traffic condition, road condition and driver behavior. HEV design is
carried out under certain constrain like vehicle operating range,
acceleration, decelerations, maximum speed and road grades which
are directly related to the driving patterns. Therefore the detailed
study on HEV performance over a different drive cycle is required
for selection and sizing of HEV components. A simple hardware is
design to measured velocity v/s time profile of the vehicle by
operating vehicle on Indian roads under real traffic conditions. To
size the HEV components, a detailed dynamic model of the vehicle is
developed considering the effect of inertia of rotating components
like wheels, drive chain, engine and electric motor. Using vehicle
model and different Indian drive cycles data, total tractive power
demanded by vehicle and power supplied by individual components
has been calculated.Using above information selection and estimation
of component sizing for HEV is carried out so that HEV performs
efficiently under hostile driving condition. Complete analysis is
carried out in LABVIEW.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose an easily computable proximity index for predicting voltage collapse of a load bus using only measured values of the bus voltage and power; Using these measurements a polynomial of fourth order is obtained by using LES estimation algorithms. The sum of the absolute values of the polynomial coefficient gives an idea of the critical bus. We demonstrate the applicability of our proposed method on 6 bus test system. The results obtained verify its applicability, as well as its accuracy and the simplicity. From this indicator, it is allowed to predict the voltage instability or the proximity of a collapse. Results obtained by the PV curve are compared with corresponding values by QV curves and are observed to be in close agreement.
Abstract: This paper considers inference under progressive type II censoring with a compound Rayleigh failure time distribution. The maximum likelihood (ML), and Bayes methods are used for estimating the unknown parameters as well as some lifetime parameters, namely reliability and hazard functions. We obtained Bayes estimators using the conjugate priors for two shape and scale parameters. When the two parameters are unknown, the closed-form expressions of the Bayes estimators cannot be obtained. We use Lindley.s approximation to compute the Bayes estimates. Another Bayes estimator has been obtained based on continuous-discrete joint prior for the unknown parameters. An example with the real data is discussed to illustrate the proposed method. Finally, we made comparisons between these estimators and the maximum likelihood estimators using a Monte Carlo simulation study.
Abstract: In this paper the gradient based iterative algorithm is
presented to solve the linear matrix equation AXB +CXTD = E,
where X is unknown matrix, A,B,C,D,E are the given constant
matrices. It is proved that if the equation has a solution, then the
unique minimum norm solution can be obtained by choosing a special
kind of initial matrices. Two numerical examples show that the
introduced iterative algorithm is quite efficient.
Abstract: This paper proposes different methods for estimation
of the harmonic currents of the single-phase diode bridge rectifier. Both simple and advanced methods are compared and the models are
put into a context of practical use for calculating the harmonic distortion in a typical application. Finally, the different models are
compared to measurements of a real application and convincing results are achieved.
Abstract: Horizontal wells are proven to be better producers
because they can be extended for a long distance in the pay zone.
Engineers have the technical means to forecast the well productivity
for a given horizontal length. However, experiences have shown that
the actual production rate is often significantly less than that of
forecasted. It is a difficult task, if not impossible to identify the real
reason why a horizontal well is not producing what was forecasted.
Often the source of problem lies in the drilling of horizontal section
such as permeability reduction in the pay zone due to mud invasion
or snaky well patterns created during drilling. Although drillers aim
to drill a constant inclination hole in the pay zone, the more frequent
outcome is a sinusoidal wellbore trajectory. The two factors, which
play an important role in wellbore tortuosity, are the inclination and
side force at bit. A constant inclination horizontal well can only be
drilled if the bit face is maintained perpendicular to longitudinal axis
of bottom hole assembly (BHA) while keeping the side force nil at
the bit. This approach assumes that there exists no formation force at
bit. Hence, an appropriate BHA can be designed if bit side force and
bit tilt are determined accurately. The Artificial Neural Network
(ANN) is superior to existing analytical techniques. In this study, the
neural networks have been employed as a general approximation tool
for estimation of the bit side forces. A number of samples are
analyzed with ANN for parameters of bit side force and the results
are compared with exact analysis. Back Propagation Neural network
(BPN) is used to approximation of bit side forces. Resultant low
relative error value of the test indicates the usability of the BPN in
this area.
Abstract: This paper proposes a dual tree complex wavelet transform (DT-CWT) based directional interpolation scheme for noisy images. The problems of denoising and interpolation are modelled as to estimate the noiseless and missing samples under the same framework of optimal estimation. Initially, DT-CWT is used to decompose an input low-resolution noisy image into low and high frequency subbands. The high-frequency subband images are interpolated by linear minimum mean square estimation (LMMSE) based interpolation, which preserves the edges of the interpolated images. For each noisy LR image sample, we compute multiple estimates of it along different directions and then fuse those directional estimates for a more accurate denoised LR image. The estimation parameters calculated in the denoising processing can be readily used to interpolate the missing samples. The inverse DT-CWT is applied on the denoised input and interpolated high frequency subband images to obtain the high resolution image. Compared with the conventional schemes that perform denoising and interpolation in tandem, the proposed DT-CWT based noisy image interpolation method can reduce many noise-caused interpolation artifacts and preserve well the image edge structures. The visual and quantitative results show that the proposed technique outperforms many of the existing denoising and interpolation methods.
