Abstract: Mycophenolic acid “MPA" is a secondary metabolite
of Penicillium bervicompactum with antibiotic and
immunosuppressive properties. In this study, fermentation process
was established for production of mycophenolic acid by Penicillium
bervicompactum MUCL 19011 in shake flask. The maximum MPA
production, product yield and productivity were 1.379 g/L, 18.6 mg/g
glucose and 4.9 mg/L.h respectively. Glucose consumption, biomass
and MPA production profiles were investigated during fermentation
time. It was found that MPA production starts approximately after
180 hours and reaches to a maximum at 280 h. In the next step, the
effects of methionine and acetate concentrations on MPA production
were evaluated. Maximum MPA production, product yield and
productivity (1.763 g/L, 23.8 mg/g glucose and 6.30 mg/L. h
respectively) were obtained with using 2.5 g/L methionine in culture
medium. Further addition of methionine had not more positive effect
on MPA production. Finally, results showed that the addition of
acetate to the culture medium had not any observable effect on MPA
production
Abstract: Using neural network we try to model the unknown function f for given input-output data pairs. The connection strength of each neuron is updated through learning. Repeated simulations of crisp neural network produce different values of weight factors that are directly affected by the change of different parameters. We propose the idea that for each neuron in the network, we can obtain quasi-fuzzy weight sets (QFWS) using repeated simulation of the crisp neural network. Such type of fuzzy weight functions may be applied where we have multivariate crisp input that needs to be adjusted after iterative learning, like claim amount distribution analysis. As real data is subjected to noise and uncertainty, therefore, QFWS may be helpful in the simplification of such complex problems. Secondly, these QFWS provide good initial solution for training of fuzzy neural networks with reduced computational complexity.
Abstract: Day by day technology increases and problems
associated with this technology also increase. Several researches
were carried out to investigate the deployment of such material safely
in geotechnical engineering in particular and civil engineering in
general. However, different types of waste material have such as
cement duct, fly ash and slag been proven to be suitable in several
applications. In this research cement dust mixed with different
percentages of sand will be used in some civil engineering
application as will be explained later in this paper throughout filed
and laboratory test. The used mixer (waste material with sand) prove
high performance, durability to environmental condition, low cost
and high benefits. At higher cement dust ratio, small cement ratio is
valuable for compressive strength and permeability. Also at small
cement dust ratio higher cement ratio is valuable for compressive
strength.
Abstract: With the advance in wireless networking, IEEE 802.16 WiMAX technology has been widely deployed for several applications such as “last mile" broadband service, cellular backhaul, and high-speed enterprise connectivity. As a result, military employed WiMAX as a high-speed wireless connection for data-link because of its point to multi-point and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) capability for many years. However, the risk of using WiMAX is a critical factor in some sensitive area of military applications especially in ammunition manufacturing such as solid propellant rocket production. The US DoD policy states that the following certification requirements are met for WiMAX: electromagnetic effects on the environment (E3) and Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO). This paper discuses the Recommended Power Densities and Safe Separation Distance (SSD) for HERO on WiMAX systems deployed on solid propellant rocket production. The result of this research found that WiMAX is safe to operate at close proximity distances to the rocket production based on AF Guidance Memorandum immediately changing AFMAN 91-201.
Abstract: The distribution, enrichment, and accumulation of zinc
(Zn) in the sediments of Kaohsiung Ocean Disposal Site (KODS),
Taiwan were investigated. Sediment samples from two outer disposal
site stations and nine disposed stations in the KODS were collected per
quarterly in 2009 and characterized for Zn, aluminum, organic matter,
and grain size. Results showed that the mean Zn concentrations varied
from 48 mg/kg to 456 mg/kg. Results from the enrichment factor (EF)
and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) analyses imply that the sediments
collected from the KODS can be characterized between moderate and
moderately severe degree enrichment and between none and none to
medium accumulation of Zn, respectively. However, results of
potential ecological risk index indicate that the sediment has low
ecological potential risk. The EF, Igeo, and Zn concentrations at the
disposed stations were slightly higher than those at outer disposal site.
This indicated that the disposed area centers may be subjected to the
disposal impaction of harbor dredged sediments.
Abstract: The adsorption properties of CO and H2 on iron-based
catalyst with addition of Zr and Ni were investigated using
temperature programmed desorption process. It was found that on the
carburized iron-based catalysts, molecular state and dissociative state
CO existed together. The addition of Zr was preferential for the
molecular state adsorption of CO on iron-based catalyst and the
presence of Ni was beneficial to the dissociative adsorption of CO. On
H2 reduced catalysts, hydrogen mainly adsorbs on the surface iron
sites and surface oxide sites. On CO reduced catalysts, hydrogen
probably existed as the most stable CH and OH species. The addition
of Zr was not benefit to the dissociative adsorption of hydrogen on
iron-based catalyst and the presence of Ni was preferential for the
dissociative adsorption of hydrogen.
Abstract: augmented reality is a technique used to insert virtual objects in real scenes. One of the most used libraries in the area is the ARToolkit library. It is based on the recognition of the markers that are in the form of squares with a pattern inside. This pattern which is mostly textual is source of confusing. In this paper, we present the results of a classification of Latin characters as a pattern on the ARToolkit markers to know the most distinguishable among them.
