Abstract: Many studies have emphasized the importance of
resistive exercise to maintain a healthy human body, particular in
prevention of weakening of physical strength. Recently, some studies
advocated that an application of vibration as a supplementary means in
a regular training was effective in encouraging physical strength. Aim
of the current study was, therefore, to identify if an application of
vibration in a resistive exercise was effective in encouraging physical
strength as that in a regular training. A 3-dimensional virtual lower
extremity model for a healthy male and virtual leg-press model were
generated and synchronized. Dynamic leg-press exercises on a slide
machine with/without extra load and on a footboard with vibration as
well as on a slide machine with extra load were analyzed. The results
of the current indicated that the application of the vibration on the
dynamic leg-press exercise might be not greatly effective in
encouraging physical strength, compared with the dynamic leg press
exercise with extra load. It was, however, thought that the application
of the vibration might be helpful to elderly individuals because the
reduced maximum muscle strength appeared by the effect of the
vibration may avoid a muscular spasm, which can be driven from a
high muscle strength sometimes produced during the leg-press
exercise with extra load.
Abstract: The paper deals with an analysis of visibility records collected from 210 European airports to obtain a realistic estimation of the availability of Free Space Optical (FSO) data links. Commercially available optical links usually operate in the 850nm waveband. Thus the influence of the atmosphere on the optical beam and on the visible light is similar. Long-term visibility records represent an invaluable source of data for the estimation of the quality of service of FSO links. The model used characterizes both the statistical properties of fade depths and the statistical properties of individual fade durations. Results are presented for Italy, France, and Germany.
Abstract: Self-organizing map (SOM) is a well known data reduction technique used in data mining. Data visualization can reveal structure in data sets that is otherwise hard to detect from raw data alone. However, interpretation through visual inspection is prone to errors and can be very tedious. There are several techniques for the automatic detection of clusters of code vectors found by SOMs, but they generally do not take into account the distribution of code vectors; this may lead to unsatisfactory clustering and poor definition of cluster boundaries, particularly where the density of data points is low. In this paper, we propose the use of a generic particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for finding cluster boundaries directly from the code vectors obtained from SOMs. The application of our method to unlabeled call data for a mobile phone operator demonstrates its feasibility. PSO algorithm utilizes U-matrix of SOMs to determine cluster boundaries; the results of this novel automatic method correspond well to boundary detection through visual inspection of code vectors and k-means algorithm.
Abstract: A new estimator for evolutionary spectrum (ES) based
on short time Fourier transform (STFT) and modified group delay
function (MGDF) by signal decomposition (SD) is proposed. The
STFT due to its built-in averaging, suppresses the cross terms and the
MGDF preserves the frequency resolution of the rectangular window
with the reduction in the Gibbs ripple. The present work overcomes
the magnitude distortion observed in multi-component non-stationary
signals with STFT and MGDF estimation of ES using SD. The SD is
achieved either through discrete cosine transform based harmonic
wavelet transform (DCTHWT) or perfect reconstruction filter banks
(PRFB). The MGDF also improves the signal to noise ratio by
removing associated noise. The performance of the present method is
illustrated for cross chirp and frequency shift keying (FSK) signals,
which indicates that its performance is better than STFT-MGDF
(STFT-GD) alone. Further its noise immunity is better than STFT.
The SD based methods, however cannot bring out the frequency
transition path from band to band clearly, as there will be gap in the
contour plot at the transition. The PRFB based STFT-SD shows good
performance than DCTHWT decomposition method for STFT-GD.
Abstract: Matching algorithms have significant importance in
speaker recognition. Feature vectors of the unknown utterance are
compared to feature vectors of the modeled speakers as a last step in
speaker recognition. A similarity score is found for every model in
the speaker database. Depending on the type of speaker recognition,
these scores are used to determine the author of unknown speech
samples. For speaker verification, similarity score is tested against a
predefined threshold and either acceptance or rejection result is
obtained. In the case of speaker identification, the result depends on
whether the identification is open set or closed set. In closed set
identification, the model that yields the best similarity score is
accepted. In open set identification, the best score is tested against a
threshold, so there is one more possible output satisfying the
condition that the speaker is not one of the registered speakers in
existing database. This paper focuses on closed set speaker
identification using a modified version of a well known matching
algorithm. The results of new matching algorithm indicated better
performance on YOHO international speaker recognition database.
Abstract: In this paper, the sum of squares in linear regression is
reduced to sum of squares in semi-parametric regression. We
indicated that different sums of squares in the linear regression are
similar to various deviance statements in semi-parametric regression.
In addition to, coefficient of the determination derived in linear
regression model is easily generalized to coefficient of the
determination of the semi-parametric regression model. Then, it is
made an application in order to support the theory of the linear
regression and semi-parametric regression. In this way, study is
supported with a simulated data example.
