Abstract: Business scenario is an important technique that may be used at various stages of the enterprise architecture to derive its characteristics based on the high-level requirements of the business. In terms of wireless deployments, they are used to help identify and understand business needs involving wireless services, and thereby to derive the business requirements that the architecture development has to address by taking into account of various wireless challenges. This study assesses the deployment of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) solutions for several business scenarios in Asia Pacific region. This paper focuses on the overview of the business and technology environments, whereby examples of existing (or suggested) wireless solutions (to be) adopted in Asia Pacific region will be discussed. Interactions of several players, enabling technologies, and key processes in the wireless environments are studied. The analysis and discussions associated to this study are divided into two divisions: healthcare and education, where the merits of wireless solutions in improving living quality are highlighted.
Abstract: The backpropagation algorithm in general employs quadratic error function. In fact, most of the problems that involve minimization employ the Quadratic error function. With alternative error functions the performance of the optimization scheme can be improved. The new error functions help in suppressing the ill-effects of the outliers and have shown good performance to noise. In this paper we have tried to evaluate and compare the relative performance of complex valued neural network using different error functions. During first simulation for complex XOR gate it is observed that some error functions like Absolute error, Cauchy error function can replace Quadratic error function. In the second simulation it is observed that for some error functions the performance of the complex valued neural network depends on the architecture of the network whereas with few other error functions convergence speed of the network is independent of architecture of the neural network.
Abstract: In this paper, the optimum weight and cost of a laminated composite plate is seeked, while it undergoes the heaviest load prior to a complete failure. Various failure criteria are defined for such structures in the literature. In this work, the Tsai-Hill theory is used as the failure criterion. The theory of analysis was based on the Classical Lamination Theory (CLT). A newly type of Genetic Algorithm (GA) as an optimization technique with a direct use of real variables was employed. Yet, since the optimization via GAs is a long process, and the major time is consumed through the analysis, Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBFNN) was employed in predicting the output from the analysis. Thus, the process of optimization will be carried out through a hybrid neuro-GA environment, and the procedure will be carried out until a predicted optimum solution is achieved.
Abstract: The background estimation approach using a small
window median filter is presented on the bases of analyzing IR point
target, noise and clutter model. After simplifying the two-dimensional
filter, a simple method of adopting one-dimensional median filter is
illustrated to make estimations of background according to the
characteristics of IR scanning system. The adaptive threshold is used
to segment canceled image in the background. Experimental results
show that the algorithm achieved good performance and satisfy the
requirement of big size image-s real-time processing.
Abstract: Spatial and mobile computing evolves. This paper
describes a smart modeling platform called “GeoSEMA". This
approach tends to model multidimensional GeoSpatial Evolutionary
and Mobile Agents. Instead of 3D and location-based issues, there
are some other dimensions that may characterize spatial agents, e.g.
discrete-continuous time, agent behaviors. GeoSEMA is seen as a
devoted design pattern motivating temporal geographic-based
applications; it is a firm foundation for multipurpose and
multidimensional special-based applications. It deals with
multipurpose smart objects (buildings, shapes, missiles, etc.) by
stimulating geospatial agents.
Formally, GeoSEMA refers to geospatial, spatio-evolutive and
mobile space constituents where a conceptual geospatial space model
is given in this paper. In addition to modeling and categorizing
geospatial agents, the model incorporates the concept of inter-agents
event-based protocols. Finally, a rapid software-architecture
prototyping GeoSEMA platform is also given. It will be
implemented/ validated in the next phase of our work.
Abstract: Nowadays, computer worms, viruses and Trojan horse
become popular, and they are collectively called malware. Those
malware just spoiled computers by deleting or rewriting important
files a decade ago. However, recent malware seems to be born to earn
money. Some of malware work for collecting personal information so
that malicious people can find secret information such as password for
online banking, evidence for a scandal or contact address which relates
with the target. Moreover, relation between money and malware
becomes more complex. Many kinds of malware bear bots to get
springboards. Meanwhile, for ordinary internet users,
countermeasures against malware come up against a blank wall.
