Abstract: In this study, a new criterion for determining the number of classes an image should be segmented is proposed. This criterion is based on discriminant analysis for measuring the separability among the segmented classes of pixels. Based on the new discriminant criterion, two algorithms for recursively segmenting the image into determined number of classes are proposed. The proposed methods can automatically and correctly segment objects with various illuminations into separated images for further processing. Experiments on the extraction of text strings from complex document images demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.1
Abstract: Bridge is an architectural symbol in Iran as Badgir
(wind catcher); fire temples and arch are vaults are such. Therefore, from the very old ages, construction of bridges in Iran has mixed with
architecture, social customs, alms and charity and holiness. Since long ago, from Mad, Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanid times which construction of bridges got an inseparable relation with social dependency and architecture, based on those dependency bridges and
dams got holy names; as Dokhtar castle and Dokhtar bridges were constructed. This method continued even after Islam and whenever
Iranians got free from political fights and the immunity of roads were established the bridge construction did also prospered. In ancient
times bridge construction passes through it growing and completion process and in Sassanid time in some way it reached to the peak of art
and glory; as after Islam especially during 4th. century (Arab calendar) it put behind a period of glory and in Safavid time it
reached to an exceptional glory and magnificence by constructing
glorious bridges on Zayandeh Roud River in Isfahan.
Having a combined style and changeability into bridge barrier, some of these bridges develop into magnificent constructions. The
sustainable structures, mentioned above, are constructed for various
reasons as follows: connecting two sides of a river, storing water,
controlling floods, using water energy to operate water windmills, making lanes of streams for farms- use, and building recreational
places for people, etc. These studies carried in bridges reveals the fact
that in construction and designing mentioned above, lots of
technological factors have been taken into consideration such as
exceeding floods in the rives, hydraulic and hydrology of the rivers and bridges, geology, foundation, structure, construction material, and adopting appropriate executing methods, all of which are being analyzed in this article.
Abstract: Tracing and locating the geographical location of users (Geolocation) is used extensively in todays Internet. Whenever we, e.g., request a page from google we are - unless there was a specific configuration made - automatically forwarded to the page with the relevant language and amongst others, dependent on our location identified, specific commercials are presented. Especially within the area of Network Security, Geolocation has a significant impact. Because of the way the Internet works, attacks can be executed from almost everywhere. Therefore, for an attribution, knowledge of the origination of an attack - and thus Geolocation - is mandatory in order to be able to trace back an attacker. In addition, Geolocation can also be used very successfully to increase the security of a network during operation (i.e. before an intrusion actually has taken place). Similar to greylisting in emails, Geolocation allows to (i) correlate attacks detected with new connections and (ii) as a consequence to classify traffic a priori as more suspicious (thus particularly allowing to inspect this traffic in more detail). Although numerous techniques for Geolocation are existing, each strategy is subject to certain restrictions. Following the ideas of Endo et al., this publication tries to overcome these shortcomings with a combined solution of different methods to allow improved and optimized Geolocation. Thus, we present our architecture for improved Geolocation, by designing a new algorithm, which combines several Geolocation techniques to increase the accuracy.
Abstract: In the present article, nonlinear vibration analysis of
single layer graphene sheets is presented and the effect of small
length scale is investigated. Using the Hamilton's principle, the three
coupled nonlinear equations of motion are obtained based on the von
Karman geometrical model and Eringen theory of nonlocal
continuum. The solutions of Free nonlinear vibration, based on a one
term mode shape, are found for both simply supported and clamped
graphene sheets. A complete analysis of graphene sheets with
movable as well as immovable in-plane conditions is also carried out.
The results obtained herein are compared with those available in the
literature for classical isotropic rectangular plates and excellent
agreement is seen. Also, the nonlinear effects are presented as
functions of geometric properties and small scale parameter.
Abstract: Automatic currency note recognition invariably
depends on the currency note characteristics of a particular country
and the extraction of features directly affects the recognition ability.
Sri Lanka has not been involved in any kind of research or
implementation of this kind. The proposed system “SLCRec" comes
up with a solution focusing on minimizing false rejection of notes.
Sri Lankan currency notes undergo severe changes in image quality
in usage. Hence a special linear transformation function is adapted to
wipe out noise patterns from backgrounds without affecting the
notes- characteristic images and re-appear images of interest. The
transformation maps the original gray scale range into a smaller
range of 0 to 125. Applying Edge detection after the transformation
provided better robustness for noise and fair representation of edges
for new and old damaged notes. A three layer back propagation
neural network is presented with the number of edges detected in row
order of the notes and classification is accepted in four classes of
interest which are 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 rupee notes. The
experiments showed good classification results and proved that the
proposed methodology has the capability of separating classes
properly in varying image conditions.
