Abstract: In this manuscript, a wavelet-based blind
watermarking scheme has been proposed as a means to provide
security to authenticity of a fingerprint. The information used for
identification or verification of a fingerprint mainly lies in its
minutiae. By robust watermarking of the minutiae in the fingerprint
image itself, the useful information can be extracted accurately even
if the fingerprint is severely degraded. The minutiae are converted in
a binary watermark and embedding these watermarks in the detail
regions increases the robustness of watermarking, at little to no
additional impact on image quality. It has been experimentally shown
that when the minutiae is embedded into wavelet detail coefficients
of a fingerprint image in spread spectrum fashion using a
pseudorandom sequence, the robustness is observed to have a
proportional response while perceptual invisibility has an inversely
proportional response to amplification factor “K". The DWT-based
technique has been found to be very robust against noises,
geometrical distortions filtering and JPEG compression attacks and is
also found to give remarkably better performance than DCT-based
technique in terms of correlation coefficient and number of erroneous
minutiae.
Abstract: Jordan exerts many efforts to nurture their academically gifted students in special schools since 2001. During
the past nine years of launching these schools, their learning and excellence environments were believed to be distinguished compared
to public schools. This study investigated the environments of gifted
students compared with other non-gifted, using a survey instrument
that measures the dimensions of family, peers, teachers, school- support, society, and resources –dimensions rooted deeply in supporting gifted education, learning, and achievement. A total
number of 109 were selected from excellence schools for
academically gifted students, and 119 non-gifted students were selected from public schools. Around 8.3% of the non-gifted students
reported that they “Never" received any support from their surrounding environments, 14.9% reported “Seldom" support, 23.7% reported “ Often" support, 26.0% reported “Frequent" support, and
32.8% reported “Very frequent" support. Where the gifted students reported more “Never" support than the non-gifted did with 11.3%,
“Seldom" support with 15.4%, “Often" support with 26.6%,
“Frequent" support with 29.0%, and reported “Very frequent" support less than the non-gifted students with 23.6%. Unexpectedly,
statistical differences were found between the two groups favoring
non-gifted students in perception of their surrounding environments
in specific dimensions, namely, school- support, teachers, and society. No statistical differences were found in the other dimensions
of the survey, namely, family, peers, and resources. As the
differences were found in teachers, school- support, and society, the
nurturing environments for the excellence schools need to be revised to adopt more creative teaching styles, rich school atmosphere and
infrastructures, interactive guiding for the students and their parents, promoting for the excellence environments, and re-build successful
identification models. Thus, families, schools, and society should
increase their cooperation, communication, and awareness of the
gifted supportive environments. However, more studies to investigate
other aspects of promoting academic giftedness and excellence are recommended.
Abstract: An immunomodulator bioproduct is prepared in a
batch bioprocess with a modified bacterium Pseudomonas
aeruginosa. The bioprocess is performed in 100 L Bioengineering
bioreactor with 42 L cultivation medium made of peptone, meat
extract and sodium chloride. The optimal bioprocess parameters were
determined: temperature – 37 0C, agitation speed - 300 rpm, aeration
rate – 40 L/min, pressure – 0.5 bar, Dow Corning Antifoam M-max.
4 % of the medium volume, duration - 6 hours. This kind of
bioprocesses are appreciated as difficult to control because their
dynamic behavior is highly nonlinear and time varying. The aim of
the paper is to present (by comparison) different models based on
experimental data.
The analysis criteria were modeling error and convergence rate.
The estimated values and the modeling analysis were done by using
the Table Curve 2D.
The preliminary conclusions indicate Andrews-s model with a
maximum specific growth rate of the bacterium in the range of
0.8 h-1.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a modified version of the
Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA) tailored for blind Decision
Feedback Equalizer (DFE) of first order Markovian time varying
channels. The proposed NonStationary CMA (NSCMA) is designed
so that it explicitly takes into account the Markovian structure of
the channel nonstationarity. Hence, unlike the classical CMA, the
NSCMA is not blind with respect to the channel time variations.