Abstract: This paper proposes a “soft systems" approach to
domain-driven design of computer-based information systems. We
propose a systemic framework combining techniques from Soft
Systems Methodology (SSM), the Unified Modelling Language
(UML), and an implementation pattern known as “Naked Objects".
We have used this framework in action research projects that have
involved the investigation and modelling of business processes using
object-oriented domain models and the implementation of software
systems based on those domain models. Within the proposed
framework, Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is used as a guiding
methodology to explore the problem situation and to generate a
ubiquitous language (soft language) which can be used as the basis
for developing an object-oriented domain model. The domain model
is further developed using techniques based on the UML and is
implemented in software following the “Naked Objects"
implementation pattern. We argue that there are advantages from
combining and using techniques from different methodologies in this
way.
The proposed systemic framework is overviewed and justified as
multimethodologyusing Mingers multimethodology ideas.
This multimethodology approach is being evaluated through a
series of action research projects based on real-world case studies. A
Peer-Tutoring case study is presented here as a sample of the
framework evaluation process
Abstract: Lycopene, which can be extracted from plants and is
very popular for fruit intake, is restricted for healthy food development
due to its high price. On the other hand, it will get great safety
concerns, especially in the food or cosmetic application, if the raw
material of lycopene is produced by chemical synthesis. In this
project, we provide a key technology to bridge the limitation as
mentioned above. Based on the abundant bioresources of BCRC
(Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Taiwan), a promising
lycopene output will be anticipated by the introduction of fermentation
technology along with industry-related core energy. Our results
showed that addition of tween 80(0.2%) and span 20 produced higher
amount of lycopene. And piperidine, when was added at 48hr to the
cultivation medium, could promote lycopene excretion effectively
also.
Abstract: Digital watermarking in medical images can ensure
the authenticity and integrity of the image. This design paper reviews
some existing watermarking schemes and proposes a reversible
tamper detection and recovery watermarking scheme. Watermark
data from ROI (Region Of Interest) are stored in RONI (Region Of
Non Interest). The embedded watermark allows tampering detection
and tampered image recovery. The watermark is also reversible and
data compression technique was used to allow higher embedding
capacity.
Abstract: Distributed wireless sensor network consist on several
scattered nodes in a knowledge area. Those sensors have as its only
power supplies a pair of batteries that must let them live up to five
years without substitution. That-s why it is necessary to develop
some power aware algorithms that could save battery lifetime as
much as possible. In this is document, a review of power aware
design for sensor nodes is presented. As example of implementations,
some resources and task management, communication, topology
control and routing protocols are named.
Abstract: Internet computer games turn to be more and more
attractive within the context of technology enhanced learning.
Educational games as quizzes and quests have gained significant
success in appealing and motivating learners to study in a different
way and provoke steadily increasing interest in new methods of
application. Board games are specific group of games where figures
are manipulated in competitive play mode with race conditions on a
surface according predefined rules. The article represents a new,
formalized model of traditional quizzes, puzzles and quests shown as
multimedia board games which facilitates the construction process of
such games. Authors provide different examples of quizzes and their
models in order to demonstrate the model is quite general and does
support not only quizzes, mazes and quests but also any set of
teaching activities. The execution process of such models is
explained and, as well, how they can be useful for creation and
delivery of adaptive e-learning courseware.
Abstract: The effective machine-job assignment of injection
molding machines is very important for industry because it is not
only directly affects the quality of the product but also the
performance and lifetime of the machine as well. The phase of
machine selection was mostly done by professionals or experienced
planners, so the possibility of matching a job with an inappropriate
machine might occur when it was conducted by an inexperienced
person. It could lead to an uneconomical plan and defects. This
research aimed to develop a machine selection system for plastic
injection machines as a tool to help in decision making of the user.
This proposed system could be used both in normal times and in
times of emergency. Fuzzy logic principle is applied to deal with
uncertainty and mechanical factors in the selection of both quantity
and quality criteria. The six criteria were obtained from a plastic
manufacturer's case study to construct a system based on fuzzy logic
theory using MATLAB. The results showed that the system was able
to reduce the defects of Short Shot and Sink Mark to 24.0% and
8.0% and the total defects was reduced around 8.7% per month.
Abstract: The hydrolysis kinetics of polycrystalline lithium hydride (LiH) in argon at various low humidities was measured by gravimetry and Raman spectroscopy with ambient water concentration ranging from 200 to 1200 ppm. The results showed that LiH hydrolysis curve revealed a paralinear shape, which was attributed to two different reaction stages that forming different products as explained by the 'Layer Diffusion Control' model. Based on the model, a novel two-stage rate equation for LiH hydrolysis reactions was developed and used to fit the experimental data for determination of Li2O steady thickness Hs and the ultimate hydrolysis rate vs. The fitted data presented a rise of Hs as ambient water concentration cw increased. However, in spite of the negative effect imposed by Hs increasing, the upward trend of vs remained, which implied that water concentration, rather than Li2O thickness, played a predominant role in LiH hydrolysis kinetics. In addition, the proportional relationship between vsHs and cw predicted by rate equation and confirmed by gravimetric data validated the model in such conditions.