Abstract: Reliable secure multicast communication in mobile
adhoc networks is challenging due to its inherent characteristics of
infrastructure-less architecture with lack of central authority, high
packet loss rates and limited resources such as bandwidth, time and
power. Many emerging commercial and military applications require
secure multicast communication in adhoc environments. Hence key
management is the fundamental challenge in achieving reliable
secure communication using multicast key distribution for mobile
adhoc networks. Thus in designing a reliable multicast key
distribution scheme, reliability and congestion control over
throughput are essential components. This paper proposes and
evaluates the performance of an enhanced optimized multicast cluster
tree algorithm with destination sequenced distance vector routing
protocol to provide reliable multicast key distribution. Simulation
results in NS2 accurately predict the performance of proposed
scheme in terms of key delivery ratio and packet loss rate under
varying network conditions. This proposed scheme achieves
reliability, while exhibiting low packet loss rate with high key
delivery ratio compared with the existing scheme.
Abstract: Design for cost (DFC) is a method that reduces life
cycle cost (LCC) from the angle of designers. Multiple domain
features mapping (MDFM) methodology was given in DFC. Using
MDFM, we can use design features to estimate the LCC. From the
angle of DFC, the design features of family cars were obtained, such
as all dimensions, engine power and emission volume. At the
conceptual design stage, cars- LCC were estimated using back
propagation (BP) artificial neural networks (ANN) method and
case-based reasoning (CBR). Hamming space was used to measure the
similarity among cases in CBR method. Levenberg-Marquardt (LM)
algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA) were used in ANN. The
differences of LCC estimation model between CBR and artificial
neural networks (ANN) were provided. ANN and CBR separately
each method has its shortcomings. By combining ANN and CBR
improved results accuracy was obtained. Firstly, using ANN selected
some design features that affect LCC. Then using LCC estimation
results of ANN could raise the accuracy of LCC estimation in CBR
method. Thirdly, using ANN estimate LCC errors and correct errors in
CBR-s estimation results if the accuracy is not enough accurate.
Finally, economically family cars and sport utility vehicle (SUV) was
given as LCC estimation cases using this hybrid approach combining
ANN and CBR.
Abstract: In this paper we present the design of a new encryption scheme. The scheme we propose is a very exible encryption and authentication primitive. We build this scheme on two relatively new design principles: t-functions and fast pseudo hadamard transforms. We recapitulate the theory behind these principles and analyze their security properties and efficiency. In more detail we propose a streamcipher which outputs a message authentication tag along with theencrypted data stream with only little overhead. Moreover we proposesecurity-speed tradeoffs. Our scheme is faster than other comparablet-function based designs while offering the same security level.
Abstract: This study deals with the experimental investigation
and theoretical modeling of Semi crystalline polymeric materials with
a rubbery amorphous phase (HDPE) subjected to a uniaxial cyclic
tests with various maximum strain levels, even at large deformation.
Each cycle is loaded in tension up to certain maximum strain and
then unloaded down to zero stress with N number of cycles. This
work is focuses on the measure of the volume strain due to the
phenomena of damage during this kind of tests. On the basis of
thermodynamics of relaxation processes, a constitutive model for
large strain deformation has been developed, taking into account the
damage effect, to predict the complex elasto-viscoelastic-viscoplastic
behavior of material. A direct comparison between the model
predictions and the experimental data show that the model accurately
captures the material response. The model is also capable of
predicting the influence damage causing volume variation.
Abstract: Recent studies demonstrated that high-fat diet increases oxidative stress in plasma and in a variety of tissues. Many researchers have been looking for natural products, which can reverse the effect of high fat diet. Recently, buckwheat is becoming common ingredient in functional food because of it properties. In study on buckwheat, it is known that, this plant plays roles as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive. Nevertheless still little is known about buckwheat groats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of addition of buckwheat groats to the fat diet (30% lard), on some antioxidant and oxidant stress parameters in plasma and selected tissues in Wistar rats. The experiment was carried out with three months old male Wistar rats ca. 250g of body weight fed for 5 weeks with either a high-fat (30% of lard) diet or control diet, with or without addition of buckwheat groats. In plasma biochemistry and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes were measured selected tissues: glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT) and the levels of total and reduced glutathione (GSH), free thiol groups (pSH), antioxidant potential of plasma (FRAP) and oxidant stress indices - proteins carbonyl groups (CO) and malonyldialdehyde concentration (MDA). Activity of catalase (CAT) in plasma of rats was significantly increased in buckwheat groats groups and activity of GPx3 in plasma of rats was decreased in buckwheat groups as compared to control group. The reduced glutathione (GSH) in plasma of rats was significantly increased and protein CO was significantly decreased in buckwheat groups as compared to controls. The lowered concentration of GSH was found in serum of rats fed buckwheat groats addition but it accompanied in 7-fold increase in reduced-to-oxidized glutatione ratio, significant increase in HDL and decrease in nonHDL concentration. Conclusions: Buckwheat groats indicate a beneficial effect in inhibiting protein and lipid peroxidation in rats and improved lipid profile. These results suggest that buckwheat groats exert a significant antioxidant potential and may be used as normal food constituent to ameliorate the oxidant-induced damage in organism.