Abstract: Laboratory experiments have been performed to investigate photocatalytic detoxification by using TiO2 photocatalyst for treating dairy effluent. Various operational parameters such as catalyst concentration, initial concentration, angle of tilt of solar flat plate reactor and flow rate were investigated. Results indicated that the photocatalytic detoxification process can efficiently treat dairy effluent. Experimental runs with dairy wastewater can be used to identify the optimum operational parameters to perform wastewater degradation on large scale for recycling purpose. Also effect of two different types of reactors on degradation process was analyzed.
Abstract: Flow around a flat tube is studied numerically. Reynolds number is defined base on equivalent circular tube and it is varied in range of 100 to 300. Equations are solved by using finite volume method and results are presented in form of drag and lift coefficient. Results show that drag coefficient of flat tube is up to 66% lower than circular tube with equivalent diameter. In addition, by increasing l/D from 1 to 2, the drag coefficient of flat tube is decreased about 14-27%.
Abstract: To improve the efficiency of parametric studies or
tests planning the method is proposed, that takes into account all input parameters, but only a few simulation runs are performed to
assess the relative importance of each input parameter. For K input
parameters with N input values the total number of possible combinations of input values equals NK. To limit the number of runs,
only some (totally N) of possible combinations are taken into account. The sampling procedure Updated Latin Hypercube
Sampling is used to choose the optimal combinations. To measure the
relative importance of each input parameter, the Spearman rank
correlation coefficient is proposed. The sensitivity and the influence
of all parameters are analyzed within one procedure and the key
parameters with the largest influence are immediately identified.
Abstract: Young patients suffering from Cerebral Palsy are
facing difficult choices concerning heavy surgeries. Diagnosis settled
by surgeons can be complex and on the other hand decision for
patient about getting or not such a surgery involves important
reflection effort. Proposed software combining prediction for
surgeries and post surgery kinematic values, and from 3D model
representing the patient is an innovative tool helpful for both patients
and medicine professionals. Beginning with analysis and
classification of kinematics values from Data Base extracted from
gait analysis in 3 separated clusters, it is possible to determine close
similarity between patients. Prediction surgery best adapted to
improve a patient gait is then determined by operating a suitable
preconditioned neural network. Finally, patient 3D modeling based
on kinematic values analysis, is animated thanks to post surgery
kinematic vectors characterizing the closest patient selected from
patients clustering.
Abstract: An approach of design of stable of control systems with ultimately wide ranges of uncertainly disturbed parameters is offered. The method relies on using of nonlinear structurally stable functions from catastrophe theory as controllers. Theoretical part presents an analysis of designed nonlinear second-order control systems. As more important the integrators in series, canonical controllable form and Jordan forms are considered. The analysis resumes that due to added controllers systems become stable and insensitive to any disturbance of parameters. Experimental part presents MATLAB simulation of design of control systems of epidemic spread, aircrafts angular motion and submarine depth. The results of simulation confirm the efficiency of offered method of design. KeywordsCatastrophes, robust control, simulation, uncertain parameters.
Abstract: A numerical simulation of vortex-induced vibration of
a 2-dimensional elastic circular cylinder with two degree of freedom
under the uniform flow is calculated when Reynolds is 200.
2-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved
with the space-time finite element method, the equation of the cylinder
motion is solved with the new explicit integral method and the mesh
renew is achieved by the spring moving mesh technology. Considering
vortex-induced vibration with the low reduced damping parameter, the
variety trends of the lift coefficient, the drag coefficient, the
displacement of cylinder are analyzed under different oscillating
frequencies of cylinder. The phenomena of locked-in, beat and
phases-witch were captured successfully. The evolution of vortex
shedding from the cylinder with time is discussed. There are very
similar trends in characteristics between the results of the one degree
of freedom cylinder model and that of the two degree of freedom
cylinder model. The streamwise vibrations have a certain effect on the
lateral vibrations and their characteristics.
Abstract: Public housing is a vital factor in community
development. Successful city, housing and eco system regeneration
design is essential in providing positive community development.
This concerns work places, nice dwellings, providing premises for
child care, care of the elderly, providing qualitative premises for
different kinds of commercial service, providing a nice built
environment and housing areas and not the least activating tenants.
The public housing companies give value to society by stimulating
people, renovating socially and economically sustainable as well as
being partners to local business and authorities. By their activities the
housing companies contribute to sustainable local and regional
growth and the identity and reputation of cities. A Social, Economic
and Ecological Reputation Effect (SEERE) model for actions to
promote housing and community reputation is presented. The model
emphasizes regenerative actions to restore natural eco systems as part
of housing renewal strategies and to strengthen municipality
reputation.
