Abstract: This paper deals with the project selection problem. Project selection problem is one of the problems arose firstly in the field of operations research following some production concepts from primary product mix problem. Afterward, introduction of managerial considerations into the project selection problem have emerged qualitative factors and criteria to be regarded as well as quantitative ones. To overcome both kinds of criteria, an analytic network process is developed in this paper enhanced with fuzzy sets theory to tackle the vagueness of experts- comments to evaluate the alternatives. Additionally, a modified version of Least-Square method through a non-linear programming model is augmented to the developed group decision making structure in order to elicit the final weights from comparison matrices. Finally, a case study is considered by which developed structure in this paper is validated. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is performed to validate the response of the model with respect to the condition alteration.
Abstract: This paper presents a multi-objective model for addressing two main objectives in designing rural roads networks: minimization of user operation costs and maximization of population covered. As limited budgets often exist, a reasonable trade-off must be obtained in order to account for both cost and social benefits in this type of networks. For a real-world rural road network, the model is solved, where all non-dominated solutions were obtained. Afterwards, an analysis is made on the (possibly) most interesting solutions (the ones providing better trade-offs). This analysis, coupled with the knowledge of the real world scenario (typically provided by decision makers) provides a suitable method for the evaluation of road networks in rural areas of developing countries.
Abstract: This text studies glass bottle intelligent inspector
based machine vision instead of manual inspection. The system
structure is illustrated in detail in this paper. The text presents the
method based on watershed transform methods to segment the
possible defective regions and extract features of bottle wall by rules.
Then wavelet transform are used to exact features of bottle finish
from images. After extracting features, the fuzzy support vector
machine ensemble is putted forward as classifier. For ensuring that
the fuzzy support vector machines have good classification ability,
the GA based ensemble method is used to combining the several
fuzzy support vector machines. The experiments demonstrate that
using this inspector to inspect glass bottles, the accuracy rate may
reach above 97.5%.
Abstract: The InAlGaN alloy has only recently began receiving
serious attention into its growth and application. High quality InGaN
films have led to the development of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and
blue laser diodes (LDs). The quaternary InAlGaN however, represents
a more versatile material since the bandgap and lattice constant can be
independently varied. We report an ultraviolet (UV) quaternary
InAlGaN multi-quantum wells (MQWs) LD study by using the
simulation program of Integrated System Engineering (ISE TCAD).
Advanced physical models of semiconductor properties were used in
order to obtain an optimized structure. The device performance which
is affected by piezoelectric and thermal effects was studied via
drift-diffusion model for carrier transport, optical gain and loss. The
optical performance of the UV LD with different numbers of quantum
wells was numerically investigated. The main peak of the emission
wavelength for double quantum wells (DQWs) was shifted from 358
to 355.8 nm when the forward current was increased. Preliminary
simulated results indicated that better output performance and lower
threshold current could be obtained when the quantum number is four,
with output power of 130 mW and threshold current of 140 mA.
Abstract: This paper focuses on a critical component of the situational awareness (SA), the neural control of autonomous constant depth flight of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Autonomous constant depth flight is a challenging but important task for AUVs to achieve high level of autonomy under adverse conditions. The fundamental requirement for constant depth flight is the knowledge of the depth, and a properly designed controller to govern the process. The AUV, named VORAM, is used as a model for the verification of the proposed hybrid control algorithm. Three neural network controllers, named NARMA-L2 controllers, are designed for fast and stable diving maneuvers of chosen AUV model. This hybrid control strategy for chosen AUV model has been verified by simulation of diving maneuvers using software package Simulink and demonstrated good performance for fast SA in real-time searchand- rescue operations.
Abstract: Most of the biclustering/projected clustering algorithms are based either on the Euclidean distance or correlation coefficient which capture only linear relationships. However, in many applications, like gene expression data and word-document data, non linear relationships may exist between the objects. Mutual Information between two variables provides a more general criterion to investigate dependencies amongst variables. In this paper, we improve upon our previous algorithm that uses mutual information for biclustering in terms of computation time and also the type of clusters identified. The algorithm is able to find biclusters with mixed relationships and is faster than the previous one. To the best of our knowledge, none of the other existing algorithms for biclustering have used mutual information as a similarity measure. We present the experimental results on synthetic data as well as on the yeast expression data. Biclusters on the yeast data were found to be biologically and statistically significant using GO Tool Box and FuncAssociate.
