Abstract: In this study, we propose a novel technique for acoustic
echo suppression (AES) during speech recognition under barge-in
conditions. Conventional AES methods based on spectral subtraction
apply fixed weights to the estimated echo path transfer function
(EPTF) at the current signal segment and to the EPTF estimated until
the previous time interval. However, the effects of echo path changes
should be considered for eliminating the undesired echoes. We
describe a new approach that adaptively updates weight parameters in
response to abrupt changes in the acoustic environment due to
background noises or double-talk. Furthermore, we devised a voice
activity detector and an initial time-delay estimator for barge-in speech
recognition in communication networks. The initial time delay is
estimated using log-spectral distance measure, as well as
cross-correlation coefficients. The experimental results show that the
developed techniques can be successfully applied in barge-in speech
recognition systems.
Abstract: An efficient and green method for oxidation of thiols
to the corresponding disulfides is reported using ionic liquid
[HSO3N(C2H4OSO3H)3] in the presence of free nano-Fe2O3 at 60°C.
Ionic liquid is selective oxidant for S-S Coupling variety aliphatic
and aromatic of thiols to corresponding disulfide in the presence of
free nano-Fe2O3 as recoverable catalyst. Reaction has been performed
in methanol as an inexpensive solvent. This reaction is clean and easy
work-up with no side reaction.
Abstract: Food as perishable goods represents a specific and
sensitive part in the supply chain theory, since changing physical or
chemical characteristics considerably influence the approach to stock
management. The most delicate phase of this process is
transportation, where it becomes difficult to ensure the stable
conditions which limit deterioration, since the value of the
deterioration rate could be easily influenced by the mode of
transportation. The fuzzy definition of variables allows one to take
these variations into account. Furthermore, an appropriate choice of
the defuzzification method permits one to adapt results to real
conditions as far as possible. In this article those methods which take
into account the relationship between the deterioration rate of
perishable goods and transportation by ship will be applied with the
aim of (a) minimizing the total cost function, defined as the sum of
the ordering cost, holding cost, disposing cost and transportation
costs, and (b) improving the supply chain sustainability by reducing
environmental impact and waste disposal costs.
Abstract: Electric vehicles are one of the most complicated
electric devices to simulate due to the significant number of different
processes involved in electrical structure of it. There are concurrent
processes of energy consumption and generation with different
onboard systems, which make simulation tasks more complicated to
perform. More accurate simulation on energy consumption can
provide a better understanding of all energy management for electric
transport. As a result of all those processes, electric transport can
allow for a more sustainable future and become more convenient in
relation to the distance range and recharging time. This paper
discusses the problems of energy consumption simulations for
electric vehicles using different software packages to provide ideas
on how to make this process more precise, which can help engineers
create better energy management strategies for electric vehicles.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the possible
link between employee and customer satisfaction. The service
provided by employees, help to build a good relationship with
customers and can help at increasing their loyalty. Published data for
job satisfaction and indicators of customer services of banks were
gathered from relevant published works which included data from
five different countries. The scores of customers and employees
satisfaction of the different published works were transformed and
normalized to the scale of 1 to 100. The data were analyzed and a
regression analysis of the two parameters was used to describe the
link between employee’s satisfaction and customer’s satisfaction.
Assuming that employee satisfaction has a significant influence on
customer’s service and the resulting customer satisfaction, the
reviewed data indicate that employee’s satisfaction contributes
significantly on the level of customer satisfaction in the Banking
sector. There was a significant correlation between the two
parameters (Pearson correlation R2=0.52 P
Abstract: Wet scrubbers have found widespread use in cleaning
contaminated gas streams because of their ability to remove
particulates and based on the applications of scrubbing of marine
engine exhaust gases by spraying sea-water. In order to examine the
flow characteristics inside the scrubber, the model is designated with
flow properties of hot air and water sprayer. The flow dynamics of
evaporation of hot air by the injection of water droplets is the key
factor considered in this paper. The flow behavior inside the scrubber
was investigated from the previous works and to sum up the
evaporation rate with respect to the concentration of water droplets are
predicted to bring out the competent modelling. The numerical
analysis using CFD facilitates in understanding the problem better and
empathies the behavior of the model over its entire operating envelope.
Abstract: Web-based Cognitive Writing Instruction (WeCWI)’s
contribution towards language development can be divided into
linguistic and non-linguistic perspectives. In linguistic perspective,
WeCWI focuses on the literacy and language discoveries, while the
cognitive and psychological discoveries are the hubs in non-linguistic
perspective. In linguistic perspective, WeCWI draws attention to free
reading and enterprises, which are supported by the language
acquisition theories. Besides, the adoption of process genre approach
as a hybrid guided writing approach fosters literacy development.
