Abstract: The previous study of new metal gasket that contact
width and contact stress an important design parameter for optimizing
metal gasket performance. The optimum design based on an elastic
and plastic contact stress was founded. However, the influence of
flange surface roughness had not been investigated thoroughly. The
flange has many kinds of surface roughness. In this study, we
conducted a gasket model include a flange surface roughness effect. A
finite element method was employed to develop simulation solution. A
uniform quadratic mesh used for meshing the gasket material and a
gradually quadrilateral mesh used for meshing the flange. The gasket
model was simulated by using two simulation stages which is forming
and tightening simulation. A simulation result shows that a smoother
of surface roughness has higher slope for force per unit length. This
mean a squeezed against between flange and gasket will be strong. The
slope of force per unit length for gasket 400-MPa mode was higher
than the gasket 0-MPa mode.
Abstract: Recent years have seen a growing trend towards the
integration of multiple information sources to support large-scale
prediction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks in model
organisms. Despite advances in computational approaches, the
combination of multiple “omic" datasets representing the same type
of data, e.g. different gene expression datasets, has not been
rigorously studied. Furthermore, there is a need to further investigate
the inference capability of powerful approaches, such as fullyconnected
Bayesian networks, in the context of the prediction of PPI
networks. This paper addresses these limitations by proposing a
Bayesian approach to integrate multiple datasets, some of which
encode the same type of “omic" data to support the identification of
PPI networks. The case study reported involved the combination of
three gene expression datasets relevant to human heart failure (HF).
In comparison with two traditional methods, Naive Bayesian and
maximum likelihood ratio approaches, the proposed technique can
accurately identify known PPI and can be applied to infer potentially
novel interactions.
Abstract: An active RC filters with a 880 / 1760 MHz dual bandwidth tuning ability is present for 60 GHz unlicensed band applications. A third order Butterworth low-pass filter utilizes two Cherry-Hooper amplifiers to satisfy the very high bandwidth requirements of an amplifier. The low-pass filter is fabricated in 90nm standard CMOS process. Drawing 6.7 mW from 1.2 V power supply, the low frequency gains of the filter are -2.5 and -4.1 dB, and the output third order intercept points (OIP3) are +2.2 and +1.9 dBm for the single channel and channel bonding conditions, respectively.
Abstract: This paper presents a several diagnostic methods designed to electrical machinesespecially for permanent magnets (PM) machines. Those machines are commonly used in small wind and water systems and vehicles drives.Thosemethodsare preferred by the author in periodic diagnostic of electrical machines. The special attentionshould be paid to diagnostic method of turn-to-turn insulation and vibrations. Both of those methodswere createdinInstitute of Electrical Drives and MachinesKomel. The vibration diagnostic method is the main thesis of author’s doctoral dissertation. This is method of determination the technical condition of PM electrical machine basing on its own signals is the subject of patent application No P.405669. Specific structural properties of machines excited by permanent magnets are used in this method - electromotive force (EMF) generated due to vibrations. There was analysed number of publications which describe vibration diagnostic methods and tests of electrical machines with permanent magnets and there was no method found to determine the technical condition of such machine basing on their own signals.
Abstract: Photovoltaic power generation forecasting is an
important task in renewable energy power system planning and
operating. This paper explores the application of neural networks
(NN) to study the design of photovoltaic power generation
forecasting systems for one week ahead using weather databases
include the global irradiance, and temperature of Ghardaia city
(south of Algeria) using a data acquisition system. Simulations were
run and the results are discussed showing that neural networks
Technique is capable to decrease the photovoltaic power generation
forecasting error.
Abstract: Since 1984 many schemes have been proposed for
digital signature protocol, among them those that based on discrete
log and factorizations. However a new identification scheme based
on iterated function (IFS) systems are proposed and proved to be
more efficient. In this study the proposed identification scheme is
transformed into a digital signature scheme by using a one way hash
function. It is a generalization of the GQ signature schemes. The
attractor of the IFS is used to obtain public key from a private one,
and in the encryption and decryption of a hash function. Our aim is
to provide techniques and tools which may be useful towards
developing cryptographic protocols. Comparisons between the
proposed scheme and fractal digital signature scheme based on RSA
setting, as well as, with the conventional Guillou-Quisquater
signature, and RSA signature schemes is performed to prove that, the
proposed scheme is efficient and with high performance.
