Abstract: In MANET, mobile nodes communicate with each
other using the wireless channel where transmission takes place with
significant interference. The wireless medium used in MANET is a
shared resource used by all the nodes available in MANET. Packet
reserving is one important resource management scheme which
controls the allocation of bandwidth among multiple flows through
node cooperation in MANET. This paper proposes packet reserving
and clogging control via Routing Aware Packet Reserving (RAPR)
framework in MANET. It mainly focuses the end-to-end routing
condition with maximal throughput. RAPR is complimentary system
where the packet reserving utilizes local routing information
available in each node. Path setup in RAPR estimates the security
level of the system, and symbolizes the end-to-end routing by
controlling the clogging. RAPR reaches the packet to the destination
with high probability ratio and minimal delay count. The standard
performance measures such as network security level,
communication overhead, end-to-end throughput, resource utilization
efficiency and delay measure are considered in this work. The results
reveals that the proposed packet reservation and clogging control via
Routing Aware Packet Reserving (RAPR) framework performs well
for the above said performance measures compare to the existing
methods.
Abstract: The article discusses multimodal mobility in
contemporary societies as a main planning and organization issue in
the functioning of administrative bodies, a problem which really
exists in the space of contemporary cities in terms of shaping modern
transport systems. The article presents classification of available
resources and initiatives undertaken for developing multimodal
mobility. Solutions can be divided into three groups of measures –
physical measures in the form of changes of the transport network
infrastructure, organizational ones (including transport policy) and
information measures. The latter ones include in particular direct
support for people travelling in the transport network by providing
information about ways of using available means of transport. A
special measure contributing to this end is a trip planner. The article
compares several selected planners. It includes a short description of
the Green Travelling Project, which aims at developing a planner
supporting environmentally friendly solutions in terms of transport
network operation. The article summarizes preliminary findings of
the project.
Abstract: A relationship between face and signature biometrics
is established in this paper. A new approach is developed to predict
faces from signatures by using artificial intelligence. A multilayer
perceptron (MLP) neural network is used to generate face details
from features extracted from signatures, here face is the physical
biometric and signatures is the behavioural biometric. The new
method establishes a relationship between the two biometrics and
regenerates a visible face image from the signature features.
Furthermore, the performance efficiencies of our new technique are
demonstrated in terms of minimum error rates compared to published
work.
Abstract: Age ratings are very helpful in providing parents with
relevant information for the purchase and use of digital technologies
by the children; this is why the non-definition of age ratings for the
use of ICTs by children in schools is a major concern; and this
problem serves as a motivation for this study whose aim is to
examine the factors affecting the perceptions of educators on the
learners’ youngest age for the introduction of ICTs in schools. This
aim is achieved through two types of research objectives: the
identification and design of theories and models on age ratings, and
the empirical testing of such theories and models in a survey of
educators from the Camperdown district of the South African
KwaZulu-Natal province. A questionnaire is used for the collection
of the data of this survey whose validity and reliability is checked in
SPSS prior to its descriptive and correlative quantitative analysis. The
main hypothesis supporting this research is the association between
the demographics of educators, their personality, and their
perceptions on the learners’ youngest age for the introduction of ICTs
in schools; as claimed by existing research; except that the present
study looks at personality from three dimensions: self-actualized
personalities, fully functioning personalities, and healthy
personalities. This hypothesis was fully confirmed by the empirical
study conducted by this research except for the demographic factor
where only the educators’ grade or class was found to be associated
with the personality of educators.
Abstract: reliability-based methodology for the assessment
and evaluation of reinforced concrete (R/C) structural elements of
concrete structures is presented herein. The results of the reliability
analysis and assessment for R/C structural elements were verified by
the results obtained through deterministic methods. The outcomes of
the reliability-based analysis were compared against currently
adopted safety limits that are incorporated in the reliability indices
β’s, according to international standards and codes. The methodology
is based on probabilistic analysis using reliability concepts and
statistics of the main random variables that are relevant to the subject
matter, and for which they are to be used in the performance-function
equation(s) associated with the structural elements under study.