Literacy and language developments are interconnected in the
communication process; hence, WeCWI encourages meaningful
discussion based on the interactionist theory that involves input,
negotiation, output, and interactional feedback. Rooted in the elearning
interaction-based model, WeCWI promotes online
discussion via synchronous and asynchronous communications,
which allows interactions happened among the learners, instructor,
and digital content. In non-linguistic perspective, WeCWI highlights
on the contribution of reading, discussion, and writing towards
cognitive development. Based on the inquiry models, learners’
critical thinking is fostered during information exploration process
through interaction and questioning. Lastly, to lower writing anxiety,
WeCWI develops the instructional tool with supportive features to
facilitate the writing process. To bring a positive user experience to
the learner, WeCWI aims to create the instructional tool with
different interface designs based on two different types of perceptual
learning style.
Abstract: Higher order ΔΣ Modulator (DSM) is basically an
unstable system. The approximate conditions for stability cannot be
used for the design of a DSM for industrial applications where risk is
involved. The existing second order, single stage, single bit, unity
feedback gain , discrete DSM cannot be used for the normalized full
range (-1 to +1) of an input signal since the DSM becomes unstable
when the input signal is above ±0.55. The stability is also not
guaranteed for input signals of amplitude less than ±0.55. In the
present paper, the above mentioned second order DSM is modified
with input signal dependent forward path gain. The proposed DSM is
suitable for industrial applications where one needs the digital
representation of the analog input signal, during each sampling
period. The proposed DSM can operate almost for the full range of
input signals (-0.95 to +0.95) without causing instability, assuming
that the second integrator output should not exceed the circuit supply
voltage, ±15 Volts.
Abstract: In this paper we describe the Levenvberg-Marquardt
(LM) algorithm for identification and equalization of CDMA
signals received by an antenna array in communication channels.
The synthesis explains the digital separation and equalization of
signals after propagation through multipath generating intersymbol
interference (ISI). Exploiting discrete data transmitted and three
diversities induced at the reception, the problem can be composed
by the Block Component Decomposition (BCD) of a tensor of
order 3 which is a new tensor decomposition generalizing the
PARAFAC decomposition. We optimize the BCD decomposition by
Levenvberg-Marquardt method gives encouraging results compared to
classical alternating least squares algorithm (ALS). In the equalization
part, we use the Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) to perform
the presented method. The simulation results using the LM algorithm
are important.
Abstract: Validity, integrity, and impacts of the IT systems of
the US federal courts have been studied as part of the Human Rights
Alert-NGO (HRA) submission for the 2015 Universal Periodic
Review (UPR) of human rights in the United States by the Human
Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations (UN). The current
report includes overview of IT system analysis, data-mining and case
studies. System analysis and data-mining show: Development and
implementation with no lawful authority, servers of unverified
identity, invalidity in implementation of electronic signatures,
authentication instruments and procedures, authorities and
permissions; discrimination in access against the public and
unrepresented (pro se) parties and in favor of attorneys; widespread
publication of invalid judicial records and dockets, leading to their
false representation and false enforcement. A series of case studies
documents the impacts on individuals' human rights, on banking
regulation, and on international matters. Significance is discussed in
the context of various media and expert reports, which opine
unprecedented corruption of the US justice system today, and which
question, whether the US Constitution was in fact suspended. Similar
findings were previously reported in IT systems of the State of
California and the State of Israel, which were incorporated, subject to
professional HRC staff review, into the UN UPR reports (2010 and
2013). Solutions are proposed, based on the principles of publicity of
the law and the separation of power: Reliance on US IT and legal
experts under accountability to the legislative branch, enhancing
transparency, ongoing vigilance by human rights and internet
activists. IT experts should assume more prominent civic duties in the
safeguard of civil society in our era.
Abstract: There is decagram of strategic decisions of operations
and production/service management (POSM) within operational
research (OR) which must collate, namely: design, inventory, quality,
location, process and capacity, layout, scheduling, maintain ace, and
supply chain. This paper presents an architectural configuration
conceptual framework of a decagram of sets decisions in a form of
mathematical complete graph and abelian graph.
Mathematically, a complete graph is undirected (UDG), and
directed (DG) a relationship where every pair of vertices is
connected, collated, confluent, and holomorphic.