This greatly helps the equalizer in the case of realistic channels, and
avoids frequent transmissions of training sequences.
This paper develops a theoretical analysis of the steady state
performance of the CMA and the NSCMA for DFEs within a time
varying context. Therefore, approximate expressions of the mean
square errors are derived. We prove that in the steady state, the
NSCMA exhibits better performance than the classical CMA. These
new results are confirmed by simulation.
Through an experimental study, we demonstrate that the Bit Error
Rate (BER) is reduced by the NSCMA-DFE, and the improvement
of the BER achieved by the NSCMA-DFE is as significant as the
channel time variations are severe.
Abstract: To unveil the mechanism of fast autooxidation of fish
myoglobins, the effect of temperature on the structural change of tuna
myoglobin was investigated. Purified myoglobin was subjected to
preincubation at 5, 20, 50 and 40oC. Overall helical structural decay
through thermal treatment up to 95oC was monitored by circular
dichroism spectrometry, while the structural changes around the heme
pocket was measured by ultraviolet/visible absorption spectrophotometry.
As a result, no essential structural change of myoglobin
was observed under 30oC, roughly equivalent to their body
temperature, but the structure was clearly damaged at 40oC. The Soret
band absorption hardly differed irrespective of preincubation
temperature, suggesting that the structure around the heme pocket was
not perturbed even after thermal treatment.
Abstract: In this paper, a mathematical model of human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) is utilized and an optimization problem is
proposed, with the final goal of implementing an optimal 900-day
structured treatment interruption (STI) protocol. Two type of commonly
used drugs in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART),
reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTI) and protease inhibitors (PI), are
considered. In order to solving the proposed optimization problem an
adaptive memetic algorithm with population management (AMAPM)
is proposed. The AMAPM uses a distance measure to control the
diversity of population in genotype space and thus preventing the
stagnation and premature convergence. Moreover, the AMAPM uses
diversity parameter in phenotype space to dynamically set the population
size and the number of crossovers during the search process.
Three crossover operators diversify the population, simultaneously.
The progresses of crossover operators are utilized to set the number
of each crossover per generation. In order to escaping the local optima
and introducing the new search directions toward the global optima,
two local searchers assist the evolutionary process. In contrast to
traditional memetic algorithms, the activation of these local searchers
is not random and depends on both the diversity parameters in
genotype space and phenotype space. The capability of AMAPM in
finding optimal solutions compared with three popular metaheurestics
is introduced.
Abstract: The organic farmers use wider range of crop varieties than the conventional farming. Bread wheat is the most favorite and the most common food crop. The organic bread wheat is usually of worse technological quality. Therefore, it is supposed to be an attractive alternative to the hulled wheat species (einkorn, emmer wheat and spelt). Twenty-five hulled bread wheat varieties and control bread wheat ones were grown on the certified organic parcel in České Budějovice (the Czech Republic) between 2009 and 2012. Their baking quality was measured and evaluated with standard methods, and in accordance with ICC. The results have shown that the grain of hulled wheat varieties contain a lot of proteins in grains (up to 18 percent); even the organic hulled bread wheat varieties are characterized by such good baking quality. Einkorn and emmer wheat are of worse technological quality of proteins (low values of gluten index and Zeleny test), which is a disadvantage of these two wheat species. On the other hand, spelt wheat is of better technological quality and is similar to the control bread wheat varieties. Mixtures consisting of bread wheat, among others, are considered good alternatives; they may contribute to wider range of use of the hulled wheat species. It is one of the possibilities which may increase the proportion of proteins in bread wheat grains; the nutrition-rich hulled wheat grains may be also used in such way at the same time.