Abstract: EEG signal is one of the oldest measures of brain
activity that has been used vastly for clinical diagnoses and
biomedical researches. However, EEG signals are highly
contaminated with various artifacts, both from the subject and from
equipment interferences. Among these various kinds of artifacts,
ocular noise is the most important one. Since many applications such
as BCI require online and real-time processing of EEG signal, it is
ideal if the removal of artifacts is performed in an online fashion.
Recently, some methods for online ocular artifact removing have
been proposed. One of these methods is ARMAX modeling of EEG
signal. This method assumes that the recorded EEG signal is a
combination of EOG artifacts and the background EEG. Then the
background EEG is estimated via estimation of ARMAX parameters.
The other recently proposed method is based on adaptive filtering.
This method uses EOG signal as the reference input and subtracts
EOG artifacts from recorded EEG signals. In this paper we
investigate the efficiency of each method for removing of EOG
artifacts. A comparison is made between these two methods. Our
undertaken conclusion from this comparison is that adaptive filtering
method has better results compared with the results achieved by
ARMAX modeling.
Abstract: There are various solutions for improving existing overhead line systems with the general purpose of increasing their limited capacity. The capacity reserve of the existing overhead lines is an important problem that must be considered from different aspects. The paper contains a comparative analysis of the mechanical and thermal limitations of an existing overhead line based on certain calculation conditions characterizing the examined variants. The methodology of the proposed estimation of the permissible conductor temperature and maximum load current is described in detail. The transmission line model consists of specific information of an existing overhead line of the Latvian power network. The main purpose of the simulation tasks is to find an additional capacity reserve by using accurate mathematical models. The results of the obtained data are presented.
Abstract: The quality improvements of the environmental
elements could increase the recreational opportunities in a certain
area (destination). The technique of the need for recreation focuses
on choosing certain destinations for recreational purposes. The basic
exchange taken into consideration is the one between the satisfaction
gained after staying in that area and the value expressed in money
and time allocated. The number of tourists in the respective area, the
duration of staying and the money spent including transportation
provide information on how individuals rank the place or certain
aspects of the area (such as the quality of the environmental
elements).
For the statistical analysis of the environmental benefits offered by
an area through the need of recreation technique, the following stages
are suggested:
- characterization of the reference area based on the
statistical variables considered;
- estimation of the environmental benefit through
comparing the reference area with other similar areas
(having the same environmental characteristics), from
the perspective of the statistical variables considered.
The model compared in recreation technique faced with a series of
difficulties which refers to the reference area and correct
transformation of time in money.
Abstract: Hazard rate estimation is one of the important topics
in forecasting earthquake occurrence. Forecasting earthquake
occurrence is a part of the statistical seismology where the main
subject is the point process. Generally, earthquake hazard rate is
estimated based on the point process likelihood equation called the
Hazard Rate Likelihood of Point Process (HRLPP). In this research,
we have developed estimation method, that is hazard rate single
decrement HRSD. This method was adapted from estimation method
in actuarial studies. Here, one individual associated with an
earthquake with inter event time is exponentially distributed. The
information of epicenter and time of earthquake occurrence are used
to estimate hazard rate. At the end, a case study of earthquake hazard
rate will be given. Furthermore, we compare the hazard rate between
HRLPP and HRSD method.
Abstract: This contribution aims to outline some topics around the process of introduction of compulsory electronic exchange of documents (so called e-Boxes) in public administration. The research was conducted in order to gauge the difference between the expectation of those using internal email and their experience in reality. Both qualitative and quantitative research is employed to lead also to an estimation of the willingness and readiness of government bodies, business units and citizens to adopt new technologies. At the same time the most potent barriers to successful e-communication through the e-Boxes are identified.
Abstract: Human pose estimation can be executed using Active Shape Models. The existing techniques for applying to human-body research using Active Shape Models, such as human detection, primarily take the form of silhouette of human body. This technique is not able to estimate accurately for human pose to concern two arms and legs, as the silhouette of human body represents the shape as out of round. To solve this problem, we applied the human body model as stick-figure, “skeleton". The skeleton model of human body can give consideration to various shapes of human pose. To obtain effective estimation result, we applied background subtraction and deformed matching algorithm of primary Active Shape Models in the fitting process. The images which were used to make the model were 600 human bodies, and the model has 17 landmark points which indicate body junction and key features of human pose. The maximum iteration for the fitting process was 30 times and the execution time was less than .03 sec.
Abstract: After the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 in
U.S., the container security issue got high attention, especially by U.S.
government, which deployed a lot of measures to promote or improve
security systems. U.S. government not only enhances its national
security system, but allies with other countries against the potential
terrorist attacks in the future. For example CSI (Container Security
Initiative), it encourages foreign ports outside U.S. to become CSI
ports as a part of U.S. anti-terrorism network. Although promotion of
the security could partly reach the goal of anti-terrorism, that will
influence the efficiency of container supply chain, which is the main
concern when implementing the inspection measurements. This paper
proposes a quick estimation methodology for an inspection service
rate by a berth allocation heuristic such that the inspection activities
will not affect the original container supply chain. Theoretical and
simulation results show this approach is effective.