Abstract: There are three distinct stages in the evolution of
economic thought, namely:
1. in the first stage, the major concern was to accelerate
economic growth with increased availability of material
goods, especially in developing economies with very low
living standards, because poverty eradication meant faster
economic growth.
2. in the second stage, economists made distinction between
growth and development. Development was seen as going
beyond economic growth, and bringing certain changes in
the structure of the economy with more equitable
distribution of the benefits of growth, with the growth
coming automatic and sustained.
3. the third stage is now reached. Our concern is now with
“sustainable development", that is, development not only
for the present but also of the future.
Thus the focus changed from “sustained growth" to “sustained
development". Sustained development brings to the fore the long
term relationship between the ecology and economic development.
Since the creation of UNEP in 1972 it has worked for
development without destruction for environmentally sound and
sustained development. It was realised that the environment cannot
be viewed in a vaccum, it is not separate from development, nor is it
competing. It suggested for the integration of the environment with
development whereby ecological factors enter development planning,
socio-economic policies, cost-benefit analysis, trade, technology
transfer, waste management, educational and other specific areas.
Industrialisation has contributed to the growth of economy of
several countries. It has improved the standards of living of its people
and provided benefits to the society. It has also created in the process
great environmental problems like climate change, forest destruction
and denudation, soil erosion and desertification etc.
On the other hand, industry has provided jobs and improved the
prospects of wealth for the industrialists. The working class
communities had to simply put up with the high levels of pollution in
order to keep up their jobs and also to save their income.
There are many roots of the environmental problem. They may be
political, economic, cultural and technological conditions of the
modern society. The experts concede that industrial growth lies
somewhere close to the heart of the matter. Therefore, the objective
of this paper is not to document all roots of an environmental crisis
but rather to discuss the effects of industrial growth and
development.
We have come to the conclusion that although public intervention
is often unnecessary to ensure that perfectly competitive markets will
function in society-s best interests, such intervention is necessary
when firms or consumers pollute.
Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder which affects individuals with varying degrees of impairment. Currently, there has been ample research done in serious game for autism children. Although serious games are traditionally associated with software developments, developing them in the autism field involves studying the associated technology and paying attention to aspects related to interaction with the game. Serious Games for autism cover matters related to education, therapy for communication, psychomotor treatment and social behavior enhancement. In this paper, a systematic review sets out the lines of development and research currently being conducted into serious games which pursue some form of benefit in the field of autism. This paper includes a literature review of relevant serious game developments since in year 2007 and examines new trends.
Abstract: The correct design of the regulators structure requires complete prediction of the ultimate dimensions of the scour hole profile formed downstream the solid apron. The study of scour downstream regulator is studied either on solid aprons by means of velocity distribution or on movable bed by studying the topography of the scour hole formed in the downstream. In this paper, a new technique was developed to study the scour hole downstream regulators on movable beds. The study was divided into two categories; the first is to find out the sum of the lengths of rigid apron behind the gates in addition to the length of scour hole formed downstream, while the second is to find the minimum length of rigid apron behind the gates to prevent erosion downstream it. The study covers free and submerged hydraulic jump conditions in both symmetrical and asymmetrical under-gated regulations. From the comparison between the studied categories, we found that the minimum length of rigid apron to prevent scour (Ls) is greater than the sum of the lengths of rigid apron and that of scour hole formed behind it (L+Xs). On the other hand, the scour hole dimensions in case of submerged hydraulic jump is always greater than free one, also the scour hole dimensions in asymmetrical operation is greater than symmetrical one.