Abstract: The paper presents a one-dimensional transient
mathematical model of compressible thermal multi-component gas
mixture flows in pipes. The set of the mass, momentum and enthalpy
conservation equations for gas phase is solved. Thermo-physical
properties of multi-component gas mixture are calculated by solving
the Equation of State (EOS) model. The Soave-Redlich-Kwong
(SRK-EOS) model is chosen. Gas mixture viscosity is calculated on
the basis of the Lee-Gonzales-Eakin (LGE) correlation. Numerical
analysis on rapid decompression in conventional dry gases is
performed by using the proposed mathematical model. The model is
validated on measured values of the decompression wave speed in
dry natural gas mixtures. All predictions show excellent agreement
with the experimental data at high and low pressure. The presented
model predicts the decompression in dry natural gas mixtures much
better than GASDECOM and OLGA codes, which are the most
frequently-used codes in oil and gas pipeline transport service.
Abstract: In this paper, the influencing parameters of a novel
purely mechanical wireless in-mould injection moulding sensor
were investigated. The sensor is capable of detecting the melt
front at predefined locations inside the mould. The sensor comprises
a movable pin which acts as the sensor element generating
structure-borne sound triggered by the passing melt front. Due to
the sensor design, melt pressure is the driving force. For pressure
level measurement during pin movement a pressure transducer
located at the same position as the movable pin. By deriving
a mathematical model for the mechanical movement, dominant
process parameters could be investigated towards their impact
on the melt front detection characteristic. It was found that the
sensor is not affected by the investigated parameters enabling it
for reliable melt front detection. In addition, it could be proved
that the novel sensor is in comparable range to conventional melt
front detection sensors.
Abstract: Latvia is the fourth in the world by means of broadband internet speed. The total number of internet users in Latvia exceeds 70% of its population. The number of active mailboxes of the local internet e-mail service Inbox.lv accounts for 68% of the population and 97.6% of the total number of internet users. The Latvian portal Draugiem.lv is a phenomenon of social media, because 58.4 % of the population and 83.5% of internet users use it. A majority of Latvian company profiles are available on social networks, the most popular being Twitter.com. These and other parameters prove the fact consumers and companies are actively using the Internet.
However, after the authors in a number of studies analyzed how enterprises are employing the e-environment, namely, e-environment tools, they arrived to the conclusions that are not as flattering as the aforementioned statistics. There is an obvious contradiction between the statistical data and the actual studies. As a result, the authors have posed a question: Why are entrepreneurs resistant to e-tools? In order to answer this question, the authors have addressed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The authors analyzed each phase and determined several factors affecting the use of e-environment, reaching the main conclusion that entrepreneurs do not have a sufficient level of e-literacy (digital literacy).
The authors employ well-established quantitative and qualitative methods of research: grouping, analysis, statistic method, factor analysis in SPSS 20 environment etc.
The theoretical and methodological background of the research is formed by, scientific researches and publications, that from the mass media and professional literature, statistical information from legal institutions as well as information collected by the author during the survey.
Abstract: Partitioning is a critical area of VLSI CAD. In order to build complex digital logic circuits its often essential to sub-divide multi -million transistor design into manageable Pieces. This paper looks at the various partitioning techniques aspects of VLSI CAD, targeted at various applications. We proposed an evolutionary time-series model and a statistical glitch prediction system using a neural network with selection of global feature by making use of clustering method model, for partitioning a circuit. For evolutionary time-series model, we made use of genetic, memetic & neuro-memetic techniques. Our work focused in use of clustering methods - K-means & EM methodology. A comparative study is provided for all techniques to solve the problem of circuit partitioning pertaining to VLSI design. The performance of all approaches is compared using benchmark data provided by MCNC standard cell placement benchmark net lists. Analysis of the investigational results proved that the Neuro-memetic model achieves greater performance then other model in recognizing sub-circuits with minimum amount of interconnections between them.