There has not been any study conducted which, however,
prioritizes the holomorphic sets which of POMS within OR field of
study. The study utilizes OR structured technique known as The
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis for organizing, sorting
and prioritizing(ranking) the sets within the decagram of POMS
according to their attribution (propensity), and provides an analysis
how the prioritization has real-world application within the 21st
century.
Abstract: In this study, the performance analyses of the twenty
five Coal-Fired Power Plants (CFPPs) used for electricity generation
are carried out through various Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)
models. Three efficiency indices are defined and pursued. During the
calculation of the operational performance, energy and non-energy
variables are used as input, and net electricity produced is used as
desired output (Model-1). CO2 emitted to the environment is used as
the undesired output (Model-2) in the computation of the pure
environmental performance while in Model-3 CO2 emissions is
considered as detrimental input in the calculation of operational and
environmental performance. Empirical results show that most of the
plants are operating in increasing returns to scale region and Mettur
plant is efficient one with regards to energy use and environment.
The result also indicates that the undesirable output effect is
insignificant in the research sample. The present study will provide
clues to plant operators towards raising the operational and
environmental performance of CFPPs.
Abstract: Monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) is suggested to
be a candidate gene implicated in many neuropsychiatric disorders,
including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This meta-analytic review
evaluates the relationship between ASD and MAOA markers such as
30 bp variable number tandem repeats in the promoter region
(uVNTR) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by using
findings from recently published studies. It seems that in Caucasian
males, the risk of developing ASD increase with the presence of 4-
repeat allele in the promoter region of MAOA gene whereas no
differences were found between autistic patients and controls in
Egyptian, West Bengal and Korean population. Some studies point to
the importance of specific haplotype groups of SNPs and interaction
of MAOA with others genes (e. g. FOXP2 or SRY). The results of
existing studies are insufficient and further research is needed.
Abstract: Environmental impacts of six 3D printers using
various materials were compared to determine if material choice
drove sustainability, or if other factors such as machine type, machine
size, or machine utilization dominate. Cradle-to-grave life-cycle
assessments were performed, comparing a commercial-scale FDM
machine printing in ABS plastic, a desktop FDM machine printing in
ABS, a desktop FDM machine printing in PET and PLA plastics, a
polyjet machine printing in its proprietary polymer, an SLA machine
printing in its polymer, and an inkjet machine hacked to print in salt
and dextrose. All scenarios were scored using ReCiPe Endpoint H
methodology to combine multiple impact categories, comparing
environmental impacts per part made for several scenarios per
machine. Results showed that most printers’ ecological impacts were
dominated by electricity use, not materials, and the changes in
electricity use due to different plastics was not significant compared
to variation from one machine to another. Variation in machine idle
time determined impacts per part most strongly. However, material
impacts were quite important for the inkjet printer hacked to print in
salt: In its optimal scenario, it had up to 1/38th the impacts coreper
part as the worst-performing machine in the same scenario. If salt
parts were infused with epoxy to make them more physically robust,
then much of this advantage disappeared, and material impacts
actually dominated or equaled electricity use. Future studies should
also measure DMLS and SLS processes / materials.
Abstract: One of the major difficulties introduced with wind
power penetration is the inherent uncertainty in production originating
from uncertain wind conditions. This uncertainty impacts many
different aspects of power system operation, especially the balancing
power requirements. For this reason, in power system development
planing, it is necessary to evaluate the potential uncertainty in future
wind power generation. For this purpose, simulation models are
required, reproducing the performance of wind power forecasts.
This paper presents a wind power forecast error simulation models
which are based on the stochastic process simulation. Proposed
models capture the most important statistical parameters recognized
in wind power forecast error time series. Furthermore, two distinct
models are presented based on data availability. First model uses
wind speed measurements on potential or existing wind power plant
locations, while the seconds model uses statistical distribution of wind
speeds.
Abstract: It is difficult to study the effect of various variables on
cycle fitting through actual experiment. To overcome such difficulty,
the forward dynamics of a musculoskeletal model was applied to cycle
fitting in this study. The measured EMG data weres compared with the
muscle activities of the musculoskeletal model through forward
dynamics. EMG data were measured from five cyclists who do not
have musculoskeletal diseases during three minutes pedaling with a
constant load (150 W) and cadence (90 RPM). The muscles used for
the analysis were the Vastus Lateralis (VL), Tibialis Anterior (TA),
Bicep Femoris (BF), and Gastrocnemius Medial (GM). Person’s
correlation coefficients of the muscle activity patterns, the peak timing
of the maximum muscle activities, and the total muscle activities were
calculated and compared. BIKE3D model of AnyBody (Anybodytech,
Denmark) was used for the musculoskeletal model simulation. The
comparisons of the actual experiments with the simulation results
showed significant correlations in the muscle activity patterns (VL:
0.789, TA: 0.503, BF: 0.468, GM: 0.670). The peak timings of the
maximum muscle activities were distributed at particular phases. The
total muscle activities were compared with the normalized muscle
activities, and the comparison showed about 10% difference in the VL
(+10%), TA (+9.7%), and BF (+10%), excluding the GM (+29.4%).