Abstract: A new topology of unified power quality conditioner
(UPQC) is proposed for different power quality (PQ) improvement in
a three-phase four-wire (3P-4W) distribution system. For neutral
current mitigation, a star-hexagon transformer is connected in shunt
near the load along with three-leg voltage source inverters (VSIs)
based UPQC. For the mitigation of source neutral current, the uses of
passive elements are advantageous over the active compensation due
to ruggedness and less complexity of control. In addition to this, by
connecting a star-hexagon transformer for neutral current mitigation
the over all rating of the UPQC is reduced. The performance of the
proposed topology of 3P-4W UPQC is evaluated for power-factor
correction, load balancing, neutral current mitigation and mitigation
of voltage and currents harmonics. A simple control algorithm based
on Unit Vector Template (UVT) technique is used as a control
strategy of UPQC for mitigation of different PQ problems. In this
control scheme, the current/voltage control is applied over the
fundamental supply currents/voltages instead of fast changing APFs
currents/voltages, thereby reducing the computational delay.
Moreover, no extra control is required for neutral source current
compensation; hence the numbers of current sensors are reduced. The
performance of the proposed topology of UPQC is analyzed through
simulations results using MATLAB software with its Simulink and
Power System Block set toolboxes.
Abstract: There are three possible effects of Special Theory of
Relativity (STR) on a thermodynamic system. Planck and Einstein
looked upon this process as isobaric; on the other hand Ott saw it as
an adiabatic process. However plenty of logical reasons show that the
process is isotherm. Our phenomenological consideration
demonstrates that the temperature is invariant with Lorenz
transformation. In that case process is isotherm, so volume and
pressure are Lorentz covariant. If the process is isotherm the Boyles
law is Lorentz invariant. Also equilibrium constant and Gibbs energy,
activation energy, enthalpy entropy and extent of the reaction became
Lorentz invariant.
Abstract: The Iranian bentonite was first characterized by
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Inductively Coupled Plasma
mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray
Diffraction (XRD) and BET. The bentonite was then treated
thermally between 150°C-250°C at 15min, 45min and 90min and
also was activated chemically with different concentration of
sulphuric acid (3N, 5N and 10N). Although the results of thermal
activated-bentonite didn-t show any considerable changes in specific
surface area and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), but the results of
chemical treated bentonite demonstrated that such properties have
been improved by acid activation process.
Abstract: Natural convection heat transfer from a heated
horizontal semi-circular cylinder (flat surface upward) has been
investigated for the following ranges of conditions; Grashof number,
and Prandtl number. The governing partial differential equations
(continuity, Navier-Stokes and energy equations) have been solved
numerically using a finite volume formulation. In addition, the role of
the type of the thermal boundary condition imposed at cylinder
surface, namely, constant wall temperature (CWT) and constant heat
flux (CHF) are explored. Natural convection heat transfer from a
heated horizontal semi-circular cylinder (flat surface upward) has
been investigated for the following ranges of conditions; Grashof
number, and Prandtl number, . The governing partial differential
equations (continuity, Navier-Stokes and energy equations) have
been solved numerically using a finite volume formulation. In
addition, the role of the type of the thermal boundary condition
imposed at cylinder surface, namely, constant wall temperature
(CWT) and constant heat flux (CHF) are explored. The resulting flow
and temperature fields are visualized in terms of the streamline and
isotherm patterns in the proximity of the cylinder. The flow remains
attached to the cylinder surface over the range of conditions spanned
here except that for and ; at these conditions, a separated flow
region is observed when the condition of the constant wall
temperature is prescribed on the surface of the cylinder. The heat
transfer characteristics are analyzed in terms of the local and average
Nusselt numbers. The maximum value of the local Nusselt number
always occurs at the corner points whereas it is found to be minimum
at the rear stagnation point on the flat surface. Overall, the average
Nusselt number increases with Grashof number and/ or Prandtl
number in accordance with the scaling considerations. The numerical
results are used to develop simple correlations as functions of
Grashof and Prandtl number thereby enabling the interpolation of the
present numerical results for the intermediate values of the Prandtl or
Grashof numbers for both thermal boundary conditions.