These methodology techniques can result in reliability index β, which
is commonly known as the reliability index or reliability measure
value that can be utilized to assess and evaluate the safety, human
risk, and functionality of the structural component. Also, these
methods can result in revised partial safety factor values for certain
target reliability indices that can be used for the purpose of
redesigning the R/C elements of the building and in which they could
assist in considering some other remedial actions to improve the
safety and functionality of the member.
Abstract: In this study, we develop a performance evaluation
model based on a multi-attribute utility approach aiming at reaching
the sustainable banking (SB) status. This model is built accounting
for various banks’ stakeholders in a win-win paradigm. In addition, it
offers the opportunity for adopting a global measure of performance
as an indication of a bank’s sustainability degree. This measure is
referred to as banking sustainability performance index (BSPI). This
index may constitute a basis for ranking banks. Moreover, it may
constitute a bridge between the assessment types of financial and
extra-financial rating agencies. A real application is performed on
three French banks.
Abstract: In order to verify the performance of lunar lander
structure, landing-impact test is urgently needed. And the test
equipment is necessary for the test. The functions and the key points of
the equipment are presented to satisfy the requirements of the test, and
the design scheme is proposed. The composition, the major function
and the critical parts’ design of the equipment are introduced. By the
load test of releasing device and single-beam hoist, and the
compatibility test of landing-impact testing system, the rationality and
reliability of the equipment is proved.
Abstract: Urban greenery remains the bastion of urban
landscape and a key to sustainable development due to its integral
connections to the general health and wellbeing of urban residents.
However, in an era of rapid urbanisation, recent studies indicate that
urban greenery, especially ecologically sensitive areas, in many
African cities is becoming increasingly depleted. Given the scale and
rate of natural and anthropogenic change, effective management of
urban greenery as the ultimate goal of restoring depleting urban
landscapes is urgent. This review advocates for an urban resilience
model to managing urban greenery.
Abstract: Different strategies and tools are available at the oil
and gas industry for detecting and analyzing tension and possible
fractures in borehole walls. Most of these techniques are based on
manual observation of the captured borehole images. While this
strategy may be possible and convenient with small images and few
data, it may become difficult and suitable to errors when big
databases of images must be treated. While the patterns may differ
among the image area, depending on many characteristics (drilling
strategy, rock components, rock strength, etc.). In this work we
propose the inclusion of data-mining classification strategies in order
to create a knowledge database of the segmented curves. These
classifiers allow that, after some time using and manually pointing
parts of borehole images that correspond to tension regions and
breakout areas, the system will indicate and suggest automatically
new candidate regions, with higher accuracy. We suggest the use of
different classifiers methods, in order to achieve different knowledge
dataset configurations.
Abstract: This paper is devoted to the study of a viscous
incompressible flow around a circular cylinder performing harmonic
oscillations, especially the steady streaming phenomenon. The
research methodology is based on the asymptotic explanation method
combined with the computational bifurcation analysis. The research
approach develops Schlichting and Wang decomposition method.
Present studies allow to identify several regimes of the secondary
streaming with different flow structures. The results of the research
are in good agreement with experimental and numerical simulation
data.
Abstract: The systematic evaluation of manufacturing
technologies with regard to the potential for product designing
constitutes a major challenge. Until now, conventional evaluation
methods primarily consider the costs of manufacturing technologies.
Thus, the potential of manufacturing technologies for achieving
additional product design features is not completely captured. To
compensate this deficit, final evaluations of new technologies are
mainly intuitive in practice. Therefore, an additional evaluation
dimension is needed which takes the potential of manufacturing
technologies for specific realizable product designs into account. In
this paper, we present the approach of an evaluation method for
selecting manufacturing technologies with regard to their potential
for product designing. This research is done within the Fraunhofer
innovation cluster »AdaM« (Adaptive Manufacturing) which targets
the development of resource efficient and adaptive manufacturing
technology processes for complex turbomachinery components.