Abstract: One of the difficulties of the vibration-based damage identification methods is the nonuniqueness of the results of damage identification. The different damage locations and severity may cause the identical response signal, which is even more severe for detection of the multiple damage. This paper proposes a new strategy for damage detection to avoid this nonuniqueness. This strategy firstly determines the approximates damage area based on the statistical pattern recognition method using the dynamic strain signal measured by the distributed fiber Bragg grating, and then accurately evaluates the damage information based on the Bayesian model updating method using the experimental modal data. The stochastic simulation method is then used to compute the high-dimensional integral in the Bayesian problem. Finally, an experiment of the plate structure, simulating one part of mechanical structure, is used to verify the effectiveness of this approach.
Abstract: The paper deals with the analysis of triggering
conditions and evolution processes of piping phenomena, in relation
to both mechanical and hydraulic aspects. In particular, the aim of
the study is to predict slope instabilities triggered by piping,
analysing the conditions necessary for a flow failure to occur. Really,
the mechanical effect involved in the loads redistribution around the
pipe is coupled to the drainage process arising from higher
permeability of the pipe. If after the pipe formation, the drainage
goes prevented for pipe clogging, the porewater pressure increase can
lead to the failure or even the liquefaction, with a subsequent flow
slide. To simulate the piping evolution and to verify relevant stability
conditions, a iterative coupled modelling approach has been pointed
out. As example, the proposed tool has been applied to the Stava
Valley disaster (July, 1985), demonstrating that piping might be one
of triggering phenomena of the tailings dams collapse.
Abstract: Sports Sciences has been historically supported by the positivism idea of science, especially by the mechanistic/reductionist and becomes a field that views experimentation and measurement as the mayor research domains. The disposition to simplify nature and the world by parts has fragmented and reduced the idea of bodyathletes as machine. In this paper we intent to re-think this perception lined by Complexity Theory. We come with the idea of athletes as a reflexive and active being (corporeity-body). Therefore, the construction of a training that considers the cultural, biological, psychological elements regarding the experience of the human corporal movements in a circumspect and responsible way could bring better chances of accomplishment. In the end, we hope to help coaches understand the intrinsic complexity of the body they are training, how better deal with it, and, in the field of a deep globalization among the different types of knowledge, to respect and accepted the peculiarities of knowledge that comprise this area.
Abstract: Spherical shaped magnetite (Fe3O4) and Au@Fe3O4
nanoparticles were successfully synthesized from Fe electrodes
immersed in water with CTAB surfactant and HAuCl4 solution using
simple method-pulsed plasma in liquid, without the use of dopants or
special conditions for stabilization. Vibrating sample magnetometer
indicated ferromagnetic behavior of particles at room temperature with
coercivity and saturation magnetization of (Hc=105 Oe, Ms=6.83
emu/g) for Fe3O4 and (Hc=175, Ms=3.56emu/g) for Au@Fe3O4
nanoparticles. Structure and morphology of nanoparticles were
characterized by X-ray Diffraction analysis and HR-TEM
measurements. The cytotoxicity of nanoparticles was indicated using a
XTT assay to be very low (cell viability: 98-89% with Fe3O4 and
99-91% for Au@Fe3O4 NPs).
Abstract: Physical and mechanical properties of Russian olive
fruits were measured at moisture content of 14.43% w.b. The results
revealed that the mean length, width and thickness of Russian olive
fruits were 20.72, 15.73 and 14.69mm, respectively. Mean mass and
volume of Russian olive fruits were measured as 1.45 g and 2.55 cm3,
respectively. The sphericity, aspect ratio and surface area were
calculated as 0.81, 0.72 and 8.96 cm2, respectively, while arithmetic
mean diameter, geometric mean diameter and equivalent diameter of
Russian olive fruits were 17.05, 16.83 and 16.84 mm, respectively.