Abstract: In this paper, a Gaussian multiple input multiple output multiple eavesdropper (MIMOME) channel is considered where a transmitter communicates to a receiver in the presence of an eavesdropper. We present a technique for determining the secrecy capacity of the multiple input multiple output (MIMO) channel under Gaussian noise. We transform the degraded MIMOME channel into multiple single input multiple output (SIMO) Gaussian wire-tap channels and then use scalar approach to convert it into two equivalent multiple input single output (MISO) channels. The secrecy capacity model is then developed for the condition where the channel state information (CSI) for main channel only is known to the transmitter. The results show that the secret communication is possible when the eavesdropper channel noise is greater than a cutoff noise level. The outage probability is also analyzed of secrecy capacity is also analyzed. The effect of fading and outage probability is also analyzed.
Abstract: Segmentation of a color image composed of different
kinds of regions can be a hard problem, namely to compute for an
exact texture fields. The decision of the optimum number of
segmentation areas in an image when it contains similar and/or un
stationary texture fields. A novel neighborhood-based segmentation
approach is proposed. A genetic algorithm is used in the proposed
segment-pass optimization process. In this pass, an energy function,
which is defined based on Markov Random Fields, is minimized. In
this paper we use an adaptive threshold estimation method for image
thresholding in the wavelet domain based on the generalized
Gaussian distribution (GGD) modeling of sub band coefficients. This
method called Normal Shrink is computationally more efficient and
adaptive because the parameters required for estimating the threshold
depend on sub band data energy that used in the pre-stage of
segmentation. A quad tree is employed to implement the multi
resolution framework, which enables the use of different strategies at
different resolution levels, and hence, the computation can be
accelerated. The experimental results using the proposed
segmentation approach are very encouraging.
Abstract: Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in many economies. In New Zealand, for example, 97% of all manufacturing companies employ less than 100 staff, and generate the predominant part of this industry sector-s economic output. Manufacturing SMEs as a group also have a significant impact on the environment. This situation is similar in many developed economies, including the European Union. Sustainable economic development therefore needs to strongly consider the role of manufacturing SMEs, who generally find it challenging to move towards more environmentally friendly business practices. This paper presents a systems thinking approach to modelling and understanding the factors which have an influence on the successful uptake of environmental practices in small and medium sized manufacturing companies. It presents a number of causal loop diagrams which have been developed based on primary action research, and a thorough understanding of the literature in this area. The systems thinking model provides the basis for further development of a strategic framework for the successful uptake of environmental innovation in manufacturing SMEs.
Abstract: Where renewable energy sources, solar, hydro, wind are available the remote communities and businesses can be provided with the most reliable and affordable source of electrical energy. This paper presents a model of safari rest contains all the necessary services for the interested tourists who visit the safari Sinai desert. The PV energy system provides the rural energy needs of remote communities. A photovoltaic renewable energy system is designed to feed the global Ac and Dc electrical required load of this safari rest . The benefits of photovoltaic renewable energy at rural applications are its versatility and convenience. This model of safari rest must be taken in consideration by Egyptian Government as it will provide the tourism plane by new interested tourism field which put a big spot on Red sea area: El Ghordaka.
Abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are a class of
structural and functional related enzymes involved in altering the
natural elements of the extracellular matrix. Most of the MMP
structures are cristalographycally determined and published in
WorldWide ProteinDataBank, isolated, in full structure or bound to
natural or synthetic inhibitors. This study proposes an algorithm to
replace missing crystallographic structures in PDB database. We
have compared the results of a chosen docking algorithm with a
known crystallographic structure in order to validate enzyme sites
reconstruction there where crystallographic data are missing.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose an efficient hierarchical DNA
sequence search method to improve the search speed while the
accuracy is being kept constant. For a given query DNA sequence,
firstly, a fast local search method using histogram features is used as a
filtering mechanism before scanning the sequences in the database.
An overlapping processing is newly added to improve the robustness
of the algorithm. A large number of DNA sequences with low
similarity will be excluded for latter searching. The Smith-Waterman
algorithm is then applied to each remainder sequences. Experimental
results using GenBank sequence data show the proposed method
combining histogram information and Smith-Waterman algorithm is
more efficient for DNA sequence search.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a dynamic cardiac phantom for quality control in myocardial scintigraphy. The dynamic heart phantom constructed only contained the left ventricle, made of elastic material (latex), comprising two cavities: one internal and one external. The data showed a non-significant variation in the values of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) obtained by varying the heart rate. It was also possible to evaluate the ejection fraction (LVEF) through different arrays of image acquisition and to perform an intercomparison of LVEF by two different scintillation cameras. The results of the quality control tests were satisfactory, showing that they can be used as parameters in future assessments. The new dynamic heart phantom was demonstrated to be effective for use in LVEF measurements. Therefore, the new heart simulator is useful for the quality control of scintigraphic cameras.