Abstract: Health analytics (HA) is used in healthcare systems
for effective decision making, management and planning of
healthcare and related activities. However, user resistances, unique
position of medical data content and structure (including
heterogeneous and unstructured data) and impromptu HA projects
have held up the progress in HA applications. Notably, the accuracy
of outcomes depends on the skills and the domain knowledge of the
data analyst working on the healthcare data. Success of HA depends
on having a sound process model, effective project management and
availability of supporting tools. Thus, to overcome these challenges
through an effective process model, we propose a HA process model
with features from rational unified process (RUP) model and agile
methodology.
Abstract: This paper is concerning the issues of behaviour of
lightweight expanded clay aggregates concrete exposed to high
temperature. Lightweight aggregates from expanded clay are
produced by firing of row material up to temperature 1050°C.
Lightweight aggregates have suitable properties in terms of volume
stability, when exposed to temperatures up to 1050°C, which could
indicate their suitability for construction applications with higher risk
of fire. The test samples were exposed to heat by using the standard
temperature-time curve ISO 834. Negative changes in resulting
mechanical properties, such as compressive strength, tensile strength,
and flexural strength were evaluated. Also visual evaluation of the
specimen was performed. On specimen exposed to excessive heat, an
explosive spalling could be observed, due to evaporation of
considerable amount of unbounded water from the inner structure of
the concrete.
Abstract: Characterization of the engineering behavior of
unsaturated soil is dependent on the soil-water characteristic curve
(SWCC), a graphical representation of the relationship between water
content or degree of saturation and soil suction. A reasonable
description of the SWCC is thus important for the accurate prediction
of unsaturated soil parameters. The measurement procedures for
determining the SWCC, however, are difficult, expensive, and timeconsuming.
During the past few decades, researchers have laid a
major focus on developing empirical equations for predicting the
SWCC, with a large number of empirical models suggested. One of
the most crucial questions is how precisely existing equations can
represent the SWCC. As different models have different ranges of
capability, it is essential to evaluate the precision of the SWCC
models used for each particular soil type for better SWCC estimation.
It is expected that better estimation of SWCC would be achieved via
a thorough statistical analysis of its distribution within a particular
soil class. With this in view, a statistical analysis was conducted in
order to evaluate the reliability of the SWCC prediction models
against laboratory measurement. Optimization techniques were used
to obtain the best-fit of the model parameters in four forms of SWCC
equation, using laboratory data for relatively coarse-textured (i.e.,
sandy) soil. The four most prominent SWCCs were evaluated and
computed for each sample. The result shows that the Brooks and
Corey model is the most consistent in describing the SWCC for sand
soil type. The Brooks and Corey model prediction also exhibit
compatibility with samples ranging from low to high soil water
content in which subjected to the samples that evaluated in this study.
Abstract: Web-based Cognitive Writing Instruction (WeCWI) is
a hybrid e-framework for the development of a web-based instruction
(WBI), which contributes towards instructional design and language
development. WeCWI divides its contribution in instructional design
into macro and micro perspectives. In macro perspective, being a 21st
century educator by disseminating knowledge and sharing ideas with
the in-class and global learners is initiated. By leveraging the virtue
of technology, WeCWI aims to transform an educator into an
aggregator, curator, publisher, social networker and ultimately, a
web-based instructor. Since the most notable contribution of
integrating technology is being a tool of teaching as well as a
stimulus for learning, WeCWI focuses on the use of contemporary
web tools based on the multiple roles played by the 21st century
educator. The micro perspective in instructional design draws
attention to the pedagogical approaches focusing on three main
aspects: reading, discussion, and writing. With the effective use of
pedagogical approaches through free reading and enterprises,
technology adds new dimensions and expands the boundaries of
learning capacity. Lastly, WeCWI also imparts the fundamental
theories and models for web-based instructors’ awareness such as
interactionist theory, cognitive information processing (CIP) theory,
computer-mediated communication (CMC), e-learning interactionalbased
model, inquiry models, sensory mind model, and leaning styles
model.