Abstract: Nodes in mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) do not
rely on a central infrastructure but relay packets originated by other
nodes. Mobile ad hoc networks can work properly only if the
participating nodes collaborate in routing and forwarding. For
individual nodes it might be advantageous not to collaborate, though.
In this conceptual paper we propose a new approach based on
relationship among the nodes which makes them to cooperate in an
Adhoc environment. The trust unit is used to calculate the trust
values of each node in the network. The calculated trust values are
being used by the relationship estimator to determine the relationship
status of nodes. The proposed enhanced protocol was compared with
the standard DSR protocol and the results are analyzed using the
network simulator-2.
Abstract: In this paper, we study the application of Extreme
Learning Machine (ELM) algorithm for single layered feedforward
neural networks to non-linear chaotic time series problems. In this
algorithm the input weights and the hidden layer bias are randomly
chosen. The ELM formulation leads to solving a system of linear
equations in terms of the unknown weights connecting the hidden
layer to the output layer. The solution of this general system of
linear equations will be obtained using Moore-Penrose generalized
pseudo inverse. For the study of the application of the method we
consider the time series generated by the Mackey Glass delay
differential equation with different time delays, Santa Fe A and
UCR heart beat rate ECG time series. For the choice of sigmoid,
sin and hardlim activation functions the optimal values for the
memory order and the number of hidden neurons which give the
best prediction performance in terms of root mean square error are
determined. It is observed that the results obtained are in close
agreement with the exact solution of the problems considered
which clearly shows that ELM is a very promising alternative
method for time series prediction.
Abstract: In this study four Holstein steers with rumen fistula
fed 7 kg of dry matter (DM) of diets differing in concentrate to
alfalfa hay ratios as 60:40, 70:30, 80:20, and 90:10 in a 4 × 4 latin
square design. The pH of the ruminal fluid was measured before
the morning feeding (0.0 h) to 8 h post feeding. In this study, a
two-layered feed-forward neural network trained by the
Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm was used for modelling of ruminal
pH. The input variables of the network were time, concentrate to
alfalfa hay ratios (C/F), non fiber carbohydrate (NFC) and neutral
detergent fiber (NDF). The output variable was the ruminal pH.
The modeling results showed that there was excellent agreement
between the experimental data and predicted values, with a high
determination coefficient (R2 >0.96). Therefore, we suggest using
these model-derived biological values to summarize continuously
recorded pH data.
Abstract: The adverse effects of Clindamycin (Clind.) /
Ibuprofen (Ibu.) combination on liver, kidney, blood elements and the
significances of antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine and Zinc) against
these effects were evaluated. The study includes: Group I; control
n=30, Group II; patients on Clind.300mg/Ibu.400mg twice daily for a
week n=30, Group III; patients on Clind.300mg/Ibu.400mg+Nacetylcysteine
200mg twice daily for a week n=15 and Group IV;
patients on Clind.300mg/Ibu.400mg+Zinc50mg twice daily for a
week n=15. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine transferase
(ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), γ glutamyl transferase (GGT),
creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Applying one
way ANOVA followed by Tuckey Kramer post test, Group II showed
significant increase in ALT, AST, GGT, BUN and decrease in Hb,
RBCs, platelets than Group I. Group III showed significant decrease
in ALT, AST, GGT, BUN than Group II. Moreover, Group IV
showed significant decrease in ALT, AST, GGT and increase in Hb,
RBCs, and platelets than Group II. Conclusively, Adding Zinc or Nacetylcysteine
buffer the oxidative stress and improve the therapeutic
outcome of Clindamycin/Ibuprofen combination.
Abstract: Bladder carcinoma is an important worldwide health problem. Both cystoscopy and urine cytology used in detecting bladder cancer suffer from drawbacks where cystoscopy is an invasive method and urine cytology shows low sensitivity in low grade tumors. This study validates easier and less time-consuming techniques to evaluate the value of combined use of angiogenin and clusterin in comparison and combination with voided urine cytology in the detection of bladder cancer patients. This study includes malignant (bladder cancer patients, n= 50), benign (n=20) and healthy (n=20) groups. The studied groups were subjected to cystoscopic examination, detection of bilharzial antibodies, urine cytology, and estimation of urinary angiogenin and clusterin by ELISA. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 66% and 75% for angiogenin, 70% and 82.5% for clusterin and 46% and 80% for voided urine cytology. Combined sensitivity of angiogenin and clusterin with urine cytology increased from 82 to 88%.