Abstract: In this paper, we discuss the paradigm shift in bank
capital from the “gone concern" to the “going concern" mindset. We
then propose a methodology for pricing a product of this shift called
Contingent Capital Notes (“CoCos"). The Merton Model can
determine a price for credit risk by using the firm-s equity value as a
call option on those assets. Our pricing methodology for CoCos also
uses the credit spread implied by the Merton Model in a subsequent
derivative form created by John Hull et al . Here, a market implied
asset volatility is calculated by using observed market CDS spreads.
This implied asset volatility is then used to estimate the probability of
triggering a predetermined “contingency event" given the distanceto-
trigger (DTT). The paper then investigates the effect of varying
DTTs and recovery assumptions on the CoCo yield. We conclude
with an investment rationale.
Abstract: Identifying the nature of protein-nanoparticle
interactions and favored binding sites is an important issue in
functional characterization of biomolecules and their physiological
responses. Herein, interaction of silver nanoparticles with lysozyme
as a model protein has been monitored via fluorescence spectroscopy.
Formation of complex between the biomolecule and silver
nanoparticles (AgNPs) induced a steady state reduction in the
fluorescence intensity of protein at different concentrations of
nanoparticles. Tryptophan fluorescence quenching spectra suggested
that silver nanoparticles act as a foreign quencher, approaching the
protein via this residue. Analysis of the Stern-Volmer plot showed
quenching constant of 3.73 μM−1. Moreover, a single binding site in
lysozyme is suggested to play role during interaction with AgNPs,
having low affinity of binding compared to gold nanoparticles.
Unfolding studies of lysozyme showed that complex of lysozyme-
AgNPs has not undergone structural perturbations compared to the
bare protein. Results of this effort will pave the way for utilization of
sensitive spectroscopic techniques for rational design of
nanobiomaterials in biomedical applications.
Abstract: In this cyber age, the job market has been rapidly transforming and being digitalized. Submitting a paper-based curriculum vitae (CV) nowadays does not grant a job seeker a high employability rate. This paper calls for attention on the creation of mobile Curriculum Vitae or m-CV (http://mcurriculumvitae. blogspot.com), a sample of an individual CV developed using weblog, which can enhance the job hunter especially fresh graduate-s higher marketability rate. This study is designed to identify the perceptions held by Malaysian university students regarding m-CV grounded on a modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). It measures the strength and the direction of relationships among three major variables – Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Behavioral Intention (BI) to use. The finding shows that university students generally accepted adopting m-CV since they perceived m-CV to be more useful rather than easy to use. Additionally, this study has confirmed TAM to be a useful theoretical model in helping to understand and explain the behavioral intention to use Web 2.0 application-weblog publishing their CV. The result of the study has underlined another significant positive value of using weblog to create personal CV. Further research of m-CV has been highlighted in this paper.
Abstract: This paper presents a very simple and efficient
algorithm for codebook search, which reduces a great deal of
computation as compared to the full codebook search. The algorithm
is based on sorting and centroid technique for search. The results
table shows the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in terms of
computational complexity. In this paper we also introduce a new
performance parameter named as Average fractional change in pixel
value as we feel that it gives better understanding of the closeness of
the image since it is related to the perception. This new performance
parameter takes into consideration the average fractional change in
each pixel value.
Abstract: This paper deals with the application of a well-known neural network technique, multilayer back-propagation (BP) neural network, in financial data mining. A modified neural network forecasting model is presented, and an intelligent mining system is developed. The system can forecast the buying and selling signs according to the prediction of future trends to stock market, and provide decision-making for stock investors. The simulation result of seven years to Shanghai Composite Index shows that the return achieved by this mining system is about three times as large as that achieved by the buy and hold strategy, so it is advantageous to apply neural networks to forecast financial time series, the different investors could benefit from it.