Whole fruit density, bulk density and porosity of jujube fruits were
measured and found to be 1.01 g/cm3, 0.29 g/cm3 and 69.5%,
respectively. The values of static coefficient of friction on three
surfaces of glass, galvanized iron and plywood were 0.35, 0.36 and
0.43, respectively. The skin color (L*, a*, b*) varied from 9.92 to
16.08; 2.04 to 3.91 and 1.12 to 3.83, respectively. The values of
rupture force, deformation, energy absorbed and hardness were found
to be between 12.14-16.85 N, 2.16-4.25 mm, 3.42-6.99 N mm and
17.1-23.85 N/mm.
Abstract: Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are used to monitor/observe vast inaccessible regions through deployment of large number of sensor nodes in the sensing area. For majority of WSN applications, the collected data needs to be combined with geographic information of its origin to make it useful for the user; information received from remote Sensor Nodes (SNs) that are several hops away from base station/sink is meaningless without knowledge of its source. In addition to this, location information of SNs can also be used to propose/develop new network protocols for WSNs to improve their energy efficiency and lifetime. In this paper, range free localization protocols for WSNs have been proposed. The proposed protocols are based on weighted centroid localization technique, where the edge weights of SNs are decided by utilizing fuzzy logic inference for received signal strength and link quality between the nodes. The fuzzification is carried out using (i) Mamdani, (ii) Sugeno, and (iii) Combined Mamdani Sugeno fuzzy logic inference. Simulation results demonstrate that proposed protocols provide better accuracy in node localization compared to conventional centroid based localization protocols despite presence of unintentional radio frequency interference from radio frequency (RF) sources operating in same frequency band.
Abstract: This paper examines the interplay of policy options
and cost-effective technology in providing sustainable distance
education. A case study has been conducted among the learners and
teachers. The emergence of learning technologies through CD,
internet, and mobile is increasingly adopted by distance institutes for
quick delivery and cost-effective factors. Their sustainability is
conditioned by the structure of learners and well as the teaching
community. The structure of learners in terms of rural and urban
background revealed similarity in adoption and utilization of mobile
learning. In other words, the technology transcended the rural-urban
dichotomy. The teaching community was divided into two groups on
policy issues. This study revealed both cost-effective as well as
sustainability impacts on different learners groups divided by rural
and urban location.
Abstract: One field experiment was conducted on corn (Zea
mays L.Var. SC 704) to study the effect of three different basic levels
of nitrogen (90, 140and 190 Kg/ha as urea) with 0.01% and 0.02%
pyridoxine pre-sowing seed soaking for 8 hours. Water-soaked seeds
were treated as controled. biomass production was recorded on 45,
70 and 95 days after sowing. Total dry material (TDM), leaf area
index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and
net assimilation rate (NAR) was calculated form 45until 95 days after
sowing. Yield and its components such as kernel yield, grain weight,
biologic yield, harvest index and protein percentage was measured at
harvest. In general, 0.02% pyridoxine and 190 Kg pure nitrogen/ha
was shown gave maximum value for growth and yield parameters.
N190 + 0.02 % pyridoxine enhanced seed yield and biologic yield by
57.15% and 62.98% compared to 90kg N and water – soaked
treatment.
Abstract: Medical Surgical Nursing is one of the major subjects
in nursing. This study examined the validity and reliability of the
achievement examination utilizing the Classical Test Theory and
Item Response Theory. The study answered the following objectives
specifically : ( a) To establish the validity and reliability of the
achievement examination utilizing Classical Test Theory and Item
Response Theory ; ( b ) To determine the dimensionality measure of
items and ( c ) to compare the item difficulty and item discrimination
of the Medical Surgical Nursing Achievement examination using
Classical Test Theory ( CTT ) and Item Response Theory ( IRT ).
The developed instrument was administered to fourth year nursing
students (N= 136) of a private university in Manila. The findings
yielded the following results: The achievement examination is
reliable both using CTT and IRT. The findings indicate person and
item statistics from two frameworks are quite alike. The achievement
examination formed a unidimensional construct.