Abstract: This study aimed at investigating whether the
functional brain networks constructed using the initial EEG (obtained
when patients first visited hospital) can be correlated with the
progression of cognitive decline calculated as the changes of
mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores between the latest and
initial examinations. We integrated the time–frequency cross mutual
information (TFCMI) method to estimate the EEG functional
connectivity between cortical regions, and the network analysis based
on graph theory to investigate the organization of functional networks
in aMCI. Our finding suggested that higher integrated functional
network with sufficient connection strengths, dense connection
between local regions, and high network efficiency in processing
information at the initial stage may result in a better prognosis of the
subsequent cognitive functions for aMCI. In conclusion, the functional
connectivity can be a useful biomarker to assist in prediction of
cognitive declines in aMCI.
Abstract: Caused by shorter product life cycles and higher
product variety the importance of production ramp ups is increasing.
Even though companies are aware of that fact, up to 40% of the ramp
up projects still miss technical and economical requirements. The
success of a ramp up depends on the planning of human factors,
organizational aspects and technological solutions. Since only partly
considered in scientific literature, this paper lays its focus on the
human factor during production ramp up. There are only incoherent
methods which address the problems in this area. A systematic and
holistic method to improve the capabilities of the employees during
ramp up is missing. The Harada Method is a relatively young
approach for developing highly-skilled workers. It consists of
different worksheets which help employees to set guidelines and
reach overall objectives. This approach is going to be transferred into
a tool for ramp up management.
Abstract: Segmentation is one of the essential tasks in image
processing. Thresholding is one of the simplest techniques for
performing image segmentation. Multilevel thresholding is a simple
and effective technique. The primary objective of bi-level or
multilevel thresholding for image segmentation is to determine a best
thresholding value. To achieve multilevel thresholding various
techniques has been proposed. A study of some nature inspired
metaheuristic algorithms for multilevel thresholding for image
segmentation is conducted. Here, we study about Particle swarm
optimization (PSO) algorithm, artificial bee colony optimization
(ABC), Ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm and Cuckoo
search (CS) algorithm.
Abstract: Spectrum sensing is the main feature of cognitive
radio technology. Spectrum sensing gives an idea of detecting the
presence of the primary users in a licensed spectrum. In this paper we
compare the theoretical results of detection probability of different
fading environments like Rayleigh, Rician, Nakagami-m fading
channels with the simulation results using energy detection based
spectrum sensing. The numerical results are plotted as Pf Vs Pd for
different SNR values, fading parameters. It is observed that
Nakagami fading channel performance is better than other fading
channels by using energy detection in spectrum sensing. A MATLAB
simulation test bench has been implemented to know the performance
of energy detection in different fading channel environment.
Abstract: Novel bio-based polymer electrolyte was synthesized
with LiClO4 as the main source of charge carrier. Initially,
polyurethane-LiClO4 polymer electrolytes were synthesized via
prepolymerization method with different NCO/OH ratios and labelled
them as PU1, PU2, PU3 and PU4. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)
analysis indicates the co-ordination between Li+ ion and polyurethane
in PU1. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicates
PU1 has the highest glass transition temperature (Tg) corresponds to
the most abundant urethane group which is the hard segment in PU1.
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows the good miscibility
between lithium salt and the polymer. The study found that PU1
possessed the greatest ionic conductivity and the lowest activation
energy, Ea. All the polyurethanes exhibited linear Arrhenius
variations indicating ion transport via simple lithium ion hopping in
polyurethane. This research proves the NCO content in polyurethane
plays an important role in affecting the ionic conductivity of this
polymer electrolyte.