Pattern matching becomes too much waste of computer resources,
since matching tools have to deal with a lot of patterns derived from
subspecies. Virus making tools can automatically bear subspecies of
malware. Moreover, metamorphic and polymorphic malware are no
longer special. Recently there appears malware checking sites that
check contents in place of users' PC. However, there appears a new
type of malicious sites that avoids check by malware checking sites. In
this paper, existing protocols and methods related with the web are
reconsidered in terms of protection from current attacks, and new
protocol and method are indicated for the purpose of security of the
web.
Abstract: In this paper is reported an analysis about the outdoor air pollution of the urban centre of the city of Messina. The variations of the most critical pollutants concentrations (PM10, O3, CO, C6H6) and their trends respect of climatic parameters and vehicular traffic have been studied. Linear regressions have been effectuated for representing the relations among the pollutants; the differences between pollutants concentrations on weekend/weekday were also analyzed. In order to evaluate air pollution and its effects on human health, a method for calculating a pollution index was implemented and applied in the urban centre of the city. This index is based on the weighted mean of the most detrimental air pollutants concentrations respect of their limit values for protection of human health. The analyzed data of the polluting substances were collected by the Assessorship of the Environment of the Regional Province of Messina in the year 2004. A statistical analysis of the air quality index trends is also reported.
Abstract: Hydrogen is considered to be the most promising
candidate as a future energy carrier. One of the most used
technologies for the electrolytic hydrogen production is alkaline
water electrolysis. However, due to the high energy requirements, the
cost of hydrogen produced in such a way is high. In continuous
search to improve this process using advanced electrocatalytic
materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), Ni type Raney
and macro-porous Ni-Co electrodes were prepared on AISI 304
stainless steel substrates by electrodeposition. The developed
electrodes were characterized by SEM and confocal laser scanning
microscopy. HER on these electrodes was evaluated in 30 wt.% KOH
solution by means of hydrogen discharge curves and galvanostatic
tests. Results show that the developed electrodes present a most
efficient behaviour for HER when comparing with the smooth Ni
cathode. It has been reported a reduction in the energy consumption
of the electrolysis cell of about 25% by using the developed coatings
as cathodes.
Abstract: This paper presents an equivalent circuit model based on piecewise linear parallel branches (PLPB) to study solar cell modules which are partially shaded. The PLPB model can easily be used in circuit simulation software such as the ElectroMagnetic Transients Program (EMTP). This PLPB model allows the user to simulate several different configurations of solar cells, the influence of partial shadowing on a single or multiple cells, the influence of the number of solar cells protected by a bypass diode and the effect of the cell connection configuration on partial shadowing.
Abstract: Encrypted messages sending frequently draws the attention
of third parties, perhaps causing attempts to break and
reveal the original messages. Steganography is introduced to hide
the existence of the communication by concealing a secret message
in an appropriate carrier like text, image, audio or video. Quantum
steganography where the sender (Alice) embeds her steganographic
information into the cover and sends it to the receiver (Bob) over a
communication channel. Alice and Bob share an algorithm and hide
quantum information in the cover. An eavesdropper (Eve) without
access to the algorithm can-t find out the existence of the quantum
message. In this paper, a text quantum steganography technique based
on the use of indefinite articles (a) or (an) in conjunction with the nonspecific
or non-particular nouns in English language and quantum
gate truth table have been proposed. The authors also introduced a
new code representation technique (SSCE - Secret Steganography
Code for Embedding) at both ends in order to achieve high level of
security. Before the embedding operation each character of the secret
message has been converted to SSCE Value and then embeds to cover
text. Finally stego text is formed and transmits to the receiver side.
At the receiver side different reverse operation has been carried out
to get back the original information.
Abstract: Practicum placements are an critical factor for student teachers on Education Programs. How can student teachers become professionals? This study was to investigate problems, weakness and obstacles of practicum placements and develop guidelines for partnership in the practicum placements. In response to this issue, a partnership concept was implemented for developing student teachers into professionals. Data were collected through questionnaires on attitude toward problems, weaknesses, and obstacles of practicum placements of student teachers in Rajabhat universities and included focus group interviews. The research revealed that learning management, classroom management, curriculum, assessment and evaluation, classroom action research, and teacher demeanor are the important factors affecting the professional development of Education Program student teachers. Learning management plan and classroom management concerning instructional design, teaching technique, instructional media, and student behavior management are another important aspects influencing the professional development for student teachers.