Thus, it can be concluded that muscle activities of model &
experiment showed similar results. The results of this study indicated
that it was possible to apply the simulation of further improved
musculoskeletal model to cycle fitting.
Abstract: Modular structural systems are constructed using a
method that they are assembled with prefabricated unit modular
frames on-site. This provides a benefit that can significantly reduce
building construction time. The structural design is usually carried out
under the assumption that their load-carrying mechanism is similar to
that of traditional steel moment-resisting systems. However, both
systems are different in terms of beam-column connection details
which may strongly influence the lateral structural behavior. Specially,
the presence of access holes in a beam-column joint of a unit modular
frame could cause undesirable failure during strong earthquakes.
Therefore, this study carried out finite element analyses (FEMs) of
unit modular frames to investigate the cyclic behavior of beam-column
joints with the access holes. Analysis results show that the unit
modular frames present stable cyclic response with large deformation
capacities and their joints are classified into semi-rigid connections
even if there are access holes.
Abstract: The Simulation based VLSI Implementation of
FELICS (Fast Efficient Lossless Image Compression System)
Algorithm is proposed to provide the lossless image compression and
is implemented in simulation oriented VLSI (Very Large Scale
Integrated). To analysis the performance of Lossless image
compression and to reduce the image without losing image quality
and then implemented in VLSI based FELICS algorithm. In FELICS
algorithm, which consists of simplified adjusted binary code for
Image compression and these compression image is converted in
pixel and then implemented in VLSI domain. This parameter is used
to achieve high processing speed and minimize the area and power.
The simplified adjusted binary code reduces the number of arithmetic
operation and achieved high processing speed. The color difference
preprocessing is also proposed to improve coding efficiency with
simple arithmetic operation. Although VLSI based FELICS
Algorithm provides effective solution for hardware architecture
design for regular pipelining data flow parallelism with four stages.
With two level parallelisms, consecutive pixels can be classified into
even and odd samples and the individual hardware engine is
dedicated for each one. This method can be further enhanced by
multilevel parallelisms.
Abstract: Passing the entrance exam to a university is a major
step in one's life. University entrance exam commonly known as
Kankor is the nationwide entrance exam in Afghanistan. This
examination is prerequisite for all public and private higher education
institutions at undergraduate level. It is usually taken by students who
are graduated from high schools. In this paper, we reflect the major
educational school graduates issues and propose ICT-based test
preparation environment, known as ‘Online Kankor Exam Prep
System’ to give students the tools to help them pass the university
entrance exam on the first try. The system is based on Intelligent
Tutoring System (ITS), which introduced an essential package of
educational technology for learners that features: (I) exam-focused
questions and content; (ii) self-assessment environment; and (iii) test
preparation strategies in order to help students to acquire the necessary
skills in their carrier and keep them up-to-date with instruction.
Abstract: In this paper, extract of papaya leaves are used as a
natural dye and combined by variations of solvent concentration
applied on DSSC (Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell). Indonesian geographic
located on the equator line occasions the magnitude of the potential
to develop organic solar cells made from extracts of chlorophyll as a
substitute for inorganic materials or synthetic dye on DSSC material.
Dye serves as absorbing photons which are then converted into
electrical energy. A conductive coated glass layer called TCO
(Transparent Conductive Oxide) is used as a substrate of electrode.
TiO2 nanoparticles as binding dye molecules, redox couple iodide/
tri-iodide as the electrolyte and carbon as the counter electrode in the
DSSC are used. TiO2 nanoparticles, organic dyes, electrolytes, and
counter electrode are arranged and combined with the layered
structure of the photo-catalyst absorption layer. Dye absorption
measurements using a spectrophotometer at 400-800 nm light
spectrum produces a total amount of chlorophyll 80.076 mg/l. The
test cell at 7 watt LED light with 5000 lux luminescence was
obtained Voc and Isc of 235.5 mV and 14 μA, respectively.