Abstract: Most CT reconstruction system x-ray computed
tomography (CT) is a well established visualization technique in
medicine and nondestructive testing. However, since CT scanning
requires sampling of radiographic projections from different viewing
angles, common CT systems with mechanically moving parts are too
slow for dynamic imaging, for instance of multiphase flows or live
animals. A large number of X-ray projections are needed to
reconstruct CT images, so the collection and calculation of the
projection data consume too much time and harmful for patient. For
the purpose of solving the problem, in this study, we proposed a
method for tomographic reconstruction of a sample from a limited
number of x-ray projections by using linear interpolation method. In
simulation, we presented reconstruction from an experimental x-ray
CT scan of a Aluminum phantom that follows to two steps: X-ray
projections will be interpolated using linear interpolation method and
using it for CT reconstruction based upon Ordered Subsets
Expectation Maximization (OSEM) method.
Abstract: β-Glucosidase is an important enzyme for production
of ethanol from lignocellulose. With hydrolytic activity on
cellooligosaccharides, especially cellobiose, β-glucosidase removes
product inhibitory effect on cellulases and forms fermentable sugars.
In this study, β-glucosidase encoding gene (BGL1) from traditional
starter yeast Saccharomycosis fibuligera BMQ908 was cloned and
expressed in Pichia pastoris. BGL1 of S. fibuligera BMQ 908 shared
98% nucleotide homology with the closest GenBank sequence
(M22475) but identity in amino-acid sequences of catalytic domains.
Recombinant plasmid pPICZαA/BGL1 containing the sequence
encoding BGL1 mature protein and α-factor secretion signal was
constructed and transformed into methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris by
electroporation. The recombinant strain produced single extracellular
protein with molecular weight of 120 kDa and cellobiase activity of
60 IU/ml. The optimum pH of the recombinant β-glucosidase was 5.0
and the optimum temperature was 50°C.
Abstract: The transformation of vocal characteristics aims at
modifying voice such that the intelligibility of aphonic voice is
increased or the voice characteristics of a speaker (source speaker) to
be perceived as if another speaker (target speaker) had uttered it. In
this paper, the current state-of-the-art voice characteristics
transformation methodology is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed
on voice transformation methodology and issues for improving the
transformed speech quality in intelligibility and naturalness are
discussed. In particular, it is suggested to use the modulation theory
of speech as a base for research on high quality voice transformation.
This approach allows one to separate linguistic, expressive, organic
and perspective information of speech, based on an analysis of how
they are fused when speech is produced. Therefore, this theory
provides the fundamentals not only for manipulating non-linguistic,
extra-/paralinguistic and intra-linguistic variables for voice
transformation, but also for paving the way for easily transposing the
existing voice transformation methods to emotion-related voice
quality transformation and speaking style transformation. From the
perspectives of human speech production and perception, the popular
voice transformation techniques are described and classified them
based on the underlying principles either from the speech production
or perception mechanisms or from both. In addition, the advantages
and limitations of voice transformation techniques and the
experimental manipulation of vocal cues are discussed through
examples from past and present research. Finally, a conclusion and
road map are pointed out for more natural voice transformation
algorithms in the future.
Abstract: This paper explores gender related barriers to interagency collaboration in statutory children safeguard partnerships against a theoretical framework that considers individuals, professions and organisations interacting as part of a complex adaptive system. We argue that gender-framed obstacles to effective communication between culturally discrepant agencies can ultimately impact on the effectiveness of policy delivery,. We focused our research on three partnership structures in Sefton Metropolitan Borough in order to observe how interactions occur, whether the agencies involved perceive their occupational environment as being gender affected and whether they believe this can hinder effective collaboration with other biased organisations. Our principal empirical findings indicate that there is a general awareness amongst professionals of the role that gender plays in each of the agencies reviewed, that gender may well constitute a barrier to effective communication, but there is a sense in which there is little scope for change in the short term. We aim to signal here, however, the need to change against the risk of service failure.
Abstract: The main goal of microarray experiments is to quantify the expression of every object on a slide as precisely as possible, with a further goal of clustering the objects. Recently, many studies have discussed clustering issues involving similar patterns of gene expression. This paper presents an application of fuzzy-type methods for clustering DNA microarray data that can be applied to typical comparisons. Clustering and analyses were performed on microarray and simulated data. The results show that fuzzy-possibility c-means clustering substantially improves the findings obtained by others.
Abstract: This paper is introduced a modification to Diffie-
Hellman protocol to be applicable on the decimal numbers, which
they are the numbers between zero and one. For this purpose we
extend the theory of the congruence. The new congruence is over
the set of the real numbers and it is called the “real congruence"
or the “real modulus". We will refer to the existing congruence by
the “integer congruence" or the “integer modulus". This extension
will define new terms and redefine the existing terms. As the
properties and the theorems of the integer modulus are extended as
well. Modified Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol is produced a
sharing, secure and decimal secret key for the the cryptosystems that
depend on decimal numbers.