Abstract: This paper attempts to explain response components of Electrovestibulography (EVestG) using a computer simulation of a three-canal model of the vestibular system. EVestG is a potentially new diagnostic method for Meniere's disease. EVestG is a variant of Electrocochleography (ECOG), which has been used as a standard method for diagnosing Meniere's disease - it can be used to measure the SP/AP ratio, where an SP/AP ratio greater than 0.4-0.5 is indicative of Meniere-s Disease. In EVestG, an applied head tilt replaces the acoustic stimulus of ECOG. The EVestG output is also an SP/AP type plot, where SP is the summing potential, and AP is the action potential amplitude. AP is thought of as being proportional to the size of a population of afferents in an excitatory neural firing state. A simulation of the fluid volume displacement in the vestibular labyrinth in response to various types of head tilts (ipsilateral, backwards and horizontal rotation) was performed, and a simple neural model based on these simulations developed. The simple neural model shows that the change in firing rate of the utricle is much larger in magnitude than the change in firing rates of all three semi-circular canals following a head tilt (except in a horizontal rotation). The data suggests that the change in utricular firing rate is a minimum 2-3 orders of magnitude larger than changes in firing rates of the canals during ipsilateral/backward tilts. Based on these results, the neural response recorded by the electrode in our EVestG recordings is expected to be dominated by the utricle in ipsilateral/backward tilts (It is important to note that the effect of the saccule and efferent signals were not taken into account in this model). If the utricle response dominates the EVestG recordings as the modeling results suggest, then EVestG has the potential to diagnose utricular hair cell damage due to a viral infection (which has been cited as one possible cause of Meniere's Disease).
Abstract: The mathematical modeling of different biological
processes is usually used to predict or assess behavior of systems in
which these processes take place. This study deals with mathematical
and computer modeling of bi-substrate enzymatic reactions with
ping-pong mechanism, which play an important role in different
biochemical pathways. Besides that, three models of competitive
inhibition were designed using different software packages. The main
objective of this study is to represent the results from in silico
investigation of bi-substrate enzymatic reactions with ordered pingpong
mechanism in the presence of competitive inhibitors, as well as
to describe in details the inhibition effects. The simulation of the
models with certain kinetic parameters allowed investigating the
behavior of reactions as well as determined some interesting aspects
concerning influence of different cases of competitive inhibition.
Simultaneous presence of two inhibitors, competitive to the S1 and S2
substrates have been studied. Moreover, we have found the pattern of
simultaneous influence of both inhibitors.
Abstract: This research presents a fuzzy multi-objective model
for a machine selection problem in a flexible manufacturing system
of a tire company. Two main objectives are minimization of an
average machine error and minimization of the total setup time.
Conventionally, the working team uses trial and error in selecting a
pressing machine for each task due to the complexity and constraints
of the problem. So, both objectives may not satisfy. Moreover, trial
and error takes a lot of time to get the final decision. Therefore, in
this research preemptive fuzzy goal programming model is developed
for solving this multi-objective problem. The proposed model can
obtain the appropriate results that the Decision Making (DM) is
satisfied for both objectives. Besides, alternative choice can be easily
generated by varying the satisfaction level. Additionally, decision
time can be reduced by using the model, which includes all
constraints of the system to generate the solutions. A numerical
example is also illustrated to show the effectiveness of the proposed
model.
Abstract: We successfully developed and tested a new
separation layer solving problems with unmanageable deposits inside the boilers of Zluticka Heating Plant. The deposits are mainly created
by glass-forming melts. We plotted straw ash compositions in K2OCaO-
SiO2 phase diagram and illustrated that they are in the area of low-melting eutectic points. To prevent the melting of ash and the
formation of deposits, we modified ash compositions by injecting additives into biomass fuel, and thus effectively suppressed deposits in a burner.
Abstract: A potential flow model is used to study the unsteady
flow past two airfoils in configuration, each of which is suddenly set
into motion. The airfoil bound vortices are modeled using lumped
vortex elements and the wake behind the airfoil is modeled by discrete
vortices. This consists of solving a steady state flow problem at each
time-step where unsteadiness is incorporated through the “zero normal
flow on a solid surface" boundary condition at every time instant.