Abstract: Here we report on the utilization of Laser-Induced
Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for determination of Quantum Dots
(QDs) in liquid solution. The process of optimization of experimental
conditions from choosing the carrier medium to application of colloid
QDs is described. The main goal was to get the best possible signal to
noise ratio.
The results obtained from the measurements confirmed the capability
of LIBS technique for qualitative and afterwards quantitative
determination of QDs in liquid solution.
Abstract: Dietary macro and micro nutrients in their respective proportion and fractions present a practical potential tool to fabricate milk constituents since cells of lactating mammary glands obtain about 80 % of milk synthesis nutrients from blood, reflecting the existence of an isotonic equilibrium between blood and milk. Diverting milk biosynthetic activities through manipulation of nutrients towards producing milk not only keeping in view its significance as natural food but also as food item which prevents or dilutes the adverse effects of some diseases (like cardiovascular problem by saturated milk fat intake) has been area of interest in the last decade. Nutritional modification / supplementation has been reported to enhance conjugated linoleic acid, fatty acid type and concentration, essential fatty acid concentration, vitamin B12& C, Se, Cu, I and Fe which are involved to counter the health threats to human well being. Synchronizing dietary nutrients aimed to modify rumen dynamics towards synthesis of nutrients or their precursors to make their drive towards formulated milk constituents presents a practical option. Formulating dietary constituents to design milk constituents will let the farmers, consumers and investors know about the real potential and profit margins associated with this enterprise. This article briefly recapitulates the ways and means to modify milk constituents keeping an eye on human health and well being issues, which allows milk to serve more than a food item.
Abstract: High redundancy and strong uncertainty are two main characteristics for underwater robotic manipulators with unlimited workspace and mobility, but they also make the motion planning and control difficult and complex. In order to setup the groundwork for the research on control schemes, the mathematical representation is built by using the Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) method [9]&[12]; in addition to the geometry of the manipulator which was studied for establishing the direct and inverse kinematics. Then, the dynamic model is developed and used by employing the Lagrange theorem. Furthermore, derivation and computer simulation is accomplished using the MATLAB environment. The result obtained is compared with mechanical system dynamics analysis software, ADAMS. In addition, the creation of intelligent artificial skin using Interlink Force Sensing ResistorTM technology is presented as groundwork for future work
Abstract: A multiphase harmonic load flow algorithm is developed based on backward/forward sweep to examine the effects of various factors on the neutral to earth voltage (NEV), including unsymmetrical system configuration, load unbalance and harmonic injection. The proposed algorithm composes fundamental frequency and harmonic frequencies power flows. The algorithm and the associated models are tested on IEEE 13 bus system. The magnitude of NEV is investigated under various conditions of the number of grounding rods per feeder lengths, the grounding rods resistance and the grounding resistance of the in feeding source. Additionally, the harmonic injection of nonlinear loads has been considered and its influences on NEV under different conditions are shown.
Abstract: We attempted investigate a boat model, based on the
conversion of energy of surface wave into a sequence of
unidirectional pulses of jet spurts, in other words - model of the boat,
which is thrusting by the waves field on water surface. These pulses
are forming some average reactive stream from the output nozzle on
the stern of boat. The suggested model provides the conversion of its
oscillatory motions (both pitching and rolling) into a jet flow. This
becomes possible due to special construction of the boat and due to
several details, sensitive to the local wave field. The boat model
presents the uniflow jet engine without slow conversions of
mechanical energy into intermediate forms and without any external
sources of energy (besides surface waves). Motion of boat is
characterized by fast jerks and average onward velocity, which
exceeds the velocities of liquid particles in the wave.