Abstract: It has often been said that the strength of any country
resides in the strength of its industrial sector, and Progress in
industrial society has been accomplished by the creation of new
technologies. Developments have been facilitated by the increasing
availability of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT), in
addition the implementation of advanced manufacturing technology
(AMT) requires careful planning at all levels of the organization to
ensure that the implementation will achieve the intended goals.
Justification and implementation of advanced manufacturing
technology (AMT) involves decisions that are crucial for the
practitioners regarding the survival of business in the present days of
uncertain manufacturing world. This paper assists the industrial
managers to consider all the important criteria for success AMT
implementation, when purchasing new technology. Concurrently,
this paper classifies the tangible benefits of a technology that are
evaluated by addressing both cost and time dimensions, and the
intangible benefits are evaluated by addressing technological,
strategic, social and human issues to identify and create awareness of
the essential elements in the AMT implementation process and
identify the necessary actions before implementing AMT.
Abstract: The interactions between input/output variables are a very common phenomenon encountered in the design of multi-loop controllers for interacting multivariable processes, which can be a serious obstacle for achieving a good overall performance of multiloop control system. To overcome this impediment, the decomposed dynamic interaction analysis is proposed by decomposing the multiloop control system into a set of n independent SISO systems with the corresponding effective open-loop transfer function (EOTF) within the dynamic interactions embedded explicitly. For each EOTF, the reduced model is independently formulated by using the proposed reduction design strategy, and then the paired multi-loop proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is derived quite simply and straightforwardly by using internal model control (IMC) theory. This design method can easily be implemented for various industrial processes because of its effectiveness. Several case studies are considered to demonstrate the superior of the proposed method.
Abstract: Data mining can be called as a technique to extract
information from data. It is the process of obtaining hidden
information and then turning it into qualified knowledge by statistical
and artificial intelligence technique. One of its application areas is
medical area to form decision support systems for diagnosis just by
inventing meaningful information from given medical data. In this
study a decision support system for diagnosis of illness that make use
of data mining and three different artificial intelligence classifier
algorithms namely Multilayer Perceptron, Naive Bayes Classifier and
J.48. Pima Indian dataset of UCI Machine Learning Repository was
used. This dataset includes urinary and blood test results of 768
patients. These test results consist of 8 different feature vectors.
Obtained classifying results were compared with the previous studies.
The suggestions for future studies were presented.
Abstract: Photo-crosslinked rice starch-based biodegradable
films were prepared by casting film-solution on leveled trays and
ultra violet (UV) irradiation was applied for 10 minute. The effect of
the content (3%, 6% and 9 wt. %)of photosensitiser (sodium
benzoate) on mechanical properties, water vapor permeability (WVP)
and structural properties of rice starch films were investigated. The
tensile strength increased while elongation at break and water
resistance properties of rice starch films decreased with addition and
increasing content of photosensitiser. The % crystallinity of rice
starch films were decreased when the content of photosensitiser
increased and UV were applied. The results showed that the
carboxylate group band of sodium benzoate was found in the FTIR
spectrum of rice starch films and found that incorporation of 6% of
photosensitiser into the films showed a higher absorption band of
resulted films. This result pointed out the highest interaction between
starch molecules was occurred.
Abstract: The gases generated in oil filled transformers can be
used for qualitative determination of incipient faults. The Dissolved
Gas Analysis has been widely used by utilities throughout the world
as the primarily diagnostic tool for transformer maintenance. In this
paper, various Artificial Intelligence Techniques that have been used
by the researchers in the past have been reviewed, some conclusions
have been drawn and a sequential hybrid system has been proposed.
The synergy of ANN and FIS can be a good solution for reliable
results for predicting faults because one should not rely on a single
technology when dealing with real–life applications.
Abstract: The morphology, mineralogical and chemical
composition of a low-grade nickel ore from Mpumalanga, South
Africa, were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray
diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), respectively. The
ore was subjected to atmospheric agitation leaching using sulphuric
acid to investigate the effects of acid concentration, leaching
temperature, leaching time and particle size on extraction of nickel
and cobalt. Analyses results indicated the ore to be a saprolitic nickel
laterite belonging to the serpentine group of minerals. Sulphuric acid
was found to be able to extract nickel from the ore. Increased acid
concentration and temperature only produced low amounts of nickel
but improved cobalt extraction. As high as 77.44% Ni was achieved
when leaching a -106+75μm fraction with 4.0M acid concentration at
25oC. The kinetics of nickel leaching from the saprolitic ore were
studied and the activation energy was determined to be 18.16kJ/mol.
This indicated that nickel leaching reaction was diffusion controlled.