Abstract: The stilling basins are commonly used to dissipate the
energy and protect the downstream floor from erosion. The aim of
the present experimental work is to improve the roughened stilling
basin using T-shape roughness instead of the regular cubic one and
design this new shape. As a result of the present work the best
intensity and the best roughness length are identified. Also, it is
found that the T-shape roughness save materials and reduce the jump
length compared to the cubic one. Sensitivity analysis was performed
and it was noticed that the change in the length of jump is more
sensitive to the change in roughness length than the change in
intensity.
Abstract: Medical image modalities such as computed
tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound
(US), X-ray are adapted to diagnose disease. These modalities
provide flexible means of reviewing anatomical cross-sections and
physiological state in different parts of the human body. The raw
medical images have a huge file size and need large storage
requirements. So it should be such a way to reduce the size of those
image files to be valid for telemedicine applications. Thus the image
compression is a key factor to reduce the bit rate for transmission or
storage while maintaining an acceptable reproduction quality, but it is
natural to rise the question of how much an image can be compressed
and still preserve sufficient information for a given clinical
application. Many techniques for achieving data compression have
been introduced. In this study, three different MRI modalities which
are Brain, Spine and Knee have been compressed and reconstructed
using wavelet transform. Subjective and objective evaluation has
been done to investigate the clinical information quality of the
compressed images. For the objective evaluation, the results show
that the PSNR which indicates the quality of the reconstructed image
is ranging from (21.95 dB to 30.80 dB, 27.25 dB to 35.75 dB, and
26.93 dB to 34.93 dB) for Brain, Spine, and Knee respectively. For
the subjective evaluation test, the results show that the compression
ratio of 40:1 was acceptable for brain image, whereas for spine and
knee images 50:1 was acceptable.
Abstract: wind catchers have been served as a cooling system, used to provide acceptable ventilation by means of renewable energy of wind. In the present study, the city of Yazd in arid climate is selected as case study. From the architecture point of view, learning about wind catchers in this study is done by means of field surveys. Research method for selection of the case is based on random form, and analytical method. Wind catcher typology and knowledge of relationship governing the wind catcher's architecture were those measures that are taken for the first time. 53 wind catchers were analyzed. The typology of the wind-catchers is done by the physical analyzing, patterns and common concepts as incorporated in them. How the architecture of wind catcher can influence their operations by analyzing thermal behavior are the archetypes of selected wind catchers. Calculating fluids dynamics science, fluent software and numerical analysis are used in this study as the most accurate analytical approach. The results obtained from these analyses show the formal specifications of wind catchers with optimum operation in Yazd. The knowledge obtained from the optimum model could be used for design and construction of wind catchers with more improved operation
Abstract: The convergence of heterogeneous wireless access technologies characterizes the 4G wireless networks. In such converged systems, the seamless and efficient handoff between
different access technologies (vertical handoff) is essential and remains a challenging problem. The heterogeneous co-existence of access technologies with largely different characteristics creates a decision problem of determining the “best" available network at
“best" time to reduce the unnecessary handoffs. This paper proposes a dynamic decision model to decide the “best" network at “best"
time moment to handoffs. The proposed dynamic decision model make the right vertical handoff decisions by determining the “best"
network at “best" time among available networks based on, dynamic
factors such as “Received Signal Strength(RSS)" of network and
“velocity" of mobile station simultaneously with static factors like Usage Expense, Link capacity(offered bandwidth) and power
consumption. This model not only meets the individual user needs but also improve the whole system performance by reducing the unnecessary handoffs.
Abstract: Sediment and mangrove root samples from Iko River
Estuary, Nigeria were analyzed for microbial and polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content. The total heterotrophic
bacterial (THB) count ranged from 1.1x107 to 5.1 x107 cfu/g, total
fungal (TF) count ranged from 1.0x106 to 2.7x106 cfu/g, total
coliform (TC) count ranged from 2.0x104 to 8.0x104cfu/g while
hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial (HUB) count ranged from 1.0x 105 to
5.0 x 105cfu/g. There was a range of positive correlation (r = 0.72 to
0.93) between THB count and total HUB count, respectively. The
organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus,
Flavobacterium breve, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Erwinia
amylovora, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp, Desulfovibrio sp,
Acinetobacter iwoffii, Chromobacterium violaceum, Micrococcus
sedentarius, Corynebacterium sp, and Pseudomonas putrefaciens.