Additionally, along with the “zero normal flow on a solid surface"
boundary condition Kelvin-s condition is used to compute the strength
of the latest wake vortex shed from the trailing edge of the airfoil.
Location of the wake vortices is updated at each time-step to get the
wake shape at each time instant. Results are presented to show the
effect of airfoil-airfoil interaction and airfoil-wake interaction on the
aerodynamic characteristics of each airfoil.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to summarize the
following protection of scouring countermeasures by using
Bentonite-Enhanced Sand (BES) mixtures. The concept of
underground improvement is being used in this study to reduce the
void of the sand. The sand bentonite mixture was used to bond the
ground soil conditions surrounding the pile of integral bridge. The
right composition of sand bentonite mixture was proposed based on
previous findings. The swelling effect of bentonite also was
investigated to ensure there is no adverse impact to the structure of
the integral bridge. ScourScour, another name for severe erosion,
occurs when the erosive capacity of water resulting from natural and
manmade events exceeds the ability of earth materials to resist its
effects. According to AASHTO LRFD Specifications (Section
C3.7.5), scour is the most common reason for the collapse of
highway bridges in the United States
Abstract: Background Contact lens (CL) wear can cause
changes in blinking and corneal staining. Aims and Objectives To
determine the effects of CL materials (HEMA and SiHy) on
spontaneous blink rate, blinking patterns and corneal staining after 2
months of wear. Methods Ninety subjects in 3 groups (control,
HEMA and SiHy) were assessed at baseline and 2-months. Blink rate
was recorded using a video camera. Blinking patterns were assessed
with digital camera and slit lamp biomicroscope. Corneal staining
was graded using IER grading scale Results There were no significant
differences in all parameters at baseline. At 2 months, CL wearers
showed significant increment in average blink rate (F1.626, 47.141 =
7.250, p = 0.003; F2,58 = 6.240, p = 0.004) and corneal staining (χ2
2,
n=30 = 31.921, p < 0.001; χ2
2, n=30 = 26.909, p < 0.001). Conclusion
Blinking characteristics and corneal staining were not influence by
soft CL materials.
Abstract: Like other external sorting algorithms, the presented
algorithm is a two step algorithm including internal and external
steps. The first part of the algorithm is like the other similar
algorithms but second part of that is including a new easy
implementing method which has reduced the vast number of inputoutput
operations saliently. As decreasing processor operating time
does not have any effect on main algorithm speed, any improvement
in it should be done through decreasing the number of input-output
operations. This paper propose an easy algorithm for choose the
correct record location of the final list. This decreases the time
complexity and makes the algorithm faster.
Abstract: Protection system hidden failures have been identified as one of the main causes of system cascading collapse resulting to power system instability. In this paper, a systematic approach is presented in order to identify the probability of a system cascading collapse by taking into consideration the effect of protection system hidden failure. This includes the accurate calculation of the probability of hidden failure as it will provide significant impinge on the findings of the probability of system cascading collapse. The probability of a system cascading collapse is then used to identify the initial tripping of sensitive transmission lines which will contribute to a critical system cascading collapse. Based on the results obtained from this study, it is important to decide on the accurate value of the hidden failure probability as it will affect the probability of a system cascading collapse.
Abstract: Composite nanostructures of metal
core/semiconductor shell (Au/CdS) configuration were prepared
using organometalic method. UV-Vis spectra for the Au/CdS colloids
show initially two well separated bands, corresponding to surface
plasmon of the Au core, and the exciton of CdS shell. The absorption
of CdS shell is enhanced, while the Au plasmon band is suppressed
as the shell thickness increases. The shell sizes were estimated from
the optical spectra using the effective mass approximation model
(EMA), and compared to the sizes of the Au core and CdS shell
measured by high resolution transmission electron microscope
(HRTEM). The changes in the absorption features are discussed in
terms of gradual increase in the coupling strength of the Au core
surface plasmon and the exciton in the CdS. leading to charge
transfer and modification of electron oscillation in Au core.