Abstract: Structural representation and technology mapping of
a Boolean function is an important problem in the design of nonregenerative
digital logic circuits (also called combinational logic
circuits). Library aware function manipulation offers a solution to
this problem. Compact multi-level representation of binary networks,
based on simple circuit structures, such as AND-Inverter Graphs
(AIG) [1] [5], NAND Graphs, OR-Inverter Graphs (OIG), AND-OR
Graphs (AOG), AND-OR-Inverter Graphs (AOIG), AND-XORInverter
Graphs, Reduced Boolean Circuits [8] does exist in
literature. In this work, we discuss a novel and efficient graph
realization for combinational logic circuits, represented using a
NAND-NOR-Inverter Graph (NNIG), which is composed of only
two-input NAND (NAND2), NOR (NOR2) and inverter (INV) cells.
The networks are constructed on the basis of irredundant disjunctive
and conjunctive normal forms, after factoring, comprising terms with
minimum support. Construction of a NNIG for a non-regenerative
function in normal form would be straightforward, whereas for the
complementary phase, it would be developed by considering a virtual
instance of the function. However, the choice of best NNIG for a
given function would be based upon literal count, cell count and
DAG node count of the implementation at the technology
independent stage. In case of a tie, the final decision would be made
after extracting the physical design parameters.
We have considered AIG representation for reduced disjunctive
normal form and the best of OIG/AOG/AOIG for the minimized
conjunctive normal forms. This is necessitated due to the nature of
certain functions, such as Achilles- heel functions. NNIGs are found
to exhibit 3.97% lesser node count compared to AIGs and
OIG/AOG/AOIGs; consume 23.74% and 10.79% lesser library cells
than AIGs and OIG/AOG/AOIGs for the various samples considered.
We compare the power efficiency and delay improvement achieved
by optimal NNIGs over minimal AIGs and OIG/AOG/AOIGs for
various case studies. In comparison with functionally equivalent,
irredundant and compact AIGs, NNIGs report mean savings in power
and delay of 43.71% and 25.85% respectively, after technology
mapping with a 0.35 micron TSMC CMOS process. For a
comparison with OIG/AOG/AOIGs, NNIGs demonstrate average
savings in power and delay by 47.51% and 24.83%. With respect to
device count needed for implementation with static CMOS logic
style, NNIGs utilize 37.85% and 33.95% lesser transistors than their
AIG and OIG/AOG/AOIG counterparts.
Abstract: We fabricated the inverted-staggered etch stopper
structure oxide-based TFT and investigated the characteristics of oxide
TFT under the 400 nm wavelength light illumination. When 400 nm
light was illuminated, the threshold voltage (Vth) decreased and
subthreshold slope (SS) increased at forward sweep, while Vth and SS
were not altered when larger wavelength lights, such as 650 nm, 550
nm and 450 nm, were illuminated. At reverse sweep, the transfer curve
barely changed even under 400 nm light. Our experimental results
support that photo-induced hole carriers are captured by donor-like
interface trap and it caused the decrease of Vth and increase of SS. We
investigated the interface trap density increases proportionally to the
photo-induced hole concentration at active layer.
Abstract: This paper is focused on issues of nonlinear dynamic process modeling and model-based predictive control of a fed-batch sugar crystallization process applying the concept of artificial neural networks as computational tools. The control objective is to force the operation into following optimal supersaturation trajectory. It is achieved by manipulating the feed flow rate of sugar liquor/syrup, considered as the control input. A feed forward neural network (FFNN) model of the process is first built as part of the controller structure to predict the process response over a specified (prediction) horizon. The predictions are supplied to an optimization procedure to determine the values of the control action over a specified (control) horizon that minimizes a predefined performance index. The control task is rather challenging due to the strong nonlinearity of the process dynamics and variations in the crystallization kinetics. However, the simulation results demonstrated smooth behavior of the control actions and satisfactory reference tracking.
Abstract: Numerical calculations of flow around a square cylinder are presented using the multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method at Reynolds number 150. The effects of upstream locations, downstream locations and blockage are investigated systematically. A detail analysis are given in terms of time-trace analysis of drag and lift coefficients, power spectra analysis of lift coefficient, vorticity contours visualizations and phase diagrams. A number of physical quantities mean drag coefficient, drag coefficient, Strouhal number and root-mean-square values of drag and lift coefficients are calculated and compared with the well resolved experimental data and numerical results available in open literature. The results had shown that the upstream, downstream and height of the computational domain are at least 7.5, 37.5 and 12 diameters of the cylinder, respectively.