The PAH were Naphthalene, 2-Methylnaphthalene, Acenapthylene,
Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Phenanthene, Anthracene, Fluoranthene,
Pyrene, Benzo(a)anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene,
Benzo(k)fluoranthene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene,
Benzo(g,h,l)perylene ,Indeno(1,2,3-d)pyrene with individual PAH
concentrations that ranged from 0.20mg/kg to 1.02mg/kg, 0.20mg/kg
to 1.07mg/kg and 0.2mg/kg to 4.43mg/kg in the benthic sediment,
epipellic sediment and mangrove roots, respectively. Total PAH
ranged from 6.30 to 9.93mg/kg, 6.30 to 9.13mg/kg and 9.66 to
16.68mg/kg in the benthic sediment, epipellic sediment and
mangrove roots, respectively. The high concentrations in the
mangrove roots are indicative of bioaccumulation of the pollutant in
the plant tissue. The microorganisms are of ecological significance
and the detectable quantities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
could be partitioned and accumulated in tissues of infaunal and
epifaunal organisms in the study area.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors affecting antimicrobial effectiveness of essential oils against food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. The minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) of the essential oils, were determined by turbidimetric technique using Biocreen C, analyzer. The effects of pH ranging from 7.3 to 5.5 in absence and presence of essential oils and/or NaCl on the lag time and mean generation time of the bacteria at 370C, were carried out and results were determined showed that, combination of low pH and essential oil at 370C had additive effects against the test micro-organisms. The combination of 1.2 % (w/v) of NaCl and clove essential oil at 0.0325% (v/v) was effective against E. coli. The use of concentrations less than MIC in combination with low pH and or NaCl has the potential of being used as an alternative to “traditional food preservatives".
Abstract: This article presents the evolution and technological changes implemented on the full scale simulators developed by the Simulation Department of the Instituto de Investigaciones Eléctricas1 (Mexican Electric Research Institute) and located at different training centers around the Mexican territory, and allows US to know the last updates, basically from the input/output view point, of the current simulators at some facilities of the electrical sector as well as the compatible industry of the electrical manufactures and industries such as Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE*, The utility Mexican company). Tendencies of these developments and impact within the operators- scope are also presented.
Abstract: Tumor classification is a key area of research in the
field of bioinformatics. Microarray technology is commonly used in
the study of disease diagnosis using gene expression levels. The
main drawback of gene expression data is that it contains thousands
of genes and a very few samples. Feature selection methods are used
to select the informative genes from the microarray. These methods
considerably improve the classification accuracy. In the proposed
method, Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used for effective feature
selection. Informative genes are identified based on the T-Statistics,
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and F-Test values. The initial candidate
solutions of GA are obtained from top-m informative genes. The
classification accuracy of k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN) method is used
as the fitness function for GA. In this work, kNN and Support Vector
Machine (SVM) are used as the classifiers. The experimental results
show that the proposed work is suitable for effective feature
selection. With the help of the selected genes, GA-kNN method
achieves 100% accuracy in 4 datasets and GA-SVM method
achieves in 5 out of 10 datasets. The GA with kNN and SVM
methods are demonstrated to be an accurate method for microarray
based tumor classification.
Abstract: In Both developed and developing countries,
governments play a basic role in making policies, programs and
instruments which support the development of micro, small and
medium enterprises. One of the mechanisms employed to nurture
small firms for more than two decades is business incubation. One of
the mechanisms employed to nurture small firms for more than two
decades is technology business incubation. The main aim of this
research was to establish influencing factors in Technology Business
Incubator's effectiveness and their explanatory model. Therefore,
among 56 Technology Business Incubators in Iran, 32 active
incubators were selected and by stratified random sampling, 528
start-ups were chosen. The validity of research questionnaires
was determines by expert consensus, item analysis and factor
analysis; and their reliability calculated by Cronbach-s alpha.
Data analysis was then made through SPSS and LISREL soft wares.
Both organizational procedures and entrepreneurial behaviors were
the meaningful mediators. Organizational procedures with (P < .01, β
=0.45) was stronger mediator for the improvement of Technology
Business Incubator's effectiveness comparing to entrepreneurial
behavior with (P < .01, β =0.36).