Abstract: Aeration by a plunging water jet is an energetically attractive way to effect oxygen-transfer than conventional oxygenation systems. In the present study, a new type of conical shaped plunging aeration device is fabricated to generate hollow inclined ined plunging jets (jet plunge angle of π/3 ) to investigate its oxygen transfer capacity. The results suggest that the volumetric oxygen-transfer coefficient and oxygen-transfer efficiency of the conical plunging jet aerator are competitive with other types of aeration systems. Relationships of volumetric oxygen-transfer coefficient with jet power per unit volume and jet parameters are also proposed. The suggested relationships predict the volumetric oxygentransfer coefficient within a scatter of ± 15% . Further, the application of Support Vector Machines on the experimental data revealed its utility in the prediction of volumetric oxygen-transfer coefficient and development of conical plunging jet aerators.
Abstract: We have modeled the effect of a graded band gap
window on the performance of a single junction AlxGa1-xAs/GaAs
solar cell. First, we study the electrical characteristics of a single
junction AlxGa1-xAs/GaAs solar cell, by employing an optimized
structure for this solar cell, we show that grading the band gap of the
window can increase the conversion efficiency of the solar cell by
about 1.5%, and can also improve the quantum efficiency of the solar
cell especially at shorter wavelengths.
Abstract: Ambient hydrolysis products in moist air and
hydrolysis kinetics in argon with humidity of RH1.5% for
polycrystalline LiH powders and sintered bulks were investigated by
X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and gravimetry. The results
showed that the hydrolysis products made up a layered structure of
LiOH•H2O/LiOH/Li2O from surface of the sample to inside. In low
humid argon atmosphere, the primary hydrolysis product was Li2O
rather than LiOH. The hydrolysis kinetic curves of LiH bulks present a
paralinear shape, which could be explained by the “Layer Diffusion
Control" model. While a three-stage hydrolysis kinetic profile was
observed for LiH powders under the same experimental conditions.
The first two sections were similar to that of the bulk samples, and the
third section also presents a linear reaction kinetics but with a smaller
reaction rate compared to the second section because of a larger
exothermic effect for the hydrolysis reaction of LiH powder.
Abstract: Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) is one of the most important communication techniques that allow wireless systems to achieve higher data rate. To overcome the practical difficulties in implementing Dirty Paper Coding (DPC), various suboptimal MIMO Broadcast (MIMO-BC) scheduling algorithms are employed which choose the best set of users among all the users. In this paper we discuss such a sub-optimal MIMO-BC scheduling algorithm which employs antenna selection at the receiver side. The channels for the users considered here are not Identical and Independent Distributed (IID) so that users at the receiver side do not get equal opportunity for communication. So we introduce a method of applying weights to channels of the users which are not IID in such a way that each of the users gets equal opportunity for communication. The effect of weights on overall sum-rate achieved by the system has been investigated and presented.
Abstract: Face authentication for access control is a face
membership authentication which passes the person of the incoming
face if he turns out to be one of an enrolled person based on face
recognition or rejects if not. Face membership authentication belongs
to the two class classification problem where SVM(Support Vector
Machine) has been successfully applied and shows better performance
compared to the conventional threshold-based classification. However,
most of previous SVMs have been trained using image feature vectors
extracted from face images of each class member(enrolled
class/unenrolled class) so that they are not robust to variations in
illuminations, poses, and facial expressions and much affected by
changes in member configuration of the enrolled class
In this paper, we propose an effective face membership
authentication method based on SVM using class discriminating
features which represent an incoming face image-s associability with
each class distinctively. These class discriminating features are weakly
related with image features so that they are less affected by variations
in illuminations, poses and facial expression.
Through experiments, it is shown that the proposed face
membership authentication method performs better than the threshold
rule-based or the conventional SVM-based authentication methods and
is relatively less affected by changes in member size and membership.