Abstract: In its attempt to offer new ways into autonomy for a
large population of disabled people, assistive technology has largely
been inspired by robotics engineering. Recent human-like robots
carry new hopes that it seems to us necessary to analyze by means of
a specific theory of anthropomorphism. We propose to distinguish a
functional anthropomorphism which is the one of actual wheelchairs
from a structural anthropomorphism based on a mimicking of human
physiological systems. If functional anthropomorphism offers the
main advantage of eliminating the physiological systems
interdependence issue, the highly link between the robot for disabled
people and their human-built environment would lead to privilege in
the future the anthropomorphic structural way. In this future
framework, we highlight a general interdependence principle : any
partial or local structural anthropomorphism generates new
anthropomorphic needs due to the physiological systems
interdependency, whose effects can be evaluated by means of
specific anthropomorphic criterions derived from a set theory-based
approach of physiological systems.
Abstract: Physical education (PE) is still neglected in schools
despite its academic, social, psychological, and health benefits.
Based on the assumption that Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) can contribute to the development of PE in
schools, this study aims to design a model of the factors affecting the
adoption of ICTs for PE in schools. The proposed model is based on
a sound theoretical framework. It was designed following a literature
review of technology adoption theories and of ICT adoption factors
for physical education. The technology adoption model that fitted to
the best all ICT adoption factors was then chosen as the basis for the
proposed model. It was found that the Unified Theory of Acceptance
and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is the most adequate theoretical
framework for the modeling of ICT adoption factors for physical
education.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a new algorithm for clustering data in large datasets using image processing approaches. First the dataset is mapped into a binary image plane. The synthesized image is then processed utilizing efficient image processing techniques to cluster the data in the dataset. Henceforth, the algorithm avoids exhaustive search to identify clusters. The algorithm considers only a small set of the data that contains critical boundary information sufficient to identify contained clusters. Compared to available data clustering techniques, the proposed algorithm produces similar quality results and outperforms them in execution time and storage requirements.
Abstract: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the possible interference of a Nectandra membranacea extract (i) on the labeling of blood cells (BC), (ii) on the labeling process of BC and plasma (P) proteins with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and (iii) on the morphology of red blood cells (RBC). Blood samples were incubated with a Nectandra membranacea crude extract, stannous chloride, Tc- 99m (sodium pertechnetate) was added, and soluble (SF) and insoluble (IF) fractions were isolated. Morphometry studies were performed with blood samples incubated with Nectandra membranacea extract. The results show that the Nectandra membranacea extract does not promote significant alteration of the labeling of BC, IF-P and IF-BC. The Nectandra membranacea extract was able to alter the erythrocyte membrane morphology, but these morphological changes were not capable to interfere on the labeling of blood constituents with Tc-99m.
Abstract: In networks, mainly small and medium-sized businesses benefit from the knowledge, experiences and solutions offered by experts from industry and science or from the exchange with practitioners. Associations which focus, among other things, on networking, information and knowledge transfer and which are interested in supporting such cooperations are especially well suited to provide such networks and the appropriate web platforms. Using METORA as an example – a project developed and run by the Federal Association for Information Economy, Telecommunications and New Media e.V. (BITKOM) for the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) – This paper will discuss how associations and other network organizations can achieve this task and what conditions they have to consider.
Abstract: A novel PDE solver using the multidimensional wave
digital filtering (MDWDF) technique to achieve the solution of a 2D
seismic wave system is presented. In essence, the continuous physical
system served by a linear Kirchhoff circuit is transformed to an
equivalent discrete dynamic system implemented by a MD wave
digital filtering (MDWDF) circuit. This amounts to numerically
approximating the differential equations used to describe elements of a
MD passive electronic circuit by a grid-based difference equations
implemented by the so-called state quantities within the passive
MDWDF circuit. So the digital model can track the wave field on a
dense 3D grid of points. Details about how to transform the continuous
system into a desired discrete passive system are addressed. In
addition, initial and boundary conditions are properly embedded into
the MDWDF circuit in terms of state quantities. Graphic results have
clearly demonstrated some physical effects of seismic wave (P-wave
and S–wave) propagation including radiation, reflection, and
refraction from and across the hard boundaries. Comparison between
the MDWDF technique and the finite difference time domain (FDTD)
approach is also made in terms of the computational efficiency.