Abstract: In this paper we use classical linear stability theory
to investigate the effects of uniform internal heat generation on the
onset of Marangoni convection in a horizontal layer of fluid heated
from below. We use a analytical technique to obtain the close form
analytical expression for the onset of Marangoni convection when
the lower boundary is conducting with free-slip condition. We show
that the effect of increasing the internal heat generation is always to
destabilize the layer.
Abstract: In contrast to existing methods which do not take into account multiconnectivity in a broad sense of this term, we develop mathematical models and highly effective combination (BIEM and FDM) numerical methods of calculation of stationary and cvazistationary temperature field of a profile part of a blade with convective cooling (from the point of view of realization on PC). The theoretical substantiation of these methods is proved by appropriate theorems. For it, converging quadrature processes have been developed and the estimations of errors in the terms of A.Ziqmound continuity modules have been received. For visualization of profiles are used: the method of the least squares with automatic conjecture, device spline, smooth replenishment and neural nets. Boundary conditions of heat exchange are determined from the solution of the corresponding integral equations and empirical relationships. The reliability of designed methods is proved by calculation and experimental investigations heat and hydraulic characteristics of the gas turbine 1st stage nozzle blade
Abstract: Banana is one of the most consumed fruits in the tropics and subtropics. Brazil accounts for about 9% of the world banana production. However, the production losses are as high as 30 to 40% and even much higher in some developing countries. The green banana flour is a complex carbohydrate source, including a high total starch (73.4%), resistant starch (17.5%) with functional properties. Gamma irradiation is considered to be an alternative method for food preservation. It has been performed due to the need of extending the shelf - life of foods, whilst maintaining their safety and avoiding one of the main concerns: the nutrient loss. In this work data about on the effects of ionizing radiation on the physicochemical analysis (carbohydrate, proteins, lipids, alimentary fiber, moistures and ashes) of Brazilian functional products (biscuits and bread) of the green banana pulp are presented. The caloric value was calculated. No significant difference was observed between the samples of irradiated and non – irradiated green banana biscuits with the following determinations: carbohydrates, proteins, alimentary fiber and ashes. Only a small significant difference was found in lipids (macronutrients). The results of physical chemical analysis of the irradiated and non- irradiated green banana bread non- irradiated showed no significant difference with the following determinations: carbohydrates, lipids (macronutrients), moisture, ashes and caloric value. A small difference was found in proteins (macronutrients). Irradiation of functional products (biscuits and bread) with doses of 1 and 3kGy maintained their original macronutrients content, showing good radioresistance.
Abstract: Producing IT products/services required carefully
designed. IT development process is intangible and labour intensive.
Making optimal use of available resources, both soft (knowledge,
skill-set etc.) and hard (computer system, ancillary equipment etc.),
is vital if IT development is to achieve sensible economical
advantages. Apart from the norm of Project Life Cycle and System
Development Life Cycle (SDLC), there is an urgent need to establish
a general yet widely acceptable guideline on the most effective and
efficient way to precede an IT project in the broader view of Product
Life Cycle. The current paper proposes such a framework with two
major areas of concern: (1) an integration of IT Products and IT
Services within an existing IT Process architecture and; (2) how IT
Product and IT Services are built into the framework of Product Life
Cycle, Project Life Cycle and SDLC.
Abstract: Investigation of sandy clay behavior is important since
urban development demands mean that sandy clay areas are
increasingly encountered, especially for transportation
infrastructures. This paper presents the results of the finite element
analysis of the direct shear test (under three vertical loading 44, 96
and 192 kPa) and discusses the effects of different parameters such as
cohesion, friction angle and Young's modulus on the shear strength of
sandy clay. The numerical model was calibrated against the
experimental results of large-scale direct shear tests. The results have
shown that the shear strength was increased with increase in friction
angle and cohesion. However, the shear strength was not influenced
by raising the friction angle at normal stress of 44 kPa. Also, the
effect of different young's modulus factors on stress-strain curve was
investigated.